Get Ready

Money, tipping, WiFi access, what to wear, local climate and packing tips—the following information aims to help you prepare and pack for our Modern Adventure in Yucatán.

COVID-19

As part of our mission to support safe and responsible travel, Modern Adventure requires all guests and staff members participating in our experiences to be fully vaccinated (including booster protocols if applicable) for COVID-19 with an authorized vaccine. We will require proof of vaccination prior to your trip’s departure for all destinations and group experiences. In addition, it may be a requirement to provide a negative COVID-19 test result prior to your departure and your return to your home country. By booking a Modern Adventure you are agreeing to these terms and to providing proof of vaccination.

The ability to provide a negative test result or comply with the vaccination requirements is the responsibility of the guest. Any cancellation due to non-compliance of these requirements will result in your booking being non-refundable or transferable.

Our Traveler Vaccination Policy is subject to change and any exceptions to this policy are granted at the sole discretion of Modern Adventure.

Please note that all of our travelers must adhere to all country-specific, regional and local protocols, and travel requirements.

For more information about our COVID policies, please click here.

Internet & Phones

Our accommodations offer free Wi-Fi, and we recommend using Wi-Fi supported apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype as an alternative to making calls from your mobile phone. For US travelers, many phone providers have temporary international travel plans. Check with your provider for options.

Electricity

In Mexico the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 127 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.For guests traveling from the United States of America, you won't need a power plug adapter in Mexico.

Medications

If you are on prescription medication, you should ask your doctor for a letter detailing your condition and prescribed drugs. This prevents possible issues at customs and helps the local doctor if you need to buy medication while traveling. If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, we recommend you bring an extra pair and a copy of the prescription in case of emergency.

Climate

March is inland Yucatán's dry season. Expect mostly sunny skies with daily high temperatures near 90F, nightly lows around 67F. In a typical year, there is very little rainfall in the month of March.

Clothing

Casual clothing is appropriate for the Yucatán. Cotton and other natural fabrics that are lightweight and breathable are best. When visiting inland cities and towns in Mexico, plan for a more conservative style. Sleeved tops and long pants or skirts work well. They'll also be handy for protecting against the sun and mosquitoes. We also recommended a sweater or a warm jacket for cooler mornings outdoors.

You'll have one evening to spend on your own in Mérida. If you want to make reservations at one of Mérida's higher-end restaurants, you may want to bring a dressy option.

While this trip features heavily on food, flavor, and cooking, there will be opportunities to get outside for activities such as hiking, swimming, or even some time at the spa. If you plan to take part in any of these activities, make sure you pack appropriate clothing, footwear and swimwear.

We’ll also spend time on foot, so make sure to bring sturdy walking shoes. We will travel by private bus between destinations, so you might want to pack along a pair of headphones for the ride. Additionally a bag that closes completely, such as backpack, prevents personal items from falling out when they are being stored in the bus storage compartments. Here are a few additional items we recommend:

  • Hat (to protect yourself from the sun)

  • Sunscreen

  • Sunglasses

  • Sandals or flip-flops

  • Sturdy walking shoes

  • Bathing suit

  • Phone charger

  • Headphones

  • Travel pillow

  • Ear plugs

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling.

For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most 'Cancel For Any Reason' policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.

While Modern Adventure does not recommend any policy specifically, we encourage you to compare benefits and options, a few of which are listed below. We recommend that any plan you select includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, at minimum.

Visas & Passports

  • US citizens do not require a visa to enter Mexico as tourists, for stays up to 180 days. The only requirement is a valid US passport. We recommend that your passport is valid for 6 calendar months beyond your planned departure date from Mexico.

  • On arrival in Mexico, you will be issued a visitor’s permit, known as a FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple). Make sure you keep this form in a safe place, as you’ll need it to exit the country. If you lose this form, you may be charged a fee to get a new one upon departure from Mexico.

  • Not a US citizen? Please check with the Mexico Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

Money & Tipping

The local currency is Mexican pesos, worth roughly 20 pesos to 1 US dollar. There are numerous ATMs in Mérida to access your bank back home. Many restaurants and shops accept credit cards; however you will want some peso notes when traveling outside of the main city.

We do our absolute best to make your Modern Adventure as simple as possible. This means almost everything experience we have together will be prepaid. We recommend bringing enough money with you for a few meals on your own, as well as any souvenirs or local arts and crafts you might like to bring back with you.

Most gratuities and tips are included in our trip cost. However there are a few instances when you should consider tipping:

  • When dining out on your own, it is customary to tip restaurant staff 10% to 15%

  • With taxi drivers, it’s customary to round up the bill to the nearest peso.

  • Tipping our local and Modern Adventure guides is at your discretion; to show your appreciation for good service, we recommend tipping each guide $50 to $70 per guest.