Grupo Mayan Vacations Travel Tips

A beach vacation is the quintessential measure of childhood bliss - the experience that defines family fun and togetherness and creates enduring memories of happiness. When that vacation is on an endless beach in Mexico, with its famous sunsets and migrating whales, or the palm-fringed sands on the Caribbean Sea, the pleasure is year-round and, at Grupo Mayan Resorts timeshares, suited to fit every family’s ideal getaway. And, one of the best things about family vacations at Mayan Resorts is its popular Kids Club.

The Mayan Resorts’ Kids Club is a program of supervised daily activities and events designed to entertain, provide healthy recreation and even educate young guests while their parents engage in championship golf, indulge in a luxury spa, go shopping or sightseeing, or pursue other adult interests provided by the resort.

Available from 9 AM to 5 PM, each Grupo Mayan Resort’s Kids Club features such activities as mini-dance lessons; a variety of sports, including beach soccer, water polo, mini-bowling and darts competitions; a choice of arts activities such as bead, flower and paper handicrafts and drawing; and age-appropriate movies. Other activities include swimming pool time, lunch and snacks, puppet-making and cooking lessons. The Club is also an excellent way for children to discover the unique natural environments surrounding them, with projects featuring ocean habitats, native flamingos and crocodiles.

Two days a week the Grupo Mayan’s Kids Club features special extended evening activities until 10 pm. On Wednesdays, there is “Pirate Night”, filled with costumes and make-up, face painting, treasure hunts and games. On Thursdays, it’s “Camping Night,” featuring beach camping, contests and games. And, Sundays are “Superhero” days when Kids Club members are visited by their favorite superheroes for a day of magic and fun.

Grupo Mayan Resorts offers premier Kids Clubs at their Sea Garden, Mayan Palace and Grand Mayan timeshare properties, located in Acapulco, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Peñasco, Los Cabos and Riviera Maya.

For more information about Mayan Resorts and the Mayan Kids Club, please visit http://www.mayanresorts.com/

Traveling with children of any age can be quite stressful.  Grupo Mayan travel experts recommend that you find interesting ways for your children to keep active while on board a plane or in a car to help you have a less stressful trip.

If you are traveling by plane, you may wish to book seats for you and your partner in different parts of the plane.  This will allow one parent a chance to get some rest while the other is watching or dealing with a child.  If you are traveling with an infant, you need to try to keep to the infantís schedule as much as possible.  It is a myth that the engine will lull a child to sleep.  When they want to be awake, they will be!

Take advantage of the screen time.  You may normally restrict how much TV time your child can have, but while on a plane, you should take advantage of this great entertainer.  If you are afraid the plane may not have something worthwhile for your children, bring a DVD player and some movies you know they will enjoy.  Do not forget to bring enough headphones to go around.  You may allow the children to bring a few small electronic games to play.  Be sure to check with the airline staff to see when they may use these, as most flights will not allow them while taking off or landing.

Grupo Mayan travel experts recommend you not forget those classic card games.  Cards do not take up much space and you can customize the games to their ages.  For older children, you may want to allow them to bring a MP3 player or some other device for listening to music.  Be sure to bring enough extra batteries to last for the devices your children may use.  Batteries may be expensive, but they are much cheaper than trying to deal with an unhappy child when you are stuck on a plane several thousand feet up in the air.

Another option is to bring some books or magazines.  No matter what age the child may be, you could read to your younger children and older ones may enjoy a good book.  Grupo Mayan travel experts warn that some people do not do well reading while traveling.  If this is the case, avoid this solution.

You have many entertainment options you can use.  Be sure to take full advantage of them so you can make your trip less stressful and it will help your children to relax.

When you plan to travel, what you choose to wear is just as important as the trip itself.  Grupo Mayan travel professionals recommend that you consider safety and comfort as the two primary functions of your wardrobe when you plan to travel.

If you plan to travel by car to your hotel or resort, be sure to wear clothes that will breathe and are comfortable for an extended travel.  Do not wear something that you hope will impress the other guest when you arrive.  After all, you are there for yourself not the other guests.  Depending on the weather at the time of the trip, you may have to wear something warmer or cooler.  Do not dress your children up in their best clothes for a trip in the car.  That is the worst mistake you could make unless your plan is to destroy those clothes.

