Advice: Yucatan Mexico

[WinstonSmith]

So, let's just say 2015 was a good year for me at work, and the company put me on the short list of a company-paid, all-inclusive stay at a 5 star place in the Yucatan. I've never been, so send me the list of Do and Don't Do things. It's a +1 event, so we'll be leaving the little ones with family and friends. Other coworkers who won this award will go and I expect some of my agenda will be filled with events involving all of us and the execs.

Advice on edged weapons is welcome. The usual accompaniments that come with me on domestic airline flights will come with me to El Mexico, of course.

Oh, and ... Hablo un poquito de espanol, pero no uso este vocabulario mucho-- es viejo.

Something like this:

46662

[ChrisNobody]

My advice will be brief. The all inclusive packages work great as they are designed to keep you on the grounds of the hotel. The hotels generally have adequate security for most things. There are still room break ins and drunken pool fights, but you don't run the risks that you would being in town solo. That said, if you go, stay on the resort grounds or with resort sponsored tours. Going out solo means you want practice of your martial skills. That is my opinion.

[Mr. Anthony]

I was there in...'09 or '10. Rented a car and put 800 or so miles on it all over the Peninsula. Places like Cancun and Tulum and Chichen Itza are great to see, but driving the Ruta Phuc and pulling off the side of the road to check out ruins where there are almost no tourists is really cool. Cenotillo is a cool little town, as is Merida. I typically would just pull into a town and talk to a cop in Spanish, perhaps slip him some cash if it seemed wanted, and ask what the cool stuff in town to see was. Got to see so many things that tourists never see. Cool caves, cenotes out in the middle of farmland, great little places to eat, etc.

Had a great time and never felt in danger. I had knives on me and great situational awareness, of course.

[ss58]

I'm a big history guy. Gotta do Chichen Itza and The Temples of Uxmal. Private tours.

[Mr. Anthony]

I'm a big history guy. Gotta do Chichen Itza and The Temples of Uxmal. Private tours.

Oh yeah; Uxmal is fantastic. I'll look through my pictures to jog my memory; I saw a ton of cool things that are escaping me now while multitasking.

[WinstonSmith]

What is needed to rent a car? Passport + US Drivers License + Credit Card?

[H60DoorGunner]

This goes without saying, but I find that no matter what country I'm traveling in, minding my own business is paramount to my safety. Not saying you won't, but I've seen many tourists get their a$$ kicked because they stuck their nose where it didn't belong.

That part of Mexico is relatively safe. Don't flash your cash, or dress extravagantly. People will know you're a foreigner before you open your mouth...just don't look so wealthy you could stand to lose some. As was mentioned, South American cops and people in general don't get paid much. Slip a local cop a few bucks...like $20 or $30, as "payment for their travel advice". You'll get it, and typically won't get fu@ked with, since the cops are often times friends with the crooks.

Otherwise, most people there are poor just trying to get by. They're humble, and typically generous and kind.

[WinstonSmith]

I have a Northern European ancestry. I know I won't look local. :wink:

Slip $20 in USD or equivalent in pesos?

[H60DoorGunner]

I have a Northern European ancestry. I know I won't look local. :wink:

Slip $20 in USD or equivalent in pesos?


USD is preferred. Whether it can be spent as easily, is irrelevant. It has a higher perceived value in Latin America

Conversely, when you're buying something from the locals, you can normally haggle down the price a few dollars/pesos.

[R. Lafayette]

Just know that Cancun/Yucatan is Zetas territory. It has great proximity to Colombia in a manner that allows for jumping the Central American land routes. Know that the phrase 'La ultima letra' refers to them.

Respect the confines of the resort. Especially for women I would say. I recall they had a wave of violence against women in Cancun area towards the end of 2015. I'm not one to say don't go anywhere but respect the reality of life outside the resort. Know that to Mexican thugs you are a walking 'cajero.'

Taxis can be dangerous. Never get in one with two guys already inside it. If you get in a taxi and pull out, see if another car pretty much pulls out at the same time and gets behind you.

I went to a wedding at Hard Rock Cafe in Cancun in December 2012. I never left the resort. Didn't need to. I don't tempt fate. Well not all the time...

[BESEPUL]

Bug Spray for defense against Zika virus.

[H60DoorGunner]

Bug Spray for defense against Zika virus.

Hah! Yeah, that too. Permethrin is the best. It can be bought at Academy or other similar sporting goods stores. Try and find the stuff that you can soak/treat your clothing in though. The spray stuff works well, but doesn't last as long. The other thing I forgot to mention, is that if you're staying in a place that has mosquito curtains on the bed...5 stars or not, use them. There are more than just mosquitoes in Latin America, you can get Chagas from the Kissing Bugs too.

[WinstonSmith]

Good info - keep it coming.

Rules on edged weapons? Fixed vs. folders, blade length, etc?

[JoeB40]

Where in Yucatan are you going? A couple replies have mentioned Cancun and Tulum but they are in Quintanaroo.

Driving in Mexico is different than the US; get used to crazy $hit on the road. You may get passed by a collectivo (public bus) and then have to stand on the brakes because of two fat guys on a 125 motorcycle crawling down the road. Observe speed limits, yeild to faster traffic and be aware of vehicles on the right shoulder as they may be making a left turn. (Welcome to Mexico )

I downloaded google translator to my phone and saved a few sentences. One I've never used is for the cop who pulls you over for no apparent reason and in English is " May I follow you back to the station so we can take care of this there? "

Never have had any trouble down there but the three S rule is international. I've found that a smile and few extra pesos goes a long way. Don't tip with US change; its worthless down there. Make a few copies of your passport. If you exchange US dollars at a bank, they will ask to see your passport and want to keep a copy. I keep a picture of my passport on my phone too. I prefer to pay cash in pesos. When paying in US dollars, the merchant typically has a sliding scale exchange rate and never in your favor. If you feel like it a throw away wallet with a little cash and an expired credit card or two in it may come in handy in the unlikely chance you get held up. Always use your room safe.

