Better Vacations: Mexico villas, condos, inns, lodges and haciendas

Mexico Villas and Condos since 1991

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Rudy Griffin – Atlanta, GA – E-Mail: travel@bettervacations.com – Phone 770-475-9887


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Travel Tips Riviera Maya & FAQs Welcome to The Riviera Maya, Mexico’s famed Caribbean Coast. Below in alphabetical order are help topics and FAQ’s. If you do not find the answer to your question, please email us. I’ll answer and add your topic to our list. If you find dated or incorrect information, please let us know.


Airport - The airport to fly into is Cancun (Airport code CUN). An airport at Coba (inland from Tulum) is being built.

Airport Transfers – If you do not rent a car, airport transfers can be arranged. For Akumal & Soliman Bay reservations, we recommend renting a car.

ATMs - Several in Playa del Carmen. Reputed to be the best way to obtain pesos.

Babysitting – Babysitting depends upon the house and/or manager. Cribs are usually available (some managers charge about $50/week. Highchairs are available in most Akumal homes.

Banks – Several international banks like HSBC and Santander are in Playa del Carmen. Your property manager can tell you where the branches are located.

Best Time to Visit the Riviera Maya – Mid-December through April are the busiest months with occupancy in the villas running close to 100%. July & August are almost as busy as winter. Our favorite times to visit? May & and early December.

Bottled/Purified Water – Almost all the homes & condos supply bottled water as part of the rental. Some condo properties purification systems providing safe tap water.

Bus Service – There are two types of ‘bus service’ for the Riviera Maya. The general Service – Regularly scheduled bus service runs from the town of Cancun south to all points south and west. From the Cancun Airport, you have to take a taxi to the town of Cancun and find the correct terminal. The service is inexpensive and the schedule is not always maintained. The Riviera Service – The Riviera Bus is picked up at the airport. Airport terminal. The buses are modern & clean. The one route goes from the airport directly to the bus terminal in Playa del Carmen. Buses general run each hour. Cost is about +/- US $10/person each way payable in pesos. No reservations.
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Car Rental – At the Cancun Airport there are about a dozen car rental agencies including Hertz, Avis, Alamo, National, and Budget for international companies. In Playa del Carmen, there are even more rental companies including all the international ones. You can reserve a car through the individual car companies’ toll free numbers.

Car Rental Insurance – (Collision Damage Waiver) Your US policy will Probably not protect you in Mexico. You can pay extra for the rental agency’s insurance. Make sure the policy covers you 100% for damage to the rental vehicle and does not have a deductible or loss of use provision before coverage kicks in. Some credit cards also provide protection. Call your credit card company to find out. The alternative is to take the risk and self-insure. If you do not accept the rental company’s CDW, they may authorize your credit card for several thousand dollars.

Clothing – As with all travel, pack light. Dress is touristy in all areas. Shorts & T-Shirts or Polo shirts. Good walking shoes are a must. Cotton clothing will help keep you cool. Sunhats are recommended.

Cooks – Cooks are available for most homes & some condos. Prices & policies vary & change over time. Cooks charge for the service cost of food, gratuity & sometimes taxi fare additional.

Credit Cards – Credit cards are generally accepted in Playa del Carmen shops & restaurants, less accepted in other areas of the coast. Some tour operators do not accept credit cards. Some tourist sites do accept credit cards. We generally recommend not relying on credit cards to avoid fraud.

Drinking the Water – Tap water should not be consumed. The homes & condos supply bottled water. Some condo properties have their own purification systems.

Driving & Gas Stations - The coast highway is new, wide, well-signed & easy to drive. With the Riviera Maya's dynamic growth, traffic can be heavy, particularly in Playa del Carmen. SPEED BUMPS – Mexico loves them & they are rough. GAS STATIONS – Pemex stations are in Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, & north of the Cancun Airport on Hwy 307. More and more stations are being built. Attendants pump the gas. Please tip the attendant. NOTE – Driving customs are different. For example, on highways, when you want to turn left, pull to the right & wait for traffic behind you to pass. Turning on your left turn signal tells the drivers behind you that it is OK to pass, not that you are turning left. NIGHT DRIVING – General advice used to be don’t drive at night, but the highway between Cancun & Tulum is so good that driving at night now is pretty safe.
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Drugstores – The grocery stores have a good selection of over the counter and personal items. In Playa del Carmen, you will find little stores on Fifth Ave for over the counter and personal items. In Puerto Aventuras and Akumal the small but well-stocked grocery stores will have

Eating Fruits & Vegetables - In general, cooked food is fine. It is not a good idea to eat unpeeled fruit or uncooked vegetables. The tourist-oriented restaurants prepare food & ice with bottled water.

