jude
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Backpack or suitcase in Cancun?
I just got back from my trip and I thought that I would drop you a line to
tell you how things went.
Doing the hostel thing downtown was very cool. I stayed at Hotel Soberanis
on Coba right off Tulum street. It was great! I paid 400 a night for a
private room with my own bathroom, TV and phone. There was also a hostel
room of 2 bunks with no TV or phone, but does have a bathroom in the room.
Everything was very clean and the staff was very helpful.
The hotel is almost on the corner of Tulum (main street) and Coba. There
was a grocery / dept store right on the corner, a hospital across the
street, a mercado across the street from the grocery store, the local bus
stop was right in front of the grocery store on Tulum and the main bus
terminal was about a 10 min walk away! Also, in the sector behind my hotel
there was a part in which the locals put on a nightly show for different
Carnivals. I lucked out with this place. So if ever you decide to do the
non-resort thing... I totally recommend this place!
Since the beaches are public, you can hop on any bus for 6 pesos and take a
5 -10 min ride to any location, walk through the lobby and use that beach!
Here are some things that I learned to save money and get more out of your
experience ...they makes a big difference!
1 - Always pay in MXP rather than USD! And go to the bank to exchange your
money in order to get a better rate. Often the Cambio or the Exchange
offices on the street offer a lower rate than what the actual exchange rate
is. And most businesses or street vendors are even worse. For example - they
tell you that 1 USD = 10 MXP but in reality it should be 10.98. If you
exchange a ton of money before you come, or withdraw pesos from a bank
machine as you go, you'll win in the end. And keep in mind that even if they
quote you in USD -- ask the tour agent or shop keeper what the MXP cost is
.... and don't be a afraid to barter anyone down.
2 - Buy an On Lonely Planet guide book. You get a discount at most places
just because you went somewhere that the book recommended and the address of
the location was in the book. Bring your book with you and show it to the
waiter, hotel clerk, or tour operator. I bought Frommer's because it was
smaller and more convenient to bring from place to place. But I found that
much of the information in Frommer's was outdated or plain incorrect. Also,
it did not have the same credential with the locals as On Lonely Planet had.
3- If you want to do a tour, don't buy it from high traffic information
centres. Walk around and find a booth that is kinda out of the place. I
found one beside the Krystal hotel in the Hotelas Zona and got the best deal
and the best service!
4 - If you're doing a day trip to another town, don't depend on the return
bus schedule that you are provided with at the departing station. Either
bring extra cash to pay for a taxi ride back or plan your day with a
possible 4 hour delay!
5 - Backpacks are a must. I bought a travel pack which includes a daypack
and has front access. Also, it kinda turns into a suitcase like piece with
handle-like straps on the side and top of the pack. Having a backpack made
me much more mobile for travelling from the bus station to the hotel, in the
hotel itself (no elevators, only stairs) and around the airport. I truly
felt sorry for those that arrived with suitcases who were thumping up the
stairs and struggling over uneven roads and sidewalks!
6 - For piece of mind invest in a laptop combination/ alarm lock (40$ CDN)
It has a wire that you pull from the base that you can tie to the locks
around the zippers then tie around a chair post or other stationary object
for security. With the different settings, you can either lock you luggage
into a secure location or put a sensor on it so that it beeps if you move
around it and will start to screech if its moved. I was able to leave my bag
at the hostel with no fear of having anything stolen from it and I was able
to leave my pack (within earshot) at terminals without fear that I and the
police would easily locate anyone with a screaming backpack on their
shoulders.
7 - Buy Caribiners (or snap loops) to lock you zippers. It'll give you a
little extra protection from would-be pickpockets who walk behind you and
slowly pull down you zipper and fish for your valuables! With your zippers
locked together, they move onto the next victim! You can find biners at Cdn
Tire in the ski or camping area.
FYI - One week in Cancun, including flight, meals, day trips to Chichen
Itza, Tulum, Coba, Isla Mujeres(2x) and one overnight in Playa del Carmen
cost me 1000 CDN (700 USD). I had nothing stolen, met lots of great people
(even one who will be a long time friend) and I had the time of my life!!
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03-25-2003 08:11 PM
