The experience changed my life in such a positive way! I saw how kind and generous the Mexicans were towards me, even when they had very little. I realized how much we take for granted in the US, and how blessed we are in so many ways.
Since that time, I’ve wanted to return to Mexico for another mission trip. But this time, my friends and I were on vacation, so we visited Playa del Carmen before our recent trip to Cuba!
No trip could ever replace that first time in Mexico though. I feel thankful that I was able to go to help others.
Winter Escape to Mexico Trip Report Index:
- Part 1 – Introduction & Planning
- Part 2 – Transport to & From Playa del Carmen
- Part 3 – Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen
- Part 4 – What to Do in Playa del Carmen
- Part 5 – Where to Eat in Playa del Carmen
- Part 6 – Blog Giveaway
Flights to Mexico
One of the ways I use my Chase Ultimate Rewards points most frequently is transferring them to Southwest. I used this method to get nearly free flights to Mexico!
My friends and I flew from Austin to Cancun on Southwest Airlines. Booking ~1 month prior to my trip, it cost ~25,000 points plus ~$75 in taxes and fees to fly round-trip in coach on Southwest. I could have flown for ~18,000 Southwest points if I had chosen later travel dates when the airfare was cheaper, but we couldn’t wait to go!
But you can also usually find cheap paid flights to Mexico, so compare prices and be flexible!
We like to save money, so we brought our own drinks onboard.
We were so excited to escape the frigid US winter!
After a few hours, we were safe in Cancun, and quickly collected our bags.
Transportation from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is less than an hour away from the Cancun airport. Since we were a group of 6, we organized a large van to take us. We booked the van at the Cancun airport. The round-trip cost was $125 (the Airbnb we booked quoted us for $150 round-trip, so this was a pleasant surprise).We could have taken a shuttle for $32 per person, or a bus, which would have taken longer. The public bus that will take you to downtown Playa costs ~$5-6 USD. Here’s a link for more information on the ADO bus. You can even get tickets online! Don’t forget that you will still have to take a taxi or walk to your final destination, but this option could save a lot of money.
We stopped at a supermarket on the way and stocked up on supplies like food, wine, water, etc.
How You Can Do It Too!
Link: How to Transfer Chase Points to Southwest
Link: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass
My favorite way to get to Cancun is on Southwest.The Chase Southwest Premier and Chase Southwest Plus cards are currently offering 40,000 points in 3 months after you complete the minimum spending requirements.
You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink Plus, or Chase Ink Bold (no longer available). And if you have the Southwest Companion Pass, your travel companion can come for (nearly) free!
And you can use the Barclaycard Arrival Plus card to pay for travel expenses. It’s currently offering 50,000 Barclaycard Arrival miles after you complete minimum spending, which is worth ~$525 toward travel! Here’s how to redeem the Barclaycard Arrival Plus miles.
| Round-Trip Coach Ticket From Austin to Cancun | 3 Nights in a Centrally-Located Airbnb for 6 People | |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Cost | $450 | $339 total |
| Our Cash Cost | $75 in taxes | $339 total, or ~$68 per person |
| Miles & Points Used | 25,000 Southwest Points | N/A |
| Source of Miles & Points | Chase Ultimate Rewards: - Chase Sapphire Preferred Current sign-up bonus of 50,000 points - Chase Sapphire Reserve Current sign-up bonus of 100,000 points - Chase Ink Plus Current sign-up bonus of 60,000 points - Chase Ink Bold Not available to new applicants Southwest Cards: - Chase Southwest Plus Current sign-up bonus of 40,000 points - Chase Southwest Premier Current sign-up bonus of 40,000 points - Chase Southwest Premier Business Current sign-up bonus of 50,000 points | N/A |
| Alternatives | - United Airlines - 35,000 miles round-trip + ~$50 in taxes - American Airlines - 30,000 miles round-trip (25,000 between September 7 and November 14) + ~$50 in taxes | - Use Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard miles to erase $100+ travel purchases, like Airbnb - Use my Airbnb referral code for $20 off! - Use Hyatt points to stay at a hotel |
| Additional Information | - You can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest and United Airlines - Here's how to get the Southwest Companion Pass, so your companion can fly with you for (almost) free for nearly 2 years! | - Here’s how to choose a good and safe Airbnb - Here are tips on how to negotiate a better Airbnb price! - You can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt |
Bottom Line
It was super easy to get to Cancun and continue onward to Playa del Carmen. It made for a fun beach destination to escape the cold US winter!
When I booked ~1 month prior to my trip, it cost ~25,000 Southwest points plus ~$75 in taxes and fees to fly round-trip in coach on Southwest. I could have flown for ~18,000 Southwest points if I had chosen later travel dates when the airfare was cheaper, but we couldn’t wait to go!
Cheap flights can be found because Mexico is so close, so compare prices and be flexible!