1st girlfriends trip to Playa....need info

[brandella]

This is my first trip to Playa. We are staying @ Riu Palace Riveria Maya (RPRM). We have 6 women going aging in range from late 20's to mid 30's. I am looking for any and all information that is helpful for a "newbie" I like to be well informed before a new adventure. Options...Options... Options...

[liloleme]

Originally Posted by brandella

This is my first trip to Playa. We are staying @ Riu Palace Riveria Maya (RPRM). We have 6 women going aging in range from late 20's to mid 30's. I am looking for any and all information that is helpful for a "newbie" I like to be well informed before a new adventure. Options...Options... Options...

Oh gheesh where does one begin?!

Are you looking for something specific about the resort, or more general about Playa in general? For resort questions, there's another section on this forum for All Inclusives...many have been to RPRM, and there are also many Riu fans there too...so they should be able to answer your questions on it.

Your girls trip sounds like it's going to be fun! What kind of things do you want to do?

[DarMI]

Welcome! What dates will you be in Playa? So many things to do, so little time!

[brandella]

Originally Posted by liloleme

Oh gheesh where does one begin?!

Are you looking for something specific about the resort, or more general about Playa in general? For resort questions, there's another section on this forum for All Inclusives...many have been to RPRM, and there are also many Riu fans there too...so they should be able to answer your questions on it.

Your girls trip sounds like it's going to be fun! What kind of things do you want to do?

We will be there 4-19 thru 4-26. I have read some of the forum but didnt see alot about RPRM specifically. So anything you have about the resort would be great. We are not sure what we want to do so if you have suggestions on "must do's" for 1st timers that would be great. We did see soemthing about the bar crawl.
I have never been out of the country so I am not familiar with customs and how that works.
More info about Playa in general would be great. I know 5th ave is he place to shop. But Im looking for the little secrects that only ppl who go there frequently would know

[brandella]

I am also not familiar with the weather and how to dress. I hear it hot this time of year. Do the nights get cold. What about the nightlife or a good place to hang out during the day if it super hot and we need to get out of the sun?

[liloleme]

Originally Posted by brandella

We will be there 4-19 thru 4-26. I have read some of the forum but didnt see alot about RPRM specifically. So anything you have about the resort would be great. We are not sure what we want to do so if you have suggestions on "must do's" for 1st timers that would be great. We did see soemthing about the bar crawl.
I have never been out of the country so I am not familiar with customs and how that works.
More info about Playa in general would be great. I know 5th ave is he place to shop. But Im looking for the little secrects that only ppl who go there frequently would know

So sorry Brandella my bad. You posted in the right forum, I'm just getting old and apparently confused. LOL.

RPRM is awesome. I love both Riu Palaces. Actually I love ALL Rius in Playacar, and have stayed at every one. Did you know about Rusty's Riu site? It's a site started by a Riu fan and it has become an unofficial Riu community page. You can read all about the resort and hook up with others who have been.

Rusty's Riu page is at: ALL RIU RESORT Pictures, photos, information, virtual tours, maps, map, info, resort, puerto plata, punta cana, dominican republic, hotel, merengue, bachata, mambo, naiboa, taino, melao, bambu, palace macao, yucatan, picture, photo, tour, playacar, p


Rainbow and JoBob (two regular posters here) are also big fans of the RPM and RPRM and I'm sure they'll chime in soon with their advice. Shammy's a great resource too...she's a travel agent who specializes in Playa and the Mayan Riviera.

Everything about Playa is amazing...to me, it's heaven on earth. You'll find the nightlife at the RPRM is quiet so if you want to go out dancing you can hit the hotspots in Playa. The place you're staying is a 70 pesos (around 6 dollars) in cab fare which will bring you along 5th Ave.

Some of my fave bars are Dirty Martini Lounge and Wah Wah. You'll meet many of the posters from this site at those two places.

As far as advice, the first and most important is: whatever you do...keep your IMMIGRATION form. When you arrive at the airport in CUN you'll go through immigration first. You'll hand them the form you filled out on the plane, they will stamp it and give a portion of it back to you. Don't throw that out, you'll need to hand it back to the ticket agent at the end of your vacation, when you're leaving Mexico. It's a fine and a delay if you lose it.

[liloleme]

The nights don't get too cold in April. Bring a light sweater but you probably won't need it.

You'll have options about shade at the RPRM...don't worry! But you may need to get up and reserve your chair to ensure you get one with an umbrella if you're by the pool. Before breakfast, go to the pool or the beach and pick your spot and leave something OF NO VALUE like a book or a tshirt or a shoe. Reserving is one of the pitfalls of AI vacationing unfortunately.

