First Time to Mexico

[TerriJ]

I have a few first timer questions.

What is the easiest way to handle cash transactions?

Do the AI resorts have bottled water handy?

Will our cell phones work in Cancun? (T-Mobile and Verizon).

We are looking forward to our trip later this month.

Thanks for any info!

 

[buceo]

To us Cancun itself, which we think is great, is an Americanized (as in USA) resort in MX. The water is fine, they often take US dollars, cabs, shops, restaurants but for example buses don't. We exchange pesos at our resort, they keep a good rate. Most everyone speaks English, at least enough for what they do. There have been discussions on cell phones, I'd search the topic. I don't use one there, just email. Keep looking forward to it, it'll be great.

 

[donnaval]

Our friends had a Verizon cellphone and it worked fine--they just had to remember to use the country code for USA when making calls home.

 

[BSQ]

cash transactions: my preference is to use Pesos. I'm not one to stress over the best exchange rate, since they are usually fairly similar. I excahnge my US$ for pesos where ever it is convenient for me, usually the resort front desk. Most. US Dollars are widely accepted, but as a rul of thumb your change will be in pesos. Here's also where you'll lose a bit in the exchange rate. If the going rate is say 10.7 a shop keeping might round it to 10. When haggling at the flea market stalls, if I have small denomination bills, I may use that, it really just depends on what's in my wallet at the time. (but never agree to pay say $5 and then pull out a $20) The buses will accept a dollar bill for your fare. You may or may not get change for it, it just depends on the driver.

I've never stayed AI, and I imagine the answer to your question may vary depending on the resort, and what you'd consider handy.

we have cingular service, and it works fine in Cancun. I'd talk with your service provider before you leave.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[DianneL]

We were in Cancun recently. To make calls, I used a calling card I took with me. The resort charged a $3.00 fee to connect me for the call, but I assumed that would be less than the charges of roaming on my Verizon phone from Mexico to US, especially if I were going to talk several minutes.

 

[Karen G]

We have Verizon cell service on a family plan with 5 phones. In August when we were in Cabo we had Verizon switch us to their North American (includes Mexico) plan on a pro-rated basis while we were in Mexico so that we could talk to each other and to our daughters back home who didn't come with us on the trip.

It worked out well and the charges weren't much more than our usual monthly charges. Just be sure you get the name of the person who sets it up for you so that you'll have someone to talk to when you get home if there are any problems. The year before we did something similar but got charged high roaming charges with each call. That wasn't supposed to happen and when I called the guy who set it all up, he was able to fix the problem.

 

[jules54]

TerriJ,
I don't exchange dollars to peso everywhere takes dollars. If you do change don't do alot as you lose if you need to change back to dollars. We always take 100 one dollar bills minimun. This works great for tipping, cab fare, bus fare, soda, beer, bottled water.
If your staying at an all-inclusive they will have plenty of bottled water. You will probably do most of your eating and drinking at your resort.
We always use our credit cards whenever possible for tours, meals, grocery store.
What resort are you staying at? Wherever you will have a great time.

 

[TerriJ]

Thanks for all the great advice. I love TUG!

We are staying at the Riu Cancun.

I called T-Mobile and they told me it would be $1.49 per minute. I will try again and ask to see if they have a North American plan.