Akumal, Chichen Itza and parts unknown.. Here we come!

This will be my last stateside post .. until we arrive in Akumal... Flying into Cancun airport and using a transfer service to arrive at our little piece of paradise...
Our prescription masks and gear arrived yesterday, Thank You again Snorkel-Mart, all lodging and transportation is booked...

We are excited to go!

Riviera Maya Here We Come!
@WeVisitMexico

Bed and Breakfasts... the best way to really get to know a city or town...

When writing.. I always research what else has been written,  opposing ideas and other peoples perspectives .. While doing this about the reasons for staying in a bed and breakfast.. I did not find much... so here we go...

Many people think of BnBs (Bed and Breakfasts) as romantic get aways or for special occasions... that is true and they can be very romantic.. but there are so many other reasons to stay in a BnB...

I think that they are the number one way to really appreciate and immerse yourself in another culture or country.

We have stayed in BnBs in California, Hawaii, London, Greece, Belize Australia , Turkey and more...

Each time, we have had the pleasure of getting to know a town from the locals, eating well prepared local foods and feeling like we belong...

This may be offensive.. but I have never understood a person that travels around the world and chooses to stay in a 5 star resort... They have nice perks.. obviously.. but.. you can get those perks closer to home...

For the more adventurous there are home stays and home exchanges.. we can talk about those at another time.

Going to a well researched BnB guarantees a clean, safe hospitable lodging that is excited to see you and knows how to provide you with local insights, directions and suggestions...

Food wise, you have a personal chef that knows easy simple dishes and the best locals places to dine.

Concierge: The Innkeeper of a BnB will help you make reservations, provide maps and directions and give you a heads up regarding local etiquette and safety.

As we travel to Akumal.. we are following our own advice...

In some areas, specialty accommodations will be more plentiful... these are usually small family run properties... in our upcoming adventure, this is the option we have chosen...
Playa Caribe, Here we come!

Snorekling on the Maya Riviera... Lesson for the day: Plan Ahead..

If you have been following the posts.. you will know that I hit a minor glitch.. as it turned out .. it is a major one... We were not able to reserve prescription masks to rent...

Budget Travel Lesson for the day.. Just because it was easy last time, do not wait until the last minute...
Had I checked out the mask rental situation earlier, we would have saved on shipping costs.. but we are excited to be finally buying our own gear...

Also Michelle, did provide a discount on shipping... THANK YOU!

I went online and chatted with my other travel agents that are a part of Nexion and was told.. especially for this area.. you need to bring your own.. or buy...

As I write this, I just got off the phone with Michelle at Snorkel Mart... She was helpful and very informative... We did pay a bit more..  ONLY because of the last minute shipping.. but the over all costs for prescription masks, fins and full gear was great...

Over the next few days I will be finishing up any last minute details..
 making sure we have a full dose of all meds, travel size containers of sun tan lotion , Deets and toiletries...

Double checking timers on lights and a radio in the house..

providing two people with our full itinerary

contacting the USPS to hold mail.. (times have changed.. you can do this online)

This time next week,  Snorkeling with the turtles in Akumal...

Snorkeling the Maya Riviera with prescription masks.. Maybe?

This is a brief update on a bit of a stumbling block so far... The cost of renting snorkel gear is reasonable..
15 a day in Akumal and 10 in Playa Del Carmen... Two towns on the Maya Riviera what my goal over the next few days will be is to find a shop that rents prescription masks... This has never been an issue before...but so far going 0-2 on the availability .. this is only with two shops but both #1 or #2 on trip advisor...
I will post by Tuesday the final spot.. There must be one...
So budget tip for today.. less expensive gear in Playa Del Carmen,,, we will stop and pick up gear on our way to Akumal... Where from??  I will let you know...

first round of Akumal planning

We are going for a budget vacation... at the same time there are multiple costs associated with any trip.. These are the reasons to plan daily expenses into your travel budget....
We got the air fare at a nice rate.. traveling out of the U.S.A and into Cancun on the Labor Day...
We are staying in nice moderately priced accommodations on the beach.. Playa Caribe
The extra costs are for snorkel equipment rentals, Helmie Atarie has been great and quick to reply to my email questions from Akumal Dive Shop.

We have chosen not to rent a car but to use ADO service and possible private shuttle upon our arrival.. Once we get our sea legs will use local transportation .. This is a tourist area and multiple options are available...
Here is a great site I found that I want to pass on... I-Akumal.com .. They do direct reservations but also have a wonderful easy to explore site with great information...  Here is the site that is helpful with Transportation.


As I have mentioned in earlier posts.. we never stay in hotels.. only locally owned or bed and breakfasts..
Because of this.. it is very important to use Trip Advisor  before any booking...

Many of these notes are well known.. but walking thru the process to get a Fair Dinkum experience.. is the number one priority....

Adios..
up next.. snorkel spots and then we will travel inland...

Akumal... here we come

In the past we have posted as we go.. for our upcoming trip to Akumal, Mexico, I will be posting before and during our trip when possible...
We have our hotels booked, flights booked.. land transportation.. this is the wild card..

We love to snorkel and I love my turtles, Akumal is a turtle heaven and this is where we will be spending the first portion of our trip..

Hubby insists on culture and history so we will also be going to Chichen itza and exploring the area there as well.. we will be staying in a small town called Valladolid, Mexico.

I will be sharing how to put together a vacation on a budget, by yourself and who to ask when looking at tours vs on your own...

So stay tuned...