We will make first ever trip to TTR March 8-12. We have read through CCC posts and suggestions from so many cool people and their own experiences that we made the top 15 NEED to KNOW list for all of us rookies. I invite any of the seasoned veterans to add any other tips for us newbies. 15. Set two alarms to be sure you don't miss flight. 14. Split your clothes between two luggage bags. This way if ones lost you still have half your clothes. 13. Make sure you make shuttle arrangements with USA Transfers to pick you up at airport. 12. Pack your own large drink mugs since small glasses are the norm for some bars. 11. Pack a baseball hat in case you play tequila volleyball and lose. Poster never explained why!!!! 10. Pace yourself. The first day excitement will probably be over whelming but you don't want a 3 day massive hangover and miss the daily action. 9. Bring a large number of single dollar bills. Needed for tipping. 8. Once arrive in Cancun airport and have your luggage proceed directly outside. Go through two glass doors and USA Transfers driver will be outside with USA Transfers sign. 7. Oh yeah grab a welcome beer at the bar to the right of the exit ( I think right) 6. Make sure you have bathing suit packed in an easily located area of luggage in case you can't get into your room rate away. 5. AVOID Timeshare people!!!! This was very consistent with everyone. Be ready with your excuse and reason to by pass them. 4. Don't forget number 5 above. 3. If you have been sun deprived for a while like many of us northners, place adequate amounts of sun tan lotion in all areas even top of feet. 2. Must hit Coco Bongos at least once 1. Don't go APESHIT at the resort or at least have the APESHIT talk with your spouse before you arrive!
Bring sun tan lotion from home, it's exspensive there. Tell the USA Transfer guy to go the back way through downtown. Faster and you will get there is 20 mins. Tell the time share lady at the hotel that you have been there before with friends and you are not interested in a timeshare and do not want to be bothered at all. She will approach you as soon as you finish your check in. Have her check you name off the list. Do a Boobs Cruise. Lock valuble sin the safe always. Have a fantastic trip.
I would make some changes to include: PACE YOURSELF. I have even been caught in this one on my second visit. This trip needs to be thought of as a marathon not a sprint. To fast out of the gate and you dont wake up for the night time activities after the pool. Seen this get many people over the times we have gone. Need to move this one closer to the #1 spot. TAN- See many people burn and ruin their time at the pool as a result. Almost as bad, maybe worse than the above rule. Nothing worse than sitting in the shade because of a burn and not getting to hang at the bar and sexy pool with all your new friends. Go to a tanning place prior or sunscreen frequently. Not an issue for us South Floridians. Move the cruise to the top thing to do while there. This is one of the highlights. Also the bar is to the left for the terminal that we arrive at.
Bring bug spray and apply to lower legs and feet if bugs love you and you walk in the sand. Put sunglasses on and don't even talk to timeshare people in the airport, walk by and act like you don't even see them - glasses avoid awkward eye contact - has worked for me every time! If you have a hard-sided suitcase, bring that one to check for your flight. If it rains, all your stuff in the suitcase could end up damp or soaking wet because they leave luggage outside in the rain - happened to us on the way home - would have sucked on the way there! Buy some 3oz plastic bottles and fill them with your fav liquor - put them in the quart size ziplock bag to get through security, then buy something to mix it with before boarding - and arrive in Cancun sporting a comfy buzz at bargain basement prices! Check a bag with your liquids so you have plenty of room for the booze in the ziplock bag! You may want to use darker-colored plastic bottles to avoid TSA asshole commentary, like we got with clear containers full of Fireball - "that's a lot of 'medicine' you have ..." - none of your fucking business if it all fits in the ziplock - you ass! Buy some top shelf liquor at the duty free shop before going through customs, if you want some special stuff you like in the room. Don't take pictures in the immigration line like a newbie idiot tourist (um, yeah - that was me our first trip, and I got yelled at ...) Relax in USA Transfers van - knowing you are in for the time of your life, but do the 'I won't go apeshit' mantra a few times, just to drill it in your head ;-)
bring little containers, vodka from duty free and jello packs.. fastest way to make friends!! don't bring too much clothes... we brought too many.. avoid high heels..
Put sunglasses on and don't even talk to timeshare people in the airport, walk by and act like you don't even see them - glasses avoid awkward eye contact - has worked for me every time! Once we are past customs and we go through the door where all the timeshare sharks are, we split up and walk down opposite sides of that hallway. Sharks will not approach singles, they are looking for married couples. We can see each other the entire time, and we join back up once we get outside. Works every time.
A couple more: 1. Pack a whole 24-hours worth in your carry on in case your luggage doesn't make it. 2. Unplug the phone when you get to your room, and then check every afternoon to make sure housekeeping didn't plug it back in. Our phone rang almost every day at 8:00 a.m. our first trip. We think it was the timeshare people. 3. Use the little cups the first day...it helps the pacing.
When you arrive from the UK try and stay awake until at least midnight that way you can get yourself onto Cancun time on the first day and make sure you set the alarm for the morning. I find drinking and dancing keeps us going until then and as we arrive on the saturday for the pool party easy to keep going
