Cancun Anesthesia Conference - 2012
March 24 - 31, 2012 at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, Mexico
For the Cancun Anesthesia Seminar, the only realistic option is to fly into Cancun. The Ritz-Carlton Resort is about 20 minutes from the Cancun International Airport (CUN). Private transfers can be arranged through the hotel, or taxis and shared shuttles are available upon arrival at the airport.
U.S. and Canadian Citizens:
Passports are now required for all.
Proof of Citizenship—Other Nationalities
Contact the Mexican Consulate or airlines serving Mexico for details. These regulations change periodically. At a minimum, foreign citizens will need a valid passport. Some nationalities are required to obtain a consular visa from the Mexican Consulate.
Traveling into Mexico with Minors
PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED! Any person under 18 years of age is considered a minor. Very strict regulations govern travel by minors into Mexico. Children under 18 years of age traveling as guests of your family need a notarized letter giving permission to travel to Mexico signed by both parents and a passport. If traveling with only one parent, the minor must have a notarized letter of consent signed by the parent not traveling. If traveling with only one parent and the other parent is deceased or the child has only one legal parent, a notarized statement must be obtained as proof.
Mexican Tourist Card
Every one going to Mexico must complete a Mexican tourist card. You will be given cards by the airline and these must be filled out by each member of your party prior to arrival in Cancun. When you arrive in Mexico, your first stop will be Mexican Immigration. Mexican Immigration will inspect your passport and validate your tourist card. KEEP THIS COPY! YOU MUST HAVE IT TO LEAVE MEXICO. Write down your tourist card number and keep it separate from your travel documents. If the card is lost, having the number will help greatly. Be sure to keep your tourist card and passports in a secure place.
AVOID AIRPORT SCAMS
10 to 20% of arrivals lose money via scams at the airport! Do not purchase anything at the airport except transfers to your hotel and we suggest that you pre-book them through The Ritz-Carlton for ease upon arrival (contact the hotel to arrange, or details will be in the final packet you receive a few weeks prior to the seminar). In past years there have been increasing reports of scams and ripoffs at the airport involving tours, transfers, spa visits, and lodging deals. They will sell you tours etc. that do not exist or are “hooks” to snag you into long sales pitches for time shares! Each of the last couple of years, we have several registrants ignore this advice and they lost their money.
FREE LITERATURE AT THE AIRPORT
There will be people passing out free literature advertising all kinds of things. Two that we look for and use during our trip are “Cancun Tips” and “Cancun Menus”. Just don’t let “free” literature lead you into a scam!
UPON ARRIVAL IN CANCUN
After passing through Immigration control, proceed to the baggage carousel and claim your baggage. No porters are allowed in this area but carts are available. Once you have all your bags, go through customs. Inspection of your luggage at Customs is on a random basis. You push a button and if a green light comes on, you pass through without inspection. If a red light comes on, your luggage will be examined. After you clear Customs you will have your choice of many porters to help you move your baggage to the taxis or shuttles. If you choose to reserve pre-arranged transfers through The Ritz-Carlton, they will be waiting just outside the airport terminal with a logo sign. Your porter will guide you to where you purchase the vouchers for transportation that is not pre-booked. The appropriate tip for baggage would be about $0.50 - 1.00 US per bag.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
A number of options in different price ranges are available for airport transfers. Semi-private and private (pre-booked) transfers are available through the Ritz-Carlton; taxis, shared shuttles and buses are available at the airport upon your arrival.
Ritz-Carlton Semi-Private & Private Transfers
Semi-private transfers can be pre-booked with The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun's Destination Services office (vans are only shared with other attendees with our group on your same flight). Their rates are slightly higher than taxis for 3 or more people (less than taxis for 2 people), but this is a very hassle-free option as your transfer will be pre-arranged through a dependable party, they will greet you right outside the airport terminal, you will be taken directly to the Ritz-Carlton without other stops, and luggage handling will be seamless upon your arrival at the hotel. The cost is $21.60/person + 15% gratuity, 1-way, for a minimum of 2 people (this price reflects a 10% discount offered to Cancun Anesthesia attendees). Transfer reservations must be made at least 3 days prior to your arrival in Cancun. Contact our office to be sent an Airport Transfer Reservation Form (we will send this form to all attendees in our final information packet that is mailed a few weeks prior to the meeting), or contact Destination Services at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun at 52-998-881-0726 or rc.cunrz.ds.operations@ritzcarlton.com. Private transportation is also available upon request (Luxury SUV's for up to 4 people for $99, 1-way).
Taxis
Taxis are the highest priced and quickest if you have not pre-arranged transportation (around $60 for 1-4 people, $100 for 5-8 people, 1-way). Your porter will guide you to where you purchase the taxi vouchers.
Shared Shuttles & Buses
Shared shuttles will leave fairly quickly when the van is full and could make other stops along the way (around $15/person, 1-way). The least expensive is a large bus, which will not leave until all seats are sold and all baggage loaded, which may be an additional 30 or more minutes. Your porter will guide you to where you purchase the vouchers for these shuttles and buses.