Rumor has it that there will be a $10 USD international tourist tax to be collected at the Cancun airport–whether it will be upon arrival or departure is still in question. This tax is supposed to cover the use of “public domain assets”.
I recently stayed at the Riu Palace Peninsula resort in Cancun’s Hotel Zone (my resort review and picture gallery should be up within two days). This was a great suite–a large balcony Jacuzzi with a great ocean and property view, even in my suite which was only one floor up from the lobby. FYI: don’t add too much bubble mixture to the Jacuzzi, you will wind up with a foam party. My daughter and I couldn’t stop laughing as the wind whipped the bubble foam over our balcony onto guests below. Since it was late at night they didn’t know what was going on or who the culprits were; at least resort staff/security didn’t pay us a visit!!
I found a good article on how planning future travel plans or even thinking about travel can improve one’s mental health. The article sites research studies done to support its premise which is one reason why I found it to be interesting. Based on a 2014 Cornell University study, some major mental health benefits involved with planning future travel included the pleasure of anticipating an experience, the pleasure connected with discussing one’s travel plans with others (increased social interaction makes one feel better), and the pleasure involved in a more optimistic outlook on life (I have a future/something to look forward to). If you want to read more about the article and its associated links, click here.
For those of you curious about or following the upcoming changes in Playa del Carmen, here’s a new video showing some of the initial projects (new and better beach access from 5th, changes to the popular Parque Fundadores, not sure about the larger cleared out construction spaces, however–does anyone know what is being done there?).
New remodel in PDC, courtesy Riviera Maya News
For those of you who watched an encapsulated version of the Xcaret Mexico Espectacular show on their YouTube channel, it was quite fun, wasn’t it? Loved the Old Man Dance, especially when they took off their masks and….wait, I don’t want to ruin the fun. You will just have to tune in Sunday, May 3 at 8 pm (EST) on their Facebook page to see it again.
Experiencing COVID-19 has certainly been an eye opener in many respects. Some issues have been expected but in a more concerted form, some issues are new. With the virus effecting most individual’s travel plans, it brings about the question which gained more exposure in 2016-2017–can individuals be addicted to travel?
I was experiencing some nostalgia about Cancun and the beautiful beaches there and knew I couldn’t be alone in that, so I thought I’d post something to remind people of what’s to come!!
If anyone has a future booking through Bookit.com, please be aware that they have suspended all operations and laid off most of their employees because of the multitude of trip cancellations due to COVID-19. No mention is made whether they will ever be back in business. The 411 is that Bookit has not sent money over to resorts which clients have paid Bookit for the trip in question. As a result, the resort will not let you leave without paying–AGAIN. So, please contact the resort where your booking is at (if you have used this company) and ask them if they have received the money from Bookit. If they have not, you have to make your decision about what you want to do–cancel the reservation in question, cancel and re-book making another deposit directly with the resort, or cancel and use another source to make another reservation. Don’t forget to call your credit card company and dispute the charge if the resort has not received your money.
My daughter and her husband are return visitors to the adults-only Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya resort, it is their “home away from home” resort go-to. After her most recent visit I asked if she would be willing to write some helpful tips about staying at this resort for my blog, so here they are. Continue reading