Useful Information
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Things To Know

Things to know before you go to make your visit here run smoothly.

PRONUNCIATIONS. When X is the first letter of the word and is followed by a consonant, it is pronounced: "esh"
Xpu-Ha — "esh-poo-ha"
Xcaret — "esh-ka-ret"

When X is the first letter of the word (or in the middle of the word) and is followed by a vowel it's pronounced: "sh"
Xel-Há — "shell-ha"

FERRY TO COZUMEL. The ferry runs between Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel every day. (If you are in Cancun you can take a bus to Playa del Carmen for about $6.50USD.) All of the ferries are enclosed, clean and modern and travel round-trip about 15 times a day departing the dock on the hour. Note that operating times may change due to poor weather conditions. Tickets (boletos) can be purchased in town at booths. The approximate cost each way is $12 USD with a discount for purchase of round trip tickets.



CURRENCY.The Mexican peso floats freely against other world currencies, which can be exchanged at banks and foreign exchange desks. Most hotels and resorts will exchange major currencies. ATMs dispense pesos for users of major international bank and charge cards. Click here to check currency conversion. (As of December 2009, $1 USD was equal to 12 Mexican Pesos, as of Dec 2009).

DESTINATION MARKETING OFFICE. Calle 28 Mza. 4 Lote 1 Col. Ejidal, Playa del Carmen, Q. Roo. México 77710. Tel: (984) 206-3150; info@rivieramaya.com; rivieramaya.com, holarivieramaya.com

DUTY / RETURNING TO CANADA. A traveler may bring duty-free merchandise worth up to CAN$200 if he or she has been out of the country for 48 hours or more; CAN$750 if out for seven days or more. Adults may include 1.5 liters of wine or 1.14 liters of liquor duty-free, plus 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and certain other tobacco products that are partially exempt.

DUTY / RETURNING TO THE U.S. A traveler may bring duty-free merchandise worth up to $800. Adults may include 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars and one liter of alcohol duty-free, plus a second liter if produced in certain Caribbean Basin nations. Duty and tax on the next $1,000 of merchandise is just 3.566 percent. Cuban products cannot be imported legally.

ELECTRICITY. Most outlets operate at 110 volts, 60 cycles, as in the United States. Older buildings may not accept three-prong plugs without an adapter.

EMERGENCY. Dial 066 in an emergency, 060 for police or 040 for directory assistance. For tourist protection and information from within Mexico, try 01.800.903.9200 or 01.800.987.8224. You do not need a phone card for three-digit emergency numbers from pay phones.

HEALTH CARE. Dial 066 in an emergency. Well-stocked pharmacies and modern medical facilities are available throughout the state of Quintana Roo. Check with your front desk for facilities and physicians.

HOSPITEN. This European company with multilingual personnel operates two hospitals in Quintana Roo: Playa del Carmen [Calle Balamcanche, Lote 1, MZA 30, Carretera Federal, Playacar Fase II, Playa del Carmen. Tel: (984) 803-1002; rivieramaya@hospiten.com, hospiten.com] and Cancún, (998) 881-3700.

INTERNET. Tourist areas have plenty of Internet cafés. Most resorts now offer wireless network access for your notebook.

MEXICO TOURISM PROMOTION BOARD. Contact the office in Mexico City regarding travel throughout the country. (5250-8555, visitmexico.com)

RELIGION. The predominant religion in Mexico is Roman Catholicism. Many Maya practice their own religion.

RIVIERA MAYA TOURISM PROMOTION BOARD. Contact the office regarding travel in Riviera Maya. (Calle 28, Mz. 4, L1, Col. Ejidal, Playa del Carmen; 984.206.3150/873.1260, 1.866.646.6292 (U.S.); info@rivieramaya.com; rivieramaya.com)

TAXES. IVA (tax) is 11 percent in Quintana Roo, usually included in restaurant and bar tabs, room rates and merchandise prices.

TELEPHONE. Mexico’s country code is 52. To call from Mexico to another country, dial 00 first. To call another area code within Mexico, dial 01 first. To call a cell phone from a land line, dial 044 first. GSM 1900 telephones roam with several local carriers, including Telcel and Movistar, as long as the international roaming feature is enabled first by your home carrier. Local phones can be rented, or even purchased from around $50. The most cost-effective way to call is often to buy a local SIM for around $12 and use it in your own unlocked GSM device. Prepaid minutes are sold everywhere.

TIME. Time on the Yucatán Peninsula is the same as Central Time in the United States, GMT-6. Daylight saving time begins on the first Sunday in April and ends on the last Sunday in October.

TIPPING. A voluntary gratuity of 10 to 15 percent is customary at restaurants. In tourist areas, a tip is sometimes added to the bill automatically because some visitors are not familiar with the custom.

VISAS. At point of entry, holders of U.S., Canadian or European passports receive a Mexican tourist card good for 90 days. The card must be turned in upon departure. To stay longer, apply at any Mexican immigration service office before the first 90 days expire. Other nationals should contact a Mexico tourism office for entry requirements. All adults and children require passports to reenter the United States.

WATER. Don’t worry about drinking the water in tourist restaurants and hotels, which purify their water or bring it in bottled.



What should I take with me on my trip?

Although everything you need for a safe, comfortable trip is available for purchase locally in Riviera Maya, you may consider bringing the following for tour and traveling:

  • Eco-friendly, or environmentally friendly, biogradable sunscreen (in non-aerosol pumps)
  • Lightweight wide-brimmed hat
  • Open toed shoes – (To show off your spa pedicure!)
  • Flat, comfortable walking sandals and shoes for hiking
  • Insect repellent
  • Cool, (preferably 100% cotton) casual clothing
  • Lightweight wrap, sweater or jacket for evening wear
  • Spare memory card for your camera
  • Underwater camera
  • Some establishments in Riviera Maya do not accept credit cards so bring US dollars, Mexican pesos, ATM card or travelers checks.
  • Your mask and snorkel
  • A small flashlight with batteries

Leave valuables and valuable jewelry at home
Do not leave cameras or laptops unattended in public areas while traveling