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Hi Tea Lover! Yes this is correct - arriving by air into Mexico, you no longer need the FMM (immigration form). It's all just passport and electronic forms, so it's way easier. When we landed, there were no other planes that had just landed, so we went straight to the front of the line - lucky too, because a bunch got to Passport control after we'd already lined up & it filled up very quickly! Just depends how many planes are landing at the same time as you... (you can check on FlightRadar or the airport website)

@@ChristineTurner oh that is good to know. We just loved it when Cancun airport stopped requiring the FMM, even with long lines from many planes landed, it took us 20 minutes to get through custom. Thank you so much . Just booked our trip for just me and my husband early in November. Hopefully the weather is good then😃

@@tealover4664 That's actually a really great time of year to travel. Essentially out of hurricane season and the weather isn't as hot as it is mid-year. Quite comfortable! Did you book the Riu CSL or Riu Baja?

Hi SKGR! No the Grab & Go restaurant for similar-style to buffet dining is going to be in the corridor between Dreams & Vivid, so it's not open yet BUT this will be open for casual lunch and dinner. It's coming - just not open yet...

@@ChristineTurnerthanks so much!! 😊

Hi Shizuma! Wow you must have nerves of steel! That's a pretty amazing incentive though - for US $600 worth of GC & slots credits, I'd be tempted to try it too!

@@BrandonEdwards-uc6qb hi Brandon! Wow which sailing are you booked on? It seems like a crazy option this year - last year, way less cruise bookings so it probably would have been fine but this year is the year to cruise apparently. My fingers are crossed for you!!

@@ChristineTurner I am booked on the Westerdam, sailing from SEA on July 21st. Fingers crossed. I plan on going down to the port and waiting 90 minutes prior if I’m not cleared two days prior. I have already mentally prepared myself that 7 days prior is not realistic based off the many reviews I’ve read.

@@BrandonEdwards-uc6qb yeah I’m hearing that not many people are having success with this - cruising is incredibly popular this year so I guess that’s why. Fingers are crossed for you!! Let us know how you fare!

@@ChristineTurner I know it’s not ideal and not the greatest time of year to try it but I’m hopeful. Fingers crossed and I can’t wait to share my experience.

Hi Yaran! When are you planning to go there?

@@ChristineTurner Hi we are planning to go during December. So I am wondering if they have any pool heated. thanks

@@YaranCheng well I think the main pools are heated but they are quite large so overall will almost certainly feel chilly at that time of year unless it’s a hot sunny day. No idea if it’ll be warm enough for a baby.

@@robertahosey9765 Hi Roberta! We just got a taxi from the airport (which was about the same as a pre-booked shuttle) and then got an Uber from the hotel to the airport, which saved about US $40. We also used Uber a lot to get to and from the hotel to downtown Cabo. It’s the cheapest option 95% of the time!

Hello, what was the cost from the airport to the hotel if you don’t mind me asking ? Thank you

@@tealover4664 it was US $85. It was a set price at the taxi stand.

@@ChristineTurner $85 for one way correct ? Or round trip?

@@tealover4664 That was one way from the airport to the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas. On the way home we left from Riu Palace Baja California & our Uber was about US $40.

@@carolinenewsted1571 hi Caroline! Well the Roy’s are all about a 45 minute walk to downtown or an easy Uber but another option is the Sandos Finisterra or Tesoro. Sandos is a lovely all inclusive resort, built into the hillside by the arch. Probably just a 20 minute walk to Cabo Wabo from there. I’ve stayed there close to a dozen times and it’s great. The Tesoro is right in the heart of the marina and is quite a sprawling property. I believe they do all inclusive or EP (no meals or drinks) but I’ve never stayed there because it just seemed to be a bit of a step down compared to others. Those would be the best two for proximity but as I say, if you don’t mind paying for an Uber, Riu would work just fine!

@@ChristineTurner thank you so much we will look into all of your suggestions. I’m so excited. Thanks again

@@carolinenewsted1571 have a great time!!

@@carolinenewsted1571 have a great trip!!

@@Hennnesssyyy yes it’s true - as a consumer, it would be expensive to stay at so many places but I have often gotten industry rates or even free stays at places. I’ve also gone down to Mexico for a week and stayed at 4 different resorts, just to get an update on various resorts or to see them for the first time. I’ve been in the industry for nearly 20 years though and my focus has primarily been Mexico all inclusives so that’s often where I’ve also travelled to for my vacation time. I guess my desire to know resorts first hand was the big push. Thanks for watching!

@@holly0017 thanks for watching!

Hi Peter! Tipping is always optional but let's face it, it is expected for any services (drink or food delivery, waiting tables, housekeeping, etc). Staff want pesos as these are much more easily used than trying to use foreign money to buy groceries etc. Have a fabulous trip!

@@ChristineTurner Thanks very much!!

