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2015
12
January
Is Sunwing a reliable choice for YVR->Cancun travel?

Question:

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Melika

I have a trip booked to Cancun with sunwing for next week...I didn't look at customer reviews until after I purchased my package. Is sunwing all that bad from the YVR->Cancun route? And they weigh their carry ons? Getting nervous

Humans say...

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Maxine

Ur going to Cancun wtf

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Patty

IMO, a direct flight on ANY airline is better than having to transfer somewhere, particularly in the winter. Narrow seats, not so much leg room, but it's only 5 hours......

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Chelsea

Ughhhh had the absolute WORST experience with sunwing both to and from cancun in April. The flights were messed up so badly that we missed a whole day of our trip in Mexico and ended up arriving at 4am when we were supposed to get to the actual resort by like 1pm the day before. Soooo frustrating!

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Chelsea

I should note, since lots of people are saying that people just love to complain, I have no problem at all with whatever food they serve or how small the seats are or whatever on the actual plane. Just the whole nine hour delay on the way there sucked a lot because we lost a whole day at the resort that we paid for and they also messed up the flight on the way back.

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SAmi

My good friend work for them , any thing in particle you want me to inquire about ?

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Gerry

Just read all the fine print. It tells you about luggage and weights. Keep all receipts and copies ( pictures) of boarding passes and so on. If you need to take action for any reason after your trip you'll have the proofs. Good luck enjoy your trip, whatever the outcome, it's only another adventure.

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Michelle

I did that route in March and had no issues. Seats are small someome mentioned above but it was ok. My champagne service included a plastic shot glass of champagne lol

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Gerry

I guess it's better than paying $5 for it.

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Michelle

Yup!

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Melika

Ah thanks everyone! I regret not looking up reviews prior...when I started looking after I became really worried

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Karen

People love to complain. Stay within the fine print. Keep your expectations reasonable. And remember you're experience is what you make of it. Sometimes shut happens but it's not the norm. You'll be fine.

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David

Used them twice for the same route, no issues at all...

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Brenda

Flew with sunwing once. Never again. CBC did a story on it as I was one of about 30 from that package deal who ended up paying for our last night's stay out of pocket.

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Jen

I had a Really Really BAD experience with them and their customer service is the worst I'm going to Cancun next week but we are flying with west jet of course the price was higher but I didn't want to risk it I think is worth it.
I had a delay of 12 hours with sunwing and would never recommended to anyone.
Good Luck!

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Rachael

Delete this post and enjoy your trip..people only generally post complaints. Make the best of it.

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Naomi

We flew on sunwing last Christmas and never had a promblem!... enjoy your trip!!

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Gladys

Set the intended to on the trip will be smooth sailing and effortless. Don't let the negativity bedraggled you. Learn for next time.

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Jenna

Sun wing is totally fine. Don't worry about it

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Chantal

I had no problem with sunwing in the past and am also taking them in January. They DO weigh your carry-on.....

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Melissa

done that route twice in the last few years and never had a problem. Last trip there were 15 of us flying from gateways across Canada, on different days, and we were all fine. Seems like if you do have an issue their service is terrible, but personally don't know anyone who has.

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Susan

We have flown many times with sunwing. No problems at all. People all ways post the bad experiences and hardly ever post the good ones. Also lots of people fly economy but expect first class service and complain about everything. I have been delayed and inconvenienced way more by air canada than any charter airlines. Enjoy your trip. Your food and champagne is free unlike air canada and westjet

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Michelle

True!!! Forgot we got food!!

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Olga

No, the food is now not free at sunwing either.

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Olga

Our trips with the Suwing were all very good. The only thing that you need to know is that they changed their food on board policy - used to be free and now it is avail. for purchase. Re. carry-on - be prepared that it can be weighted by any airline as they all do random checks. At least in Cancun airport they almost always check the weight at any airline counter, If you do the checked-in luggage, take a picture of it and do not forget to attach the tag with the name of the resort. They are avail. at the check in counter.

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Melika

For going to cancun from YVR - the first checked in bag is free tho right?

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Arlene

Yes first bag free if not over weight and all meals you now pay for only free is a glass of champagne, pop, tea,coffee seats are tight together nicer to be sure you are sitting that close with your companion no guarantees of that at airport check in.

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Marshall

The new food menu is really good now, though

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Sara

I've flown about 8 times with sunwing, with one 12 hour delay. It sucked at the time, but I'd fly with them again. Free champagne is a good incentive

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Shelagh

Expectations will be low and maybe you will be pleasantly surprised!

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Leigh

People always remember the bad stuff over the good stuff. I wouldn't take the reviews too seriously, especially with an airline. I fly all the time and rarely encounter delays, it's just the one bad flight that someone remembers, not the hundreds of other ones that go off without a problem.
Regardless of all that, you're going to Cancun!! Have fun!!

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Rhonda

I flew with sunwing for my son's wedding 2 years ago to cancun - playa del carmen. There was about 40+ of us, a good time was had by all. No problems.

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Melika

That's where I'm headed too! Thanks

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Melika

Thank you everyone for your honest input! I feel a bit better haha

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Michelle

You'll have an amazing time!

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Melika

Also - is there a point in paying for the reserved seats ahead of time? Or if I arrive early to the airport I will be fine?

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Rhonda

I would as it's a long time and much better to start a vacation together. Don't risk it.

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Dawn

Check in online 24 hrs before departure and you can pick your seats without charge.

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Monica

Dawn not with sunwing.....you can only get free seats online 3 hours prior. They do not have the 24 hour online chevkin

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Catherin

I've flown with sunwing 7 times. After the first flight, I learned that it is okay to get to YVR early and take a chance on seat selection when going, but I now ALWAYS buy the return seats in advance - well before I even leave Vancouver.

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Melika

Catherin is that to ensure everyone is sitting together or some are more roomier than others ?

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Catherin

I just want to be sure I'm sitting with my husband. The check in scene in

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Catherin

Sorry. The check in can be quite a zoo at least, in Puerto Vallarta which is where we go. All the hotel buses arrive very close together and there are long line ups. It's just nice to know you have your seat selection already done.

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Susan

The thing with delays is a lot of time it's mechanical and can't be avoided and I'd rather feel safe and sound.

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Susan

These days your lucky if you even sit together with your partner I'd pay ahead

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Gerry

Only on long flights. Short flights, not worth it. I never pay to pre book my seats.

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Colleen

We just got back from Cancun on Sunwings. No fee for checked luggage but they do weigh your carry on so make sure it's under the limit. Hubby and I are tall so we paid $50 extra to get exit row seats....worth every penny. You pay for food about $9 for a sandwich, it was decent, but you can bring your own food if you want. Bring ear buds for movie's or they will charge you $3 for some. Keep your expectations low...this is a budget carrier.

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Rochelle

I read the reviews and was terrified but it wasn't bad at all. The champagne was really surprisingly decent. The food was meh and honestly if anyone in your party has issues with greasy food like me, pass on it and bring snacks. But the flight, attendants and champagne were just fine and we had zero problems. I always try to go travelling with zero expectations. Every country has a different level of service expectations and living standards. What will be will be. If I am alive, fed and my luggage arrives, it isn't the worst that could happen. I enjoyed the in flight entertainment too after the movie they run Bing bang theory and other show reruns as time killers.

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Brianna

We had a horrible experience with them last Nov something went wrong with the plane on out way home and we were trapped on the runway for like 2 hrs no air conditioning. They wouldn't give us water and the pilot wouldn't tell anyone what was going on. We were soooooooo oooo mad

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Gladys

Sorry to hear that. Terrible.

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Marshall

Happens with all airlines. Don't bad mouth sunwing because of that.

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Brianna

The way they dealt with it was NOT acceptable. So yeah I will bad mouth them for that.

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Matt

We had to sit in chairs for two hours before we incredibly flew thousands of miles through the air having contributed nothing to the miracle of human flight. It was the worst!

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Brianna

Did you with no air conditioning in 30 degree weather ? No notification of what was going on... people crying kids screaming... people removing clothing because of the heat? No.... didn't think so.

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Tina

We flew sunwing last year..... No problems - we even got a small glass of champagne!!

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Indy

I feel sorry for you.

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Felix

I took sun wing twice you get what you pay for. So I understand.... They are quite stringent on their carry on size and weight. The flights were also delayed but that is a circumstances that can happen to any airline

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Marshall

What does u get what you pay for mean? On westjet they charge you an arm and a leg just to walk on the plane these days. At least with sunwing you're saving a crap load of money and it's a non stop flight.

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Felix

When you go with a budget carrier I am not expecting Cadillac service here is what that statement means. When the carry on limit is 10lbs or 5kg that's a bit low and a blatant cash grab. A nice Samsonite is about 6.5lbs which leaves you with 3.5 lbs left for your carry on capacity.. So a pair of shoes and a tshirt?

