Best Way to Extend Your Stay by a few days

gujarwala · June 8, 2010

The majority of us are purchasing a one week package from Dec. 15th to 22nd, whereas one or two guests will be purchasing the package from Dec. 18th to 25th since they will not be able to depart on the 15th, and as a result I need to stay until the 25th.

My TA did not recommend I get a 10 day package because she said they are much more expensive than the 7 day packages, and that I would have to pay for single occupancy as well since my bride will be returning home on the 22nd.

I think I will miss my return flight on the 22nd and book a one-way return flight on the 25th which will let me stay the three extra days, and can share my friend's room from the 22nd to 25th so I won't need to pay for an additional room in the resort for 3 days.

My question is - how does it work at an all-inclusive resort if you wish to pay for your food and drinks for 3 days if you do not have a wrist band or whatever proof people show that they paid the all-inclusive fee? Is the price reasonable to simply pay in cash for 3 days? Or perhaps I should purchase day-passes if anything as such is available? How much do they generally cost per day? Probably makes more sense to book it ahead of time rather than once I am there.

Sorry if these questions sound dumb lol, I asked my TA and she is as clueless as me.

gujarwala · June 8, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen

You cannot pay cash at a completely AI resort for food and drinks.You should just book your one way ticket home separately and have your friend's hotel reservation updated to include you for the last 3 nights. Also reconsider your TA, lol!

You should have been our TA, you're very helpful! Although we do live in Canada so that probably wouldn't work, and like I said in the other thread we picked her only because she's a great friend.

gujarwala · June 8, 2010

Another question though Maureen, I was surprised that you said you can't pay cash at an AI resort - so what happens if guests want to roam off and eat at another resort nearby to try it out? Or say a single guy meets a girl from another resort and she asks him to come back to her resort for food/drinks, he's not able to?

gujarwala · June 8, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen

Thanks, lol! Your friend will be learning as she goes and she will get the hang of it and take good care of you guys!

If a resort is all-inclusive you cannot roam freely onto the property. You have to be a guest of the resort to be on property or you have to purchase a days pass which can range from $50.00-$120.00 per day depending on the resort. The reason being is because once on the resort you are free to use all facilities including restaurants and bars so that must be paid for up front.

Cool, so sounds like I would pay the day pass fee for each of the extra 3 days and stay in my friend's room. Do you think its more beneficial to book the day passes ahead of time, or the pricing usually comparable if you book it once you arrive as opposed to trying to do it online or on the phone ahead of time.

I find it cumbersome trying to book things with those resorts ahead of time, once i called and could hardly understand the rerceptionist due to poor English, and then today I tried submitting the wedding info form online and that didnt work either.

gujarwala · June 8, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen

No, you do not want to book day passes for your 3 extra days because day passes are just that-passes for the day! Each resort has certain hours that you may stay on the property while visiting on a day pass. You will likely get a wrist band that is an indicator that you are there on a day pass and most will have you leave by 10pm. You need to book yourself into your friend's room in advance! And yes when traveling to Mexico you are going to find many people that do not speak English perfectly. I am always taken aback when people are surprised by this, it's Mexico! Have your TA book you into your friend's room for 3 nights in advance of your arrival.

LOL its funny you told me that, because it was my TA who was recommending to me that I just talk to the hotel once i get there, so I asked her to make sure I'm booked in my friend's room in advance.