Weather, currency, language & translation
The weather is almost always warm on the Caribbean Sea, even when it rains it’s much more pleasant that rain at home. We do have umbrellas at Casita Paraiso for your convenience. During the winter months you may need a sweater or even a pair of jeans in the evening or on the rare cool day. Depending on where you live and came from you’re probably safe with your travel clothes on for those cool evenings. Other than that, plan on lots of comfortable cotton clothing, swimsuits and shorts. Your toes will love the vacation days living in flip flops and sandals.
~Check Weather.com for the 10 day forecast in Tulum~
Check Universal Currency Converter for up-to-date exchange rates. There are ATM machines all over the Riviera Maya. You’ll be able to pay for admission to local attractions with your credit cards or VISA/Mastercard debit card. You can pay with credit cards in many restaurants, but some of your small ‘mom and pop’ type places would appreciate if you bring cash. Unless you’re off the beaten path, you’re not far from a cash machine. Always bring a back up card.
While were talking about money, there is one scam in Mexico that is very popular with the unassuming tourist and sometimes the seasoned tourist will still have the wool pulled over his eyes. When you go to the Pemex stations, have the exact change before you arrive, so that you are organized. Pull up to the pump, get out of the car and greet the attendant. Tell him (for instance), “300 pesos, por favor” or “trescientos pesos, por favor”. Make sure that the pump is zeroed out. And make sure when you hand him the money, you repeat the amount you’ve just purchased. Say “trescientos pesos” and hand him the bills and tell him, gracias. If the transaction went smoothly, give the attendant a tip. We usually give him up to 10 pesos.
Free Translation – Use this easy site to translate words or phrases. You can also translate blocks of text, but the translation is sometimes loose and difficult to comprehend, but you may get the gist of it.
If you want to learn the language, here’s a great free site so that you can brush up on those classes you took 20 years ago or start from scratch – StudySpanish.com
Mayan is the other native language of southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Mark and I have found ourselves speaking our limited Spanish and being frustrated only to find out that there are many natives here who speak Mayan only. The younger generation is now becoming more multi-lingual and also learning English as well as Spanish. We have learned a few Mayan words, but still would love to learn more. (I’ll update this page as soon as possible with some Mayan translations for you.)
