There many things to do to prepare for an ideal trip to the Mayan Riviera. This special place in the world has thousands of different activities to keep you and your family busy. Like always, safety comes first; it is important to plan ahead and have all your money, travel documents and activities scheduled to assure a safe and pleasant trip.
Deciding what clothes to pack depends on what type of vacation you have planned. If you have a more casual vacation and are planning on laying out "en la playa" (on the beach) all day, pack shirts, shorts, and a swimsuit or two for most of your clothes, plus one or two nice outfits for evening dinners. If you are planning on staying at a luxury resort in the Riviera and want to fit in with fashion-forward Europeans who frequent the area, pack some nice, stylish pieces of clothing. When choosing your clothes, consider the fabrics and how they will affect you in the hot climate. Make sure to pack beach shoes; it is common to step on hazards like sea urchins and stingray tails when walking on the beach.
Take care of the zippers on your suitcases and backpacks by buying some zipper lube to help protect them from the humid climate. Buy an underwater camera if you are planning on going snorkeling or diving. Other necessary items to pack include plastic bags in a variety of sizes for laundry and organizing, medical prescriptions, a travel clock, tissues, a first aid kit, and sunscreen. If you own snorkeling equipment and are planning to snorkel, bring your own gear to save on rental costs. Lastly, bring your camera and a journal to document your Mayan Riviera adventure.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan ruin, was declared as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 1997. You can rent a car or arrange a guided bus tour to visit the ruins. Make sure to bring lunch or snacks because this excursion will take up most of a day. You will learn about the ancient Mayan culture and see lots of ruins and artifacts, many of which are hands on. You can even climb to the top of the great pyramid of Chichen Itza, Kukulkan.
chichenitza.com
Tulum & Xel-Ha
These two archaeological sites face the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Visit the temple of the frescoes and "El Castillo," a temple built on a cliff overlooking the coast. Then go to Xel-Ha, a themed water park that offers snorkeling and diving in unique, natural habitats, as well as other aquatic and ecological attractions. All-inclusive packages with air-conditioned transportation is available for this excursion.
travelyucatan.com/yucatan_tours.php
Swim with dolphins
The Mayan Riviera and Cancun are unique to the world in the many different ways. Tourists can interact and swim with dolphins. Sign up to experience a dolphin "footpush," swim with the dolphins, help train them, and even dive with them.
delphinusworld.com/
Go to the Beach
It's time to hit the beach! Luckily, just about all of the Mayan Riviera resorts have manicured, clean beaches stretching from end to end. If you want a more secluded beach, look for an resort further from any others. Beaches to visit include Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Ha, Kantenah, Akumal, Tumul, and for a more adventurous beach, go to Xcacel. Keep your safety in mind while at the beach. Pay attention to the flags at the beach; black means do not swim (too dangerous), red means use caution (somewhat dangerous), yellow means use some caution, and green means the water is safe to swim in. Be sure to apply sunscreen often and stay hydrated.
travelyucatan.com/mayan_riviera_maya_beaches.php
The Mayan and Mexican people are warm and welcoming and enjoy the prosperity that comes with tourism. There are many locals who will at least understand some basic English words; some speak English quite well. Bring some $2 bills to tip them with, as many locals find $2 bills special. Be respectful to the culture and the land. Never touch or stand on the coral; it will ultimately ruin the coral. You might want to bring some toilet paper when outside of your resort, as some bathrooms are substandard.
You can use cash, traveler's checks and credit cards on your trip. There are advantages and disadvantages with each option. The best way to go is have at least two of these options readily available to be sure you will have money in case one option is not accepted. ATMs give you the best exchange rate when withdrawing money in pesos, but check for rates on international transactions with your bank before traveling. Always have some cash on you. Cash is great because it is reliable; however, don't travel with too much cash and risk losing it all or having it stolen. If you can, bring some traveler's checks to keep in the room and an emergency credit card. Do not get your cash from a store; most of them will give you an unreasonable exchange rate.
Before you leave, scan all your important documents like your passport, state ID, airline itinerary, hotel confirmation, and so on to keep records in case you lose anything. You will need a passport or passport card to enter the USA after your trip.
Finally, eat lots of yogurt to help fight off foreign bacteria, and brush your teeth with a bottle of water instead or tap water.
travelyucatan.com/info-3.htm
