I will try to introduce you to the finer points of traveling to Cancun Mexico. Please keep in mind that what I print today may change tomorrow. Also, these are my opinions and remember, opinions are like noses, everyone has one. I will try to keep this updated as much as possible under the circumstances and it is people like you who can help me. Any questions before you leave or comments upon your return can be sent to SoOfBorder@AOL.Com
NOTE:
In this brochure, I will mention various cautions, warnings etc. Do not feel like you are in a country out to get you, rip you off or mug you. Mexico is probably one of the safer countries you can travel in. Yes, you have to be cautious anywhere you travel but Mexico does not deserve the bad rap that you hear so much about. Violent crime in Mexico is almost unheard of and most crimes there are of the petty type. I will touch on precautions to take later in this booklet.
Please keep in mind that Mexico is a third-world country (and don't let that scare you) and Cancun is one of the most modern cities in the country. It was created after information was fed into a computer to determine the best location for a resort area for Americans. Because of that intent, Cancun is more American than any other resort in Mexico. 25 years ago, this area was a banana plantation inhabited by about 45 Mestizos. Mexico has different rules, different laws, different customs, different language, different currency, and different modes of transportation and so on. I have traveled there often and have yet to encounter my first problem. The more you know what to expect, the more you will enjoy your vacation. Just as an example, you may feel ignored at the end of the meal while just sitting there waiting for your check. The Mexicans feel that they are rushing you if they give you the bill before you ask for it. "Por favor Senor, la cuenta" will bring the bill. Try it in Spanish (they like for you to try it) or English will be just fine. The Mexicans have a saying that "They will not laugh at your Spanish, if you do not laugh at their English".
I would like to state at this time that Cancun is not one of my favorite places to visit in Mexico. Don't get me wrong, Cancun is a very fun place, beautiful beaches, fine dining, great shopping etc.. It's just that I like the Mexican flavor I find in so many other places down there. Of my 28 trips to Mexico, I have been to Cancun probably 8 or 10 times.
Entering the Country:
The best documentation you can take with you is a passport, but the minimum I recommend is a birth certificate issued from the county where you were born. You now need an original copy of the certificate and it must have the raised notary seal imprinted on it. The immigration people should be able to rub their thumbnail over the seal and feel it. Do not use a Photostat copy with a notary seal as I have seen people denied entry into the country for using them. However, in many areas, in Chicago for instance, official birth certificates have an official STAMP, and NO RAISED SEAL. In that case, the document would be accepted. Voter registration cards were accepted at one time as a means of entering the country but are no longer accepted at many ports of entry. See photo ID below.
If you do not have a passport, you will need a recent photo ID such as a drivers license along with your birth certificate. Anyone who does not have a drivers license, can obtain an official photo ID from the local state automobile registration office. Here in Ohio, they cost $7.50.
In recent times, customs is asking for a copy of the marriage certificate of the wife, if she is traveling on her birth certificate. This allows them to have a paper trail of name changes from the birth certificate to the drivers license. You may Photostat that document and reduce in size as necessary. If the woman was twice married, she will need copies of both, etc.
IMPORTANT:
If you are taking a minor child into Mexico and if either of you are not the natural parents, or only one parent is traveling with the child/children, please heed. Divorce, adoption, single parent, grandparent etc can make a big difference. You will have to produce notarized documentation to the authorities that you have permission to travel with the child/children. Keep this documentation on your person at all times while in Mexico. Please see your travel agent for more information. Many US airlines won't even let you board your flight if you don't have this documentation.
Mexican Tourist Card:
Either at the airport here in the states or aboard the aircraft, you will be given a Mexican tourist card. It is a very simple form to fill out but it is very important. Each person must have one filled out in his or her name. Be sure to sign the back of both copies of the form. You will need to show this form at the immigration desk along with your proof of citizenship (passport-birth certificate-picture ID). It is said that you must carry this card on your person while in Mexico. I recommend that if you are going to a resort area, place it in a safe place until needed. You need this card to leave the country also. Put this and all your valuable papers, extra money etc. in the safety deposit box at your hotel. Once you clear immigration, you should not need this card until departure. DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD.
Arriving at the Cancun Airport:
Immigration: Entering Mexico is handled about the same no matter where you enter. Upon arrival in Mexico, you will first go through immigration. This is a very simple process if you have everything in order. Here, they will check your identification papers and stamp your tourist card. Very simple and short. Take the necessary time at this point to put these papers away as you will not need them again until you depart the country.
From there, you will try to find your luggage. Yes, I said you would try to find your luggage. For instance, they will tell you that your luggage from the flight will be on turnstile number 2. Some of it may be and some not. Just look around the other turnstiles and you will find it.
TIP: Because most luggage looks alike and you use it so little, here is a trick I use for easy identification. Tie a colorful piece of ribbon or yarn to the handle of the suitcase. It is amazing how far off you can then identify your luggage. I also travel with a carry on piece of luggage with a change of clothes in it just in case.
TIP: While someone waits for the luggage, have one person in your party while you are in this area, look for a counter or individuals handing out copies of a book called "Cancun Tips". This book is free and is loaded with things to do, restaurants, tours, discount coupons etc. This book is very hard to come-by once you leave the airport. Once in a while you can find them downtown but there is no guarantee.
TIP: Do not exchange your American dollars before you leave the states or at the airport. Everyone will accept American dollars all the way to your hotel and the exchange rate is much better from that point on. I keep a few American one dollar bills handy for tips, a beer on your bus (yes, they sell beer on the way to your hotel) and things of that sort. For less bulk, get some $2.00 bills at your bank; the Mexicans get a kick out of them, too.
CUSTOMS: Once you leave immigration, and pick up your luggage, you will enter the Customs area. This is another simple process. First, have all your luggage for you and your entire party together. Husband, wife and kids, then the next group etc. You will enter as a family group and there will be a device there that looks like your average traffic signal. Only one person in your group will have to push a button at this point and if the light changes to green, welcome to Mexico. Just continue on. If the light turns red, they pull you aside for a short look inside your luggage. Do Not Panic. On all my trips to Mexico, I have only been checked twice and it takes less than five minutes. You will not miss your transportation to your hotel because of it. If it happens, be polite and courteous and everything will be just fine.
TIP: Under no circumstances, bring illegal drugs into Mexico. I'm sure you have heard that Mexico is doing nothing to stop the drug trade, WRONG!!! You may even be stopped at roadblocks while traveling the countryside but I will touch on that later. Mexico has Napoleonic law. That is, you are guilty until proven innocent. (Even in a traffic accident). If, you are ever involved with the law, you are locked up, go to trial and if found guilty of possessing drugs, a mandatory 20 years in a Mexican prison. DO NOT DO IT!!!
