Caribbean
villas - Yucatan Hotel
Frequently Asked Questions
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TRAVEL BOOKS?
-- Moon Handbooks YUCATAN PENINSULA (Eighth Ed) by Lisa & Gary Prado Chandler-- (originally by Chiki Mallan), because of Chiki Mallan, we arrived at Xcalak in 1995.
--The Cadogan Guide's "Yucatan and Southern Mexico" by Nick Rider (2006). -
POLICIES?
Sin Duda Villas is small and remote. We adhere to specific policies which work for us. If you have questions, please ask prior to making reservations. We rely completely on our paid advertising and word of mouth for our reservations, and nearly all reservations are made online.
Confirmation: Occurs by paying a 50% nonrefundable payment within 10 days of contact with us. During this time, we cannot "hold" rooms, because there may be more than one party interested in the same space. his 50% payment is not refundable for any reason: (change in airline schedule, cancellation of flight, personal or family emergencies). The balance or final payment is due 30 days prior to your arrival.
Cancellation: You will have paid your 50% nonrefundable fee-- dependent upon your final payment ....
-- Notification of cancellation 60 days prior to arrival, you will receive a refund of half your final balance.
-- Notification of cancellation 40 days prior to arrival, you will receive one quarter of your final balance payment.
-- Notification of cancellation 30 days to day of arrival, your money" is non-refundable, as we have in good faith reserved your space.
-- Do be aware, we're not for "everyone." We can recommend other hotels [closer to Cancun].
-- Three-night minimum, in deference to keeping Mother Nature happy with conservation of our water: We change linens every fourth morning.
-- A Real Voice: Our USA associates can answer questions--call 415-381-6880. Keep trying. Amelia multi-tasks and cannot always answer the phone. Leave a message, she will return your call. Amelia does not know about our reservations or availability. Email us directly at Sin Duda Villas.
-- Children: Due to the intimacy of our hotelito, we request your well-mannered youngsters be 5 years of age or older. As parents, you understand how stressful for you to try comforting an unhappy baby, far from familiar routines. And disturbing for others of our guests, who come here for our remote, tranquil existence. -
PASSPORT REQUIRED? Yes! passport required for Mexico entry since January 2007.
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ABOUT MONEY? Exchange at Cancun Airport: American Express excellent exchange rate; also, prior to Mexico check w/your bank re exchanging US dollars to pesos. ATM machines Cancun and Playa del Carmen (all banks), Tulum and Felipe Carrillo Puerto @ HSBC Banks. Read Travel Instructions for details. Travelers Checks exchanged at Cancun Airport American Express. Sin Duda will accept Travelers Checks. Credit cards: VISA or MC accepted at grocery stores (Wal-Mart, Costco, Chedraui, Sam's) @ Cancun and Playa del Carmen. South of Playa del Carmen, you'll not be able to use your credit card. Pemex gas, the only gas service, does NOT accept cards. Amount of Money to bring: As a visitor, think $100/day: GroceryTruck: $25/day -if you buy meat (chicken/pork) with veggies & fruits for 3 people, every other day. Lobster: $15/lb. Belize Day-Trip ($50 ea). Dining out: $20 pp + alcohol. Diving: $60 for 2-tanks. Bird Island Day-Trip: $40 pp. Gas: $3.00/gal. Set up a PayPal account which enables you to go online in Xcalak to pay for everything. Our National Marine Park bracelets for swimming, fishing, diving, snorkeling: $4.20/day per person to use the Park.
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DENTAL or COSMETIC SURGICAL VACATIONS?
-- Surgical costs in Mexico are 1/10th those of USA. Friends who have had dental & plastics procedures said, "Put it on the WEBSITE, we'll write references for your doctors!"
--Plastic-Cosmetic Procedures: Our doctor (Dr. Guillermo Carranza) practices at Star Medica . (Merida hospital info: http://www.medtripinfo.com/node/276). We can arrange everything from doctor appointments to lodging.
