After 6 months in Mexico we have now left the country, yes WE, I came alone to Mexico and now leave it together with my new boyfriend.😍
After doing a lot of research, finding out where we were allowed to enter as an unvaccinated person nowadays, we finally decided to go to the Dominican Republic, an expensive affair in every respect, as it turned out.
Our trip began Friday night around 2 o'clock in the morning, our flight was scheduled to depart at 5 a.m. from Cancun. Packed with my huge suitcase and full of anticipation for the next adventure we arrived in the middle of the night at the airport.
At the check-in counter we received a terrible surprise. They didn't ALLOW US ON THE FLIGHT because we had no return ticket. Even though this is probably the "law" in the Dominican Republic, it's still weird that a Mexican controller denied us. On questioning where that was written or a rule, we got no answer and were simply ignored!
We were absolutely shocked. We had to leave Mexico due to being there for 180 days, had no apartment to go to, and it was in the middle of the night.
The Mexican airport employees told us that so cold-heartedly, basically telling us - you can't get on this flight and the desk is closing now.
we could not believe it at first. We argued with the staff, which naturally did not help us get on the flight at all.
We asked if we could quickly book a return ticket but they said the check-in counter was closed, although there were still other people who checked in.
Shocked, sad, and angry, we left the airport building, we sat down at the airport sidewalk with all our luggage. But we stayed determined, and started thinking about our best next move. I mean it was about 4 a.m... where should we go now, in which hotel can we check in at 4 a.m? I almost felt like crying..
After thinking back and forth about what could even be our plan (noted - we already had booked a 5-star all-in for 3 nights and would lose one of our days), we decided to go to a nearby hotel, the cab driver assured us "yes, of course, you can check-in at this time there". We already knew something felt off when we saw his fake grin...
After a much too expensive 5 min cab ride, we arrived at the hotel. and of course, you could not check-in in the middle of the night, but the hotel employee was so friendly and allowed us to stay in the hallway on a sofa. YEAH! One of the most comfortable nights ever......not!
Completely mosquito-bitten we woke up every 20 minutes, with guests looking at us funny, and had the sad realization that it was not a nightmare but the reality. Instead of enjoying our beach beds in Punta Cana we were on a 1-meter sofa in a hotel hallway.
Well, we had to make the best of the situation since it was no longer possible to change it. We finally got our room after a rather strange breakfast around 10 a.m. and were happy to be able to stretch out our legs and get some sleep.
We booked the same flight 24 hours later and looked for a return ticket, but quickly found out that the best option is an onward ticket, a fake ticket, where you never take the flight but can show the reservation.
It was easy enough and a shame that we had never heard about this being necessary - a costly lesson. Anyway, I would never travel to another country without an onward ticket again.
The next day, we woke up with the good news from the 5-star hotel that we could move our stay there by 1 day forward, which was of course great that we at least didnt lose on of our days there! Luck was again on our side. At the airport this time everything went smoothly, the same staff was there, but this time they let us fly without problems. relieved and full of anticipation for the trip, we celebrated at 5 a.m. first with a beer :D
After arriving in Punta Cana 3 days in the all-in hotel quickly became 5, but we had earned it after this stress (or so we told ourselves hahaha)
Conclusion : never travel without an onward ticket to another country ever again! The 15 dollars I would always invest, that can save you a lot of stress and costs! Have you ever been in a similar situation? you were not taken or have missed your flight? Let me know in the comments! I would really appreciate a like if you enjoyed my story.
See you next time :D !
Love, Anna