10 Tips for Planning Your Weddings in Mexico During COVID

Planning your wedding or celebrations in Mexico during COVID-19?

Fear not, we’re here to help!

We all hoped the pandemic would pass quickly…

But it’s been around long enough now for us to know that we’re probably going to be stuck with it until there’s a vaccination, right?

We’ve been waiting it out for 10 months now… and it’s got to the point where most young, fit, and healthy people have decided…Life is for living!

With strict health and safety protocols now in place across the world and in the Riviera Maya, with our help, it is possible for you to enjoy the worry-free wedding you deserve.

Here’s how:

How to Safely Plan Destination Wedding During COVID-19:

1. COVID Testing for You and Your Group
2. Get The Right Insurance
3. What You Need To Know About Flying During COVID-19
4. Hotels With The Best Health And Safety Protocols
5. Poll Your Guests
6. Planning Your Activities
7. Beach Trips
8. Mask Rules and Regulations
9. Quarantining Information
10. Additional Regional COVID-19 Information You May Find Useful (Quintana Roo)
11. Choose A Wedding Planner Who Has Your Back?

1. COVID Testing For You and Your Group

I added this section of the blog on 25th Jan 2022… as new rules in USA, Canada, and the rest of the world mean you will have to have a negative PCR test or Antigen test in order to gain re-entry to your country.

Before you have a panic attack thinking “how on earth am I meant to get this organized for me and my wedding group.”

Luckily, most of the resorts have onsite testing facilities to assist you and your wedding group with organizing the required tests.

Even if they don’t there are PLENTY of options for you to choose from to organize your own test. But chances are, your resort is offering this service. 🙂

Some of the hotels are offering it for free, some for a cost. Read all about it here…

1. 10 Best Resorts Offering Free COVID Tests
2. Where Can I Get A Covid Test in Cancun and The Riviera Maya

Easy peezy!

Any questions, you know what to do… leave them for me in the comments section below and I will get back to you ASAP.  🙂

Now that’s out of the way read all about how to plan your dream wedding during COVID. The show must go on!

2. Getting the Right Insurance

With lots of you now ready to move forward with your travel and wedding plans,  the first thing to cover all bases is to get the right insurance.

If you cancel your trip due to COVID, but your flights are flying and your hotels are open for business, then it’s very unlikely you will be able to get your money back.

Please keep this in mind before making any big decisions.

What we recommend is purchasing travel insurance which covers a ‘cancel for any reason’ waiver so that you can change your mind closer to the date of travel and keep credits for land and air.

Learn more about worldwide flying travel regulations here.

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3. Is It Safe to Fly Right Now?

One thing is for sure…airports, airlines, and hotels are all doing the most right now.

Hats off to them because they haven’t had an easy year but they have certainly stepped up to the challenge.

Although sitting in a small space with other people for a few hours during these uncertain times may feel risky the chances of you actually catching COVID on a plane are relatively slim.

…We’re talking surgical grade air filters and being gifted full PPE kits as soon as you step foot on the plane.

At Cancun International Airport you should expect temperature checks and thermal image scanning upon entry to the country.

…Which may feel a little daunting at first but just remember this is to ensure the safety of yourself and everyone you traveled with. 🙂

I’ve gathered a list of all the major airlines flying into Cancun and provided links to their site and videos that detail the changes they have made in response to COVID-19, I hope you find them useful.