--Dental Surgery in Cancun: Our dental surgeon, Dr. Javier Loria Munoz (his Email) or you may write us at Sin Duda Villas Re: Dental Work, we'll forward your inquiry. Fly into Cancun for your appointments, if you choose to visit us at Sin Duda Villas during the time for laboratory work to be completed, let us know, we will schedule you to visit us. Dental procedures: Orthodontics, Bucal Restoration (implants), Root canals, Cosmetic Prosthesis (caps) + whitening. Javier's work is comparable to (Margo's Dad), a Harvard-educated, oral surgeon. -- Cost approximations (in USD) Crowns: Metal-porcelain $400 ea; Gold-porcelain $400 ea; Porcelain veneer $400 ea. Deep Periodontal Cleaning: $1500 (includes full mouth x-rays, measuring pockets of each tooth to determine scaling needs), anesthesia and treatment of each tooth. Implants: One Implant: $1,000 (post) + $200 for gold-porcelain crown, $1,200 complete. Two or more Implants: $800-$900 USD (each). -
VEHICLE RENTAL, 4WD? Not necessary, only fun. All our roads (except the last 8 km) are PAVED. NOTE: The once "scenic route" along the Old Beach Road to south at Km 29 is not passable; the Rio Uatch Bridge has burned.
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HOW DO WE BOOK WITH YOU? DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS?: We reserve the rooms according to first response and receipt of confirmation payment within 10 days of contacting us. This is our most honorable method for handling reservations which come in all at once. Payment in full is due 30 days prior to arrival. Reservation changes (except extensions) carry a $20 fee per person, per occurrence. See Payment Choices: Reservations
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WHAT ABOUT VISA OR MASTER CARD? Information on Reservations page of the website to use Visa or Master Card through PayPal to pay us. SET UP A PAYPAL ACCOUNT prior to travel to Xcalak; helpful for payments of diving and day-trips.
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HOW DO WE GET TO YOU? See rudimentary map "GETTING HERE" Details in Travel Instructions.
CAR: Arrange vehicle in USA-- Two links w/comparisons: Car Rentals , and Red Tag Cars. --Insurance: If you use Master Card, Visa or American Express, ask your card company about their benefits policy of coverage in Mexico.
AIR: Arrival at Cancun International Airport is best. Cancun is a huge destination. We do not recommend flying into Belize City, though you may find cheaper air fares. Travel distance via Belize is same as from Cancun--5 hours.
BUS: 1st Class "ADO" brand bus service from Cancun Centro Main Bus Station directly to Mahahual- $20 one way: Depart Cancun: 7:00 a.m. & 11:30 p.m. Arrive Mahahual: 12:30 p.m. & 5:00 a.m. / Depart Mahahual: 8:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; Sunday 12:30 (stops @ Limones, Carrillo, Tulum, Playa & Cancun).
MAYAB BUS LINES now has a 1st Class bus service from Cancun
to Chetumal, with a stop at Limones. -
DINING IN SIN DUDA'S KITCHENS? Before you arrive: Shop for groceries in Cancun: Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Costco, Chedraui, Soriana and "Mega" (Commercial Mexicana). Playa del Carmen: Wal-Mart, Mega and Chedraui. Tulum: San Francisco. Details in Travel Instructions. GROCERY TRUCK AT SIN DUDA: Most Days laden with fresh meats, veggies, fruits, breads, Mexican wit & charm! Back to top
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XCALAK RESTAURANTS? In the Village of Xcalak: Moises' Xcalak Caribbe (daily), Silvia's Loncheria (daily), all serve fresh fish. November to May, reservations please for The Leaky Palapa. Resort dining, Costa de Cocos and Hotel Tierra Maya will welcome you to their bar and restaurants. Use our marine radio to ask the day's menu or the fishermen's daily catch, extraordinary Yucatecan fare.
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SCUBA DIVING IS WORLD CLASS Though we do not specialize in diving,we DO specialize in getting you connected to incredible diving through 2 or 3 dive operations. Contact XTC Dive Shop (for Chinchorro Banks)
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FLYFISHING ON THE FLATS OF CHETUMAL BAY? BONEFISHING, OR CASTING FOR TARPON -- IT'S HERE. Robert actually purchased an Orvis bonefishing rig; but bring 'em, if you have 'em! As the tide changes you'll see the bonefish tailing outside your door! We have not yet been discovered; therefore, only a few fisher-people have been here before you! Like our neighbor, Ambergris Caye, the FLATS are a wonderland--we're only 10 nautical miles north of the Belize border.
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MONTHS FOR BEST WEATHER? FEBRUARY - AUGUST exceptional weather 10-1/2 months. Year-round 85-90 with salty breezes the norm; occasional "northerly" wind from inland during November-January
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Make your reservations now at Sin Duda Villas.