Many of you have commented on Mexico’s ease and low cost as a Hawaii vacation alternative and others say not. We’ve both traveled to Mexico innumerable times, albeit not during the pandemic. But many comments got us thinking about whether this is a good alternative to Hawaii or not.
Here are two opposing viewpoints from our readers to get started. Please read them and let us know where you stand on this topic. We won’t get into the discussion of safety in Mexico, but please feel free to.
Pro Mexico Vacation.
For example, Neal G. said, “I love Hawaii. I own land there. But I’ve canceled 4 trips to Hawaii so far this year… because of the ridiculous quarantine. Where we live, test results are taking 7 days to get. Instead, we have taken 2 trips to Cancun and the Yucatan peninsula. Hopped on a plane…no testing BS…a simple questionnaire that takes 2 minutes to do, and boom, we are in the beautiful Caribbean… So instead of spending Christmas in Hawaii, we will spend it in Costa Rica… Another country that has figured out the price we are paying to be “safe” really isn’t worth it.”
No Mexico Vacation.
Tom K. said: “Au Contraire. Not sure where you’re getting your facts. According to Johns Hopkins data, Mexico’s COVID mortality rate of 9.8% is one of the highest in the world. Yes, Mexico has fewer deaths than the US and has a significantly smaller population than the US (126M vs. 330M). Mexico is not safe. I have a very good friend, a prominent businessman whose family has lived in Mexico for their entire lives (generations), looking to move to the US because of concern for his family’s safety. Next time you’re in Cancun, look to the top of the hotels for the military snipers. I kid you not. There’s a reason why Mexico vacations are so cheap.
What’s going on in Mexico as it relates to travelers right now.
First, the CDC says do not travel to Mexico, period. The government has been outspoken in saying, “Travelers should avoid all travel to Mexico” and “Travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.”
That is because Mexico is in the midst of an unprecedented surge in cases. According to Worldometer, Mexico is now recording the most cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Over the New Year, the country reported nearly 1,100 deaths in one day. To date, according to Johns Hopkins, Mexico has seen over 1.4 million COVID cases as well as over 126,000 deaths, resulting in one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in the world.
According to reports in the LA Times and Washington Post, the surge in COVID has partly been linked to more Americans visiting.
Why Americans are choosing Mexico instead of Hawaii vacations: beautiful beaches and lax testing requirements.
It is largely the spectacular beaches of Mexico that are seeing huge influxes of American tourists. Popular destinations include Los Cabos, the Riviera Maya area near Cancun, and the Pacific coast from Mazatlan to Puerto Vallarta and beyond. In fact, the rate of American visitors there may be at an all-time high as airlines rush to add flights to the most popular airports.
The influx of Americans in Mexico correlates closely with their entry requirements, nearly the opposite of Hawaii’s. While Hawaii requires arrivals to prove a negative COVID-19 test within 72-hours of mainland departure, Mexico does not.
How are Americans behaving in Mexico?
NPR quoted a Los Cabos trauma specialist physician, Enrique Hernandez saying, “It’s frustrating seeing tourists and locals alike being irresponsible and not wearing masks now.” NYTimes quoted a public health analysis in Mexico saying, “What we’re creating is a vicious cycle, where we’re receiving more people, who are potentially infectious or infected from elsewhere, and they keep mixing with people that are potentially infectious or infected…”
Beat of Hawaii commenters have noted that temperature checks and reduced capacity are the rule in Mexico. That is in restaurants, hotels, and stores.
Mexico’s position on COVID.
In contrast with Hawaii’s, their government decided neither to lockdown nor expand its testing and tracing. Mexico has one of the lowest testing rates globally and only tests the most seriously ill under the concept that more testing is a waste of money and effort.
Should you get sick in Mexico, be aware that hospitals are stretched to the max, with many turning away patients with a lack of beds, supplies, and testing. In fact, more than 2,000 Mexican healthcare workers have already died from the virus.
Recently, the WHO director-general said that Mexico is in “Bad Shape.” Mexico’s health minister swatted back that if WHO “Wanted to give that message to me, or the health secretary, or to the president, he would have maybe sent us a diplomatic cable.”
University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics recently said, “We are estimating around 30% of the population (of Mexico) has been infected, but the government doesn’t know how many infected people there are, so that’s another big issue.”
Are you more inclined towards a Mexico vacation, or will you choose a Hawaii vacation, now or later?
