The idea of flying your own airplane through Mexico is for many a thought that can create anxiety. Reading different aviation forums, you will find divided opinions. There are those who have heard bad stories or had a bad experience 20 years ago, and other pilots going to Mexico on a regular basis and loving it.
Just like any international flight, you want to ensure you have the proper paperwork and equipment for such a trip. At Air Journey, we specialize in international flying all over the world, and we have been doing this for over 25 years. Among other documents, some of the most important ones to have on board are: a pilot’s license; a medical certificate (printed not a digital copy); the plane airworthiness with the current tail number (We have seen pilots thinking that as long as the serial number is correct, they didn’t need to update the certificate after a tail number change.); the airplane registration certificate (and not expired, or a “Fly-Wire” from your FSDO); the plane insurance showing the word “Mexico” in the territory coverage or even better, the Mexican Insurance policy (in Spanish) which you can obtain from your broker for the year. These usually only cost only a few hundred dollars and will make your life easier at the airports.
Our Mexico journey itinerary took us to Cancun first, one of the best airports to clear customs, immigration, and obtain your entry landing permit. Cancun receives more than 2,000 general aviation flights a year, so all the officers are very well versed in document review and all processes are standardized. Our group of six planes departed from Florida, an easy 600 nautical mile flight over South Florida, the Florida Keys, then skimming the north coast of Cuba while speaking to Havana Control, followed by the entry in Merida airspace, then the Cancun approach for the final phase of the flight. The Mexican controllers along the way were excellent and gave us the runway, approach, and arrival to expect as soon as we entered their airspace.
Cancun has a set of RNAV arrivals bringing you to the IAF of the ILS approach. You can expect vectors for shortcuts when the traffic is lower when an airliner is catching up on the arrival. Even with the high number of private flights a year, Cancun only has one FBO, but with a very large ramp. The most unusual thing is the FBO has a ground frequency that will inform you of your parking stand as you taxi in. Cancun Ground will transfer you to that frequency as you approach the apron. After engine shutdown, several agents will show up at the plane. There were two people from agriculture wanting to have a look inside the plane. They asked if we were bringing any seeds or fresh foods. Then there were two from the military (police) that asked to see a pilot’s license and medical. You can get fuel on arrival or departure (on arrival is always recommended so you can be sure you have fuel for departure). Once ready to leave the plane, you will enter the FBO, do immigration, customs, and go pay for your Mexico entry permit. Once finished you are on your way to your hotel.
La Loteria, a famous Mexican card game)
On the Air Journey to Mexico, we selected the newly opened Belmond Maroma for our stay, a luxurious resort located on the Riviera Maya, known for its beautiful beachfront location, exquisite accommodations, and top-notch service. The small hotel was a private residence in the past and the recent renovations made it a very special place to be. Like any Air Journey we stayed there three nights. The purpose is not to fly every day but to be able to mix the flying and the touring so both the pilots and the companions’ interests are fulfilled.
On day two we had several fun activities organized for the group, including a cooking class, a famous Mexican card game called “La Loteria” which involves some Mexican Tequila, spa times, a candle making ritual on the beach, and more. On the following day we had a luxury catamaran outing organized to visit the beautiful coast and pristine waters of Isla Mujeres, including some swimming and snorkeling. Our last evening gathered the pilots and companions in the hotel library for an in-depth briefing on the next day’s flight to Queretaro airport, continued with a private BBQ dinner on the beach, only for our group.
It was time to leave the beautiful coast of the Riviera Maya and fly west, about 800nm over the Gulf of Mexico to Queretaro Airport. The airport is located in the highlands of Mexico at 6,300 ft and is the gateway to San Miguel de Allende, our destination for the next three nights. Departing from Cancun airport involved some light paperwork before our six planes started taxing among other private jets and airlines. “Nxxx you are cleared for takeoff runway 12R, after departure turn right heading 150 degrees, there is weather south of the airport, this should keep you away from it.” Whoa, great service as we departed and got vectors around a cell moving in. Passing 18,000 feet we were in blue skies leaving some precipitation behind us.
