Everything You Need To Know About Traveling To Cancun This Summer
When it comes to summer travel, Cancun is one of those favorite destinations, attracting people from all over the world. The city has glorious beaches, backed by all-inclusive hotels and luxurious resorts, making it the perfect summer vacation location. However, after more than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are things travelers need to know before booking that trip to Cancun, Mexico.
Traveling to Cancun, Mexico
After more than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers are gradually getting to do what they love best – travel! Cancun is one of those perfect and idyllic places to relax and get over the stress of the pandemic, but there are certain important things people need to know.
Both the US State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommend that Americans avoid travel to Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, readers should note that this advice applies too many countries around the globe right now.
While breaking down Mexico state by state, the State Department advises travelers to exercise increased caution when traveling to Quintana Roo due to crime. However, it also points out there are currently no restrictions on travel for US government employees in that state. Locations include Cancun and other popular tourist destinations, including Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum and the Mayan Riviera in general.
When it comes to the CDC’s advice for Mexico this summer, they recommend travelers get fully vaccinated before booking that trip. With the ongoing and successful vaccination program underway across the country, this shouldn’t cause any problems.
Traveling to Cancun
While currently, the US-Mexico land border is closed to non-essential travel until at least June 20, It is still relatively easy for Americans to fly to Cancun. Travelers must complete a health declaration form, but besides this, there are no testing or quarantine requirements for entry to Cancun.
However, on arrival at the airport, travelers should expect health screening protocols, including temperature checks and the possible need to complete additional health questionnaires at their resort or hotel.
Americans returning home to the US after a stay in Cancun will, however, be required to produce proof of a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of departure, or alternatively, proof of recovery from a COVID-19 infection within the last 90 days, to be able to return home.
This shouldn’t cause any problems, however, as many hotels and resorts offer convenient on-site COVID-19 testing that their guests can schedule after check-in to ensure there are no delays when they are ready to leave for the US.
Other health protocols
While the CDC does state that “fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19,” the agency does recommend that travelers wear a mask, practice physical distancing, and regularly wash or sanitize their hands when traveling internationally.
It is recommended that fully vaccinated travelers should undergo a viral test between 3 to 5 days after traveling to Mexico. They are further recommended to self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms. Should symptoms develop, travelers should isolate themselves and get tested.
What about unvaccinated travelers?
For those unvaccinated travelers visiting Cancun this summer, they are encouraged to undergo a viral test 3 to 5 days prior to traveling to Mexico. Should the result come back positive, they should delay or postpone their trip.
While traveling and exploring Cancun, they should also follow the local rules relating to wearing masks, practicing social distancing and frequent washing or sanitizing of their hands. After their trip, they should get tested within 3 to 5 days. If they receive a negative result, they should still isolate for at least a week, or 10 days should they decide not to get tested.
What about in Cancun itself?
Travelers heading to Cancun should be aware of the elevated health and safety measures in the country during the pandemic. This includes wearing masks in public spaces and social distancing, along with capacity limits in some cases, like restaurants or entertainment venues.
At present, Quintana Roo is at the third-highest level (orange) on Mexico’s four-tier traffic light system, as it goes through its third wave of COVID-19 infections. However, the head of the State Secretarial of Health, Alejandra Aguirre Crespo, stresses that Quintana Roo will not close and that tourism protocols are being strengthened in Cancun.
Crespo recently told W. Radio, “We hope that we will have stabilization as soon as possible and, I am talking a couple of weeks maximum, where we can have stabilization in the contagion that we are experiencing in Quintana Roo.”
“Quintana Roo is not going to close. What Quintana Roo is doing is strengthening health and safety protocols so that both national and international visitors can continue their vacations, their stay in the state in a safe way,” she added.
American travelers should note that most resorts and hotels in Cancun have reopened since last year, so health and safety protocols are already firmly in place to protect their guests.
Enjoy that much-needed trip to sun-soaked Cancun!
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