Traveling During COVID: Cancún Edition
About a month ago, I did a thing and went to Cancun for vacation. Considering that we’re in the middle of an ongoing pandemic, I’ll admit that it wasn’t my proudest moment. My reason for going was to simply get away from the craziness for a moment. With cancelled and ever-changing plans, along with balancing going to work and school full time, this year has been one for the books.
So, how did I choose Cancun? Well…Mexico was one of the few places that still allowed Americans in, while others closed their borders.
I hadn’t been to Mexico before, so it was still exciting. In the midst of everything, this trip gave me something to look forward to. Prior to going, I watched vlogs and read posts from other travelers to get tips and advice on traveling. I also looked up the safety protocols for Mexican residents and tourists. (I must say, the measures taken in Mexico was A LOT better than what we have going on here in the US.)
There were a few changes made when it came to my flight, such as having empty middle seats and snacks in a plastic bag. My flights weren’t as full, and there was enough space between myself and the other passengers. Going through security was slightly the same. Throughout all of this, you had to have your mask on at all times. The only time you could take it off is when you’re eating or drinking. You’re also required to wear a surgical/disposable mask on your flight, instead of the masks with filters or bandanas.
Upon arriving, I filled out an immigration form and went through customs like normal. I FINALLY got my first stamp on my passport! On my trips to Toronto and Curacao, the TSA agents just scanned my passport and didn’t stamp it. My goal for 2019/2020 was to fill up my passport with as many stamps that I could.
In Cancun, I initially stayed at a resort because I wanted to experience the all-inclusive life, before I met up with my friends later in the week. I stayed at the Riu Palace Peninsula resort, where I had an ocean-view junior suite with a jacuzzi. The staff took my luggage and sanitized it before I went to my room. They also took my temperature and gave me hand sanitizer. Once I got settled in, I hit the pool and private beach. Relaxation at last!
The resort had 3 pools, one of which had a swim up bar, and a private beach. The drinks were complimentary and served to you by the resort’s staff. Along the beach were street vendors who were selling lots of things: totes, hats, jewelry, and fruit. One of the vendors had Mango Con Chile y Limon, which is a popular snack in Mexico, and I had to try it. It was a sweet and spicy treat that was perfect for the beach!
I spent the next few days exploring the resort, hanging by the pool, going to the buffet, restaurants, and concerts they had on site. One of the restaurants I really liked was an Italian restaurant called Venicia. There I had the Rustic Florentine Lamb with potatoes, peppers, garlic, and pureed spinach; and it was delicious! The restaurant also had an antipasti bar, as well as a dessert bar. And for a nightcap, I had a glass of Chardonnay.
While at the restaurant, I had my mask on until I got my food. Guests at the resort were required to wear their masks, like in the states, unless they were actively eating or drinking. The only places we weren’t really required to wear masks were the pool/beach, as well as our rooms. My overall stay was really nice and relaxing, and I felt safe. I would definitely recommend staying there. (Post-quarantine)
For the rest of the trip, I stayed at an Airbnb with my friends. Our first night, we had dinner at Navios, one of Cancun’s popular seafood restaurants. We had our own private seating area, away from the rest of the patrons, and the food was amazing! I had grilled octopus with pickled vegetables, paired with a sweet potato puree.
We then went on excursions for the next couple of days, such as ATV riding, swimming in a cenote, zip lining, and even rode on a catamaran. It was my first time doing everything, and I had soo much fun! We first went through the jungle via ATV, where we took tours of the cenotes and got a chance to swim. Afterwards, we went zip lining and had lunch. It felt good to be surrounded by nature for once!
Aside from doing everything for the first time, the highlight of my day was the load of kittens that were roaming around the campground. If you don’t know, I LOVE cats and I had one for 16 years. (I love animals in general, but cats are my favorite.) A lot of the cats approached me, wanting to be held, which I thought was funny. There was one, however, that stuck around during our lunch period. It was super cute, and I wanted to take it home! I probably would’ve had it not been for the regulations we have in place for imported goods. (lol)
Our last day was spent cruising the seas on a catamaran. We were greeted with mimosas and sailed in luxury! The water was BEAUTIFUL, and the weather was good for most of the day. During our trip, we stopped occasionally to do some snorkeling. Those of us who weren’t swimming remained on the boat, where we had an open bar and snacks. We also had a photographer on board, who took our pictures on the boat and while we were swimming.
After snorkeling, we stopped at one of the beach clubs near Isla Mujeres, or Women Island in English. There we were given time to relax on the beach and eat before getting back on the boat. We had a family-style lunch, with tacos and other Mexican sides. I found a swing with a funny pun saying, “This is my Sea-cret Spot”, and I had to get my pic on the swing like many bloggers before me.
Later, we explored Isla Mujeres, where we looked at the shops, had a tequila tasting, and ate more food. For the first time, I had lobster street tacos, which were….interesting, but good. I love lobster, but I’m not sure if they’re a good option for tacos due to their texture.
Towards the end of the day, we got back on the boat to go back to Cancun. The excursion took up most of the day, and we were too exhausted to go out. My friends and I ended up having a girls night in for our last night in Cancun.
Overall, I enjoyed my time in Cancun! I felt safe the whole time, and it was good to see so many people taking precautions. I would definitely go back and stay longer, so I’d have more time to explore. Upon returning to the states, I did have to fill out another form that asked me where I’ve been and if I had been exposed to COVID. And once I got home, I quarantined for two and a half weeks to make sure I didn’t have any symptoms. (Which I didn’t) I decided to make this my last trip of the year until we’re absolutely safe to travel again. While it felt good to get away and spend some time on the beach, it felt better to be home. I’m grateful for the protection while I was away, as well as the peace and mental clarity I gained.
Until next time,
-Anyssa xoxo
