FAQs

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Preparing for Mexico Travel

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08/20/24 - Will start updating soon!

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Credit / Debit / ATM Cards

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• Set up travel plans with each credit/debit card with which you are traveling. I recommend setting your plan for an extra day at each end just in case of any unforeseen travel changes or delays. (Oct 25-Nov 3). Some Major credit cards do not require this, but Bank cards (debit/atm) will. • A debit / ATM card is important just in case you need extra cash. They have lots of ATM’s on the island. There are withdrawal and/or foreign conversion fees involved, unless you have a card that pays all the fees for you (i.e. Schwab), so Mike can educate you prior to using an atm.

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Medical Insurance for International Travel

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• Medical Insurance – Since COVID, we have started purchasing medical insurance for International Travel to cover the duration of our trip. It is very cheap! Many medical plans will not cover if you need care while abroad. Also, the hospitals will not discharge you to depart Mexico until your bills are paid in full. You can get $1 Million in coverage with $0 deductable thru GEO-Blue (It’s an Anthem Product) https://geobluetravelinsurance.com/ We have used it before and it is great to have!!

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Transportation From the Airport to Resort

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• Transportation to the Resort - I highly recommend Cozumel Taxis. They are White cars and vans with a red stripe on them. After you exit the airport, simply exit the airport property the same way as the traffic. Cross the street and in that block is a little taco shop called Diego’s Tacos (Some of the best Shrimp Tacos on the island). This entire distance is about equivalent to one block. Taxi’s will pick up either in front of Diegos, or directly across the street facing the airport. You can also wave them over to you. Rates going back to the airport can sometimes be a little higher as they are dropping you on the airport property. o TAXI RATES (VERY IMPORTANT) – Cozumel has a few dishonest cab drivers but most are very professional and honest; however, they are all safe to travel with. They also do not run meters in their cars. Instead, they go by zone and there are specific rates for each zone. While some drivers will quote an accurate rate, some others will quote rates much higher. They consider you first time tourists unless you express confidence and knowledge. If you do not like the rate you are quoted, feel free to walk to the next driver, OR tell them that you know what the rate should be (below). Many will agree to it, but do not hesitate to move onto the next. Taxi drivers are supposed to carry rate sheets with them as well. Most importantly, don’t get in the cab until you have agreed on a rate. Use Cash or Pesos! (Pesos will many times benefit you more)  Current rates as of 08/20/24 • 1-4 Passengers $35 • Up to 8 Passengers $70 • 9 Passengers $105 ($35 difference. Same as a 1-4 person cab)

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Cash / Pesos

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• There is a cash limit of $10,000 that you can travel with when entering both Mexico and the US without issue. Nobody should be carrying this much for a week’s vacation so there should be no issue. • Cash – US Currency is accepted all over Cozumel, however there is one big caveat. Each store, restaurant, etc. seems to have their own conversion rate in Mexico which makes the US dollar worth much less in some cases. Sometimes you can come out even or with a good rate but, you can also lose if you don’t know exactly what to expect for an accurate or fair conversion. Therefore, Mexican Pesos are your best option to pay for things there. Pesos can generally be purchased from your back here in the US, or you can get them in Mexico. ATM’s tend to have the most up-to-date conversion rate at the time. Many places accept Credit Cards as well, however some don’t. I have recently heard about transaction fees as high as 16% being placed on credit cards. That is not a good deal at all. o Make sure that your cash is crisp, clean, and not torn. Many Mexican banks will not take USD if it is old, faded, torn, etc. Do them a favor and bring newer cash. o Tips at the resort – We like to take at least $100 or more in $1 dollar bills for tips for a 1-week trip. These are for the Bartenders, Wait Staff, Housekeeping, etc. Tips are not required; however, they are much appreciated. They also mean better drinks, service, etc. The staff at the resort is AMAZING! • Currency App (Up to the minute exchange rates – Very Useful) o Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xe.currency&pcampaignid=web_share o Iphone https://apps.apple.com/us/app/xe-send-money-currency/id315241195

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Cell Phone Useage in Mexico

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• Cell Phone Usage – Most carriers are active or partnered in Cozumel. If you plan to use your phone in Cozumel, contact your carrier to make sure that you have a calling plan that will allow you to use your phone there. Also make where that you are set-up for international roaming. Otherwise, you could end up with an extremely high bill. Most carriers do have very low data caps though and will kick you down to 2g fairly quickly, so use Wi-Fi wherever you can. There is Wi-Fi on the resort.

