Cancún, Mexico
Quick Info
Cancún International Airport is located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It is Mexico's second busiest airport, after Mexico City International Airport, but the biggest for international passengers. The Canún airport is comprised of 3 terminals. They are fairly modern, and tourists landing have taken International flights and will land in either terminal 2 or 3. Terminal 1 is reserved for flights within Mexico.
How to successfully reach your resort.
1. Get off the plane. Follow the herd and go through Immigration. You will need to have your form completed in advance to avoid delays.
2. Collect your luggage.
3. Pass Customs.
4. Ignore the salespeople.
5. Get outside the terminal and find your transportation.
So you've just arrived in a foreign country. . .
Keep your passport and customs declaration form (should have been distributed on the airplane, but there are more available) secure as you exit the aircraft and prepare to go through customs.
You will be guided towards the customs area to be screened for entry into Mexico. They will review your paperwork and stamp your passport. Then you will collect any checked luggage from the carousel and go through additional screening. Not everyone's luggage will be screened, but there is a chance they will scan your checked bags at this point. They will return your passport and a portion of your customs declaration back to you. Do not lose this, it will make it difficult to return to the United States.
After passing the last checkpoint, I would suggest storing your passport/customs paperwork before attempting to locate the airport exit and shuttle service.
Continue towards airport exit. **If you have never been to a foreign country before this part is very important.** After customs you will go through an area with a lot of "helpful" and "friendly" individuals wearing official looking outfits/uniforms who will approach you and try to help you find your ground transportation. Do not talk to these people, but continue towards the airport exit. This area is set up for resorts and other various companies to sell you timeshares and similar destination packages. It will be confusing and hectic in this area, but if you simply reply to these persons with a "No Gracias" and continue to proceed to the exit, they will leave you alone and go to the next gullible tourist.
Once you reach the airport exit, there will be a huge amount of ground transportation services clamoring to help you get to the resort. If you booked through our travel agent, you will be looking for an "AMstar" sign with your last name printed on it. (Disclaimer: your last name could be spelled incorrectly.) Just approach and identify yourself, they will take your luggage and guide you to their shuttle loading area.
Side note: there will be multiple individual vendors in this area, if you want to get your vacation started early, give them a dollar for a beer to enjoy on your shuttle trip to the resort.
Tourist Visa
You will be required to complete a tourist visa which you will receive on the plane. This will be handed in to Immigration once you land, and they will hand back a half of it, which you will need to hand in upon check-in for your return flight. Do not lose this tourist visa as they will charge you about $50US to issue a new one.
Beware: Sneaky Sales People
Hey, my friend! Would you like a free ride?
Mexico is filled with time share salespeople and one of the places that tourists are most approached is in the airport terminals. You will be called over, and they may present themselves as being your holiday representatives, offer to give you “free information” or entice you with free or cheap tours. In most cases you are convinced to leave a cash deposit and invited to a “free tour”, a breakfast, or to spend the day at the property in question. Many tourists don’t even realize that they have been roped into a presentation until it is too late.
Also, outside the airport there are "pirate" taxis. They will approach you and make up stories about your transport company or vacation representative telling them that unfortunately they had to leave, so you are invited to take their transport and then ask your representative for a refund. Please do not fall for this. Look for your transport or representative.
Passports Required!
You will need to have a valid passport to enter Mexico, which means you need to start planning now. For routine passport applications, the US Department of State estimates 6-8 weeks after submission of your application before you receive your passport. If you have never obtained a passport before the application process requires evidence of your United State Citizenship (i.e. your original or a certified copy of your birth certificate). This is a document that even the most prudent individuals will have trouble finding in their personal filing cabinet. You may need to request an original or certified copy from the state you were born in. (This is going to add extra fees and extra processing time overall.)
Step 1: Gather all of the required materials for your passport appointment. This is going to include: 1) your original birth certificate or a certified copy; 2) a photocopy of that birth certificate; 3) your valid driver's license; 4) a photocopy of your valid driver's license; 5) a proper passport photo; 6) completed application; 7) appropriate fees.
Fees will vary depending on whether you wish to receive a only a passport book ($110 + $25), or a passport book with a passport card as well ($140 + $25). There is a fee for the application and a separate fee as the execution fee. Neither can be paid by credit card or debit card (use a personal check or money order). The payments need to be separate.
Your passport photo must comply with all regulations, so we advise that you use either a third party photo center (i.e. Walgreens or CVS) or use a passport application facility that offers a photo service on site.
Step 2: Schedule an appointment with a passport acceptance facility. Check out this link here to locate a facility near you. From experience, call and set up an appointment, sometimes these locations book out far in advance. Also, to save time, I recommend choosing a facility that offers passport photos on site.
