Q.It's our first time to the area. What should we take?

Of course, take any specific things you know you will need personally. But don’t worry about the things you forget back home because you can get the same or almost the same products at any Supermarket in Playa del Carmen. To read about what we supply for our guests in Villa Bella Vista go to About Bella Vista.

Q. Where can I rent activities in the area?

When you get to Mexico, information booklets will most likely be handed to you at the airport. These will have Cancun tourist information and some Riviera Maya info as well. On your way to Playa del Secreto you will probably see more tourist info at area stores with plenty of information on local services and activities. In the town of Puerto Morelos you can find almost every activity in the area. And this town is just 10min from your villa.

Q. Is there transportation from the Cancun Airport to Playa del Secreto and the surrounding area including Playa del Carmen ?

You can hire a taxi, a chauffeured suburban or rent a car in the Cancun airport to get to Playa del Secreto. Taxi fares are around $90.00 US (subject to change without notice). We really suggest you rent a car it will be the easiest way to move around in the Mayan Riviera.

Q. Is the road safe on my way to the villa?

There is a four lane highway from Cancun to Xcaret and then it narrows to a two lane highway that continues south to the pueblo of Tulum. Tulum is the southern end of the Riviera Maya tourist zone. Playa del Secreto is 10 minutes after Puerto Morelos, and 40 min before Playa del Carmen.
A bit of advice driving: When making any turn in Mexico ALWAYS look in front and behind to make sure traffic is there before you make your turn. Do not stop in the middle of the road.
Beware when turning left from the highway! Only if there is a special lane provided for your left turn, you should do as you normally would. These left turn lanes are marked by reflectors in the road. Regardless whether there is a lane or not, it is absolutely critical to look in front and behind to make sure traffic is clear. We strongly suggest that you don’t make left turns where the lanes are not marked, it is against the law. Drive all the way to the next U TURN even if it takes a few more minutes. ---- BEWARE on your drive south from the airport..... At Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen there are cement medians that divide the highway. These are marked by reflectors in the road. Please be careful not to hit them.

Q.What is your policy on the security deposit?

We take damage on a case by case situation. Accidents happen. A glass breaks, a kid spills a juice box. We know this because the same things have happened to us too. However, when we deduct money from your security deposit, it's usually for a more serious accident where permanent damage has occurred. We then hire a handyman to repair the damage or replace that item and deduct that amount (with no mark up) from your security deposit.
When guests blatantly disregard the rules of no smoking inside the house, of no using drugs in the property, of no bringing pets, or of cramming 15 people in the house, in those cases we deduct the ENTIRE security deposit.

Q.Can you provide a chef or cook?

Yes we can. This is at extra cost, but we have in our staff a pair of chefs and cooks that settle with you the price and the work they will be doing for you. They can also buy your grocery with a 10% fee from the grocery list cost. This way the cooking and eating at the villa becomes very simple for our guests, just be sure to ask for this service in advance, sometimes during the high season is not that easy to find them available.

Q.Do we have a maid in the villa?

Yes. There are two villa keepers and one maid. The Villa keepers help you out in everything concerning outdoors and beach, also opening the front door for you when you arrive in your vehicle. The maid, changes linens every 2 to 3 days, as beach and bath towels also. She also cleans the villa for you. We provide washing machine and dryer, if you wish for the maid to wash your clothes during your stay, you can arrange the service at an additional cost, and you set it personally with the maid.

Q.What if we need babysitters?

We have a pair of babysitters that we highly recommend, they charge $15US the hour and come in their vehicle to the villa, stay for as long as you need and then leave to their home. We have never had complains about them, they are really nice girls and love children.

Q.Do we get to see turtles laying eggs on the beach?

On the months of June, July & August, if you take long walks on the beach at night after midnight, you could be lucky enough to experience this incredible sight; giant sea turtles come lay their eggs and then swim back into the sea. Do not forget to take a lantern with you at all times.

Q.Do you have any game room or kids beach toys?

We have our “play room” in the “Palapa”, you can find a Hockey table, a ping pong table, boogies for surfing, a canoe, small pond fishing nets, life jackets and lots of beach toys for kids. We only ask you to take good care of them and never leave them on the beach unattended, we really want all of our guests to enjoy them after your stay.

