Anyone been to Puero Vallarta - have questions!!

Going to PV in less than 4 weeks - staying at the Marriott Casa Magna resort. My husband won this trip through his company. They tell us they are booking us on the all Inclusive package so everything is covered. flight and airport transfers too.

A week after we get home is our family spring break in Vegas so I am NOT spending any money in Mexico. This is not a planned trip nor something that we would normally do. I am definitely not giving a cc upon check in. According to the company we don't have to pay for anything. But I am a skeptic when it comes to things like this.

My question is - how realistic is it for me to really not have to spend any of our own money on this trip? We don't plan to leave the resort at all while we are there.

Do you think I should exchange for pesos just in case before we leave DFW? And if I do and we don't use them, how can I exchange back?

Any thoughts you all have would be great.

 

Never stayed at the property, obviously don't know the fine print details of whatever it is your hubby won. I imagine there will be some costs, be it tips, daily service charges, perhaps premium booze, whatever you buy. But it sounds to me like you are really getting lathered up and you should just chill on in to the free trip and enjoy. And if you drop a Ben or five on a free holiday and it makes it more fun, well, you've had that much more fun. If you are only tipping greenbacks will be fine. And I do imagine they will want some type of $$$/CC security when you check in. Who doesn't?

Have fun, get out and about, Puerto is a fun place!

 

Was there solo many years ago, one thing I would state is watch out for the time share "salesmen" off site. If they see a couple walking together, particularly and I use the term politely middle aged, its like bees to honey. Not really pushy but annoying as most time share pitchers are. As i say it was 10 + years since I went and it was an up and coming resort but you could get about cheeply.
Spring break week is a bit rowdy too
Have fun and chill

 

Not quite middle aged yet but close...

Ken..ha..."lathered up" guess that is the nice way to say worked up? lol yes. I just feel like if the company tells you that it's pretty much mandatory that you go and it's a totally "free" trip...then it should be just that. Totally free.

I'm hoping the company set it up as direct bill and no cc will be required at check in.

 

even if you had to give a card for a hold, the hold should drop and goback on your card in a week. why don't you call and ask what they are expecting? most hotels will want a CC not only for any misc charges, but also as a damage/theft deterrent.

 

I'm just impatient. There is a travel coordinator with his company who is setting up the hotel details. I already emailed asking for more info and these questions, they just told me we would get something soon.

I probably just need to wait.

I was curious if anyone else here has done the all inclusive at this resort?

 

Ask the hotel to confirm that the payment is covered by your husband's company. They probably will set up a master account/CC Authorization for the room charge, which covers food/drinks/etc. if it's an all-inclusive property. Once they confirm that the room charges have been taken care of, you shouldn't worry about providing a credit card at check-in. If you don't provide a credit card at check-in, they might not check you into the hotel since they won't be able to cover any damages that you might leave in the room.

Bring plenty of $1 (or $2) bills if the place is all-inclusive. Everyone treats you better if you tip them. Considering most of their guests are probably from the States, I wouldn't exchange USD to Mexican Pesos. I never exchange any of my money unless I'm traveling out of N. America. If I have to exchange money, I just take money out from the ATM since the exchange rates at the airports and local banks are horrible. Getting money from the ATM gets shady in certain countries (specifically SE Asia) though...

 

I stayed at a different resort, but tipping wasn't allowed on ours. Also don't bring pesos. Bring lots of small bills...ones and fives. I found that you get more bang for your buck. Pun intended. But if you don't leave the resort I think it's possible to spend very little money.