*If you have a passport already, be sure to check if your passport might expire before or during your trip to Mexico.
How to Apply for your Passport - US Department of State
What to Pack: Consider saving room in your luggage for these items
Tums / Pepto Bismol - this cannot be stressed enough. Fingers crossed you will not need either, but you do not want to be overcharged by the resort gift shop for these items during your time of need.
ibuprofen / Acetaminophen - more commonly referred to as Advil / Tylenol. You are going on a vacation with all inclusive alcoholic beverages, need we say more for the following morning?
Sunscreen / Aloe Vera - This seems obvious, but sunscreen is pretty expensive, be sure to buy it beforehand it so you won't have to pay even more at the resort.
Bug Spray - unless you're one of the special ones who the mosquitos are not attracted to, we would definitely suggest bringing bug spray.
Tumbler with lid - unless you have a Yeti, I would suggest bringing some kind of insulated cup or tumbler with a lid. At bars located outside at the resort, they will make your drinks in their own plastic cups. They are a bit small and because of the humidity, your ice melts quickly! The staff and bartenders are usually more than happy to make drinks in your own glass.
More than one swimsuit - It is pretty humid in this part of Mexico. If you bring more than one swimsuit, you will not have to put on a damp swimsuit everyday.
Water Proof Cellphone Case - These are a whole lot cheaper on Amazon prior to arriving in Mexico.
Water Shoes / Water Socks - Whatever your family calls them, the ugly shoes you wear to water parks and what we suggest you bring if you go on any water-related expeditions outside the resort.
Because our VIPs are scattered throughout the United States and are traveling for different lengths of time, it is difficult for us to coordinate group rates (typically they require 20+ same day bookings).
Search for your flight on your own. I would recommend browsing for flights with a browser that will not send your "cookies" to the host website. For instance, if you use google chrome, you can browse "incognito" so your information is not tracked by the host site. (AKA - you do not want expedia, southwest, united airlines to see that you've been browsing, sometimes that leads to prices being raised). Fly into Cancún International Airport, do not book a flight that transfers through Mexico City. Be wary of flights that are not direct, some layovers can lead to 10-12 hour travel time - no one wants to spend over 5 hours waiting at an airport. Finally, although Frontier and Spirit Airlines have tempting prices, their initial cost will not include the price for the seat, for baggage, and for carry-ons. Please note that even larger airlines are rolling out a program similar to Frontier and Spirit, i.e. United's Basic Economy.
We highly recommend booking through hotels.com or expedia.com and bundling the flight/hotel package. Ideally, we would like all of our guests to attend the welcome dinner on Friday and our wedding on Saturday.
You may secure round trip transportation from the airport to the hotel and back by booking through hotels.com or expedia.com. We would suggest that you conveniently add this to your trip package when booking.
Alternatively, you may elect to utilize another transportation service. Please note that taxis are available, but they tend to be pricey because of local zoning regulations.
There are also Public Buses. Getting the bus is a possibility for the more adventurous and less impatient. The ADO bus has hourly departures from the airport towards Cancun. You will find kiosks in both terminals that will sell you tickets to the corresponding destinations. Please note that unless your hotel is walking distance from the ADO bus station, you will also have to take a taxi to your final destination.
Via Taxi
Good news, "taxi" is the same in both English and Spanish. There is also a good possibility that your taxi driver will understand English. If you want to travel anywhere yourself, we would recommend that you take a cab. **However, always negotiate the price of the fare before getting in the taxi.**
If you ask how much in pesos ("cuanto cuesta?") to the location before you will know exactly how much your fare will be before getting into the car. If you wait to ask how much once you get to your location, be prepared to pay more in dollars and overall.
The taxis in Cancun have green stripes, in Puerto Morelos gold stripes, in Playa del Carmen turquoise stripes and in Tulum red stripes. They will all be numbered as all are part of the taxi union.
Check for functioning seat belts and make sure you know how to say "despacio" (deh-spa-see-oh) which is the word for slow down, as many of the drivers will drive a bit faster than you would be used to at home.
via Rental Car
Car Rental is readily available, however, the way people drive in Mexico is generally different than in North America. If you do plan on renting a vehicle, please take all the insurance offered and read the top ten tips for driving in Mexico.
1. It is permitted to go right on a red light.
2. Locals will normally slow at the stop signs, but not come to a full stop.
3. There is a blatant lack or courtesy for other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, so drive carefully.
4. You will encounter an abundance of “topes” speed bumps.
5. A flashing green light means that it is about to turn yellow, not that you have priority to turn.
6. Running red lights is a common occurrence.
7. Once your light turns green, wait a few seconds to make sure no one will run the red.
8. Honking is a normal occurrence here and not considered impolite. Expect honking and lots of it.
9. When it rains, the highways become very slippery, similar to ice. Be cautious.
10. Always close your windows, lock your doors and avoid leaving valuables in the car.
Be Prepared to Meet some Police Officers.