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Marshall

5 kilos is 12lbs. What are you packing, a dead body?

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Marshall

And if you've flown ac or westjet recently, the plans are prettt much exactly the same. Actually sunwing has newer planes...

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Felix

When it's a short jaunt I tend to not bring checked in luggage. While policy is probably the same it's not strictly enforced the way sun wing enforces it. I am just stating facts while trying to leave out bias opinons. I have also been on other budget Carriers in Asia and they do not weight your bag to the decimal place. And actually...westjet I would also classify as a budget career one time in Hawaii I bought a couple trinkets that exceeded the maximum alloted weight and they checked my luggage free of charge. Sun wing did not offer that. My opinion stands, and it's not necessarily a bad one so please don't go about commenting I carry dead bodies in my carry on.. Fyi a 12lb dead body would be an infant..so take 3/4 of that weight because that is the avg weight of what peoples carry on weighs (not all of us have 5 to 6 lb samsonites) and you essentially got 1/4 of the weight to play with which is a pair of nice dress shoes and not much more.

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Marshall

My bf works for sunwing and I've flown many times. It's a great airline. The staff are really friendly and on your way there, they give u free bubbly! The plane is comfortable as well. Enjoy your trip!

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Elaine

I used to really like them but they have gone way downhill. Yes they do weigh the carry on but the seats are better. Most airlines stink now one is as bad as the next but sometimes you get a problem free pleasant flight........slim chance but you can hope

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Peter

Apart from ridiculously cramped economy seats (one of the worst),it wasn't that bad, but I do believe they weighed our bags

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Shelley

Very little I mean little can go on the carry-on really no point in having one

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Shelley

Also lost my bags for 3 days in Cuba and I upgraded to priority to have my bags as soon as I got a off plane

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Lissa

Exactly the same thing happened to my sister-in-law when we went to Cuba.

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Gladys

Yruth: It's a crap airlines boycott them out of business. They are always on the news about scamming people. People don't deserve a holiday like this. Life is precious don't put up with anything.

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Olga

which one do you like?

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Gladys

Get a alaska airlines Credit card MBNA 25000 points which is a trip somewhere collect more points.They have partner airlines for world travel. Or westjet on sale. United is now charging for carry on...boycott the retards too. The public needs to stand up.

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Olga

Gladys yea...but westjet AI trips are very expensive even on sale, and buying Alaska+hotel+transfer separately somewhere down south is also much more expensive than AI sunwing or airtransat.

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Gladys

Look for deals. I'm flying Puerta Vallarta to Comox $333. Bellingham, New Leaf. Go to Hotels.com find a cheap hotel...mine is $45. I'm in with lovely Mexican families which I love. Resorts are too much. Take the local bus if taxi too high. Have a true Mexican holiday.
Hotels.com
HOTELS.COM - Earn Free Nights on Cheap Hotels Near You

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Olga

is New Leaf flying to Comox or to Bellingham? I am not sure that I got what aircarrier you are flying with for $333 and where.

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Gladys

I'm with westjet from Puerta Vallarta to Comox. New Leaf is the competition in Canada. Alaska air flies out of Vancouver. But there are planes out of Bellingham Allegiant depends where ur going. Frontier has a sale on and Virgin is partnering with Alaska.

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Suzan

I have flown lots with them and have had no issues

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Gladys

There's a lot of stories here.....hopefully you won't be next

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Suzan

Yah I guess its hit or miss so far I have been lucky

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Deb

Flew with them last February. No problems at all.

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Monica

Don't panic....their planes are fine....yes they weigh carry on....if you read your ticket, it does say 5kg. The only reason I don't sell them....or recommend them....is their terrible customer service, if something does happen to go wrong. They are just a lousy company to deal with. Their product...is fine though.

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Gladys

Shit happens with this company...Lots of messages. Boycott them so they pick it up or go bankrupt.

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Monica

Gladys I do! Can't stand dealing with them....they are actually on our do not sell list. When you call them...half the time you get their call centre, that's located in Kingston Jamaica.... Worst run company

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Fernanda

We took a trip with them to Cancun last February's and it went great!

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Dejan

4 trips with them, everything went fine....just landed from Cuba tonight...do not worry!

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Gabriel

Like a few others are mentionning.. Go in with lower expectations.. Don't listen to all the bad reviews.. Make the best of it. You'll have a blast. If not.. Alcohol helps.

