writing my EDR pre travel book - question!

Page Five

More Travel Information

Pre-Travel Ideas:

-Call your credit card companies and banks to inform them you will be in Mexico so they don’t freeze your account due to “suspicious activityâ€.

-Don’t forget you need a passport to travel to Mexico.

-Some people may choose to leave behind their security digits from banking cards, 1-800-numbers, and photocopies of passport with someone they trust incase they lose these items or have them stolen.

-Get immunizations if you do not have them. Most cities have “travel clinics†or you can visit your family doctor to ask for these. Most common immunization for travel to Mexico would be Hepatitis A and B.

Arriving in Mexico:

Once you arrive at the Cancun International Airport, your first stop will be Immigration. Look for overhead signs leading you to the lower level and Immigration. The lines can get very long but generally move quickly, you will need your passport here. As you pass through immigration, put your tourist card and passport in a safe place. You will need your tourist card and passport upon departure.

Your next stop will be baggage claim. After a few rounds on the carousel, luggage is cleared into a central area, usually on the floor next to the carousels. You should look for your luggage on both carousels and on the floor around them. Once you have your bags, head to customs. Some people may try to “carry your bags for youâ€; they do this for a fee. DO NOT let them carry your things. During the inbound flight, you will receive and need to fill out a customs form. You will hand the form to the customs agent and press the button on what looks like a traffic light. A green light means “go†and red means “inspection†in which case, officials perform a quick inspection.

After you get through customs, proceed through the sliding doors and to the right. You will walk down a long hall and this hallway may be filled with people trying to show you a timeshare or sell you things. Keep your head down or just give them a firm “noâ€. At then at the end of the hall there is another set of doors which leads your outside.

Transport between the airport and resort should be arranged before you leave for your vacation. For guests traveling from Canada, doing the one week All Inclusive, your transportation is included. When you leave the front of the airport you will see several vans/busses, and they will have the different hotel names on them. Look for the El Dorado Royale transportation vehicle, or ask for help on where to go. For guests traveling from the US, you need to arrange for your transportation. You have the option of taxi or bus. Please speak to your travel agent about arranging for this before flying.

The resort is approximately 30 from the airport.

Packing List/Ideas:-Wedding attire – “beach casualâ€. By this we mean, please no swimsuits! Suits jackets are not required

-Water shoes. (the beach may be rocky)

-Beach attire including swimsuits and cover ups, hats, sunglasses, and perhaps a beach bag if needed

-Shoes: flip-flops for the beach, walking shoes for any activities your partake in, closed toe (men)/dress shoes (women) for evening dinners

-Clothes you would regularly wear in warmer weather. Average High: 84° F / 28° C

-Lightweight jackets or cover-ups – it can get cold at night or rain! Average Low: 71° F / 21° C

-Camera, batteries and/or chargers

-Limit your expensive items such as jewelry. As with any foreign destination, things can get stolen

-You know the rest!

-Don’t forget your sunscreen! 

Page Six

RESTAURANTS

On the EDR grounds, there are several restaurants for you to enjoy. You can find many of the menus online.

In planning for what to pack, it is important that all guests are aware that there is a “Casual Elegant†dress code for all restaurants that are indoor, air-conditioned, and enclosed during dinner meals. This dress code has been reported to be strictly enforced. This means no T-shirts, tank-tops, sweats, shorts, Bermudas, tennis shoes or beach sandals. Specifically, men must be wearing long pants and closed toed dress shoes to dinner. Women can wear open toed dress shoes that adhere to “Casual Elegant†code (i.e., no flip flops).

Also of note: The restaurants do not accommodate large tables (max 6 people). Only guests staying in Castia suits can get reservations. If there is a wait, you will be given a pager and can go have some pre-dinner drinks!

Don’t forget 24 hour room service is included for outside restaurant hours or don’t want to leave your room!

El Cocotal Restaurant

International 7:00 – 11:00 breakfast

5:30 – 10:00 dinnerDress code at dinner

Air conditioned

Serving breakfast consisting of omelets made to order, hot buffet, fruit, pastries, cheeses and a chocolate fountain with marshmallow dips

D’Italia Restaurant

Contemporary Italian 5:30 – 10:00 dinnerDress code

Air Conditioned

Kampai Restaurant

Pacifica Rim and Sushi7:00 – 11:00 breakfast

12:30 – 3:00 lunch

6:00 – 10:00 dinnerDress code at dinner

La Isla Restaurant

International / Mediterranean 6:00 – 11:00 breakfast

12:30 – 3:30 lunch

6:00 – 10:00 dinnerNo Dress Code.

Jo Jo’s Caribbean Seaside Grill

Caribbean 11:00 – 4:00 lunch

6:00 – 10:00 dinnerNo Dress Code

Lunch features fajitas and ice cream

La Fondue Restaurant

Gourmet Fondues5:30 – 10:00 dinnerNo Dress Code

Las Fuentes Restaurant

Flavors of Mexico6:00 – 10:00 dinnerDress Code

Choose La Carte menu or culinary theater with wide-screen display & Mexican Mariachis.