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Millie s says
Thank you for the information, Aloha y Hola 🌈
Colette F. says
Hawaii is our choice! I want a place where the safety of tourists AND residents is a priority. Job one, keep Hawaii safe.
IsaacV says
Pleas be careful out there when traveling. We went to Hawaii for Christmas and new year and after coming back one of us tested positive within a week, we took all the precautions and were wearing masks but you never know where you can pick it up.
Dave S. says
We used our points from our property on the Big Island and traveled to the California desert near Palm Springs….where we could drive to and at least use our week. Not interested in Mexico…will probably just travel locally…just to get away. Sad we cannot use our places on Kauai and the Big Island.
BTW…love getting your newsletter and the updates you provide!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Dave.
Thanks. We hope you can return to Kauai and the Big Island again soon.
Aloha.
Pat d says
It’s stupid to travel right now. Stay home. No one wants your Cooties
Shelley L. says
We have owned a condo on Maui for 7 years. We have also been to Mexico several times but enjoy Maui so much more. In March 2020 we returned home from Maui not knowing when we would return. We cancelled our October/November 2020 trip and our March 2021 trip as we will be responsible travellers and wait for the vaccine. I miss our second home terribly and can’t wait to return when safe to do so.
bill m says
aloha shelley !
wow !!
we’ve had almost identical experiences.
saw ohana in oahu in march 2020 and then went to our timeshare in maui right as everything was shutting down due to the pandemic.
like you we canceled trips “home” in november 2020 and now march 2021.
we are waiting for our vaccinations and hopefully in november 2021 we can come home.
we know how much canceling is heartbreaking and frustrating.
we more than anything want the people of hawaii to be safe and healthy. their safety is what is most important.
stay strong and positive, we will be able to go back to our hawaii soon.
Jared M says
I appreciate everyone’s input and especially those who have hit this on the head. Surely there is no definitive answer to which is best. To each it is different.
I am part of an exact case in point on the matter. My wife and I are friends with six other families, all of which considered travel to Hawaii in February (there was a huge sale on airfare a couple months back). Of the six, four actually booked flights. We are now one month away from travel, and this is where each family is at:
Family 1: Still going to Hawaii (Oahu). Plan to spend $520 and take a 2-hr drive to Vegas for testing three days before the trip. Had to book cancellable flight, lodging, car, etc.
Family 2: Also still going to Hawaii (Oahu). Plan to spend $780 and take a 2-hr drive to Vegas for testing three days before the trip. Mail-in option is not recommended because of flight day of the week. Had to book cancellable flight, lodging, car, etc.
Family 3: Cancelled flights and are going to Florida beaches/Disney World.
Family 4: Still have flights to Hawaii but are undecided. Are leaning towards either Florida or Cancun.
Family 5: Chose not to go to Hawaii and chose an beaches/all-inclusive resort in Cancun.
Family 6: Chose not to go on any vacation at all.
My point is. Of the six families, all were potential Hawaii-goers in February. For sure at least four of the families would have gone. In the end, though, and 100% due to COVID restrictions (and the restricted list of approved testing facilities), only two of us are going. Two families of the six families. 33%.
One or two families feel the less restrictions/beaches/Disney World of Florida are what is best for them. One or two families feel the less restrictions/beaches/all-inclusive resorts of Cancun are better for them.
Perhaps two of the families would never have gone to Hawaii either way. But, for sure, the original four families would have gone to Hawaii were it not for the COVID restrictions.
Yury G. says
Just returned from Cancun spending Christmas and New Year’s holidays there. Amazing beaches, inexpensive, open and welcoming. Contrast that to Hawaii where we’ve spent 3 weeks in March before the pandemic: so-so beaches (compared to Mexico), a lot more expensive, and hostile locals: even before the current Covid craziness!
NaniC says
Aloha Yury G! I’m so sorry you feel that way! I have been coming to Hawaii since 1975 and I have always been treated with love and Aloha! I feel safer in Hawaii and until last Wednesday(DC) would always rather be in America. Perhaps you could give it another chance in 2022!
Renee B says
Hawaii wins for us. On November 1, 2020 we were tested before flying to Kona. Surprising to us, the test came back positive. We were asymptomatic. (We confirmed the positive result with a second test) After a 14 day quarantine at home and then a re-test, we were negative and flew to the beautiful Big Island where there were no crowds and welcoming businesses. Knowing that everyone on the airplane also tested negative seems to me a very responsible way of protecting other travelers and those who live in Hawaii where medical resources can be in short supply. Getting tested is an example of Aloha!
