Travel Tips
Travel Documents
You must present a valid passport to enter Mexico. Single parents traveling with minor children need a notarized letter from the other parent giving permission for the child to leave the country.
Arrival in Mexico
You will first present your papers at Immigration, pick up your luggage, then proceed to the customs check point which is the "Stop and Go". You press the button and if the light turns green you walk right through, if it is red you will be asked to step aside and your bags may be inspected.
Money Tips
It is best to exchange your money into pesos upon arrival in Mexico. Dollars are excepted everywhere, but you will receive a better exchange rate if you use pesos. It is easiest to exchange funds by using an ATM machine. ATM's can be found at all banks and grocery stores, in Playa del Carmen and Tulum, and the Super Chomak in Akumal. In Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras you will find your credit cards accepted almost everywhere, but once you head south cash is necessary. Only a few restaurants in Akumal accept credit cards, so consider that when planning your travel budget. How much to budget? $500.00 in cash per person for travel expenses should be plenty for a week's holiday unless you expect to do a large amount of shopping. It is best to not be dependant on credit cards. If traveling with credit cards, remember to inform your card company of your travel dates. Debit cards are accepted at major grocery stores.
Can you drink the Water?
Is the water safe? Many people are concerned about the drinking water situation in the Yucatan. Bottled water is readily available. All hotels, condos and villas will provide purified drinking water. All restaurants in the area at the major resorts wash their produce, ect. in purified water. All ice is made with purified water.
Beach Health Tips
The sun can be very intense in Mexico. It is best that you use sunscreen before you even venture into the sun. A bad burn can ruin a vacation. A hat and sunglasses are also a must. Sunscreen is a wonderful thing, it protects our tender skin, but it is not allowed if you plan on swimming in a cenote, caleta or lagoon. Sunscreen is prohibited in Yal-Ku lagoon in Akumal. Wear a t-shirt instead!
Grocery Stores
Akumal has two small groceries, Super Chomak and El Pueblito, at the Akumal Arch entrance and two small 'quick' marts on Half Moon Bay. There is also a fresh produce market on Saturday and Wednesday. Pescaderia fish market is in Pueblo Akumal across the highway. In Tulum you will find San Francisco grocery store and small local markets. Visit the Superior beer store in Tulum to buy cases of beer and sodas in bottles. A bottle deposit is required so it is best to return your empties. Grocery stores in Playa Del Carmen are: Chedraui, Soriana, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.
Transportation
Most tourists who are exploring the Mayan Riviera are driving rental cars. Driving from the airport is easy on Highway 307. It is a divided 4-lane with plenty of PEMEX gas stations. If you choose not to rent a car you will find taxi transport service at the airport. It is best to arrange airport transfer to Akumal in advance with pick up at the airport by Akumal Transfer. There are bikes and golf carts for rent in Akumal. Taxis are available at the Akumal entrance or the La Joya office will call one for you. You may also utilize the public bus system, the Mayab. These buses run up and down Highway 307, the tourist corridor, on a regular basis. Very inexpensive.