Tip: Don't bring fresh fruit into the country. It will be confiscated and your luggage searched, and you have to fill out many forms.Leaving the airport area: As you depart the Customs area, you will find your transportation to the hotel zone. If you are on a tour package, they will be carrying signs and so forth to identify your hotel. The bus or van you ride in may have stops at various hotels on the way to yours, but just hang in there.
TIP: When you arrive at your hotel and there are a lot of other tourists getting off at the same hotel, have one individual stay with the luggage and arrange for a porter and so forth. One other individual should go immediately to the check-in desk and start that procedure. This will do several things in your favor. If the hotel has overbooked, (does happen) chances are you will get your room and someone at the end of the line gets bumped. Secondly, you can negotiate for a better room. Thirdly, they are not known for their speed so I have seen times where I have checked in, cleaned up, changed into my trunks, hit the beach and was enjoying my favorite beverage while other people in our group were still checking in.
TIP: When checking in, listen carefully: They may ask "Do you want a room with a water view". If you answer yes, you usually end up overlooking the lagoon. Be sure to specify an "Ocean View" room.
PESOS: Wait until you get to Mexico, and preferably your hotel before you exchange pesos. The rates down there (except the airport) are much better than you will find here. Please study and understand this part of my info sheet as many tourists don't understand this and end up giving their money away and can't understand why Mexico is so expensive.
The value of the peso floats (changes value daily) but usually not enough to cause concern on a day to day basis. At this time, the peso is rising and falling between 9.0 and 10.0 pesos to the American dollar. This rate can be found in the business section of our newspapers Tuesday through Saturday to keep you up to date.
Remember, even if you give someone American dollars down there, your change will usually be in pesos. You are in Mexico, use pesos. I have seen tourists act like idiots because they did not want to use "their funny money". Remember, you are in their country. I'm quite sure you would not accept Canadian coins here, why expect the same down there? I understand that it is becoming more popular for the Mexicans to give you change in dollars rather than pesos when you use the American dollar. I would get use to using pesos, because if you travel far from Cancun, they may not have American dollars for change.
Mexican peso amounts are written exactly like we do it. $56.00 is 56 pesos. Do not get confused. If in doubt, ask, because a few establishments will mark their goods in American dollars. They do try to make it plain to you that it is marked in American dollars. If a mistake is made, it is usually our fault. When paying in pesos and figuring how much to tip in a restaurant, just take the same percentage of the peso amount as you would at home for a dollar amount--no need to convert pesos to dollars to figure the tip.
To convert pesos to dollars, take the peso price (cost of the item) and divide by the value. (value of the peso that day) As an example, let's say the peso is at 8.0 pesos to the American dollar and you want to purchase something marked $48. Just divide 48 by 8 and the price in dollars is $6.00. It is not complicated, just take your time.
Examples: Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate
8.0 8.5 9.0 9.5 10.0
Dollars Pesos Pesos Pesos Pesos Pesos
$1.00 8.0 8.5 9.0 9.5 10.0
$5.00 40.0 42.5 45.0 47.5 50.0
$10.00 80.0 85.0 90.0 95.0 100.0
$25.00 200.0 212.5 225.0 237.5 250.0
$100.00 800.0 850.0 900.0 950.0 100.0
TIP: Make a copy of this chart or cut it out and keep it with you down there. It can be very hectic when you start to bargain for something.
You can exchange your dollars at the hotel, almost any store or at Cambios (money changing booths downtown) Each one will have their rates posted and they are quite fair about it. It's your option on where you want to exchange.
TIP: I not only suggest that you use travelers checks, I recommend that you use a well-known name in the travelers check business. American Express is known around the world. Corky's Credit Union Travelers Checks are known by you and Corky. Chances are they will not be cashed down there. They are also very suspicious of the new $100.00 dollar bill.
To cash a travelers check, you will need a photo ID. I usually cash just enough for the that days activities at any one time. Don't be the ugly American and flash a lot of money in front of the Mexicans. When planning a trip off the island, carry a lot of small Mexican pesos. I have been to villages down there where the entire village could not change a $20 peso bill. Use common sense.
Shopping: If you are in a store that has the prices marked on each item, it is NOT common practice to bargain for a better price. If in a market area, go for it. I usually offer 1/2 of what they are asking and usually settle for about 3/4 of the original asking price. These people do not forget you even after seeing thousands of tourists a day. For instance, I wanted a large item one time and he started at something like $850 pesos. I offered $425 and kept walking. The next day, he seen me and pointed to the object and shouted $800 and I said no gracias and responded with $475. This went on for a couple trips through the market and we finally agreed on a price that was fair to him.
TIP: When bargaining for a price, be realistic. This is their way of doing business and should be expected. It is part of their culture and it's a way for them to strike up a conversation with you. It can be a lot of fun if you do it right.
Planning Your Trip:
To receive the maximum benefit on a trip of this sort, some of the best advice I can give you is to research as much of the area you are going to as possible. My Bible is "Mexico" published by Lonely Planet. Because I spend so much time in the backcountry, this meets my needs the most. This book even gives me the bus schedules between various cities and the travel time involved.
My second choice would be "Mexico Handbook" by Joe Cummings and Chicki Mallan. This book has 1457 pages and it covers a lot of the out of the way places I visit.
There are numerous books available on Cancun alone, so the selection is great. Many people have the wrong idea about Mexico and when they travel to a place like Cancun, they don't leave their hotel. What a waste. To give you an idea, did you know that 50 miles south of Cancun, I can step into a dense forest and watch monkeys at play. I had my first jaguar sighting down in this area also.
Try to plan your trip far enough ahead so you have time to study the area, arrange for all necessary documents and so forth. Allow one-day travel time and settling in and another day for the return flight home. Have options scheduled for the days in between. You will never have enough time to do everything that is available on a one week trip, but the more you know the area, the more options you have.
The area south of Cancun (Tulum Corridor) is ever changing and growing. This is along highway #307 and is an ideal area to take a rental car. Down this road, you can swim in underground rivers, explore caves, snorkel in quiet lagoons, have miles and miles of private beaches to yourself, and visit Mayan ruins and so forth. This area is well worth checking out. The road is presently under construction and I do not look for it to be completed for another two or three years.
Getting to know Cancun:
Cancun Island is approximately 14 miles long. It is connected to the mainland by bridges at each end of the island. Mileage markers are posted along the only road on the island, Kukulcan Blvd, and these are very handy to identify your location. 0.0 Km is downtown, 8.5 Km is at the elbow or convention center and so on.
Cancun is shaped like the number "7". The top half faces the island of Isla Mujeres and this island pretty well blocks any wave action on the beach. This area is very shallow and calm, and the hotels along this stretch are much smaller, older and less expensive. If you want a budget vacation, this is the area I would recommend. I stayed in this area several times and it served my purposes just fine.
