Intro
My passion for globetrotting has taken me far and wide. Here’s a glimpse into my journey:
- Nigeria, my homeland nestled in West Africa, where I spent my formative years until 2022.
- Ghana marked my inaugural international voyage, a fellow West African nation, from December 29, 2018, to January 4, 2019.
- Cameroon, my first immersion into a French-speaking country situated in West Central Africa, was a memorable sojourn from December 29, 2019, to January 3, 2020.
- Benin, my second encounter with French-speaking culture, unfolded from December 29, 2021, to January 3, 2022.
- Canada, my current dwelling in North America since May 2022 till now.
- Mexico, my latest escapade, served as my initiation into Spanish-speaking nations, from December 25 to 29, 2023.
Today, I share with you the chronicles of my Mexican adventure.
Initially, my friend proposed a getaway to a Caribbean Island nation like Jamaica or the Dominican Republic in early August 2023. However, around mid-November (specifically November 19, 2023), my friend suggested Mexico as a more budget-friendly alternative.
By the end of November (November 26, 2023), flights and accommodations for Cancun, Mexico, were secured and paid for. While the decision to choose Mexico was spontaneous, I justified it as a well-deserved treat after a long and hectic year, thus willingly dipping into my emergency funds to cover the expenses.
One of the deciding factors for me was Mexico’s proximity to Canada, offering tourist visa-free travel for Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) card holders. This was particularly advantageous, sparing me the hassle of applying for a visa had I solely relied on my Nigerian passport for travel documentation.
Before my visit, my perceptions of Mexico were influenced by media portrayals, associating the country with issues such as drugs stemming from the illegal drug trade operated by powerful cartels, and migration, with Mexicans often depicted as crossing the border into the US illegally.
Interestingly, Canada’s travel advisory for Mexico was categorized as yellow, urging travellers to “Exercise a high degree of caution due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.“
Reservation Details
We aimed to embark on our journey in December 2023. After a discussion, my friend and I settled on the dates from Monday, December 25 to Friday, December 29, 2023. We opted for Riu’s comprehensive vacation package, encompassing all-inclusive amenities such as food, hotel accommodation, entertainment, and flights (further details provided below).
1. Hotel
We opted for the Hotel Riu Palace Las Americas, an adults-only, all-inclusive beachfront resort, drawn to its impressive rating of 4.5 out of 5 and stellar feedback from 4231 guests. Our choice was a Junior Suite for two adults, featuring two double beds in a non-smoking environment, for a four-night stay. Surprisingly, the hotel’s check-in window spanned from 3pm to 11pm.
I find Kylie Morrow’s explanation of an all-inclusive vacation, as shared in the post “What Does All-Inclusive Mean? Answering All Your Questions” on the Sandals website, to be particularly enlightening. She defines it as follows:
If you go on an all-inclusive vacation, it means your stay, unlimited food, drinks, activities, and entertainment are included in the booking price of the resort – without any surprise costs.“
Additionally, in her article on the Beaches website, Kylie elaborates further, stating,
A true all-inclusive vacation should never come with surprise costs and makes it possible to have a worry-free vacation, without having to run a tab.“
Hotel Riu Palace Las Americas – All-inclusive details
The hotel’s website outlines the following inclusive amenities:
The room price covers onsite food and beverages (with some restrictions possibly applicable).
- Gratuities and taxes are included, with additional gratuities accepted at guests’ discretion.
- Dining options encompass 7 restaurants, offering buffet and à la carte meals, snacks, and beverages. Additionally, guests benefit from 24-hour room service and in-room minibars with all beverages included, along with in-room liquor dispensers.
- Activities and facilities/equipment include all non-motorized water sports.
- Water activities such as kayaking, sailing, scuba-diving lessons, and snorkelling are included.
- Land activities feature fitness facilities and volleyball.
- Lessons, classes, and games like aerobics and water fitness are available.
- Entertainment comprises onsite activities and access to onsite nightclubs.
