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www.iLoveAkumal.com 1

Dear Guests,

We want to give you a warm welcome to Akumal, Mexico, which is one of the most beautiful places on earth. After living in Mexico for several years, we love the passion of the people and the natural beauty of this great country. We also love Akumal and imagine you will come to love it as well.

We have prepared this trip planner to help you maximize your vacation time and reduce unnecessary travel stress. Please print a copy now and put it with your travel documents.

Each property is privately owned and independently managed. As owners, we kindly request that you and your group please:

1) Treat the villa as if it were your own villa

2) Treat the staff with kindness...they’re very important

3) Help protect the beach and the bay...they’re irreplaceable

Please enjoy the villa and the beauty of the Riviera Maya. We hope you have a great trip and that you share your experiences with a review when you get home. We also hope to hear you say…

“I Love Akumal.”

Sunny and warm regards,

Lunda Schwartz

CONTE NTS

Welcome Planning & Packing Tips Maps & Directions to the Villas Suggested Shopping List At the Villa

For more information, please visit our website at: www.iLoveAkumal.com

T R I P P L A N N E R


r Passports • Make sure all passports have at least 60 days remaining before expiration. • You should put your passport and a pen in a ziplock bag so you can also keep up with

the Mexican Immigration form required for your departure. See travel on our site. • Make an extra copy of your passports and pack them separately.

r Health • Be sure to bring any prescription medication in your carry-on bag. • Sunscreen, “Off” towelettes, hats & sunglasses (sunscreen is expensive in Mexico)

r Clothing • Dressing up in Akumal is putting on a shirt and wearing shoes :) • Bathing suits, t-shirts and shorts are all you really need. • You might want a long sleeve shirt or light sweater for the winter months. • Water shoes or Crocs for walking in the bay around the reefs. You have to cross a

rocky point if you want to walk to the main part of Akumal (30 min).

r Electronics • Update your smartphone/tablet software. • Camera, memory cards, iPods, and earphones. • Don’t forget your chargers and batteries! Like the U.S., the villas operate on 110 V. • Laptop, iPad, Kindle, etc. Make sure you know how to set up a wireless connection. • Check with your carrier about the phone and data roaming charges in Mexico. $$$$ • If you will be looking for turtles, consider buying a small flashlight with a RED bulb.

You should never shine regular lights or use a flash on turtles!

r Snorkeling and Scuba

• Mask, snorkel and anti-fogging liquid. Certification card, if you plan to dive. • You don’t need to bring fins, unless you really want your own. They take up a lot of

packing space and can damage the coral when snorkeling. We use Crocs when snorkeling and kayaking because they protect your feet, provide buoyancy and they’re easy-on, easy-off. You can also rent snorkel / diving gear at the Akumal Dive Center.

r Golf Eqpt. • You can wear tennis shoes or bring your own golf shoes. Remember your socks. • Don’t forget your gloves and golf balls as you will need them! • Clubs can be rented so, unless you’re a pro, you don’t need to bring your clubs.

r Travel Insurance

• Consider purchasing travel insurance to cover last minute travel issues. We don’t issue refunds for lost/out of date passports, weather, flight delays or changes in travel plans. Check www.globaltravelshield.com from American Express.

r Finally… • Remember, there is a 3.3 oz liquid limit for a carry-on bag and it must be in an original container. Visit http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information for the current policy.

• Many places take credit cards but don’t accept travelers checks. • Don’t bring high heels. Yes, some people wear them in the sand and climb pyramids.

P L A N N I N G A N D P A C K I N G T I P S


M A P S - Y U C A T A N P E N I N S U L A


AkumalPueblo AkumalBeachAreaAkumalDiveCenterLolHaRestaurant,TurtleBayCafe&

LaCuevadelPescadorSuperChomak

OxxoConvenience

NORTHtoPuertoAventuras,

Xcaret,XplorPlayadelCarmen&CancunAirport

SOUTHtoXel-Ha&Tulum

SouthAkumal

LaBuenaVida

Restaurant&Bar

DIRECTIONStoSouthAkumalKilometer#253,Hwy307fromCancunAirport(1hour)

LeaveCancunAirportTurnRight(South)on307DrivethroughPlayadelCarmenDriveabout20MinPassAkumalmainentrancePassBahiaPrincipeGolfClubMakeUturnbeforebridgeDrive1.5KM(about1mile)TurnrightintoAkumalSurPassSecurityLookforyourvillaontheleft

BahiaPrincipeResidences

RivieraMayaGolfClub

LaLunitaRestaurant

BahiaPrincipeResort&

DoñaIsabelShopping

YalkuLagoon(mustenterfromAkumalmainentrance)

