We’re Back From Mexico! Here’s How The Travel Part Went….
WHAT a trip. I thought since we are quarantined at home for the next few days (random arrival test in Edmonton) - this would be a perfect opportunity to take you through our experience travelling as a family to Mexico in December of 2021.
When we booked this trip in January 2021 - we never thought there would still be so many restrictions on travel. And I want to make it very clear that they are there for good reason and we respect them; but it did make this trip very different.
GETTING THERE
We flew down on Westjet to Cancun, Mexico. At check in we did have to prove our vaccination status so make sure you have your QR code saved or a picture on your phone ( handy if you don’t have internet service).
Everyone was really polite and respectful of masks. Children under 2 do not have to wear masks. We did have to wear our masks pretty much from the entire time we entered the airport until we exited the Cancun airport. You can take it off when you are actively eating or drinking. The flight attendants were pretty on it for this ( thank you). I saw them correct a few people on mask wearing.
As of right now; you DO NOT need any additional tests to get into Mexico. You still have to fill out the customs card on the plane as you head down and you still talk to an officer about how long you’re there; where you are staying etc.
There is also a health questionnaire that you can fill out up to 12hours before your flight. No one asked for it on the way down but we were asked for it on the way back home. You can find it HERE.
MEXICO- COVID PROTOCOLS
I found where we were (Puerto Morelos) to be pretty conscious of the pandemic. Everyone was respectful of mask wearing in ALL indoor places and before entering almost all stores you had to have your temperature taken ( just a thermometer gun at your wrist) . Even beachfront restaurants - you wear your mask until you are at your table. We went to a zoo outside and masks were mandatory. Cabs and transportation vans too.
WHERE WE STAYED
I had so many questions about the house that we rented and I’m very excited to share it with you. My mom found it through a company called Abby Del Sol.
They have quite a few Vacation Rentals in the Cancun / Puerto Morelos area. We stayed in “Casa Mulder” in Puerto Morelos ( about 25 mins from the Cancun Airport).
They were so professional and easy to deal to with. This house was beautiful - it had its own private pool, 4 bedrooms and A LOT of stairs.
I’ve always stayed at resorts while in Mexico. This was the first time renting a home. Each has it’s plus and minuses. It wasn’t always fun doing dishes but it sure was nice to have some control over our “exposure”. You can’t control everything I know; but to me this brought some comfort. Having the entire family in one house was pretty cool. Card games at night, coffee together in the morning.
The girls could be as loud as they wanted at the pool and the nap time flexibility was great.
Grocery stores were easy to find. The main one is right downtown. They are VERY strict on mask wearing, temperature taking ( you can’t enter the store without taking it) and hand sanitizing. Most things were comparable if not cheaper than the stores here in Edmonton. For example 4 giant chicken breasts were about $15 CDN; a 2L of Diet Coke is $1.50 CDN and a loaf of bread was around $2 CDN. We ate more than this haha but just some references.
THE PCR TEST
This was the one single thing that threw me on our trip. Of course I knew to enter back into Canada; everyone 5 years of age and older must provide a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken within 72 hours of departure.
Finding a test location was easy. Waiting for the results was not. I didn’t think I would be stressed or anxious about this test as it was no big surprise. But ALL DAY LONG that is all I could think of. I mean ; getting a positive test would mean another 2 weeks in paradise (hopefully not too sick) but it would also mean quarantining in a hotel room ( not so fun).
Truthfully I was so anxious over what I could not control it ruined a day on my trip. I know this is my own GD fault haha. But just be prepared for these feelings; they may surprise you like mine did but don’t let it ruin your trip. It’s going to be ok.
Results were promised in 12 hours - we got them in about 25 hours via email. This is the tricky part is that you want to time your test right. Planning to give them enough time to get your results back and not miss your flight ( they won’t let you board without this test proof) BUT also wanting your test results in those allotted 72 hours.
Many of my friends that have stayed at resorts have said that they do them right at the hotel - easy peasy. If you’re thinking about going to a resort this should def be something you ask about.
GETTING HOME
Not gonna lie; this was the absolute longest day of my life. Traveling with kids is stressful enough but with the added stress of just making sure I had everything in order and all our documents in hand. I think I turned myself inside out a few times. Some things to make sure you have:
The ArriveCan App : This is MUST you won’t be able to enter Canada without it. Fill it out 12 hours before you leave with all of your travel information.
Pictures on your phone of your negative PCR tests
(MEXICO) Pictures on your phone of the completed health survey and QR code. The survey can be found HERE.
It was recommended to me to get the “eDeclaration” app. I filled out everything and tried to scan the QR code when we arrived but it didn’t work. Likely something I did wrong haha. So we just ended up having to go through the whole process on the machines anyways. Didnt take long.
Leave yourself a ton of time. Plan on NOT having access to Wifi. Take pictures and screen shots of everything you might need.
Everything just takes longer when travelling right now. When we checked our baggage the agent asked to see our negative PCR tests; and when we went through security; thats when they asked to see our health surveys for Mexico.
Getting back into Edmonton went smoothly. Showed them our ArriveCan app and generated QR code. Everyone was so nice and efficient.
At this time ( December 2021) they were doing random selection for additional testing and our family did get pulled aside to do an additional arrival test. No big deal; they were quick and professional. Our 5 year old said her nose test tickled and she wanted another one. She must have been delirious at 1am haha.
BUT that is why we’re in Quarantine now; just awaiting our results ( they said 48-72 hours) .
SHOULD YOU GO?
Truthfully this is a question YOU can only answer. Travel is opening up again but there is a lot of waiting, preparing, and a few situations you can’t control.
For me; I think I would wait until my kids are a bit older ( the girls are currently 5 & 2). While it was an incredible family vacation full of memories I will cherish forever; it was still pretty stressful at the end. Also maybe I’m just a bit tired still ( we got in at 1am ).
Traveling WITHOUT the girls might’ve made the airline / airport travel part a bit easier but we sure would’ve missed them on a trip like this.
It all depends on your comfort level. I am naturally a pretty anxious person (shocking right lol). I was so worried about everything and IT DID TURN OUT JUST FINE. I am so grateful for this time together and for my mom’s stellar planning abilities to make this all work. It was a fantastic trip that we will be talking about for years.
I hope this insight helped you out if you’re thinking of traveling. I’ll have a few more posts on the things we did while in Mexico ( we found a fantastic waterpark and a super cool zoo) in next little bit but really wanted to get this out there cause I know many were wondering about their own travel coming up!
xoxox Jacks