MONEY:

The best exchange rate is using your credit card. Just make sure that you find out about foreign transaction fees.Using the ATM to withdrawl cash is a better value than exchanging dollars to pesos.Use pesos/cash whenever possible. The exchange rates are different everywhere you spend money. Most places do take American dollars, but the exchange isn't as great.Always check your bill to see if the tip ("propina") has already been added.Count your change.

TRAVEL:

Make sure your passport is valid and not about to expire. Mexico does not accept passports that will expire within 6 months of travel. Children will need their own passports.Leave at least 2 hours between international connecting flights to clear Customs and Immigration.Know the address of the hotel in which you're staying because you'll need to write it on the immigration card.KEEP THE SMALL IMMIGRATION CARD THEY GIVE BACK TO YOU AT THE AIRPORT... you will need this when you depart!Fly into the Cancun airport. Most of the hotels in Tulum also offer shuttle services (for a fee, check out USA Transfers), or you can rent a car or cab it. Expedia is great for renting a car. These car companies have bad reviews, just ignore them. Its Mexico, everything is a little slower down there.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

In Tulum, you can choose to stay wherever you want- a boutique hotel, a villa, an all-inclusive hotel/resort, or you can go camping. Visit our Where To Stay page for suggested options. If you do not choose one of these hotels, make sure to ask if your hotel has the following amenities: A/C, 24-hour electricity, shared vs. private bathrooms, electrical outlets.Just a note on the A/C. January is the coolest month of the year, so unless you really need A/C, it's really not necessary.

GETTING AROUND WHILE THERE:

If you decide to rent a car, it will give you the freedom to explore Tulum and the many amazing things it has to offer.Ask your hotel if they have parking. Nueva Vida does have parking.If you're sticking with cabs, negotiate with the driver BEFORE you get into the cab.

FOOD/DRINK:

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. It is best to order bottled or filtered water. Of course, it is okay to shower in it.Enjoy the food! You can find almost anything you want in Tulum.There is a supermarket called Chedraui on the left of the road to the Zona Hotelera in Tulum.

HOW TO CONTACT US ONCE YOU GET TO MEXICO:

We have Verizon and they are now offering a program that costs $2/day to use your current service (no roaming charges!). Its called "travel pass" and I believe other phone companies are doing something similar. So, our phones are going to work!The other option is to download the app "WhatsApp" to your phone- when you find a wifi connection, you can text and call for free internationally using this app.

OTHER TIPS:

Don't forget your sunscreen. Some places require biodegradable sunscreen (mostly the adventure parks and the biosphere), so that might be something to consider.DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT. Especially when it comes to the main highway, the speed limit changes frequently. Just be smart. You don't want to get pulled over and have to deal with that (it's happened to us!)If you do get pulled over, they will be looking for money. Avoid having access to your passport, and instead, only offer your license. They will want to hold it until you pay them off. (in the one time we got pulled over, we acted like we spoke no Spanish and couldn't understand a word they said. After a few minutes, the officer just gave up and let us go. Acting dumb paid off!).GAS: Pemex is the national gas company; the prices are the same at all locations throughout the country, and they're all full-service. Set an amount you would like to pay, and pay with exact change that you count in front of the attendant. A small tip is appreciated. (Note: when you offer the cash to the attendant, make sure you show him the denomination of the bill and get mutual agreement on how much you are offering. A rare, but well known local scam from the attendants is to take a $500 bill and then say you only gave them $50. As in any foreign country, just pay attention and be aware).