Loading

Warren Hill’s Cancun Jazz Festival 2018

As we enter into the 4th Annual Warren Hill’s Cancun Jazz Festival, I am so happy and excited for this vacation of a lifetime to begin, and I wanted to share with you a few of the things I've experienced thus far on our past visits. As always, Warren's working super hard to create an amazing experience for you, as he prepares to bring you the best music festival ever!!! Warren Hill's Cancun Jazz Festival. Can't wait to see you all there! Love, Tamara ❌⭕️❌⭕️

Welcome to tamara’s tips cancun Edition
*TIP I have to tell you about... when you are arriving at the airport. There will be A LOT of people bombarding you to get a cab from them. Keep walking and look for the signs that say COME TO THE MOST AWESOME MUSIC FESTIVAL EVER! 😁 JK, if you booked ground transportation through our connections, then head straight thru the double doors to the outside, and look for your sign that has the Warren Hill Jazz Festival logo on it.
Here is Warren showing you the double doors to walk through in the main terminal... 😊 After you go through customs and get your luggage just walk through these doors to find your transportation just outside.
You will see a sign like this outside 😎 this is your transportation to take you to the hotel. Please make sure it has the Warren Hill’s Cancun jazz festival logo on it.
But first, I like to grab a beer for the car ride to the hotel at the stand just outside...Get the party started!
TIP: This Festival is going to be HOT! HOT! HOT! and I don't mean just the music! :-) So I'm here to help you plan for your perfect tropical getaway. Check out my tips below on how to avoid the heat (or relish in it😎) and how to make the most out of your time in Cancun...
How to make a beach first aid kit: You never know what can happen at the beach. From sunburns to dehydration! So, here are a few items to make sure you have in your kit: Band Aids/ Antibiotic ointment/ Antiseptic Spray/ Hydrocortizone ointment/ Tweezers/ Scissors/ Sunscreen/ Lip balm/ Pain Relievers/ Allergy Meds/ Tums/ Pepto Bismal/ Imodium/ Wipes & Tissues/ Baby Powder/ Hand Sanitizer/ Baking Soda (make a paste with seawater for jellyfish stings) Spray bottle/ fan (to stay cool)
*Tip ~ Reminder ~ Be sure to bring you own sunscreen, aloe vera and medicines. The mark-ups for these items are high when traveling abroad.
First of all, It's very warm in Mexico and you have to prepare for the heat... 1. Definitely pack lots of white clothing - my favorite color for warm weather! Bring on the linen, sun hats and bathing suits! And don't forget the sunscreen! 2. Drink lots of water! Even though it's humid, you have to make yourself drink - ok not just water - I mean, drinks are included, so have fun! Just be careful, you may not even realize how much water you are losing through sweating. Stay hydrated! 3. I like a Spray fan (to stay cool) 4. Swim in the ocean often! 5. Wear a really big sunhat like this one in the photo (ha ha) 😂
Or you could just wear jeans and a t-shirt like Frieda! 🤣

What to pack for an all inclusive beach resort:

Beach bag/ Sunglasses/ Hat/ Flip Flops/ Ziplock bags for seashells etc.

Books/ magazines/ iPad to read at the beach/ Playing cards

Sunscreen/ Bug Spray/ Aloe Vera/ Lip moisturizer

Bathing Suit/ wrap/ Cover Ups

Small First Aid Kit/ Meds/ Aspirin/ Ibuprofen (See list above)

Cosmetics/ tweezers

Toothbrush/ Toothpaste/ Brush

Sneakers/ Sandals/ Heels

Dresses/ Capris/ Blouses/ T-shirts/ Tanks/ Shorts

Pashmina/ Wrap

Passport/ Drivers License (TIP: It’s always a good idea to keep these important items in your safe when traveling) 💵

PJs/ Socks/ Undergarments

Camera/ Chargers

Snorkel Gear

Jewelry (leave the good stuff at home)