Last and not least, have a great time and have a Tequila for your tribe bros stuck in the cold.

[Mr. Anthony]

I have a Northern European ancestry. I know I won't look local. :wink:

Slip $20 in USD or equivalent in pesos?

I used US dollars most of the time for stuff like that (and really, only MAYBE two times did I "tip" law enforcement. Carry both; I bought a couple of great items cheaply by just talking to the owner for a bit and being friendly and working on my Spanish. Fantastic hammock in Merida, or perhaps Progreso (cool little beach town) that still gets use in the summer.

I found the people there to be nothing but friendly and generous, especially if I asked them to help me practice my Spanish during our conversation. Also, I was substantially taller than the local population, for the first time in my life.

I don't remember the exact car rental process, but it was as easy as it is here.

Don't be concerned about interacting with the locals; most will be trying to earn money or referring you to a friend who has something for sale, but being friendly and willing to lay out a bit of cash gets you great treatment. I have nothing but good memories of going.

[H60DoorGunner]

Where in Yucatan are you going? A couple replies have mentioned Cancun and Tulum but they are in Quintanaroo.

Driving in Mexico is different than the US; get used to crazy $hit on the road. You may get passed by a collectivo (public bus) and then have to stand on the brakes because of two fat guys on a 125 motorcycle crawling down the road. Observe speed limits, yeild to faster traffic and be aware of vehicles on the right shoulder as they may be making a left turn. (Welcome to Mexico )

I downloaded google translator to my phone and saved a few sentences. One I've never used is for the cop who pulls you over for no apparent reason and in English is " May I follow you back to the station so we can take care of this there? "

Never have had any trouble down there but the three S rule is international. I've found that a smile and few extra pesos goes a long way. Don't tip with US change; its worthless down there. Make a few copies of your passport. If you exchange US dollars at a bank, they will ask to see your passport and want to keep a copy. I keep a picture of my passport on my phone too. I prefer to pay cash in pesos. When paying in US dollars, the merchant typically has a sliding scale exchange rate and never in your favor. If you feel like it a throw away wallet with a little cash and an expired credit card or two in it may come in handy in the unlikely chance you get held up. Always use your room safe.

Last and not least, have a great time and have a Tequila for your tribe bros stuck in the cold.

+1 on making copies of your passport. Many times, if you have to deal with the police in Latin America, they'll ask for your passport. Don't give it to them, no matter what. Just provide a copy.

I was pulled over by a cop outside Tegucigalpa down in Honduras a few years ago. He said I was driving too fast. He wanted my passport, I refused and insisted on a copy...but it turns out the whole matter was resolved with $50. I doubt you'll have trouble like that, but it does happen. One of my friends was arrested arbitrarily on the beach in Puerto Vallarta by the Federales...from what I saw, a mexican jail ain't somewhere you want to be. But we bailed him out with $60 and two cartons of American cigarettes. It seems that everyone is willing to wheel and deal south of the border.

[cwood]

Everywhere in Mexico is an NPE. If you are spotted with a clip on your pocket that looks like a knife, you will likely get searched. The police in Quintana Roo won't mess with you unless they see a weapon, or you do something to attract their attention. I saw Mexican Marines and Navy troops walking the beaches in Playa Del Carmen and municipal police with Colt SMGs on street corners to give the tourists an illusion of safety. If you are flying into Cancun, make arrangements for your resort to shuttle you to the hotel. Confirm who your shuttle driver is because there are scam artists waiting at the airport and they will try to trick you into believing they represent your resort. Most of them are just looking to collect the fare for the ride but you don't want to be the exception. The shuttle drivers will pass you through the military checkpoints quickly. I found them to be worth a few bucks.
I recommend putting the number to American Citizen Services at the consulate in Merida in your phone and written somewhere else in case you have an emergency.
The advice about carrying a photocopy of your passport is good. Do that and guard your passport carefully. You will probably find Mexican Customs in Cancun is friendlier than our Customs.
As long as you avoid the S's, the greatest danger there is traffic.

[WinstonSmith]

Good info, guys. Destination is Cancun and Playa del Carmen. All travel arrangements, including ground transport from the airline, are on the company's tab by our travel dept, so I'm sure they'll be top quality.

Anyone know if Uber is active down there?

Copies of the passport sound like a good plan. I'll put copies in the cloud (shock, gasp, horror, I know), too, just in case.

[JoeB40]

Playa Del Carmen: roughly translated, Butt Floss Beach...

A little town you might check out is Puerto Morales: quaint fishing town, smaller crowds and great local cuisine. Your hotel will know of reputable tour companies that will take you to Tulum Ruins and Chitzanitza. They do all the driving, set up meals and get you home. Akumal you snorkel with sea turtles. Pretty awesome. Tulum Beach is the hipster scene and the women like to topless there. Always a bonus. Good bars and restaurants.

Man, I love it down there!

[jmoore]

What is needed to rent a car? Passport + US Drivers License + Credit Card?

I wouldn't hurt to get an International DL before leaving. That way - IF you get into some type of accident, you can surrender THAT DL, not your home state version. I always did that when I used to take solo motorcycle trips out of CONUS. YMMV - john