Travel for people with limited mobility: Accessible tourism
Are you planning to travel in a wheelchair or with someone with limited mobility? Accessible tourism, which prioritizes the well-being and inclusion of all travelers, will make your vacation an unforgettable experience. Are you looking for specific ideas? Here we share some tips and suggested destinations so all you have to do is live in the moment while you relax and enjoy your vacation in the accommodation that is right for you.
Top tips for traveling with a wheelchair
Plan your trip
Traveling with a wheelchair is much easier with good planning. First, make sure to choose a destination suitable for people with limited mobility. The time of the year will also determine the type of getaway and the activities you can do during your stay. In addition to preparing the wheelchair for travel, think about packing other useful accessories, such as ergonomic cushions or seat supports, as well as medication if needed, documents that prove disability, and comfortable clothing for the weather.
Within current regulations, airlines must assist customers who request it. Booking transfers to the airport, hotel, and between destinations in advance is a great way to save you time and energy. Keeping these points in mind while planning, especially on a trip with friends, will help the entire group support the person with special requirements.
Choose a hotel that adapts to you
Hotels and their readiness to accommodate functional diversity can make a huge difference to your travel experience. Iberostar hotels are designed to adapt to people with limited mobility—some have been redesigned considering accessible tourism in both the rooms and their other facilities, always maintaining the exclusivity and focus on sustainability that characterizes them. Among other amenities, several of these hotels have access ramps, beach platforms, and wheelchairs available at reception on request. Let the staff know about your requirements or those of your companion when making the reservation and upon your arrival to ensure a seamless and enjoyable stay.
Enjoy accessible places and activities
Traveling in a wheelchair does not have to be limiting. On the contrary, there is a whole universe of possibilities with places and activities yet to be discovered. Focus on these, and get ready to live unique experiences that will bring you closer to other cultures and more connected with yourself and your surroundings. You can contact a local organization working for functional diversity to get more information. Indeed, new ways of travelling like community tourism, which aims to delve into the reality of destinations while respecting local customs and ways of life are gaining more and more prominence. Dive into this philosophy through inclusive ecotourism, tours to suitable historical sites, and accessible gastronomic routes.
Make use of available technology
Generation Z travelers have it clear: technology can help simplify vacations and make accessible tourism easier. Apps can be great allies—some of the most popular, such as Google Maps, offer specific options according to different special needs, while others have been specifically created for people with functional diversity, like Accessibility Plus, which helps locate accessible points of interest nearest to a position, or Disabled Park, designed to optimize the mobility of people with motor disabilities.
Ideal destinations for people with limited mobility
Cádiz
Home to some of the best beaches in Andalusia, Spain, Cádiz is a land with a pirate soul where good weather accompanies you all year round. Here, La Barrosa beach opens to the horizon with the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park in the background and amid landscapes of dunes and pines typical of the natural parks in Andalusia. This is the idyllic (and accessible) coastal setting that awaits you if you decide to stay at the Iberostar Selection Royal Andalus or Iberostar Selection Andalusia Playa, which along with their golf club, make up an all-inclusive resort right on the seafront. Among the culinary offerings of the complex, its Cataria restaurant stands out—awarded a Sol Repsol, it modernizes the technique of grilling seafood inherited from the transoceanic expeditions of the 19th century.
Mallorca
In Mallorca, the Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa is located opposite the stunning Playa de Muro, recognized for its accessibility, pristine natural environment, and commitment to sustainability. The hotel was also remodeled in 2023, adapting to the needs of all of its guests, including those who may need to travel in a wheelchair. Everything here exudes Mediterranean energy: from its 7 pools and 10 restaurants and bars to its gardens, SPA Sensations facility, and Star Prestige area. Nearby is the S’Albufera Natural Park of Mallorca, which has an adapted bird observatory and a selection of suitable routes for people with limited mobility. And, if you feel like spending the day in Palma to complement your days of sun and beach, some monuments like “La Seu,” its famous cathedral, also have adapted accesses.
Riviera Nayarit
Tequila, or Mezal? Riviera Nayarit, a territory bathed by the Pacific Ocean and enriched by the ancestral Wixárika and Cora communities, will bear witness to your best toasts. Discover the essence of Mexico’s surprising customs, in addition to relaxing on endless beaches surrounded by lush vegetation. Iberostar Selection Playa Mita, a five-star hotel inspired by local traditions, blends exclusive attention and modernity with respect for the environment. Both the materials used in the decoration and the ingredients used in the preparation of dishes at its restaurants (which include delicious moles and tacos) have been carefully chosen with sustainability in mind. In this magical location, accessible tourism takes the form of a vacation in paradise.
Punta Cana
If you are planning to travel with a wheelchair to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, the accessibility of its long white sand beaches and turquoise waters, along with an increasingly diverse range of leisure activities, will welcome you to a haven of peace and luxury. At JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar, a top-tier accommodation complete with a butler and concierge service, you can experience getting pampered with treatments from its SPA Sensations, relaxing with a cocktail in hand by its pools or at its beach club, or discovering the fascinating kingdom of coral reefs in nearby waters. What’s more, all of its rooms are suites! The intoxicating colors and aromas of traditional Dominican food and international cuisine served at its seven restaurants will do the rest.
How to choose a hotel for traveling with a wheelchair
Once you’ve decided on the destination, the next step is to book a hotel that meets your accessible tourism requirements, but not only that: one that inspires you and makes your travel dreams come true. Our recommendation? Look into the design of the rooms as well as common areas such as restaurants, spas, swimming pools, or beach accesses. If you have any doubts, make sure to reach out to the staff. Creating a list of places near the accommodation you would also like to visit will help you broaden your perspective and mentally prepare for all aspects of your stay.
Lastly, it is also advisable to inquire about the material supports offered, such as an additional chair, aquatic platforms, support bars located in the rooms and showers, ramps to move around the complex, and peepholes installed at accessible heights in the doors so that you can travel in a wheelchair with access to all possible facilities.