Snacks for plane

TIP: pack a backpack for day trips

These are the 2018 exchange rates... People often ask, “CAN I PAY WITH U.S. MONEY?” US dollars are a second (unofficial) currency in Playa del Carmen. However, the official currency is Mexican pesos and most everything will be priced this way. Exchange rates are constantly fluctuating, but figure about 17 pesos per USD, 12.5 per CAD and 19 per EURO. Almost all shops will accept USD, but will rarely give you the bank's exchange rate. In any flea market type souvenir shops, prices are negotiable and merchants will often expect you to bargain. At any brand name stores, convenience stores and department stores, the prices are as advertised.
No vacation is complete without Shopping!!! Playa Del Carmen is so much fun! Olivia & I shopped till we dropped! 5th avenue is one of the most famous Playa del Carmen streets. Lined with shops, cafe's, gelato shops and restaurants. This main strip is a pedestrian walkway that runs for about 3 miles through Playa del Carmen. It's located 1 block west of the beach. So much fun! *TIP: To avoid being overcharged when travelling by taxi, agree on a fare before entering the vehicle. (Someone at the hotel can help you translate and negotiate the fare)
*TIP: Haggling is expected at market stands, not in the shops.
FOODIE ALERT!!! Oh you are going to be very happy because the hotel has so many great restaurant options to choose from, and you can even choose 24 hour room service if you just need to chillax. :-) A couple of our personal favorite restaurants at the hotel are:
ZEN is Asian-Fusion and has Hibachi tables. The chefs are entertaining and the food is delicious. TIP: order a hot sake 🍵 🥢
IMPANEMA is a Brazilian style steakhouse, All of the meat selections are brought to your table and sliced in front of you. It's all you can eat - so come with an appetite!
Room Service is also included🥂
Oh, and did I tell you there's a fully stocked bar right in the comfort of your own room? I'm telling you - these rooms are right out of "MTV Cribs"! Each room contains an in-room hydro spa, satellite LCD TV and Hard Rock liquor dispenser.
TIP: it really helps to know a few key words or phrases in Spanish. Just try it - it’s actually kind of fun! Here are a few important Phrases and their pronunciations: Hello ~ Hola (O La) Yes ~Si (See) No ~ No (Noh) Please ~ Por Favor (Pohr fah-VOHR) Thank You ~ Gracias (GRAH-see-ahs) You're Welcome ~ de nada (DAY Nah thah) No, Thank You ~ No, Gracias (noh ~ GRA-see-ahs)
Now that you are living like a rock star, time to get pampered like one too! Let me just say... The Rock Spa is amazing! I've had massages all over the world and I was not let down here! I had one of the best deep tissue massages ever! You can choose from an extensive menu of massages, facials, and body treatments at the spa that will make your stay at Warren Hill's Cancun Jazz Festival even more lavish. See you at the spa! :-)
She’s been working on her abs! 😂
Hot stone massage rocks!
Fun day at beach - now ready for some music!
TIP: Make sure you pack air plugs in case the music is too loud 🙉
Be ready to dance💃🏼
P.S. Remember the resort is all-inclusive! What does that mean? Drinks are on me! ha ha ☎️
Shots Anyone?
Don’t forget to wear sunscreen unless you wanna look like this 😂
Cave Diving! OMG! We went to this magical spot with some local friends! These are the Dos Ojos (two eyes) caves! All along the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula are dozens of Cenotes (The word “Cenote” is pronounced, say-no-tay and is derived from the Mayan word, “Dzonot” which means sacred well) They are pools of shimmering blue water fed by a vast underground freshwater river system created over 6,500 years ago! You can snorkel, scuba dive or just take a nice cool water plunge, which on a hot Mexican day, is exhilarating. I highly recommend this. TIP: Go after visiting Tulum to cool off!
OUR FAVE EXCURSIONS: Hill Family Outings are the best! Although you're here for the music, you'll have a bit of time to check out the area, which has a vast amount of history and has been heavily shaped by Mayan culture. You can visit archaeological sites like Chichen Itza – (around three hours drive from Cancun) or magical Tulum, (which is the closest to the Hotel). Photo of ancient stairs in Tulum by Olivia :-)
Above: Warren at the ruins in Tulum, which are only a quick ride from the hotel, so it could be a fun little excursion...
Photo of beach at Tulum by Olivia
We Visited the Tulum Ruins – This is pretty cool. The former port city of the Mayan empire is still in relatively good condition and situated on tall cliffs overlooking the sea. TIP: Go early in the morning (the gates open at 8 am) to avoid the midday heat. Seriously! It's HOT! At the end of the trail be sure to walk down the long stairs and swim at the amazing little beach, you can cool off there too!! (see my photo above) Also, be on the look out for giant iguanas. You can feed them with the flowers on the trees. (they like the red flowers) The regular entrance fee is around 60 pesos (USD not accepted); guided tours are also available.
TIP: Look out for monkeys 🐒 on property - they are adorable!
Olivia feeding the friendly iguanas at Tulum (TIP: they love the red flowers that grow on the trees nearby)
Common concern: Can I drink the water in Mexico? The hotel has a filter on their water system, so you can brush your teeth. Yay! However, I’d still advise drinking bottled water. Remember, if you’re outside of the resort, you have to be careful of the brands you buy! The hotel provides plenty of reputable bottled water which we drank the entire time we were there ~ it was great!
(Warren & Tamara at Harry's Bar in Playa Del Carmen) See you in Cancun! Lots of Love, Tamara (and of course Olivia & Warren too) :-) 💟
Safe Travels!

All photos by Tamara Van Cleef-Hill (unless otherwise noted)

Created By
Tamara Van Cleef - Hill
Appreciate

Credits:

Created by Tamara Van Cleef- Hill

Report Abuse

If you feel that this video content violates the Adobe Terms of Use, you may report this content by filling out this quick form.

To report a Copyright Violation, please follow Section 17 in the Terms of Use.