The hotel’s website explicitly indicated that guests would be required to pay a city-imposed tax of MXN 86.86 per accommodation, per night. This amounted to MXN 347.44 for the duration of our four-night stay.
2. Transportation Arrangements
We secured roundtrip flights from Toronto to Cancun since there were no direct flights available from Ottawa. Payment was completed on Sunday, November 26, 2023, with costs evenly split between us.
Additionally, on the same day, I arranged a roundtrip train journey for myself from Ottawa to Toronto, departing on Christmas Eve, December 24, and returning on Saturday, December 30. Fortunately, I benefited from a 12.5% corporate discount due to my employer’s partnership with Via Rail.
3. Tourist Activities Planning
When it came to planning our activities, we initially considered booking experiences through Airbnb Experiences or various online vendors.
My friend expressed interest in several activities, including swimming with dolphins, embarking on a transparent boat ride, experiencing the new Maya train, parasailing, and exploring Cancun via a segway tour. Additionally, two colleagues recommended must-see attractions such as Tulum, Cenote, Chichen Itza, and snorkelling.
However, after careful consideration, we decided it would be wiser to wait and arrange our activities upon arrival at the hotel. This approach would ensure legitimacy and safety, as hotels typically offer such services.
As for myself, while I was eager to explore Cancun and engage in thrilling activities like ziplining, I also valued the opportunity to unwind and relax during our stay.
Breakdown of Travel Expenses (December 24-30):
- Train Fare (Via Rail): CA$218.51 (Roundtrip from Ottawa to Toronto)
- Flight Fare (Air Transat): CA$965.46 (Roundtrip from Toronto to Cancun)
- Hotel Accommodation (Riu Palace Las Americas): CA$1,311.92 (4-night stay)
- Total: CA$2,495.89
Pre-trip Preparations:
1. Airport Shuttle Service | December 16-22, 2023:
On December 16, 2023, I emailed the contact on the Riu Hotels & Resorts booking site to inquire about shuttle services from Cancun airport to the hotel and currency exchange facilities. A response was received on December 20, directing me to Destination Services and advising me to contact the hotel’s customer service for currency exchange inquiries.
Subsequently, an email was sent to Destination Services on December 21 regarding airport shuttle services, with a response received on December 22 indicating they did not offer such services.
Additionally, on December 21, an email was directed to the hotel’s customer service regarding currency conversion, with a response received on December 22 confirming the availability of a currency exchange facility at the hotel.
My friend suggested addressing these matters upon arrival at Cancun airport, with the plan being to take a taxi from the airport to the hotel.
2. Cash Withdrawal | Tuesday, December 19, 2023:
In preparation for my tourist activities and souvenir purchases during the trip, I budgeted CA$500, estimated to be around US$400. A colleague who had previously travelled to Mexico informed me that United States Dollars (USD) were widely accepted as a method of payment there, despite the official currency being the Mexican Peso.
Taking this into consideration, I decided to acquire cash exclusively in USD. Hence, on Tuesday, December 19, after a pleasant lunch with a colleague, I withdrew US$400 from my USD savings account at my bank. This marked my first time conducting a cash withdrawal at the bank counter since opening an account in Canada.
The process was efficient, with no waiting queue, and I wasn’t required to fill out any withdrawal slips. The teller simply instructed me to insert my bank card into a device resembling a POS terminal. After entering my PIN, she gained access to my bank account and inquired about the denominations I preferred for the $400. In less than 10 minutes, I exited the bank with the desired cash in hand.
4. Vaccinations | Tuesday, December 19, 2023:
On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, I visited a Shoppers Drug Mart to receive my fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose alongside a flu shot. Both vaccinations were provided at no cost. The process involved completing standard registration forms and receiving one shot on each arm. Given the current climate, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine has become a yearly routine.
To be candid, I would have pursued both vaccinations regardless of my travel plans. However, the upcoming trip served as the catalyst I needed to ensure I completed this important task promptly.
