An “accessible” label cannot tell you whether a room, vehicle or outing will work for your wheelchair. Cory Lee, accessible travel blogger and founder of Curb Free with Cory Lee and The Curb Free Foundation, explains the photos, measurements and written confirmations he requests before committing to a trip.
Cory’s firsthand Mexico experience covers one trip to the Cancún area and two trips to Cozumel. The examples below describe his experience, not a guarantee of current availability or suitability for another traveler. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
1. What do you verify first, and what have your Mexico trips taught you?
One of the biggest things I verify before booking is transportation, specifically whether I can remain in my power wheelchair while riding in the vehicle.
In Cancún, I toured with Cancun Accessible, which provided wheelchair-accessible transportation for our trip to Chichén Itzá. In Cozumel, I have toured with This Is Cozumel, which also provided wheelchair-accessible transportation.
Those positive experiences reinforced how important it is to arrange transportation in advance instead of assuming an accessible vehicle will be available when you arrive. I can only speak personally about the destinations I have visited.
2. Which hotel photos and measurements make an answer useful?
I never rely on someone simply telling me that a room is “wheelchair accessible.” That can mean something completely different from one property to another.
Ask for current photos of the entrance, the route to the room, the space around the bed and the entire bathroom. Useful measurements include:
- Doorway widths and any thresholds.
- Bed height and space beside the bed.
- The shower entrance.
- Toilet height and the space around the toilet.
- Enough information to judge whether there is room to maneuver your own wheelchair.
A genuinely useful response gives you measurements, photos and specific answers. “Yes, we’re accessible” really does not tell me anything.
3. What needs confirming before booking an airport transfer or tour vehicle?
I travel with a power wheelchair, so I want to know exactly how I will enter the vehicle, whether it uses a ramp or lift, and whether I can remain in my wheelchair for the entire ride. I ask about the space inside, the lift or ramp capacity, and how my wheelchair will be secured.
I also want to see photos of the accessible vehicle before booking. They help me understand the boarding process, interior space and whether it looks as though it will work for my wheelchair.
Most importantly, I want written confirmation that the accessible vehicle we discussed is what will be provided on my specific date and time. My experiences with Cancun Accessible and This Is Cozumel have shown me how much easier a trip can be when transportation is arranged and confirmed ahead of time.
4. How do you investigate the journey beyond the hotel door?
I research the entire experience, rather than just the hotel or attraction. I look at Google Street View, recent traveler photos and reviews, and contact attractions or tour companies directly when I have questions.
I want to know what happens from the moment I leave my hotel until I return. Are there curb cuts? What is the terrain like? Are accessible restrooms available? Can my vehicle drop me near the accessible entrance?
Knowledgeable accessible tour operators made this much easier during my Mexico trips. Cancun Accessible helped make my visit to Chichén Itzá possible, and This Is Cozumel helped me explore Cozumel on two separate trips.
I do not have a specific example from those trips where something was dramatically different from the description or photos, so I would not want to suggest otherwise.
5. Which backup arrangements are worth discussing before paying?
Before leaving home, I like to know what alternatives exist if an accessible vehicle does not arrive, a hotel room is not what was promised, or something happens to my wheelchair. I recommend researching wheelchair repair or rental companies at the destination and saving their contact information before the trip.
Before paying for a hotel, tour or transfer, ask what happens if the accessibility promised is not available when you arrive. Is there another accessible room or vehicle? Can they arrange an alternative? Will you receive a refund if they cannot provide what was confirmed?
Those conversations are much easier before you have paid and traveled hundreds or thousands of miles.
6. What are your three starting questions, and when would you keep looking?
For a first Mexico trip, I would start with these questions:
- Can I comfortably and safely use the hotel room and bathroom?
- How will I get from the airport to the hotel and around the destination with my wheelchair?
- Are the attractions and experiences I want to do accessible from arrival to departure?
Based on my experiences, Cancún and Cozumel can offer fantastic accessible experiences when you plan ahead and work with knowledgeable providers. I had a great accessible stay at Dreams Jade Resort in the Cancún area, toured Chichén Itzá with Cancun Accessible, and used This Is Cozumel on both of my visits to Cozumel.
If a company cannot give specific answers, will not provide photos or measurements when needed, or seems uncertain about accommodating my power wheelchair, that is a red flag for me. I would rather keep searching than arrive and discover that something I absolutely need is not available.
About Cory Lee
Cory Lee is an accessible travel blogger, content creator and power wheelchair user who has traveled across all seven continents. He launched Curb Free with Cory Lee in 2013 to share firsthand accessible travel experiences and help other people with disabilities explore the world. He is also the founder of The Curb Free Foundation, a nonprofit that sends wheelchair users on trips free of charge.
Read Cory’s firsthand travel guides
About the Author
Ken Gardner develops and curates MexPat Guide from Vancouver, Canada. He focuses on Mexico relocation research and practical comparison questions. This is educational planning information, not a claim of local residence or individual immigration advice.
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