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ABR newbie - 7/7/2012 11:08:48 AM

ChristinaH

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Joined: 7/7/2012
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First time to ABR (and the region in general) but not to traveling to Cancun and all-inclusive resorts. A direct flight from Cincinnati to Cancun.... soooo excited after last trip involved a 5 hour layover at DFW airport. NOT FUN.

We will be there July 15 to 22nd to celebrate our 1 year anniversary... Interested in hearing the "need to know" info specifically about this resort, besides the basics I have read online already from lurking about between here and TA. Hard mattresses, buffet food, insulated mugs & water bottles, a cooler, bug spray, etc are known as issues and things to be prepared for.

Questions that I cannot find answers to???

ATM at hotel/exhange rate ~ best way to get pesos?
Upgraded room ~ is that a bargaining thing to do when checking in (last time at a mega resort took that route and paid minimal to upgrade)???
Best bargains? We average a trip to Mexico every 6 months and time to cut misc. costs so we can keep planning future trips!
Renting a golf cart???
Tulum? cheapest way, costs associated with a self directed excursion, maybe including a cenote??? Lots of reading, not enough note taking!

All help and recommendations are truly appreciated! Although a true Irish, I think the country of Mexico is in my blood (my husband laughs when I say I am going to become an ex-patriot in about 10 years, when I may just cash out my state teaching retirement (changes taking place with the system are just scary) and set up a shack on the beach in Mexico to live out my days!

Packing list is printed, snorkel gear is ready, and already prepared to ask driver to stop once out of the airport at a gas station for travel beverages, although we always get hooked into that first cerveza immediately out of the airport with airport prices!

< Message edited by ChristinaH -- 7/7/2012 11:09:19 AM >

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/7/2012 11:57:25 AM

PamF

Posts: 376
Joined: 1/30/2012
From: Chicago Illinois
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We just changed money at the lobby desk in the morning. They were giving 12p to the dollar. I believe there was an ATM there but never used it.

Building 5 6 7 all face the water. 6 and 7 probably quieter and better views of water. Second or third floor.

We just took a taxi to Tulum and back. No problem.

We rented a golf cart one day near the arch for $20 for 4 hours. The way to go to Yal Ku and the little restaurants along the route. Slow but fun and you are covered from the sun.

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/7/2012 11:33:07 PM

barata

Posts: 4170
Joined: 4/11/2006
From: a few degrees north of Akumal
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We use the ATM near the kids club at the employees gate, good rates.
Tulum walk to the highway through the main gate and catch a collectivo. But on the way back be sure to walk out to the highway unless you find a van already full. They don't leave the ruins till the van is full. If you're the first, you could end up sitting in a hot collectivo for over 1/2 hour.
Don't know about the upgrade thing, booking through Canada they only book superior rooms. We send ABR an e-mail asking for our favorite non-superior room - maybe ours will be available for you!
ABR - best darned staff around! You'll feel like family.

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/8/2012 1:03:00 AM

Bonnie

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If the ATM runs out of money, there's an ATM at the Super Chomak and also at El Pueblito right in Akumal. I forget the rates and fees but when I got my bank statement I was happy with the exchange.

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/8/2012 6:11:15 AM

TeriA

Posts: 940
Joined: 9/17/2010
From: Salem, Utah
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Bonnie

If the ATM runs out of money, there's an ATM at the Super Chomak and also at El Pueblito right in Akumal. I forget the rates and fees but when I got my bank statement I was happy with the exchange.

Yeah, its so easy to exchange cash. My favorite part of getting cash at the ATM on the ABR property is the music that plays when your transaction is complete. That and the air conditioned little room it's in.

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/8/2012 9:52:49 AM

RealMcCaugheys

Posts: 89
Joined: 1/23/2011
From: Kansas
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If you don't need fancy, we liked bulding's 3 & 4, they are closer to The Moon Rise where we like to hang and layout, and it makes for carrying your snorkel gear back and forth pretty easy. We have never found them to be noisy really at all. Our favorites are 303 or 403. They seem to be in the middle of The Moonrise and the Main Bar/Restaurant, is close to the snack bar, close to the area we prefer to snorkel, and we like to go to the town of Akumal a lot, etc... But they don't have flat screens and are not upgraded, but we are only in our room to sleep and shower anyway, so who cares! ;) One thing we like about the 3 and 4 bldg is the a//c is individual units, so you can control your temperature. I am sure the view from bldg 6 and 7 is awesome, but we love the proximity of the rooms/balcony's from 3 and 4 to the beach.

