Questions regarding activities

[nattym]

My family and I are getting ready to leave in 7 days!  We are excited to say  the least - we have never been to Mexico.  We will be staying at the pairiso beach resort and are looking for some peace and quiet.  What building or area should we request and is there anything specific we should know about this resort?
Also, we are looking into going deep-sea fishing, swimming with the dolphins, and perhaps the bull fight.  Can we buy reasonable tickets when we get there or should we purchase them now?
One more question - has anyone used the hot tub?  My father has severe back pain and he is most concerned about the temp in the hot tub (in other words, will it be hot enough and is it open?)
Any other hints would be greatly appreciated.

[blacker]

nattym,
Can't say specifically about the Beach/Del Mar resort, but if it's anything like the Toucan, their jacuzzi tub is filled with COLD water. no such thing as a hot tub in Mexico - the idea seems foreign to them.  It seems that all the pools along the Riviera are cold (we are Canadian, and even we think they are cold).  The ocean however is fantastic.
 
We also like a quiet room and have requested an upper floor room facing the wooded area (buildings 37 - 40), although you may want a lower floor room if your father has back pain.

I myself have had 3 back operations, and never travel without my pain meds.  Stair climbing however is not a problem for me, as long as you're not in a hurry.  Tequila definitely helps with the pain control !!

Also the bull fights - can't say I've ever seen a tour for this in the Cancun area.  There are lots of tours offering the fishing trips, and several places that you can swim with the dolphins - a few of these leave something to be desired.  Usually we don't take a tour unless we have gotten a recommendation from either some of the staff, and/or fellow guests.  The saying "Let the buyer beware" is very true on some of the excursions.........

[CoralReef]

I would book the dolphin swim now. They are very popular and tend to fill up fast. The other tours you can easily pick up once you're there.

They fill the Jacuzzi pool with hot water in the morning, but it is not kept heated. So you'd best hit it early if you want hot water! It's too bad, but heated Jacuzzis are unfortunately not all that common on the Mayan Riviera. Only a handful of resorts offer them.

Please be aware that the beds are firm. Very firm. This is true of virtually all Mexican resorts, not just the Beach/Del Mar. I have a bad back myself, but my particular back problem requires a firm bed. I love the beds in Mexico! If your father has the kind of back problem that requires a soft bed, then take an inexpensive eggcrate pad, buy one there, or ask if the resort has a cushioned mattress topper or extra blankets you can put under the bottom sheet.

[blacker]

Sorry, I wasn't specific enough..... a hot tub to me has to be 104 - 110 degrees, anything else is just a bath.

[nattym]

 
Oh my gosh, we are leaving on Monday!!!  Thank you for your tips.  We booked the dolphin swim and Dad is going to take along a heating pad.  One question:  Do they have the same electrical outlets that we do?  Should we take along a laptop or is it not safe in the resort?  Can we lock it up securely?  The biggest concern is that we need to be able to check back home here and make sure everything is going ok with the guys that are watching the ranch while we are gone.  What about long-distance international phone calls - ge a card or pay from the hotel?
Any hints would be great.
Did anyone do the mexican bullfighting day in Cancun?  How was it and is there a bus that goes to Cancun so we don't have to rent a car?
Thanks again,
Nat

[CoralReef]

U.S. electrical appliances will work in Mexican outlets. There is a hairdryer in the bathroom, so you don't need to pack one.

Unless absolutely necessary, I would not take anything of value that won't fit in the safe. (A laptop won't.) I think the staff is very honest, but why take chances?

You can check e-mail cheaply and conveniently from the hotel Internet room ($1 for 5 minutes, minimum 15 minutes). Sometimes phone cards you buy in the U.S. don't work in Mexico, but you can buy a prepaid card from the tour reps in the hotel lobby.

You can take the free shuttle into Playa del Carmen and take a Cancun bus from there.