Electricity - 110 just like the US. Almost all outlets are 3-prong.

Exchanging dollars for pesos - do change your dollars into pesos after you reach Playa or Akumal. Changing in the US is not recommended - it is expensive. Changing at the Cancun airport is OK but not as good a deal as changing in Playa or Akumal.

Ferry to Cozumel – The passenger ferry is in Playa del Carmen. It runs almost every hour for 16 hours per day. Between 4 AM and 11 PM, the ferry runs almost every hour. Schedules subject change.

First Aid Kit – Basic items such as Aspirin/Tylenol, Insect Repellent, Antacid, Imodium AD, Band-Aids, Tweezers, Sunscreen, Bactine or similar, & a list showing your bloodtype, special medical conditions & contact phone numbers.

Getting into & out of Mexico - To enter Mexico, United States citizens need: 1) - A valid Passport is now required for all US citizen regardless of age. 2) - A Tourist Card (usually supplied by your airline). Keep this on you. You will need it to leave Mexico. 3) - And of course the Immigration & Customs Declaration forms coming going - usually supplied by the airline.

Grocery Stores – In Playa del Carmen there is Chedraui, WalMart & Sam's Club" plus some other groceries and convenience stores. In Akumal there are 2 small, well-stocked grocery stores.

Internet Access - A few homes now have internet access. Some are wireless, others are cable. A few have a PC or laptop for guest access. Akumal & Tankah have free wireless (unsecured) that can be sporadic. Many of the condo properties in Playa del Carmen have free (unsecured) wireless.
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Internet Cafés – Readily available in Playa del Carmen, Akumal & Tulum. Cost is about $5-6/hour.

Kilometres - Speed limit signs are in Kilometres/per hour. 100 KPH = 65 MPH. 50 KPH = 33 MPH

Language – Spanish and Mayan with English widely spoken in tourist areas. For fun, take a Spanish phrase book with you & give it a try. The locals will appreciate your efforts

Laundry Facilities & Service – Some homes and condos have washer & dryer, but not all. Some homes offer a pickup service to do your laundry for a fee. Retail laundry services similar to our cleaners here in the states are available in Playa del Carmen. I do not know of any self-service laundromats. If anyone knows of a self-service location, let me know.

Massage – Local managers for some of the homes and condos can arrange massage service. There is a full service spa in Puerto Aventuras.

Medical – Doctors are available in Playa del Carmen. We will add a list soon.

Phones, Pay Phones, – Many homes have added phones for local & incoming calls. Some homes supply cell phones for guests. Guests pay for the callingcards. If phone is important to you, let us verify access & confirm the phone number. Pay phones are in Playa & sporadically in other areas. AT&T cards work. Use only Mex-Tel pay phones. You can also purchase a Ladatel card (pre-paid phone card) with which to use the pay phone. Do not use your credit card.

Rainy Season – Rainy season runs from June through November. Usually rainy season means afternoon showers. Sometimes a full day can be overcast & wet. The rare hurricane can bring rain for several days.

Safety & Security – In general, the Yucatan is safe. Take the same precautions you do at home: Stay aware of what is happening around you Lock your home or condo’s doors and windows when you leave Lock your car doors and place valuables in the trunk Don’t flash a lot of cash Leave your jewelry at home

Taxis - Taxis are white with green and are available 24 hours per day. The fare should be established before you go. Taxis do not have meters. Drivers are generally not tipped.

Temperature – is in Celsius. 20°C = 68°F 25°C=77°F 30°C = 86°F 35°C = 95°F High temperatures – May-October the average high is 90F. The rest of the year – low--mid 80’s. Low temperatures – May-October, the low’s will be high 70’s. The rest of the year – high 60’s.
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Tequila – Ahhh! Mexico would not be Mexico without tequila. Visit the Tequileria on Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen. It is a bar and retail store for about 300 brands of tequila.

Time - The Riviera Maya and the Yucatan are on Central Time year round.

Tipping Restaurants – 10-15%, depending upon how fancy the restaurant is. Watch your restaurant check. Some restaurants add the “propina” (the tip). Maids & Staff – We recommend US$2-$4/night/guest/staff person. Airport baggage attendants – US$1.00 per bag. Taxi drivers – generally are not tipped. Take a lot of US$1 bills for tipping.

Tourist Card - Your airline should provide a tourist card to you. If not, you will have to obtain one when going through customs. Keep this card with you for identification and because you can not leave Mexico without it.

Vaccinations – None required for this part of Mexico. You may wish to check with your physician for your personal situation.

Visas - Not required for vacationers staying less than six months.

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