Arshell & Chris

MONEY

• Before you leave home, submit a notarized letter to your bank to let them know that you will be traveling, what your travel dates are and to give you access to your accounts for withdrawals and maybe even an increase on your daily withdrawal amount.

• You should also find out what the international rates of withdrawal are from your bank, as well as, which logos you need to look out for to be able to use ATMs. 

 

STEP

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

 

FLYING

• Liquids in your carry-on bags

• Going through security at the airport

• Pack one change of clothing in your carry-on plus swimsuit

• Do not pack valuables in your checked bags

• Pack lightly so you can have space for souvenirs without going over the weight allowance and having to pay the overweight fee

 

WHAT TO WEAR & PACK

Bags: 

• If you plan on spending time at the beach or ziplining & hiking, you may want to bring a small bag with zippers. Things can fall out of open pockets and disappear in the sand/the brush.

• Take a lightweight collapsible bag you can use later to bring home souvenirs if the space you made in your suitcase just won't hold all of your Mexican treasures. 

 

Apparel: Pack all of the clothes you think you'll need and want, then take out half.

• Men: Long pants (khakis) and proper shoes may be required for entrance to a fancy restaurant and theey may come in handy for if there's a chilly night.

• Women: Bright a light sweater for the chilly nights.

• General rule of thumb for clothes in Cancun: Pack everything you'd like to bring and think you need, unpack it all and only put half back in. 

 

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: 

• Sunscreen (a high and low SPF number)

• Aloe vera gel (to soothe bug bites and sun burn)

• Solarcaine or similar treatment for sunburns

• Immodium, Pepto Bismol, and Gravol (just in case)

• Ibuprophen, Aspirin (hangovers)

• Polysporin (in case you knick yourself on underwater rocks/coral)

• Mosquito repellent 

• Pack travel sized versions of your normal toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc.)

 

Photo Equipment: 

• Cell phone & Camera (upload your pictures so you have sufficient memory and don't forget your extra memory card(s), battery(ies) and charger

• Underwater camera if you plan on snorkeling. Your resort will have them but they will charge a fortune. 

 

Beach wear:

• Sunglasses

• Sandals

• Sarong (women)

• Hat (not a baseball cap) 

 

Miscellaneous: 

• ATM/Credit card

• Small travel clock 

• Something to do during down time (a book, puzzle book, kindle, MP3/CD player (with charger), etc.)

• A pen for filling out all the forms at the airport

• The electrical system in Mexico is 110 volts AC, as in the United States but it may run a little slower so don't go full blast with the hairdryer. You don't want to burn it out. 

 

TAXES:

• Mexico has a value-added tax (VAT) of 16% (or IVA in Spanish) on most everything, including restaurant meals, bus tickets, and souvenirs. Hotels charge the usual 16% IVA, plus a locally administered bed tax of 3% (in most areas), for a total of 19%. 

 

TIPPING:

• Bellboys > the equivalent of 5 to 15 pesos per bag

• Waiters > 10% to 15% (depending on the level of service)

• Taxi drivers > no tip (unless they are hired by the hour or provide touring or other special services)

• Bathroom attendants > about 5 pesos

 

BATHROOMS: 

• Public bathrooms are not common in Mexico, take toilet paper with you! 

 

WATER:

• Drink bottled water and make sure that the bottle is unopened when it arrives.

• Avoid ice unless you are sure it comes from bottled, purified water.

• When brushing your teeth, don't swallow the water.

• Stay hydrated!