Traveling tips to Mexico
 

Were are going to Mexico on Monday June 11th. We were never there before. Does anyone have any travel tips for us? Were staying in Rivera Maya

Hi fulcer101

Yes. Post this on the Latin American board.

Have Fun
GP

Ask your doctor to give you something to take in case of stomach upset.

Be wary of men in service industries who call you, "amigo."

Make sure you are given all your bags when you take a van from air port to hotel.

There are good, comfortable first-class busses to most destinations in Mexico. Use them to visit other places.

Remember to use the bottled water to brush your teeth.

Call your credit card and debt card companies and tell them when you will be using the card in Mexico. While you are on the phone, get a telephone number for them that you may use from outside the US. The 800 number will not work from Mexico.

Call your insurance company and ask what you need to know if you are ill or injured in Mexico. Also get a telephone number that will work for them.

Keith

plan to get pesos with your atm card. travelers cheques are very difficult to use. somse places will take cards others do not.
some restaurants convert to the dollar for you some give your bill in pesos. so don't freak out if you see a bill for $1446.32.
try to snorkel at yal-ku lagoon in akumal.
get to tulum ruins as early as possible to avoid the heat and get a guide. sat is good as most vacationers are traveling on weekends.
xel-ha eco marine park is wonderful. we spent a full day there. they have a sister park called x-caret which is bigger and busier. also directly across rte.307 from xel-ha are the xel-ha ruins. very small, self-guided but you can walk in the ruins and touch them (which you can not do at tulum) and there are some outstanding painting on the wall of the structure nearest the highway. mind the ant trails.
take a look at www.locogringo.com if you have not already.
where are you staying?

Grand Palladium in the white sands. We are staying in the area for adults only. Did anyone get a calling card when they were there?

Take a walking tour

Travel off-season

Rent a beach-front house, no to hotels

Savor the local flavor, not expensive international stuff

Book round trip

Book last minute or book well in advance

Tour the natural attractions

Hi fulcer,

it would be easier to give you hints if we knew more about where you're staying. For instance, if you're staying in a large resort, they may have a filtered water system, and it may be easier to purchase items you need there. If you are staying at the village of Akumal, I would suggest you stop in Cancun for supplies since the grocery store in Akumal is outrageously expensive.

Mexico is not the USA. Things may not be as perfect there as you would expect. Don't get bent out of shape about it. Be polite to local people, including vendors. They are likely hardworking with families and just trying to make a living. However, feel free to abuse American timeshare salesmen. They are slime.

YOu will be fine at the Palladium. They will have filtered water in the bars and restaurants and will provide bottled water in your room.
It is a BIG resort with a lot to do. Have fun.

we had a heck of a time with calls to the states. ended up using the caretaker for our villa's cell phone and just paying him. i assume palladium will have a system. or use internet cafe.