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AMERICAN AIRLINES: 

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/travel-alerts.jsp…

Video of disinfecting measures:https://player.vimeo.com/video/412832150?autoplay=1;color=9da6ab&title=0&byline=0

DELTA AIRLINES: 

https://www.delta.com/…/othe…/coronavirus-travel-updates

Video of disinfecting measureshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpBPuSKxLWk&t

UNITED AIRLINES: 

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html

Video of disinfecting measureshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inDP0M8URpA

AERO MEXICO:

https://www.aeromexico.com/…/notifications-for-passengers

AIR CANADA: 

New government-imposed entry requirements to the United States and other countries

https://www.aircanada.com/…/new-entry-requirements.html

Customers traveling to/from the People’s Republic of China and other countries https://www.aircanada.com/…/trav…/2020/china-travel.html

AIR FRANCE: 

https://www.airfrance.us/…/news-air-traffic-air-france…

Video of disinfecting measureshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRqjFzfh3VE

AIR NEW ZEALAND:

https://www.airnewzealand.com/travel-alerts

AIR TAHITI:

https://www.airtahiti.com/coronavirus-information-travelers

AIR TAHITI NUI: 

https://www.airtahitinui.com/…/covid-19-flight-and-re…

ALASKA AIRLINES: 

https://www.alaskaair.com/…/advisories/travel-advisories

Video of disinfecting measureshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCc0JWfBUDg

ALITALIA

http://alitaliaagent.com/travel-exceptions.cfm

BRITISH AIRWAYS

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/flightops/public/en_us

CATHAY PACIFIC

https://www.cathaypacific.com/…/information-and-updates…

EMIRATES

https://www.emirates.com/ph/english/help/travel-updates/

Video of disinfecting measureshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKxfL6t93c8

FIJI AIRWAYS:

https://www.fijiairways.com/…/flight…/travel-alerts/…

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES:

https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/coronavirus

Video of disinfecting measureshttps://www.youtube.com/watch…

JAPAN AIRLINES:

https://www.jal.co.jp/cms/other/en/weather_info_int.html

JETBLUE:

https://www.jetblue.com/travel-alerts

KLM: 

https://www.klm.com/…/up_to_date/flight_update/index.htm

LUFTHANSA: 

https://www.lufthansa.com/xx/en/flight-information.html

QANTAS: 

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/travel-updates.html

SINGAPORE AIRLINES: 

https://www.singaporeair.com/…/media…/newsalert-listing/

SWISS:

https://www.swiss.com/us/en

THAI AIRWAYS: 

https://www.thaiairways.com/…/ticketing-procedures…

Video of disinfecting measureshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAAzPS80yDQ

VIRGIN ATLANTIC:

https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/news.html

VUELING AIRLINES:

http://vuelingnews.com/?lang=en

WESTJET:

https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/advisories

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4. Which Hotels Have The Best COVID Safety Standards

If you’ve been to this blog before and read any of my reviews you will know that I consider myself somewhat of a hotel conoseuir… hard life, right?

Based on my research and the information given to me by the resorts I’ve put together a full in-depth guide on “The Hotels With the Best COVID Health & Safety Standards“.

Here you will all of the hotels that get the stamp of approval from me.

The aim of the game is for you and your group to feel safe on your travels so I’ve only listed those hotels that I believe to have the most science worthy strategies.

For the purpose of this blog here are my top 3 recommended options:

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1. AM RESORTS

In response to COVID AMResorts released details of their comprehensive, 360-degree quality, safety, and hygiene system that is backed by one of the industry’s highest-level, third-party certifications for quality and safety—Cristal International Standards.

Read all about it here.

AMResorts Include (Riviera Maya):

• Zoetry Resorts
• Secret Resorts
• Breathless Resorts
• Dreams Resorts
• Now Resorts

Below I’ve detailed just some of the measures you should expect as part of the “new normal” phase at this resort.

What to expect:

• Temperature checks on arrival
• Hygiene check-in station
• Increased deep-cleaning hourly
• Sanitization of luggage
• Highest standard of hygiene for room-cleaning
• Social distancing
• Reimagined dining experiences
• New staffing to oversee new health measures
• Express check-out

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2. AIC HOTEL GROUP

As part of the AIC Safe and Sound program, every AIC resort around the world is required to pass the Safe + Sound 272 point inspection independently assessed by NSF International.

Read all about it here.

