If you have a pet that you love to take with you anywhere possible, you might have asked yourself these questions before: Can I take my dog on a boat? Which boats are dog-friendly? Is it safe to bring my dog on a boat? Are dogs required to wear life jackets on boats?
Don't worry, we know how important your furry friend is for you and your family, so we want to let you know you can bring it aboard! During our private charters, you can take your pet with you, while on our regular tours it is only possible to take service animals.
Now that you are getting ready for your next adventure in the Mexican Caribbean, here are a couple of tips to make your pet feel comfortable and safe while sailing with us.
The first thing we suggest once you decide to book a private charter with us is to let us know more about your pet companion! We will ask about characteristics such as size and weight in order to offer you the most convenient charter for all of you.
When it’s time for your adventure to take place, you will be asked to sign a pet waiver during check-in.
Photo by: http://www.mjsailing.com/
It might not be your pet’s first time sailing, but it’s always important to establish a comfort zone in a new place. Most of our boats have trampolines where your friend will be able to relax and enjoy the breeze, but we also suggest bringing its bed so that it can lay down comfortably on a familiar spot.
Other things we recommend bringing:
On our behalf, we guarantee that we’ll do anything we can to make all members of your family feel right at home and only worry about having the experience of a lifetime!
We are well aware that there are many types of pets, but when it comes to traveling (and sailing), dogs take the crown in the statistics. And because dogs are allowed to board in Cancun Sailing boats, we want to tell you a little about them and their relationship with the catamarans.
Dogs are swimmers by nature. Even if they do not frequent the water, they will almost certainly know how to swim and stay afloat as soon as they enter the water. However, swimming in the same waters that a boat navigates is complicated even for humans. If you take your dog on board, keep the following in mind:
Some dogs don't like water. Don't force your four-legged friend to dive. It is important to respect them and understand that forcing them into the water can be a traumatic experience for them.
Get your dog used to boats. Dogs also get seasick aboard, so it is highly recommended that their first trips be quick and calm so they can get used to the motion of a boat.
Get a dog life vest. Swimming at sea is tiring and for furry friends is no exception. For his safety and comfort, be sure to get him a life jacket and a surface he can climb on while at sea. A life board or donut will suffice.
Give him some time to relieve himself. The ideal scenario includes a well-trained dog to relieve himself in the right places. At Cancun Sailing, we care about our seas, so we ask you to responsibly dispose of your pet's waste so that it does not reach the sea.
Needless to say, when traveling with your dog, you have to consider its health condition. If your dog is old, you don't want to expose it to situations that make it vulnerable.
Something important is, if you are going to take a plane to reach your destination, you should check if your pet can actually travel by plane or not. There are dog breeds that should not travel by plane, such as the pug, the French bulldog, and in general flat-nosed dogs, since they can suffer from health problems that can lead to their death onboard a plane. It is preferable to leave them safely at home or travel by land with them.
*Ask your airline for more details.
Cancun and Mexico in general are destinations where you can stroll peacefully with your pet. Usually, you can walk on the street with your pet, as long as you pick up their waste. There are plazas, restaurants, and hotels that allow you to enter with your pet, and here are some recommendations.
Nizuc Resort & Spa: They have a pet program that includes dog beds and snacks.
Aloft Cancun: They welcome up to 2 small pets per room.
Ocean View Cancun Arenas: It welcomes dogs up to 10 kg and includes a welcome kit.
The Westin Resort & Spa Cancún: It welcomes dogs up to 12 kg and includes a welcome kit.
Fairmont Mayakoba: It receives dogs up to 11kg.
*Remember that some hotels charge an extra fee for pets. Contact the hotel and ask about their pet policy.
Marina Puerto Cancun: This plaza allows access to leashed and healthy pets. Most businesses do not allow pets inside, but there are restaurants with outdoor tables where you can stay and spend some time with your four-legged friend. There are special containers to dispose of pet feces and several establishments offer snacks and drinking fountains.
La Isla Cancun Shopping Village: Better known as Plaza La Isla, it has pet-friendly areas for its visitors. You can't go inside the stores with your pet, but you can walk around the outdoor areas (making yourself responsible for your pet and its waste).
Coral Beach in Punta Nizuc
Xpu-Ha Beach in Riviera Maya
Thank you very much for reading! We hope this guide has helped you in your search. If you know of another pet-friendly place in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya, leave us a message, and we will gladly add it to help other travelers and their four-legged friends have a great vacation.
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