Give me advice about going to Mexico

[polevaultpower]

It's kind of a long story, but when I was engaged I entered a bunch of contests... well Lukas and I won a free trip to Mexico. A legit one, not one of those time share/cutlery scams.

We're going in about a month and staying at this hotel: http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Riviera-May ... 3_117.html

It works out nice... we had to take a really short honeymoon locally because Lukas was supposed to have some job-related training the Wednesday after the wedding... but then that got cancelled. So we were going to do a longer one in the winter, but he got laid off and we can't afford it (though I am sure the taxes we are going to owe on this prize will not be cheap).


So give me some tips about going to Mexico! I've been to Europe and Canada, but I have never been south of the border.

[gh]

I was in Cancún last year for 10 days and it was utterly fabulous. Whole area caters to tourism and the people are as nice as nice can be and level of English spoken very high (at least places I went).

That looks like nice joint you're going to. Is it "all inclusive"? Most decent places in that part of the world seem to be. Meaning that you get a bracelet when you walk in the front door and from then on just about everything in the place is free. Were you lucky enough to win something that complete?

If not, be sure to get the prices for dining in the hotel. It could be a shocker.

How are you getting from the airport to the hotel? That could also be pricey; they know a captive audience when they see one.

When we flew into Cancún we were warned to watch out for all the timeshare hawkers. They're prohibited by law from actually approaching you, but when you go from baggage to the street you have to walk a gauntlet of dozens of them in their kiosks. Just ignore them completely; don't even ask for the time of day. Get transport from the official stand out front. Get roped in by the hawkers and while you may get free ride to your hotel it will be after a long while.

Take lots of one-dollar bills... tipping w/ American money gets you more bang for your buck (npi).

[jhc68]

I think gh is right, your biggest unknown will be getting from the airport to the hotel and back. Almost certainly the hotel can arrange for a shuttle. You won't have to know any Spanish to function in Cancun. Take a lot of sunscreen in your check on bags and stay hydrated with bottled water, beer and margaritas. That is all.

[polevaultpower]

That looks like nice joint you're going to. Is it "all inclusive"? Most decent places in that part of the world seem to be. Meaning that you get a bracelet when you walk in the front door and from then on just about everything in the place is free. Were you lucky enough to win something that complete?

Yes, it is all-inclusive, and the resort has fabulous reviews on TripAdvisor.com! I think it is one of three hotels in a complex owned by the same company, and your bracelet lets you dine/swim/whatever at all of them.

How are you getting from the airport to the hotel? That could also be pricey; they know a captive audience when they see one.

That is supposed to be included with everything, obviously I will make sure I am really clear on the details before we leave.

Take lots of one-dollar bills... tipping w/ American money gets you more bang for your buck (npi).

Thanks for the tip!

[polevaultpower]

BTW, if anyone is wondering, here is the contest we won: http://www.allabouthoneymoons.com/index ... weepstakes

It's updated with the prize for the next winner.

This one reflects the prize we won and will presumably have our picture on it at some point (I sent one in to them already): http://www.weddingsolutions.com/honeymoon-sweepstakes/

[MJR]

Brush your teeth & rinse the toothbrush w/ bottled water, nothing from the sink no matter how safe they say it is. Most places are not even trying to use ice, but avoid it and anything uncooked (fruit & veggies). If you're taking a taxi anywhere you can haggle the price down. The taxis sitting outside the hotel lobby will always try to overcharge, especially if you're a gringo.

[BillVol]

Looks like you all are going to be roughing it, Becca!

Never been to the island. But just relax and enjoy your trip. Mexican people are friendly people. You will have no worries on your trip.

[gh]

Brush your teeth & rinse the toothbrush w/ bottled water, nothing from the sink no matter how safe they say it is. Most places are not even trying to use ice, but avoid it and anything uncooked (fruit & veggies). If you're taking a taxi anywhere you can haggle the price down. The taxis sitting outside the hotel lobby will always try to overcharge, especially if you're a gringo.

