To prepare you for your journey, I wanted to share with you some important information.  Please read this "Know Before You Go" document in its entirety so there are no last-minute questions or confusion.

Documents / Vouchers –-– Don't forget to take with you all of the travel documents I have sent you, including this "Know Before You Go" so that you can reference it during your trip.  I recommend putting these with your passport prior to departure. There are no vouchers or airline tickets.  Everything is now done electronically at the airline counter, arrival lounge and at check-in.

All special requests for bedding, etc. have been noted but are NOT guaranteed, as they are based on availability upon arrival.  Special requests, occasions or celebrations have also been noted.

Immigration Forms –- Immigration and Customs Declaration forms are required to enter the country.  Jamaica offers electronic immigration forms that are required to be completed online prior entry. Each passenger is required to complete the form and can be done up to 30 days before your scheduled arrival date, https://enterjamaica.com/

You need a valid email address to complete the process. Upon arrival in Montego Bay, follow the signs to Immigration and present your passport to the Immigration officer.

Passports - Make sure your passports are packed prior to travel. This will avoid any last-minute issues of trying to locate your passports. Make sure that they are not expired, torn or unreadable.  Passport booklets are required for all international travel. NO EXCEPTIONS. A passport card is NOT allowed for airline travel.  TropiGal Travel is not responsible for passports.  Due to the new Passport Validity Rule, travelers are required to travel with a passport that has an expiration date that is no less than 6 months from the date of travel. If your passport does not meet the Passport Validity Rule, contact me ASAP.

DO NOT forget your passports at home, as you will be unable to board your flight!

Get more information on how to renew or get a passport here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

I recommend you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The benefits include:

• Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

https://step.state.gov/step/

Airline - Remember to check with the airline the day before your flight to make sure there have been no changes to your flight times.  Airline check-in can be done exactly 24 hours prior to departure.  Have your passport, record locator/confirmation code ready and navigate to your airlines website and click on check-in. If your airline allows assigned seats and/or they have not already been assigned, you can also be assign or change your seats at this time. Southwest Airlines does not have assigned seating.  At check-in, you are assigned a boarding group (A, B and C).  The earlier you check in, the better boarding group you will be assigned to.  •      Want automatic flight check-in, better seat selection and early access to overhead bins?  Purchase EarlyBird Check-In (fees apply).  Use your Airline Confirmation Number to purchase EarlyBird at www.southwest.com/flight/early-bird-retrieve-reservation.html.

Be aware that you may have fees to pay directly to the airline that were not charged when you originally booked the airfare. For more information on your airlines baggage policies and fees, visit airline's website.  If your airline charges for baggage, you can also purchase at check in (sometimes at a discount) or at the airport.

• Tip: Some airlines may allow you to upgrade your ticket to business/first class for a fraction of the cost during online check-in. I recommend logging on to their website exactly 24 hours prior to departure for best availability.

TSA Regulations: Please remember the 3-1-1 rule for carry-on luggage.  No liquids over 3 ounces and all liquids must be in a 1 quart bag.  You can bring mini-bottles of alcohol through security, but you cannot open the bottles and drink them on a plane. It is a violation of federal law to drink alcoholic beverage onboard an aircraft unless served by the airline. Do not try to drink Your own alcohol onboard.

For additional information/updates can be found here:  http://www.tsa.gov/

Luggage Tags: Make sure to specify your home address is on your bags and note the hotel you are staying at. I recommend tying a ribbon on your suitcase that makes it easy for you to recognize as it comes off the luggage carousel.  Please double check the tags before exiting Baggage Claim.

Departing - Remember to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to take off. You should leave room for delays such as traffic, check-in lines, and long security lines.

Arriving in Jamaica:  Airline attendants will provide Customs and Immigration forms prior to landing.  I suggest packing a pen in your carry-on to complete them (both front and back) prior to landing to help speed up your process on the ground.  You will present these documents along with your passports to the Immigration officer.

Upon arrival in Cancun, follow the signs to Immigration.

After clearing Immigration follow the signs to Baggage Claim, pick you up your luggage.

If you allow the Baggage Claim workers to handle your bags, they will expect a tip. I recommend $1.00 per bag. You do not have to use them.

Proceed to Customs, hand in Customs form then proceed to your right and exit the doors of the airport.

Depending on when your flight arrives, be prepared for lines to be long as many planes usually land around the same time.  Budget at least an hour to clear Customs and Immigration, including getting baggage and locating your transfer. Sometimes you might have a wait once you board the transfer vehicle if they are waiting on other travelers to your resort.

