All Inclusive Mexico - Need Advice

[TheShaun]

Hello,

I've just booked a one week all inclusive to the Riviera Maya in two weeks time. This is our first trip to Mexico and our first all inclusive. What are some of your tips and tricks to making a better experience?

Cash. How much and which currency?
What about safety and security of myself and my belongings?

Thanks,

S.

 

[stobes21]

Don't bother with Pesos, everyone prefers dollars. Just figure out the rough exchange rate before you go and convert the currency yourself and pay with dollars. As for how much -- depends on what you are doing. If it's an all-inclusive then you really don't need it except for trips off the resort grounds or for souvenirs, etc.

Make sure if you're taking cabs that they are properly licensed cabs. Have your hotel call for them. Preferably, at least in getting to and from the airport, use the hotel-provided transport.

Carry a photocopy of your passport rather than the original, which should be in the safe in your hotel room.

Stick to well traveled areas if you leave the resort. Stay in a group, be aware of your surroundings, etc. Only carry the cash you think you need. Memorize or write down the number for your hotel in case something happens.

If you get a rental car be very careful when driving as the cops love to pull over american tourists. Particularly when you're on your way back to the airport. The standard scam is to give you a ticket, tell you that you have to go to court on it, no way to do it by mail, etc. Of course you can pay the "fine" in cash on the side of the road there. The fine will be whatever cash you have on you.

 

[TheShaun]

Thanks for the reply. The package I booked includes transport to and from the airport. I have no interest to leave the resort, at this time anyway. Guess I'm mostly concerned about cash for tipping, and the safety of my belongings in the room. Is the room safe safe?

 

[Go West Young Man]

Have you booked the hotel already? Pay close attention to the reviews of the food and restaurants - nothing is as unpleasant as being forced to eat lousy food for a week straight. Pay a bit more for a place that offers good food.

You'll need lots of singles in American currency to tip, but if you're not leaving the resort that won't be a big issue. Most of the services there don't require tips, you just settle with the maids, bellhops, etc on your last day.

And definitely leave the resort! Rent a car and check out the local ruins. Go swimming in cenotes - trust me on this one! Hang out in downtown Tulum for drinks and dinner. Rent bikes and explore the big nature preserve there. Just stay away from prepackaged bus tours, you'll end up spending as much time in the driver's brother's jewelery shop getting the hard sell as anything else.

 

[Mink]

Your hotel can take care of day trips including transportation and food if needed. You absolutely must go snorkeling at least once. I'm assuming your not scuba certified. There are day scuba trips for non-certified, but the shorkeling is so cheap and fun. Make sure it's guided because they can take you right to the best parts of the reef - schools of fish of all colors, turtles, eels, etc....all of it, very cool. Have a great time.

 

[TheShaun]

Is there any point in bringing pesos? Is visa widely accepted?

 

[LinuxMintyFresh]

I've stayed all inclusive in Mexico with a large group of friends twice, each for a week. Here are some of the things we learned:

Get fare quotes before you get in a cab. They will almost always overcharge you, unless you call them on it too, so don't be afraid to walk away and ask another cabbie.

Find a good bartender/ server, and tip that one person very well. Keep going back to them. They will make sure that you have a good time all week if they think that you'll keep tipping. Our chosen bartenders were able to sneak us after-hour drinks (there is a cutoff time), tell us which places really are best to travel, put on a very fun show while serving drinks, etc.

Even if your resort says that "tips are included" in the bill, you really should still tip. It'll make you're stay more pleasant as the staff will be friendlier.

Book your day-trip plans on the first day. Stick to the itinerary for maximum fun time.

You may know this, but some of the nicer restaurants at all inclusive resorts will require you make reservations at least a day in advance. I suggest you make these all on the first day.

Use the concierge that your travel company provides to book your excursions. They are usually right in line with the prices of other companies, but even if they aren't you have them on-site and you have an organization to blame should you have an issue of not like it.

Use Dollars, pesos aren't as appealing. A few shops within the tourist laden areas will take visa, but I would bring a healthy supply of cash directly from the US as it is always preferred. Besides, most of the people you meet will not be set up for anything but cash. If you need to use the ATM any transaction from Mexico will be costly.

 

[TheShaun]

One week stay. 50 1's for two people enough? plus $100 in other bills?

 

[Austin]

Is there any point in bringing pesos? Is visa widely accepted?

Your hotel can exchange currency as well as act as an ATM but check out the exchange rates. They tend to be unfavorable.

 

[LinuxMintyFresh]

One week stay. 50 1's for two people enough? plus $100 in other bills?

$150 is probably not going to be enough. You're looking at tips for a 3 meals each day plus drinks (though you technically don't have to tip. We met several Europeans that refused.), $10 each way for cab fares to downtown, any food you get while in town, souvenirs, any little thing you forgot (including floss, toothpaste, asprin, gum, whatever), guided excursions will cost you $100+ per person if you choose to use them.