gracie

DH and I are staying at the Grand Riviera Princess Suites over Labor Day Weekend. As we will only have two full days at the resort, we only want to take one tour. DH is claustrophobic and would NOT want to go on any underground water tours, whether it be swimming underground, snorkeling underground or floatng on a raft underground. I don't think he even wants to snorkel in open water. So, I would hate to pay for a tour that includes something he cannot participate in.

We are considering a trip to Tulum, swimming with Dolphins, or a zipline. We did a zipline in Jamaica a few years ago and we loved that.

We are in our mid - late 50's, and in decent, but not great, shape.

Any suggestions? Tours to avoid?

Thank you

suze

I would just avoid all tours where they plan a series of activities for you. Just choose some things that interest you and do them on your own (hire a taxi, take a bus, or rental car).

If you loved the ziplines, that's certainly a good option.

Or go see one of the ruins (ancient Mayan sites) are above-ground and in open space.

jamie99

Tulum would be nice, take a taxi or colectivo to the ruins, payment is in pesos only, about 59 pesos last I looked. Then you could take a taxi to one of the beach clubs (I like Ziggy's at Cabanas Tulum). You can use their beds and loungers as long as you eat and drink there, clean restrooms. Taxi from ruins should be about 100 pesos (do not use USD, taxi drivers will only give a 10-1 exchange rate, real rate is about 12.5 or more).

gracie

Thank you, Suze and Jamie99. Your responses lead me to more questions. We are staying at an All Inclusive, so all meals and drinks, plus transportation to and from the airport, are included in the price of the package. However, we like to tip the drivers, servers, attendants, bar tenders, housekeepers, etc, daily, but it had not occurred to me to tip in pesos. Would you think the resort employees would would prefer pesos over U. S. dollars? And, since we may take a taxi or colectivo to the ruins, we would need more pesos for that. How much do you think we should exchange for a three night stay? Where would the best place be to exchange the dollars to pesos? Airport?

Thanks, again for your advice.

suze

Yes I would get peso for tipping and for local transportation (or any shopping, grabbing a beverage when you are out off the resort, etc.).

The most economical way to get peso is using your debit card at a bank ATM after you arrive Mexico. First opportunity would be the airport.

But you can also take USD and exchange it (not at the airport, those are always a rip-off when you're doing cash to cash). Rather use a "cambio" in town somewhere or your resort front desk might even do it.

Or before you leave... many banks have a service where you can order them in advance and pick them up at your local branch. There is often a fee and never a great exchange rate, but this is convenient and could work.

It's hard to guess an amount. Maybe $300USD worth? which would give you almost $4000peso.

If you ran out you could carry USD $1's and $5's and go ahead and use them for tipping.

gracie

Thanks, Suze.

suze

Happy to help. I mostly know Puerto Vallarta, where I vacation every year, but I'm pretty sure these things hold for the "other side" too. Enjoy your trip!

colokid

Taxi, colectivo, bus drivers are not tipped.

kja

Yes, use pesos, not US dollars. Get them from an ATM. Do NOT tip when tipping is not expected, and do not overtip -- follow the "when in Rome" rule. ANY decent guidebook should spell out the norms for tipping, how to get local currency, etc. I found the Moon Guide particularly helpful for the area.

Enjoy!

Rohelio

While tipping is optional for taxis you most certainly do not tip colectivos or bus drivers. Be aware that in many restaurants, especially beach bars, the tip is already added to the total. You need to ask and also check on the bill itself, if the tip is included in the price you obviously refrain. Tip, in Spanish is 'propina'. The best place to get Pesos is at the bank machine, if not, you need to resort to 'Cambios' that are manned as the ATM machines in Mexico are notorious for breaking down. You should also refrain from the machines at the airport as the rate is higher than in town. The exchange rate varies from one station to the next so try to compare. Seeing as you are vacationing in an AI and for 3 days only, I believe that 100.00 US is more than enough. As for the actual tour is concerned, you can pay the operator or representative in US as they readily accept American.

suze

<You should also refrain from the machines at the airport as the rate is higher than in town.>

That is not true. Bank ATM machines give the same rate of exchange regardless of their location. It's the exchange booth (where there are people at a window you walk up to) at the airport that has the less favorable rates.

suze

Custom is you only tip taxi drivers if they do something special, like help with your luggage. People do tip drivers when it's part of a tour or a private driver you've hired, something like that. Definitely not for the collectivos or public bus.

Rohelio

Suze...you should be carefull before correcting someone. The ATM machines at the airport are not Bank affiliated machines but standalone devices that charge for each transaction. If you have ever been anywhere near the Cancun airport (which you have not)you would clearly understand. Once again, you are giving out false info about things and places that you have NEVER been or seen. I know you mean well but you are misleading the person asking the question. You often comment and advice people about the Yucatan Peninsula... yet you admit never having been anywhere else but PV. Sorry, but I just think it's right !

suze

I clearly said **Bank ATM machines** give the same rate of exchange regardless of location.

If the Cancun airport has no BANK ATMs an only those stand-alone (rip-off) kiosk types... then yes I do apologize.

That is surprising because I have never seen an international airport anywhere with only non-bank machines.

suze

Rohelio,

This is from Trip Advisor Cancun forum. So you are saying it is incorrect information?

<<Santander (Bank) ATMs in Terminal 2 & 3>>

jamie99

Try and tip in pesos, most workers work 10 per day, six days a week, this saves them a trip to the bank or a cambio. Hoard your small bills, they are hard to come by, if the front desk cannot exchange for small bills, try the bartenders.
I agree with using a bank ATM machine, but be SURE and notify your bank that you will be in Mexico and what dates so they do not freeze your card for suspected fraud. In May I stupidly forgot my ATM and credit cards and had to exchange at a cambio and the rate was much lower than an ATM would have given me.

gracie

Thanks, again, for all the responses. I called my two credit card companies today to notify them of my travel plans. I learned that my Viss card does charge an international transaction fee and some interest rate on international purchases. However, my MasterCard doesn't charge any fee.

I also called my bank, and notified them of my travel plans. I asked about ordering Mexican currency ahead of time, but they do not offer that service, and I doubt any other financial institution in our area will, as we live in a small town.

suze

You'll be fine. No worries.

Take some USD to exchange (20's work best, rather than large bills). Also take a pile of $1's and some $5's you can use for tipping in a pinch.

I don't use a charge card in Mexico (except to pay the hotel bill) because of unfortunate problems with scams, cloning, etc.

gracie

We will probably only use the credit card to pay for a tour. In the past, we have only booked our tours through the folks that have tables set up at the AI's. Since we will only be in Mexico for three nightos, I don't expect to leave the AI except for one tour. I don't plan on any shopping, other maybe picking up some inexpensive (hopefully) souvenirs for my secretary and adult step children.

kja

Some US airports also have bank ATMs from which you can withdraw foreign currency. If you bank is part of a system (e.g., the CIRRUS system), you can check on-line to find locations that might work for you.