Q. Can you do weddings?

Yes we do weddings, if you need further information about weddings or any special event, please e-mail us to secretjewelscelebrations@gmail.com

Q. What if we are a large group, how many people can Secret jewel Suites & Villas sleep in all?

Our four bedroom Villa Bella Vista Sleeps 8 pax. (maximum 10 pax)
Our two bed room Suites Lol-ha and Na-Haic sleep a maximum of four people each.
So this gets us to a maximum of 18 people in all of Secret Jewel Suites & Villas. How ever there are more Villas in Playa del Secreto in case your party is even bigger we can arrange for our neighbor villas to take the rest of your family or friends. We do this in case of weddings, or family trips.

Q.Directions to Sams Club and Walmart in Playa del Carmen.

Drive all the way to Playa del Carmen, and you will see Sam´s Club, Chedraui, Wall-mart just arriving to Playa on your right. For Sam´s Club a membership is required, bring yours from back home or your passport. But you have also grocery stores in Puerto Morelos.

Q.Is there any snorkeling in the area?

My favorite place is Xel-Ha, try getting there early in the morning before the tour buses arrive. Full facilities for refreshments, bathrooms and changing rooms. For snorkeling, in Akumal there is Yal-Ku Lagoon. It is 50 pesos to get in. It is a nice place to snorkel without huge crowds. Elsewhere along the coast there's snorkeling in most of the protected bays fronting various beach side communities and resorts.

Q.What ruins are in the area and how far away are they?

The ruins of Tulum are about 40 minutes from Playa.The ruins do not have many large trees, so it is best to visit the ruins in the morning or late afternoon and avoid the heat of the day. We also recommend Chichen-Itza wich is on the road to Merida, and Coba wich is on the road to Chetumal.

Q. Can I drink the water in Secret Jewel? At the restaurants?

For the rental properties, bottled water is provided. In the area restaurants, purified ice and water is used. Buy bottled water and carry it along every time you leave the villa, you will get thirsty on your visits and this way its safer for your stomach.

Q. How much should I tip at a restaurant? How much should I tip the staff in Secret Jewel Suites & Villas?

Usually 15%, 20% if you had good service and food. Not less than 10% if you were satisfied. If you rent a villa, usually the recommendation is to tip 5% of the rental fee for the week if the staff was attentive.

Q. Is it safe to eat vegetables?

Vegetable can be eaten here. If you are buying fresh fruits and vegetables it is best to soak the produce in purified water and add one or two drops of Microdyne (available at most mexican grocery stores) or similar disinfectant, as per the product's instructions. Vegetables are best eaten cooked opposed to raw.

Q.Where to buy fresh seafood?

Ask the villa keepers for information or the manager, the closest place is Puerto Morelos. If you are interested in fresh catch of the day, the villa keeper can go to Puerto Morelos buy it for you, and bring it back ready to cook.

Q.How is the weather?

We do not have frequent weather reports like the US. We usually stick our heads our the window in the morning and check it out. The winters are sunny and mild. It starts getting warmer in March. There are some spring rains, but not what would be referred to as a "rainy season". June can be rainy. July - August are usually hot and humid. Traditionally September and October have the highest risk of hurricanes. (officially the Caribbean storm season is June-October). The last hurricane was Wilma , just October 2005. We hope we are not due another for a few years. November begins the winter season with milder temperatures and lower humidity. Always handy to pack a rain coat, sweatshirt or light jacket.

Q.Are there any medical facilities?

Playa Del Carmen has several medical "clinics", small hospitals and a hyperbaric facility. We provide a list of doctors, hospital and emergency numbers in each villa, you will find them in your “Hospitality book”.

Q.Christmas and New Years Rentals?

The Holiday Season is the busiest time of year in Playa del Secreto and everywhere on the Riviera Maya. It is best to make reservations 6 to 12 months in advance.

Q. What about crime in Mexico?

For the most part, Quintana Roo has a lower incidence of crime than any major city in the US. Even with a predominately impoverished population, violent crime and armed robbery are virtually non-existent. The strength of the family unit coupled with Mexico's generally Christian ethics ward off tendencies toward crime, but tourists should be aware of petty thievery and crimes of opportunity. The inclination to disregard common sense and leave everything wide open because you are in "paradise" can lead to petty thievery. So, lock up your villa when you leave it. To be safer, lock up areas of the villa that are not in use even when you are there, so you don't forget. Use the security safe we supply. Leave expensive jewelry at home. Don't leave expensive cameras and computers lying around in plain sight unattended. When taking day trips to beaches and points of interest, take what you need with you and don't leave expensive items in the vehicle in full view. Don't think things locked in the trunk are safe. Generally, take what you need on vacation and leave the rest at home. When going to any foreign country check with your insurance agent before your trip about coverage for losses while on vacation.