Does Wal-Mart take U.S. Dollar ? Thought I read something on here that the bus is hard to catch to get back to TTR, from Wal-Mart ?
Yes, they take US dollars and the bus trip to and from TTR to Walmart is very easy. We shopped at the flea market and Walmart for souvenirs and trinkets last year during our first trip. Walmart had everything the Flea market had, minus the overzealous merchants and was typically cheaper.
I think that people just mean it is easier to take a cab back to the resort because you may be carrying a lot of bags.
If you are using USA Transfers to pick u up at the airport, you can pay them extra to do a Wal-Mart stop for 30 minutes when you make the original booking. More expensive than the bus, but would save you a lot of pool time I would think.
Use your Credit Card - better exchange rates and just plain easier. Call your credit card provider, letting them know you will be in Mexico. Some waive all FX fees as well. Save your cash, getting more from an ATM in Mexico is damn expensive - so use your Credit Card whenever and wherever you can.
We, well really me (Steve) always runs to the Walmart. It never fails that Judy needs or forgets something. It is SUPER easy and cheap. Last trip was 8.5 pesos for the bus, If you give him a dollar he will give you change (pesos). The bus picks up and drops off right in front of the resort. Wait for the #2 bus to the right when exiting. It says Walmart in big letters on the passangers side windshield. Tell the driver Walmart and he will let you know. It is 5 minute ride. Cross the street when you get off. When you return either bus will take you back. The stop is to the left on the street and you will see the resort on the left when you return. Get off just past the resort at the stop and cross the street. Done! US currency is taken all over but expect change in pesos. IMHO it is better to deal in cash and not worry about currency fluctuation. Plus its sometimes fun to barter with the locals. Price is set at the exchange in the Walmart.
Though they take US dollars they won't take big bills. Also they want you to pay with bills that are as close to the price as possible. For example if you spend $5.99 they frown on a $20 bill.
Just don't expect to get your change back in American funds, they will give you peso's. One time I went to Playa Del Carmen for a day visit just to check it out, and stopped in a Star Bucks for a quick coffee, but more for the wifi, and this lady went ape shit on the poor guy behind the counter serving her a small coffee for 25 peso's and she handed him a $100 US Bill and demanded she get her change back in US Currency, all this at 9am in the morning too. I just asked for the $100 to be handed back to her, & I paid for her coffee. Some people just don't understand. Then she had the nerve to say what country doesn't have proper change. Last time I checked, Canadians can't spend Canadian currency in the USA, nor do we provide change in USA currency. Some people should just remember, they represent where they are from and show mutual respect everywhere to everyone
We were thinking about doing the wal-mart stop on the way from the airport, but not totally sure what to get. It appears our clothing for the trip will not take up that much room ... :flash: so other than maybe some red bull, what else is the common need from wal-mart? We each get 2 free bags each on the flight, I was thinking I could bring most the things we would have picked up there and be able to get to TTR and get out to the pool party a little sooner. :icon_biggrin:
