Aids HIV FAQ

Bahia Principe Tulum advice?

Question:

Im going to Bahia Principe Tulum for 4 nights over July 4 Ive NEVER been to Caribbean at all… and will also be taking my 18 yr old nephew with me as a graduation present from high school. He has never seen any ocean before. having said that….any advice or opinion on above resort? Maybe a list of things to pack and take with me?

Response:

> Im going to Bahia Principe Tulum for 4 nights over July 4 > Ive NEVER been to Caribbean at all… and will also be taking my 18 yr > old nephew with me as a graduation present from high school. He has > never seen any ocean before. > having said that….any advice or opinion on above resort? > Maybe a list of things to pack and take with me?

Try your request here… http://mytravelboard4.com/playa/

Response:

Twanger and said: >Im going to Bahia Principe Tulum for 4 nights over July 4 >Ive NEVER been to Caribbean at all… and will also be taking my 18 yr >old nephew with me as a graduation present from high school. He has >never seen any ocean before. >having said that….any advice or opinion on above resort? >Maybe a list of things to pack and take with me?

Sunblock SPF 30 and above depending on how fair your skin is.  First aid items like a few band aids, aspirin, etc. Dress for warm weather, lots of shorts, t-shirts, sandals.  Some beaches are 100% sandy while others have rocks and coral fragments in the water.  Just in case pack surf mocs / water slippers to protect your.  There is usually an ATM somewhere, so bring your ATM bankcard.  Funds are withdrawn in Mexican Pesos, you usually get a better currency exchange that way. Most places in Mexico will take VISA, Mastercharge,  Amex, but not Discovercard.  US Dollars are accepted most places. While the A. I. may tell you that tipping is not required.  It is still appreciated.  Tip the person who carries your luggage to your room.  At the end of your stay, envelopes will be provided for housekeeping, and your wait staff.  Most people tip a percentage of the total cost of their stay (hotel room bill).  If you are short on funds, even a $10.00 bill for housekeeping and one for wait staff will be appreciated.  Sort of figure out what you plan to tip and set that aside, so you don’t spend it elsewhere. Swimming in the Caribbean will spoil you for any beach in more northern locations.  The water is mostly clear, azure blue-green, and usually between 72F – 78F.  There’s no "getting used to it" just step right in.   The hotel pool may actually feel a little colder.  Jellyfish may be the only worry and not all the time.  Just in case, bring some Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer, that and human urine will take the sting out of a jellyfish bite.  Most of the time if you see one you can "push" it away by moving your hand back and forth in the water to make a current away from you. As long as you don’t swim out far from the shore line you should be ok.   I’ve encountered very few rip currents along the Yucatan coast.  But should you get caught in a current that wants to pull you out to sea, don’t panic.  Rather than trying to swim ashore against the current, swim across the current until you no longer feel the pull.  Then you can swim ashore. If you aren’t used to spicy food, don’t let one too many margaritas convince you it’s ok to eat something with lots of Habiniero Peppers.   Moderation is the best choice.  Although at most A. I. the food is prepared with consideration of North American and European tastes.  You will probably need to go off the hotel property to find something truly Mexican.  Mayan/Yucatan cooking usually doesn’t have as much heat as the Tex-Mex food most people associate with Mexican food. Chicken Mole was served to Mayan kings.  The main ingredient is a semi-sweet coco and a lot of aromatic spices. —  To  email me, Edit "xt" from my email address.   Brian M. Kochera    "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"  View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951

Response:

Hi Only had one day at Tulum, it is a great place and I hope to return for a week or 2 Have a great time and will send you an invite to see my pics on web James

Response:

>Sunblock SPF 30 and above depending on how fair your skin is

Thanks Brian that was really greta info!! Tell me…. what exactly are surf shoes and where can one buy some? Also….if i bought my own snorkel gear and take it with me….could I possibly resale it down at the resort before I leave?  You see…….I don’t snorkel at all…..so wont need it after coming home. Also…… is it wise to bring my cell phone with me?  Or just leave it at home?  Will a cell phone even work where Im going?

Response:

>While the A. I. may tell you that tipping is not required.  It is still >appreciated.

What amt should I tip to people who carry luggage and such? And…. on the cleaning staff and bar tenders and waiters and such…..shoud I tip them for each time they service or just wait until we leave and tip all at once?

Response:

>Hi >Only had one day at Tulum, it is a great place and I hope to return for >a week or 2 >Have a great time and will send you an invite to see my pics on web >James

Thanks James. I will write a report when we get back Im excited as Ive never been to Mexico before much less the caribbean. I think my nephew and me will have a great time.

Response:

> Im excited as Ive never been to Mexico before much less the caribbean. > I think my nephew and me will have a great time.

Like others have mentioned, wear sunscreen.  Apply it before you go outdoors, the sun is hot in the Caribbean. Take plenty of small bills with you.  They take American money, but they may give you change in pesos. I tip at the end of the week. You may decide you love snorkeling after trying it. Becca Sleazy3 http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy3.htm MOAGC http://www.motherofallgroupcruises.com/

Response:

Twanger and said: >While the A. I. may tell you that tipping is not required.  It is still >appreciated. >What amt should I tip to people who carry luggage and such? >And…. on the cleaning staff and bar tenders and waiters and >such…..shoud I tip them for each time they service or just wait >until we leave and tip all at once

Usually an envelope will be provided  in your room for tipping the housekeeping staff.  You do this on the last day.  Also, either the head waiter or the front desk will have an envelope for the waitstaff.  You put your tip in the envelope and hand it to the headwaiter on the night of your last dinner.  Luggage, I usually tip $1.00 per bag.  I don’t tip on small carry on bags that I carry myself only the larger bags. Cell phones, ask your cell phone service provider if it will work in Mexico.  Most don’t because US Cell phones run on a different frequency then the rest of the world.  Any convenience is lost in the high roaming and long distance costs. You can purchase LadaTel calling cards to call folks back in the US.   Mexico has many very inexpensive internet cafes.  If you don’t need voice communication, you can send and receive web mail emails from an internet cafe.  Some hotels even have an internet cafe on the property for use by guests. As for water shoes/ surf mocs,  I usually pick mine up at the local K-Mart or Wal-mart during summer season.  In a pinch an old pair of canvas slip-on boat shoes or sneakers will do. As for snorkel gear, I don’t think that the hotel will permit you to sell it on premises.  Just hang on to it.  You may find that you really like snorkeling. —  To  email me, Edit "xt" from my email address.   Brian M. Kochera    "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"  View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951

Response:

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