Forums > Areas > Southern Mexico

diane

Jan 12, 2004, 7:33 AM

Post #1 of 12 (1007 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Questions!

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You look like a nice guy, maybe you can help me! I have never, ever been in a chat room before, I have been trying to figure out what to do, this is where I ended up. What I really want to do, is to talk to people about visiting Quintana Roo, I have questions like- when, where and how do I exchange dollars to pesos, is Mexico really as unsafe as this recent bulletin I downloaded, The Consular Information Sheet, and how about places to visit and means of travel. I guess that would be a good beginning. We are visiting Tulum area next month. Thanks, Diane

(This post was edited by DavidMcL on Jan 12, 2004, 5:27 PM)

Rolly

Jan 12, 2004, 7:51 AM

Post #2 of 12 (993 views)

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Re: [diane] This is just a test - ignore it. Gracias.

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Hi Diane,

Welcome to MexConnect.

Go to the Yucatan Peninsula forum and post your questions.

The best way to handel money is to bring only a few dollars and a few travaler's checks for emergencies. For daily needs, use ATMs.

Mexico is not an unsafe country. Big cities in all countries have unsafe areas, but in general I feel safer living in Mexico that I did living in Los Angeles. In my openion the Consular Information Sheets tend to overstate things.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Miguelito

Jan 12, 2004, 10:07 AM

Post #3 of 12 (981 views)

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Bienvenidos, Diane

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yep, definitely a nice guy, relatively harmless. As you can see from Uncle Jack's reply this is really a neat board and actually not a chat room in the strict sense. I just returned yesterday from a trip to San Miguel de Allende to check out the place and try to find an apartment so I can move on an FM-3 Rentista, etc. I had a great time, learned mucho, and never felt afraid nor threatened except, perhaps, by my lack of fluency in Spanish but I found out I could get around well, find what I needed, negotiate an apartment lease, shop, etc. without more than a mild rise in blood pressure, and I know that will get easier. The pensione I stayed at was reached by a little dirt street under construction; there were no street lights so it was quite dark but there were people going to and from all the day and most of the night and I never felt uneasy in any way, same goes for the day-to-day things. I do get paranoid about carrying my passport and visa around so I went wo Wal Mart and bought a little security pouch that I wear around my neck; also stuffed extra money in there. I didn't use traveler's checks, atm's were numerous, and not all places will exchange the checks. Come on in, the country's fine. Mike

Los que cantan oran dos veces! (Those who sing pray twice!)

diane

Jan 12, 2004, 10:44 AM

Post #4 of 12 (978 views)

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Re: [mikelangford] Bienvenidos, Diane

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Thank you! This is fun! I am now considering car rental. We are going to be staying in Tulum and want to go to the biopreserve and ruins and Playa del Carmen. Last time my girlfriend and rode 2nd class buses and had a blast! I think that a car will be better, last time I went, we were in Cancun and spent most of the time away from the city via bus. What do you know about exchanging currency? We don't have passports, but we have original birth certificates and photo id. I can't wait to go! If you don't mind me asking, are you a business person, what kind of shop will you open? Where in Mexico is this place that you are going to live. Diane

Miguelito

Jan 12, 2004, 4:24 PM

Post #5 of 12 (960 views)

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Umm, car rentals I can't say much about, but

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I did see signs for the things so they must be readily available. Passport is not necessary, an ORIGINAL or CERTIFIED birth certificate will probably suffice. I don't think a simple driver's license will do the trick, though. I took the overnight bus from Nuevo Lardo (Grupo Estrella Blanca line) to San Miguel de Allende and returned the same way. The bus is equal to or better than Greyhound but the highways, even the toll roads, are not up to our standards though very good. We were boarded twice on the return trip by Inmigracion people, the second time I was asked for my boleto but there was no real problem with the first-class service. If I had thought of it I'd have brought along a little hip flask with something other than water in it though, it's a long trip 12+ hours. There are plenty of casas de cambio so exchanging dollars is not a problem. I took a couple hundred dollars in pesos and several hundred in dollars but your needs may vary from mine. I'm not a businessman, retired guy looking for an adventure and somewhat disenchanted with the way the old USA has gone the past some years. Also, I'm in the divesting phase of life now and concerned with simplicity rather than complexity; also starting to think about what to give back rather than what I can get! I'll be living in San Miguel de Allende which, as you probably know, is slightly northwest of D.F. and is called "Santa Fe South", very artsy fartsy, etc. Regards, Mike

Los que cantan oran dos veces! (Those who sing pray twice!)

smokesilver

Jan 12, 2004, 8:07 PM

Post #6 of 12 (950 views)

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Re: [diane] Questions!

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Hello Diane. I have been to the area you are asking about many times. The cambios give a better exchange rate than banks. Whenever visiting Tulum I would strongly suggest 'hiring' a guide. They will find you. So much more will be explained that you would have no idea about. Trust me on this. I would be very reluctant to travel about without 'proof' of residency although in my dozens of trips to Mexico I've never been asked. Do you have any specific questions about the Tulum area?

diane

Jan 13, 2004, 6:16 AM

Post #7 of 12 (934 views)

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Re: [mikelangford] Umm, car rentals I can't say much about, but

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Mike, sounds like you have the right idea. Adventure, yes. Thank you for the advice, and good luck to you! Diane

diane

Jan 13, 2004, 6:19 AM

Post #8 of 12 (934 views)

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Re: [Rolly] This is just a test - ignore it. Gracias.

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Thank for the info, I am assuming the ATMS give pesos. Living in Mexico, hmmm I wonder if I could convince my husband ...., we will see how he feels after his first trip! Diane

sandykayak

Jan 14, 2004, 1:04 PM

Post #9 of 12 (889 views)

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Re: [diane] Bienvenidos, Diane

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If you go to Xel-Ha and X-Caret you won't be disappointed.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

thfarrell

Jan 21, 2004, 1:48 PM

Post #10 of 12 (836 views)

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Re: [mikelangford] Umm, car rentals I can't say much about, but

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Hi...

> San Miguel de Allende which, as you probably
> know, is slightly northwest of D.F. and is called
> "Santa Fe South", very artsy fartsy, etc.

Wrong!! I'm in Santa Fe, NM right now, and I can assure you that you have it backwards - we call our town "San Miguel de Allende del Norte", since we are, indeed, rather artsy-fartsy. :-)

Tom

sfmacaws

Jan 22, 2004, 12:01 AM

Post #11 of 12 (814 views)

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Re: [diane] Bienvenidos, Diane

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Diane,

There is now a bank in Tulum where you can use your ATM to get pesos. It will give you a better exchange rate than a casa de cambio. You can get a bus at the airport in Cancun to Playa del Carmen and a bus from there to Tulum. You actually may be able to get a bus directly to Tulum from the airport. If you rent a car, most of the major rental companies have offices near the airport and if you make a reservation they will meet your plane and take you to the office to get your car.

The Tulum ruins are spectacular because of the location not the ruins. Definitely go and see them but for impressive local ruins, I suggest a trip to Coba. It's an interesting drive and the ruins are very good.

There is a lot to do here, you'll enjoy yourself. and yes, it's quite safe. Use common sense, don't get so drunk you are not aware of your surroundings and don't believe everything you're told and you will be fine. There are bad people everywhere, do what you do to avoid them where you live and add a little extra because you may not understand the culture.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

diane

Jan 22, 2004, 7:42 AM

Post #12 of 12 (806 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] Bienvenidos, Diane

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Thank you for your suggestions. We are getting so excited about the trip! Diane