MarCaribeGrocery

AkumalMainEntrance

HalfMoonBay

AkumalBayResort

TAO

NorthAkumal

FROMCANCUNAIRPORTGOING

SOUTHN

SecretsAkumalResort

PemexGas7-Eleven


D E T A I L E D D I R E C T I O N S M A P S & D I R E C T I O N S T O T H E r Please drive carefully and pay close attention to the other

drivers. There are a lot of lost tourists as well as many inexperienced local drivers. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.

r The driver must always be looking ahead for Speed Bumps

called Topes. Yes, they are on the main highway. Sometimes they are marked with a sign and sometimes not! Often, you will need to pass through a Police checkpoint. They are not looking for you, just looking out for you.

r Upon leaving the Cancun airport, turn right (south) on highway

307 headed toward Tulum. r Akumal is located one hour south of Cancun (55 miles / 89

KM). You will pass Puerto Morelos and then come to Playa del Carmen. As you enter Playa, stay on the new overpass bridges that help you skip over a lot of traffic.

r If you want to shop at the Centro Maya / Soriana plaza, from

the right lane on the bridge, carefully take the exit marked “Playa del Carmen Centro Av. BENITO JUAREZ.” You will continue straight for a few blocks (parallel with the main highway) and then approach the large Plaza on the right side (west side) of the highway. There is a very nice Soriana Supermarket that has just about everything you could possibly need including an ATM at the entrance. They also take credit cards. You will also find a McDonalds, Subway, Marti Sports, Bowling alley, CineMex Cinemas and a Go-Kart track. If you don’t stop, you can always come back since it is only a 20 minute drive. There is a Sam’s Club across the highway from Soriana as well as a new hospital called Hospiten.

r After passing Playa Del Carmen, you will pass through Puerto

Aventuras and Xpu-Ha. Approximately 5 minutes after Xpu-Ha, you will see a large sign labeled “Bienvenidos a Akumal” (Welcome to Akumal) and a large pedestrian bridge.

r If you want to stop closer to the villa to buy ice, beer, drinks,

chips, etc., turn right at the main Akumal entrance and visit Mar Caribe on the left side of the street. They cater to the locals and generally have better prices than the beach side. If you don’t stop, then continue straight and pass the main entrance to Akumal.

Akumal Breaker


D E T A I L E D D I R E C T I O N S r The entrance to “South Akumal (Akumal Sur)” is exactly 2.2 km (1.4

miles) past the main Akumal entrance (just past KM Marker 252) but for safety purposes and a big median, you can’t turn left here.

r You must drive past Akumal Sur for approximately 1.6 KM / 1 mile

and carefully make a left U-Turn before the RETORNO sign and just before a bridge.

r After the U-Turn, you will see the Doña Isabel (Bahia Principe) on your

right. This is an excellent place for souvenir shopping plus they have a Doctor and Pharmacy there as well. If you want to visit, just tell the guard “Souvineers or Cajero (KaHairRow) meaning ATM.

r Continue north for 1.6 KM / 1 mile passing the entrance for Aventuras

Akumal. r Look for a 100 KM sign and then the Akumal Sur sign. Slow down,

use your blinker and be careful as you turn right into South Akumal. Sometimes there are ATV tour groups using the dirt road that is parallel to the highway.

r Continue on until you reach a small security gate. The guard will ask

you where you’re going (a Donde va?) and your answer should be your villa’s name (e.g. Akumal Breakers) and Muchas Gracias. After security, continue until you see your South Akumal villa. Ø Ah Villa is the first villa past the large red tope. Ø Casa Texana is the fifth villa past the large red tope. Ø Akumal Breakers is the 7th villa past the large red tope. Ø Alma de Texoma is the 3rd villa from the south end of the street.

Taxi 984-871-2029 EMERGENCY 066 Roadside assistance 072 Police 984-871-2055 Civil Protection (Ambulance/Fire) 984-871-2688

Please check inside your villa for the phone number and internet password. You do not need to dial 984 if calling from the local phone in the villa.

