Tips for GP Riviera Maya

[Blueskies]

#1 Tip: Don’t sweat the small stuff. You’re in Paradise after all!! Reservation/Room Request Information: Here are email contacts for resort reservati
[See the full post at: Tips for GP Riviera Maya]

[Blueskies]

These are from one of our Facebook members, thank you Sandra Fehler

Here are the tips I have on a different travel group (not palladium, but still Mexico). You’re welcome to consider using any of this:
Preparations for before you leave home
• You will be able to use a credit card or USA currency in most touristy areas, but you will generally get a better deal if you purchase in the local currency, Pesos. If you are travelling from anywhere other than the USA, don’t convert your money to US, convert to Pesos. It may very well be easiest to do before you leave home, ordering some large and lots of small denominations (like 20 &50 peso notes for tips) from your own bank (unless your bank charges you a fee). You can convert at the airport and at the hotel as well, and the exchange rate wont be bad (might even be just as good as at home).
• Bring sunscreen. At least one bottle/can more than you think you need. Make sure it hasn’t expired. If you plan to go in the ocean, consider a bio-degradable coral/ocean-life-friendly brand. If you burn easily (heck even if you don’t), bring some aloe or solarcaine just in case. If you havent been in the sun much prior to the trip, bring a chapstick / lip balm with sunblock.
• Bring a sun hat. Or plan to buy one (there is a great selection in local towns).
• Pack essentials in your carry-on (like a swimsuit and any medications). If you are travelling with someone, pack some of each of your things in each of your bags so that if one bag goes missing (it probably wont!), you both have at least a few things when you arrive.
• Keep prescription medications in their original prescription bottle (which has your name and the name of the medication) and have it in your carry-on. If you have a lot of medications that have “street value” like opioids, consider having a note from your doctor (written on prescription pad or similar official document) as well. Bring a few days more than you need for the duration of the trip, just incase there is a delay in getting home.
• Pack more than one bathing suit. Wet bathing suits feel nasty when you put them on.
• Don’t bring brand new shoes – bring shoes you’ve already broken in as you want to be comfy without blisters!
• Winter can be cool at night so bring a light cardigan sweater, jacket or a shawl in case you need it If you travel in summer you might still need this on the plane and when you arrive back home (depending where you live). A colourful sarong can work as impromptu skirt, swimsuit cover-up, or shawl.
• Bring a small flashlight. One with red light is useful for turtle season. Little glow sticks are helpful if your kids are anxious at night in a strange room. You might also put one in the bathroom.
• Consider with your doctor if you think you need any vaccinations or medications. Hep A & B is recommended for travel anywhere. Tetanus (usually is combined with diphtheria and pertussis) is good to have up-to-date regardless of travel. Typhoid and Rabies might be a consideration if you’re going to leave the resort or see wild animals. Depending on time of year and your personal level of wellness, you may want the current flu shot.
Some people take Dukoral. The resort food and drink is safe but it doesn’t hurt to pack a stomach upset remedy anyways (chewable Pepto Bismol tablets, Immodium ). You will be eating differently (possibly richer and more of it than usual), potentially drinking more alcohol than usual, likely not drinking enough water (people don’t realize how ill dehydration makes you or what the effects of too much coconut and pineapple are), and you will be around a bunch of people (their germs) both on the plane, in the airport and at the resort.
• Bring bug repellent (that contains Deet) especially if travelling in the wet (summer) season or if leaving the resort (away from the ocean breeze). Mosquito born illnesses such as Malaria, Dengue, and Zika are all possible (if unlikely).
• Bring a few Band-Aids, a few Aspirin/Tylenol, couple safety pins, nail file, and ear-plugs.
• If you have kids, bring a package of wet wipes.
• Bring a safety flotation device for those who are not good swimmers. There are lifeguards, but better safe than sorry. Reduce anxiety and enjoy the ocean!
• A few zip-lock type storage bags (useful for many reasons, including taking a few pieces of fruit or cookies from the buffet for a snack on a long beach walk etc)
• Some people bring insulated mugs from home so their drinks stay cool longer. If you do this, consider also buying a dish sponge, squishing dish soap into it, letting it dry then cutting into two pieces and putting those in a baggy. You’ll be able to use this and hot water in your sink to clean it.
• Pack a small amount of laundry detergent powder to swish out your swim suit or in case of a spill on your favorite shorts.
• A trash bag to put your dirty laundry and wet swim suit in for the trip home.
• Bring a blue or black ink pen in your carry-on, so that you can complete your FMM security /customs /immigration /tourist cards on the plane or immediately after you get off the plane (they will give these cards to you). Bring the hotel address, as you have to put that on the card.
• Make a photo copy of your passport information page and carry that separately from your real ID. If you lose your passport, having a photo copy of the info will assist you when replacing it. Give a friend at home a second copy of your passport plus a copy of your itinerary. Some people prefer to scan and email copies to themselves or some easily accessed online or secure flash drive storage.
• Telephone your credit card company and bank to inform them you’ll be in Mexico, so that they don’t put a hold on or cancel your card due to “suspicious activity”
• Bring a small back-pack or canvas/cloth shopping bag to make carrying things easier if you are going serious shopping.
• Leave your wedding rings /any sentimental jewelry at home and put on an inexpensive replacement (or plan to buy souvenirs). Many people lose their rings in the ocean because fingers swell in the heat then shrink in the water.
• Always be aware of roaming fees and surcharges of your cell phone service. Make an inquiry prior to travel to find out what rates will be, if you can add an upgrade to your plan for your time there, and other important information regarding your cell phone service while out of your home range.
• Bring a power bar / strip if you are going to be charging devices – there are limited outlets (north american standard type A/B) in the rooms.
Airport Arrival
• Complete your FMM immigration/tourist card (there is a family one plus the individual one) while on the plane or shortly thereafter while in line. Do not lose the part they give back to you, as you need this when you leave; keep it safe with your passport.
• After you pick up your luggage, customs security uses a random “traffic light” system. You press a button, and if the light is green you move along. If the light goes red, your bags are searched. Red light is no big deal except your nicely folded stuff gets messed up.
• Near the airport building exit are time share and tour excursion reps who will be super friendly, possibly pushy, and who will try to entice you to listen to their pressured sales-pitch, possibly even pretending to be with whatever company is providing your transport to the hotel or even suggesting to be your hotel guide. Ignore them – walk right passed them. If you feel the need to be polite, just say “no gracias” but avoid making eye contact. Wait until you are right outside of the airport building before looking for your transport.

[Blueskies]

Look what I stumbled upon. Some handay tips.

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