To the Editor.
I arranged a great pre-birthday weekend for my family and friends at the newly opened Ava Resort Cancun. After 25 years in the travel industry, I decided to sponsor family members and friends for a trip of a lifetime.
Coming from the little Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, we began our adventure to enjoy the beauties of Cancun.
Upon arrival, shortly after immigration, I noticed a familiar face: it was my cousin, who had arrived in Cancun on the airplane two hours before; with tears in her eyes, she announced that she had been denied admission into Mexico.
As a travel agent, I am aware that Mexican Immigration has been turning away nationals from Trinidad and Tobago owing to insufficient documentation of vacation. When everyone left Trinidad, I made sure that everyone had confirmed hotel reservations and flight information to show to immigration.
However, when my cousin arrived at immigration with her step brother and had no visible visa (United States/Canada) or stamps indicating a history of travel (new passport), eyebrows were raised, and despite all documents and explanations by the two, she was on her way to being sent back to Trinidad, while my other cousin was allowed entry.
My group of seven clustered around my cousin, surprised by what was about to unfold. I questioned everyone around me and eventually spoke with an immigration official, saying that my cousin was part of the party on our way to Cancun to celebrate my birthday. Meanwhile, my other cousin was outside at Copa Airlines, requesting to change his trip to return home with his step sister.
During the tumult, a Copa Airline agent arrived and brought my cousin’s luggage and passport inside customs, stating that she was permitted to enter Mexico.
On the way to Cancun, a problem occurred at our departure airport in Panama, leaving one of our group behind. That member lacked the necessary documents to give to immigration upon arrival, and after the recent ordeal with my cousin, I wasn’t taking chances.
Attempts to send the paperwork to the other individual failed because he was already airborne when we arrived in Cancun. So I lingered at customs to assist when the last member arrived. I was informed I needed to wait in customs and couldn’t leave because I wouldn’t be able to return, so I waited for about 2 hours. He eventually arrived and was allowed to enter without incident. We quickly retrieved his luggage and made our way outside.
This was my third trip to Cancun, and I’ve learned that you should never try to take a taxi from Cancun International Airport to anywhere.
I am familiar with Canada Transfer; I previously had an instance in which ground transports were not booked for certain guests who were three hours away from arrival, and Canada Transfers was quite helpful in ensuring they were taken care of.
My transfers were scheduled, and the seven members were transported by Nexus Tours, a pre-booked service that cost me $79.00 USD for seven adults from Cancun International to Ava Resort and eleven adults from Ava Resort to Cancun International Airport; please keep in mind that this was the final amount.
I was in a panic and hoped that Nexus Tours could help, but before I exited and met with a representative, I inquired inside the terminal from a booth labeled “Taxi Service.” I told them where I was going, and they showed me a sheet that showed $85.00USD one way for two adults to “Hotel Zone.”
I promptly ran out to see what Nexus Tours could accomplish. As I made my way to Nexus, I could feel eyes on me. I respectfully asked the Nexus agent if they could help us get to Ava Resort, a hotel about ten minutes away. I was told to step aside and wait while she made arrangements. Meanwhile, the vultures maintained a constant gaze on the two potential preys.
Eventually, a Nexus representative returned with no availability, explaining that we could only reserve the service online and that I didn’t have a window to do it, and referring me to the taxi. I swear they were all in unison about this coming rip-off, and I felt defeated.
A member of the taxi association swiftly approached us and we inquired about the cost to Ava Resort – $85.00USD was the response; observing the pandemonium simply overwhelmed an already fatigued and hungry individual.
They directed to another side of the airport and said we could try their shared service for $20.00 USD per person. I glanced at my credit card and inquired if I could pay with this manner, which was not possible. Only Cash!
It was at that point where I thought the comfort of the wonderful five star hotel would ease all this angst and handed over $85.00 USD cash to an association that I can only describe as The Greatest Con!
The driver was quickly dispatched with hearty laughter in the face of robbery without a gun. They all were quite joyous perhaps we were the fools to agree to this unjustified cost. This sealed it, I would never have anyone arrive in Cancun without pre-arranged ground transfers.
Regards,
Shawn Ali
