Some basic questions about All-Inclusive from a first-timer

[thirdistheonewiththehairychest]

Hi,

We're off to Mexico on Monday and I have a few questions that I can't find the answers to anywhere.

1. Do I need to take shampoo etc with me?
2. Will I be able to buy sun cream on the resort and if not, how much do you reckon I need to take for a family of 5 for 10 days?
3. Will we need cash for anything other than tips and souveneirs? Trying to decide how much to take...
4. How does it work with food? Are there usually set meal times? I think my 12 year-old might just eat all day every day if she could!

I'm sure I have more but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. And in case any of these questions are resort-specific, we're staying at the Grand Sirensis in Akumal on the off-chance anyone has been there...

Thank you from a very excited person!

A lot of these questions are resort and package specific and should be in the terms and conditions of your booking.

The hotel may provide a shampoo or shampoo/shower gel mix or shampoo, shower gel and condition all separate - it really depends. All inclusive can be 6 star or 1 star and what is offered can vary greatly. Regardless, I always go to a supermarket and buy a bottle of shampoo and conditioner as the hotel stuff can vary greatly - my hair is quite sensitive particularly when swimming a lot.

Again sunscreen is something you should be able to buy locally, the resort price will be severely inflated. Otherwise take it with you.

You need cash for any additional tours/trips/activities you may do, any potential emergency expenditure (hospital, medical, accident etc), enough to cover your insurance excess plus some more. Also factor in any potential taxis that you may need, and flight delays. Plus some of your home currency for any unexpected issues on the flight out or coming home.

A quick google tells me there's a 24 hour snack bar where you are staying but set meal times for the buffet.

Enjoy your trip.

The hotels provide shampoo etc but I never like it, so I always take my own. I think what they label as ‘shampoo’ is often the same stuff as what they label ‘shower gel’. Most of the big hotels have a small shop onsite which will sell SPF, but it will be cheaper at home.

Moneywise, Mexico is mainly US/Canadian tourist-based, so there’s a big tipping culture. Take small bills; they prefer dollars to local currency.

There’s usually at least one place open at any time, for you to get food.

1. Yes, I would. There may be some provided but I wouldn’t rely on it.
2. There will probably be a shop in the hotel but it might be quite expensive. If there are local shops close by, they’ll be a better deal probably. I would take at least some sun cream with you. We use approx 200ml (one small bottle) of sun cream per adult per week when we’re on a beach/sun bathing holiday (we are quite pale though!). I would probably take 2-4 of the big bottles in your situation, unless anyone has sensitive skin and then I’d make sure to take enough for them for the whole time.
3. You might want cash if you are planning to do any day trips. It’s difficult to say how much you’ll want, have a Google and see how much people recommend for Mexico. There may be a Facebook group for people who have been to the hotel you’re going to, they can be really useful. I’d also make sure you’ve got a card with you that you can use for spending / to withdraw money that doesn’t have high fees for use abroad, just in case you need it. Our favourite is Revolut but others are available.
4. there will likely be set meal times in different restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most AI have snack bars though too which are open throughout the day and sometimes even through the night

Hope you have a lovely holiday!

I've been to Mexico 4 or 5 times although not your hotel but to the area you're staying at.

Take your own toiletries, you'll get the little sample type bottles in your room but they're rubbish and probably not enough for five people on a daily basis. AI generally refers to food and drink not toiletries.

You'll have access to some kind of snack bar/restaurant 24 hours but the main ones will be based around meal times.

Tipping - they don't care if it's dollars or pesos, take whatever you prefer. Money is money and both are easily spent and items are priced in local currency. My brother takes dollars and I take pesos when we go, neither of us ever had a problem.

Take your own suncream. It is expensive in the hotel shops and your resort may be some distance from a supermarket/shop that isn't in the resort. Mexico is insanely hot. I'm ginger and I've burnt walking from the room to the reception (10 minutes) at 9am. I appreciate I am an exception though. Minimum factor 30 for the duration of the holiday and look to reapply every 90-120 minutes depending on skin type, pool usage etc. You will burn far far quicker than you ever imagined.

Despite the sun warning I flipping love the place and am crazily jealous of your holiday! Enjoy it!!

Along with sunscreen, take some after sun as well.

Things are different at different hotels. Try and find a Facebook group for your hotel and ask there or ask a question on tripadvisor. Have a great holiday.

There's a Facebook page



You'd be mad not to take suncream with you! Take advantage of whichever supermarket has the best offer on at the moment and get loads. I'd take SPF50 personally, as I assume you'll be outside all day and the sun is fierce. Sunburn is miserable (not to mention the longer term effects). Take aftersun too (or a moisturiser if you prefer). Sure, you'll be able to buy in Mexico, but maybe not the brand you like, or the right factor, and you'll pay a LOT more.

It's handy to have a credit card you can use abroad (ie - one where you don't pay a currency conversion fee) as well as a bit of cash.

I find hotel toileteries mostly awful and it's tiny so definitely bring your own.

Suncream - we bring a bottle per person per week. The local prices, unless you go. to. a large. mall, are always a lot more than what you pay here.

No idea about prices but defintiely take. cash. They expect tipping, the maid will expect some at the end of your stay, the guy who will deal with your luggage, taxi driver, sightseeing guide/boat personell if you do a tour.

Food - do check with your hotel. We had everything from meals available with just 1 hour break between breakfast, then lunch, than snacks, than dinner to AI with fairly fixed mealtimes and only really small snacks inbetween. Also, check if really all bars etc are part of AI, we had coffee shops often exempt for strange reasons and in some premium drinks were excluded.

I would take $100 per person if you are going for a week for tips.