At the point where the top of the seven meets the point running south, is found the hub of the island. It is also known as the convention center area. This area has most of the shopping areas and restaurants along with Planet Hollywood, The Rain Forest CafΘ, LaBoom etc. You undoubtedly will spend a lot time in this area.
At this point and to the south of the island are the larger, more expensive hotels. The beaches along this stretch are tops. In the morning, you usually have the smaller breaking waves until the wind picks up and then the waves grow in size.
TIP: Remember, that in Mexico, all beaches are considered public property. That means that any beach you see is open to you. However, a hotel may deny you access to the beach via their grounds. For example, snorkeling is good in front of Club Med, but you have to get there by walking down the beach from the Regina hotel, not by taking a taxi to Club Med. Speaking of beaches, one word of warning. Strong undertows can appear at any time on any beach. Keep your cool and do not fight it. The more you try to escape, the further out you will go. If you feel the undertow, simply walk or swim parallel to the beach and you will be out of it in seconds. Please advise everyone in your group about this.
Driving in Mexico:
It took a couple of trips to Mexico before I had enough courage to try this but I do it without hesitation now. If you are going to rent a car, please read this carefully although it is not as bad as it sounds.
First, your American insurance is worth absolutely nothing down there. I don't care if your insurance agent promised his life on it, it is no good. That goes for insurance issued by some credit card companies etc. Only the person renting the car may drive it. Do not switch drivers. When purchasing the Mexican insurance, be sure you have been given the paperwork for it. Some companies will charge you for it but not issue it to you.
Second, when you decide on the car, go over it with a fine-toothed comb. It doesn't happen often, but you could return it and be responsible for many dents and dings that were not your fault. I take pictures of the car from different angles just to put them on notice that I won't be had. Point out every defect in the body to them and have them make note of it. A friend of mine did this and he had a hassle when he first returned the car but with the documentation he had, he walked away scott free. He thanks me every time he sees me.
Third, plan your route. Know exactly which routes you will take when you leave etc. I try to leave early in the morning while traffic is light. To do this, rent your car the day before you need it and have them deliver it to your hotel late that evening and leave the key with the desk clerk.
A warning about "sleeping policemen". These are called Topes "toe-pays" in Spanish and they are nothing but large speed bumps placed in the roadway on either side of the villages you will pass. A village to them is any place there are two or more huts. Believe me, if you hit one of these at thirty miles an hour, you will tear the front end off of the car.
Driving in Mexico is a real experience. Never but never drive at night. It is not bad close to the resorts but the further away you wander, you will find man and beast sleeping in the roadway. I have come across Indians sleeping in the road, ant eaters and jaguars jumping in front of me, horses and donkeys just walking in the roadway and a cattle drive that brought me to a screeching halt.
Red lights, yield signs and the like are generally ignored, "first come, first served" seems to be the rule. When you approach a stop sign, the first individual to sound his horn has the right of way. With virtually no driving test, (or experience) required to obtain a license and no concept of automobile inspections, i.e., no brake lights, no windows, no headlights, no doors, anything that moves faster than a walking pace is guaranteed a place on the road. I think mufflers are outlawed in Mexico and a requirement to drive is a broken windshield. Some of my fondest memories are of driving the countryside.
Of all the pictures I have taken in Mexico, I wish now I would have started taking a picture of the inside of all the vehicles I was in. Besides all the statues of the various saints, the fringe balls draped off the sun visors, the vise-grips used as gear shifts, all the red lights showing the vehicle is overheating, etc. it would be quite a collection.
When you are driving, and overtaking the car in front of you, who happens to turn on his left turn signal....it can mean (a) it's safe to pass or (b) "I'm turning left". It's up to you to guess which. The good news about driving in Mexico is a service the government provides known as the "Green Angels". These fellows cruise most major roads and are equipped with tools, gas, and water. Mostly English speaking, these mechanics will help you in any way they can without cost for labor; you pay only for parts and fuel.
Gas stations are few and far apart so fuel up no matter what when you see a station. First, they may not sell it to you. Fuel delivery is very uncertain down there and they may keep what they have for their friends. Be sure to ask for a certain amount (say $70 pesos worth) and give them only 70 Pesos. It is amazing how often they forget to reset the pump to zero before filling up a Gringo. Take a deep breath; buckle up your seat belt and go. With habits more common to Italy, driving in Mexico is a macho experience not for the faint hearted. Most, if not all, of the gas stations are full-serve, and attendants expect a tip for filling your tank and washing your windows.
An alternative to this, is to approach a taxi driver the day before your trip and hire him for the entire day. Settle on a price with him before hand. If you get a good one, English speaking and knows the country, it could be well worth it. You have transportation for the day and an English-speaking guide. If two couples chip in, it can be done rather economically. Plan to spend about $100.00 for the entire day.
Quite recently, the Military has set up road checks just south of Cancun on the road down the coast to stop vehicles and inspect for illegal guns and drugs. Up to a certain time, they did not stop and question Americans. I have heard recently that they now stop and inspect vehicles driven by Americans. Do not let this alarm you, it is a very minor inconvenience for you. How many times have we heard that Mexico does nothing to stop illegal drugs? Here is a quote from one person. "We were stopped just outside of Puerto Morelos. The car was surrounded by armed Mexican soldiers (one per side) and we were first asked to open the glove compartment. Then the driver was asked to get out and open the trunk. They were very polite and I asked what they were looking for. "Drugs and guns" was the response. Then they asked where we were from. I replied "Chicago" and our friends in the back said "Kentucky." One of the soldiers grinned and said "Ah, Kentucky Fried Cheeken!" We were shortly on our way".
What to Do?
When I first visited, Cancun was Mexico at its finest. In my opinion, Cancun has now become Miami south. It was fun when no one could speak English and the waiters would get confused when setting a table. Now, a lot of the Mexican flavor is gone and you can now eat at McDonalds, Fridays, Domino's pizza etc. Instead of being serenaded by Mexican music, you hear such favorites as "New York, New York" or "Chicago".
I make it a habit not to go to the American chains because not only can I do that here, you lose so much of what the Mexicans have to offer. You will not meet a better group of people than those that work in the smaller, mom and pop type businesses. They love to talk to you and will constantly play tricks on you and to be honest, you never know what to expect. I have made many friends at these places and they never forget you. At one palapa bar on the beach over at Isla Mujeres, I had a great time and went on my merry way. After a return trip two years later, the bar tender pointed at me as I walked in and said "Cincinnati, want another rum and coke"? That is really a great feeling.