Hi AVB! No they're pretty basic rooms but are well situated to be nearest the party. You're still easy walking distance to the courtyard pool or the ocean front pool, as well as all of the dining options, so it's a well located room - just know that you'll hear ALL of the noise from the pool party (not a problem if you're going to it anyway!!).

Hi Gerry! When the program first came out, it was for many more departure ports but I just double checked and the whole program appears to have changed. So, for example, now you can be on the Standby List for a Verandah specifically, instead of just being on an Inside and hoping for the best. Way more expensive too, but still a heck of a deal compared to regular price. Also, you're right - just cruises to Alaska and Maritime cruises. No Mexican Riviera or Caribbean. I'm really glad to hear that the refund process is quick - at least some happy news if I'm not going to be cruising next week! Thanks for sharing!

Ha ha I’m glad you were able to escape so easily and also got your reward! Thanks for sharing!

​@@ChristineTurner You are welcome. HOWEVER you need to know it was NOT easy. It took heroic intestinal fortitude.

@@yousguys00 Oh I can imagine. Those sales guys are so cringy and hard core - only the strong will survive!!

Hi John! I’m quite certain you’re right but we decided to throw some money at the problem to fix our situation and make that train instead of waiting several more for the next one. 🤷‍♀️ it is what it is and I’ll be better prepared next time - hence me sharing my dumb travel mistakes with you so you can avoid them!! 😊

@@ChristineTurner Understood. The need to travel to and from the various stations makes taking the train a pretty big drawback, unfortunately. I live in Playa and have still not tried it.

@@johnwoodham3263 Oh wow. Well if you could drive to the train, that's an option, but if you're going to drive that far... I think they'll improve things fairly quickly for those stations. Unfortunate that the southbound train development has been put on hold but considering their environmental concerns, it makes total sense.

Hi Sandra! It’s walkable but slightly dodgy as you’re walking along a sandy road which vehicles use as a shortcut and if it rains, you might get washed away. That said, the walk is about 45-50 mins or you can Uber from the gates of the resort to downtown in about 7 minutes and it’s cheap as chips. ($4-6). When are you going?

@ChristineTurner I was looking at august but haven't decided for sure. Disappointed about the beach.

@@sandramartinez7127 Hi Sandra! Yeah it sucks that you can't swim here but you're about a 45 minute walk to Medano beach (or same as above for Uber) and you can absolutely swim there! I was there in August several years ago & it gets crazy hot. I think I'd be spending a lot of time at the courtyard pool at the Riu Santa Fe because it's a massive pool so it won't heat up as fast and there's more palm trees for shade. Have fun!

@@ChristineTurneri heard uber is not a thing or popular there. Mostly just Taxi?? But i guess it's not true

@@tealover4664 no they were everywhere when we were there but I that’s changed a lot from the past. Used to be big fights between the taxis and Uber. Now everyone is getting along. At least that’s my experience in Cabo and in Cancun.

Hi Chad! Depends where your room is located but they are literally side by side. From either palace lobby to the pool party is maybe a 5 minute walk. There’s no shuttle or anything because they are all so close. Hope that helps!

Hi Michelle! I knew about that one but it didn’t taste like lemon at all - that’s why I was confused. Thanks though.

Hi David! I don’t drink either so I’m not sure if they have bourbon but they definitely had some whiskey. That’s pretty much a staple item for resorts.

Hi Artem! This may work some of the time but most people get tired in the waves and this is what gets them. Appreciate your info may be helpful if someone finds themselves in this situation, but best to avoid it if possible.

Hi BeauJangles! I’m so glad you suggested this! I was actually thinking this afternoon that that would be a good topic. Especially from the perspective of ‘what would you tell a friend to bring who hasn’t been to an all inclusive resort before’. Consider it done!!

Hi BeauJangles! Yeah I agree that they should at least make it a hospitable place. At Hyatt Vivid, it was in the parking lot beside the golf course and they had a table and chairs and an umbrella, so it seemed pretty decent.

Hi Christine! OMG I LOVE THIS IDEA! Seriously this is really cool. I never thought to do something like this but I definitely will on my next all inclusive vacation! Thanks for sharing!

Hi Natalie! I'm glad you enjoyed it - hopefully you found some stuff that would work for your dietary needs.

Hi William! Yes I think the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas was my favourite one to hang out at (of the three) but I'd book into Riu Palace Baja California just for the newer rooms and the slightly upgraded food. Have fun!

Hi Jimbo! There was but I only noticed it for the first day or so. To be farthest away from it, you'd want to request a room that's farthest from Dreams. I was booked in a Vantage Club Golf/Oceanview room and the views were great!

That’s the room I was leaning towards. Right now it’s like $112 a person. Hopefully the a la carte breakfast spot for vantage members only will be opened by mid August?? Thank you!!

@@02redflash Yeah fingers crossed on that one!! Even if it's not open, I thought it was worth it to have access to the Vantage Club lounge. I hope you have a great time!