B.O.B - Vacation Plan #2 Beach House Q & A

So unlike our Vacation Plan #1 - Flights, we figured a Q & A would be best to explain how we came to our conclusion to rent a beach home rather than a hotel.

1. Why didn't we choose to stay in a hotel?

A hotel with All- Inclusive totaled an average of $2,600-$4,000 for junior suites that fit 4-6 people. Had we booked two different suites it still would have totaled over $5,200. So, we figured if we were going to pay that much then why not rent an actual home?

2. Are you doing ALL-INCLUSIVE?

Our home is in a gated community on the beach that offer’s All Inclusive, however we chose not to do ALL – INCLUSIVE mostly because we plan to explore more than we plan to drink at our location. All the theme parks and excursions we are doing offer unlimited beverages (including alcohol) and buffets with the purchase of admission. So all inclusive would have been a waste of money. Don’t be shy to ask your host if they offer all-inclusive & transportation services. Some even offer private chefs & maid service.

3. How much was it in total and how much did each person pay?

7 nights for $3,829. Divided by 12 people each person paid $319.08 right down to the .8 cents lol

4. How to avoid scams in a Foreign Country?

REVIEWS, REVIEWS, REVIEWS!!!! Make sure listings have good reviews and at least over 10 reviews. That helps a lot. You get way more honest information from the people writing the reviews. Also, NEVER agree to pay a host outside of AIRBNB or Homeaway. That happened to us and we opted out of the home. Better safe than sorry. Plus, it only had 3 reviews: 1 review for each listing. Talk about sketch.

5. How many Reviews did your house have?

Our host had 65 reviews and 6 verification's. He’s based in Los Angeles and manages over 14 listings throughout the US and Mexico.

6. What attractions are near Playa Del Carmen?

All of the following attractions are within a 15-45 minute drive.

• Xcaret

• Xel-Ha

• Cenote Azul (The Blue Cave)

• Emotions Native Park

• Dolphin Discovery Program

• Tulum Ruins/Historical Sites

7. Why Playa Del Carmen vs Cancun?

The hotel zone & downtown Cancun sound fun AF, but Playa del Carmen is closer to all the attractions and Mayan sites than Cancun. Plus, we would have wasted so much time just on the drive there and the drive back. We also want to adventure out and relax more than we wanted to engage in the party scene every night. Despite wanting a chill pad, we are also conveniently located 5 minutes away from the clubs in Playa del Carmen, so we plan on partaking in that!

8. How many rooms does the house have?

It’s a 6 bedroom, two-story, each with their own bathroom. Private pool & 5-minute walk to the beach. It’s located inside a gated community on the beach.

9. Did you get a discount for the home?

YES! The original price would have been $4,400, however we originally inquired about another listing he had. He forgot to block out our dates, so we had the false impression that it was available. Felipe recommended this home and we fell in love. Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts. I asked if he could do the same price as the last home and he agreed. It’s always better to ask! We saved $900.

10. What "pre-cautions" were taken to make sure it’d be a safe trip?

REVIEW'S!!

Gated community with 24 hour security.

Help Desk/Concierge to help with safe transportation services.

11. How will you get from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen?

The Volaris App offers 2 routes for their shuttle service. From the Cancun Airport -> Hotel Zone Cancun is free and the second route from the airport to Playa del Carmen is $10.99/person. You can purchase your shuttle pass online under “extras” in your itinerary.

Helpful TIPS:

• Make sure you get to know the host before you book. I loved how our host mentioned transportation services without me asking, All-Inclusive Packages, and discounts for attractions. It goes to show that they care about your stay the moment you get to Cancun

• Read everything on the listing. There might be some hidden fees that are shitty. Many homes in Cancun don’t cover the electricity and gas bill. So that would be another cost that will be charged to your credit card after your stay. It may not be a deal breaker, but I pay my own bills back home already. I’m on vacation I don’t need to be worried about an electric and gas bill in Cancun? LOL

• Hidden disclosures. Make sure to always read the additional costs. Often times it’ll show absurd things like $5,000 security deposit. Although, security deposits aren’t charged with your booking, if anything goes wrong the host has a right to submit a claim if damages to the home have occurred. I personally rather not stay at a home owned by an anal person who thinks he can claim up to 5 grand in a deposit. WTF?