Transfers: IMPORTANT: Your transfer is waiting OUTSIDE the airport. Go past all the people inside asking you if you need transportation.  These are time share reps and by speaking with them, you will delay you in getting to the resort.   Amstar is your airport transportation company; please look for their reps in royal blue shirts when you exit the airport. They will have a list with all your names on it for airport transportation to the resort where you are all staying. Please only accept transportation from the AMSTAR representative when departing the airport. DO NOT accept transportation from any other provider. There are many companies that will attempt to offer "free transfers and tours." Please be aware these are time share tactics. Amstar can be reached locally at 01-998-881-9500 24 hours a day.

Transportation Back to the Airport: Please speak with the Amstar rep at the resort’s hospitality desk to confirm your pick-up time.  Do this within 24 hours of departure to avoid any issues with your return transfer.  Please be advised that some Amstar desks on property are CLOSED on Sunday. Remember to tip your driver as they are not employed by the resort.

Mobile Passport –- The Mobile Passport app speeds you through U.S. Customs and Border Protection at 26 airports and 3 cruise ports.  This app is officially authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

STEP 1:

SET UP YOUR PROFILE

Enter your profile information as it appears on your valid, official passport. You can set up profiles for your entire family. Your information will be encrypted and shared only with CBP.

STEP 2:

ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS

Answer CBP’s five brief questions about your trip. Then carefully review ALL of your information for the trip.

STEP 3:

SUBMIT TO CBP

Once you are at your port of entry (airport or sea port), connect to wireless or wi-fi and submit your data to CBP. Remember: when you submit, you are confirming under penalty of law that your information is correct. Within a few seconds, you will receive a CBP receipt with an encrypted barcode. Your receipt will be valid for 4 hours.

STEP 4:

SAVE TIME!

Follow the Mobile Passport Control signs to the designated Mobile Passport Control line. Show your passport to the CBP officer and scan the barcode on the CBP receipt. And that’s it!

https://mobilepassport.us/

Weather:

Check-in/out - Check-in is at 3 PM – or earlier if rooms are available and have been cleaned.

• Tip: For early arrivals, pack your swimsuit in your carry on. If the room is not yet available, you can change in the spa and enjoy the pool or beach while your room is being prepared.

Check-out is 11 AM.  I suggest settling any room charges the night before.  Call for a bellman to bring your luggage to the lobby.

• Tip: For late departures, you can still enjoy the amenities and shower in the spa.

Money/Cash/Credit Cards: The resort will run your credit card for authorization for couple hundred dollars for incidentals to be credited immediately back to your account if not used. This opens up your room to charge things like gift shop purchases and spa treatments. I recommend using credit vs. debit cards, as the hold on your funds can last up to 7 business days.

American money is accepted in Mexico.  You do not need to exchange your money into Pesos and I would not recommend it. The resort does have an ATM machine, but there are fees associated and the money will be dispensed in Pesos. The resort will only take credit card as a form of payment for incidentals. Also, the airport does not accept cash. The rate of exchange is currently $1.00 USD = 18 Pesos. I recommend bringing enough cash that you think you will spend.

As for how much cash you should bring on your trip:  It depends on how much shopping and site seeing you want to do and how long you are staying.  Its’ always a good idea to bring an extra $100-$200 in small bills (at least $20 to $50 worth of singles) and leave it in the safe in your room to be used for tipping drivers, bell-men at airport and market shopping as needed.

• Tip: If you plan to use your card, you may want to call your bank ahead of time and let them know you will be traveling out of the US. Many banks see foreign charges and put a freeze on your account which may be a problem when making purchases or checking out with a room balance.

Tipping: Tipping is included in your all-Inclusive resort package; however, tipping is appreciated at your discretion. You may wish to tip your house-keeper the first day and the last day, the bell-man upon delivering your bags to your room, the room service delivery staff and your favorite bartender at the end of the week.  This is NOT mandatory or expected.  Resort staff members work very hard, so someone provides outstanding service, goes above and beyond or exceeds your expectations, you can show your appreciation in the form of a tip.

Safes: Use your safe for your jewelry, passports, laptops, cameras, wallet, cash, and purses. The resort does not have a problem with theft, but I never trust anyone that has access to my room when it comes to my very important and valuable items!  TropiGal Travel is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Safety - Please do not carry expensive jewelry and/or large amounts of cash in the open. When you leave your room, make sure all valuables are locked in the room safe. Remember to press and hold “LOCK” and then check to make sure it has locked properly before leaving your room. Leaving valuables out or in an open safe is dangerous no matter where you travel to.