The AIC Hotel Group includes all-inclusive such as:

• Hard Rock Hotels
• Unico 20

What to expect:

• Hand-Sanitiser stations throughout the hotel
• Additional reminder signage for social distancing and hand-washing
• 24/7 onsite doctor
• Staff training on global standards of sanitation
• Ecolab cleaning products
• Increased frequency of deep-cleaning and disinfecting in common areas
• Physical distancing
• Transport sanitation
• Luggage disinfection
• Non-invasive temperature checks
• No-buffet
• In-room dining is contactless

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3. IBEROSTAR GROUP

Iberostar has put together a Medical Advisory Board, made up of biologists and doctors specialized in public health in the tourism industry.

The experts who make up the new team are Sebastián Crespí Rotger, founder and CEO of the Biolinea Internacional consulting firm, and Dr Javier Pérez Fernández, a specialist in intensive care and Medical Director in the best hospitals in Miami (USA).

Following their recommendations and those from the public authorities and health institutions, they have developed measures to safeguard their employees and guarantee their customers’ experience, implementing new procedures in restaurants and during check-in, wearing masks made from recycled and recyclable materials, and adopting measures that encourage frequent hand washing to minimize the use of gloves.

Read all about it here.

Iberostar Resorts Include (Riviera Maya):

• Iberostar Paraiso Maya
• Iberostar Paraiso Lindo
• Iberostar Tucan
• Iberostar Paraiso Beach
• Iberostar Paraiso del Mar
• Iberostar Cozumel

What to expect:

• New cleaning measures and protocol
• Safe buffet with a single touchpoint
• Hotel occupancy max of 70%
• Large natural spaces
• Fewer tables
• Focus on room service
• Entertainment and activities with limited capacity and reservation only
• Digital check-in
• Touchless experiences

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5. Poll Your Guests

What do I mean by this?

Well, you might be okay with travelling during COVID but how do your friends and family feel about it?

If you have your heart set on having all your nearest and dearest at your event you need to find out who is game before the major planning begins, right?

There are two easy ways to do this: 

1. Use Survey Monkey
2. Create A Google Survey

Using either of these tried and tested methods will easily help you create a simple poll with a yes and no RSVP option to send out to all your guests via email in bulk.

You can have a response in minutes!

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6.  Planning Your Activities

As the world opens back up for business tours and activities in the region have all had to change how they do what they do.

The details are ever-evolving and the best thing to do would be to call us directly on our toll-free number 888-537-9797 or email us at customercare@playadelcarmen.com.

Top tours as of October 2020 include: 

• private yacht charters
• fishing charters 
• small group sustainable tours

With reduced capacity, it’s more important than ever to book things to do in advance to get organized.

Our Travel Liaisons will help guide you through the creme de la creme of tours for you and your group.

Don’t let Rona’ rain on your parade… because she certainly isn’t raining on ours anymore. It’s all sunshine and good vibes on our end.

Read my “Tours With The Best Safety Standards” blog here.

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7. How To Plan Your Beach Trips

If the resort you are looking at booking has its own private beach, then, of course, you will get to enjoy the lush sands it has to offer no questions asked.

However, if you want to venture out to explore some of the public beaches there may be different rules in certain areas – so it’s just something to be aware of.

Most public beaches in the region reopened on Aug 20th, 2020 as part of a test program after months of being in complete lockdown.

This includes: 

• Playa Paraiso (Tulum)
• Xcalacoco (Playa del Carmen)
• Punta Esmeralda (Playa del Carmen)
• Playa 88 (Playa del Carmen)

As far as our team is aware:

• Some of Cancun’s public beaches are still shut
• Some of Playa’s public beaches now reopen for tourists
• And Tulum’s public beach is completely reopened for tourists

Parts of the Quintana Roo’s shoreline are still under review but we expect this to change over the coming weeks.

For the latest please contact us via customercare@playadelcarmen.com

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8. Mask Rules & Regulations

All of the hotels have different rules so to be 100% sure I would advise reaching out to us directly to confirm with the hotel as things are changing all the time.