La Cabana Pizza12:00 – 5:00 No Dress Code

Wood -burning oven pizzas served to order, and a selection of angus burgers, fries, nachos and wraps

Healthy Bar8:00 – 4:00 No Dress Code

Serving fresh fruits, guacamole, juice, salads, whole-wheat cookies and smoothies

Rincon Mexicano12:00 – 5:00No Dress Code

Authentic Mexican

(this is all arranged far nicer in a table) if you want a copy of it, please PM me!

Page Seven

Bars

***again this section is MUCH nicer, and I have it in a table, if you want PM me for it

Martini Bar – Lobby Martini BarOpen 12.00 p.m TO 2.00 a.m. Serving premium brands beverage selection. Spectacular view of the Caribbean sea.

GuacamayasOpen 5.00 p.m TO 2.00 a.m. Bar with swings. Located next to La Carreta for cold Mexican beers, cheladas, exotic cocktails or aged tequila with live music.

Swim Up Bar - La IslaOpen 9.00 a.m TO 5.00 p.m. Located at the main pool.

Swim Up Bar – La FuentesOpen 9:00 a.m. TO 5:00 p.m. Swim up bar located at Las Fuentes Swimming Pool

Health Bar – Los CotorrosOpen 8.00 a.m TO 4.00 p.m. Healthy Bar. See above/serves food.

Swim Up Bars – Los Pericos, Los Papagayos, Pelicanos, Colibri, QuetzalOpen 9.00 a.m TO 5.00 p.m. Swim up bar with swings, located at the Casita Suites Section 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 respectively.

Gaviotas Seashore BarOpen 9:00 am to 11:00 pm located in front of Kampai restaurant

Swim Up Bar – TucanesOpen 9.00 a.m TO 5.00 p.m. Swim up bar also offering shaded area with comfortable seating.

Beach BarOpen 9.00 a.m TO 2.00 p.m. Located at the beach with spectacular views of the ocean.

Spa

The Spa at El Dorado Royale offers an assortment of treatments for the body and soul. Use of the Spa facilities includes the fitness room, sauna and steam room. While they recommend booking one day prior to service, from what we have read, it is recommended that you book your spa treatments either prior to travel, or on the first day of your trip. If you contact the hotel, they can send you a complete list of Spa & beauty (or contact Eden for this list). Spa facilities are open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Rooms

The decoration of its 605 Suites at EDR was inspired by local Mexican motifs. All rooms feature wooden furniture including king size or double beds, nightstands, and desk. To cool down, each room has individually controlled air conditioning and a ceiling fan. Other conveniences include a radio and alarm clock, safety deposit box, private bath or shower, Jacuzzi, color satellite TV, amenity kit, ironing board with iron, mini bar with beer pop and water, and coffee maker. Finally, every terrace brings chairs and a hammock. You may choose your accommodation from 8 available categories.

Some people may have special requests and wish to call ahead to request a specific room or location (i.e., floor, block). For tips on what areas are best, we have found a lot of information on the Trip Advisor forums.

While some people my choose to wait to change room categories once they are at EDR, please note that upgrading your room is subject to availability. If you choose to upgrade prior to departure, you may want to contact your travel agent or call the hotel directly to do so. Otherwise, you may try to upgrade once there. We have read a lot of information on the resort and believe that even the most basic rooms, the Junior Suits, are well appointed and beautiful. The other 8 available categories include: Ocean View Jacuzzi Jr. Suite, Ocean Front Jacuzzi Jr. Suite, Swim Up Jacuzzi Jr. Suite, Presidential Suite, Casita Suite, Swim Up Casita Suite, and Presidential Casita.

Location

EDR is located 15 minutes north of Playa del Carmen. It is 20 minutes away from the "Playacar Golf Club" and numerous wonderful Cenotes. 5 minutes south from Puerto Morelos. It is 35 minutes south of downtown Cancun.

You can book a free shuttle from the hotel to Playa del Carmen or Cancun, but book this your first day as they fill.

Page Eight

What is there for me to do all day?

If you don’t like to be a total beach/pool bum and spend your days “lying out†sunning, El Dorado Royale offers several daily activities to keep you entertained. Below is a daily entertainment chart that details activities offered at the resort, all free for you to join in on.