The beach is not too much of an issue since there are patches of palm trees, you can drag your chair over to if you want some shade.

[u2girlie]

Here's a list I posted previously (below under my quick list)...since you've never been out of the country I would also add:

If you're flying from the U.S. here's how things will work.

Outbound flights to Cancun:
1) Check in at airport just like you normally would - of course, bring your passport!
2) Your luggage will be checked through to your final destination (I'm assuming Cancun).
3) On the plane, you'll be given a Mexican immigration form to fill out. It's in English so no worries there.
4) Fill it out and have it ready with your passport when you get off the plane. When you get off the plane, there will be an airport worker checking to be sure you filled out the entire form before you even get to immigration.
5) Next stop is immigration. They'll look at your passport, might ask you how long you're staying, where you're staying etc. They'll stamp your passport and you're off to baggage.
6) Pick up your bags and make your way to to the line for customs. In Cancun, they scan your bags as you're leaving so you'll put them on the conveyor belt, they'll scan them and then you take them to the customs guy who is standing at the end of the conveyor belt area. He/She will take your form, tell you to press a button. Green light means no additional baggage checks & you're on your way. Red light just means they'll do a hand search of your bags.
7) Proceed to the below where I note "When you walk out of customs"

Leaving Cancun:
1) Same but in reverse! You'll check in like you normally would and bags will be tagged to your final destination. However, if you are connecting, you'll need to pick up your bags in the U.S. at your first stop where you'll go through immigrations & customs. After customs, the airlines usually have a drop off spot for you and they'll take your bags and get them on your connecting flight.

-----------------

Here's my quick list for a first timer:

pesos not usd

use ATMs for best exchange rate - there are ATMs at the airport right when you walk out of customs

I would suggest if you are in PDC getting cash, you only use the bank ATMs (like Scotia, HSBC, Bank of America, etc). Don't use the freestanding ones that are scattered along 5th.


When you walk out of customs, do yourself a huge favor and ignore anyone trying to get your attention (or a simple no gracias will suffice) - They'll say things like "First time here?" "Where you guys staying"? etc, etc. They are timeshare salesmen and before you know it, you'll be in a 90 minute discussion at the airport and you haven't even set foot outside.

if you have transportation picking you up, just look for your ride. I've always taken the ADO bus so I just go straight to get my tickets for ADO.

don't be afraid of the food or the drinks with ice. there is nothing to fear - even from the street cart vendors (in fact, those are the best places to eat!)

I don't know anything about the AI resorts - so can't be any help there. Thought I'd throw you some of the tips I got for my first trip and it helped us out tremendously.

Other than that, I highly recommend you read trip reports, use the search function, and generally nose around on this site. It's LOADED with stuff!

[brandella]

thanks for the tips about the airpot/customs...very helpful

[DarMI]

Check the Peep meet section for happenings while you are in Playa. I know there are some get together's planned during your week. Wah Wah beach bar, Luna Blue and Bad Boys are popular spots with live music. If you are more into the club scene, the area of Calle 10 and 1st Ave (just East of 5th Ave) is the place to be. The RPRM is an awesome resort, you will love it.

[rainbow]

...the rprm is beautiful...and a great staff too!...lovely beach and pool areas...we've not stayed there, but we do stay in riu's regularly in playa, and always spend some time at the rprm...i'll be happy to answer any questions if i can!...

[brandella]

any suggestions on which resturants on the resorts are a must do or avoid?

[Neil G]

Originally Posted by u2girlie

When you walk out of customs, do yourself a huge favor and ignore anyone trying to get your attention (or a simple no gracias will suffice) - They'll say things like "First time here?" "Where you guys staying"? etc, etc. They are timeshare salesmen and before you know it, you'll be in a 90 minute discussion at the airport and you haven't even set foot outside.

This. Some of them will even be set up at permanent booths so they look all official, and will offer to help you out. Ignore everybody between the sliding doors and whatever your mode of transport to the resort is (probably a bus if you got a package deal).

[brandella]

I have another question....I keep reading posts about prescription medication and some type of verificaion needed from your doctor. Can someone claify for me what this is all about.

[DarMI]

Originally Posted by brandella

I have another question....I keep reading posts about prescription medication and some type of verificaion needed from your doctor. Can someone claify for me what this is all about.

You will need to take your prescriptions in the original container with the label on.

As for the eating at the RPRM I have not had anything bad there.