Vicki Lynn P says
Or we could all go to Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee, Florida…and all the other happy open states and vacation or move there!! Our gov Newsom has built Plumpjack properties in Napa (never closed!!) and expanding in Idaho, business friendly and open GOP state…near skiing and other open resorts! So before the judging and finger pointing starts, a tidal wave of democrats/entertainers/sports figures have moved to free states, and vacation in Mexico, etc…
Peggy J. says
I prefer Hawaii to Mexico always and would never make the exchange.
Julie R says
I just returned from Maui. The pre-testing was simple and stream lined. Alaska airlines cleared us for COVID testing in Seattle so upon arrived in OGG we walked straight through to baggage claim. My son flew with Hawaiian and although he was not cleared in Seattle the process at the OGG airport went quickly. Alamo upgraded our car at no additional expense. The beaches were the most empty we have seen since the 90’s. We wore our masks when out in public with the exception of being at the beach and in the water. If you have the opportunity to go and you use caution as to not to bring COVID to the islands, I would recommend traveling to Hawaii. You will not see it this calm for another 100 years! Great flight and condo deals too!
PD says
We’ve done both! Hawaii (Big Island) for 2 weeks in early Dec, and Mexico (Baja Sur) now, for a month+. You can’t really compare them apples to apples, and it’s funny to read Americans’ myths and stereotypes about Mexico – some people really like holding onto their fear of Mexico, which often isn’t founded in reality or having ever actually visited here.
That said Hawaii pros/cons were it felt covid safer because they’ve done a good job of making it a covid bubble to some extent (especially Big Island). It’s more work to get there and much more pre-flight anxiety with test timing, but once there we didn’t worry because covid rates are very very low.
Mexico is easier to get to, but feels a bit less covid safe – restaurant and tourism industry staff are good about masking, but we don’t know if published covid rates are accurate. (it’s tough to find good data – the published rates are 0.2 per 1000 for Baja Sur, which is about the same as where we came from – Washington – and 1/5’th California’s rate. But we don’t know to what extent that might be undercounting).
Another difference is Mexicans don’t seem as fearful and obsessed about covid, they’re trying to enjoy living life while being safe. Back in the states it feels like everyone is anxiety-ridden, while here it’s more relaxed.
By the way, hospitals are stretched in Mexico City but generalizing that to all of Mexico is like saying US hospitals are stretched to the max based on something you read about LA or NYC.
Steven S says
Wow! Can you REALLY compare Hawaii to Mexico? I went to Cancun once years ago and we really hated the trip. Yes, the beaches are beautiful, the day trip to Tulum was awesome, but the street peddlers, beach trolls, and the “you must drink Tequila line dancing” was a bit too much (we don’t drink alcohol). As a timeshare owner, I can book a week at a choice of many high-end all-inclusive Mexican resorts, but we would never ever vacation in Mexico again. Oh, and the crime rate at the “American Resorts” is growing and getting worse. No thank you. I just hope we can get to our Maui timeshare in April as planned, and not have to cancel another trip like we did with Disney World last April.
Diane J says
Thanks for your Hawaii vs. Mexico article.
I had to cancel Kauai (we own a timeshare there) twice last year. It was very frustrating as the rules kept changing at the very last minute. And testing, plus quarantine rules were unaffordable for us even if we were allowed.
We visited Cancun (in the hotel zone) the beginning of December and were amazed at the Covid safety practices. Temperature checks and hand sanitizer before entering every where you went (hotels, stores, restaurants). Everyone wore masks. We felt safer there than at home. And according to our hotel staff, Cancun shut down for 3 months starting in March.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Diane.
Thanks for the feedback on your trip to Cancun.
Aloha.
Jerry P. says
Love this site!
Put me on the Hawaii side of this discussion. We’ve been to both a few times and the overall feeling to me has to do with safety. Being from Chicago, it takes a lot for me to NOT feel safe.
I feel safer anywhere in Hawaii. Never saw machine gun armed military personnel on the beach (or anywhere else in Hawaii) like in Cancun or Acapulco. Not that we let our guard down fully but it leads to a much more relaxed, fun and far better vacation.
Kelli V. I couldn’t agree more!
