The Best Tips for your Cancun Vacation

Here are some tips that you’ll find useful when you travel to this paradise, Cancun:

• Don't drink the water even if the hotel has a purified water cistern, it tastes funny. Mexican bottled water is 1/3 the price.
• There are timeshare sales reps everywhere! They will tell you anything, they will offer you free tours or dinner. DO NOT STOP! ... In case you forget this tip, and you find yourself talking with timeshare people, just tell them: "Sorry, I don't have a Credit Card" ... Trust me, this is the best timeshare repellent!
• Set taxi fares before getting in. If you have a problem, take its 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.' Every restaurant pays a commission to taxis, travel agents reps, bell boys, 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 pay.
• Most people speak 'JOB English' meaning they get by when you ask them questions that they answer daily. Speak slowly & clearly. Don't use unusual 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. Be on the defensive.
• Use sunscreen even on an overcast day.
• If you were 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.
• 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!
• 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 and 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.
• Phoning home: Dial 001 - area code - #. Buy Ladatel phone cards (50 cents a minute). The phones are everywhere, and the cards are sold in most stores and money exchanges. DO NOT call collect. Minimum charge is $40! You will find these phones in 50% of the hotel rooms, lobbies and on the street.