If you are planning to travel by plane, the same rules apply.  Do not dress up like a fashion statement to impress the other people on your plane.  Travel by plane is already uncomfortable for most people, so why make it worse by wearing uncomfortable clothes.  You should try to wear extra layers in case someone spills something.  Perhaps a nice t-shirt with another type of shirt on top would work out best.  This way if you or a child spills something, you can remove one item and still be ready to go.

Grupo Mayan travel professionals recommend you take an extra large purse on board the plane.  The extra space will allow you to carry some emergency items such as toys, snacks, wipes or diapers if needed.  A first aid kit is nice to have as well.  Be sure to check with the airlines concerning anything you may wish to bring because of the stringent rules being applied to travel.  Oversized handbags can be fashionable, so do not be afraid to use one.

Grupo Mayan travel professionals recommend dressing your children in comfortable but distinctive clothes.  Bright colors and unusual patterns will help you to keep track of your children in an airport terminal.  Do not put their names on their clothes because you can provide strangers with information to make it easier to take your children.

Remember you are traveling to have fun (hopefully) and you should wear attire that will accentuate this and not make your trip any more difficult than it has to be.

Everyone wants to enjoy a vacation or just a stay away from home.  However, you should not stop being safe just because you are away from home.  Grupo Mayan travel professionals want to help keep you safe and recommend the following tips.

Most of us take a break from our daily lives when we go on a trip or travel to some place new.  Excitement over seeing a new place (if you have not been there before) or just going somewhere out of the ordinary may make us forget to practice normal safety routines.  You need to pay attention to your personal safety even when you are on vacation.

First, make sure someone knows that you are going on your trip and the dates you will be gone.  You may be trying to get away from it all, but someone you can count on needs to be aware of where you are.  Even if you are planning to go someplace that you feel is quite safe, you should have someone else who knows where you will be.  If you are planning a hideaway trip such as to an isolated area, you definitely need a backup person in case something happens to you.

Second, you have been taught that it is not always safe to walk after dark.  When you are at a resort or hotel and you are enjoying your vacation, people will sometimes suspend their normal thinking and go places that may be dangerous.  Most of us have an intuition that has saved us more times than not.  If you feel uncomfortable when walking around some place late at night, you should get away as quick as possible.  Hotels and resorts want to make their areas as safe as possible for their guests, but they cannot be everywhere all the time.

Grupo Mayan travel professionals recommend that you remember that if you are traveling to another country, the traffic rules may be different from those that you are familiar with.  If you are driving a car, you should make yourself aware of the differences so you can keep yourself and your family safe from an unnecessary accident.  If you are the pedestrian, educate yourself and your loved ones to avoid any problems.  You may have to learn to look in the opposite direction than you are accustomed to.  In some places, pedestrians do not have the right of way.

No one wants to get ill when traveling by plane.  You are forced to sit in a cramped area, compressed against total strangers, and forced to breathe the same air that everyone else is without any fresh air or circulation.  All it takes is one person on the plane to get ill and before you know it, everyone on the plane may be sick.

Grupo Mayan recognizes that you may not have many options to avoid this type of illness when traveling, although Vitamin C can help you to resist most airborne viruses easier.  Some other things that can hinder your vacation trip include jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea.  When you get to go on vacation, you often are subject to stress and excitement.  These two factors can lower your resistance to disease and put you on the wrong foot at the start of your vacation.  Be sure you have gotten any vaccinations that are recommended for the area of the globe you may be traveling to.

Dealing with jet lag is not always simple to do.  However, if you are traveling from the west to the east, try to stay out of the sun until at least a day after your arrival.  This allows your body to adjust to the change in time.  If you plan to head west, you should try to take a brisk walk as soon as you land.  Once again, this will help your body to acclimate to the changes.

Grupo Mayan travel professionals recommend keeping yourself hydrated to avoid altitude sickness.  Not everyone is affected by this problem and some people are affected at different levels.  Some of the symptoms include headaches, dehydration, and shortness of breath.  Medications exist for those who have a serious reaction to altitudes.

Most people are put off by the topic of diarrhea but you should be aware of the dangers.  The main reason people suffer from this illness is not because of something bad, but because your body is not accustomed to the local conditions.  Everyone treats water differently and has different standards for water purity.  Bacteria may exist in the local water that your body is not ready to deal with until a few days have passed.  However, you do not want to have to spend your first few days of your vacation waiting for your body to adjust.  Grupo Mayan travel professionals recommend that you try to stick to bottled water or bottled drinks to avoid this problem.

