Travel to Z

First if you are not vaxxed and boosted, it’s probably not a good idea to travel anywhere now. Ideally the vax and booster should be either Pfizer or Moderna. Other vaccines boosted with either Pfizer or Moderna would come close to that level of protection. Any other combination is not likely to provide much protection. While it is likely the Omicron variant is less severe, it is too early to be confident in this. Even though it may be less severe, since vastly increased numbers are contracting it, the net effect in terms of absolute numbers still seem to be straining many hospitals. Thousands of flights have been cancelled worldwide because aircrews are testing positive leading to a shortage of pilots and flight attendants.
Numbers of positive tests in Zihuatanejo are probably not an accurate measure as they only test symptomatic people. In the states around 40% of positive tests are in asymptomatic patients. Although people say that masking is well followed in Zihuatanejo, our personal experience right after Thanksgiving downtown showed at most 25% of people masked. Subsequent videos showed similar numbers. Although people were outside, given the level contagion of this variant, unmasked groups, even outside, increases risk.
Should you chose to travel, I would do so only with N-95 or KN-95 masks. Well fitting surgical masks are around 65% effective. Most cloth masks are Covid theater. Indoor restaurants would not be a good idea, but luckily that’s easy enough to avoid. Walking everywhere would be safest. Taxis, with masks and open windows, would be relatively safe. I would avoid the combis with multiple people and poor air flow.
Luckily we don’t travel until mid February and are hopeful that things will be more clear by then.

I agree with everything Tim said.

We have a rental, so understand what the people you are renting from are going through. When you made the agreement to rent the place in Madera, you knew what the cancellation policy was. Everyone knows that COVID is an issue and has to make their own decisions as to whether or not they are willing to bet on the current situation when reservations are made. January and February are the, "make it or break it" months for rentals here. By cancelling this close to your dates and getting a refund, you are possibly causing the business to not survive another season. Things are very tough.

We have had to discuss what we are going to do if we have a cancellation and what we can do if a guest tests positive and has to stay longer than they had planned. That isn't a fun discussion, but it wouldn't be fun for the person involved either. It works both ways.

Good luck with your decision. Do come visit! We live here and wouldn't live anywhere else.

I feel your pain. We are booked on a flight out of Toronto on January 9th for two weeks.
As most Canadians who are considering going, we are double vaxed and boosted. As you mentioned, the biggest problem is getting home should we test positive for the virus, most likely not having any symptoms. If I understand correctly what you have written, you seem a little confused about the going home procedure. You will not be getting on a plane without a negative PCR test and upon arrival in Canada you MAY be asked to submit to another test. You immediately continue to your home where you quarantine until you receive confirmation of a negative test. This usually takes 2 -3 days. They are talking about testing everybody upon arrival at some point but have not yet done so. Should there be a cancellation of all flights to Mexico like what happened before, the airline that you flew with will be sending some planes to pick you up, asap.

We have purchased our KN95 masks which I understand work extremely well.

We have also purchased a membership in Covac Global travel services which guarantees you Covid-19 evacuation and repatriation with just a positive test and one symptom even if it is just a headache or tiredness. It is expensive but we would lose far more money not going because we too would lose all our money paid for our accommodations. It is not an option for us to stay another two weeks.

If Air Canada cancels our flight then it is what it is.
We will have to accept our fate...

I too did a great deal of due diligence..
Weighing the risks of travel with the risks of mental collapse.
And here I am...
I am an optimist and I think dwelling on the worst case scenario is a mistake. might happen, sure but then again maybe not.
I am in the old ish demographic but my immune system is robust ( I feel due to vitamins , healthy diet and moderation plus the occasional glass of wine stress inhibitor, agree or disagree it’s worked for me for the past long decades...
here you will eat fresh fruit vitamin c, seafood and fish omegas and all the vitamin D you can absorb and more! ???????? plus swimming in the ocean and daily walks on the beach!!! Health regime extraordinaire.

I’ve been here a week and my stress level plummeted. My vote is come enjoy and do whatever you’ve been doing in Canada. Also returning isn’t such a big deal yes the government is making it difficult but my understanding is we can go home and await the results.. and who knows by then they’ll just give us a rapid test kit to take home... I’ve decided to channel
Baba Ram Dass and Soy Aqui Ahora or Be Here Now
I feel very safe here.. Staff at restaurants and in the hotel are masked and all seem to be following the protocols. And I know that everyone’s happy to making a little money... it’s been an incredibly difficult year for all of us but for some way harder than others.
Happy safe travels