Things I learned on my first trip to PDC...

[sdbeachbum]

Trip April 10th-17th 2004
Iberostar Tucan

*Reading this message board was priceless.

*Take your teenager with you if you have a chance (great memories, bonding & photo opportunities for the family)

*Spend the money on a passport for yourself and child (had a hold up in both countries using birth certs. …..and was told by American custom it would have made it a lot easier.)

*If traveling without child’s father make sure to bring your notarized letter! (One in our group had a handwritten letter…and was held up for a while…make sure it’s typed and notarized….I got mine here: http://www.familytravelforum.com/permissionletter.html )

*AI was my kind of vacation (Iberostar Tucan, beautiful, super clean, very friendly, family orientated)

*Do email to reserve building you want (our group of 21 got exactly what we had asked for… I emailed them 2 weeks in advance got building 11)
email: rrpptucque@iberostar.com.mx

*Thought I had over packed clothes, but I wore everything. (I did need a lightweight jacket 2 out of the 7 nights..which I had due to my over-packing )

*IB Tucan was very relaxed on dress code for dinner restaurants (Half the people went with the code.. half didn’t…..I enjoyed dressing up for dinner)

*Buffet & restaurant food selection and quality was good.

*Don’t worry about bringing an alarm clock…I had wake up calls (I can only speak for IB Tucan)

*Hotmail and AOL email accounts do not work on the IB Tucan’s computers.

*Do not use the phones in your room without a phone card…even for a couple minutes….very expensive

*Beds were firm, but by no means uncomfortable…was so tired at the end of the day…it didn’t matter.

*IB Tucan had no ATM’s…..but town had plenty.

*Apple vacations & Reps.were great (if you can... go to the Apple orientation the day after you get there…they answered a lot of the questions I had)

*If you’re a hard core “first thing in the morning coffee drinker” like me…..bring a little coffee maker and what necessities you need for you coffee.

*Make sure to get up early enough one morning to watch the sun rise.

*Bring your own towel. (Some of group didn’t…lost their towel and had to pay)

* Be careful who you rent Jet Ski’s from (read the waiver you sign…a friend crashed a jet ski..and the waiver said they could choose the amount owed…They started with telling her $3,000 …..and if she couldn’t pay they would call the police….but it ended up with her paying $1,000 after we got the IB Tucan management involved- The other company
(located out of the Dive shop) - waiver states you’re only liable up to $750..you pay $5 more for this insurance)

*Make sure to bring watches for yourself & your kids (my 15 yr old teenage daughter and her friends’ #1 excuse for not checking in with us on time while at the hotel…I also didn’t have a watch which made it difficult)

*Walkie talkies- Great for shopping in town…but IB Tucan was too large to depend on them.

*IB Tucan- never had a problem getting a chair on the beach….which was my favorite (pool chairs were very hard to find the later it got)

*Tour with Anna and James to Chichen Itza was my best money spent! (They are great, interesting people, very personalized tour, very knowledgeable; we had a great day!)

*Big lots of sunscreen.!

*Yes…Bring a mug for drinks.

*Bring a few hangers

*Didn’t need the citronella candle or the bug spray.

*Bring gel hand sanitizer.

*Pepto, Imodium, little first aid kit…a must! (someone in our group always needed something)

*Took too may shoes….couple flip flops and tennis shoes were all that was needed.

*Get some tanning in before your trip

*Don’t depend on getting cash at the airport before flying into Mexico. (LAX ATM’s were down.)

*Have a list of who to buy souvenirs for (I missed one person but luckily bought enough for myself to make up for it.)

*Plenty of bottled water available at hotel and in town (as a water drinker..I was worried about that)

*The locals were friendlier than I thought they would be (I live in San Diego..and haven’t had good experiences with Tijuana)

*Verizon cell service did not work in Playa for me.

*Visit Senor Frogs…there is no way NOT to have a good time there!

Thats all I can think of right now...... hopefully one of these tips will help another firstimer...Thank you all for provided such great info for me to research for my trip.
Any questions..feel free to ask
:p

[Kevin y Pam]

Originally Posted by sdbeachbum

*Verizon cell service did not work in Playa for me.

Pam any I were wondering if Verizon had coverage in PdC. Did you do that *228 thinger on your phone when you were down there?

[Pam801]

Wow, this is the greatest website. Thank you for your contribution both of you. Can someone tell me about the phone card thing. Would I buy one there and which one? And Kevin....I have verizon also and was wondering about service. I will bring my phone now and try the *228, I had forgotten about that.