3. Currency Exchange (USD & Pesos) | Friday, December 22, 2023:
Despite initially feeling confident about holding only USD, I began to harbour doubts regarding its suitability for my trip to Mexico. Seeking clarity, I consulted Google Assistant on my phone, which directed me to a blog recommending Mexican Pesos as the preferred currency.
Taking this advice into account, I made the decision to convert most of my USD to Mexican Pesos, opting for an 80/20 split. My intention was to exchange the pesos at Toronto airport.
However, upon sharing my plan with a Nigerian colleague at work, she suggested that I exchange my money in Ottawa for better rates, steering me towards a nearby Bureau de Change/Currency exchange service.
Although I contemplated visiting the exchange service on Saturday, a check of their operating hours on Google Maps revealed they were only open on weekdays, closing at 5:30pm. Consequently, I resolved to visit on a weekday.
At approximately 4pm on Friday, December 22, 2023, I made my way to the currency exchange located at the Gloucester Centre shopping mall in Blair. Navigating the expansive mall took some time, but I eventually located the exchange office around 5pm.
After confirming their availability of Mexican pesos, I engaged in a discussion with the attendant regarding the exchange rate. Despite attempting to negotiate a better rate, my efforts were unsuccessful.
I exchanged my USD for pesos, as well as my friend’s CAD for pesos. I received MXN$5,220 in exchange for USD319.46, along with my fifty-five cents change (including an extra cent) in Canadian coins. The exchange rate stood at MXN$16.34 to USD1.
Upon receipt of the pesos and a transactional receipt, I departed for home.
(Note: It’s worth mentioning that Mexico also uses the dollar sign for its currency.)
5. Luggage & Packing | Saturday, December 23, 2023:
My next task was to find a suitable backpack for my trip. With no intention of checking in luggage, I sought a carry-on backpack to avoid additional costs and potential delays at baggage claim or, worse yet, the risk of lost luggage.
My existing backpacks were either too small (my office laptop bag) or too large (a hiking backpack). The hiking backpack did not meet the size requirements stipulated by the train and airline policies.
Given the time constraints and my reluctance to purchase a brand-new bag, I opted for a thrift-shopping adventure. On Saturday, December 23, I visited the Salvation Army thrift store near my house but found no suitable options. Undeterred, I continued my search at another thrift store, Value Village.
At Value Village, I stumbled upon three promising options. After an initial inspection, I narrowed down my choices.
While the first backpack was spacious, it emitted a displeasing odour, prompting me to consider it later. The second option, although looking almost new and odour-free, lacked the desired number of compartments. Additionally, it bore the imprints of “Canada” and “jobs.gc.ca,” the former Government of Canada jobs website. The third option, while not as spacious, also didn’t meet my criteria, so I disregarded it.
Planning to compare the first and second choices, I was taken aback when another shopper promptly snatched the first backpack, along with the third, leaving me with the Canada-branded bag.
Despite my initial disappointment, I accepted my fate and purchased the bag for CA$13.49 (excluding taxes).
Upon returning home around 5pm, I cleaned the backpack with disinfectant and hung it to dry before embarking on the daunting task of packing.
Fortunately, I had compiled a comprehensive list of items to pack over several days. Sorting through my clothes and accessories, I prioritized essentials due to space limitations.
Footwear posed a challenge, particularly as I usually wear sneakers but had to pack them as it was still winter. Ultimately, I settled on one pair of sneakers, sandals, and slides.
In addition to clothing, I packed pain medication and an umbrella, mindful of the forecast predicting rain during our stay in Cancun.
To keep myself entertained while packing, I listened to comedians like Kevin Hart on Apple Music, thoroughly enjoying his album “Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History,” which was both entertaining and educational.
Finally, I completed packing around midnight, set my alarm, and retired for the night.
My next post will delve into my captivating experiences during the train journey from Ottawa to Toronto on Christmas Eve, December 24. Until then, take good care of yourself! Adiós!
