Exchanging your USD (United States Dollar) to Mexican pesos will guarantee the most "bang for your buck" while you're in Mexico. Major credit cards are accepted at the hotels and a few of the restaurants. Some vendors may accept your American cash but you will most likely be paying more than if you were paying with pesos.
You will get the best exchange rate in the international airport you are flying out of. There is typically a money exchange center in the international terminal. You may also exchange your leftover pesos back to American money on your way home. There are ATM's on the island. Don't be alarmed, the ATM's are in Spanish and will show your bank balance and withdrawal in the amount of pesos. You will love your bank statement in pesos, by the way :). Contact your bank prior leaving the US to let them know you will be in Mexico. I repeat. Contact your bank prior leaving the US to let them know you will be Mexico.
My way of doing mental Mexico money exchange math has worked pretty good so far, even after a few cer vesas so listen closely. The peso symbol looks just like our dollar sign ----> $$$. So if something costs $100 MX pesos, I divide by ten and subtract a little. $100 MX pesos = $10 USD minus a little is about $7.75. When you're out shopping and you see a bottle of tequila for $250 pesos you will think "$250 pesos is a little less than $25 dollars at home." This isn't completely accurate but mark my word, it will help you that weekend.
Here is 2 very helpful Trip Advisor articles on money in Mexico:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g150768-s601/Mexico:Banks.And.Money.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g150768-c5116/Mexico:Atms.And.Credit.Cards.html
2. Where should we stay?
I cover the most recommended places to stay in a previous blog post. To keep it simple: any hotel on North Beach will put you within walking distance to all of the important places. For more luxury I recommend Privelege Aluxes. For more people I recommend Nautibeach Condos. For a tighter budget I recommend Posada del Mar. It's actually the only place I have stayed on Isla and for $65 USD/night you get a beach view, pool, bar and restauraunt. Perfecto.
3. Explain the ferry.
Gran Puerto. That's all you have to remember. Write it down on a piece of scratch paper, stick it in your pocket and hand it to the first taxi driver you see when you exit the CanCun airport. Gran Puerto. That is the name of the ferry terminal. The ferry departs CanCun every thirty minutes begining at 5 am until 1130 pm. It costs $70 pesos each way. Use the mental math I taught you!
Here is the schedule leaving CanCun and leaving Isla Mujeres.
Departs Gran Puerto for Isla Mujeres
| 5:00 AM | 8:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 5:30 AM | 9:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 7:30 PM |
| 6:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM | 4:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 6:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 5:00 PM | 8:30 PM |
| 7:00 AM | 10:30 AM | 2:00 PM | 5:30 PM | 9:30 PM |
| 7:30 AM | 11:00 AM | 2:30 PM | 6:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
| 8:00 AM | 11:30 PM | 3:00 PM | 6:30 PM | 11:30 PM |
Departs Isla Mujeres for Gran Puerto
| 5:30 AM | 9:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 7:30 PM |
| 6:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM | 4:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 6:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 5:00 PM | 8:30 PM |
| 7:00 AM | 10:30 AM | 2:00 PM | 5:30 PM | 9:00 PM |
| 7:30 AM | 11:00 AM | 2:30 PM | 6:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
| 8:00 AM | 11:30 PM | 3:00 PM | 6:30 PM | 11:00 PM |
| 8:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 7:00 PM | 12:00 AM |
4. Are there car rentals on the island?
No. If you are staying on Isla Mujeres, you will not need to rent a car. A fun thing to do while visiting Isla is to rent a golf cart for some sight seeing. Remember, if you are staying on North Beach on Isla Mujeres a golf cart isn't even necessary to attend the wedding or get to the major shopping and restauraunt area. But if you have some time to kill a trip around the island on a golf cart is a blast! I cannot find any online links to the golf cart rental locations but from what I've read, expect a golf cart rental to cost about $90 USD per day.
5. When are you and Craig flying in?
Craig, Harbor and I are flying in Thursday, November 6 around 2:00 pm. Lots of our friends and family members have also scheduled arrivals that day between noon and two. The more people we can have coming in at that time, the better! It's cheaper to travel to Gran Puerto in groups. We will stay in Isla Mujeres until the next Thursday, November 13. Please consider us off the grid after our wedding reception. If we want to hang out, we'll call you. :)
6. What is the dress code at your wedding?
I have to laugh every time somebody asks me this. This event is not formal. In my vision I see the male guests wearing khaki shorts or pants, comfy button down shirts and flops. I see the women in maxis, sundresses or linen pants. Honestly though, I am not putting it past any of my friends to show up in bikinis and board shorts. I'm going to advise against wearing heels and actually, don't even put a lot of thought into your shoes ladies because they will be off by the end of the night. Dancing in the sand is wildly uncomfortable in any kind of shoe.
7. Gift registry.
If you are attending our wedding, you will not be buying Craig and I a gift.
Seriously. Having you attend our wedding abroad speaks volumes. Your prescence as we say our vows in Mexico is the most meaningful gift anybody could ever give us.
If somebody that isn't attending our wedding wants to buy us a gift we are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond.
8. Do people speak English down there?
Mexicans love tourists. If you can't speak a word of Spanish, you will be ok. In fact, most of them love to practice speaking English with you. They are very accomodating and if you're caught in a situation with a langauge barrier, it won't take long to get the point across. Although not necessary, it is always easier to know a few of the basics ahead of time.
beach = la playa
beer = cer vesa
please = por favor
thank you = gracias
your welcome = de nada
bathroom = el baño
friend = amigo
good = bueno; bien
How much (does this cost)? = Cuanto cuesta
yes = si
As always, please email me with anything at all kimberly.kahanek@yahoo.com. There's only 115 days left until we say "I do" ! ! !
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