[joanne511]

I appreciate hearing your thoughts. We are not going to IB, but many of your suggestions are helpful to anyone going to PDC for the first time! I'm very glad now that I decided to order a passport. My fiance has his (lived abroad for awhile). I was going to rely on my birth certificate until I heard similar stories to what you mentioned.

Did many/any in your group need the Pepto, etc, often? I have a sensitive stomach - it's one of the only things I'm worried about.

Thanks again for your tips!

P.S. I'm in San Diego too! Had the same experience in TJ.

[sdbeachbum]

I didn't know about the *228 thingy....really... with email...there was no real reason to call. You could also get phone cards at our hotel

joanne511: Out of the 21 in or group only 3 adults had stomach issues..and I believe that was due to "overdrinking"...not montazuma's (sp?) revenge. I have a very sensitive stomach...and not once did I need anything for that..I drank Margs from sun up- till sun down (Tequila kills everything as they say) Most first aid stuff that was used was asprin & band aids & Gas X

Have a great time in July...you'll have a great time

[daffodil]

Great tips I am going to Iber0*Paraiso on 26 for 2 weeks and will benefit from your advice thanks

[Sandra, Az]

I appreciate your advice. We are going in June (not to IB* this time but have been to Tucan and LOVED it) we are bringing my 13 yo son. I have full custody of him and we havent been able to locate his father for a decade, I bring this up because my TA told me all I needed was the court papers stating I have full custody. I hope this is true. It's really sticky and worrying me because he and I do not share the same name anymore as I am re-married, and we do not have passports. Can I get a passport for a 13 year old? I think I should invest in this at least for peace of mind. If you have any thought on this I would love to hear them.
Sandra

[sdbeachbum]

I had the notarized letter from my ex & divorce papers (which stated I had joint custody which explains the letter needed),… my daughters and my birth certs, and both of my marriage licenses (to explain my name change)…and they did look at them closely in both countries. I’m sure your T A knows what’s needed in your case.
I believe anyone can get a passport.(but I’ve never checked into it)

Have a great time

[Sandra, Az]

Thanks so much for the information. I am going to take my family to get passports and will bring every piece of information I have. I appreciate your advice.
sandra

[Robino]

Originally Posted by Kevin y Pam

Pam any I were wondering if Verizon had coverage in PdC. Did you do that *228 thinger on your phone when you were down there?

I did try the 228 thingy, but everything was in Spanish, so..... I need to take some Spanish lessons before my next trip to Mexico.

[BMK1951]

Originally Posted by sdbeachbum

Trip April 10th-17th 2004
Iberostar Tucan
snip

*Reading this message board was priceless.
*Have a list of who to buy souvenirs for (I missed one person but luckily bought enough for myself to make up for it.)

snip

I have to say that I enjoyed your trip report and tip list. I would modify it just a little. Buy only a few souvenier gifts for really special people. After all it's your vacation, you've earned it and shouldn't have to spend considerable time and money buying souveniers for folks back home.

On my last trip, I didn't even send post cards. I only bought two gifts, for my mom and dad as I had missed their birthdays.

[joanne511]

Thanks for the reply...I won't worry too much about the Pepto then. I'll keep it in the suitcase, just to be sure. :p

Regarding passports, here is information about obtaining one for minors under age 14: http://travel.state.gov/specialreq.html - and here's general info for passports: http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

[Raine]

Thank you for the great tips...do have some questions (thanks in advance)

1. Which building on the Quetzel side is closest to the beach and is it better to get bottom, middle or top floor?

2. Where do I find Anna and James?

3. Did you have a problem with sea lice? If so is there anything you can use?

4. We are beginner snorklers with children as young as 9. Any suggestions or what excusion we should take?

5. What time can you get coffee in the AM??????

6. Was the resort, IYO, safe enough to let the kids roam (ages 13, 9) during the day? Night?

7. I was told there was a teen disco - is this the same as the adult disco?

8. Should I e-mail dinner reservation ahead of time since there are 8 of us going?

9. I assume we get 2 restaurant reservations for a 6 nt. stay - which restaurants do you reccomend?

10. I have heard of Senior Frogs - but what is the attraction?

[twoboys]

This board is amazing. I am not going to the Tucan until Feb 2005 but I cant wait. All of this information is so helpful that I am going to tell my travel agent about this board too!

[TAPPY]

Raine

You can find Anna and James on this VERY board, both are helpfull....
be sure to get the Playa card from them, this is a great deal.

For Sea Lice - Try doing a search on this board and you will find out lots of info (SEA SAFE is the only thing I have heard that helps prevent getting stung)