Congratulations, you made it! It’s time to relax and enjoy Akumal!


r

Fruits / Frutas r Oranges / Naranjas (we have a juicer) r Pineapples / Piña

r Limes / Limones

r Bananas / Plátanos

r Vegetables / Verduras r Lettuce / Lechuga

r Onion / Cebolla

r Carrots / Zanahorias

r Celery / Apio

r Tomato / Jitomate

r Cilantro / Cilantro

r Avocado / Aguacate r Meats / Carne r Ham / Jamon

r Turkey / Pechuga de Pavo

r Chicken / Pollo

r Hamburgers / Res Molida or Hamburgesas

r Hot Dogs / Hot Dogs

r Steaks / Res Ribeye…(Soriana and Sam’s usually have good Rib Eyes or Argentine Cuts)

r Flank Steak / Arrachera (local speciality) r Pork Loin / Loin de cerdo r General Groceries r Salad dressing / Adrezos r Cereal / Cereal r Bread / Pan

r Ketchup / Catsup

r Mustard / Mostaza

r Mayo / Mayonesa

r Peanut Butter / Crema de cacahuate

r Jelly / Jalea

r Cream Cheese / Queso Philadelphia

r Popcorn / Palomitas

r

S U G G E S T E D S H O P P I N G L I S T M A P S & D I R E C T I O N S T O T H E Dairy / Lechería

r Milk / Leche usually comes in a box r Cheese / Queso

r Butter / Mantequilla r Yogurt / Yogurt r Beverages / Bebidas: r Coffee / Café

r Soft Drinks (avoid sugary drinks for your health and to avoid ants)

r Bottled water / Agua en botellas r Beer / Cerveza

o If you buy glass, please take extra care around the pools and with sun screen lotion on your hands. Glass deposits are often required and Sunday sales are sometimes restricted.

r Liquor, wine and mixers (most everything can be found at Soriana or Chedraui)

r

Miscellaneous r Charcoal / Carbón

r Lighter Fluid / Líquido para carbón

r Sunscreen / Protector solar r Insect repellent / Repelente de insectos

r Ice / Hielo r r r r r r


VILLA STAFF: Each villa has a staff that works for the owners. The staff is usually off on Sundays and holidays. They should be there to greet you so please knock on the door of the casita (small house) as they will be waiting on you. They speak very little English, so be patient and remember that the local language is Spanish. A nice “Buenos Días”, “Buenas Tardes” or “Buenas Noches” will brighten their day. You can also use www.translate.google.com or www.freetranslation.com for basic phrases. We encourage you to have a environmentally conscious visit to Akumal with respect to reducing electricity, gas and water usage. Utility costs in Mexico are extremely expensive so please take this into consideration when using the AC, showers and towels. Remember, you are staying at a private villa and not a hotel so treat it like your own. AIR CONDITIONING - VERY IMPORTANT: Ø The fastest way to get sick in Mexico is to enter a cold room from the warm exterior. Ø The AC units are not designed for constant use like central air conditioning so only use them at night when the

windows and doors are closed. Constant use will freeze up the units and possibly make them unavailable for the remainder of your stay.

Ø NEVER run the AC units with the doors and windows open as this will destroy the AC and cause you to lose your damage deposit.

Ø You traveled all the way to Mexico to enjoy the warm Caribbean breezes so open up the doors and windows and get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Your email and Facebook messages can wait!

IF SOMETHING DOESN’T WORK: Please advise the villa staff as soon as possible should something in the house need to be repaired. They will make every effort to get it corrected as quickly as possible. SECURITY: There is a safe in each villa. We recommend that you bring few valuables, small amounts of cash and use the local ATMs in Bahia Principe Resort (Doña Isabel) or Soriana to obtain Pesos. As you would while traveling anywhere in the world, please lock the doors and windows when you are away from the villa and during the night. Also, don’t leave valuables in your rental car. INTERNET: Akumal is a great place to have a TECHNOLOGY DETOX! If you must stay connected, each villa has wireless Internet. Please request the passwords from the staff or look in the villa’s guest guide. Please do not give the password out to adjoining villas or you will reduce your speed. The wireless usually works fine but we can not guarantee the service of TelMex (Mexican phone company). In a worst case scenario, there is internet in various restaurants in Akumal and at the Bahia Principe Clubhouse bar. DINING PLAN: The staff at each villa is available to cook meals so please refer to the villa’s dining plan. The cost varies for each villa and includes preparation of dinner for all registered guests as well as clean-up. The cost does not include the food, which you will need to purchase. Please pay the staff at the time you ask them to cook. Please try to provide at least 24 hours notice in case the staff needs to arrange childcare in the evening. BEACH TOWELS/LINENS: All linens, bath and beach towels are furnished. Please help us conserve water and reuse your towels, especially the large beach towels. LAUNDRY SERVICE: There is a laundry service in Akumal that is reasonably priced. TIPS: Tips for the staff are very much appreciated and are at your discretion. We suggest around $5 per person per day including children. Meal preparation fees are separate. OWNER CONTACT: Should a situation arise that you need to speak to the owners, please advise the villa staff. If there is an emergency, you can email us at [email protected] or call us in the US at 410-777-5160. Enjoy your trip and we trust that you will love Akumal!

A T Y O U R V I L L A M A P S & D I R E C T I O N S T O T H E

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