Where is Quintana Roo? You may have heard people talk of “wonderful” vacations in destinations called Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and the Riviera Maya. Well all these beautiful towns are located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Quintana Roo (kintana ro) covers the entire eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, with a total area of 50,351 square kilometers and is located in the South east of Mexico. Main Destinations Cancun - The most established of all the destinations, popular with all types of travelers from around the world. There are five star luxury resorts to youth hostels here and a budget for everyone. Cancun is known now as a party destination.Playa del Carmen - has a more European Flair and a large Italian community. The hotels tend to be more “chic boutique” and things are a bit more expensive here than in Cancun. 5th Avenue is the place to be and be seen!Tulum - is famous for its amazing Mayan Ruins and its casual laid back atmosphere. This destination is more for the eco-traveler who wants to get back to nature.Chetumal - is the border city with Belize and the capital of Quintana Roo. It is more of a business destination than place for vacations. There are a whole host of other small towns and resorts the whole length of the Riviera Maya and Mayan Riviera to be explored for the adventurous traveler to Quintana Roo Getting There Quintana Roo has a total of three international airports. 1. Cancun (CUN)2. Cozumel (CZM)3. Chetumal (CTM) If you are arriving from outside of Mexico then really the easiest way by far is to book a flight to Benito Juarez Cancun International Airport (CUN). Flights arrive daily from around the globe, including both charter flights and scheduled airlines. By landing in Cancun you have easy access to the whole Riviera Maya. Before arriving it’s advisable to book an airport transfer in order to get to your hotels or resort without any hassle. (Insider Tip: As you pick up your bags at Cancun Airport there are many people telling you they are your reps and to go with them. These are all TIMESHARE salespeople!) Visa requirements FMT – Tourist VisaFM3 – Work VisaFM3 Rentista – For people supporting themselves with money from abroad FMT - For many countries (check before you fly) including Canada, the U.S and the U.K you do not need a visa to go to Mexico. When on your flight you will be issued with a form to fill in called an FMT, a tourist visa, which will be stamped by Mexican immigration. It’s down to the discretion of the immigration officer but the usual amount of time given is 90 days, this can be extended once giving you a total of 6 months. FM3 – Should you want to stay and work in Mexico you will need an FM3. You need to get this from Mexican immigration, a lawyer is recommended to help you with the process. Renewed yearly. FM3 Rentista – This is often used by retired people or people earning money from outside Mexico. It means you can stay in Mexico as long as you can show you can support yourself. Renewed yearly. Safety The state of Quintana Roo is predominantly a tourist destination, if fact after the decline of the Maya there was nothing really here except Jungle, until about 30 years ago. Hence the state is an incredibly safe place to visit. Obviously there is crime in the state; however as a tourist you would be incredibly unlucky to experience any crime. Public transport is safe to use as are the taxis. Depending on how adventurous a traveler depends on what you should do to stay safe. 1. Use your hotel’s safe to keep you passports plane tickets etc. safe2. When out and about keep your bag strapped over your body and only take the amount of money out you will need.3. Don’t leave your things unattended on the beach.4. Don’t wander round at night in unfamiliar areas.5. Use your commonsense. 6. If you buy drugs or break the laws in any way expect trouble! Cost of living Currency Mexican Peso, MXNExchange rate (at time of writing)Dollar 1 = 10.5 PesosPound 1 = 21 Pesos The general cost of goods and services in Quintana Roo is, in the main, more expensive than many other parts of Mexico, this is primarily due to the fact that the area’s economy is supported by tourists, and the main tourist cities such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen can be very expensive indeed. Another reason is that the state is in an isolated position on a peninsula, thus everything has to be trucked or shipped in to the area. (Insider TIP: Don’t bring travelers Checks, use the Bank ATM/Cash points with your Debit Cards for the best exchange rates) Local Customs
People often say from the states “anything goes south of the border”, this phrase is not strictly true and there are many cultural differences you should consider. 1. Tipping - Many of the Mexican workers rely on tips to make a living. Here roughly around 10% is the norm, only if the service is good though!2. Try and learn a few Spanish phrases, remember although many of the Mexicans have made the effort to learn English, it is a Spanish speaking country and the people here love it if you make an effort. There is a great page to help you with the basics http://www.sicancun.com/useful_phrases.html3. When out in public don’t swear or shout in English, people here with there families do understand English swear words and don’t enjoy hearing them around their kids. 4. When at a restaurant the waiter may not bring your bill until you ask for it, La Cuenta Por Favor.5. If you ride public transport when you get on the bus pay the driver then move as far down the bus a possible so others can easily get on. If you get on at the back people will pass your money down to the driver at the front.6. Tipping a taxi driver is not necessary, although you can if you want to. Travel Insurance/Medical Care Before leaving on your vacation or business trip be sure to buy good quality travel insurance. Many Credit Card companies offer insurance when you book using their card; however it is essential that you check the policy and make sure you are well covered. If you do get sick while visiting Mexico there are a number of options available to you and don’t worry you will be in good hands.
- If you just need a doctor for an upset stomach or something of the sort then many of the hotels have doctors onsite, or will call one who will come to your room. Expect to pay around 50 USD or more for this service.