In many of these small places, the waiters who want to learn English will talk as long as you will allow. One young kid was teaching me Mayan while I was teaching him English. He wanted to know all the slang terms we use. "Hooters" was one of his favorites.
Can you still have fun? You bet!!
I never take the all-inclusive packages for several reasons, but there are people who would have it no other way. I don't because I probably leave the hotel before breakfast is served, would never make it back for lunch and I would never want to be in the position to cut a day short to go back to the hotel for dinner. If you are locked into eating all your meals there, you miss out on the true flavor of Mexico. Many times, I have left my hotel early and ended up a hundred miles or more from my hotel and decided to stay in the jungle for $7.00 a night. Very rarely will I leave without an overnight bag.
TIP: For you early risers who like coffee early in the morning, you will be lucky to find a pot anywhere. I take an electric pot to heat water and use Folgers coffee packaged like tea bags. It will get you through the early hours.
Breakfast starts out as a giant selection of fruits that taste much different there than here. You have no idea what a real banana tastes like that is picked fresh rather than picked early and then shipped here to the states. Then comes the eggs fixed as you like them, the pancakes, french toast, home fries, sausage, bacon, ham, tall glasses of fresh orange juice, refried beans (my favorite) and so forth. I know where there is a mom and pop restaurant that has an all you can eat buffet of the above mentioned foods plus much more for $2.50 American. Go ahead, have breakfast at you hotel and try to match that.
My recommendation is to enjoy the Mexican flavor and avoid American type establishments. Seafood is at its best there and if you eat it today, you can bet it was swimming that morning. One of my favorites is the fish soup, but never ask what is in it until after you have finished. On my last trip, I tried the Lime soup and it could just replace fish soup as my favorite. Be adventurous and try new and different things. Other than a couple of restaurants in the resort area or downtown, I like to walk further into the city and eat at the mom and pop restaurants. There is something about the broken English, tablecloths and chairs that don't match, being served by a ten-year-old Mayan girl, etc.. You have never experienced more sincere service than in these little places. I guarantee that the food will be as good or better than in the resort, probably more of it and will cost you 75% less. I will not recommend many places in this booklet because if you do your homework, you will have hundreds of restaurants to choose from. There are several great authentic Italian places, run by families who moved to Cancun from Rome and Calabria.
On your first night in Cancun, try this for starters. Either take a bus or cab to Pericos Restaurante and Cantina. It is at #61 Yaxchilan Avenue downtown. Try to get there around 6:00 P.M. and I want you to stroll up to the bar and grab a saddle and settle in for a few tall cool ones. (watch out for the rubber rat). This just may be the place to try your first shot of Tequila. After a few drinks, get a table and try one of those fish dinners. (my favorite is sea bass Veracruz style). If they interrupt your meal to dance around the restaurant, proceed outside and around the block and then force you to have another shot of tequila before you enter again, join in. Remember, when in Mexico, do as the Mexicans do. If you are in a group, and have the nerve, tell the waiter that so and so in your party has an anniversary. I hope they have a sense of humor.
Next, head for Senior Frog's on the island. You get a very cozy table and stools. Believe me, you will be dancing on your stool more than you will be sitting on it. If they give you pop corn, you are not supposed to eat it, you are supposed to throw it. The frog buster will make his appearance once in a while and you will recognize him by the backpack sprayer he is wearing full of tequila. Don't argue with him, because you either drink it or wear it.
Join in the beer drinking contest. They will hold up a large beer mug and ask for six men volunteers. They will then hold up six smaller mugs and ask for six women volunteers. Once chosen, the rules change. The men stand on their stools and are given a baby bottle full of beer to place between their legs and then they have to put their hands behind their backs. The women stand in front of the men with their hands behind their backs and the first one to finish the bottle wins.
I once had a waiter there that brought the wrong round of drinks so the other waiters threw him in the Lagoon. He just climbed out, shook himself off and started waiting tables again. Now, if you want to visit the boring American owned and operated businesses, go ahead. I'll take Mexican every time.
OK, so you are dying for a pizza. Why not try Mexican pizza? The crust is different, the sauce is great and if you have never tried a shrimp pizza, you never had pizza. Pizza is OK to eat because the cheese is cooked.
What about food and water:
Knock on wood, I have never had a problem on any of my trips there. In the resort areas of Mexico, the water is purified and there seems to be no problem. Bottled water is available everywhere in Mexico if you wish to have it.
Food is a little more difficult. Some people react to the slightest change in their diet and some people have cast iron stomachs. This can happen anywhere, not just in Mexico. Remember a few of these simple rules and you should be OK. Until very recently, Mexico did not have pasteurized milk and you could not have milk products unless it was cooked. I would continue with that policy myself until I am sure of it. No cheese, no ice cream (even at the airport) and things of that sort.
About fruits and vegetables, if it doesn't have a thick peel, don't eat it. Bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe etc. are all fine. Lettuce is a no no. Keep in mind that these fruits and vegetables are grown in other parts of Mexico and if they are washed with unpurified water, the bacteria is there to make you sick. If you buy your own fruit or vegetables, wash them briefly in a weak solution of bleach and water to disinfect them. Do not eat anything sold by a street vendor. Common sense will bring you back in better shape than when you left. Just remember that ice is water also so if you travel far, if you are not sure the ice in your rum and coke is purified, drink a beer. My theory about staying well is to drink plenty of liquids (Alcohol does not count) to keep from being dehydrated. Maybe most important of all is to wash your hands often, since a lot of the bacteria you ingest is from something other than food. You might consider bringing along antibacterial towelettes.
GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND: Your best bet to get from one place to the other is the local bus system. These busses seem to run within minutes of each other and the only time they are crowded, is when the employees are going to or returning from work at the hotels etc.
Try to have the correct change available, 4 pesos, which is less than 50 cents. Your other option is the local cabs. This is very important so please try to remember this. The cab drivers are the largest threat to the tourist in Cancun. Talk about price gouging,! When at your hotel, see if they have a list posted or know the amount for a cab ride say from your hotel to the convention center area or to downtown. Negioate your price before you step into the cab and be sure that you both agree. There are plans underway to establish a fare zone system that will eliminate this problem. Try to have the correct change available to pay for the ride and it is not customary to tip a cab driver in Mexico. If you hear a horn blow at you as you are walking down the street, its just a cab trying to get your attention to see if you want a ride.
TIP: Speaking of walking down the street, please keep your head down. The sidewalks are full of high curbs, low curbs, open holes, drainage pipes, electric boxes etc. This would be an insurance salesman's paradise not to mention a liability lawyer if they ever heard of such a thing. Also, all trees and bushes, street signs, signs for restaurants etc are raised just high enough for the average Mexican to pass under, about five feet off the ground.
