BYOB at Pearl

[scuba_couple]

Sorry for all the questions, but I’m OCD about vacations. Here is the topic of the hour - BYOB -

I want to have Bacardi and Diet Coke in the room. My bride wants Captain and Diet Coke in the room. So, should we bring our own or is there a place we can buy when exiting customs. I don’t want to rely on our transportation making a stop. I’ve read several things here about shops around the airport exit but then I read others that said there are only duty free shops for the departure area. I really don’t care if I have to pay duty or not - just want to know if I have to really go out of my way at the airport to get my booze.

We go through a ton of Diet Coke (not all with alcohol) - Like at least a 6 pack a day. I don’t think there is a limit on soda (is there???) but it would add a ton or weight to our luggage. (6 cans x 8 days = a crap ton of coke....) As far as the rums, I’d like to have a 1.5l bottle of both Bacardi Silver and Captain - I haven’t researched the limit yet.

I’m guessing we could ask for Diet Coke to be stocked in our bar at the resort, but not sure we could get 6 a day. I have to take care of my “coke” habit somehow…….

Anyway, anyone have thoughts on this?

Scuba_Couple

[eddieandjojo]

Simple, buy a bottle of Bacardi (or Havana Club) and Captain once you clear immigration and before you get your luggage. Big shop with a great selection. Then once you have your room, tell your bellman and/or front desk that you want extra Coke Light and they'll stock it for you. We do it every trip, great to have a bottle in the room for parties or as you are getting ready for the evening festivities!

[CokeMann]

From the FAQ section of the Pearl Website here is the list of standard liquids that are available:

• Soft drinks: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fresca as well as pineapple orange, grapefruit and cranberry juice
• Bourbon: Jim Beam
• Brandy: Don Pedro, Terry Cent, Founde
• Beer: XX Lager, Tecate Light
• Gin: Beefeater, Tanqueray
• Liqueurs: Anisette Chinchon Sweet, Dry Anis Chinchén, Apple Pucker, Watermelon Pucker, Whisky Cream, Almond Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur, Licor de Coco, Melon Liquor, Cocoa Liquor, Campari, Blue Curaçao, Fernet, Cassis, Martini & Rossi dry vermouth, Martini Bianco, Xtabentun (Liquor Maya)
• Mini-bar in rooms: Beer XX lager, Coke, Diet Coke and bottled water
• Rum: Bacardi (white), Bacardi (golden), Solera Bacardi, Bacardi Limon, Appleton Special, Captain Morgan, Flor de Caña 7 years
• Tequila: Tequila Jose Cuervo Especial, Tequila Jose Cuervo Traditional, Tequila Milagro Blanco, Tequila Hundred Years
• White wine: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
• Red wine: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
• Rose wine: White Zinfandel L.A. Cetto
• Vodka: Stolichnaya, Absolut Blue, Absolut Mandarin, Absolut Citron
• Whisky: Jack Daniels
• Whisky Scotch: J & B, Chivas Regal 12 years, Johnny Walker Red Label
• Canadian Whisky: Canadian Mist
• After dinner (available exclusively on the restaurant's bar and Pearl Aphrodite): Licor 43, Jagermeister, Kahlua, Frangelico, Amaretto, Dew Plum, Courvoisier Cognac.

[ctrycher]

For me, I'm going to have to grab some fireball before arriving. Shots in the jacuzzi!

[scuba_couple]

Totally Awesome! Does the shop sell soda as well? I'll ask the front desk for some too. But my experience at Sandals (been 12 times) is that you almost have to plead and beg to get more than a couple of diet cokes (coke lite) in your fridge each day - and that was with butler service!!!

[eddieandjojo]

Totally Awesome! Does the shop sell soda as well? I'll ask the front desk for some too. But my experience at Sandals (been 12 times) is that you almost have to plead and beg to get more than a couple of diet cokes (coke lite) in your fridge each day - and that was with butler service!!!

Yep, they do but we were just there two weeks ago and our fridge was stocked with plenty of the little silver cans daily.

Have an awesome trip!

[youme69]

We're Diet Coke drinkers also and I can tell you Coke lite is not even close to our Diet Coke. But I guess if you're mixing drinks with it it might work, but drinking it straight is rough.

[scuba_couple]

We have done the coke lite in Jamaica for years and I guess we adapted.... I agree that it's not "THE REAL THING..." (if you get that line then you just confirmed that your age is > 45) but after a day or so and enough Bacardi - it all works out....

By the way, have I mentioned today that we only have 117 days to go?