My wife and I love Hawaii, Maui in particular. A few months back I “found” Beat of Hawaii and get lost here, every so often, with the tips, info and especially the comments.
You hit the nail on the head regarding the blog — Transparency! At this time in the world, that’s very refreshing!!! Good, informative and mostly civil discussions, haha!
We really want to get back to Hawaii but…. As an old guy told me, when I was in sales – “A good deal, is just a state of mind.” Some really nice prices and good deals are out there, to go to Mexico and others. However, besides the Covid threat, that military presence affects the state of our minds, so we won’t be traveling until Covid is under far better control.
Now that I found BOH I think I’ll always be able to save some $$ whenever we can put that next trip together. Thanks Beat of Hawaii!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jerry.
Thanks so much for your kind words and for contrasting Mexico and Hawaii.
Aloha.
Jim E. says
If we did not have family in Hawaii who we want to visit, we would go to Mexico or Costa Rica.
Fear surrounding the Covid19 virus has caused restrictions greater than necessary. People who are at risk because of existing health conditions should be cautious. For healthy and younger people, symptoms can be no worse than a bad cold. Some have no adverse symptoms at all. Once infected a person will then have developed antibodies. The “herd” immunity is a good thing. Most humans have antibodies for hundreds of viruses. That is normal.
IgorV says
We just came back from 2 weeks holiday in Oahu. Took advantage of pretravel Covid test and got our negative result within 24 hours.
People in Hawaii were very responsible and the majority of locals and tourists were wearing masks. The tracing program instituted by all the restaurants also shows the level of commitment that local government has to limiting the spread of Covid. Overall we felt very safe in Oahu and did not encounter any negative pushback from locals.
We had to visit Kaiser medical center due to ear infection and received great care from the doctors and pharmacists. The level of safety measures at Kaiser facility was phenomenal and again demonstrated how seriously the islands of Hawaii are approaching this pandemic. Kudos to the state government for putting the travel safety program in place and implementing the technology to mange the travelers information.
Also great job by Alaska Airlines in Seattle airport to check all of the documents during the checkin process. It made the arrival process really seamless and avoided long queues at Honolulu airport upon arrival.
We were considering cancelling the trip last minute and switching our travel plans to Mexico and are very glad that we stuck to the original plan to go to Oahu. I hope that the economy of Hawaii will recover soon and that they are able to reduce the unemployment while continuing their efforts to keep the crowd controls in place.
Being able to visit Hawaii without all the traffic issues and overcrowded beaches is a silver lining in this whole situation. Too bad we got shamed by few people on social media for visiting Hawaii. I don’t believe we put anyone at risk since we had negative tests and were very disciplined about wearing masks everywhere and maintaining social distancing.
Kent M says
Southeast United States here –
IDK about Mexico, but we have abandoned a trip to Hawaii in favor of one to the US Virgin Islands.
I had booked Southwest flights from Atlanta to Kona via Oakland for less than $225 each way. After realizing what a hassle the COVID requirements were going to be, I rebooked to St. Croix where the COVID requirements are much more reasonable.
Now that we are flying with Delta, we will no longer have the benefit of Companion Pass. But for just about the same airfare (per ticket), we will be in the air a MUCH shorter period of time and we won’t have to spend the night in California on the way home, both of which I am going to consider a win.
If the experience is similar to Hawaii, we might have just found a new tropical home. Which would be too bad, because we have really enjoyed our previous trips to Hawaii.
Cyndi G says
I’ve traveled to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta during the pandemic. I find both cities taking extra precautions that I don’t see in my locked down California. No test upon arriving but every store, restaurant etc. takes your temperature, social distance tables and masks are required. I do see folks at the marina walking around without masks from time to time. People are welcoming and thankful for visitors. We were in puerto Vallarta during a time when restrictions increased, beaches closed at 3 pm, restaurants and bars at 8. Businesses followed the requirements.
Richard L. says
I went to Mexico for two weeks last month (Rosarito) and people were social distancing and wearing masks. When I returned to San Ysidro and San Diego no social distancing was taking place and most of the young people were not wearing masks. I have no problem with Mexico and the prices were so much less than Hawaii. Until there’s a change in the restrictions, Mexico and the Caribbean will be my go to vacation destination. In Cancun and Plya de Carmen the water is warmer and clearer than Hawaii as well. Don’t get me wrong, I love Hawaii (I own a condo in Maui) it’s a great place, but I will not waste my time in a quarantine situation.