Episode 3: Visit Mexico & the Caribbean

Mary Herendeen:

Imagine relaxing in the sun, soft velvet sand beneath your toes, gently swaying palms above you and aquamarine waters before you. Or hearing the sounds of mariachis, climbing ancient ruins, and swimming in crystal-clear underground pools. The Caribbean and Mexico offer some of the best vacationing in the world. After being cooped up inside most of the winter, are you ready for some fun in the sun? I know I am.

I'm Mary Herendeen. Welcome to Traveling with AAA. Today we're going to explore the magic of vacationing in the Caribbean in Mexico, and to help us do that, Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon joins us. She's an award-winning travel journalist, on-screen host, and special correspondent for Travel and Leisure magazine. Her articles have appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, the Telegraph newspaper in the U.K. and Canada's Globe and Mail. She has an enormous following on social media, where you might know her as JetSetSarah. Sarah, welcome to Traveling with AAA.

Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon:

Thank you so much, Mary. I'm thrilled to be here. I love to share the Caribbean with the world.

Mary:

Good, we're so excited to have you. Now, you call yourself a “Carivangelist.” What do you mean by that?

Sarah:

Well, by Carivangelist, I mean that I'm essentially an evangelist for the Caribbean. And the gospel that I'm spreading is that all the islands are diverse. They're culturally rich, they're full of life, they're all very different, and they're so much more than just sandy beaches and swaying palms.

Mary:

Yeah, tell us more about that. Where would you suggest us going?

Sarah:

You can't go wrong anywhere in the Caribbean, frankly, because all the islands are different, right? I might send you to Puerto Rico if you wanted nightlife and great food. If you wanted to be really away from everyone and do a lot of hiking, I might send you to Saba in the Dutch Caribbean, and if you wanted the entire package—mountains, rivers, food, reggae, and rum—I'd send you to Jamaica.

Mary:

I love to hear that. You said the Caribbean isn't just one entity. Each island has its own culture and history. You recently wrote a story for AAA Explorer magazine about what islands might be best for certain kinds of vacationers. So, for example, if you are a mom like me with two kids, where would you suggest we go or maybe a couple seeking romance? Where should they go?

Sarah:

I love to send families to the Bahamas because it's an archipelago of 700 islands, so you're going to find one that suits you. They're great, all-inclusive resorts. It's very safe, and the water is so calm and mostly very shallow, so it's nice if you have little ones.

For an adventure, I send them to Jamaica because we've got high mountains, roaring rivers and beautiful beaches. You can go and climb the cascades at Dunn’s River Falls, which are 600 feet high. That's always a charge.

Couples, I love St. Lucia. It looks a bit like the South Pacific, and it's very famous for its Pitons, the two volcanic that are iconic of the island. And of course, you can climb one of them, Gros Piton, or you can just cruise by. It makes a really romantic excursion that really is quite unforgettable.

Mary:

Oh, I was just thinking of St. Lucia when you mentioned that it really is unforgettable. I spent some time there about 15 years ago, and it was amazing. First time I ever went snorkeling, and just gorgeous.

Sarah:

Did you see the Pitons?

Mary:

I did. I did.

Sarah:

And now are they amazing? Just rising 'em outta the sea like that.

Mary:

Incredible, incredible experience. Now you also mentioned safety, and the Bahamas are very safe in terms of COVID protocols. What are some of the things that we should keep in mind? Is there a current situation in the Caribbean regarding COVID?

Sarah:

So the first thing to know is that the Caribbean handled the pandemic really well. They locked down very quickly and really didn't start opening until the summer of 2020, and as they've opened, every island has different protocols for if you want to visit.

So the first thing to know about visiting the Caribbean is that for now, at least spontaneous trips are off the table. You need to plan because you're going to need to go online and apply for authorization. That authorization most likely is going to ask you to show either proof of vaccination and/or proof of COVID testing, and it could be a PCR test that's required or an antigen test. There are some countries that won't accept people who aren't vaccinated like the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda (which isn't Caribbean, but we embrace it in the region). So you really have to do a lot of research beforehand and plan your trip properly to avoid getting turned away at the airport.

Mary:

Yeah, how far in advance should somebody start planning their travel?

Sarah:

It really depends, but I would say you probably want to allow yourself two weeks. It's probably best to go somewhere where you have a direct flight and you don't have to connect through another country because if you do, you also have to apply for authorization and testing for your connecting country, as well as your destination country. So decide where you want to go, make it easy on yourself by choosing somewhere that's a nonstop flight from your destination, and then go to that country's official tourism website. And you can do that simply by putting in the Google search box the name of the destination and “official tourism website.” Go there and you will see, on the front page of all the Caribbean destinations websites, their travel requirements and a link to where you can go and apply for entry.