Daily Entertainment Program

MON - TUE - WED- THU FRI - SAT

TimeACTIVITYLOCATION

08:00Pilates/Yoga Tuesdays ~ Daily SPA

08:00 Tennis lesson beginners ~ Daily except on FridaysTennis Court

09:00 Tennis lesson intermediate ~ Daily except on FridaysTennis Court

09:00Activities center opening (bicycles available from 9:00 to 17:00)Main Pool

10:00 Jungle Bike tour/Kayak tour Activities Center

11:00Cenote Tour ~ Monday, Wednesday, FridayActivities Center

11:00Water volley & Beach volleyball Main Pool/Beach Area

12:00Cooking lesson ~ TuesdaysLas Fuentes Restaurant

12:00Water Aerobics Main Pool

12:45Water Polo Main Pool

13:20Crazy game / Football Soccer Main Pool

15:15Dance lessonActivities Center

15:15 Champion leagueActivities Center

16:00Water volleyball Main Pool

16:00Beach volleyball Beach Area

16:00 Spanish lessonActivities Center

16:00 Cocktail lesson ~ Monday, Wednesday, FridayTucanes Bar

16:30 Towel decoration lesson ~ TuesdayActivities Center

16:30Bingo ~ Wednesday

Rifles Shooting ~ Tuesday & ThursdayActivities Center

Nightly Entertainment Program - LIVE MUSIC EVERY NIGHT AT GUACAMAYA BAR

TIME MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

21:30 ..Mexican .. The Mentalizer .. Circus Show . Karaoke Night Ideal Couple Zapping TV Show Caribbean Show

Additionally, some guests may want to go off the resort on tours or day trips. We highly recommend doing this; at least once! We were able to do some off resort activities on our last trip to the Dominican Republic and felt strongly that it added to our overall vacation experience.

There will be many organized tours offered by tour operators at the hotel that you will learn about when there. You can choose to purchase an organized tour or you can hop in a taxi and go there on your own schedule.

Page Nine will be wedding day details

Page 10 will be some fun stuff like spanish translations etc.

AND I THINK THATS IT!

Very detailed! I am putting together something similar.

Awesome

Hope to see it

Looks good! And of course you can use our welcome letter - we actually stole it from someone on here first! My mom (Melanie) also typed up all the restaurant and activity info for EDR if you want to borrow that too. I believe it's a Word document. Those templates can be found here: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t22106

Oh, and if you want the map, you'll have to e-mail Mom. Her e-mail address is in the thread I posted above.

Ok, nevermind, it looks like you copied and pasted that onto here!

Your books look great! So much content!! Just some thoughts:

Quote:

Originally Posted by BandE2008 Page Five More Travel Information   Pre-Travel Ideas: -Call your credit card companies and banks to inform them you will be in Mexico so they don’t freeze your account due to “suspicious activity”. -Don’t forget you need a passport to travel to Mexico. -Some people may choose to leave behind their security digits from banking cards, 1-800-numbers, and photocopies of passport with someone they trust in(add a space here)case they lose these items I'd end your sentence there - no need to make people nervous about having things stolen.or have them stolen. -Get immunizations if you do not have them. I'd change this too. Something like, "While no immunizations are required for travel to Mexico, if you wish to have them..." or "While not required, check with your doctor to see if he or she recommends any immunizations" Again - don't make people nervous. Plus, hep shots are really not fun. Most cities have “travel clinics” or you can visit your family doctor to ask for these. Most common immunization for travel to Mexico would be Hepatitis A and B.   Arriving in Mexico: ... Transport between the airport and resort should be arranged before you leave for your vacation. For guests traveling from Canada, doing the one week All Inclusive, your transportation is included. When you leave the front of the airport you will see several vans/busses, and they will have the different hotel names on them. Look for the El Dorado Royale transportation vehicle, or ask for help on where to go. For guests traveling from the US, you need to arrange for your transportation. You have the option of taxi or bus. Please speak to your travel agent about arranging for this before flying. The resort is approximately 30 is this minutes or miles?from the airport.   Packing List/Ideas:-Wedding attire – “beach casual”. By this we mean, please no swimsuits! Suits jackets are not required -Water shoes. (the beach may be rocky) -Beach attire including swimsuits and cover ups, hats, sunglasses, and perhaps a beach bag if needed -Shoes: flip-flops for the beach, walking shoes for any activities your partake in, closed toe (men)/dress shoes (women) for evening dinners -Clothes you would regularly wear in warmer weather. Average High: 84° F / 28° C -Lightweight jackets or cover-ups – it can get cold at night or rain! Average Low: 71° F / 21° C -Camera, batteries and/or chargers -Limit your expensive items such as jewelry. As with any foreign destination, things can get stolen -You know the rest! -Don’t forget your sunscreen!    You might also suggest bug spray

It looks awesome!! The guests will so much appreciate the information- something fun to read and look over beforehand and while they are on the plane!

The drive from the Cancun airport to the resort only took like maybe 20 minutes? We had one other couple in the van with us and they stopped at Moon Palace, which is like 5-8 minutes from airport--- the ride to the airport was really short....

Your pre-travel book looks awesome!!

We brought bug spray too, but never used it once. I do know the staff at the resort mentioned that bug spray was good, so I'm sure there are times of the year that you absolutely have to have it. I wouldn't take chances!