The local buses run from the hotel zone to the downtown area and back again. If you are not sure where you want off, just ask the bus driver and he will stop for you.
Entertainment, tours etc.
There should not be a dull moment in your trip at this resort. There are activities that everyone can participate in and either read before you go, look at the "Cancun Tips" or just look around when you get down there.
There are booze cruises, food cruises, moon cruises or just plain cruises, tours to ruins, para-sailing, jet skiing, you name it. I will list a couple of our favorites and leave it up to you.
Isla Mujeres:
This is a don't-miss trip. It is one of the easiest to arrange by yourself and will give you the experience to travel a little further out each time. This little island off the north coast of Cancun has changed considerably in the last ten or twelve years. They have replaced the sand streets with paving block and asphalt and in turn, has lost some of its charm. To get there, you can take a variety of tours over and depending upon the cruise you choose, the cost will vary. Plan on a minimum of $25.00 per person. Or, you can do it my way. Take a bus or cab from downtown Cancun to Puerto Juarez. It only takes about ten minutes and there you can board a ferry for the island.
The older, slower, little ferries cost about .50 and they are the ones that the locals use. If you want some good photo ops, take this one. It takes about forty-five minutes to make the crossing. There is also a larger, faster ferry that costs $2.50 and takes about fifteen minutes to make the crossing.
Let me tell you why I like to do it this way. If you take the cruise over, you are at their mercy. For instance, they go to a National Park named El Garrafon. They give you a set amount of time to snorkel and then they move on. It also makes the park very crowded as the cruise ships come in. I like to leave Cancun early in the morning, take the ferry across, have breakfast on the island and do my snorkeling before the ships come in and makes it very crowded. I can also stay on the island as long as I like as the cruises usually last about four hours. On one trip to Cancun, I immediately went to Isla Mujeres and ended up staying the entire week there and never once went back to Cancun except to catch my flight home.
Souvenirs are a bit cheaper here and there are other things to do. As you arrive at the ferry dock, if you turn left and walk to the north end of the island for about ten minutes, there is a beautiful beach called Nati Beach and/or CoCo Beach. This is probably one of the best beaches in the Cancun area for swimming if you don't care for the larger waves. It is also a topless beach which has absolutely nothing to do with it being one of my favorite beaches. (LOL)
This may sound morbid, but if you go over to the island, be sure to visit the cemetery. This will give you a taste of their culture. Everyone is buried in vaults above the ground and are maintained on a daily basis. You will see the lit candles, the fresh flowers etc. It is located about a block south of the beach on your way back to town.
There are some super restaurants just north of the ferry and you can make diving arrangements, fishing charters etc. along here. Be sure to bargain with them,as a fishing trip that started out at $100.00 ended up at $20.00. Almost anyone there with a small boat will take you out. If you get to the restaurants early, you can watch the fishermen come in with the morning catch.
I would recommend at least a short day on the island but just be sure to check what time the last ferry leaves in case you enjoy it so much you plan on staying a little longer.
Down the Corridor:
If you take Highway #307 south out of Cancun, you have a wide variety of options of things to do. You can either take tours to the various activities or you can go on your own. There are just too many activities along this route to mention here. I will cover a few of our favorites.
South of Cancun are the Mayan ruins of Tulum. These ruins are built right on the Caribbean in a beautiful setting. Tours are offered to the ruins but I prefer to rent a car and drive there. If you have your own car, and if you leave the parking lot at the south east corner, there is a road which follows the coast for about forty miles and dead ends at the port village of Punta Allen. This was quite a pirate hangout in the 1600's and was actually settled by them. They are still a little leery of outsiders there.
This road starts out as asphalt for the first 1/4 mile and then turns to sand. This is one reason l rent a VW bug because it is good for driving conditions such as this. Before Hurricane Gilbert, this was a palm-lined road that looked like you were driving through a tunnel. I am sure it is recovering but I don't know to what point at this time. You will see some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico along this road and remember that all beaches are public property.
There are palapa huts (stick sides with thatch roofs and sand floors) you can rent for the night and sleep in hammocks or beds hanging from the ceiling. There are open-air restaurants with sand floors right on the ocean. The road goes through a large nature preserve (1.3 million acres) and the fishing in the lagoons there are world class. This is the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
I have never made it to the end of the peninsula but it is a neat trip. This is where I caught sight of a jaguar crossing the road. The very large lagoons in this area have tremendous fishing that very few tourists ever hear about. This area is now becoming popular with the various fishing shows on ESPN. Bone fishing here is top shelf. Many Mayan ruins are found off the canals that the Mayans built some fifteen hundred years ago. Definitely do not attempt to locate these without a guide.
Do not attempt this trip in the rainy season as it is bad enough in the dry season. I drove through one pothole with my VW that put the roof of the car below the surface of the road. Plan on traveling about 10 MPH tops. It is still worth the effort. Although the bridges on this road look terrible, they are safe to cross.
On the way to the ruins at Tulum, you can snorkel at Xel-Ha (Shell-Ha), which is a lagoon kind of blocked from the ocean so the surface is usually calm. If you swim directly across from the main entrance, you will come to a small limestone cliff. If you dive down, you might find the entrance to a cave that the Mayans used as a sacrificial center. Air enters the cave from the other end so it is perfectly safe to enter if you are a good snorkeler.
There is also a place called Xcaret(Ish-cah-ret) along the same road that you can spend the entire day. It is a private ranch that was turned into a tourist area because of everything there. First, there are some minor Mayan ruins on the property. You can swim through an underground river that is kind of a neat experience. You can swim in a lagoon that looks like Walt Disney built. It is one of the prettiest settings I have ever seen. There is much more to do there but check it out in the "Cancun Tips" booklet.
When I rent a car to go in this direction, I always turn left towards the ocean on the unmarked roads. You will find the neatest little places that very few tourists visit.
If you purchase "Frommers Guide to Mexico on $35.00 a day", you will find this entire route laid out for you. There are just too many things to mention here. Places like Playa del Carmen, Paamul, Punta Allen, Coba along with many others.
Chichen Itza:
Well worth the cost of a tour, they usually leave between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. from your hotel and usually return at around 8:00 in the evening. Before you go here, read up on it so you better understand the mysteries of each building. They are still finding out why the buildings were built the way they were. For instance, the pyramid is four sided, has 365 steps and one corner of the pyramid is not square like the other three. On the spring equinox at sunset, the sun hits the corner of the pyramid, casting a shadow to the handrail which causes a shadow similar to a snake crawling down that handrail and attaches to a carved snake head at the bottom. This was the signal to the Mayans that it was time to plant the crops. In the fall, this procedure reversed itself and when the snake crawled back into the temple at the top, it was time to harvest.