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Dave

best advice in any travel

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Janine

Every trip we have taken with them has been great

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Wendy

We are flying to Cuba next week on sunwing (first time) so I hope everything goes well. We only do carry-on, no checked bags, I guess I will have to weigh my suitcase before I leave.......

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Olga

have you checked the allowed weight and size for the carry on? they have a reduced carry on size comparing the other airlines. There is no point of flying with the carry ons only as the first checked in bag is free with the Sunwing.

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Monica

5kg checked only....they are VERY STRICT. People don't read their documents.......and those are the people dumping stuff out at the airport, and shoving items into their checked luggage. sunwing does weigh everything

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Michelle

Maybe just check a bad instead of that hassle. I had no bag issues plus you need room for....uh cigars

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Matt

Good luck if you check a bag, won't be surprised if they lose it

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Dave

Know your bag restrictions (research the site), every airline weighs these days. Earplugs are a must.

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Leticia

Yes Horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Wendy

Yes, that's why I would rather do Carry-on luggage, just in case.......plus it's faster getting in and out of the airport.

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Felix

I recommend don't do that with sun wing or at your own risk. They weight it to the exact decimal place.

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Olga

what is the point to get faster out of the airport if you are going to wait for everyone else at the bus.

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Gerry

I always bring a knife, and the only way you can do that is by checking your bag. With everyone bringing so much carry on these days I find retrieving your checked luggage quick.

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Wendy

We are not going on the bus, we are not doing all- inclusive. We are staying near the airport at a casa particular (B&B) so don't want to be with the crowds..........

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Dejan

They are strict on carry on baggage and do weight it on check-in....with a reason...

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Melika

Also - should I take pesos to cancun or are American dollars fine? For shopping/excursions etc and overall to use there?

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Gabriel

I would use pesos..
playa del carmen is only 45 mins drive away if your bus driver is fast on the pedal.

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Catherin

The exchange rate to buy pesos is way better than the rate to buy US dollars, so that's what I'd take for tipping and small purchases. However, it's good to also have US for excursions.

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Melika

What if you already have American dollars? Still better to exchange to pesos? Off the resort do they accept US dollars?

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Gabriel

Airport.. Don't change it there.

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Dawn

When in Mexico use their currency, the Peso

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Wendy

The locals love USD!! But if you pay for anything in USD you will get peso's back for change, so don't exchange to much USD for peso's!


A.I. says...

AI Profile Pic

Is Sunwing Really That Bad for the YVR-Cancun Route?

If you've recently booked a trip with Sunwing from Vancouver (YVR) to Cancun and have been scrolling through customer reviews, you might be feeling a bit anxious about your upcoming vacation. Don't worry, you're not alone! Many travelers have shared their experiences, both positive and negative, with this airline and route.

Varying Experiences

The truth is, Sunwing's reputation can be a mixed bag. Some travelers have reported pleasant experiences, with on-time flights, friendly staff, and no major hiccups. Others, however, have encountered delays, lost luggage, and less-than-stellar service.

It's important to keep in mind that individual experiences can vary greatly, and negative reviews often get amplified online. That being said, it's always a good idea to go into your trip with realistic expectations and to be prepared for potential issues.

Carry-On Bag Weight Restrictions

One aspect of Sunwing's policies that often catches travelers off guard is their carry-on bag weight restrictions. Yes, it's true – Sunwing does weigh carry-on bags at the gate, and they have a strict 10kg (22lbs) weight limit for carry-on bags, including personal items.

If your carry-on exceeds this weight limit, you may be asked to check it as checked luggage, which could incur additional fees. To avoid any surprises or extra charges, it's best to pack light and weigh your carry-on bag before heading to the airport.

Tips for a Smoother Experience

  1. Pack light: Stick to the carry-on weight limit to avoid any additional fees.
  2. Arrive early: Give yourself plenty of time to check-in and get through security, especially during peak travel seasons.
  3. Be flexible: Delays and schedule changes can happen with any airline, so it's best to have a flexible mindset.
  4. Bring snacks and entertainment: Pack some snacks and download movies or books to keep you occupied in case of delays.
  5. Consider travel insurance: Travel insurance can provide peace of mind and protection in case of significant delays, cancellations, or other travel disruptions.

While Sunwing may not be the most luxurious airline out there, many travelers still manage to have enjoyable and hassle-free experiences with them, especially on the YVR-Cancun route. By being prepared and having realistic expectations, you can hopefully have a smooth journey and a wonderful vacation in Cancun!



   










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