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/9/2012 2:02:04 PM

heatlw

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From: GTA - Ontario, Canada
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I have stayed in 3; 5; 6 - was not really happy with building 5 as the pool is right in front. I asked for this bulding because I was traveling alone. 3 is great but have the sidewalk in front of it with people constantly walking by. so if you are on your 'patio' you get no privacy. Building 6 is the way to go. Have stay on both the first and second floors; the view from the second floor is spectacular.

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/9/2012 3:38:24 PM

teriann

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You'll love the ABR! We do! We find we like buildings 3, 4, and 5. We like being closer and really there isn't a bad view there. Every room is so very close to the beach its only a minute or two walk.

We would take the Collectivo to Tulum ruins or into Tulum. We enjoyed taking the collectivo to ITours...saying 'Hi' to Alma then we caught a cab from ITour to El Paraiso beach. Great beach! You can rent a beach bed, table and chairs with umbrella for $15 a day. There is a bar there as well. Or you can do what we did and stop by the grocery store on the way to El Paraiso beach and get some snacks and drinks and spend the day..it was great watching the kite surfers and swimming. Head down further into Tulum and there are great shops and eats too! Enjoy!!!

Teri Ann

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/9/2012 10:44:40 PM

ChristinaH

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Joined: 7/7/2012
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LOVE the advise... we are not a "top of the line" resort type of couple... we want fun, relaxation, and just a week of rejuvenation.

another question that I am not sure if there is a real answer to. I am a high school teacher and would LOVE to take a few bags of school supplies to do donate to the local schools (walmart is already stocked to the gills) but not sure if or how I can do so without having to pay extra for our baggage cost with this.. Flying out of Cincinnati with Sunwing... any suggestions???

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/9/2012 10:53:14 PM

barata

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From: a few degrees north of Akumal
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There's definitely a library that could use your donations - Hekab Be, you can do a search for them on here. Lots of times at LG gatherings both in and away from Akumal there are fund raisers to help support the little library. It's a great place to spend a couple of hours too, just walk down the street from the stores in Akumal Playa (the beach side town) and you'll find it. They have lots of activities for the local kids - and hey, it's a library too if you're looking for a book.
My advice about the suitcase - take all the supplies you want, and when you return you fill that suitcase up with souvenirs!! You'll need way fewer clothes than what you are planning on I bet - one week, you'll need very little. Clean undies, a couple of pairs of shorts, tank tops, maybe a light weight sweater and probably 3 bathing suits so that you'll always have a dry one.!

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/9/2012 11:10:12 PM

ChristinaH

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@ barata... our limit is 44 lbs per bag... i max it out on the way there but also leave all toiletries behind with a note for the maids to take them... the humidity adds so much to our clothes we bring back. Is there a way to separate what we want to donate so it does not factor in???

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/10/2012 8:10:52 AM

Isla Chica

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From: South Carolina
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Christina, I used a carry-on for most of my donated materials, and could hardly lift that sucker into the overhead bin! (had to have help!!!) LOL

Sorry, but no way to make the weight "not count".

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/10/2012 12:59:48 PM

crunch

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From: Dreaming of my next vacation to paradise......
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I have heard that some airlines will comp the baggage fees on donations. I would call sunwing and ask them.

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/10/2012 10:24:01 PM

barata

Posts: 4170
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From: a few degrees north of Akumal
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ChristinaH

@ barata... our limit is 44 lbs per bag... i max it out on the way there but also leave all toiletries behind with a note for the maids to take them... the humidity adds so much to our clothes we bring back. Is there a way to separate what we want to donate so it does not factor in???

44 lbs is about what I take for 2 weeks. The darned Hunnan Fish ID book weighs about 5 lbs so that goes in my carryon. Crunchie as always has the best idea, contact Sunwing to see if you can have a "donation" bag. Also, when we fly Sunwing out of Canada we are allowed a "free" sporting goods bag - golf clubs or snorkelling/dive gear. We put all the snorkelling gear in it's own fee bag, so that frees up weight for our suitcase to take down (and bring home) goodies.

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/11/2012 12:06:04 PM

ChristinaH

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Joined: 7/7/2012
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working on the suggestion to contact Sunwing... after our snorkel gear arrived we realized the idea of only 1 checked bag wasnt going to work for us as originally planned... but so excited to have my own gear that actually fits versus the generic equipment that tour groups seem to always hand that the extra hassle will be worth it

LOVE all the ideas and suggestions received, some great PMs as well that gave great explanations... printed and in our carry-on bag. 4 sleeps and counting!