Normally for about 200 pesos, they will miraculously decide that the error merits being let off with a warning. If you don’t want to risk the police keeping your driving license as collateral, bring a photocopy and do not provide them with the original.If you are stopped, don’t panic. Unfortunately, as with most workers in Mexico, the police are severely underpaid and looking to “pad” their wages. They will ask for your paperwork and driver’s license and will invent some sort of infraction on your part and will imply that the fine is very high.
If you rent a car in Mexico, there is a chance that you will be stopped by the police.
Money Talks
The local currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso. US dollars are still widely accepted but proprietors exchange rates many vary greatly.
Most hotels will change currency at either the front desk or a designated exchange booth. Once outside the hotels, you will see many “casa de cambio”, which translated means “money exchange house”. These are the most convenient ways of changing currency once here in the Cancún. You may want to change some before arrival, as the bank exchange rate is normally the highest.
ATMS
Avoid the no-name ATM's and try to use a branch bank ATM such as ScotiaBank, HSBC, Banamex, Santandar, or Banorte. This way if you have an issue, you will be able to follow up. The local ATM will also add on a fee between 25 and 45 pesos, so you are best to withdraw a large amount to avoid getting charged multiple fees for various withdrawals.
There are USD and Peso ATM's as well as several that offer the choice of both. You are best to withdraw pesos, as you will pay to convert your money twice if you withdraw USD. Check with your bank before you come, as many banks charge for international withdrawals. Fees start at about $2US but may be as high as $10US per transaction. There are many ATM’s in the hotel and around Cancún.
TIPPING
Tips are extremely welcome, expected and hoped for, however don’t feel obliged to tip indiscriminately.
Reward good service gladly, but please do not tip if you were treated in an offhand or grudging way.
Within all inclusive hotels you may notice that not very many people leave tips. Although the hotels may tout that the tips are included in your package, please feel free to tip the staff that are helpful and reward good service. Salaries are extremely low and the staff work 6 day workweeks. An extra few dollars now and then are more than welcome.
If you are eating out , some establishments may include a 10% standard tip or even be so bold as to recommend a certain percentage of tip. Check your bill carefully to make sure that they have not already included the tip in the final price.
CREDIT CARDS
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, whereas American Express and Discover are not as easy to use. When using your credit card in Cancún, some shops may ask for a piece of picture ID to ensure that the credit card is in fact yours. If your bank does not charge for International transactions, paying with a credit card will get you the bank’s exchange rate (plus whatever points you accumulate with your card) and save you a bit of money.
Please advise your bank that you will be traveling to Mexico as they may freeze your card for “fraudulent” activity. Also, some banks are now starting to charge fees for International transactions so best to check with your bank and see if this applies to your card.
Cenotes are natural swimming holes formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock, which has revealed a secret subterranean world of groundwater pools. Most cave cenotes have fresh water that has been meticulously filtered by the earth, making them so clear and pure that you can see straight through to small fish frolicking in the plant life below.
Open-air cenotes also have clear water, and often are home to vitamin- and mineral-rich algae that nourish and protect your skin. Underwater photographers will be thrilled with the clear waters, which allow for aquatic-playground shots in high-definition clarity.
The Mayans revered cenotes because they were a water source in dry times; the name cenote means 'sacred well'. Mayans settled villages around these spiritual wells and believed that they were a portal to speak with the gods. Today you can still see why cenotes held the Mayans in awe. Swimming in the pristine waters feels like stepping into prehistory, where giant tropical trees and vines form wild cathedral walls leading up to shafts of sunlight.
Xcaret Park
We invite you on a journey through Mexico, a charming tour of traditions and nature at Xcaret eco-archaeological Park. Come and enjoy an unforgettable experience that includes entertainment, exquisite food and the joy of a country that welcomes you with open arms!
Delve into the trails of Xcaret to discover how the Mayan jungle and culture of Mexico combine in more than 50 exciting attractions. Located on the seashore near Cancun in the Riviera Maya, Xcaret has attractions for everyone. Enjoy a traditional Fiesta Charra and the Mayan Ball Game, or if you are a nature lover visit the Jaguar Island and our colorful Butterfly Pavillion.
You can also enjoy the Caribbean Sea! Take a snorkeling tour, swim in underground rivers and have fun with the Dolphin Swim. When night falls, you will be our guest of honor at the presentation "Xcaret Mexico Espectacular", a celebration of light and color with 300 artists that will take you through the history of Mexico.
Cultural heritage and love for the environment await you in the best family theme park; without a doubt, your best choice in Cancun and the Riviera Maya is Xcaret.