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Since Covid started, travelers have faced bigger challenges traveling to numerous destinations, from stricter entry rules to longer airport delays. Although it is definitely not immune to the usual pandemic woes, Mexico has been working harder than any other country in improving the tourist experience for American visitors.
Despite being targeted by the U.S. Government's Travel Advisories, which cite security concerns in major tourist hotspots like Cancun, and facing an abnormally high, and even potentially dangerous travel demand, Mexico is fighting back and ensuring visitors have a more pleasant experience. Against all odds, it seeks to remain Americans' favorite destination.
Here are 5 ways Mexico has managed to achieve that and prove all naysayers wrong:
It Has Built A Whole New Airport In Mexico City
After reports Mexico City's International Airport (AICM) was experiencing overcapacity, the country rushed to inaugurate the capital's second international hub. It may be further out, but the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) has already become essential for Mexican aviation – and travelers alike.
Now that flights are being distributed between AICM and AIFA, travel lanes will not be as saturated, and the visitor experience in both hubs a lot more satisfactory. In fact, easing pressure on the other airport was one of the main reasons why AIFA came into being. With it, operations at AICM are set to reduce by 25%, making it much less busy for Americans to transit.
It Has Streamlined Border Control In Cancun
Shocking images of long wait lines and bottlenecks may come to mind when you think of Cancun Airport – and believe us, it can be a true gong-show at times – but Mexico is doubling its efforts to save its second most important airport's reputation as a global hub. There might be an unprecedented surge in Cancun bookings, but airport authorities are now ready for the post-Covid revenge travel trends.
They have begun streamlining border control for American passengers and other incoming tourists, and within months of easing border bureaucracy, wait times at the airport have shrunk dramatically. In the chaotic Terminal 2, for example, there has been a 30% reduction, with American arrivals no longer expected to wait up to 90 minutes to clear customs and cross the border.
It Has Added QR Codes To Taxis In Puerto Vallarta To Fight Scamming
A favorite among U.S. vacationers, Puerto Vallarta has been making the news lately for all the wrong reasons: scams in the city have risen by a staggering 200% in only 3 years, prompting Mexican authorities to act quickly. Now, it will be much harder for the city's famous taxi scammers to prey on naive tourists, as Puerto Vallarta has just added QR codes to official taxis.
All drivers will be required to display the code on their vehicles, allowing visitors to easily verify their credentials, licensing, and information on an official page. As a result, taking cabs in Puerto Vallarta will not only be more affordable (due to regular fares being enforced), it will be safer as scammers can now be easily identified, and without the help of local police.
It Increased Security On Caribbean Beaches
If you're planning a trip to the Mexican Caribbean soon, you probably came across several other travel news outlets online that have raised doubts about the region's safety. Whether it's shootings, kidnappings or other security concerns, you may have started to ask yourself whether Cancun or other Mexican beach cities are still safe destinations in 2022. In short, they are.
Cancun is cracking down hard on gang activity and violence, deploying police to beach areas to increase safety levels and guarantee American tourists have a positive experience. Any big city will, at some point, experience crime, and no travel is risk-free. That said, Mexico is still having none of it, with authorities promising to keep tourist zones risk-free with the help of law enforcers.
Finally, Mexico Is Now Treating Covid As Endemic
Mexico has been a trailblazer during Covid in keeping its borders open and promoting tourism regardless of new variants or lockdowns in other nations. Therefore, it comes as no surprise the Government has decided to scrap its Covid Warning System, allowing the country to fully reinstate pre-pandemic normality and treat the virus as endemic.
Mexico never required vaccination passports or testing for entry, but this means masks are no longer necessary in any setting, and Covid has officially ceased being a prime concern. For restriction-wary travelers, Mexico has been, and continues to be, the go-to place for sunny vacations. Here, Americans can truly enjoy their time in the sun… Stress-free and with no masks.
For all the latest news on Mexico, including travel tips to Cancun and new flight routes to the Mexican Caribbean opening this summer, please visit this link.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
manuel
Wednesday 1st of June 2022
I like to speak wonders of Mexico but any of CDMX airports it is not one of the things to talk about( at least possitively)- DON´T LIE TO YOUR AUDIENCE- no one like´s being lied to.
What a bunch of lies, AIFA sucks and to this day is barely taking any international flights. it is currently serving only 9 flights a day and only 2-3 airlines
The air traffic is messed up as there was no previous study of the airways. it was just a tantrum of the government officials in order to burry the Great airport project in Texcoco
Whole New Airport- the biggest lie of them all - this is an old air force base- and it looks like a regional airport at best- not up to the biggest city in the country.
Rachel
Wednesday 1st of June 2022
This was all great news to read. However, feet on the ground in Merida, Yucatan for 6 weeks, mask enforcement is both insane and stressful to this very day. A Walmart affiliated market had 4 Yucatan state police confront my boyfriend for not pulling his mask over his nose. An open air Six store in Centro refused to sell him a beer without a mask. In the heat of 42 degree sun, 95% of children and adults are masked up outside. This is our 5th Mexican state since Feb and the face coverings have been a real challenge. I honestly pray for the beautiful people of Mexico and will have some sense relief to be leaving soon.
Shawn
Wednesday 1st of June 2022
@Rachel,
Today in CDMX, one of the security folks working in a mall ran up to ask me to put on a face covering. Seems that many parts of Mexico are still stuck in 2020/2021. If I recall correctly, security folks were still doing temperature checks earlier this year prior to entering malls/restaurants/museums. Virtually everyone is wearing a face covering in buildings and I would guess 75+% are wearing one outside as well.