First of all, we would like to thank you for joining us in this adventure of our destination wedding! In the sections below, we have provided all travel information. We recommend booking your trip directly through discounted websites, such as Expedia, Bookit, or Orbitz as it is cheaper than a room block. (Note: Bookit will allow you to spread out your payment into 2-3 installments instead of paying all upfront). Car rental is optional, but not needed for this trip.
Travel Documents
A passport is REQUIRED for travel to Mexico. Please do not wait until the last minute to apply or renew. Upon arrival in Mexico you will need to produce an up-to-date passport plus a visitor’s permit which is now known as the FMM “Forma Migratoria Multiple.” This form is provided free of charge by your travel agent, airline or at point of entry.
Hotel Accommodations
We kindly ask that you book either The Royal Playa del Carmen or The Gran Porto Resort & Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Both hotels are considered sister hotels since they are both part of Playa Resorts and located right next to each other. Meals, Beverages, Snacks, Alcohol, Tip, and Taxes are included in the all-inclusive price. There is also free Wifi and limited outdoor activities at both resorts. (Note: Guests staying at The Royal have access to enter the grounds of the Gran Porto Resort at any time, and take advantage of their facilities and restaurants. On the other hand, guests staying at the Gran Porto Resort cannot enter the grounds of The Royal since it is considered an upgrade.)
The Royal Playa del Carmen is a 5-Star Adult Only All Inclusive Luxury hotel. Here is their website for more information:
http://www.playaresorts.com/The-Royal-Playa-Del-Carmen
The Gran Porto Resort & Spa is a 5-Star Family All Inclusive Resort. If you are looking for a budget friendly resort, we would recommend the Gran Porto. Here is their website for more information:
http://www.playaresorts.com/Gran-Porto-Playa-Del-Carmen
Flights
In your search, please put in Playa del Carmen as the destination so the correct hotel selection shows up. You will fly into the Cancún International Airport and will need to take a shuttle to the resort. We recommend downloading apps such as Hopper or Airfarewatchdog to monitor your trip to ensure that you book the lowest priced flight possible. If you are traveling from Boston, prices can be as low as $400.
Once you land in the Cancun airport, on your way towards the exit there will be hundreds of people trying to sell you timeshares, taxi rides, and other unnecessary services. Just ignore the noise and go straight to where you need to go (i.e. look for your shuttle service company). Be aware of your surroundings and watch your belongings at all times as the airport can be extremely hectic!
Shuttle
Playa del Carmen is a city located 45 minutes south of Cancun. You will need to book transportation to and from the resort. If you are booking through a discounted travel site, we recommend you book the shuttle separately through Canada Transfers as it will be cheaper. We've taken this private van before and we highly recommend it. The private shuttle holds up to 10 people. The more people in the shuttle, the cheaper it will be. They will provide specific information on where to go/what to do once you book the transfer.
 http://www.canadatransfers.com/
Car Rental
The resort should have car rental options available, but we DO NOT recommend renting a car due to the legal system. It is not in favor of international travelers. If you do choose to rent a car, be sure the rental company is a legitimate business. Purchase the highest insurance coverage possible, and write down the business/worker's contact info in case of emergency. Also, have the resort's information with you at all times in case you are lost. When you refuel at a gas station (most are full serve), pay in cash because there are stories of tourists' credit cards being stolen or the workers do not understand English so they use that to their advantage to swindle you.
Things to bring
You should definitely bring sunblock, bug spray, 2-3 bathing suits, flip flops, and sunglasses. The weather in August can be as low as 75 degrees to as high as 100 degrees with humidity. You should pack lighter clothes and a sweater as it can be colder at night. There may be occasional rain, so an umbrella or rain jacket is optional. The link below goes into more details on how to pack specifically for Playa del Carmen.
http://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/packing-list-for-your-vacation/
*The dress code for the specialty restaurants at dinner time requires that gentlemen wear long pants and collared shirts. Sandals and t-shirts are not permitted.*
The power plugs and sockets in Mexico are the same as in the U.S. and Canada, so there is no need to bring converters. Your standard U.S. power plug will be compatible with the outlets.
Currency & Credit Cards
From our experience, we carry the Visa Quicksilver and Discover credit cards.
CapitalOne Quicksilver: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION and no annual fees. This is one of the better cash back credit cards available for international travelers. Since it is a Visa, it is widely accepted anywhere. https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/quicksilver/
Discover IT: Unlimited 1% cash back along with 5% cash back calendar on different shopping categories. All Discover credit cards have no foreign transaction or annual fees. Unlike a Visa, this is a Discover card after all so not all establishments will accept. Nonetheless, this is still a good card to have as a backup if needed. https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/cash-back/it-card.html
Cash: You are more than welcome to carry cash in Mexico. You can exchange US to Pesos at your local bank, or exchange at the resort when you arrive. We DO NOT recommend exchanging currency at the airport as their rates tend to be a lot lower. If you are adventurous enough to venture outside of the tourist areas and shop at small local stores, they will only accept cash (you shouldn't use credit cards at these types of places anyways). Major establishments, big restaurants, and tourist locations are safe for credit card use. When in doubt, just pay in cash instead. Remember to carry some US $1s and $5s for optional tips. The resort workers and waitstaff will gladly accept and they will remember your good gesture for later customer service. At the end of your stay, any excess Pesos you have can be used towards paying your resort final bill.
Wi-Fi
The resort will provide complimentary Wi-Fi access for all of our guests. As long as you are within range with the correct login and password, you should have no trouble being online. Once you are away from the resort, only some establishments will provide free Wi-Fi. A couple apps we recommend to stay connected:
iPhone: For you iPhone lovers imessage text and facetime calls will work fine with Wi-Fi. No surprise here.
WhatsApp: Now a Facebook owned social app. You can use this app to send texts, pictures, and make phone calls via Wi-Fi. This app works anywhere in the world.
Last but not least, just rendezvous with your folks at the lobby at a specified time or make phone calls with your room phones.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
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