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Yucatan Travel Tips and Links
Check with these companies for rental cars and travel arrangements
Rental Car Agencies:
Budget 800-472-3325
- Avis 800-712-1112
Hertz -
800-654-3131 -
Thrifty 800-847-4389
National
Car Rental 800-CAR-RENT
Airlines:
Delta
800-221-1212 -
Aero Mexico 800-237 6639
American
800-433-7300 - Cheap
Tickets
Area Weather
Print this out and take it with you
Entrance into
Mexico: You must present a passport or birth certificate
with the raised county seal (no photo copies) and photo i.d.
to the airline during check in to be admitted into Mexico. Married
women are also required to have a copy of their marriage license.
Single parents traveling with minor children need a notarized
letter giving permission to leave the country from the other
parent.
Arrival
in Mexico: You will first present your papers at Immigration,
then pick up your luggage. You will then proceed to the customs
check point which is the "Stop and Go". You press the button
and if the light turns green you walk right through, if it
is red you will be asked to step aside and your bags may be
inspected.
What to
Pack Bathing Suits, Sunglasses, Suntan Lotion, Sun Hat
and a Lightweight Windbreaker, Sweater or Shawl. Bring your
Diver Certification if you have it. Also bring your own SCUBA
or SNORKELING gear if you have it. If not you can rent it
in Akumal. Bring one pair of comfortable rubber soled shoes
for climbing Mayan pyramids, walking and tennis. Camera &
Film, A small Flashlight and one Beach Towel Shorts and lightweight
shirts, one lightweight pair of long pants, socks and insect
repellent for jungle treks. Ladies: one or two casual sundresses
or skirts if you like to dress up for dinner. (you can buy
colorful ethnic clothing at the boutiques in the area) After
you finish packing....unpack half of what you packed and leave
it behind. You'll be happy you did and will not miss it!
Location
of Pemex Gas Stations: (Gas stations are located few
and far between. When you are near one fill your tank.)
Puerto Morelos, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum
Money Tips:
It is best to exchange your money into pesos upon arrival
at your final destination. In Akumal you will find a money
exchange in the TSA Travel office behind The Original Akumal
Dive Shop. You must have i.d. if you would like to cash your
travelers checks. Heading south your next available money
exchange will be in Tulum. There are several exchange windows
in the pueblo after you pass the ruins. You may get a more
favorable rate than in Akumal. Money exchanges are available
also in Puerto Morelos and Playa Del Carmen. Akumal and the
other areas mentioned do not accept credit cards. It is best
to bring sufficient cash/travelers checks and not be dependant
on credit cards. In Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras
you will find your cards accepted almost everywhere, but once
you head south cash is necessary. How much to bring? $500.00
in cash per person for travel expenses should be plenty unless
you expect to do a large amount of shopping. Only a few of
the Restaurants in Akumal accept credit cards so that can
be a consideration when planning your travel budget. Restaurants
in Puerto Aventuras do accept credit cards.
Is the
water safe? Many people are concerned about the drinking
water situation in the Yucatan. Bottled water is readily available.
All hotels and rental establishments will provide purified
drinking water. All restaurants in the area at the major resorts
wash their produce, ect. in purified water. All ice is also
made with purified water.
Beach Health
Tips: The sun can be very intense in Mexico. It is best
that you use sunscreen before you even venture into the sun.
A bad burn can ruin a vacation. A hat and sunglasses are also
a must for the seasoned sun bather. Sunscreen is a wonderful
thing, it protects our bodies but it is not allowed if you
plan on entering a cenote, caleta or lagoon. Sunscreen is
prohibited in Yal-Ku lagoon in Akumal. Wear a t-shirt instead!
Bad Stomach:
If you do become ill with montezuma's revenge the very best
remedy is the following recipe. It works every time. Squeeze
the juice of 2 fresh limes into a glass, add a good size pinch
of salt and down like a shot. Symptoms will ease in about
an hour, if it has not stopped in 2 hours repeat the treatment,
you will feel much better by the next day. Lime will kill
bacteria and microbes in your system. It is also served with
most meals, use liberally.
Driving
on HWY 307 can be a interesting experience. Stay within
the speed limit and drive carefully. If you see a car ahead
of you with its left blinker on that is decreasing speed,
this can mean please feel free to pass, or I am making a left
turn so pay attention. To be on the safe side - When making
a left hand turn - put on your blinker and pull over the the
right - wait for all traffic to pass and then turn
left. Since the highway is now complete to Tulum it is
not as dangerous at night, one should still pay special attention
at dusk as animals do move through the jungle and cross the
road at that time.
Grocery
Stores: There is a large super market in Playa Del Carmen
called the San Francisco market. Akumal has two small groceries,
the Super Chomak and a local Mayan store across the street
at the entrance to the Akumal Arch. There is also a fresh
produce market that sets up here on Saturday and Wednesday.
In Tulum you will find some small local stores and large beer
stores. If you are economy minded you may visit the Superior
beer store in Tulum, you can buy cases of beer and sodas in
bottles. A bottle deposit is required so it is best to return
your empties.
Transportation:
Most tourists who are exploring the Mayan Riviera are
driving rental cars. If you choose not to rent a car you will
find many taxis at the airport who will be happy to take you
to your destination. You may also utilize the public bus system,
the Maybe. These buses run up and down the tourist corridor
on a regular basis. Very inexpensive. If transportation to
Akumal is required you may arrange to be picked up by TSA
at the airport in advance.
Other Travel
Related Links
Hotel
reviews, vacation recommendations and weekend getaway advice
- all at TripAdvisor.com
FindVacationRentals.com
Online source for vacation rentals. Vacation homes, condos,
cabins, villas and more for rent directly from their owner/manager.
Owners advertise your property today.
Vacation rentals-
worldwide vacation rentals Worldwide vacation rentals-
hotels, apartments, vacation villas, ranches, bed and breakfast
and more. Great rentals for all budgets!
Cabo
San Lucas Vacations: Luxury 3 bedroom beach villa
rental on Jack Nicklaus golf course in the master-planned
resort community of Cabo del Sol.
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