[chiwolve]

From the FAQ section of the Pearl Website here is the list of standard liquids
* Tequila: Tequila Jose Cuervo Especial, Tequila Jose Cuervo Traditional, Tequila Milagro Blanco, Tequila Hundred Years
* After dinner (available exclusively on the restaurant's bar and Pearl Aphrodite): Licor 43, Jagermeister, Kahlua, Frangelico, Amaretto, Dew Plum, Courvoisier Cognac.

This is an excellent thread with a bunch of good info and suggestions. I stopped drinking tequila years ago, but I would just add that this is an embarrassing list of tequila options for a Mexican resort. I mean, do college kids even drink Jose Cuervo anymore?

There is certainly stuff I would like at the resort, but sheesh, I feel bad for the tequila drinkers...

[shore128]

Chiwolve, On our trips to Desire Pearl and Desire RM over the last few years we have found that there are now more "call" and "top shelf" liquors, such as Grey Goose and Belvidere vodka, Crown Royal and others. The tequila selection has improved, as most of the bars now stock Don Julio Blanco, which is a good quality tequila.

[Al & Kim]

We are rum drinkers also. We tried the Flor de Cana a couple of visits ago and love it. Try it while you are there. We had a liquor store at home special order it for us. We think of being at Desire every time we drink it. Good stuff!
We are Pepsi drinkers and really miss it after a few days of drinking Coke. Anyone else? Last time there a lady was walking around the pool handing out cans of Pepsi. Lifesaver!

[coupleluvs2watch]

We are rum drinkers also. We tried the Flor de Cana a couple of visits ago and love it. Try it while you are there. We had a liquor store at home special order it for us. We think of being at Desire every time we drink it. Good stuff!
We are Pepsi drinkers and really miss it after a few days of drinking Coke. Anyone else? Last time there a lady was walking around the pool handing out cans of Pepsi. Lifesaver!

I love rum! Will check this out.

[chiwolve]

Chiwolve, On our trips to Desire Pearl and Desire RM over the last few years we have found that there are now more "call" and "top shelf" liquors, such as Grey Goose and Belvidere vodka, Crown Royal and others. The tequila selection has improved, as most of the bars now stock Don Julio Blanco, which is a good quality tequila.

That is good to hear, it sounds like the selection has improved. When I used to drink tequila, Don Julio was always one of my favorites!

Thanks for the update!!

[tommer]

We just want to echo the report from Shore 128. During our last few trips to Pearl, we have found a great selection of drink. Mrs Tommer loves her tequila and she has typically gone with Milagro or Don Julio. Too, she has enjoyed some very nice brandy for the evening events. Me, I too like the tequila and my other favorites have been Royal Crown and Jack Daniels ...... well, we both too really enjoy a Monkey Sperm or two or three or ............ Of course, all drinks are best when served as a Body Shot!!!!!

[Desire2424]

From the FAQ section of the Pearl Website here is the list of standard liquids that are available:

• Soft drinks: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fresca as well as pineapple orange, grapefruit and cranberry juice
• Bourbon: Jim Beam
• Brandy: Don Pedro, Terry Cent, Founde
• Beer: XX Lager, Tecate Light
• Gin: Beefeater, Tanqueray
• Liqueurs: Anisette Chinchon Sweet, Dry Anis Chinchén, Apple Pucker, Watermelon Pucker, Whisky Cream, Almond Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur, Licor de Coco, Melon Liquor, Cocoa Liquor, Campari, Blue Curaçao, Fernet, Cassis, Martini & Rossi dry vermouth, Martini Bianco, Xtabentun (Liquor Maya)
• Mini-bar in rooms: Beer XX lager, Coke, Diet Coke and bottled water
• Rum: Bacardi (white), Bacardi (golden), Solera Bacardi, Bacardi Limon, Appleton Special, Captain Morgan, Flor de Caña 7 years
• Tequila: Tequila Jose Cuervo Especial, Tequila Jose Cuervo Traditional, Tequila Milagro Blanco, Tequila Hundred Years
• White wine: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
• Red wine: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
• Rose wine: White Zinfandel L.A. Cetto
• Vodka: Stolichnaya, Absolut Blue, Absolut Mandarin, Absolut Citron
• Whisky: Jack Daniels
• Whisky Scotch: J & B, Chivas Regal 12 years, Johnny Walker Red Label
• Canadian Whisky: Canadian Mist
• After dinner (available exclusively on the restaurant's bar and Pearl Aphrodite): Licor 43, Jagermeister, Kahlua, Frangelico, Amaretto, Dew Plum, Courvoisier Cognac.

Great info, thanks. Are there other liquors, mainly tequilas, available at extra cost? I really like extra anejo tequilas like 1942 after dinner with a cigar and I'm wondering if I should bring/buy a bottle before we arrive.