Mexico Budget Trip

[divindoc]

Some of the cave instructors are making more per hour than I make as an ER doc. Of course, I work under less stress . . .

And they can't hear anyone whining underwater!

[BobK]

Bil's rooms are $70 or $80 (+4% for maid service), they are air conditioned and include high speed internet, and easy walking to downtown Tulum for dinner and a cold beer.

Guiding is $210/day for a single diver and includes tanks, air, and transport to sites.

IMO a good deal since you can get away without a rental car

Given that the "maids" may steal you blind, probably better to make your own bed..

[FW]

Given that the "maids" may steal you blind, probably better to make your own bed..

Sad but true. I had a small backup light dissappear from my room last week.

[Me]

Sad but true. I had a small backup light dissappear from my room last week.

I lock up everything while in Mexico. Granted it's locked in my luggage, but at least it's somewhat secure....random casual thieves would not bother. On the other hand, if a serious thief really thought there was value in my bag they'd take the whole bag.

[mag3]

Given that the "maids" may steal you blind, probably better to make your own bed..

Would that strategy (ie. "not selecting" maid service) truly be effective in this case? After all, doesn't the housekeeping staff have "master keys/cards?" If the objective is to rip you off, would it matter if you selected maid service or not?

I ask in good faith, as security is a concern and one thing which has me a little apprehensive of Mexico hotels/dive sites.... certainly something I'd like to rid myself of soon as I eventually want to dive them...

[xsikorsky]

Here's a great baterry operated covert camera that is excellant in low-light conditions (.006lux) - It retails for $399 - I can get 20 pts off usually... figure 6fps for 8 hours -on motion.

http://www.kjbsecurity.com/covert-vi...ecluse/416.htm

[b1gcountry]

What if they steal the $400 camera?

[xsikorsky]

--perhaps they'll leave a couple tissues.

[LCF]

I've done quite a few trips to MX so far, and I have yet to have anything go walkabout. A friend had someone take his DIN caps out of his crate while he was diving (and the thief was a diver, because he left some cheap push-on ones in their place). I take normal precautions (don't leave anything valuable in the car, don't leave anything you wouldn't mind losing sitting out). I also don't try to stay in the absolute cheapest lodging I can find. I also take the time to speak to the local people at the sites, and if there is a guard, I tip him.

[BabyDuck]

colin, there's a great thread on dive matrix about diving caves in mexico - go give it a read, too. it's not necessarily about the 'inexpensive', but has excellent tips.