Has anyone been recently? Any travel tips?

quote:

Originally posted by deepcreek:
Don't drink the water lol!

Okay, other than the Montezuma warning, that is...

bump, cha cha cha...

quote:

Originally posted by Lorraine:
bump, cha cha cha...

I have never been there, so thank you to anyone in advance.

It is a hot vacation spot. There are plenty of English speaking people in the area. If you want to have authentic food, we're talking the real deal, you should learn how to make orders in Spanish.

Burrito is not Mexican, it's actually and American-ized take on some Mexican dishes. BUT, they will know what you are talking about.

Lechuga(Lay-choo-ga) - Lettuce
Tomate(Toe-mah-tae) - Tomato
Queso(Case-o) - Cheese
Crema(Cray-mah) - Cream or Sour Cream(interchangable for food and drink)
Cafe(Cah-fay) - Coffee
Agua(Ah-gwa) - Water
Pico(Pee-co) - Spicy, or a type of salsa
Carne(Car-nay) - Beef
Pollo(Poy-yo) - Chicken
Pesca(Pays-ka) - Fish
Cangrejo(Con-gray-ho) - Crab
Camarron(Cam-a-roan) - Shrimp
Jugo(Hoo-go) - Juice
Manzana(Mon-zahn-a) - Apple
Naranja(Na-ran-ha) - Orange
Cebolla(Say-boy-ah) - Onion

With that you should be able to order an authentic dinner, or at least a taco with what you want. If you want anymore menu items, let me know! That is one thing I can do entirely en Espanol.

Hey, thanks, LD - especially for the pronunciations! I know please and thank you, caliente and fria, cerveza, and huevos... but have no idea how to order breakfast tea vs. iced tea... or soda or ham/pork?

Are the locals friendly to tourists or does one have to be a bit on the alert?

Thanks!!

Depending upon the dish, ham/pork is puerco(pwhere-co.) I really don't order it as I don't eat pork. Tea is Te(Tay) as far as morning or night,, wow, I feel like an ignorant LOL. Also, here is the number one phrase to remember....

Donde esta el bano? (Don-day ess-tah L bahn-yo.) Where is the restroom?

LOL re: el bano (banyo). I knew that one. El jefe and poquito are a couple others.

Do you know what the customs are for tipping and/or any special etiquette quirks that may be relvant? Thanks bunches for your help, LD.

There isn't anything really special. Don't ask for refried beans. Mexicans only eat them at home, with thier families, as they feel it's rude to offer them to guests.

Por Favor(Poor Fah-voor) Please
Gracias(Grahs-E-oss) Thank You
DeNada(Day Nah-Dah) You're Welcome
Perdoname(Per-doan-ah-may) Excuse me

Gracias, LD

P.S. And a big "who knew?" re: the refried beans! Is that true?

It's very true. Thing is, refried beans are the best part of Mexican food IMO.

quote:

with thier families, as they feel it's rude to offer them to guests.

Welllllll hummmmmmmmm, Guess I won't be visiting any authentic Mexican restaurants.

quote:

Thing is, refried beans are the best part of Mexican food IMO.

Your not the only one who thinks so .

Looks like we'd have to smuggle our own refried beans for burritos, huh?

Dang... LOL

Another tip someone had was 'tip everyone... nearly every service provider expects tips.' I know Cancun is a bit more modern and tourist-friendly than some other venues. To what extent should tipping apply there? I would think taxi/waiter/chambermaid for sure, but are there others?

I really don't know, I haven't vacationed there. I can ask my guy and see, his country of origin is "touristy" in some areas too.

Thanks so much, LD

quote:

Originally posted by Canine:
Wish you were closer Lorr. I could hook you up with so many boaters.

Are you flying or sailing? SOme friends and family have sea worthy boats here and sometimes make trips down the Atlantic. My in-laws and some friends also rent yachts in the Caribean once a year and island hop down there. Their videos I watch are absolutely gorgeous. I may just have to join them someday.

If there is anything in particular you need to know about boating down there, I can ask them for you, although they are powerboaters and don't sail.

Get thine tailfeathers up here this summer; Casco Bay is grand for any kind of boating, K9. Fun and wonderful bunch of folks, too. This is a fly-down, though we do know a handful of folks who crew and deliver boats/yachts. Meanwhile, sure, please let me know if they know anything re: boating down there; that would be great!!

To LD and PA - I finally got the name of the all-inclusive place we'll be staying: Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort. I guess all activities are included, too. (I do not golf, though - but I am hoping they might have horseback riding nearby - and of course, plan to go boating. )

If any of you know anything about the general area near this place, let me know.

Oh yea - update

There is horsebackriding on the beach among the options. We decided to choose only two of the scheduled activities... More time for boating.

Guest Activity-Friday HORSEBACK RIDING 1:30-5:30 PM
Your 2-hour ride will take you through the jungle, as well as on the beach, where you'll have an opportunity to swim with and without the horses.
Guest activity-Saturday TULUM EXPRESS 8:00 AM-1:00 PM
Four hour tour to the Mayan ruins.

LOL - too shy for that, LD - perhaps the bikini top for the top half, but definitely shorts or a sarong for the rest... and some sensible shoes.

Oh joy I just found the web site: there's even miniature golf, a mini-bar in the room, and bilingual menus (thank God, LOL).