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Travel insights from Samuel Claudio, travel advisor at Mouse Tales Travel
Traveling to Punta Cana in the New Normal
In the middle of July, I decided it was time for a trip and show my clients all the details of traveling on these days and how it went. I’m from Puerto Rico and my decision was to go to Punta Cana; I wanted a short flight since it was my first after COVID-19. I booked my flight and hotel for the first week of August.
After several flights cancellations (just after the Dominican Republic decided all travelers needed to show a COVID test five days prior arrival), I arrived to the Santo Domingo Airport. Airlines canceled most of the flights directly from Puerto Rico to Punta Cana and the only option for a direct flight was to Santo Domingo, but I wasn’t gonna let that get in the way of this trip – I was determined to do it.
Once at SDQ just before customs, they ask you for the COVID test. I went with results of a rapid blood test four days prior the flight, it was verified and then I went successfully to customs, which was very quick (from the aircraft to the outside of the airport was 20 minutes, tops). From the SJU airport to SDQ, everyone followed the six-foot distance rule and mask requirements, and both airports have distance marking on the floors and hand sanitizer at every corner.
My transfer to the hotel was a private one, the driver was witha mask all the time, there was hand sanitizer in the vehicle and since it was a minivan, I was all the way at the back with lots of distance.
I stayed at Secrets Cap Cana and let me tell you, from the check-in to the check-out, they went above and beyond on their new cleaning protocols and the service – oh my God, it was excellent. I also went on several hotel site inspections to verify their protocols of the new normal, and I can say with 100% honesty, in Punta Cana, the hotels are doing everything they can and more for the safety of the guests.
This trip was perfect and one I needed. I’m very happy I didn’t cancel and was able to make it.
It is time to start traveling and show our clients we can do it following all the rules.
Go on, take that trip. After all, we deserve it.
Disclaimer: The views, information and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Compass and VAX VacationAccess.
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