Frequently Asked Questions
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Click on questions or scroll down the page to find answers to these frequently asked questions. *What documentation do U.S. citizens need to get in and out of Mexico? What documentation do U.S. citizens need to get in and out of Mexico? To enter Mexico you will need at least a birth certificate and an ID (current, valid photo identification), but getting back into the U.S. with only those documents is a bit more of a hassle. Getting a passport is recommended for hassle-free re-entry. Passports only simplify the process and nobody wants to be held up or questioned while going thru customs. For additional information on passports check out the following website: Where can I research services and activities in the area? You can research services and activities on the web or when you get to Mexico, information booklets will most likely be handed to you at the airport. These will have Cancun tourist information and some Riviera Maya info as well. When you get to your rental you will probably see more tourist info at area stores with plenty of information on local services and activities. What is the best airport to fly into? Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the best airport to fly into. You can fly into Cozumel, but you will then need to take a taxi to the dock, and then a ferry to Playa Del Carmen. Is there transportation from the Cancun Airport to Akumal? A bus is available from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen. The bus costs about 65 pesos or $7.00 per person. The bus driver will only take pesos. From Playa you can take a taxi to Akumal. The taxi fare will cost about 195 pesos or $17.00 for four people. Be sure to carry small bills and negotiate the fare before getting in the taxi. You can also arrange an airport transfer to Akumal. An air-conditioned shuttle can take you directly from the airport to Akumal. Shuttle fares will vary based on the number of riders. For example, if 4 people are picked up together, it will cost $33 per person; for 10 people, $13 per person. To reserve space on the shuttle, email Gina at info@puertoaventurasmexico.com also reference the Grant-Mullen wedding. All the major car rental companies have agencies at the Cancun airport (Avis, Budget, Dollar, Executive, Hertz, National, and Thrifty). If you decide to rent a car, make sure you make a reservation at the airport location, not downtown or in the hotel zone. Also, be sure to specify whether you want standard or automatic. Keep in mind that parking in Akumal is very limited. How is driving in Mexico? There is a four-lane highway from Cancun to Xcaret and then it narrows to a two-lane highway that continues south to the pueblo of Tulum. More information about driving is provided in travel resources section of this website under busses, shuttles and car rentals. Can I drink the water in our rental and at restaurants? For the rental properties, bottled water is provided. Some facilities have their own purification systems and you can drink the tap water. In the area restaurants, purified ice and water is used. If you are off the beaten path, use your best judgment. How much should I tip at a restaurant? Usually, 15% to 20% if you had good service and food. Not less than 10% if you were satisfied. Is it safe to eat fruit and vegetables? Fruit and vegetable can be eaten here. If you are buying fresh fruits and vegetables it is best to soak the produce in purified water and add one or two drops of Microdyne (available at most Mexican grocery stores) or similar disinfectant, as per the product's instructions. Vegetables are best eaten cooked opposed to raw. All the Akumal restaurants use purified water and disinfectants. How is the weather? Mexico does not have frequent weather reports like the US. However, the winters are sunny and mild. It starts getting warmer in March. There are some spring rains, but not what would be referred to as a "rainy season". June can be rainy. July - August are usually hot and humid. Traditionally September and October have the highest risk of hurricanes (officially the Caribbean storm season is June-October). The last hurricane was in 1995, the one before that 1988. This is a great time to visit Akumal because rentals offer great prices and there are not a lot of tourists. November begins the winter season with milder temperatures and lower humidity. Always pack a raincoat, sweatshirt or light jacket. How do I get to Cozumel? You can get to Cozumel by ferry or plane. Both originate in Playa Del Carmen. The ferry is about 50 pesos one way. For flights, you will need to check times and prices at the Playa Del Carmen local airport. Flights are also available to Chichen Itza. Are there any grocery stores in the area? There are a variety of stores in Playa Del Carmen from a grocery store like the ones in the US, to veggie markets, seafood shops, etc. There are two grocery stores in the center of Akumal. They have many national and imported foods and beverages. Fresh fruits and veggies are sold on Weds and Saturdays in the center of Akumal. For major grocery shopping Playa del Carmen is recommended. Are there any medical facilities in the area? Playa Del Carmen has several medical "clinics", small hospitals and a hyperbaric facility. Major hospitals are located in Cancun and Cancun has at least one other hyperbaric facility. Dr. Nestor Mendoza Gutierrez also makes house calls in Akumal and Tankah. His office is located in Akumal, although he is not there every day. Dr. Nestor's office phone# is: 984-875-4051, 984-875-0764, 984-875-1142, 984-875-9393. His Akumal office is located in Plaza Ukana I local 2. That is in the Akumal "Cancha" (square) around the corner and one door down from the La Palmas grocery store, across the street from the Super Chomak grocery store. He is usually in the office from 9:00am-2:00pm. What about crime in Mexico? For the most part, Mexico has a lower incidence of crime. Even with a predominately impoverished population, violent crime and armed robbery are virtually non-existent. The strength of the family unit coupled with Mexico's generally Christian ethics ward off tendencies toward crime, but tourists should be aware of petty theft and crimes of opportunity. The inclination to disregard common sense and leave everything wide open because you are in "paradise" can lead to petty theft. So, lock up your accommodation when you leave it. To be safer, lock up areas of the accommodation that are not in use even when you are there, so you don't forget. If your accommodation has a security safe use it. Leave expensive jewelry at home. Don't leave expensive cameras and computers lying around in plain sight unattended. When taking day trips to beaches and points of interest, take what you need with you and don't leave expensive items in the vehicle in full view. Don't think things locked in the trunk are safe. Generally, take what you need on vacation and leave the rest at home. When going to any foreign country check with your insurance agent before your trip about coverage for losses while on vacation. |
