Important gear for Coz?

[ggunn]

Not exactly gear, but before I leave for Cozumel, I get $50 in one dollar bills from my credit union. A stash of 1's is good to have for tipping in transit.

 

[HammerNoMore]

Travel alarm clock--some hotels don't have clocks, don't take a chance on missing the dive boat!

Never a problem for me unless the boat leaves really early. I tend to wake up at first light. I can't remember the last time I needed an alarm clock. Good suggestion though.

Extra batteries--for cameras, dive lights, dive computer, etc. Batteries are very expensive on just about any island.

I only cary batteries that would be difficult to replace. I'd rather pay a few extra bucks than have to remove something else to keep under the ridiculous airline weight restrictions.

Calculator--to assist in figuring out the exchange rates

You're kidding right? It's Cozumel, you just need to divide/multiply by 10.

 

[cxg31s]

Never a problem for me unless the boat leaves really early. I tend to wake up at first light. I can't remember the last time I needed an alarm clock. Good suggestion though.

I only cary batteries that would be difficult to replace. I'd rather pay a few extra bucks than have to remove something else to keep under the ridiculous airline weight restrictions.

You're kidding right? It's Cozumel, you just need to divide/multiply by 10.

With all due respect, I was offering suggestions to the original poster--suggestions, not "you must take these items". I don't recall asking for someone to pick apart my list. I'm glad you have your opinion on my suggestions, but your opinion doesn't apply to everyone. Most hotels I've stayed at DON'T have clocks--maybe you're an early riser, but others aren't, especially after a long day of travelling, early flights, etc.

And how much can AA batteries weigh? That's what I use in my camera and dive lights. Try comparing prices on a pack of AA batteries at Walmart vs. Chedraui and you'd carry extras, too! Maybe you see no problem with paying $4US for a pack of 4 AA's, but some of us prefer to spend our money on other things while on vacation.

Lastly, the exchange rate on my recent trips to Coz has been BETTER than 10-1 so when it is, I convert to pesos. In Nov it got as high as 11.25 to 1 and Feb it was 10.91 to 1. Using your method, I would have lost a lot of money over the course of those weeks. So a calculator can actually be invaluable for figuring out those weird rates--you'd be surprised how often a restaurant marks up when you pay in US vs. pesos!

So again, this is with all due respect, but you should realize that your situation may differ from someone else's and they may find my suggestions useful.

 

[ggunn]

You're kidding right? It's Cozumel, you just need to divide/multiply by 10.

It's not always that simple; it varies day to day. My little hp 11C comes in really handy for figuring separate checks in restaurants and spilitting up costs for fishing, too.

 

[element]

Accross from the Plaza La Glorias is what has been refered to as the Cozumel Walmart. You can get anything basic you forget or that is to heavy to carry and at good prices.
Last year i bought shaving cream, razor and some 3.99 red wine that I liked enough to bring a few bottles home and enjoy. Supper cheap to. Much cheaper than at my hotel.

 

[HammerNoMore]

I don't recall asking for someone to pick apart my list.

It's called discussion and usually takes place in a discussion forum. Please tell me why someone would benefit from your opionions only if they are not discussed and alternate views represented?

 

[HammerNoMore]

It's not always that simple; it varies day to day.

I generally go with the 10:1 is close enough rule. I usually only spend cash for smaller purchases so being 10% off is not going to affect things that much. All credit card purchases are in pesos and a quick divide by 10 will get me close enough to know there is not somthing hinky going on.

Someone was telling me on the last trip that one of the hotels had a rate that was like $200 a night US and $1000 MP. Evidently it's posted right on a big board but many people don't notice, don't care, or don't know better. That's the kind of thing that I wory about and a 5:1 tends to stand out pretty well .

Personally I like being as unincumbered as possible so carrying around a calucator is not for me. YMMV.

 

[cxg31s]

It's called discussion and usually takes place in a discussion forum. Please tell me why someone would benefit from your opionions only if they are not discussed and alternate views represented?

Well, there's such a thing as "discussion" and there's such a thing as a "proprietary viewpoint", which is how you presented your opinions. You essentially took my suggestions and acted like they were without merit because that's not what YOU do on vacation. My point was that your situation is different from someone else's so what works for you won't work for someone else. That's why I offered SUGGESTIONS to the original poster--take them or leave them. I'm going to continue doing what works for me so if you don't like my ideas, fine--don't use them! Just think how boring this world would be if we all did things exactly the same way.....

 

[UndrWatrDan]

More Amodium!

 

[HammerNoMore]

Well, there's such a thing as "discussion" and there's such a thing as a "proprietary viewpoint", which is how you presented your opinions. You essentially took my suggestions and acted like they were without merit because that's not what YOU do on vacation.

If that's how you want to read it I guess that's up to you. I'll refrain from further responses to your posts lest you completely misinterpret them again. Of course how a person can so twist around somthing that includes the phrase "Good suggestion." I'll never know...

*plonk*