by Cheers2US » Tue Nov 29, 2022 10:24 am
What to pack:
- passports
- copies of passports (in a separate bag)
- printout of your reservation (just in case)
- sunscreen/aloe vera
- bug repellent
- sunglasses/hat/visors
- OTC medicines (Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, Dramamine, Tums, Imodium, Cortisone cream, Visine)
- hangover remedies/prevention (we use ZipFizz)
- chargers for phones/devices
- $1, $5, $10 bills for tipping (alternatively, change to pesos)
- small gifts for housekeeping (totally optional, but I liked to leave pieces of jewelry + wrapped chocolates when leaving tip money for housekeeping)
- insulated cups (e.g. Yeti, Bubba)
- clips to hold beach towels to the pool beds
- sanitizing wipes (for the airplane and the hotel room)
- large ziploc bags (we use these to "borrow" food from the buffet so we can have something to eat when we board the plane home)
Some extra tips:
Tip #1: either use your phone or a pen & paper for 2 reasons: 1) jot down the names/positions/areas of all the staff members who help you and are kind to you. From the bellboy who helps you out of your taxi and holds your bags to the final front desk agent at check-out and everyone in between. So many wonderful staff members and I can never remember all of them (also doesn't help to be drunk LOL) 2) keep names, contact info (if appropriate) of the wonderful guests you will meet. So many times I have left Desire wishing I had more info to connect/email with a friendly couple.
Tip #2: get travel insurance, and know in advance which hospital is better to go to in case of a medical emergency. I have thankfully never had to use a hospital while in Mexico, but I've heard Galenia is a better one, followed by Hospiten. Maybe Wayne @CokeMann can chime in with recommendations.
Tip #3: have your embassy's contact info handy. Hopefully you will never need this, but just have the info just in case.
Tip #4: When arriving at Cancun Airport, after you clear customs and the bag checks, walk straight down the hall to the outdoor area. There will be dozens of "agents" offering to help you find your taxi, your hotel, book your excursions, book your dinners... just ignore them, do not make eye contact and keep walking until you are out the doors.
Tip #5: if you are bringing checked luggage, it might take a very long time to get the bags off the carousel. On our March 2022 trip, we waited over 2 hours for the bags to make it to the conveyer belt. It's not always that bad, but just be prepared.
A mix of nervousness + excitement