What to Expect While Traveling Now

I hope this message finds you safe and well! This past month, I took two weeks to travel to all of our destinations in Mexico in order to experience how travel is now and to provide all of you with valuable insight as to what you can expect during your next trip to your home away from home.

I am pleased to report that traveling now has been my cleanest experience traveling ever. There were hand sanitizer stations located throughout the airport, social distancing was enforced (signs were strategically placed throughout the airports), and every airplane I boarded smelt like the clean smell of Lysol. Some airlines, such as United, even handed out disinfectant wipes upon boarding the plane. With United, the flight attendants also came around about halfway through the flight to hand out individual snack bags (with a bottled water, pretzels, and cookie) that included another Lysol wipe.

All airports and airlines also made announcements over the loudspeaker to remind everyone to wear their facemasks. When you book your flights online, you must consent to wear your face mask at all times during your flight, otherwise, you will not be allowed to travel.

My journey started in my hometown of Las Vegas. I flew from Las Vegas and did a layover in Houston prior to arriving in Cancun. Temperature checks were taken only on flights exiting the US and between destinations in Mexico, meaning that my flight from Las Vegas to Houston did not take my temperature but my flight from Houston to Cancun did. My other flights from cities in Mexico such as my flight from Cancun to Mexico City (layover) to Cabo, did all take my temperature. You can view snapshots of this process below.

Every flight I was on administered a COVID-19 questionnaire, which you could fill out by scanning a QR code near the check-in counter or by filling out a paper version prior to entering security. The questionnaire was simple and straightforward. The questions focused on if you had been exposed to COVID and/or had any COVID symptoms as well as asked all the countries you had visited in the last 14 days. You can see snapshots of this questionnaire below so that you know what to expect when you travel.

Prior to passing through security you must show proof of this survey being completed. It is only required that one survey is done per household, so if you are traveling with a large group only one of you needs to fill it out for the group. I did notice that some airports don’t collect the survey but just glance at it to make sure you answered “no” to all the possible COVID symptoms questions.

Arrival from the US into Mexico is the same as it always is with the addition of the COVID-19 questionnaire, which doesn’t even add an extra 5 minutes to your whole travel process. When flying from the US to Mexico, I already took my temperature on my last departing flight from the US into Mexico; so, when I arrived in Mexico, they did not take my temperature again at the airport.

When I went through customs, they asked me the same questions they always do when I fly into Mexico. These questions consisted of “how long will you be in Mexico, where are you staying, and is the purpose of your trip business or pleasure?” The customs officer glanced to see that I had my COVID-19 questionnaire complete but did not collect it from me. After this, I entered Mexico just like I normally would back in pre-COVID-19 times.

Going through the airports in Mexico, I noticed social distancing throughout (as well as signs and staff walking around to enforce this), everyone wearing face masks, and hand sanitizer stations at key points, before boarding planes, and at restaurants. I also noticed a lot more QR code menus (the digital codes that you take a picture of on your phone that open up to a menu file) so that people can read menus but not have to touch paper that others have touched.

Face masks are mandatory in all airports and during your flight. The only exception is you can take your mask off if you are eating or drinking. All staff members also wear face masks and gloves. So, if you are planning a trip soon, make sure that you have a comfortable face mask and that you have washed your reusable face mask prior to your trip.

Once I exited the airport and found my shuttle, the shuttle driver sanitized my luggage (by spraying it with a Purell spray and wiping it down) and gave me hand sanitizer before I entered the vehicle. The shuttle was very clean. The driver told me they wipe down the vehicles before and after each ride.

Upon arrival at Villa del Palmar Cancun, the bell boys gave me a warm greeting and took my luggage to the side to disinfect it before entering the lobby. At this time, they also took my temperature and gave me hand sanitizer before I entered the lobby to complete the check-in process.

Here is how my luggage was cleaned upon arrival at Villa del Palmar Cancun:

On this trip, I appreciated that everyone was friendly, efficient, and put the safety and well-being of all travelers as their top priority. If you are seeking a getaway vacation, I encourage you to visit our resorts in Mexico and stay healthy and safe by social distancing outside by the pool in paradise.

If you have any questions about the travel experience, please feel free to email me directly at bblanscet@resortcom.com. Stay tuned for more updates and recaps of my travel experiences coming soon.

Your fellow #TravelTrendSetter,

Brittany Blanscet

Member Marketing Manager, UVCI