If you stand real quiet at the base of the pyramid and listen, you can hear what the people on top are talking about.
At the ballcourt, a two-sided open-air building with seats at each end, you can clap and hear nine echoes. Nine was a magic number to the Indians. You can stand at one end of the ballcourt and have a friend stand at the other. (140 yards) If you holler as loud as you can, they cannot hear you. If the other person talks in a normal voice from his end, you can understand every word he says. No one has yet explained why that should be.
The Observatory is just as mind blowing because when my guide told me we were going there, I pictured a large round building with a dome on top like they construct today. When we cleared the trees and rounded a bend in the path, there it was. What a sight! The Mayans were terrific at plotting the stars, eclipses, and so forth. Would you believe that their calendar of two thousand years ago was more accurate than ours of today.
Anytime you go to any ruins in the Yucatan or anywhere else in Mexico, read up on where you are going. I mentioned the ruins of Tulum briefly a while ago. They have a building there called the temple of the wind that sat pretty much off by itself. They just determined this year that it was used to signal outlying villages of an upcoming tropical storm or hurricane. As the wind blows through it and increases in mph, a wailing sound is emitted. The higher the wind speeds, the louder the noise. It seems that every building was built for a particular reason.
Coba:
Once again, on a trip to Tulum, I had an overnight bag with me and I planned to stay the night somewhere. (I still had the room in Cancun) I left Tulum and headed for Coba. I stayed at the Club Med the first time and it was a beautiful Spanish style hotel and pool built on one of the seven lakes. It was $40.00 for two of us. While walking the stone roadway through the village, I found a restaurant named "Bocadito's" which looked pretty rough even to me.
This turned out to be one of the neatest experiences I encountered down there. A small Mayan boy served me breakfast dressed in long black pants, a long sleeve white shirt, a bow tie and shoes that shined to no end. He was absolutely top shelf. The meal was super even though the baby pigs and chickens walking under my table looking for handouts were some distraction. He worked mornings and evenings and attended school in the afternoon.
On my second stay-over in Coba a few years later, I planned on doing it again but "Bocadito's" had their own little motel; (for the lack of another word). I stayed there for $7.00 and it was a riot. When I opened the door to the room, a chicken flew up and scared me to death but I just assumed that there were no insects in the room and my eggs just had to be fresh. I wish I had more time to go into detail on the other events of that evening. One thing I remembered, was that at ten p.m., the generator was shut down and when the electric went off, the entire village went dark. I have never seen so many stars that looked so large. It's amazing what total darkness can do to the night sky.
That evening, I heard my first Howler monkey and it aroused my sense of adventure. I left Coba and drove to a village by the name of Punta Laguna (15-Km northwest of Coba on the road to Nuevo X-can). The owner of Bocadito's told me I could hire a guide there to take us through the jungle and perhaps get a look at the monkeys. When I arrived at the village, which consisted of four huts, some Mayan children came up to the car and I could not communicate. I said monkey man and they flew into a hut and found our guide. I was looking up for monkeys and down for snakes. I managed to walk within feet of a group of monkeys and it was a real experience. On this trip, if I saw one tarantula on the road, I saw five hundred. I thought it was a neat experience.
On this trip, I purchased the neatest hand carved monkey and Toucan from a Mayan of about twenty-one. He took me into his hut (what an experience that was) and he showed me how he carved them. He was missing his left arm up to the shoulder and he would hold the log between his bare feet and shape the wood with a machete. Lord knows why he didn't lose his toes. The carvings were about a foot tall, hand painted with root and berry dyes and when he asked $6.00 each; I couldn't try to get him to reduce the price. That was probably the best $12.00 deal I ever got in Mexico.
Merida:
While staying in Cancun one year, I decided to take my first Mexican bus ride. I bought tickets to Merida and headed west. What a town! It is a very large Spanish style city that looks like time stood still. I stayed at the Hotel Carib for $17.00 and it was a sixteenth century monastery turned into a hotel. The view from the rooftop pool was breathtaking with all the church steeples poking above the city. The El Gran Hotel is also a fantastic place to stay.
At noon, the church bells drove you nuts. I went to their market and was that ever a shocker to see all the meat and chickens hanging in the 90 degree heat.
They sold all kinds of wild live birds such as parrots, parakeets, turkeys etc. The flowers were a burst of colors beyond description. On Sundays, the roads around the zocalo are closed to motor vehicles and it is one big celebration. The flowers, the balloons, the families in their native dress etc. was something I had never seen before. I think this was the trip that sold me on getting deeper into the country.
Every evening on the zocalo, there were bands, dancers and singers and so forth. This was my first real experience of Mexican culture that has pulled me back time after time. This and other reasons are why I am no longer a resort traveler. I will book my flights into the resorts because you usually get better airfare but I immediately head out from there.
On my last trip to Merida, it cost $8.70 American for a first class bus ticket.
Cozumel:
Here also, you have numerous ways of getting there. A tour, plane, bus ride to Playa del Carmen and so forth. Ideally, take a bus to Playa del Carmen and then walk east one block and south one block and you are at the ferry dock. Air conditioned boats are available for about $6.00 one way and is the fastest boat. The slower older boats cost $4.50. I have taken both but the experience is the older boats. There is something about riding over with the chickens and pigs etc.
Cozumel only has one town on it named San Miguel. There is another National Park on the island that is set aside for snorkeling by the name of Chankanaab. This is a short taxi ride from the ferry.
Parque Chankanaab is a marine park situated 9 km south of San Miguel. Although it has a diving area and four dive shops, it is most noted for snorkeling. It has a fish filled lagoon and a good area to enter the water. The park is open from 7:00 a.m. till 5:30 p.m.. It has a broad, sandy beach with palapa shades, a swimming area, botanical garden and so forth.
If you are into scuba diving, the Palancar reef runs pretty close to the island and is much better diving here than in Cancun. The only place in Cancun would be the cave of the sleeping sharks.
DIVERS BEWARE: They like to weight you down extra heavy because of the currents and it can be a problem as you surface. Please be careful!
If you go to Cozumel, I would recommend that you spend some time on the mainland opposite Cozumel at the town of Playa del Carmen. This is the way Cancun was twenty years ago and there is a lot to do. The shopping bargains are better here than in the resort.
On Cozumel, most tourist-oriented shops are clustered along Avenida Rafael Meigar near the Plaza del Sol, around the plaza itself, and in the pedestrian streets immediately behind the plaza. There is a craft market on Calle 1 Sur just behind the plaza. Another cluster of shops is situated by the ferry terminal just south of the center of town.
If you have rented a car in Cancun, do not take your car over to the island on the car ferry. The cost and time involved is not worth it, as you will not need it there anyway.
