My Departure Experience from Cancun, Mexico

My first post-COVID flight took place the second week of June and it was international. It was different and for me, provided a fair amount of anxiety. The interesting factor is that I was accompanied by some travel advisors, which of course made me feel as though I was golden, but even they were caught off guard with some of the new requirements. This makes me think that perhaps sharing my experience just might offer some insight to others. I am not speaking from authority, just experience.

First, Plan Ahead for a Smooth Arrival

I need to start with my arrival to share an option for a bit smoother departure.  As I arrived in Cancun and headed to customs, there was an area that had a large trifold, cardboard sign that said MANDATORY. The sign was surrounded by passengers that had their phones out and were reading and scanning the giant QR code that was on the sign. It was totally swamped with people and I saw many other people just passing by so I thought “eh, can’t be that important.” Well turns out it, if the sign would’ve provided a bit more information, I would have known right away about the health survey that is required before you can leave Cancun. Not to worry though, there are QR codes posted everywhere at the airport so you can quickly fill it out when you get there, IF you realize what it is for. There really was not a lot of description whenever I saw it, but they also offer it on paper as you drop off your bag. It is a series of questions related to COVID symptoms.

I was flying American Airlines and when I received my email reminder to check in there was a suggestion to use Verifly to expedite the check-in process. Verifly is a free app that American uses (and maybe more airlines do, I am not sure) to help with the process of getting through the airport more quickly. I didn’t find it overly intuitive but did eventually navigate my way around it to get through most of the process. I had to set up an account, upload my passport and fill in my flight information. I got stuck at a point where it was verifying for a long time and it was still verifying the next morning and all the way to the airport. Alas, the app did not work for me, but it did for several of the travel advisors I was with so hopefully with some advanced notice it will work for you. Those travel advisors who completed their Verifly process went to the line on the right, on the side with literally no lines, while the rest of us went left into a long queue as if we were waiting for a rollercoaster at a theme park. The travel advisors I was with were trying to finish their Verifly process at the airport but were unable to, as I believe it needs to be processed at least four hours before the flight, for anyone that wants to try it on your own.

At the Airport

Arriving at the airport, it was startling to see the vast sea of travelers waiting for flights. Travel really is rebounding. I shouldn’t have been surprised as all my flights were completely full and I heard that from everyone I saw at the event. We moved to the left without our successful Verifly check-in. The line was quite daunting. It wasn’t until we were halfway through that we noticed that there were check-in kiosks. My advice to you is to always try the kiosk before getting in line. One of us left the line to try it and it was efficient and quick! I next left the line and joined the MUCH shorter line in front of the kiosk to check-in. At the kiosk they checked my passport, my negative COVID test and I printed my checked bag tag and headed to drop off my bag. Dropping off my bag, they checked my passport, my COVID test and asked about the QR code health form. As I shared earlier, I was unaware of this form and they handed me a form to fill out and I headed to security. At security, they checked my passport and let me through without checking anything else.

Don’t Forget the New Tourism Tax

The other factor in play is the new VISTITAX tax that needs to be paid online before departure; it’s about $10.00 per person. I paid that before I left home and painstakingly made sure to have access to the QR code required for that and was never asked to produce it in Mexico or back in the U.S. Now that is not to say that it isn’t recorded and should be passed off, but my experience was that I was never asked for it.

Once through security, it was travel as normal getting through the Duty-Free shop and waiting for my flights. I will say again, travel is back because the airport was full. Boarding the flight, I only needed my passport and boarding pass.

Please feel free to share any additional insight or experience you may have in the comments!

About the Author

Beth Kitzman is the business development manager for Trisept Solutions' Agency Channel for VAX VacationAccess. Beth focuses on nurturing business relationships and finding exciting, unique ways for VAX to support travel agencies. With over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, beginning with Walt Disney World then working for airlines and now focusing on travel technology, Beth loves using her education degree to find ways to educate and empower travel agents to grow their leisure travel business.