I'll deny having said it when you're losing your lunch, one way or another, but my experience is that water fears are largely unfounded most places I've ever been, and that includes Mexico. I wouldn't drink tap water, given that they tend to provide you with unlimited bottle, but brushing teeth and ice cubes..... nah!

[tandfman]

I stayed at a hotel a few years ago in Eastern Europe where the hotel told you not to use the tap water in the bathroom for brushing ones teeth. I took their word for it. Generally, though, if I'm staying in a good, modern hotel, I don't worry about that. I still won't drink tap water anywhere in the world where I haven't lived. But unless I'm specifically warned about using water for brushing teeth, I figure that's safe.

[AthleticsInBritain]

I've not been, but I've plenty of friends who've lived in Mexico and Central America. Every single one of them said learn at least a few basic phrases in Spanish. Although all my pals were living in villages upcountry where 'coca-cola' is about the only 'English' phrase spoken. If you're in the resorts there's less need for it. Still, it's only polite to learn a little bit if you're visiting a foreign country.

[Cooter Brown]

I've always heard that if you eat yogurt with added probiotics for a few weeks before travel, it'll substantially reduce the risk of Montezuma's Revenge.

Don't know if that's a fact or not.

[jhc68]

Well, I have traveled in Mexico and Central America maybe 30 times and, in my experience, with an inclusive package at a 5-star hotel in Cancun, I would have no concern at all about food, bottled-water, ice or Spanish. I'd still prefer not to drink tap water but in reality it is probably safe.

Traveling anywhere south of the border it is really useful to know as much Spanish as possible, but by the looks of the hotel website, you'll find very little difference between this resort and one in the Bahamas or Hawaii where English is the base language.

[bijanc]

Iberostar in Cancun

I'm a travel writer, and our group had lunch at your hotel. It's wonderfully Vegasesque, in a Disney-meets-Ben Hur kind of way. It has great views, a top notch golf course with deep grass bunkers the size of lunar craters, and the other properties there all follow grandiose themes such as Mayan and Roman.

I had no digestion , altitude, or water issues while there, but did drink bottled H20. I'm headed back in early March, to a greener hotel (we stayed at the Gran Melia Cancun last time). The folks are friendly, the area is rich w/ history. For activitites, take a day trip to Xcaret (equal parts zoo, theme park, entertainment center and shopping trip), and one to Coba, where you can climb 13-story pyramid ruin Noloch Mul. Vans will take you from hotel, maybe 1:30 ride- both places serve food. Go visit the Alltournative site, where you can zipline, rock climb and swim in an underwater cave.

[Pego]

I stayed at a hotel a few years ago in Eastern Europe where the hotel told you not to use the tap water in the bathroom for brushing ones teeth. I took their word for it. Generally, though, if I'm staying in a good, modern hotel, I don't worry about that. I still won't drink tap water anywhere in the world where I haven't lived. But unless I'm specifically warned about using water for brushing teeth, I figure that's safe.

What country was it?

[BillVol]

Re: Iberostar in Cancun

I'm a travel writer, and our group had lunch at your hotel. It's wonderfully Vegasesque, in a Disney-meets-Ben Hur kind of way. It has great views, a top notch golf course with deep grass bunkers the size of lunar craters, and the other properties there all follow grandiose themes such as Mayan and Roman.

I had no digestion , altitude, or water issues while there, but did drink bottled H20. I'm headed back in early March, to a greener hotel (we stayed at the Gran Melia Cancun last time). The folks are friendly, the area is rich w/ history. For activitites, take a day trip to Xcaret (equal parts zoo, theme park, entertainment center and shopping trip), and one to Coba, where you can climb 13-story pyramid ruin Noloch Mul. Vans will take you from hotel, maybe 1:30 ride- both places serve food. Go visit the Alltournative site, where you can zipline, rock climb and swim in an underwater cave.

You do you write for, bij?