- What
do I need when I arrive in Cancun?
Even though Cancun looks like parts of Florida, it is in Mexico - a
whole
other country. You will need your passport, or certified birth
certificate
and photo ID. You also have to fill out a tourist form (check to see
you
signed on the back if necessary). Don't lose it during your vacation or
you
will get fined when you leave the country. If you do lose it, report it
stolen to the police and the airport officials will accept the police
report
in lieu of the form.
- After
Passing through customs at the airport what do we do?
You will come through doors into an area where there will be porters to
help
you with your luggage. Carts are not allowed beyond this
point but a
porter will be happy to take your luggage for you to the rental car
check-in.
Next, pick up your rental car. The
rental car companies are outside the terminal that you will be arriving
at. They all have
big signs so it is pretty easy to see them but just
tell the porter if you are using one and he will know where to go for
you to
check-in.
- Do
I need a rental car and how should I rent it?
Yes, to get around the
Cancun area a rental car is necessary. Although there is
public
transportation, it is not convenient. You can rent a car over the
internet
or directly with the rental car agencies. You should reserve a car in
advance. Most of the major brands are available at Cancun airport.
- How
do I get from the Airport to Casa Colonial?
Go to Directions.
When you arrive, honk your horn and the watchman will open the gate for
you. Someone will
be there to show you around the estate, help with your
luggage and to answer any questions.
- What
is the procedure for checking in and checking out?
Check-in time is after 2:00 PM.
Checkout
time is 10:00AM. There
is some
flexibility in these times depending on the next guests arrival time
and if
you have an early flight. The property manager will show you around and
answer questions on arrival check-in and assist you on check-out going
over
a checklist of items to release your security deposit.
- Will
my stay be private?
Your stay will be kept private before, during, and after you have
departed
unless you express otherwise in writing. The estate is a
large compound with
walls. There is a private pool and private beach. You can
access the public beach via a gate in the seawall.
There is access from the main road. It is private yet close to
all the action in Cancun and Playa del
Carmen.
- Do
I need electrical adaptors to run my hairdryer etc.?
No, all the electrical outlets are U.S. style and the voltage 110 volts
60
hertz, the same as the U.S. and Canada so hairdryers,
computers and
any other appliances will work without any adaptors. Also, there are
plenty
of outlets in each room.
- Can
I drink the water?
Unlike most of the villas in the area, which use well water for
washing, Casa Colonial uses potable water for general use (showers,
washing etc.).
The potable water is trucked in. Although
this water is drinkable, Casa Colonial provides bottled water for drinking. The swimming pool is
filled with potable water and has its own filtration
system. Well water
is used for
watering plants and general outside use.
- Can
I get sick from drinking the water or eating the food?
Usually people do not get sick from drinking the water but from eating
salads where the vegetables have not been cleaned properly. The most
likely
items are cilantro (the curly herb like parsley) or lettuce. Be careful eating salads
in other than the better restaurants.
At Casa Colonial there are drops in the kitchen to
put in the water
when washing fruits and vegetables. The drops will kill whatever could
potentially make you sick.
- Where
can I buy groceries?
In Puerto Morelos there is a small market similar to a seven-eleven
with
general use items such as pop, beer, liquor, meats, eggs, bread,
vegetables
and other small items. It
is
very convenient but a little pricier than the super market.
In Cancun there are numerous places to purchase groceries. A little over 20 minutes
from Casa Colonial you can shop at Costco,
Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club or a couple of excellent Mexican super
markets
Commercial Americana and Chedraui.
Your
U.S. Costco or Sam’s membership club card can be used in
Cancun.
- Is
there food in the refrigerator when we arrive?
????There will be complimentary soda pop, a bottle of wine and a six-pack
of beer
for your convenience. There
will also be complimentary coffee and tea available all the time during
your
stay.
- Is
there a
barbeque?
Yes, there
is a built in barbeque near the pool area. It is gas with a
tile table cook preparation area. You can get meats or seafood at the
various markets for grilling steaks, hamburger, chicken, seafood etc.
Sam's Club has steaks from Texas.
Also at about 2:00PM the fishing boats return from the day of fishing.
You can purchase fresh fish and other fresh seafood directly from the
fisherman in Puerto Morelos in an area near the grocery store on the
main square.
- When
is maid service?