Amenities: The resort provides hair dryers, irons and boards, coffee/tea makers in room, and beach towels. Each room has a color, satellite, cable TV.  The resort also provides you with amenities such as a shower cap, soaps, lotion, shampoo & conditioner. Each room also comes with a stocked mini fridge replenished daily at no charge.

Water: Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is provided for you in the room and at the restaurants/bars. It is safe to shower in the resort water and brush your teeth in it.

Electricity: The resort runs on the same voltage as the US so no need to bring a converter.

Add-Ons – I can reserve your resort add-ons such as candlelight dinners, tours, excursions, and spa treatments prior to arrival at the resort. It is advised to pre-book these things so you can guarantee the date and time you want. You will also be able to pre-pay, which means you will avoid a balance for all of your add-ons at check out.

Pricing and treatments are very comparable to what you see at a high-end salon in the US.

• Tip: Consider booking your massage(s) for the beginning of your stay. Some guests tend to suffer from sunburn after a few days in the sun and a massage when you have sunburn can be more painful than relaxing.

You may pre-book your excursions or book at the tour des in the resort’s lobby.

Photos – Professional photographers are available throughout the resort to capture your vacation memories.  Don’t be shy!  There is no cost to take the photo.  The photographer will ask for you room number which will allow you to view all photos taken during your stay in the photo shop.  I also suggest scheduling a complimentary photo shoot in the gardens and/or beach at sunset.  This is a great opportunity to get a family photo.  If you choose to purchase any photos, both prints and digital copies are available, as well as photo packages at a discount.

• Tip: Do not wait until the end of your vacation to choose your photos. This can be overwhelming and stressful. Visit the photo shop frequently and delete the photos you know you won’t want to purchase. This makes the decision process much easier at the end of your trip.

Entertainment & Theme Nights – A daily entertainment and activity schedule is posted throughout the resort as well as provided in your room nightly.

Dress Code:  Resort restaurants follow strict dress codes, so you must pack accordingly. If you do not follow the dress code (for example, some requirements include pants and closed toe shoes for men) you may not be able to dine in that restaurant.

Casual: Bermudas, long shorts or capri pants. Sneakers, tennis shoes or sandals/flip-flops. No sleeveless shirts for men. No bathing suits. Ladies must wear a bathing suit wrap or cover-up.

Evening/Elegance: Dress shoes (slip on moccasins or boat shoes), sandals (no flip-flops). Dress shirts with sleeves. Long pants required for men. No sleeveless shirts for men.

Cell Phones: If you plan to use your cell phone internationally, please make sure you contact your provider. International cellular service and/or text messaging can be very costly. Make sure to turn your mobile devices on airplane mode to avoid any data charges. Pre-paid phone calling cards do not work in Mexico.

Internet / WiFi - There is no charge for internet usage for unlimited devices.  At some resorts, you cannot use the WiFi until you are fully ‘checked in’ to your room.  This is because it is associated with your room number. Once check-in has been completed, connect to WiFi and pull up the internet.  You will be prompted to enter your room number and email address.  Check your email for the authorization code and enter it on the webpage.  Keep this email and authorization code, as it will be used for all devices you choose to connect.

• Tip: You may want to download apps on your smart phones or tablets that allow you free calls and texts through the internet, such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp for texting and MagicJack for phone calls.

Social Media –

Keep in touch with me through social media while you are away or when you return home. I love to see photos of the trips I send you on!

Friend me on Facebook.com/StaceyLBuck and ‘’Like Facebook.com/TropiGalTravel

Tag @TropiGalTravel and Stacey TropiGal Buck in your photos! This really helps me spread the word about TropiGal Travel!

Instagram: Follow @TropiGalTravel

X: Follow @TropiGalTravel

You can also find Sandals on all three social media sites! Feel free to tag them too!

Testimonials - I always appreciate it when my clients contribute testimonials if they feel I have earned one. Testimonials help spread the word to potential new clients and help me grow my business. If you would like to contribute one, visit my Google reviews page and include a photo from your trip. You can copy/paste your review on www.Facebook.com/TropiGalTravel/Reviews too!

As always, let me know if you have any questions or issues. I look forward to hearing all about your vacation when you return!