Mary:

Thank you for sharing that with us. There's lots to keep in mind. Are there some other things that we should keep in mind when we're booking a trip either to the Caribbean or Mexico?

Sarah:

I say to people now, you don't have to just say, “Hmm, where do I want to vacation for the next week?” You also have to consider, “Where would I not mind quarantining for the next week?” And “Where can I afford to quarantine for the next week?” Because unfortunately, we can take all the care we can, but especially with Omicron, there are chances that when you get to your destination, you’ll test positive. And obviously, then you don't have the option to just turn around and go home. You have to stay where you are, and hotels have been understanding, and they will give you a reduced rate.

At the beginning of the Omicron surge, some even said you could stay for free. Not so much now, but maybe there will be a reduced rate. But you have to budget your time and you have to have a backup plan. For example, “If I’m not going to be able to get home after five days, who will look after my dog, who will look after my children, will I be able to work remotely?”

It's become increasingly complicated to travel to the Caribbean, but you know what, it's always worth it once you're there, right?

Mary:

Sounds like it. And yes, it's gorgeous. Stunning. I haven't been back in a long time. I think my most recent trip was to Mexico, and you mentioned Mexico is also a beautiful place. What are some of the things that make Mexico so appealing of a place to visit?

Sarah:

First of all, when we're talking about Mexico, we're talking about Cancun and then we're talking about the Riviera Maya, which is essentially 80 something miles of coast that goes south of Cancun past Tulum. And it is amazing the breadth and the quality of resorts at all price points Mexico has along this Riviera Maya. It’s appealing, lots of all-inclusives if you're into that. The beach is amazing, and the food is fantastic. We have really good air connections here, so it's easy to get to. The service is fantastic and the accommodations are top-notch. What more could you want?

Mary:

No, you're right. I've been to several all-inclusives both in Mexico and in the Caribbean and they seem to be increasingly popular. Why do you think that is? And what are all-inclusive resorts doing to try to ensure a COVID safe experience for travelers?

Sarah:

The main appeal of an all-inclusive is that you've paid your money upfront, and there are no horrible vacation spoiling surprises when you get there. If the kids want extra ice cream, they can have it. There are even some resorts that include spa treatment, so if you want a spa treatment, you can have it. So the big draw there is that you pay one price up front and you never have to worry about the added extras. Sorry, what was the second part of the question, Mary?

Mary:

What are the all-inclusive resorts doing to try to ensure a COVID safe experience?

Sarah:

Yes. So first thing to know is the Caribbean and Mexico are the world's most tourism dependent region, so the Caribbean is vested in getting people back into their resorts. So, one of the things that they're doing is many resorts are offering not just on-site testing but complimentary testing, which is one less thing you need to worry about. There's the requirement now for U.S. citizens and anyone returning to the U.S. to have a COVID test negative result within 24 hours of their return. So that's a real damper for the last day of your vacation if you can't find a test or if the tester is expensive. All-inclusives and other hotels, but certainly all- inclusives, are offering it, so you don’t have to go to a clinic. It's done right there.

Things like the buffet, which has become synonymous with all-inclusive, is no longer self-service; you are served. I'm seeing a lot of all-inclusive resorts that are limiting capacity, so it might be a 300-room resort, but for now they're only taking 200 rooms worth of guests so that everybody has that feeling of space. Nobody is crowded and they get that feeling of safety.

You also see the limiting of people and lack of crowding on everything from the bus that would take you from the airport to the resort, and when you go to a restaurant. It might seat a hundred, but they've decided to limit it to 50 or 75 people at a time. Resorts have been really sensitive about people needing to feel safe under the sun and they’re doing their very best to give people that feeling.

Mary:

That's certainly what I felt when I last traveled to Mexico last year. I found some of the same things that you're mentioning, how it was a lot less crowded, and it seemed to make my vacation even better because I wasn't worried about trying to get everything in. There was a lot of space around, and it just felt like a more relaxed environment.

The one thing that wasn't relaxed though, was juggling all of my luggage, all of my baggage and also my kids. So I have this huge problem. You ask my husband and he'll agree with me that I'm constantly overpacking and always struggling with “What should I bring? What should I wear?” And I think you have some suggestions on your website JetSetSarah.com. What would you suggest somebody bring or wear at an all-inclusive resort?

Sarah:

I would say to you if you're traveling to the Caribbean, and particularly if you're taking an all-inclusive resort, bring half as many clothes as you think you need and twice as many accessories. That is my formula because accessories can really change up a look. Nobody wants to spend their time on vacation ironing, right? So a lot of knit fabrics and flowy dresses.

For the guys, just one pair of darker slacks is going to do you fine with one short sleeve button down shirt or two for dinner time. But really you’re going to spend most of your days in or by the water, so you want something cool.

