Preparing For Your Arrival
Conference Guide
Welcome! This online guide will help you prepare for Homeward and serve as a reference during your trip.
On this page, you will find information on travel planning and arrival. This is the best starting point. Next, please review each of the pages below for important and essential information about the event and what to expect.
Resort
A walkthrough of the host resorts and the food, beverages, and amenities offered to all our guests. If you have not stayed at luxury “all-inclusive” resorts in the Caribbean or attended conventions at these resorts, reviewing this information in advance will help you make the most of your time.
Program
Homeward is, first and foremost, a Christian conference with services, worship, teaching, and ministry. However, we have built into the schedule significant time for rest, fellowship, and play. On Thrill Day, we also offer off-site excursions to our guests who would like to travel outside the resort for water activities and family fun. As with everything else, these excursions are complimentary to all guests.
Childcare
An overview of our childcare program, available for children ages 1-12 during all conference sessions. Childcare will provide age-appropriate play, fellowship, and spiritually educational activities for children while adults are attending the conference.
Policies
Because our guests are joining us from many different ministry cultures and backgrounds, we believe it is helpful to articulate our guidelines and expectations to minimize confusion over common questions of etiquette and practice. To facilitate the most enriching experience for all our guests, we ask that you review these policies in advance.
What to Pack
The Setting
Cancun is an extremely tropical climate. Guests will be spending a significant amount of time both outdoors and indoors. The Conference Center is air-conditioned to 68-72 F (19-21 C) at all times. Outdoor temperatures are typically 80-95 F (27-35 C) with high humidity.
Clothing
We request elegant casual attire for conference sessions. Guests used to very warm weather will want a light sweater or long-sleeve shirt when attending services. Wet swimsuits are not permitted in the ballroom.
Children attending childcare will be outdoors during the day and indoors in the evenings. Swimsuits are required during daytime sessions, and children should be dressed comfortably and warmly in the evenings. Please note we do not provide diapers (including swim diapers), and children should have sunscreen applied prior to arriving at childcare if sunscreen is desired.
Certain restaurants on the property require smart casual attire (no beachwear, flip flops, tank tops, or shorts) in the evenings. Additionally, we will host an early evening welcome reception and dinner on the first day.
There are no shortage of water activities on the property, including pools for adults and kids, and the ocean, which is directly accessible from the pool area. It is not necessary to bring water shoes for the beach. Due to recent weather events in Cancun, the beach and ocean are extremely smooth with perfectly soft sand and minimal if any rocks. Additionally, if you are interested in joining an off-site excursion, see the Excursions page for additional guidance on what to bring.
Money
Almost all food and activities, including room service, are complimentary. There may be select food items and souvenirs which require an additional cost. You may opt to bring cash for these types of expenses. The local currency is the Mexican Peso and can be obtained through several exchanges when you arrive at Cancun International Airport. The resort also accepts all major credit cards. However, we have covered all reasonably anticipated expenses and there is no need to bring or convert cash for most guests.
Personal Items
Because the resort is located in an isolated beachfront complex, guests should not expect to be able to shop for things on-site. There is a small resort-run store on-site with common items (swimwear, sun screen, etc.); and there will be a trip to the mall available on Thrill Day. However, guests should plan to bring any personal items they need - like diapers, swim diapers, contacts, toiletries, clothing, etc.
Travel Preparations
Travel Documents
Please ensure everyone in your family has their passport and visa (if required). Please see the Travel section of our website and check with your local Mexican embassy if you need to verify your requirements.
If you require a visa to enter Mexico or will be transiting through the United States, please be prepared with a printed copy of your full itinerary including the return flight. Immigration agents may deny entry if you cannot produce proof of return travel.
Baggage
Please check your airline’s baggage guidelines and plan to purchase baggage if needed. If your trip includes 2+ airlines, you may not be able to check baggage as you may not have time to (or can’t do so if you cannot legally enter a country you are transiting through).
Flights
Check all of your flights now and again a day before departure as flight times often change as departures approach and airlines adjust their schedules. Our travel team will be monitoring all inbound flights, so there is no need to contact us in the event of a delay. However, do contact us if your flight is cancelled and/or rebooked to a different flight.
24 Hours Before
Check in for your flight(s) and print boarding passes prior to travel, especially if you are flying multiple airlines. It is possible that you may not be able to access airline check-in desks at your transit airports, so all boarding passes should be printed in advance of travel.
Entering Mexico
The customs office at Cancun International Airport is used to processing millions of incoming tourism passengers, so the process is both professional and efficient. Please have your passport, visa (if relevant), and a copy of your return flight and Homeward invitation. Your address in Mexico is the Hilton Cancun, and the purpose of your visit should be marked as “tourism”.
Upon entry, you will receive an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) - which may be digital (QR code) or physical. You must keep the FMM for the entire duration of your stay in Mexico. We will require a copy of your FMM at check-in. If you were given a QR code, we can print a copy for you.
Arrivals on August 5 or 6
Airport Hotel
Guests arriving on August 5 or 6 to Cancun International Airport will receive complimentary accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Cancun Airport until August 7. The hotel is easy walking distance from the airport.
Terminal 2 & 3 - Guests may walk across the street to the hotel from outside the terminal.
Terminal 4 - Guests may take the free terminal shuttle from outside the terminal to Terminal 2 and then walk across the street to the hotel.
Upon arrival at the airport hotel, proceed to check-in with the front desk. If there are any issues, please contact us on Facebook Messenger at m.me/alabgrp or our Travel Team.
Guests departing after August 13 may also receive accommodations at the airport hotel at the conclusion of Homeward.
Conference Hotel
Guests may begin arriving at the conference hotel, the Hilton Cancun, on the morning of August 7. For guests arriving 1-2 days early, we will provide a complimentary shuttle service from the airport hotel to the conference hotel from 8 AM - 11 AM.
One of our team members will greet you in the lobby of the airport hotel and be available to answer any questions. The drive from the airport hotel to the conference hotel will take approximately 15 minutes.
Contact Us
For any emergency needs during travel, we will be reachable during all United States daytime business hours at Facebook Messenger at m.me/alabgrp.
We will be monitoring all guests’ inbound flights and will be aware of delays. However, if you switch flights entirely (for instance, due to a missed connection or cancelled flight), please notify us immediately.