Car Rentals–Tips to Get the Best Prices

DeniseAck — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:06:30 +0000

We’re going to the Puerto Penasco Mayan Palace and need to get there from the Phoenix airport since there aren’t international flights into the area yet. Sometimes they offer free transportation one way, but we didn’t catch that deal. We also wanted a car down there, so I looked into rentals, but if not I’d have considered taking a shuttle service. They run about $200 per person round trip.

I found 4 rental agencies who rent cars that can be driven up to 250 miles into Mexico (there might be more, though) Advantage, Dollar, Enterprise, and Hertz.

For the best prices, go directly to the rental agency’s website. I tried several travel sites first–Kayak, Orbitz, Hotwire, etc. and they were all MUCH higher than the agencies’ rates. I also checked through different airlines. We’re flying Jet Blue so I started there, but all airlines offer car rentals and hotel rentals somewhere on their sites. Again, much higher than going directly to the car agencies’ sites.

The fees to rent at the airport are VERY high. A one week rental almost doubled once you add all the fees. One option is to find a location off airport for a rental. The fees for Hertz at the 5017 East Elliott Rd location are under $5 vs. at the airport for $80. (Facility charge, concession recovery fee, vehicle license surcharge, stadium surcharge.) Figure you’ll pay $25 or so in a taxi to get there and you can still return your car to the airport. In the past I’ve seen fees for dropping off at a different location, but evidently not at Hertz. Off airport locations often have reduced times of operation, so that may wind up being a factor for some.

You MUST buy Mexican insurance from the rental company, not on your own. Dollar was $27.80/day, Enterprise was $30/day and Hertz was $35/day. Ouch! People who drive their own cars have a choice of insurance agencies, and it’s usually around $15-$20/day

If you have a discount code or are a member of AAA or AARP, etc., go through the process online first WITHOUT using the code and then again WITH the code. A few times, the rates changed significantly!! You think 10% off is great, but often it’s off a highly inflated number.

One pleasant surprise I had was that I could use my United frequent flier miles against a car rental. (Go to Mileage Plus–Use Miles) We don’t fly with them often enough to qualify for a free airline ticket, so it was worth using 20,000 miles toward the rental/tax/fee cost. We wound up going with Dollar because they had the best “prices” using points. Be aware that the daily “price” fluctuates depending on how long you rent. 3 days was 15,000 points, and 7 days was 20,000.

Have Fun!!

Sports Equipment–Rent or Bring, part 1, Golf First off, I need to say I’m not a golfer....

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Grand Luxxe Availability Improving

admin — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 20:20:00 +0000

Luxxe Pool area now expanded

: Don’t be fooled, rooms are completely done.

Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta

Wahoo ! Availability is loosening up just a bit. The third Luxxe building is finished at the Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta Mayan Resort. Don’t be fooled by the open area in the middle of the building; that will be other facilities. The accommodations section is open. Also the state of the art exercise facility in building number two is now open. No spa yet, but at least the Grand Luxxe guests don’t have to go to the Grand Mayan to work out. The Luxxe pool area has been expanded and now is up to Mayan top of the line standards.

Grand Luxxe Riviera Maya

The second Luxxe building and the pool area, as well as the exclusive Luxxxe beach area is finished at the Riviera Maya resort. Some new photos and info should be updated in the next month on our Grand Luxxe Riviera Maya page

Burgers Custom Made

A new restaurant called Burgers Custom Made is open with service to the beach for Lunch and Dinner. The same restaurant also opened in Nuevo Vallarta, so far for dinner only. We have gotten somewhat mixed reviews so far, but some owners are raving about it. Please make a comment if you have visited.

Nuevo Vallarta Mayan Resort Restaurant Menus The Mayan Resort at Nuevo Vallarta is by far the...
Samba Restaurant – Nuevo Vallarta The most convenient restaurant for Grand Mayan guests, the Samba...
What happened to the Nuevo Vallarta Mayan Palace? MayanRental Home > FAQ > puerto-nuevo-vallarta-resorts> what-happened-to-the-nuevo-vallarta-mayan-palace It… well… shrunk....

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Havana Moon – Riviera Maya

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:23:31 +0000

The Havana Moon is a great place for breakfast. You can sit on the deck with the ocean breeze overlooking the beach. Lunch and Dinner are equally enjoyable and recently the resort has returned live music in the evening!

The prices are in pesos.
100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50 200 pesos= $15.50

Grand Mayan Riviera Maya
Mayan Palace Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya Grand Mayan in Spanish
Riviera Maya Mayan Palace in Spanish

Cafe Del Lago – Riviera Maya The del Lago is the Buffet Restaurant on the Riviera...
Havana Moon Nuevo Vallarta menu The Havana Moon restaurant Mayan Resort Nuevo Vallarta sits right...
Blue Fish Restaurant – Riviera Maya The prices are in pesos. 100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Gong Restaurant – Riviera Maya

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:13:56 +0000

The Asian fusion restaurant “The Gong” is located in the same building as the Tramanto, right next to the Mayan Palace pools. We love Mexican food, but it is nice to be able to have something entirely different.

The prices are in pesos.
100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50 200 pesos= $15.50

Grand Mayan Riviera Maya
Mayan Palace Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya Grand Mayan in Spanish
Riviera Maya Mayan Palace in Spanish

Gong Restaurant – Nuevo Vallarta If you are staying in the Grand Mayan, the Gong...
Riviera Maya Mayan Resort Restaurant Menus The Mayan Resort in the Riviera Maya sits on the...
Blue Fish Restaurant – Riviera Maya The prices are in pesos. 100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Cafe Del Lago – Riviera Maya

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:05:20 +0000

The del Lago is the Buffet Restaurant on the Riviera Maya resort. It is located between the lagoon in the Grand Mayan area and the beach.
The prices are in pesos.
100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50 200 pesos= $15.50

You can have the fabulous breakfast buffet, which is one of my favorites anywhere. Have a late breakfast and you won’t even think about lunch. We can fix you up with a week at the Grand Mayan Riviera Maya or the Mayan Palace Riviera Maya. We also rent to dozens of Mexican guests every year, they can find info at Riviera Maya Grand Mayan in Spanish or Riviera Mayan Mayan Palace in Spanish.

There are different buffet themes on different nights often followed by a live show. Note that you can go the live show without eating at the buffet. Finally, a word of warning, some of the shows have bare buns involved.

Cafe Del Lago – Nuevo Vallarta the Cafe del Lago is the Buffet restaurant right behind...
Riviera Maya Mayan Resort Restaurant Menus The Mayan Resort in the Riviera Maya sits on the...
Blue Fish Restaurant – Riviera Maya The prices are in pesos. 100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tramonto Restaurant – Riviera Maya

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:51:41 +0000

Quick, make your reservation now. The upscale Tramanto is a one of the most popular on the resort. We have had fun loving waiters and great food here. You do need to dress up just a little and reserve ahead, but you won’t be disappointed. It is located in the main building where the business center is.

The prices are in pesos.
100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50 200 pesos= $15.50

Grand Mayan Riviera Maya
Mayan Palace Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya Grand Mayan in Spanish
Riviera Maya Mayan Palace in Spanish

Riviera Maya Mayan Resort Restaurant Menus The Mayan Resort in the Riviera Maya sits on the...
Blue Fish Restaurant – Riviera Maya The prices are in pesos. 100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50...
Tramanto The Tramanto is the upscale Italian restaurant in the Grand...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Taco Break – Nuevo Vallarta

admin — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:21:14 +0000

Boasting the shortest menu on the resort, Tacos Break restaurant is also the hardest to find. Unless you know the trick. It is located out on the road through the golf course and there are shuttles from the Grand Mayan all the time. it is great place for a cost break too. Take all the kids for a low cost supper of decent Mexican food without having to leave the resort. The ambience is outdoor picnic.

The prices are in pesos.
100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50 200 pesos= $15.50

If you want to see the resort information, click on one of the following links: Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta, Grand Bliss Nuevo Vallarta, Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta. If your Spanish speaking tired of reading English, you can choose Nuevo Vallarta Grand Bliss in Spanish, Nuevo Vallarta Grand Mayan in Spanish, or Nuevo Vallarta Grand Luxxe in Spanish.

Nuevo Vallarta Mayan Resort Restaurant Menus The Mayan Resort at Nuevo Vallarta is by far the...
Cafe Del Lago – Nuevo Vallarta the Cafe del Lago is the Buffet restaurant right behind...
Gong Restaurant – Nuevo Vallarta If you are staying in the Grand Mayan, the Gong...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Samba Restaurant – Nuevo Vallarta

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:29:10 +0000

The most convenient restaurant for Grand Mayan guests, the Samba is by the pool. It is a good place for lunch by the pool . It is in the center of action and has fun, reasonably priced food. Of course you can get any of your favorite tropical cocktails. It is also open for breakfast some of the time. Check with the concierge.

The prices are in pesos.
100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50 200 pesos= $15.50

Gong Restaurant – Nuevo Vallarta If you are staying in the Grand Mayan, the Gong...
Cafe Del Lago – Nuevo Vallarta the Cafe del Lago is the Buffet restaurant right behind...
Havana Moon Nuevo Vallarta menu The Havana Moon restaurant Mayan Resort Nuevo Vallarta sits right...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Punta Arena Seafood – Nuevo Vallarta

admin — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:13:04 +0000

The Punta Arena is a seafood specialty restaurant that sits just above the beach on the point where the river comes into the bay. It straight toward the beach from the Grand Luxxe building number one. It is also open for breakfast. Be careful to check since it is closed one or two days per week and you don’t want to walk down there for nothing !! It is an elegant upscale venue.

The prices are in pesos.
100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50 200 pesos= $15.50

Cafe Del Lago – Nuevo Vallarta the Cafe del Lago is the Buffet restaurant right behind...
Havana Moon Nuevo Vallarta menu The Havana Moon restaurant Mayan Resort Nuevo Vallarta sits right...
Gong Restaurant – Nuevo Vallarta If you are staying in the Grand Mayan, the Gong...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Gong Restaurant – Nuevo Vallarta

admin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:02:29 +0000

If you are staying in the Grand Mayan, the Gong restaurant couldn’t be much more convenient. It is directly across the road in front of the Grand Mayan entrance. You can enjoy a break from Mexican cuisine and have Asian fusion or sushi.

The prices are in pesos. 100 pesos=$7.75 150 pesos= $11.50 200 pesos= $15.50

Cafe Del Lago – Nuevo Vallarta the Cafe del Lago is the Buffet restaurant right behind...
Nuevo Vallarta Mayan Resort Restaurant Menus The Mayan Resort at Nuevo Vallarta is by far the...
Havana Moon Nuevo Vallarta menu The Havana Moon restaurant Mayan Resort Nuevo Vallarta sits right...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.