There is really no bus service on the island except for one route that services the residential area on the island. You will have to travel by cab but it is not a real problem as there are few roads on the island and everything is rather close to one another.
San Francisco Beach is worth the stop for a meal and a drink.
Odds and Ends Re: Cancun
The hotel area is referred to as Zona Hoteleras and downtown Cancun is referred to as Ciudad Cancun.
Buses in Cancun: Any bus on the island heading north (Stand on the ocean side of the road) will take you to Cancun City. You can't get lost. On the return trip from the city to your hotel, you want the bus marked Zona Hoteles. It costs 4 Pesos to use the bus anywhere in Cancun. Catch the bus back to your hotel on the west side of Tulum Avenue
When checking into a hotel, listen carefully. They may ask you if you want a room with a water view. This could be ocean or lagoon. Tell them you want a room with an ocean view.
Bakery goods etc.. Try Comerical Mexicana on the south end of Tulum Ave. It is a large store that has all your needs. For a great bakery, try El Molino, far down Tulum Ave, across from the movie theaters.
Ki-Huic Market is a large area of stalls for shopping for gifts. It is located on the east side of Tulum Avenue at the south end. Be sure to bargain for a good price.
My favorite place for the better gifts is just south of the convention center area, on the lagoon side and is called La Fiesta. It is a government-run store and all prices are clearly marked and you do not have to bargain in there. They also wrap them for travel.
Rental cars: I have had recent reports of doors and trunks being opened and items stolen from rental cars. It is thought that an ex-employee of a car rental company has spare keys from several agencies. The problem may be solved by now but I would be careful anyway.
If you lose your American Express travelers checks in Cancun, call 84-1919 before you call the 800 number listed. You may get lucky and solve the problem quicker.
If you should lose your tourist card, replace it immediately. You can replace it at the airport but you are taking a chance on missing your return flight. As soon as you discover it missing, telephone 4-17-49 or go directly to the Immigration Office at No. 1, Nader Avenue downtown.
The bus terminal for long distance travel is located on the north end of Tulum Avenue. There are two windows, first class and second class. Be sure to go first class. Prices are:
Merida $8.70
Playa del Carmen $1.70
Chitzen Itza $5.00
Tulum $3.30
Sunsets: Try Captains Cove for the best view of the sunset. Any restaurant on the lagoon side of the island is good. I usually make it a point to catch it every evening.
Cancun has recently change over to the Central time zone. (as of 8/1998)
Traveling from Cancun to Chitzen Itza: You cross from one state of Mexico into another and there is a border guard station there. No worry, it is for the Mexican residents and not for the tourists. Other roadblocks may be at various locations. Here again, not to worry. This is set up for drug checks. NEVER use drugs in Mexico. You will not see daylight for a number of years. They are much more serious about using drugs there than we are here.
A round of golf in Cancun will run about $95.00. The better courses are south of the Island.
Mercado: (Market) Visit the real Mexican market in Cancun City. This is where they buy their produce etc. Go to Yaxchilan Avenue near Avenida Sunyaxchen. This is near Perrico's restaurant. You will see a large hotel by the name of Hotel Caribe. Walk north past this hotel to Avenida Uxmal. Cross the street at the traffic island and keep walking north through the small streets and alleys. (or take a taxi to Mercado 28). This is a neat place for pictures and also how the Mexicans really live. For the freshest fish in town, eat lunch at Las Cejas while you're there. The market is only open from 7 or 8 a.m. until about 2 p.m. and closed on Sundays. There is another market located behind the post office.
Cancun is not in the State of Yucatan; it is in the State of Quintana Roo. "Keentana row")
Bird Watchers: Try Isla Contoy, Sian Ka'an Nature Reserve, Rio Lagartos or Celestun.
Cancun has one road on the island named Kukulcan Boulevard. Mileage markers are shown in Kms. Cancun City is 0.00, the convention center is 8.5 and so on.
Various shopping centers are Plaza Kukulcan, at km. 13, Plaza Flamingo at Km. 11, Plaza Caracol and the adjacent Plaza Lagunas at Km. 8.5, and the less prosperous Plaza Nautilus at Km 3.5. Plaza Caracol is by far the most popular and is surrounded by numerous restaurants and smaller shops. You will undoubtedly spend a lot of time in this area.
Cancun has a full complement of discotheques, including Christine at Km. 9, Tequila Rock and Dady'O and La Boom at Km. 3.5. All have cover charges.
Pok-Ta-Pok golf course is located at Km. 6. To me, it is rather bland. The better courses are to the south of the island on the mainland. Caesar Park golf course is across from the Caesar Park hotel.
Cancun does accept fantastic plastic. Most major credit cards are accepted.Don't forget to pick up your copy of "Cancun Tips" at the airport. They are pretty hard to find once you leave there.
For a real entertaining night out, stop by the "Rain Forest" cafΘ. The effects in there will blow you away. Be aware, however, that this is an American restaurant chain, located in Chicago, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., and Disney World.)
If you hear the expression, "It will take just a Mexican minute", plan on about a fifteen minute delay.
Never, and I mean never, rent a Moped or bicycle anywhere in Mexico. I can't tell you the number of times I have seen Americans seriously injured on these things.
Police and military: They are ever present throughout Mexico. Yes, they carry large automatic rifles and shotguns and look very threatening. As I have said before, I have traveled throughout Mexico and had not one problem with them. Have no fear as they can be quite helpful. Your rights are different in Mexico than they are here in the states and you must remember that. Just south of Cancun, they can stop your car and search it for guns and drugs. Remember that it only takes a minute and you are then on your way. The closer you are to their southern borders, the more you may be stopped and asked to check your papers and such. On a recent trip to Belize, Mexico and Guatemala, I was on a bus in Mexico and was stopped several times in a matter of a few miles. I was questioned by their equivalent of the FBI, ATF, CIA, State Police, County Police, and City Police.
Each time they would enter the bus, just glance at the passengers, look in various storage areas and so forth. Twice I was asked for my passport and I was on my way. They were looking for guns, drugs and illegal Guatemalans.
Cab Fares: Check at your Hotel on what the going rate is for your destination. Mexican cabs do not have meters. Have the correct amount ready for the driver and settle on the price before you get into the cab. It is not customary to tip a cab driver unless he handles your luggage. (Fare zones may have been established by now, as mentioned above.)
Tourist Trot: If you get it, try Immodium, It will keep you off the seat and on your feet.
Mexican beaches: All beaches in Mexico are public property although hotels may restrict your access through their property, as mentioned above. If you see it and want to use it, go ahead. The sand in Cancun is the best and is pure white, soft as talcum powder, no rocks, shells etc. Their sand is always cool to the touch. Since Hurricane Gilbert, they have lost much of their sand and they are now hauling it in. Compare the sand from different beaches and you sure can tell the difference.