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Prohibited items in Mexico

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Sudafed, Vicks Inhalers, Codeine Vapes, E-Cigs, Narcotic Drugs, Marijuana, etc.

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Excursions / Rental Cars

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• Excursions - Most excursions accept cash, and some accept credit cards (with a surcharge). • Rental Cars / Scooter Rentals – We can get some surprisingly good rates for Car rental on the island from a couple rental companies. ($45-$50/day with Insurance) We can even have car(s) delivered/picked up from the resort as well. While there are lots of Scooters available for rental, many people will advise against them because of the rate of injury. • Here is a list of Excursions to start thinking about. Mike will coordinate them for you. o Snorkeing (Roughly $65/$70/pp) Generally around 4 hours. 3 snorkel sites, Drinks, Beers, Ceviche or Guacamole, etc. o Deep Sea Fishing (Generally 5 people max and generally around 5 hrs) (Waiting on pricing) o Scuba Diving – Certified Diver (2 tanks $95 with Sharky’s Scuba) o Scuba Diving – Discover Scuba ( 2 Tanks and Instructor with Sharky’s $150) o Catamaran (Generally around $70/pp) o Pirate Ship – Evening excursion. Amazing food, entertainment, & LOTS of Alcohol. Depending on our group size, the owner has extended us a discount. ( Steak & Lobster $85, Steak & Chicken $80. An extra lobster is an additional $10 I believe). We should probably set a date and get a headcount by Oct 15th or so. o Lots of other activities that we can work with others to coordinate as well (Parasailing, ATV, Lighthouse Tour, Submarine, Chocolate Tour, Tequilla Tours, etc)

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Regarding room reservations

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Rooms are reserved with free cancelation up to 45 days prior to check-in. Room costs on the list. To ensure that everyone is traveling and to avoid my card being charged due to a cancelation, I am asking everyone to Venmo, Cash, or check myself no later than Sept 1st. Your room will be cancelled otherwise. We must have a finalized list of attendees and wedding plans submitted 60 days prior to arrival. If for whatever reason you must cancel, I will immediately refund your money, provided that the room is cancelled no less than 45 days before arrival. Otherwise, you will be on the hook for the entire cost of the room per hotel policy. When you arrive, Mike will help you get checked in and use my credit card to pay for your room. (The same amount you sent to me). You will need to put YOUR credit card on file with the resort to cover any incidental fees or purchases during your stay. The resort will also charge a small sanitation fee (only a few bucks) at check-in. If you are insistent on using your card to pay for your stay, that’s fine. I can venmo your money back to you. I should be able to remote into my computer at home to initiate the Venmo transfer as Venmo doesn’t work outside the country. Otherwise it would be sent as soon as we land back in the US.

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Passports

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Passports must be valid and not expire within 6 months of travel. Otherwise, you could run into issues. It all depends on who you are dealing with. We recommend you apply for your passports asap to ensure you have it in hand before time comes to purchase your flights, as flights are non refundable.

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Airfare

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Your best option is to fly into CZM. (Cozumel directly) Alternate airport would be CUN. (Cancun) DO NOT USE TULUM! I continually watch airfares and have alerts set up for when prices change. Plan on Airfare anywhere from $340-$400 Per Person/Round Trip providing you book at the right time. Otherwise prices could jump into the $500’s. CUN could be a cheaper option but must use the bus and ferry to get to CZM. Also, arrive at CUN no later than 3pm. More travel time. Bus to ferry is 12.50 ferry is 13.50 Transportation from CZM airport will most likely be Taxi. (Diegos) Could also look into flying in a day early or out a day late and stay in town for a night. Figure around $1,700 +- per couple for airfare and Hotel alone

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Transportation to and from restaurants and excursions

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All activities, dinners off site, transportation will be your expense. Share transportation with another couple or we can request a van to take us into town and split it.