General Rental Information for Mexico vacation rentals

Vacation rental Questions and Answers

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Rental FAQs

General Information about Riviera Maya Rentals

Accuracy of this website

The rental homes and condos we offer are privately and individually owned with local

professional management. We check supplier and/or owner websites often and update

our information accordingly. We also talk with the local managers about changes.

With that said, the Riviera Maya is a dynamic and forever changing area. The tropical

atmosphere requires on-going maintenance and frequent replacement of furniture

and appliances. Though we strive for accuracy, no website, including ours,

can portray exactly the current furnishings, finishes and atmosphere at any given time.

If you find something materially incorrect on our site, please let us know by email or phone.

How to make a reservation

Call or email us with your dates and particulars. We can then offer suggestions.

Or, peruse our site and email or call if you find a specific property you wish to rent.

We will determine availability and, if available, we secure a 3 day hold and email

our rental agreement/confirmation with payment procedure and rental terms and conditions.

What is the Payment Procedure

We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover

We work with a dozen or so local management companies and tailor our terms to

each manager's terms - Usually 50% down with the balance due 91 days prior to arrival.

Some managers require holiday reservations to be paid in full and cannot be cancelled.

What are the Cancellation Terms

Usually you can cancel up to 91 days prior to arrival with a 10%-25% of total rent penalty.

Some managers do not allow cancellation but will offer an opportunity to change dates

if you cannot travel your original dates. Holiday reservations usually are paid in full at

time of booking and are not cancellable or refundable.

Specific Payment and Cancellation Terms

Each property page on our site has more detailed terms and conditions for that specific

property and our rental agreement has exact terms so you will know before you pay us

Property Manager and Local Contact

Each home/condo has local management who is responsible for the operation of your property. Any questions that arise during your visit should be resolved with the local manager before you

leave Mexico. The local manager is your contact for maintenance or questions.

Amenities in General

We have lists of each property’s amenities and though we are diligent with staying current,

things do change over time. If a particular item is important, let us verify.

Air-Conditioning

All of the properties have air-conditioning which is usually built-in wall units.

In some properties, air-conditioning is in bedrooms only.

Central AC is becoming more common but in a minority of properties.

Babysitting

Availability of babysitting services depends on the house. Frankly, it is not common.

Baby Cribs & Highchairs

Cribs and high chairs are almost always available in the homes and sometimes in the condos.

Sometimes there is a charge of about $50/week.

BBQ Grills

Some properties do, some don’t. Some are gas, some are charcoal.

Let us verify if it is important to you.

Beach Chairs

Most properties have the plastic resin type chairs or wood chairs for use at the property.

Some homes/condos have American style folding aluminum chairs for the beach.

Let us verify if it is important to you (beach chairs sometimes are left at the beach & disappear)

Most condo properties have chaise lounges for their pool area.

Beachfront Properties

Beachfront villa properties are located mostly on Jade Bay, South Akumal Bay, Soliman Bay

and Tankah Bay. Playa del Carmen has about a dozen beachfront villa rentals.

Most Playa villas are 1-4 short blocks off beach.One Akumal villa property is beachfront.

Puerto Aventuras has a nice selection of beachfront condos..

Playa del Carmen has a large selection of beachfront condos and even more near beach.

Blenders

Almost always. If it’s important to you, let us verify.

Bottled Water

Bottled/purified water will be supplied by all properties as part of your rental.

A few properties have own private purification systems.

Satellite TV

Available in almost every home and condo now, often with multiple flatscreens.

USA and European services.

Internet Access

Available in a most homes and condos now.

Each situation in terms of type of access is different and every year more

homes add this amenity. Internet cafes are available.

Note: Sometimes outside of Playa del Carmen, internet service can be unreliable.

Mexico is still not quite a 1st world country.

CD-DVD Players

Almost always available in both villa and condo rentals.

Supplies

The property will usually supply cleaning items such as bath and hand soap,

toilet tissue and clothes washing detergent if the property has a washer-dryer.