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/12/2012 11:55:28 AM

sandinmypants

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From: Iowa
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You really don't need as much stuff as you think you do, trust me! One suitcase each for a week shouldn't be a problem, even with snorkel/mask/fins. The ABR is so casual and laid-back, I was amazed by how little stuff I used there. No dressing up for dinner means no dress clothes/shoes! That cut way back on what we took compared to what we used to pack when we were eating in dressier a la carte restaurants every night at other A/I's. A large checked bag and a carry-on per person gave us enough room for what we needed - and we have a 10yo that requires sand toys, misc. games and toys, & 10+ books, and my husband packs his guitar as well.

Enjoy, and looking forward to your trip report when you get back!

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/12/2012 1:03:52 PM

crunch

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From: Dreaming of my next vacation to paradise......
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SchnauzerDog

quote:

prepared to ask driver to stop once out of the airport at a gas station for travel beverages, although we always get hooked into that first cerveza immediately out of the airport with airport prices!

A good trick I learned from someone on LG was to throw some cans of beer and/or water bottles at home into your checked luggage. The temp in the baggage compartment on the plane keeps them very well chilled...you have a drink immediately when out of the airport and you don't have to stop on the way to the resort. Have done this a dozen times. Have a great trip.

Sadly, that will not work for my frozen margarita's Schnauz.........

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/12/2012 1:16:02 PM

LegendOnTheLoose

Posts: 2420
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SchnauzerDog

quote:

prepared to ask driver to stop once out of the airport at a gas station for travel beverages, although we always get hooked into that first cerveza immediately out of the airport with airport prices!

A good trick I learned from someone on LG was to throw some cans of beer and/or water bottles at home into your checked luggage. The temp in the baggage compartment on the plane keeps them very well chilled...you have a drink immediately when out of the airport and you don't have to stop on the way to the resort. Have done this a dozen times. Have a great trip.

Sounds like a beer shower to me

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/13/2012 12:21:51 AM

TeriA

Posts: 940
Joined: 9/17/2010
From: Salem, Utah
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Something to consider for the donation. Perhaps you could save yourself a lot of trouble simply by making a trip to the Walmart in PDC and pick up those items there. They're bound to be cheaper in Mexico, and no worries on the packing.

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/13/2012 2:32:26 PM

ChristinaH

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Joined: 7/7/2012
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@ TeriA... realized thinking too hard about this and think your idea is a better plan, or just a cash donation of what I would spend anyways!

2 more sleeps and all packed except for last minute items... Packing up the great dane pup (almost 6 months old) for a week is proving to be the most challenging aspect this time around, as she is a new addition to our family since our last vacation.

I would never be brave enough to put beer into my checked luggage, I do however put a few mini-bottles of captain's in my carry-on since I never carry any other liquids and they go right through security. I of course do NOT consume those while on the plane since it is against the law, maybe I should save some for the road

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/14/2012 7:16:39 AM

Isla Chica

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From: South Carolina
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ChristinaH I would never be brave enough to put beer into my checked luggage, I do however put a few mini-bottles of captain's in my carry-on since I never carry any other liquids and they go right through security. I of course do NOT consume those while on the plane since it is against the law, maybe I should save some for the road

It's against the law? I never heard that, and do this all the time. No flight attendant has ever said anything. Says who that is illegal?

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RE: ABR newbie - 7/14/2012 8:52:07 AM

LegendOnTheLoose

Posts: 2420
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Isla Chica

quote:

ORIGINAL: ChristinaH I would never be brave enough to put beer into my checked luggage, I do however put a few mini-bottles of captain's in my carry-on since I never carry any other liquids and they go right through security. I of course do NOT consume those while on the plane since it is against the law, maybe I should save some for the road

It's against the law? I never heard that, and do this all the time. No flight attendant has ever said anything. Says who that is illegal?

I've seen flight attendants confiscate passengers little bottles on several occasions, guess it depends on the airline and/or flight attendant....

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"I am prepared to believe that a dry martini slightly impairs the palate, but think what it does for the soul" ~ Alec Waugh

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RE: ABR newbie - 8/4/2012 6:32:48 PM

rdonley

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Don't know if all airlines do the same but we flew American on a trip to Bolivia a couple of weeks ago. I checked a big bag and then had a rolling backpack and a large backpack on my back. Those two backpacks had a lot of stuff in them so you could extend what you take if you have one carry on and one "personal" item to carry on the airplane.

Post #: 23