AIRPORT CHECK IN AND CUSTOMS
- We flew United out of Newark direct to Cancun. We weren't able to print out our boarding passes from home b/c the website stated we had to present our passports to a ticket agent. Upon checking in, the agent informed us that we were on the TSA "pre-approved" list and to proceed through that line at security. It was great b/c (a) the line was much shorter, (b) you didn't have to take off your shoes and (c) the security didn't remove every item from your check in baggage. We went to the duty free and I purchased 4 cartons of cigarettes. The clerk inquired as to our destination and I replied Mexico and he completed the transaction.
MEXICAN CUSTOMS [ BEWARE ]
- We arrived in Cancun, retrieved our baggage and presented the completed Mexican customs form at the check point. The female agent asked if we had alcohol or cigarettes. I told her I had 4 cartons from the duty free to which she replied that Mexico only allows one carton per person and that we had to pay a fine. She directed me to a window and was promptly charged 2,282 pesos at a tariff rate of 573.48% of the purchase price, about $200 USD for the two "illegal" cartons of smokes. They would only take pesos or a credit card so I got hit with an additional 3% for a credit card foreign transaction fee to boot. We then proceeded to the check point and got a red light. 4 female agents did a THOROUGH inspection to the point where I was questioned about my medication including a bottle of aspirin. In our 8 previous visits to various Mexican destinations this was our first bad experience. At the time I chalked it up to a singular aberration caused by over energetic civil servants looking to justify their job function. I was mistaken on that point. During our stay at Desire we found out that there were even more egregious incidents. Our next door RM neighbors, D&J, arrived the day before us. They had a carton of smokes from the US and purchased 2 cartons at the duty free Cancun airport which is about 20 feet from the customs security check point. When informed they had to pay a fine they tried to surrender the extra carton but were told that since they had "entered" Mexico and had to pay the fine anyway.
Another couple stated that they got a red light. The wife went out the door while the husband stayed behind for the luggage inspection. He had packed two laptops (one for each of them) and was informed that he violated Mexican law by bringing in 2 laptops. He explained that one was for each of them but since she had already walked out the door the agents wouldn't let her back in to explain the situation. He had to pay a fine of $65 USD.
Lastly, the most egregious, came from a Canadian couple. He is an MD originally from the UK and his lovely wife is of Indian descent. They got a red light and during the inspection an agent found a bottle of Advil and wanted to know if he had a prescription for it. He told them he was an MD, pulled out a prescription pad and told them he would write one right there if they needed one. The wife was "interviewed" and repeatedly asked if she was entering the country to find "work". She suspected that it was due to racial profiling.
- Yesterday, we checked in at the United desk, went through the customs X ray check point w/o incident but did have to take off our shoes (which hadn't happened in our previous departures). HOWEVER as I was boarding the plane I was pulled to the side for a thorough inspection of my carry on and a pat down frisk including a visual inspection of my shoes. I didn't think much of this incident since there was a woman well into her 60's and a male in his 40's going through the same process UNTIL I noticed a computer generated list with my name on it. I can guarantee the reader that we do not fit the profile of your typical terrorist/drug smugglers (Irish/Irish American on US passports well into our late 50's).
Sorry about the long post but I thought I owed it to all those planning a trip to Desire to give you a "heads up" and not to rely on the duty free people as to what is permitted especially when they want to sell you that multiple purchase bargain item or to bring in "unauthorized" medication.
- This was our 4th trip to RM but our last trip was back in 08. We were graciously greeted by Arcos and when I mentioned that we remembered him from our previous trips he replied warmly "welcome home". The check in process went smoothly. There was no "hard sell" from the time share reps and while our room wasn't ready we were informed we could got to lunch right away.
- The pool opened up yesterday but we did get the opportunity to take a quick dip before heading to the airport. They are still completing construction on the swim up bar and restaurant, which was closed off making the pool area appear smaller. There was no deep end/shallow end and it felt like the depth was at a constant 5'. There were a lot of pool chairs crammed closely together and there were newly planted trees in the general area. It didn't appear that there was going to be many shaded areas and that you would be really close to the people sitting next to you. The water was, to be kind, very brisk having been only pumped in the night before. I suspect that after a couple of days of warm Mexican sun it will warm up considerably.
- Based on the ACCU weather forecasts of rain everyday plus the fact that we were traveling during the "historic" hurricane season, I packed gym stuff anticipating hitting the gym during bad weather periods. I only hit the gym once. We had absolutely great weather everyday w/ the exception of Monday night when there was a sustained rainfall.
- While I didn't experience any problems (w/ the exception of Monday night when there was no breeze) my wife did have some problems, as well as other guests. We had a bottle of OFF which my wife used on several occasions. The resort does sell OFF but I think it would be cheaper for you to bring in your own.
BEACH
- There were a lot more beds and chairs then from what I recall from our previous trips. We stayed in the 2500 building, at the end of the resort. There were many beds with numeric designations assigned to them. We were at the beach almost every day and never "reserved" a bed but used one that didn't have a number assigned to it. The water was warm and the beach was constantly cleaned by the staff removing seaweed. The waitress, Silvana (?), always made sure that no glass ever went empty as did the other beach staff.
- It appeared that the disco had renovations since our last trip back in 08. There was an outdoor balcony with a long table with chairs to accommodate the smokers (which my wife loved). The dance floor was always packed every night. The EC crew did a great job and the guests really got involved in the disco activities (a special "shout out" to D&L of Iowa).
- These were confined to the hot tub bed area, especially after the disco closed, and the playroom in the disco, where one night it was packed and there was a line waiting to get in.
- We were there on two days (Thurs and Sat). It was our first trip to Pearl and it was a spectacular looking facility. The staff showed us one of the unoccupied rooms and in comparison to the standard garden view room at RM, the Pearl rooms seemed bigger. One of the biggest differences between the two resorts was that each room at Pearl had its own private balcony, or in the case of the bottom floor rooms, its own sitting area. The pool at Pearl was huge and the quiet end, was in fact, quiet. The beach area seemed smaller than RM but had more chair under shaded palm trees than RM. The hot tub was huge at Pearl, but since we were there only for the day I can only state that I was the only one in it at 4 in the afternoon. We did the foam party and it was a blast. I haven't had that much fun in years. The Pearl EC crew was very energetic. A special "shout out" goes to Charlie who was the head of the EC crew at Desire Cabo when we visited there either in 07 or 08. That guy hasn't aged a minute and is still in great shape. There must be some fountain of youth thing going on at Desire. We were only able to have lunch at Pearl. The first day it was spectacular. They had a fish fillet in garlic sauce that was awesome, as well as oyster with cilantro and a white chocolate mouse dessert that was fit for royalty. On the day of the foam party it appeared that Pearl was expecting the "Great Hoard" from RM to descend upon them and ravish their buffet so these items weren't available on Saturday (that was my wife's rational). The food was great at both resorts but Pearl was a bit better. We were told from other guests that the night life at Pearl was "quiet" and that they rolled up the sidewalks at 10 pm with only a few couples going to the disco at night.
All in all we had a great trip. Hope that this report was helpful and best of luck to those going to either resort because you will have a great time.