SHOPPING/BASICS –

Super WalMart – between 8th & 10th on 30th Avenue.  Not like your run of the mill American WalMart.  In addition to beer, wine and alcohol, it has a fresh fish counter, panaderia (bakery) with DELICIOUS warm tortillas, an olive bar, a mole bar and some wonderful prepared deli foods.  For the most part, if you need it on your vacation, you can get it here.

Mega –  Similar to Wal Mart, but nicer.  Located just down the street (you can see it from Wal Mart). 

Chedraui – At the new Plaza de la Americas – have a cab driver take you.  It’s a fun outing!  Great Mexican grocery store – I bought an OK bottle of white wine for $2!

Local Markets & Farmacia -- The small store on 6th is run by a very sour person and has almost no inventory, but the small store on 8th has sweet charming owners and nice cold beer.  The farmacia on the corner has most things and is conveniently located. 

SOUVENIR SHOPPING – It’s all right there on 5th Avenue and the side streets and 10th Avenue.

MOVIES -  The theatre complex at Plaza de la Americas is nice and new and most movies are in English with Spanish subtitles.

Here’s the rest of what you need to know or Tonya’s top twenty one tips/answers/musings!

1.     Bring plenty of $1 bills – I usually have 200 of them.  Very convenient.  You don’t have to have pesos and most places will take Visa/MC.

2.     Bring lots of sunscreen.

3.     If you’re sweet, bring bug spray.

4.     I always bring an unopened bag of coffee for the first morning so I can enjoy the balcony without making the trek to Café Sasta, Java Joes or Starbucks.  Our condo usually has a supply of tea.

5.     Yes, you can drink our water.  It is filtered.  We also have a bottled water container in the washer/dryer closet.

6.     Bring your MP3 player, but leave my cord (very hard to replace in Mexico)!

7.     If you find any beer, wine or booze in the condo – enjoy it!  But please replace it so the next guest is lucky too!

8.     You are welcome to smoke outside the condo, but let’s keep the inside fresh!

9.     Bring your patience.  Mexico is not a type A country.

10.Sundays are great in Mexico – this is the day off for most of the workers. They come to the beach and enjoy their families. 

11.Watch a soccer game with the locals – it’s great fun!

12.Tip!  A dollar is not going to make or break you.

13.There is a fresh fruit cart that parks on the corner of Calle 6 and 5th (just up the street from Luna).  It makes a great breakfast or late morning treat.

14.Go to Xcaret and float the river.  It is amazing.

15.See some ruins – Tulum is close.  The Maya were amazing.  Learn something about them.

16.Practice your Spanish.  Just Hola, Gracias and Buenas Dias show that you are trying!

17.Swim in the Caribbean! 

18.Walk through Playacar Phase I – it’s delightful.

19.Enjoy the mariachis.  Request a song.

20.At least one morning, get up early and walk around and see the town come to life.

21. Do not put the keys in your pocket and then swim in the ocean!  We have a lock box - use it to keep things simple.  Loss of a key is a real buzz kill!

Playa del Carmen – phone code is 984

Police 873-0291

Red Cross 873-1233

Pharmacy 873-0744

Buses 873-0109

Taxis 873-0032

Airport 873-0804

Tourist Office 873-1001

Fire Station 873-0291

Ferry 873-0067

Hospital 873-0284

City Hall 873-0290

Air Taxis Aerosaab 873-0501

Medical Service

Red Cross, Juarez & 25th Ave. N.  873-1233

Itegral Hospital, Juarez & 15th Ave. S. 873-0314

IMSS Social Security Hospital, 30th Ave. betw. 4 & 6 S. 873-0284

Emergencies, 24 hours, 1st Ave. S., betw. 20 & 25 873-0326

Dr. Bernardo Diaz Avila – familiar with Luna Encantada $50 US per visit

(984) 745 0294

24HRS Emergency

Fully English Speaking

Ferry Service – 987-872-1508 and 1588

Cozumel to Playa.  $80 pesos (@ $8) one way.  Departs a.m. at 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and p.m. at 12, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10

Playa to Cozumel.  Departs a.m. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and p.m. at 12, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Buy tickets at the ferry dock on the south end of 5th Ave. just off the square.  Ferry schedules do change sometimes so be sure to check.  They run on time and if you miss the last ferry, you are stuck!

PAYMENT – An advance payment equal to 50% of the rental rate is required upon reservation. The advance payment will be applied toward the rent. Final payment of remaining 50% of rental rate is due 60 days prior to arrival.
CANCELLATION – A sixty (60) day notice is required for cancellation. Cancellations that are made more than sixty (60) days prior to the arrival date will incur a fee of $175.00 USD to cover costs associated with the cancellation. Cancellations that are made within sixty (60) days of the arrival date, forfeit the full advance payment. Cancellation or early departure does not warrant any refund of rent or deposit. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE FOR RESERVATIONS INCLUDING HOLIDAY PERIODS or FOR RATES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCOUNTED MORE THAN 10%.

