Six Secrets of a Smooth Arrival at Cancun International Airport
Welcome to Cancun!
Are you planning your first trip to Cancun or the Riviera Maya? Or has it maybe been a while since you’ve been? Here are some things you should know to make the beginning of your trip as smooth as possible.
1) Bring a pen on the plane. The flight attendants will be passing out a form commonly referred to as a “tourist card”. You’ll need to fill it out. You’ll be the most popular one on your row if you have a pen. You’ll need your passport open to fill it out. Be sure you carefully keep track of your passport because if you misplace it or leave it on the plane you will have a big problem. Possession of your passport is really the only deal breaker in the whole process. You can make up for anything else, but if you lose your passport you have issues.
2) Properly fill out your tourist card. Hopefully it will be printed in English, but it may not. It could go either way. Read it carefully and fill it out correctly. If you’re arriving into Cancun, the name of the state is “Quintana Roo”. It can be abbreviated “Q. Roo”. Also remember that the format for writing a date everywhere but the US is day/month/year rather than the month/day/year format we use.
There will be a guy checking your tourist card right when you get off the plane to make sure it is filled out correctly. If it is not, you’ll have to stop right there and lean up against the wall and make your corrections. This will upset your evil plan of rushing down to passport control and being first in line.
3) Speaking of the line in passport control, it goes pretty fast. Don’t despair if you see a long snake-like line. It’s pretty much like Walt Disney World in that it moves fairly continuously. If you get bored, look down at the floor. Ninety nine percent of the women in the line have fresh pedicures. I roll my eyes at them in my head while I wait. Oops, you have a fresh pedicure too? Compare yours to theirs and see whose is better.
4) The next line you’ll encounter is customs. This is the line you wait in after you’ve claimed your luggage. Sometimes this line can move rather slowly. If you notice a substantial line when you enter the baggage claim area, make a deal with your traveling companion that one of you gets the bags, and one of you goes ahead and takes a place in line. You may encounter sniffing dogs while in this area. They are looking for drugs and/or unpackaged food.
5) After you leave the customs area you go through sliding glass doors and will go to your right (the only option). You’ll walk past a bunch of people who are trying to get your attention. Ignore them. They are timeshare people. They may say they are your transfer, or that they are representatives of your hotel. They are not. They are lying. Ignore them, and walk outside. Your transfer is waiting for you outside. If transfers were not included in your package, you’ll find the legitimate taxi drivers out there too.
6) Relax. Even if the lines are long, or the airport is a complete mad house, relax. You’ve just arrived into one of the most beautiful places on earth. You’re on vacation. Relax.
Nicki’s First Trip to Mexico
I recently had the opportunity to travel to the beautiful Riviera Maya, just south of Cancun, Mexico. It’s only a little over a 2 hour flight from Dallas… I love, love, love short, direct flights : ) I stayed 3 nights at The El Dorado Seaside Suites which is a little over an hour transfer from the airport, but definitely worth the drive. I stayed in a Beachfront Jacuzzi Junior Suite- Beautiful view, location, setting, everything. I knew it was going to be nice from what other agents in the office had told me, but their pictures and stories just didn’t do the resort justice. I’m already anticipating my next trip back.
The El Dorado boutique chain continued to impress me every time I turned around. I am so excited that they’re going green. The El Dorado Maroma already heats all of it’s water with solar panels and the El Dorado Royale has a huge green house on site where they grow all of their own vegetables.
I’m trying really hard to think of one thing that stood out above all the rest… The beach was beautiful. The rooms were excellent. The layout of the properties were perfect- None of the resorts felt too crowed or spread out and everything you could possibly want and/or need is always just a few steps away. Restaurants are spread out through out the properties and there is a concierge desk for every 35 rooms.
I was also really impressed by how the Azuls have combined Karisma’s Gourmet Inclusive concept with their family friendly concept. They have contracts with Fisher Price toys and they have absolutely everything you could possibly think of for babies and kids of all ages. From kid’s clubs, kid’s activities and programs, play equipment and arcade rooms, to bottle warmers, and play pins- They have it! I really enjoyed the nightly shows at the resort, but out of all the things that I made me do a double take my favorite thing has to be the food!
I had the opportunity to meet the Head Chef for the El Dorado Royale and I was so EXCITED to hear him talk about his job with such enthusiasm. He has worked/cooked in over 22 countries and he said that there is no request that he cannot fulfill either on his own or with the help of his Sous Chef and staff. A fellow travel agent said that she was currently making arrangements for a bride and her guests that will be coming down in October and asked if he could possibly make a Hindu menu for her and her guests and he said of course he could. I love the idea of sending clients to a resort where I know that they are going to be completely taken care of. Below is a picture of just one of the many desserts that I was lucky enough to indulge in while I was at The El Dorado Maroma.
This was served in the Sabores restaurant.
When I arrived I was greeted with this welcoming sign : )
Trying to catch some sun…
This is the view from one of the Jacuzzi Suites at the El Dorado Royale.
When you go to The El Dorado Seaside Suites you have to order a Sombrero!
This is the only adult’s only restaurant at Azul Sensatori.
Serves 8 courses that takes about 2-2 1/2 hours to enjoy 
You can upgrade to a 14 course meal that takes about 3 1/2 hours to enjoy!
The next time you’re at The El Dorado Seaside Suites
You have to try the Tequila Tasting they offer- Very informative and delicious!
GIVC Awards
GIVCs in Mexico! Plus new amenities for Legacy Travel brides!
It was nothing short of amazing.
We zip lined in the jungle and even rode on snuggly camels! Yes, camels are in Mexico now and they will be coming up in the world you just wait and see. 
During our stay we were also able to visit the adventurous Selvatica! If you haven’t been yet, we strongly suggest it!
Karisma resorts now have a certification for qualifying travel agents to be a Gourmet Inclusive Wedding Consultant. I was quite surpised when they announced my name along with a handful of other agents who were rewarded with this new certification.
Legacy Travel was honored to receive awards of recognition at the GIVC ceremony during our last night there. All in all, we are happy to be back home and the experience just inspired me to have an even more prosperous year in 2010!
We received a nice, warm welcome to the El Dorado Royale.
We had a carnival right on one of my most favorite spots, Maroma Beach! We won Monopoly money to cash in for authentic Mexican toys.
The El Dorado Royale now have a camel tour along with their traditional horseback tour. Everyone who tried this walked away with a new love and passion for camels. ♥
The ceremony was beautiful and the entertainment was absolutely amazing.
Rafaela, the Karisma wedding director, was there as well! It is always lovely being able to spend time with this destination wedding guru. Stay tuned for an enticing interview with Ms Rafaela!
We miss it there already. ♥
Wishing you all a wonderful 2010!
Cathi and Philip at El Dorado Royale
Wonderful friends toasting a wonderful trip
Philip and Cathi were honored to be a part of the Gold and Above 500 Club Trip November 7-11 at El Dorado Casitas Royale. Attending the trip were 28 of the highest producing travel agencies in the country.
One focus on this trip was the experiences available in the Riviera Maya and Cancun. In the past we have so focused on the resort experience and knowing the resorts that we have passed right on by the amazing off resort experiences that are available in the destination.
Cathi enjoyed a day at Selvatica where she zip-lined through the jungle, then boarded a jeep and went to a cenote in the jungle and swam in the cold water. They even have a cenote where you can take a Segway to the cenote to swim.
Our group ready to take off underground to explore caves
After the cenote, the group was transported to Rio Secreto where we put on wetsuits and explored underground caves. Simply amazing. There were lights on the helmets, but when the lights were turned off it was the darkest dark you can imagine.
Cathi Inside the Underground Caves
At the same time, Philip went to Xcaret to swim with the dolphins. He reports that the dolphins were “cute”. In groups of 5 or 6 they went onto the submerged platform and first they brought them out one by one and had the dolphin interact. The dolphins allowed them to pet them, then they danced, then they jumped over their heads. The grand finale was a foot push where the dolphins took each participant and pushed their feet until the swimmer was sailing above the water.
One night we all ate at John Grey’s Place in Playa del Carmen. We had a tasting menu with so many courses I lost count. No one could tell how much wine they’d consumed because you never got to the end of a glass. It was just filled up over and over again.
The El Dorado Royale was fabulous, as always. We were in a casita. We used our jacuzzi all but one day and Philip slept out on the bed on the balcony so he could hear the ocean.
Philip and I each got a “four hands massage”. There are not words to describe the wonderfulness. No.Words.
That pretty much sums up the trip. Wonderfulness!
Marty on Vacation
Marty and Greg enjoying the pool at El Dorado Royale
September 9 through 16 was a magical week spent in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. The first 3 nights I stayed at THE ROYAL in Cancun in a Royal Oceanview Junior Suite. The view from the large private balcony that overlooked the Caribbean was magnificent. The first day was spent at the beach and pool area just to relax and do nothing. That evening, I had the opportunity to dine in their small, 1 seating, 16 person, specialty restaurant called Chef’s Plate. The second day was devoted to a spa day. Several hours in the spa with treatments and a healthy lunch was well deserved. Another day was for playing “tourist.” I took a bus tour to Chichen Itza for the first time in all the years I have been traveling to the area. The tour itself was nothing to write home about, but the ruins were exceptional. There was so much to see and so much history.
Marty, Greg, and the staff at the El Dorado Maroma
Excellence Riviera Cancun Vacation
Excellence Riviera Cancun
It was a real pleasure working with Leah and the team at Legacy Travel. Everyone was extremely professional,courteous, and helpful. I was not really sure where I wanted to go, but after some research by Legacy Travel they helped me in picking one of the best resorts I have ever been to.  We elected to go to Excellence Riviera Maya. The resort was absolutely incredible and the food was amazing. Particularly The Lobster House. And somehow (without our knowing) Legacy Travel booked us as VIP Guests and we had access to a private section of beach, a private pool at the resort, and a private Lounge within resort. All in all it was one of the best vacations I have had the pleasure of enjoying. And when we returned Leah called to make sure that we returned safely and that we had a great time. So their professionalism didn’t stop after I paid. Thank you Legacy Travel. I look forward to working with you again.
Tim Thompson
Two Tickets to Paradise!
Infinity Pool Suite
by Leah Wuergler
Pack your bags! Wait…I just unpacked. Good song though!
I went to Cancun with my sister in law Aug 6-9. It was amazing. I love Cancun and think it is amazing just about every time I go…………..but, this time was different. This time was blissful and unreal.
We stayed at the El Dorado Maroma! It’s an adults only all inclusive in the Riviera Maya. When you arrive they hand you a glass of champagne and welcome you to paradise. Let me tell you…let me say words to you and have you hear me! They aren’t kidding around.
The view from my BEACH BED!
View 2
This was the most beautiful resort I have ever been to. As a travel agent I get to travel quite a bit…and I’m sure I will see many more wonderful things. But, I wonder if anything will ever compare to the El Dorado Maroma.
The beach was soft white sand, the water was clear and you could walk out so far! The Marina Maroma is next door…but, I’m surprised about how little noise you hear from the boats and jet skis.
Now, you all know I like food………………..but, can I tell you how much I like gourmet food? PEOPLE! I even at seafood over the weekend. I had clams, lobster, something that was slightly crunchy, shrimp and Mahi Mahi! Now, will I be eating seafood again in the near future? NO. The slightly crunchy thing scared me, but the lobster was pretty good!
I will say that there were times I wished my brother could be there with my sister in law instead. The resort is so full of romance! But, there were also times when I wished I had a special someone to share it with as well.
The staff was amazing and attentive…I can’t say enough about my trip. I can’t say enough about how well we were treated and how much I want to go back tomorrow.
Enjoying the music
Get your tickets! If you get what you pay for…..then pay for paradise and travel without a care in the world! It’s the only way to go!!!
Ramona in the Riviera Maya
The Family Enjoying the Riviera Maya
An all- inclusive package is probably the best vacation option for a young family with small kids. It’s so comforting to know that everything is arranged and planned and there’s nothing left for you to worry about! You can then truly enjoy spending time with your beloved ones and making precious memories!
Our experiences so far have been great, thanks to Legacy Travel. We’ve been to Riviera Maya twice so far (Grand Sirenis last year and Iberostar Tucan this year) and I have never regretted my choices! Riviera Maya is close enough so that two small kids like mine (ages 2 and 4) wouldn’t get too tired travelling, it is moderately expensive so you don’t have to give up all your life savings just to spend a week at the ocean, and the hotel and dining services are overall impressive. We’ve traveled through Apple Vacations and everything went as planned.
The Beach at Iberostar Quetzal/Tucan
The beach at Iberostar Tucan was clean, well- maintained and it did have the exotic touch that we expected it to have. Check out the wonderful clear water, the palm trees, and the sandy shore in the pictures that I’m attaching! The beach at Grand Sirenis is just as wonderful, but the shore is a little rocky, so we had to wear water shoes. This year, at Iberostar Tucan, we even made plans to try some of the water activities in the future, when the kids grow a little. There are options such as snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, swimming with dolphins. There are also archeological tours that I would love to take, but they imply, of course, some more travel and I was sure they wouldn’t have been too interesting to my small kids. No doubt I will do all these later though.
The meal options were great at both places even though it seemed to me that the Grand Sirenis service was slightly better (the choices were more varied). In my perspective, this made up for the rocky beach☺ Grand Sirenis also has extras such as a lazy river, a coffee shop, and an ice cream shop. Iberostar Tucan doesn’t have all these extras, but it offers wonderful exotic scenery: peacocks, monkeys, egrets, flamingos, parrot are part of the family there!
Iberostar Tucan
Monkeys at Iberostar Tucan
Beach at Iberostar Tucan
For those who love entertainment, there are choices here too. There’s a musical program for kids that my little ones loved and there’s also adult shows with live music and dance every night. The show that I liked the best was a selection of Mexican folklore dance.
We will definitely want to go back to Riviera Maya in the future.