Dishwashing detergent, paper towels, shampoo are usually left over from previous renters

Coffee Maker

In all homes and condos.

Coffee Filters

Usually not supplied by the property but almost always some left over from

previous renters or the owner. Please replace if you run out.

Cooks

Cook service varies by property, but is usually available for dinner or breakfast and dinner.

Costs vary. As a guideline, $7/person/day for dinner, $5/person/day for breakfast

or lunch with a minimum number of guests required. Cost of food, gratuity are additional. .

Sometimes taxi fare for the cook is additional. Advanced notice is required.

This is a very general guideline. Costs vary widely.

Damage Deposit

A damage/security deposit is collected either by us or more often by the local manager.

The amount varies by house. The deposit is either returned at checkout or mailed to you.

You may wish to have the property manager inspect the home before you leave.

Dirty Dishes

You’re in the tropics. Please don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink

or leave food out that is not in a protective container.

Dishwasher

Very few rentals have a dishwasher.

Grocery Shopping

The best grocery shopping is in Playa del Carmen. Wal-Mart, Sam's Club & Mega.

Akumal has two small well-stocked grocery stores. Tulum also has a large grocery store.

Inspection

Upon checking in, you should inspect your property for existing damage, things that don’t

work, shortages of utensils, cookware, plates, etc., & report concerns to your manager.

Jacuzzi's

Some homes have Jacuzzi tubs in the master bedroom or on a roof deck..

Some condo buildings have pool side Jacuzzi's

Jacuzzi tubs are usually not heated in Mexico.

Linens and Towels

Full linen and towels service is provided in the homes and condos including beach towels.

Maid Service and Maid Gratuities

Maid service in the condos and villas range 0-6 days per week depending upon the property.

For properties that do not include maid service in the rental rate, usually service can be

purchased there on a per-service basis. Your maid will change out towels and bed linens and

do light cleaning and straightening.

We recommend US$1/day/person as gratuity left at the end of your stay.

Tips are a major portion of the maids’ income.

Microwave

Almost always. If it’s important to you, let us verify.

Owner’s/Maid’s Closets

Each property usually has a locked owner’s closet and a locked maid’s closet.

Please do not try to access those closets.

Phone Service

Phones in individual condos and homes are becoming more common
but by no means universal and the type of service - landline, local and incoming calls only,
and other restrictions vary. A few properties have Vonage service.

You will need an international calling card to place long distance calls.

A few properties furnish a cellular phone for which you pay for reasonably priced calling cards.

Problems

The properties are well-maintained but just as at home, a maintenance problem can occur.

Appliances, TVs, Air-Conditioners, Refrigerators and other electrical items that can work for
20 years or more in the US have a lifetime of only 1-5 years in the tropics.

Your local manager is the person to contact if something is not functioning.

Security

-All the areas on this coast are generally safe.
Just as at home, though, reasonable precautions should be observed.
Lock doors and windows when you leave.
Use the safe if the property has a safe. (Almost all properties have safes now.)
Don’t flash a lot of cash or bring expensive jewelry.
Lock items in your car trunk when you are out and about.
Stay cognizant of what is going on around you.

Security Safes

Most homes and condos do have safes now, but some do not. Let us verify.

Swimming

Playa del Carmen beaches do not have much rock and are generally easy to wade & walk.

For other beaches, we recommend protective footwear for walk-in swimming.

Swimming Pools

Almost all rental homes and condo buildings have pools now.

Almost all properties that have television now. There are two types.

CABLE – Local cable programming varies but usually there is a reasonable selection of

worldwide channels. CNN, ESPN and HBO are the most common English channels.

SATELLITE – Either Direct TV or SKY. Usually a good selection of International channels

including American channels.

Utensils-Cookware-Dinnerware-Glassware

Your property should have an adequate supply of all. Most properties have much more

than just an adequate stock and some are equipped to a gourmet level. Provisions vary.

Please report obvious shortages to your property manager.

Washer-Dryer

Almost all rental homes have washer and dryer now.

Many condos also have washer and dryer but not all. Let us verify.

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