HURRICANE SEASON/TRAVEL INSURANCE -- We strongly encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance, especially if you are traveling to Mexico from June – November, which is hurricane season. The policy that we offer is affordable and provides excellent coverage for all travellers as well as cancellation clauses related to the health of non-travelling family members.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Official Check in time is 4:00 p.m. and official check out time is 11:00 a.m. This agreement does not create a tenancy or residence. You must depart at the appropriate time. If you are arriving prior to 4:00, please inform your vacation rental manager. When you arrive, you will be able to store your luggage in the vacation rental unit, but may have to wait for the maids to complete cleaning. If you require a late check out and we can accommodate you, we shall.
2. This is a NON-SMOKING unit. Smoking is permitted outside only. Pets are not permitted in rental units under any conditions. Violation of the smoking or pet rules may result in penalties equal to one night’s rent.
3. SELF- RESPONSIBILITY. Owner and Playa Beach Condo, LLC are not responsible for any injury of any kind sustained or caused by renter. Renter assumes all responsibility and liability for any and all actions while staying at rental property. In that the laws of Mexico or Colorado may be different from those of your home country or state, please be advised that owner and Playa Beach Condo, LLC are not liable for issues related to noise, pollution, illness, violation of laws or injuries of any type.
4. AGE REQUIREMENT. We will not rent to vacationing students or singles under 25 years of age unless accompanied by an adult guardian or parent. Some units have specific minimum age requirements as well.
5. DAMAGE/RESERVATION DEPOSIT –  Guest will be covered for accidental damage up to $1000 via purchase of the mandatory damage deposit waiver in the amount of $99.00  ($149 for Villas) ONLY IF GUEST REPORTS ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY MANAGER OR VACATION RENTAL MANAGER WITHIN 24 HOURS OF DEPARTING PROPERTY. Guest will be liable for any purposeful damage or loss that occurs during their stay at vacation rental property and guests agree to allow charges for purposeful damage and loss to be charged to credit card on file.  If guest is paying by check, they agree to provide a valid credit card number to cover any purposeful damage or loss.  Loss of keys is not covered by this policy. Guests will be charged $100 for key loss.  Do not go swimming in the ocean with the key in your pocket.  Use the lock box.
6. PAYMENT – An advance payment equal to 50% of the rental rate is required upon reservation. The advance payment will be applied toward the rent. Final payment of remaining 50% of rental rate is due 60 days prior to arrival. Please make payments in the form of traveler’s checks, bank money orders, cashiers’ checks, or personal checks payable to Playa Beach Condo, LLC, 3451 E. Asbury Avenue, Denver, CO, 80210. You may also use all major credit cards by making a secure online payment via your Vacation Itinerary.
7. CANCELLATION – A sixty (60) day notice is required for cancellation. Cancellations that are made more than sixty (60) days prior to the arrival date will incur a fee of $175.00 USD to cover costs associated with the cancellation. Cancellations that are made within sixty (60) days of the arrival date, forfeit the full advance payment. Cancellation or early departure does not warrant any refund of rent or deposit. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE FOR RESERVATIONS INCLUDING HOLIDAY PERIODS or FOR RATES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCOUNTED MORE THAN 10%  UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
8. HURRICANE SEASON/TRAVEL INSURANCE -- We strongly encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance, especially if you are traveling to Mexico from June – November, which is hurricane season or to Colorado from October – March as you may encounter inclement travel weather. The policy that we offer is affordable and provides excellent coverage for all travelers as well as cancellation clauses related to the health of non-travelling family members.
9. MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY – The maximum number of guests varies by property. You will be penalized $200/per night per additional guest that exceeds the maximum listed.
10. THIS PROPERTY REQUIRES A NIGHT MINIMUM STAY. Longer minimum stays may be required during holiday periods and high season. Shorter stays are permitted if guest is booking less than 30 days prior to arrival and/or with the approval of the vacation rental manager.
11. INCLUSIVE FEES – Amenity fees are included in the rental rate.
12. MAID SERVICE – Maid service will provide you with a clean unit upon your arrival. Depending upon the length of your stay and the property you are renting, you may have additional cleanings by the maid service. Maid service should be tipped $4-5 per cleaning that occurs during your stay.
13. RATE CHANGES – Rates subject to change without notice. All prices are firm and unchanging upon receipt of initial payment.
14. FALSIFIED RESERVATIONS – Any reservation obtained under false pretense will be subject to forfeiture of advance payment, deposit and/or rental money, and the party will not be permitted to check in.
15. WRITTEN EXCEPTIONS – Any exceptions to the above mentioned policies must be approved in writing in advance.
16. RULE AGREEMENT – By the act of renting a vacation rental property, guest agrees to abide by the posted rules of the property.
17. RENTAL UNIT - Should there be any reason to relocate a guest into a vacation rental property other than the one specifically reserved, the lower priced unit will be the rate given to the rentor.  In rare instances a move may be required due to weather, maintenance, human error and other unforeseen circumstances.  Every effort will be made to place guests in the agreed upon unit or a unit that is superior.

To confirm agreement to all terms and conditions of this agreement, please approve rental agreement online. 

Thank you for selecting Playa Beach Condo for your upcoming vacation. We look forward to having you as our guest.

We have partnered with Travel Guard to allow you to include both traditional travel insurance and  “Cancel for Any Reason” vacation insurance with your reservation to cover you in the event of unforeseen circumstances requiring cancellation for any reason or having to come home early due to an unexpected illness or injury.

http://www.travelguard.com/agentlink.asp?ta_arc=140950&pcode=ASTPCFAR