Get to Cozumel

Get to Playa del Carmen

Exchanging money All stores, restaurants will take US dollars and travelers checks.  Odds are however that the exchange will be in their favor.  It is best to exchange your money first in either the bank (best options), exchange places (casa de cambio) or in the hotel (check to rate as most do not give you a good rate).  NO ONE takes US coins, bills that are ripped, written on, taped up or glued back together.   Helpful money converter

Discos   www.dadyo.net www.cocobongo.com.mx

Live Music  Salsa: Shrimp Bucket, Batacha, Azucar, Mambo Cafe Rock'n Roll: Hard Rock Cafe, Carlos'n Charlie's, La Ruina Jazz: Blue Bayou (Fri/Sat), Roots Mariachi: Ok Maguey, Perico's

Just the way it is... Many times a day I just shake my head and end up walking away. The average employee makes about $400 US a month. Today I was in a store where the lady working in the store could not read off the menu. Just remember that the ocean & the beach are 2 of the very best in the world. I often shake my head at their beauty.  One other point...everyone here works on commission so the odds are they have a hidden agenda.  Just takes things as they come.

Happy Hours Deli Mart back by the Camino Real 6 - 8pm   --  OK Maguey 2 x 1 tequila & wine tasting & 2x1 beers & margs Monday 7 pm on and only with your E Plus card. 11:30-5 pm daily also. --  La Ruina 11 - 5 $10 a beer & 2x1 drinks. 5 on all drinks 2x1, Bar del Mar from 6-8 pm....Philly Cheese Steak dollar beer from 1-9 pm

Stuff

• Brant: Don't drink the water even if the hotel has a purified water syste, it tastes funny. Mexican bottled water is 1/3 the price. Tim: I disagree with Amigo Brant on this. Cancun has a water purification plant. Many of the hotels, malls & restaurants have further filters. If the sink at your hotel says Potable Water, trust it. Tourista is caused primarily by to much sun, to much fun, and a change in diet. Stay hydrated and you'll be fine.
• Avoid people on the street say " YO VIVO A KEY" means, I live here.
• Set taxi fares before getting in. If you have a problem, take his number off the car & report it to your hotel.
• Use environmentally friendly sunscreen when in national water parks
• Hard Rock Cafe is not downtown. Go explore. Prices are better downtown.
• DON'T let people change your mind about a restaurant. 'Oh that restaurant is closed' or 'My uncle owns a better one.' My favorite is 'Are you sure you want to eat there?' Every restaurant pays a commission to concierges, taxis, travel agents reps, bellboys, front desk clerks, maids, salesclerks, iguanas, sharks, monkeys etc. The commission could be as high as 15% of your bill and of course that fee is added to the menu price. 97% of restaurants pays. Another reason to buy the 2 x 1 card. You save the money!
• Most people speak 'JOB English' meaning they get by when you ask them questions that they answer daily. Speak slowly & clearly. Don't use uncommon words. Don't expect everyone to understand your accent.
• Ocean temperature year round is 80F so, jump in
• Crossing the street is not a right; it's a challenge. YOU DO NOT have the right of way even in a cross walk or at a red light. Be on the defensive. Taxi & bus drivers do not have any education and think that the road holds 3 things; 1) Their vehicle, 2) Their garbage & 3) Their right of way. So RUN when crossing the street.
• Use sunscreen even on an overcast day
• If you where 2 hours from the pyramids in Egypt would you go? If yes, go to Chichen-Itza.
• Ice is safe in the drinks. All restaurants wash the vegetables in purified water. Even the taco guy on my corner.
• Always carry change! 5, 10, 20 pesos. Amazing how many stores don't have change and it will be your fault.
• ATM machines, credit card slips are in pesos so DON'T PANIC when you see all those zeros
• Watch out for hot salsa! It's the next day that bites. Well, bites...
• How to speak better Spanish? Drink more tequila!
• Best thing to do? Get up at 6:30 am & walk on the beach. THE BEST!
• If someone says 'I understand', they don't. It is that simple.
• Tip your maid daily; a buck or 2.
• Exchange your dollars in exchanges houses, maybe your hotel or banks. You will get a better rate than the stores & restaurants. The best rate in the hotel zone is the Bancrecer bank in Plaza Flamingo.
• Plan to eat out, go to clubs or do any tours order the Cancun 2 for 1 Card. ORDER HERE !
  
  A Good Air Fare checker CheapFlights.com
  
  E T call home   Dial 001 - area code - #. Buy TelMex pre-paid phone cards (50 cents a minute). Use them at your Hotel, on cell phones, or at Ladatel phone booths. (The Ladatel phones are everywhere.) DO NOT call collect. Minimum charge is $40! You will find Ladatel phones in 50% of the hotel rooms, lobbies and on the street.