Generally, when exploring, locals and tourists here are wearing masks in public spaces such as the supermarkets and shared spaces (public transport, hotel lobbies, etc).

You do not have to wear a mask at the pool or in restaurants and bars when you are sat down at your table.

Pools will have capacity limits and lounge chairs, umbrellas, and seating, etc will all be safely distanced apart.

The frequency of cleaning the pool and Jacuzzi areas will be increased, and water disinfectant products that are appropriate to the current situation will be used.

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9. Quarantining Information

Currently, you do not have to quarantine in Mexico for two weeks when you arrive.

However, I will say that there are different rules for different home countries on your return trip…

So you need to check with your ruling government which countries are on the quarantine list and which aren’t as you may still need to quarantine when you return home for 2 weeks.

Which of course would mean booking some extra time off, etc.

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10. Additional Regional COVID-19 Information You May Find Useful

I think that’s everything for now?

I’ll make a habit to update and edit the post as new information comes in.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them down below I’d be happy to answer them for you ASAP.

Here are some extra bits of regional information that I believe you will also find useful, I hope it helps! 🙂

1. How Many Covid Cases in Quintana Roo? 
2. Best Beach Clubs in Tulum
3. Riviera Maya Wedding Packages
4. The Best Sky Terrace Wedding Venues
5. Coronavirus News – Updates from Riviera Maya and Cancun

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11. Choose A Wedding Planner Who Has Your Back

We want our wedding couples to know that whatever happens, we’re here for you.

When the news of the pandemic came, we were just as devastated as our brides and grooms to see how many people had to postpone, rearrange, or cancel their special day altogether.

We worked closely with the hotels to offer our wedding couples to simply keep the rate and change the date.

Because we know how close you hold these occasions to your hearts, and all the planning efforts that go into them… we’re not here to add more stress to your life, our job is to make it the most enjoyable and memorable day of your life. 🙂

So, just know, that whatever happens in this crazy life…we’ve got your back.

Destination weddings are at the heart of everything we do here at PlayaDelCarmen.Com.

Whether you want a: 

• Symbolic Wedding
• Legal Wedding
• Same-Sex Wedding
• Catholic Wedding

We’ve got you covered!

With an endless array of customizable packages on offer, our expert wedding coordinators are excited to help you plan the wedding of your dreams – stress-free!

It’s time to bring your vision to life.

I mean, what better way to distract yourself from all the crazy than getting stuck into magical wedding plans?!

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The Reviews Speak For Themselves

Why choose us?

Over the years we have helped to plan 100s of special events in the region, and the reviews really do speak for themselves.

We know the lay of the land and the resorts better than anyone!

Follow us on Facebook to find out more, or visit the wedding section of a blog for tons of updates and useful information.

If you prefer to speak to an actual human and want to get to know us we are only a phone call away 888-537-9797.

Our team of dedicated destination wedding coordinators is made up of: 

• Mexican Nationals
• USA nationals
• British nationals
• Ukrainian nationals
• French nationals
• Canadian nationals

So rest assured we will assign you a planner who “gets you” and your vision.

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Don’t Let Miss Rona’ Rain On Your Parade

If you’re ready to take a stand and get on with your life we are here to help guide you through the destination wedding process.

Whether you’re looking to book a last-minute wedding for 2024, or are planning for the future in 2025 and beyond, our team of an incredible wedding, coordinators are here to help.

You deserve the perfect day! 🙂

And at PlayaDelCarmen.Com our dedicated wedding coordinators can help make that happen.

There are an endless array of packages and optional extras to choose from at each of the hotels, based on your vision and your budget our experienced team can help you choose the right one for you and your group.

We’ve planned 100s of spectacular events in the region. As locals, we are unbias and know the lay of the land better than anyone.

We’ll be with you every step of the way.

Call us toll-free 888-537-9797.

Or

Contact us via email at weddings@playadelcarmen.com

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