Great videos. Here's my experience traveling to Cancun, Mexico (after days of struggling whether to bring my new toy). I am glad I did:
Before you get there:
- Make sure you do your research of local ordinances & regulations - no matter where you fly (legal air spaces). If there is a NFZ on the list, respect it - so you do not lose your quad to local authorities. It is not worth trying to argue your point. Local authorities have power over you, not the other way.
- I called the hotel one week before arriving letting them know that I intended to fly my drone. They told me there was no problem flying in the resort areas as long as I don't fly too low, to fast, or too close to the general public. Make sure the tell the front desk as to when you plan to fly, most of the time, they just want you to enjoy the trip.
Flying there:
- Packed my MP in my carry-on along with my DSLR. Everything fit nicely in my carry-on camera bags. Batteries were tape with black electrical tape and stored in Ziploc bags. They were stored in the other carry-on luggage.
- TSA did not inquiry about my MP.
- Make sure to make a copy of your invoice just in case you have to pay a fee (of what I've read online) when arriving at Cancun. I did not have to show it at Cancun airport PHEW!
- Don't flaunt your toy. Only respond when asked. Don't take it out if you don't have to.
- If the custom agents inquiry about the drone, just say you are on vacation and would like to capture beautiful beaches and landscapes of their country so you can share it with the people back home. That will get you through the lines quickly.
Going through custom at Cancun:
- Nothing happened. They checked my passport, asked where, how long, and purpose of trip.
- When through xray machine and no questions asked (PHEW again!)
At the hotel:
- Since I wanted to catch the sunrise, I woke up early to test.
First issue: condensation on gimbal. Leaving from an A/C hotel room to the beach (80 degrees at 5 AM) created such condensation on the lens that I had to wait for a while to wipe off the excess moisture. I tried again the next day by leaving the drone in the case and left on the hotel porch for about 15 - 20 minutes for the drone to equalize with outside temperatures. That seemed to help a lot.
Second issue: High winds. I was not sure what the wind speed was, but strong enough for me to stay close to shore. However, the wind added some nice effect to the blowing palm leaves.
Third issue: sand on the beach. Since I did not carry the landing pad with me, I resorted to using one of the flat beach chairs as a landing zone. I did not want the props to stir up the sand.
The hotel staff was pleasant. One asked if he could come with me to watch me fly.
Since waking up early to catch the sunrise, there were only a few staff people and early risers on the beach making it ideal for my flights. I wish I could fly a bit further out, but the high winds kept me at bay most of the time. Oh well, I still have my MP.
Overall, I am glad I brought my MP with me to Mexico. Please note that, by no means, my experience in Mexico is considered the "norm". It can go either way. It is hard to predict how the local authorities will react. "Fly at your own risk" would be my last advise.
Good luck and keep on droning!
Watch my very first drone clips here:
