Search This Blog

Monday, October 26, 2009

Mexico Travel Tips: What you need to know about vacationing

Our recent trip to Mexico was full of annoyances. So I'm sharing some observations and travel tips for those who are planning to travel to Mexico:

++ Renting a Car in Mexico ++
I got a great weekly rate with Hertz through my travel agent at Royal Club Vacations: US$79 /wk for a 5 seater compact car, the Dodge Attitude (based on a Nissan Sentra). Wow! So we arrive at Hertz at Cancun international airport. I produce my gold credit card MasterCard and advise the Hertz gal behind the counter that my credit card company will cover the collision waiver insurance. She smiled and and said, "Sorry, the rules are different in Mexico. We don't have an agreement with any credit card company. If you don't want to buy the optional insurance, then we require a US$1500 deposit by cash or your credit card as a pre-authorization."

I did a double-take in my thoughts and asked her, "you mean 1500 pesos, right?" My worst fear was realized when she said, "no sir, that's 1500 American Dollars." SAY WHAT? I ran to the payphone across the street and called the credit card company. They confirmed it's up to the individual car rental companies in Mexico to accept the insurance that we make available. Oh great. I ran back to the Hertz office and asked what would the situation be if I paid the extra insurance? After a minute of punching her calculator, she says my rate for the week would be US$189, and the damage deposit she'll require would be US$600. Ok, so from US$79 to US$189 to rent the car, and now my availability of funds is decreased by US$600 . How would you feel if your budget for your vacation was just shot down by over $700?

Anyway, no choice but to fork over my agreement to go ahead with this.

By the way, another tip: make sure you document every little damage that already exists on the car you are about to rent. That includes nicks on the windshield, any little dings or dents, scratches or chips on the body anywhere on the car... INCLUDING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. You see, on that federal highway 307 from Cancun to Playa del Carmen to Tulum and beyond, there are those numerous harsh speedbumps that can and will cause some damage to your car underside (and shocks) if you are not careful. When I returned the car after the week, the Hertz guy actually checked EVERYWHERE for damage and compared it to my damage pre-rental form.

Oh, and another tip, there are no gas stations along the road to the airport/ car rental office once you turn off from highway 307 to the airport. So make sure you gas up before you hit that exit sign.

That leads me to advise you also.... even at the government-owned green-colored Pemex gas stations, you must be vigilant and watch how much gas they put into your car, versus how much you tell them to pump. I told the gas guy "200 Pesos", but before I put the money into his hand after his pumping service, I got out and took a close glance at the pump machine. It was only 181 pesos!! Crazy!

^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Ok, another change in topic.

+++ The Tulum Experience: Travel Tips +++

We drove to Tulum from our resort at Playa del Carmen... it took almost 1 hour when driving at the posted speed limit, as we watched all kinds of cars, busses and big trucks pass us by. And twice, we saw police with their radar gun speed traps along the highway nabbing only a few of them. Anyway, DON'T always go at the speed limit number if it says "salida" beside it. That's the speed limit for exiting at the next exit.

If you are indeed heading for the Tulum ruins from highway 307 from the Playa del Carmen direction, watch out for the "Achaeologica Tulum" sign on your left, around 2 km just BEFORE you hit the town of Tulum and its little stores and bars and old-looking structures along the highway. We missed that street to the Tulum ruins and kept on driving. We had to ask the gas attendant for directions.

When parking at the Tulum ruins point of interest, there will be a guy or guys waving you in to the next available parking space. Yeah, they are helping you, in a way, but it was interesting to see that only 1/5 of the parking lot was full, so I already knew right away something funny was going on. These "parking" helper guys are actually salesmen who operate out of a tour information booth at the parking lot. They will ask you what your plans are after you visit Tulum, and that they have all these deep discounted promotions for you and your group for other excursions. Be wary ... yes, a lot of them are really discounted or even free... however, in all likelihood you will have to attend a "90 minute" timeshare presentation which will, as in our experience, take half a day since they take you on a tour of the resort(s) and the facilities. Also, you will be asked to put down a deposit to confirm your booking to attend. I warned you....

Also, if you are going to the Tulum Mayan ruins, then you should know about the train you can take from the parking lot to the actual ticket booth for the site. There will be people telling you that it will be around a 10 to 15 minute walk to go the 1/4 to 1/2 mile distance, and they you should take the train... and of course, you need to buy tickets to get on the train (I think it cost around 45 pesos?) It was a very hot and humid afternoon, and the shaded train car was inviting. So we bought 2 tickets (children are free). Lo and behold, the ride was so short, and maybe it would have taken 5 minutes to walk the approximately 2 blocks. Whatever.

Don't forget there is a beautiful beach at the Tulum site. You can swim there!! Bring a towel and bathing suit (wear it already --- no changing stations there!)


+++ Buying souvenirs, etc at the outdoor markets +++

Don't be afraid or shy to bargain with them. At the same time, be brave enough to walk away. I was looking at a spiderman mask for my son, and the seller wanted 250 pesos. I said 100 pesos, and he bantered and mumbled and mumbled and said no in so many words. So I looked at him with a "I cannot believe it" face and started to walk away. After a quick second he said, "okay, but let me ask my partner". He went around the corner for a few seconds and came back saying okay. Hmmm, good deal.

That's all for this writer's write-up about his experience in Mexico!

Eric C
Business Solutions Specialist