When you get on your airplane to head south, take a good look around. There is very little storage aboard the plane. Do not buy six sombreros, a dozen blankets and that concrete donkey you seen.When asking directions, always ask several people. The Mexicans don't like to feel stupid so they will tell you anything. This takes some getting used to.
When in a restaurant, ask the waiter for his recommendation. This way, you will try different things.
When I travel there, I like to buy different posters and maps, etc. Take a cardboard roll with you, cut to the length of your suitcase. It takes up very little room and gets things like this home without being all wrinkled. The rolls I am talking about would be the cardboard insert that Christmas wrapping paper would be rolled on.
A twenty-four hour, toll-free phone number is available for tourists in Mexico. Services include advice for the traveler, contacting Embassies or Consulates in emergencies, information on legal matters, help for the travelers who believe goods and services purchased in Mexico are fraudulent, assistance to crime victims, travel advisories, etc. The number is 91-800-90392.
Dress: You need no fancy clothes in Mexico. It is all casual. Do not wear your swimsuits in places other than the beach and pool areas.
Electricity in Mexico is 120 volts, 60 cycles, the same as here in the states.
No electrical adapter is necessary.
If you are unsure of traveling on the city bus, just tell the driver where you are going and he will let you off there or at the closest bus stop to there. Buses used to stop wherever you wanted them to, but now there are designated stops that the drivers are supposed to use. When you get on the bus, you will be given a paper ticket; it is something to show if an inspector boards the bus to check that everyone has paid, so keep it, don't throw it on the floor. It is not a transfer; you pay each time you board the bus.
Tips and Taxes: Average tip in Cancun is the same as you would tip at home. Sales tax in the state is 10% and is called "IVA".
The sun is brutal all over Mexico. One hour there is a weeks' worth up here. Please be careful.
You are allowed to bring back 1 liter (33.8 oz.) of liquor per person. Sorry, no Cuban cigars are allowed back here in the states. Enjoy them there though.
When purchasing gold or silver objects, always check for a stamped number on the object. If it is not stamped, it isn't what you are paying for. (.925 on silver, 14 or 18k on gold).*****also, "it must have the state seal stamped on it"
When buying black coral, ask the salesperson if you can heat it with a match or a lighter. Plastic will melt and the heat will not hurt the real coral. In Acapulco, we saw kids painting sticks with black paint and trying to sell it as black coral.
Speed limits on four-lane highways are set mostly at 110 kilometers an hour, equal to 68 miles an hour. On many two-lane highways, the speed limit is set at 90 km/h, equal to 56 mph. These limits tend not to be rigidly enforced.
Travel warnings: When I was planning a trip to Hawaii believe it or not, there were more warnings in my literature for Hawaii than there are for Mexico when I use the same sources. Just be aware of your surroundings, don't give them an opportunity and everything will be OK.
U.S.residents may bring in up to $400.00 worth of goods duty free, including one quart of liquor, and 200 cigarettes. Receipts can be helpful if the value of any goods are questioned.
A good rule of traveling is to take half the clothes you think you will need and twice the money. How can you not have fun this way?
If taking prescription drugs with you, leave them in the original bottle. This goes for aspirin also. Don't give customs a reason to be suspicious. If I travel far into the backcountry or near Guatemala, I carry a copy of the original paper prescription with me because of the many roadblocks that are possible in the area.
Time share pitch: You may be approached by time-share salesmen all over Mexico. Not being interested, I always tell them I am leaving the first thing tomorrow morning and it works every time. Be polite and remember that they are just trying to make a living.
If you go to a local outdoor supply store here in the states, they sell a neat little waist pouch with a web belt that is small and easy to carry that is 100% waterproof. I use one on the beach and I carry my wallet, my eyeglasses and watch in there with room to spare. It is no fun on the beach when one can go swimming and the other has to stay on the beach to watch the valuables.
Clothing size chart:
Woman's dresses/blouse Men's shirts
US Mexico US Mexico
6 30 14 36
8 32 14.5 37
10 34 15 38
12 36 15.5 39
14 38 16 40
16 40 16.5 41
Be aware of dehydration while in Mexico. Drink plenty of bottled water and wear a hat when possible.
Most drug stores in Mexico are open twenty-four hours a day and no prescription is needed for most medicines, except those that are considered controlled drugs in the US, like tranquilizers and sleeping pills. Many Americans buy a wide variety of drugs while there. Be aware, however, that although it is not illegal under US federal law to bring legal drugs into the US for personal use, some states may prohibit it.
Always have a small flashlight (a good one) with you when you travel. Keep it handy especially in your hotel room. One night in Oaxaca, I had my gear and clothes laid out for a trip to the ruins when an earthquake hit and if not for that flashlight, that evening could have turned out a lot different for me. On a good night, you can loose the electric in Mexico at anytime, and in some villages, the generator will be turned off at 9:00 or 10:00. I recommend the small Mag-light flashlight.
Costs of various tours: The prices for 1998 should be:
Atlantis Submarine $69.00
Snorkel Cruise $48.00
Caribbean Cruise $40.00
Jungle Tour $39.00
Isla Mujeres $44.00
Tulum and Xel-Xa $53.00
Folkloric Ballet $41.00
Chichen Itza $50.00 to $75.00
Lobster Cruise $63.00
As I said before, do your homework and enjoy many of these tours on your own and spend more time there for a lot less money.
Calling Home: You can buy a phone card in most Pharmacies, food stores etc...The phones to use are the "Latadel" pay phones found on the street. Using these phones with the phone cards is by far, the cheapest way to call the States.
Night-Light: Throw a night light in your luggage. It is really handy to see your way around that strange hotel room in the middle of the night.
What to expect in the way of weather:
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Although these are the official averages of the Cancun Weather Bureau, I found the temperatures to be a bit on the low side. Seems as if every time I go there, they turn off the rain and turn up the tempeature.
Want to be extra careful? Buy a belly pack with several compartments. Be sure that one of the compartments has the zipper that travels both ways. (2 zipper tabs) Place your wallet and extra money in this compartment and lock it with those small plastic electric ties. Carry a toe-nail clipper in the other compartment for when you need your wallet. Carry extra ties to re-lock when finished. Sounds like a pain in the backside but it works real well.
We lock our suitcases the same way before we check them, don't trust the small locks that come with them. It's also very easy to see if someone has tried to enter them.
When you order sausage and eggs for breakfast there, your sausage will be a hot dog. I suggest you stick with the ham and eggs etc...
When going to Cancun, I like to throw one of those "headset" radios in my luggage. In the morning while walking the beach, it's nice to hear the Mexican music.
