First time to dive Mexico Caves

[ucfdiver]

that sounds awesome

for diving, what should I take with me and what should I just rent there?

I would take a single tank setup with you, since you have a free checked bag anyway with the airline you're flying, and put clothes in carry on.

Also convert some cash at the airport. My experience was that different shops use different conversion rates, some as high as 30% over what reputable companies were charging. Check for international charges in your CC agreement as well, but if you can get those waived use the CC as much as possible as it's the best conversion rate.

 

[LiteHedded]

I've called the CC company and my bank. they both hit me with 3% international. last time I converted at the airport i got raped. I wonder if I'm better off withdrawing pesos at an atm?

I think I can stuff my checked bag with gear and enough clothes for this long weekend and maybe still be under the weight limit.

and I'll be cave diving. if I do a single tank thing in coz maybe I'll just rent.

 

[TSandM]

If you use ATMs, be careful to only use the ones that are associated with banks. The free-standing ones have a reputation for unethical practices (multiple withdrawals, or failing to dispense money but removing it from your account anyway). We use the ATMs down there for pesos.

For cave diving, you CAN rent almost anything but exposure protection. ZG has rental plates, wings, regulators and lights. I don't know what their rates are. If you are in Tulum, you can check with ProTec, Xibalba, Speleotech and Cave Heaven as to what they have available in rental.

For food in Tulum, LaNave has excellent Italian food. Buenos Aires has great empanadas at lunch, and Don Cafeto's has the BEST limonadas.

 

[BabyDuck]

larry & i took everything for (sidemount) cave diving in a dive caddy each. they were $$, but worked really well. even the nomads & his xxl fins fit. then we checked a bag apiece but we likely could have gotten by with only one checked if we'd been traveling domestic.

 

[SandyRobinson]

If you use ATMs, be careful to only use the ones that are associated with banks. The free-standing ones have a reputation for unethical practices (multiple withdrawals, or failing to dispense money but removing it from your account anyway). We use the ATMs down there for pesos.QUOTE]

Great advice

 

[lamont]

you might want one of these:

Key Ring Tire Inflator

 

[LiteHedded]

I have a tire inflator adapter. I guess I can throw it in the bag

 

[rongoodman]

This has been a great thread--it prompted me to start planning for my next trip in early May! I don't remember if it's come up here or not, but there have been cases of security at Cancun not allowing dive light batteries in carry on bags for the return trip. It's only happened to me once, but I had to go back and check it, costing me extra money and nearly being late for the flight.

 

[sskasser]

I brought a $1 vinyl table cloth from the dollar store. It folds up very small, and is perfect for staging my gear and getting geared up. My roll up mat just takes too much space for flying.

 

[Belmont]

This has been a great thread--it prompted me to start planning for my next trip in early May! I don't remember if it's come up here or not, but there have been cases of security at Cancun not allowing dive light batteries in carry on bags for the return trip. It's only happened to me once, but I had to go back and check it, costing me extra money and nearly being late for the flight.

See post # 27 above

One important point: on my return from Mexico, in January, the airport security forbade me from taking my lamp battery in my carry-on luggage. I had done so at least eight times before. There was nothing to be done. Even the Air Canada station manager could not get the head security dork

to back up from his stupid made up rule.

The problem was finally resolved by the Air Canada people who had one of their ramp employee bring my battery on the plane, it was waiting for me on my seat.