There is biweekly maid service where the maid will make the beds and
clean up
around. Bath towels are changed midweek
and bed linens are changed weekly. The service will
generally be performed after breakfast when you are most likely to be
away
from the rooms. If
you want the
maid to come back later just tell her and she will be happy to make the
beds
later.
- What
staff lives in the compound?
The maid/cook and watchman/gardener live in the compound in
the
building close to the road. The watchman guards the property. He
also has responsibilities for cleaning the beach, watering plants, pool
maintenance, cleaning
up the area and minor repairs. The
staff however speaks Spanish and only limited English.
When trying to convey a thought if you
can’t speak Spanish the
pointy talky method usually works. If there is something needing
immediate
attention which can not be conveyed to the on-site staff call the
property
manager who speaks English.
A tip for the staff is not required but is appreciated. The
recommended tip from $25 - $50 per staff member.. Only tip at the end
of your stay not
daily. If you have a problem with the staff let the property manager
know. You will be asked for an evaluation comments after your
stay. Your comments
are greatly appreciated and help us in
ensuring that highest quality of service is maintained for our guests.
- Are
there mosquitoes and other critters that bite in the area?
Yes, this is the tropics and so mosquitoes and other flying creatures
are
around. At Casa Colonial the
compound has been sprayed for insects and so mosquitoes and should not
generally be a problem. The
major tourist areas are also spayed including Puerto Morelos and
Cancun.
However, when you go out, particularly in the evening it is a good idea
to
spray with some insect repellant.
- Is
there an ATM machine nearby where I can get money from my account in
the
U.S. or Canada?
Yes, there is an ATM machine in Puerto Morelos next to the market. You can get money (pesos)
from your account just as in the U.S. or
Canada. There are
also ATM
machines all over Cancun in shopping malls and at the banks. When you drive into Cancun
there banks on the right side of Tulum
Ave, which is the street that you will drive in on.
The banks also have ATM machines.
- Where
are money exchanges?
There are money exchanges all over the Cancun area.
They will convert dollars to pesos and their
rates are usually posted
outside. In Puerto Morelos there are several money exchange
places
in the main square and also one on the main road near the gas station.
In
Cancun there are several on Tulum at the banks and near the banks.
- Where
is the nearest Pharmacy?
There is a Pharmacy in Puerto Morelos near the church on the main
square. There is
also a Pharmacy on the main road near the gas station in
Puerto Morelos. In
Cancun there
are numerous pharmacies a popular one is Sanborns, which is at the
first
plaza on the main road going into Cancun.
- What
is the weather like?
In general it is nice all year round, with the average temperatures
between
74-84F. The thermometer rarely dips below 70F. It does get hot around
here
(isn't that why you come here?) and the hottest months are July and
August.
The rainiest months are September and October, but the rain usually
falls
for an hour or so in the afternoon or at night, which is no big deal.
Unless
your visit is during a hurricane, you are unlikely to have rain for
more
than 3 days during your vacation. You can visit Weather
Base to see average temperatures and rainfall year round.
- Are
beach towels provided?
Yes, there is available one beach towel per person.
We request that you only use the bath towels for
inside and beach
towels for outside. Beach towels
that
are wet after use can be hung out to dry on the line. The
staff
will show you where to hang them.
- Where
can I get access to the Internet?
The is an internet access outfit near the currency exchange in Puerto Morelos
where you can get access to the Internet.
It is a few pesos per hour and is air-conditioned. You can send and
receive e-mails, check stocks etc. There are also numerous Internet cafes
and Internet access locations throughout Cancun.
A popular one is at the first shopping center where the Sears is
located. There are two large
Internet access operations there with plenty of the latest computers and
some with voice capabilities.
- Are
there hospitals in the area?
There is an American hospital in Cancun about 20 minutes away. There is also an American
style clinic in Playa del Carmen.
There are of course the pharmacies in Puerto
Morelos for minor
ailments.
- Is
this part of Mexico safe?
The Cancun area is very safe, violent crime is virtually non-existent. There have however, been
some occurrences of petty theft. Casa Colonial is in a walled compound with gates and there
is almost always someone onsite watching the property.
You are very secure at Casa Colonial.
However, during your stay and when
you travel
around the area a little common sense should be used such as locking
doors, being mindful of your money and being knowledgeable of the
exchange rate. When
you take a taxi, ask to see the
rate card and pay only what it says. Also, if you go onto the public
beach
don’t leave valuables lying around.
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