You're in the Caribbean, so now is the time to get colorful. Please don't bring your New York black, branch out. Wear a floral, wear a color, just anything that you can feel comfortable in, and that’s your style. And remember the Caribbean is typically a very conservative area, so we expect that if you're going to go to the dining room, put on a cover up over your swimsuit. It's just a gesture of respect. It's the norm in the region and suggests a respect to the people who live there.

Mary:

Thank you for that. It's definitely important to have that in mind as well. I live in Southern California in Huntington Beach, and I know it's not uncommon to go to a restaurant or a small dining place and see people without a cover up or anything like that. So yeah, thank you for that reminder.

Now, what would you say to people who are interested in traveling to Mexico but might be concerned a little bit about safety?

Sarah:

Yeah, and they're rightfully so. We have seen in the news that even in the tourist areas, there has been isolated outbreaks of crime, and it’s important to note that tourists, unfortunately, were caught in it, but it was not crime directed at them.

If you're traveling to Mexico, I would give you the same advice that I give you If you're traveling anywhere: Keep your wits about you. Don't go off with strangers. Your body's on vacation, but your mind does not have to be. Keep your mind together, right? Just be smart about it.

In general, if you stick to the tourist areas and act like a grown-up, you will be fine. Especially with all aspects of travel today, there's a certain amount of risk involved, and you have to decide how much risk tolerance you have. But honestly, I think Mexico often gets a bad rap for crime, and it's not always deserved. I think that if you're going to a tourist area and you keep your wits about you, you should be fine.

Mary:

Thank you. I appreciate you sharing that. Having been to Mexico several times and out of the country or even unfamiliar areas, that's one thing I maintain, my alertness and just be aware of my surroundings and making sure that I feel comfortable where I'm at.

Sarah:

Exactly, trusting your gut. I meant to say trusting your gut is really important. If something feels off, don't ignore that feeling.

Mary:

Yeah. You've got it. Thank you for sharing that. Now the Caribbean and both coasts of Mexico are some of the most popular places in the world for cruise vacations. What's the cruising situation like now in these places?

Sarah:

Oh my goodness. Mary, how much time do we have? It is constantly changing, and it changes because of so many factors. For example, in Florida, we do not have a vaccine mandate. It's illegal to ask someone to show you proof of vaccination, so most of the cruise lines who are mostly based here in Florida were not technically allowed to require passengers to be vaccinated, but a lot of passengers would prefer that that was a requirement.

So we have seen that requirement go backwards and forwards over the course of the last year since cruising has revived. And although cruising has been basically the last section of travel to come back, it definitely has the biggest and most fervent fans. People who have cruised before cannot wait to get back on the water.

And of course, cruise lines, after being shut down for almost two years, very much want you back. So I'd say if you choose to cruise, make sure you're vaccinated, because the nature of cruising is that you are closer together than you would be at a resort. That being said, a lot of cruise lines are limiting capacity also, so even if it's a ship fits up to 4,000 people, they may be limiting it to 2,500 or 3,000 people. So they're really trying to be sensitive to people's needs and allow them to feel safe on their vacation.

Mary:

Yeah. That makes sense. And even thinking about what we talked about earlier, safety, being aware and being comfortable in your surroundings, and making that choice to cruise if you're comfortable with it, so thank you for that.

Sarah:

One more thing: If you're cruising to the Caribbean, which is where most people are cruising to right now, remember that you don't only have to abide by the rules of the city that you're cruising from. Remember every destination that you go to has different COVID entry protocols. So even if you don't need to be vaccinated to get on the ship in Florida, you may need to be vaccinated to get off the ship in the Bahamas or in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It really depends. So just remember that every time you get off the ship, you are going to a different sovereign state that has different rules and you have to respect those. So just think about that when you plan.

Mary:

Yeah, that definitely makes sense. And probably something that a lot of travelers might not have considered in the past is being sure that they're aware of what the restrictions are or any of the protocols or guidelines in the places that they're visiting, so thank you for sharing that.

Now all this talk about Mexico, the Caribbean, these all-inclusive resorts and cruising has me thinking about food. We can't talk about Mexico and the Caribbean without mentioning food. So if you would share with us, what are some of your favorite specialties in both Mexico and the Caribbean?

Sarah:

Well, for me in Mexico, there's no such thing as too much guacamole or too much ceviche. That is essentially my food pyramid. I mean, ceviche or aguachiles is just really so good and it's so fresh. You're at the beach resort and that fish is just coming in this morning. It's the best. And of course, I mean guac, who doesn't want guac?

But then of course if I'm in the Turks or in the Bahamas, both of those destinations are known for their fresh conch, so I always have to have conch. You can have it the traditional way prepared as conch salad, which doesn't have any lettuce in it. It's actually kind of like ceviche. It's raw, and it's served in a citrus marinade with chopped onions and green peppers. Really, really good. Or if you're not quite so adventurous, you can have cracked conch, which is essentially deep-fried battered, and anything fried really it's gotta taste good, right?