We were handed off to Mexico Control over the Gulf and got a few shortcuts; then were assigned the VOR-DME 2 Runway 09, involving a DME Arc. Where was the last time anyone in the US has flown a VOR-DME ARC? The beauty of the G1000/G3000 is that coupled with the autopilot, the plane will fly the arc perfectly. Queretaro airport doesn’t have radar. They get you on the DME Arc and ask for position reporting on the approach to keep the separation with the other arriving traffic. The controller did a great job, so did the FBO. We got a nice greeting, fuel, and a golf cart ride to the FBO after engine shutdown.
The ride to the Rosewood hotel in San Miguel from Queretaro is roughly 80 minutes. Six Suburban SUVs were waiting for us at the FBO with snacks and drinks, one per plane. San Miguel de Allende is known for its beautiful and well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, with buildings decorated with colorful facades, narrow cobblestone streets, and historic landmarks. The city has a thriving artistic community, attracting writers, painters, musicians, and other creatives from around the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. After settling at the Rosewood hotel, our group met for a welcome cocktail on the roof top terrace overlooking the city and the majestic church of Parroquia, which is well illumined at night. Our time in San Miguel went by quickly with time spent on walking tours, history, churches, shopping, art galleries, craft markets and great restaurants.
After our three days there it was time for our evening flight briefing for our next day’s flight to Merida airport, located on the Yucatan peninsula and home of the stunning Chable Yucatan resort. Our briefing involved the review of the airport departure process, SID, enroute airspace crossing, frequencies, RNAV arrivals into MMMD airport, followed by the ILS to the runway in use (most likely 36 due to the wind forecast), all in blue skies and tail winds. The forecast was accurate, the flight was pretty much as briefed, with clear skies and a 60-knot tailwind. The airport process was as straightforward as the other for domestic flights. After engine shutdown you are asked for your license and medical, fuel up and then on your way to the hotel. We had kept the best for the end.
Chable Yucatan is a hotel built in an old Mexican Hacienda, where 40 casitas have been delightfully designed and built. Each room is a small villa with private pool (heated). The property doesn’t feel like a hotel but more like an incredible private residence with a mixture of new and old Mayan architecture. The lush gardens separating each casita provide a serene and secluded retreat feeling. The spa is often considered the centerpiece of the resort, set within an open-air cenote, where guests can indulge in massages, facials, and signature rituals inspired by Mayan traditions.
The restaurants provide exquisite dining experiences showcasing the rich flavors of the Yucatecan cuisine. The hotel bar has a collection of more than 3,200 different bottles of Tequila. The House Tequilas, called the Chablé Añejo Cristalino, aged 12 months inside a barrel and two filtrations, is a recommendation to enjoy as an aperitif accompanied by the traditional sangria, prepared exclusively by their in-house mixologists.
Our three nights in the Yucatan included a day outing to the ancient Maya archeological site of Uxmal (pronounced Uchmal). Uxmal was an important ceremonial center for the Mayans, with structures believed to align with celestial events. The site, surrounded by lush forests, offers insight into Mayan cosmology, rituals, and architectural achievements, a must-see in the Yucatan Peninsula. Our last day in Merida was a day off for our group to relax and enjoy hotel activities such as golfing, tennis, cooking classes, spa and more, prior to our flight briefing for our international departure back to the USA.
The customs and immigration process on departure in Merida was fairly quick allowing a departure from Merida airport in less than 45 minutes from the time we arrived at the airport that morning. Our airplanes were heading to different US ports of entry (Fort Pierce, Tampa, and New Orleans) based on their final destinations. The customs process in the US was also very quick. “Hello, officer. May I see passports please? Yes, here they are. Anything to declare? We bought a few souvenirs only. Ok have a great day!” That was it for all six planes.
Looking back at it from sitting at home after a wonderful 10-day journey to three destinations in Mexico, we never felt unsafe or uncomfortable. Each interaction, from the airports, transfers, hotels, tours, cities, shops and restaurants were extremely enjoyable. Of course, someone would want to stay away from problematic areas, but going to locations where tourism and private aviation is developed is for us the key to a successful international flying journey. More Mexico Journeys will be available on the Air Journey website soon, stay tuned!
Guillaume Fabry is the director of flight operations and a journey director for Air Journey, a full-service provider of aerial guided tours around the world. Visit www.airjourney.com for more information.
