Location
Cancun is around 11 hours flying time direct from London. Los Cabos is around 18-20hours indirect flying time.
Mexico's Carribbean coastline is famous for the cenotes dives. Cozumel's rich drift dives and the whalesharks of Isla Mujeres. On the Pacific coast, the remote locations mean pelagics. The diving on this side is more advanced, more rugged and action packed.
Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here
There are no COVID-19 specific entry requirements regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. You don’t need to provide proof of your vaccination status for entry to Mexico.
From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.
It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 13 SEP 2022
Weather and Climate
Both the east and west coasts of Mexico enjoy a warm climate. It's a brilliant place for winter sun! For the Caribbean coastline, you can expect more rain over our summer months, but this tends to be in the evenings. It can be stormier between July - September and humidity higher. Los Cabos is more arid, with a year round average air temp of around 25-28 degrees.
Travel
Flight options
There are direct flights from London to Cancun with BA, Thomson or Virgin. If you are travelling to the Pacific coastline Los Cabos, then you will usually find your flight requires a stop en route. Aero Mexico, United and Delta airlines generally offer the fastest routings. You must have a valid ESTA before travel or transit through the USA.
We are able to book most major airlines. If you have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday.
If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to either Cancun or Los Cabos, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Stopovers
If you are travelling to the Pacific coastline Los Cabos, then you will usually find your flight requires a stop en route. This may be in the USA or Meixco City. Depending on your travel dates, you may need to overnight en route.
Arrange before you go
Regular Entry Requirements
UK passport holders are able to obtain a visa on entry to Mexico. Please ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. if your flights transit through the USA, you MUST have a valid ESTA or visa before travel. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Previous travel to certain countries (eg Cuba, Sudan) will exclude you from the ESTA programme and you will need to apply for a visa before travel. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Immunisations
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival for any of our Mexico holidays, you will be met and taken to your hotel or liveaboard. Simply make your way to through baggage reclaim and immigrations. Your transfer will be waiting for you with a board with your name, resort or liveaboard.
If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
Where possible, all transfers are included in the cost of your holiday. If you are unsure, please confirm the arrangements on your holiday package before travel.
If you are using a hotel at the end of a liveaboard on a day use basis, you usually have to join the airport shuttle service. Please confirm any local costs and times with the hotel before you start your day use package.
Departures
You will be advised locally of your transfer times at the end of your holiday. The departure tax of approx. 900 Mexican Pesos is payable locally in cash only. Scottish and Irish pounds, travellers' cheques, credit and debit cards are not accepted.
Info
Tipping
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Currency
USD are widely accepted in Mexico, along with Mexico pesos. Mastercard and visa are accepted, but please be aware you may be charge a local surcharge on card payments
Phone coverage
Phone coverage is generally good, but please remember to check with your phone provider about any charges. 3G signal is also fairly reliable
Plugs and electricity
Flat 2 pin US style plugs are normal, with 110V
Extras
Hire equipment
Kit hire can be arranged in resort and is paid for locally
Extras
A full range of PADI courses can be prebooked or arranged in resort
Souvenirs
The dive centre has a small, limited shop on site
Nitrox/Gas
Nitrox is free of charge for certified divers
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for a holiday to Mexico is £500-£800 per person, although this will depend on your exact flight option and travel class. Larger deposits may be required for some flight options (eg premium economy/business class)
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX.
All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge.
Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees.
We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Your holiday includes direct flights to Cancun and airport transfers with 7 nights on an all inclusive (2 people sharing). We recommend the Yuatan diver package with free nitrox- this is 4 local dives, 2 in the cenotes and 2 at Cozumel.
Excluded
Any additional services in resort (spa, land tours, additional dives, kit hire, private guides and special trips) are paid for in resort. Alcohol and some soft drinks are an extra charge. Local park fees can only be paid locally. Certain cenotes charge a small fee on site
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.