Nobody knows the ins and outs of Cancun transfers like the drivers whose livelihood it is to safely transport guests between the airport and their hotels. Marketing & Communications Executive Dorte Nielsen sits down with driver Gerardo May to find out more about the man behind the wheel.
With his big, contagious smile and heartfelt hospitality, 30 year-old Gerardo May is an Amstar guest’s first contact upon arrival in the tropical paradise that is Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
For the last six years, Gerardo has been responsible for seeing that tens of thousands have a wonderful vacation experience, beginning and ending with his skills and professionalism. He provides daily service between the Cancun International Airport and the many hotels located along the 13.5 mile stretch of beach known as Cancun’s Hotel Zone as well as to select hotels in the Riviera Maya.
“I love my job,” explains Gerardo.
“A smile and a thank you from a satisfied customer make my day” he adds.
The sincerity and pride with which Gerardo performs his job, while outstanding, is typical of a region so heavily influenced by the Maya culture. Indeed, visitors to Cancun and the Riviera Maya are generally overwhelmed by the level of genuine warmth and hospitality of the local people.
Married and father to a 9-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl, Gerardo grew up and founded his own family in Cancun. His parents moved to the city 20 years ago from a town called Yobain when Gerardo was just ten years old. Like many others from the small towns of the Yucatan Peninsula, the May family moved to Cancun in search of work following the tourism boom the city began to experience since its inception in the 1970’s.
Although he moved away when he was a young boy, Gerardo stills gets nostalgic when thinking about the place of his birth and where his parents got married.
The small village of Yobain is located just one hour from the charming colonial-style city of Merida, the state capital of Yucatan.
Recalling the memory of his hometown, Gerardo’s face lights up. The quaint Maya village is home to a very well-respected and renowned huesero, a sort of natural chiropractor or healer. People visit Yobain from all over to get healed by this mover of bones. No drugs. No technology. Just valuable wisdom passed down from generation to generation and great hands.
When Gerardo isn’t looking after guests’ well-being, he makes good use of his time together with his family.
“My kids really like it when I help them with their homework because I’m rarely at home to do so. In addition, both my wife and I play soccer and join our children when they have soccer training.”
The family also enjoys going to the beach. But with so many choices of great beaches to visit in Cancun, the question for Gerardo was simple:
What’s your favorite place to visit on your time off?
“Definitely Xcaret”, says Gerardo, “especially for my kids.”
This very Mexican theme park located in the Riviera Maya is the perfect combination of cultural activities, adventure and great food. With a zoo, bicycle riding, opportunities to snorkel, visit a cenote or even swim with dolphins, Xcaret offers something for the entire family. Perhaps the best is saved for last, however. Each night Xcaret organizes a spectacular show with incredible performances that highlight the history of the region.
Alas, duty calls. It’s time to say goodbye.
Gerardo is off again. Under the scorching rays of a Cancun summer sun, Gerardo eases into the driver’s seat, buckles his seat belt and gives his thanks for having taken the time to listen to him before heading off to pick up guests along the spectacular stretch of land between the Caribbean Sea and a gorgeous tropical lagoon that is Cancun’s Hotel Zone.
As he drives away, it occurs to me just how emblematic Gerardo is. Like many other drivers, representatives and customer service agents, Gerardo is the face of a company and one important reason that Amstar has been so successful in its 25 years of providing unforgettable vacation experiences at tropical paradises throughout the Caribbean.
We’d love you to share your travel experiences with Amstar. Send us your stories about some of our Amstar staff who helped to make your Caribbean trip a world-class experience.
