1st time visitor w/ questions

First off, I would like to thank this forum and everyone on it for all the great information you provide! I wish I had found this site before I booked my trip so that I could take advantage of the playa deal card. oh well.

I have a few questions on Xel Ha and was wondering if anyone can answer.

1) Can I bring in my own snorkeling equipment(mask, snorkel, fins), towels and a waterproof backpack and skip all the rentals including locker? no waiting in line then....

2) Is a deposit required per person for rentals or is it one deposit per group per place? if my wife and I want to each get an innertube, do we each have to leave a deposit, or can we just leave 1 deposit for the both of us? If it's per person, I am planning on bringing old ID's and credit cards to leave as deposits.

Marc

[jx2]

I know you can use your own equipment. I cant remember about the deposit issue, but my wife(jsotherj) thinks it is per person. You wont have anything to worry about as you have to return their items before you get your stuff back anyway.

[ama]

We purchased all-inclusive tickets, so we used their equipment. We used one deposit for both of us (this was just for the snorkel mask, fins, life jacket, snorkel tube). We left our hotel room key and had no problems. With our coupons we got a locker and towel, and those didn't require a deposit.

I would assume (again I'm not sure) that you don't need to leave a deposit for the innertubes (I'm assuming you mean the "lazy river" portion). We didn't need to leave anything when we went to get an innertube for both of us. However, we carried all our belongings with us (towel and snorkel equipment). I did notice that for people that wanted to put their stuff in the bag, you might have to leave a deposit. They bring this locked bag down the river for you. At first we wanted to leave our snorkel equipment, but they wouldn't let us put it in the their bags! It seemed like the bags were only for people that first got into the park and decided to do the lazy river first before getting a locker, thus they needed to leave everything they brought with them (ie backpacks, shoes, clothes).

Actually, it was a good thing that we had to carry our snorkel equipment with us. The lazy river is almost "too lazy". Luckily we had our fins and we used these to paddle down the river!

[maureena5]

I'm pretty sure the deposit on the snorkeling equipment is per person. My husband & I were in line together, but we had two separate coupon booklet (from buying the all inclusive package). They asked for a deposit from each of us. We each paid and didn't question this.

The coupon for the lockers & towels (a separate desk) did say you needed to deposit $10, but the girl did not request or collect this.

You will love Xel-ha. One piece of advice....when you arrive, move into the park to you right & pass up the first Snorkel renting desk. Go on to the second one. There were no lines. Everyone sees the first one & lines up (maybe not realizing there is more than on Snorkel renting station).

Also, it's quite "manicy" by that first station. After you get you equipment, continue to walk the path (past the childrens playground, heading toward the Parrot Fish Pond) there are some private Palapa areas with chairs, off the path where you can hang out and snorkel. This was so nice compared to the busy beach chair area.

If you do bring your own equipment, it will not save any money on the All Inclusive price of $56 (the snorkel equipment is part of that price). If you don't go All Inclusive the price was $29 for entry to the park only.

Have fun!
Maureen