Fair mark-up? Propaganda plus.....

[james]

I went on a really cool trip with Alltournative to the Sian Ka'an biosphere yesterday (more on that in Things to do, coming up).

I was shocked to find out how much some of the AI's mark up the prices of local tours. You can buy a trip to Chichen Itza for around 40usd in town. At Bahia Principe, they charge 95! (same tour, same company)

Same goes for AI's in Playacar, but I think they charge about 70usd for the 40usd trip.

I was told by several AI guests that they are invited to a welcoming meeting where they are warned about venturing out on their own, renting cars, and the dangers of Playa del Carmen. This has to be part of a scheme to keep everyone buying in-house. The cheap upfront package deals are the hook to charge you unfairly once they get you here.

Of course, maybe not all AI's do this, but please be careful and shop wisely if you choose to go AI.

[Munichchick]

James! I have been trying to make reservations with Altournative through their web site for the Nochoch Nachich Cenote Tour for September 11 but they never responded back to me. I really would like to take advantage of the 10% discount for website reservation. Where in town can we sign up for this tour cheap once we get there? We will be staying at Riviera Caribe Maya.

[james]

Just send us an email and tell us when you will be here, we'll pass that on directly to their operations manager, and we'll give you the local number to call to confirm your date when you arrive.

Good enough?

[Brad Jensen]

We accompanied James on the Sian Ka'an Biosphere trip and paid $110 per person for the privilege. If I had to do it over again I would book the trip on the internet directly through Alltournative to save a substantial amount of money compared to the cost of booking it through our resort (Bahia Principe Tulum) representative.

[james]

Hey Brad, that makes it sound like you booked it through me! I don't want people to think that you are upset for having paid more for the privilege of doing the trip with me! (especially after my driving :smile: ) I know that is not what you meant, but it reads a little funny. I was just there by chance, taking the tour so I could write about it for our upcoming review.

Just a note: we recommend booking Alltournative tours directly through their office to avoid the middleman markup. Especially the gouging that many AI's tour offices do. PlayaInfo will have a form up soon for direct submission to Alltournative.

[spike23]

James,
I checked the web site for Alltournative and they only list two excursions. Do they have other choices at their site there? I am interested in taking one of these tours but want to know all the choices.

Thanks...Steve

[james]

They dropped the Sian Ka'an trip for various reasons, which turned out to be a good call for Alltournative.

They have new excursions being put together, but right now they have two winners.

The website doesn't say it, but you get 10% off your reservation when you book online, and you avoid all the mark ups on top of that.

[jimbo35]

James, where in town is the best place to
book the various excursions?
It would be good to know as then we can just get down there and book it!
Cheers

[james]

You can:
call 873-2036 or -2715 or
stop by the big palapa on the road to Coco beach, near Shangrila Hotel.

Ask for the internet special from this site, and they'll give you the discount that way also.