Mexico

ScubaSteve · #1 07-17-2012, 08:34 PM

If you have kids I definitely recommend visiting Xel Ha. Word of warning though: They ban sunscreen as too much sunscreen in the water is bad for the fish. They offer their own environmentally friendly sunscreen. It's not cheap but buy it. I took one of my diving groups there and I figured I could just get away with wearing my rashguard (which has an SPF rating) in the water and be alright for an hour. Got the the WORST sunburn of my life that day... and I don't burn very easy.

globaldesigns · #2 07-17-2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

If you have kids I definitely recommend visiting Xel Ha. Word of warning though: They ban sunscreen as too much sunscreen in the water is bad for the fish. They offer their own environmentally friendly sunscreen. It's not cheap but buy it. I took one of my diving groups there and I figured I could just get away with wearing my rashguard (which has an SPF rating) in the water and be alright for an hour. Got the the WORST sunburn of my life that day... and I don't burn very easy.

Actually when I was there last summer, their sunscreen was absolutely FREE to us. If you bring your own, it has to be eco friendly, otherwise you just showed them what you have, and if not good, they gave you some other stuff. Unless things have changed, it was free to us. Now in saying this, it wasn't a full tube, it was small cups filled, one per person.

Maybe things have changed though.

ScubaSteve · #3 07-17-2012, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

Actually when I was there last summer, their sunscreen was absolutely FREE to us. If you bring your own, it has to be eco friendly, otherwise you just showed them what you have, and if not good, they gave you some other stuff. Unless things have changed, it was free to us. Now in saying this, it wasn't a full tube, it was small cups filled, one per person.

Maybe things have changed though.

Oh, that's awesome! Ya, that's new since I've been there. Maybe when they saw Lobsterman (me with a burn) come out of the water it scared them into giving it away for free.

globaldesigns · #4 07-17-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Oh, that's awesome! Ya, that's new since I've been there. Maybe when they saw Lobsterman (me with a burn) come out of the water it scared them into giving it away for free.

That is a good point you brought up though, as you should make sure you have the proper stuff, just in case, or if you need more than what is supplied.

Sunscreen will run you $30-60 per bottle, depending on SPF and brand, the better or higher SPF, the more costly.

We took approx 10 bottles with us for 2 weeks, just had enough for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children).

russp · #5 07-18-2012, 12:45 AM

+1 on a trip to Akumal , we stay at the Akumal Beach Resort every winter & have travelled all over the area . Snorkelling in Akumal is amazing & i would also suggest the Yal Ku lagoon in north Akumal. It is also a wonderful place to snorkel for all ages , another favorite is Dos Ojos a cenote near the entrance to Xel Ha . A 40 minute ferry ride to Cozumel is a fun way to spend a day as well ( watch for the flying fish when you are making the crossing , pretty cool as well )

Oilers · #6 09-10-2012, 03:10 PM

Hola everyone,
The trip was a blast. Thanks again for all the tips/suggestions that you have made. Xelha was definitely the highlight of the trip. I would go again in a heartbeat. Tulum was very interesting as well. The foods were great. The Mexican people were quite friendly. I am thinking about a trip back already