- If you need a hospital then there are wonderful modern, clean hospitals in the major detonations in Quintana Roo. The most popular ones are called Hospiten, Galenia and AmeriMed. You can also stop by their emergency rooms whenever you want and see a doctor for anything you may need for between 30 and 50 USD.
- There are lots of pharmacies located all over Quintana Roo, many have a clinic as well with a Doctor, although I don’t know how qualified they are. For minor ailments though they are great and medication is a lot cheaper here than in the U.S, although obviously expensive if you are from the U.K or Canada!
The state of Quintana Roo is an area steeped in culture and history, a fragile paradise on earth and the perfect place for a dream vacation.
Posted on May 21st, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Tulum Vacation Guides | 1 Comment »
Tulum is full of ‘eco’ hotels and cabanas and this type of hotel is the main reason many people visit Tulum. However, a rustic vacation is not for everybody and this is where boutique luxury resorts like Eurostars Blue Tulum fit in. Eurostars Blue Resort and Spa is the epitome of luxury yet effortlessly maintains a small ’boutique’ feel. With only 96 sumptuous deluxe suites, which feature an incredible array of amenities including I-pod docking stations and a myriad of facilities to keep you pampered throughout your stay, you’d be hard pressed to find a more intimate yet stylish hotel in the world. In recent years the ‘all inclusive’ reputation has been going down and the majority of high-end hotels would never entertain the idea of offering AI, Eurostars Blue, however, has managed to restore credibility to the ‘all inclusive’ concept by offering their version ‘gourmet inclusive’. The cuisine if of an incredibly high standard the drinks are created using premium brands and the service is personalized and professional. So if you are looking for that something a little different for your vacation to Tulum or the Riviera Maya, where you can enjoy the intimacy of a small boutique hotel, without sacrificing comfort and luxury then Eurostars Blue Tulum could be just what you are looking for…
Posted on May 20th, 2008 by admin
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If you are a fan of kiteboarding then stop by and see my good friend Marco at Extreme Control Kiteboarding. What Extreme Control offers is a package deal to learn kiteboarding on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and where you can stay in your own studio in the heart of Tulum at the charming Uolis Nah Jungle Hotel. Tulum is perfect for learning kiteboarding because of its long stretches of beach, warm clear Caribbean waters and of course great wind conditions. If you are a beginner or advanced you will love the awesome scenery and conditions that Tulum provides. Extreme Control offers top quality rental gear with the latest models of Best and Ocean Rodeo kites, IKO multilingual instructors that use the most current teaching methods and all safety equipment. Believe me these guys know what they are doing.
The hotel is located right in the heart of Tulum town where you will stay with other like-minded people in a beautiful garden setting close to all the local restaurants, bars and stores. The Tulum beach is located only 4km away where you can kite everyday depending on the wind. So book well in advance for your package or stop by when you are in Tulum, and experience first hand what kiteboarding is all about.
Posted on March 24th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: General | No Comments »
One of the things I like best about Tulum is that there really is a type of hotel for everyone, depending on your budget and on your taste. Obviously if you’re in the market for an eco resort then you don’t have to look too far to find the likes of Azulik or Cabanas Copal, and even then the price range and amenities vary greatly. However if and eco vacation isn’t for you then you can also consider resorts such as the Gran Bahia Principe or if you are really in the mood for something luxurious and kind of “boutique” then the Eurostars Blue Tulum is right up your alley. So with a little research you should have no problem finding the perfect beach resort, hotel or cabanas, just remember the eco-resorts in Tulum are what they are; rustic and full of “nature” and the resorts are, well, large hotels carved out of the jungle!
Posted on March 22nd, 2008 by admin
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If you are looking for a good reason to book another vacation to Tulum then how about this…from May to August its Turtle Time in Tulum! Each night, after the sun has set and the stars illuminate the sky, the beautiful sea turtles amble slowly up the beach, dig their holes and lay their eggs. It’s truly a spectacular sight which can be seen in front of most of the quiet Tulum hotels that line the beach. There you go! Just another great reason to come to Tulum!
Posted on March 19th, 2008 by admin
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I’m interested to hear what the general consensus is about the construction of the new Tulum International Airport. My understanding is that it has been given the go ahead and they are just trying to decide between three companies as to who is going to construct it. I thought about the pros and cons, and wonder if it was inevitable that this would happen with Tulum being in such a central part of the Quintana Roo coast. The cons, for anyone who has been to Tulum, are obvious. The destruction of more jungle, more pollution, displacement of wildlife, more traffic etc etc. In effect Tulum could become the new Cancun, as each year more and more people come through Cancun airport, but less stay for a Cancun Vacation. Pros could be less traffic into Cancun, easier access to the big resorts in the Riviera Maya, it would allow for the development of Bacalar and Majahual, provide a lot of jobs, more money to the area, etc etc. One thing is for sure Tulum as we know it, would also definitely change! What do you think?
Posted on March 18th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Tulum News | 4 Comments »
Hi folks,
Just a brief update on our all new Tulum Blog.
We are currently completing our content offline and the Blog will be complete and launched on or before March 17th 2008.
please check back then
Posted on February 29th, 2008 by admin
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