Everyone enjoys a vacation at a wonderful hotel or resort.  Grupo Mayan professionals recommend some tips for packing for your trip to make sure you donít forget anything you will need for the kids.

Women have the option of carrying a purse and can take advantage of this by getting an extra large purse to carry on the plane.  Now you can fit extra stuff for the children such as small toys, snacks, wipes, and fresh diapers.  Due to changes in regulations, most liquids are no longer allowed on the plane.  Check with the airline to see what restrictions are in place so you will not delay yourself with materials that cannot be taken with you.

Some people think a leash for small children is a bad idea.  They obviously do not have small children.  A leash can allow your child to wander around and still be under your control.  Be sure to pack such a leash for the trip.  Find backpacks that have fun characters on them so your children will want to carry them on the plane.  This will allow you to have to carry less yourself and provide you with some extra room for packing stuff for the trip.

Everyone should have a waist pack for storing your passports, tickets, cash, travelerís checks, IDs, and other important documents.  You can keep it close to you so you donít have to worry about someone stealing it.  Be sure you have some items to keep your child entertained while traveling.  While many planes have entertainment such as movies to watch, not all children will enjoy this.  Some simple card games or handheld electronic games may be answer.  Remember that electronic games should be turned off when the plane is taking off and landing.

Another important item to pack in your carryon bag is a small first aid kit.  Children are constantly getting boo boos and you should be prepared to take care of them quickly.  Small packages of candy or fruit snacks are great for getting their minds off the plane and the possible turbulence.  Be sure to pack duplicates of your childrenís medications.  One set should be carry on if possible and another set in a different bag for backup.  Grupo Mayan professionals recommend you scan a copy of your childís medical record and save them to disk or on a flash drive in case you have a medical emergency while on vacation.

The economy keeps changing and people are looking for ways to save some money on their vacation and travel plans.  Grupo Mayan experts recommend some tips to help you save money.  We all want to explore new places and experience different cultures.  However, as the economy keeps fluctuating, people are looking for ways to reduce costs.

The best way to save money on your trip is to spend time at an all-inclusive hotel or resort.  You will save money on these packages because you do not have to worry about individual items costing you money.  All things are included in the price of an all-inclusive resort.  You do not have to worry about tipping, what your drinks may cost, or any of the other amenities; everything is included.

Another way to save some money and still go to your favorite places, you can use frequent reward programs to help save money.  The more frequently you stay at certain hotels or resorts, the more you can gain from frequent-hotel points systems.  Look for travel packages that many places offer.  Consider an ocean cruise.  You can travel by cruise ship to many destinations and still save a great deal of money.  Some people can save money by staying with a local person in their home instead of a costly hotel.

You can save money on a trip if you take the time to see what the local currency values are.  Currency rates fluctuate throughout the year and if you take the time to see where the dollar has a higher buying power, you can save more money by getting more purchasing power for your currency.  If you have frequent flyer miles, it is not always best to hold on to them forever.  You should use them sometimes before something happens and you lose them.

Grupo Mayan recommends flying business class to save money on the cost associated with your travel plans.  More airlines are working to build their business customer base and are offering some great deals to those who will travel business class.  Another option is to check with your hotel or resort to see if they have a travel package that includes discounts for purchasing rooms with your airline flight.  If so, you can take advantage of some big savings.

Grupo Mayan experts recommend that you look around and you will be surprised the number of packages and other deals you can find.  Donít quit traveling; just look a little harder and you can still enjoy traveling economically.

Today, people have to exercise more care when packing for a trip or vacation.  Airlines are beginning to charge more luggage and some airlines are even charging for the first bag of carryon.  Grupo Mayan experts have created a checklist of items you may need for your trip.

First, determine how many people are going on the trip.  If more than one person is traveling, you may have extra space to take advantage of.  If you are traveling solo, then you will have to be sure to carry items that you must have.  Everyone carries a cell phone.  Be sure to pack a charger for your cell phone.  If you are planning to take a digital camera, you should pack a spare battery, memory cards, and a charger.

Some items that you may not have considered are a notebook, pen, maps, and a travel guide.  These items do not take up much space and can come in handy.  You may wish to take some reading material and/or a mini-DVD player.  You should pack a first aid kit (does not have to be a large one), extra eyeglasses or contacts and any prescriptions you may need.  Depending on where you may be going, you should consider packing your insurance card, travelerís checks, copy of medical history, emergency numbers, copy of ID/Passport, ticket itinerary, and a pre-paid phone card.

Of course, you need to pack something to wear.  For men, it is easier to pack clothes because most men will not be worried about having something different to wear every day.  Women should try to pack lightly by packing outfits that can be mixed and matched to provide a greater variety.  Do not forget toiletries such as comb/brush, deodorant, floss, shampoo, and toothbrush.  Most resorts provide a great deal of toiletries that you can use.  If you have skin conditions or allergies, you may want to pack your own.

Women will need make-up and may want to take certain lotions and cleanser with them.  Some miscellaneous items you might include are duct tape (never leave home without it), krazy glue, q-tips, plastic bags, zip ties, and an umbrella.  These items may seem unusual but you would be surprised how many times they are handy to have.

Grupo Mayan experts realize that there is not truly comprehensive list that can be used as some contents will change depending on where you are traveling and for how long.

A vacation is supposed to be fun.  You do not want to have to worry about bad things happening when you get away from it all.  Grupo Mayan recognizes this and wants to help you with these ten travel tips to keep safe.

Planning ahead of time can make all the difference in the world.  Most of these tips require a little planning and you will be able to enjoy your vacation and feel safer.  Many of us have a cell phone of some kind and expect to be able to use it anywhere in the world.  Get yourself a calling card just in case you find yourself somewhere with no reception.  Most calling cards can be used anywhere in the world.

Get yourself inoculated for any immunizations that may be recommended for where you are going to travel.  Try not to carry a large amount of money with you.  Travelerís checks are great and are guaranteed in case you lose them or they are stolen.  If you carry money, get a shoulder wallet so you can keep it close to you.  You can also carry your credit cards and travelerís checks in this type of wallet.  It is worn under your shirt, so it is more difficult for a potential thief to take it by pick pocketing.

Do not take your valuable with you on vacation.  Family heirlooms, antique jewelry, and other items that are difficult to replace should be left at home.  Besides, this gives you the opportunity to find new things to take home from your trip.  Leave electronics that you do not need at home.  If you travel for business, the laptop may be necessary but you can get a locking device for it for when you have to leave it in your room.

Ask your doctor for extra prescriptions and bring extra medication on your trip.  You do not want to be stuck somewhere and not have the medicines you need.  The extra prescriptions can come in handy if you lose your medicines or they are stolen.  Do not dress as though you have money to burn unless you want to be a target.  You can dress moderately and still be fashionable.

Try to book your room to be between the second and seventh floors.  Thieves will have a harder time of accessing your room and emergency crews will be able to provide help faster on these floors.  The most important tip is to be alert.  Vacations are for fun, but do not be stupid.  Trust your intuition and you can avoid problems and remain safe on your vacation.

No matter where you might be traveling, keeping your children safe is of imperative importance.  While vacationing, Grupo Mayan wants to help you to keep your children safe.  Some important travel tips that no parent should be without follow below.

We all know we should keep an eye on our children.  When visiting new places, we want to see everything we can and may forget to watch our children.  Consider a bracelet that is linked to another that your child can wear.  This way you are both linked even when you might be looking at the wonderful sights.

Before you go out each day, make a list of what your child is wearing and be sure to take a picture.  You donít have to scare your child.  You can get them to pose somewhere and take a ëvacationí photo.  At the end of your trip, you will have a great many pictures to remember your trip by.

If you plan to leave your child with a childcare provider, be sure to check out the references and certifications of the chosen provider.  Do some research to make sure the accreditation is up to date.  Be sure to meet the childcare providers and do not be afraid of your intuition.  If you are uncomfortable for any reason, do not leave your most precious possession.  Rethink your plans and take your child with you.

Everyone should find a way to carry his or her medical records with him or her.  Perhaps you can scan the records and store them on a flash drive or CD.  This is just as important for your child.  Having their records can be very handy in the event of a medical emergency.  While most of the planet is moving to a global medical system, having the records handy can make an important difference in response time.

A great number of people like to create special outfits for everyone to wear when they are on vacation that has their name on it.  It might be t-shirts that all have some common picture with each personís customized with their name.  Avoid doing this for your children.  A stranger may be able to lure your child away because they know their name.  Have a talk with your child about how to deal with strangers before you make your trip.

Your vacation trip should be fun and Grupo Mayan wants to help you keep yourself and your children safe while away from your home.  Follow these simple tips and you can help ensure your child is safe as possible while on vacation.