Then in Jamaica, where I spent half my life, I have my list of things that I must eat before I leave. The first is Jamaican beef patty, basically like a turnover, a flaky pastry filled crowded turnover with either beef or vegetables or a seafood in it. In Jamaica, the patty is sort of to Jamaicans what the burger is to people in the states. And whereas people either like McDonald's or Burger King, in Jamaica, you're either a Tastee Patty person or a Juici Patty person. Those are the two brands. And so I suggest that you go and try both of them for yourself and see which one you like. I'm hashtag #TeamTastee. There you go. We'll see what you think.

Mary:

Well, that sounds incredible. And ceviche is also one of my favorites. I've actually had ceviche twice this week, and any opportunity I get. It’s delicious. I've already written down the conch salad because I've gotta try that and figure out a place either to get it here or how can I replicate this? Because it sounds amazing. It sounds like I might just have to plan on my next trip.

Sarah:

I think you should.

Mary:

Yeah, certainly. After hearing about your travels, I definitely want to, so thank you for that. Now, just to entice me even more and get me planning my next vacation, do you have a special place in the Caribbean that's your favorite? And if you could take us there, what might you see? What might you hear when you go there? What's the smell like or the people?

Sarah:

I thought about this question, and I do have four favorite Caribbean destinations in a nutshell. There's Jamaica, and that's because I lived half my life there, and as I told you up front, I think it's a total package. There's Anguilla: very small, very high standard of accommodations and restaurants, but so unpretentious, passion unpretentious. I like to say it's like me. I love the Turks and Caicos Islands because you can easily hop between the main tourist island of Provo to the other islands, like the North Caicos and middle Caicos. I love the Grenadines. There's an island there called Bequia that I really enjoy because it's very old, Caribbean, simple, just really chill, but I can't play favorites.

And I realize that the appeal for me of the Caribbean is actually the Caribbean itself. I've come to the conclusion that if you are on the water, it is impossible to be unhappy. Certainly if you're in the Caribbean. So I went in moments of stress, and we've all had them over the last two years. I picture myself on a sailboat in the Caribbean. And I think about the fact that I can smell that salty tang in the air from the waves. I can hear the waves lapping against the bow of the boat rhythmically. I can feel the sun on my shoulders and I can really appreciate the breeze as it brushes past my skin. When I really take two minutes and think about that, it's an instant relaxer.

Mary:

Oh. And you've taken me there. So I most certainly need to plan that next vacation. If I can't get somewhere like the Caribbean or Mexico or anything like that, even a local staycation, I know would be amazing. Anywhere near the water to your point is definitely a stress reliever.

Sarah:

They say that salt water is cure for everything, right? Whether it's tears, sweat, or it’s swimming. Salt water, bring it on.

Mary:

They certainly do say that. Thank you. So what's one thing that you should always do when you travel? What advice would you give our listeners?

Sarah:

You should always pack two things, your patience and your politeness, because you will need them both wherever you go. I think they are essential tools. For example, I don’t travel without my iPhone or my collapsible tripod, but I really think everyone should pack their patience and their manners because both of those things will go a long way to making your trip as smooth as it can possibly be.

Mary:

That's great advice. Thank you for sharing that. And so what are some of the best resources people can access to get some of the latest information, whether it be COVID requirements or anything else on these destinations?

Sarah:

My best advice is to go directly to the tourism website of the destination that you want to go to. As I said at the top of the show, if it's Jamaica, put in “Jamaica” and then “official tourism,” and that will bring you up to their official tourism website. I say this because often, if you just put in “Jamaica travel,” you'll get a lot of websites, or they won't necessarily be the official tourism website. And the official tourism websites really are the only place to get the most up to date information about entry requirements and for COVID protocols.

Mary:

Perfect, thank you. And so, at the top of the show, you called yourself a Carivangelist, and I think you've done that here. Is there anything else that you'd want our listeners to know about the Caribbean?

Sarah:

I want your listeners to know that of course all the islands are different. We have beautiful beaches, we have swaying palms, but we are so much more. And if you go to the Caribbean and you only lay on the beach, you're doing yourself, you're doing the island, you're doing the people, a disservice. Get out, even if it's just for half a day, explore beyond the gates of your resort and really get a feel for the destination where you are. It's absolutely worth it.

Mary:

Thank you, Sarah. We certainly appreciate your advice and the resources that you shared with us. And of course, for our listeners, another great resource is Sarah's website JetSetSarah.com, and follow her on social media at JetSetSarah.

Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, thank you so much for being with us, and for our listeners, thank you for being with us. If you’re planning a trip, connect with a AAA travel advisor, check out AAA.com/travel, or visit your local branch. And if you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to subscribe. Thank you for traveling with AAA.