Tips, kids, customs, food, etc.

Silver Streak · 05-18-2004

I love this message board. Wish I had found it before we went to PDC last year. We are now timeshare owners in PDC so we will be coming down yearly. Looking forward to one of the Tulum/Cenote tours you guys offer.

I have several questions I hope you can help us with.

Tips - What is appropriate for airport guys, shuttle guys, maids, tour guides, wait staff? It seems like everywhere we looked or went there were signs that said tips were welcome. In PDC the food costs at restaurants are American prices, do you tip 15%-20%? Also, noticed that if you get the Playa Deal Card that the tips would not be included on the bill from the restaurants. How do you know if they are including the gratuity?

Playa Deal Card - The sight doesn't mention how it works for kids. Is it the same price? I have a 10 year old.

The people we are going with are very interested in the ATV jungle tour. Will my 10 year old be too young?

Customs and food - When we came down last year, I brought peanut butter and jelly and Lipton tea (for hubby) and we got a green light so no checking by customs. On the customs and immigration web page, it mentions how much money, compact disks, etc. but nothing about food. Yet, on the customs form it asked if we were bring in any food product that I interpreted as raw veggies, meat, etc. and not processed food(so I wouldn't feel like I was lying on the form especially since I had looked for that info on the web) (I know, too uptight especially after reading bikers posts - go biker and biker's chick). We had no problem finding bread and snack foods but what about the PBJ. I know I can always get my kid to eat that if he doesn't like the restaurant food. Fortunately, most places had chicken fingers and we didn't have too much of a problem.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

**tommy** · 05-18-2004

okay Ill bight on this one...I tip to much in Playa...the reason its easy to...taxi from the airport to Playa $10 Dinner in Playa 20% room maids..$5 per day.etc etc etc...

the PLAYA DEAL CARD is a great value...It can save you an easy 20% off of most meals depending you use the places on the list...there are many to choose from...breakfast lunch and dinner...I would imagine you can use the card for you and spouse and child....I have used it for adults with a 20% discount...

look at your bill when you get it if it says "PROPINO" that means tip...some will have it on there and some will not...I have actualy Tiped 20% on top of the bill that included the tip but saved from the PLAYA DEAL CARD....you just have to pay attention...I have been known that when Im ready to go i just pay 20% over whatever the bottom number is....so if you want to save money then check the bill ask for the discount that the PLAYA DEAL CARD offers and give a tip...

Customs and food...I dont have the answer for you...I brought beer and wine with me and didnt get checked...I have seen people on the plane with food and never even thought about being stopped with it...I would think that if you are not bringing veg,meat and the such you wouldnt have a problem....

the ATV jungle tour shouldnt be a problem if they wont let him drive his own which Im sure they wont he should be able to ride with you or mom....Posada Freud offers an atv tour through there sight through this sight so you might want to e-mail them with questions as they will reply quite fast...

good luck and Im sure you will get all the info from other members soon..

saxman · 05-18-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by sun seekers

okay Ill bight on this one...I tip to much in Playa...the reason its easy to...taxi from the airport to Playa $10 Dinner in Playa 20% room maids..$5 per day.etc etc etc...

Tommy,

Aren't you also the one who paid $35 for a few beers at a remote cenote

? No offense, but you do overtip

.

Chris

**tommy** · 05-18-2004

guilty as charged....I just see what i want and go for it...why

because

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!

TAPPY · 05-19-2004

Tommy - it is always better to tip more - than not to tip enough !!!

hats off to you for doing so.

CaroleLB · 05-19-2004

Tip early and tip often.

I tip on the same basis as I do at home; shuttle service - a buck a bag with an extra two for their pocket, 20% at meals unless service is poor (attitude-wise, not manana-wise) and on the total amount *before* the discount, 3 bucks per day per person for the maid with a few extra every other day.

I tend to be a heavier tipper than at home. The folks need it and deserve it more.

Silver Streak · 05-19-2004

THanks for the info. Last year, I left 3.00 a day on the bed and if we had dishes I left 5.00 at the sink then we left a little extra the last day. What about tipping the tour guides??

05-18-2004	#1 (permalink)
Silver Streak very sparkly Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 29	Tips, kids, customs, food, etc. I love this message board. Wish I had found it before we went to PDC last year. We are now timeshare owners in PDC so we will be coming down yearly. Looking forward to one of the Tulum/Cenote tours you guys offer. I have several questions I hope you can help us with. Tips - What is appropriate for airport guys, shuttle guys, maids, tour guides, wait staff? It seems like everywhere we looked or went there were signs that said tips were welcome. In PDC the food costs at restaurants are American prices, do you tip 15%-20%? Also, noticed that if you get the Playa Deal Card that the tips would not be included on the bill from the restaurants. How do you know if they are including the gratuity? Playa Deal Card - The sight doesn't mention how it works for kids. Is it the same price? I have a 10 year old. The people we are going with are very interested in the ATV jungle tour. Will my 10 year old be too young? Customs and food - When we came down last year, I brought peanut butter and jelly and Lipton tea (for hubby) and we got a green light so no checking by customs. On the customs and immigration web page, it mentions how much money, compact disks, etc. but nothing about food. Yet, on the customs form it asked if we were bring in any food product that I interpreted as raw veggies, meat, etc. and not processed food(so I wouldn't feel like I was lying on the form especially since I had looked for that info on the web) (I know, too uptight especially after reading bikers posts - go biker and biker's chick). We had no problem finding bread and snack foods but what about the PBJ. I know I can always get my kid to eat that if he doesn't like the restaurant food. Fortunately, most places had chicken fingers and we didn't have too much of a problem. Thanks in advance for your replies!

05-18-2004	#2 (permalink)
tommy Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12,131	okay Ill bight on this one...I tip to much in Playa...the reason its easy to...taxi from the airport to Playa $10 Dinner in Playa 20% room maids..$5 per day.etc etc etc... the PLAYA DEAL CARD is a great value...It can save you an easy 20% off of most meals depending you use the places on the list...there are many to choose from...breakfast lunch and dinner...I would imagine you can use the card for you and spouse and child....I have used it for adults with a 20% discount... look at your bill when you get it if it says "PROPINO" that means tip...some will have it on there and some will not...I have actualy Tiped 20% on top of the bill that included the tip but saved from the PLAYA DEAL CARD....you just have to pay attention...I have been known that when Im ready to go i just pay 20% over whatever the bottom number is....so if you want to save money then check the bill ask for the discount that the PLAYA DEAL CARD offers and give a tip... Customs and food...I dont have the answer for you...I brought beer and wine with me and didnt get checked...I have seen people on the plane with food and never even thought about being stopped with it...I would think that if you are not bringing veg,meat and the such you wouldnt have a problem.... the ATV jungle tour shouldnt be a problem if they wont let him drive his own which Im sure they wont he should be able to ride with you or mom....Posada Freud offers an atv tour through there sight through this sight so you might want to e-mail them with questions as they will reply quite fast... good luck and Im sure you will get all the info from other members soon.. Last edited by sun seekers : 05-18-2004 at 06:26 PM.

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05-18-2004	#4 (permalink)
tommy Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12,131	guilty as charged....I just see what i want and go for it...why because YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!

05-19-2004	#5 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,892	Tommy - it is always better to tip more - than not to tip enough !!! hats off to you for doing so.

05-19-2004	#6 (permalink)
CaroleLB Go Cougars! Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,945	Tip early and tip often. I tip on the same basis as I do at home; shuttle service - a buck a bag with an extra two for their pocket, 20% at meals unless service is poor (attitude-wise, not manana-wise) and on the total amount before the discount, 3 bucks per day per person for the maid with a few extra every other day. I tend to be a heavier tipper than at home. The folks need it and deserve it more.

05-19-2004	#7 (permalink)
Silver Streak very sparkly Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 29	THanks for the info. Last year, I left 3.00 a day on the bed and if we had dishes I left 5.00 at the sink then we left a little extra the last day. What about tipping the tour guides??

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