Optional Island Activities

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Here are the links to register for the optional adventures we have throughout our wedding week.

No judgment if your only RSVP is to the nearest shade of a palm tree!

Thursday Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chantal-jays-island-golf-cart-scavenger-hunt-tickets-59482055429 

Saturday Sunset Snorkel Cruise

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chantal-jays-sunset-snorkel-cruise-tickets-59468679421 

Sunday Whale Shark Tour

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/swimming-with-whale-sharks-tickets-59476468719 

Note: There are so many companies around the island that can help you arrange a whale shark tour if you are interested in a different day and time!

Still need help getting from the airport to the island?

https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/sunhorse/chantal-jay.asp

CARM Tours and Transfers will arrange your airport pickup, private drive to the dock, ferry tickets, and return trip.

Frequently Asked Questions!

You RSVPed! Now what? Here is a list of helpful tips that we put together to answer the questions that we’ve heard most often. A hard copy of this guide should make its way to your mailbox this month. Reach out for whatever else you’re curious about. WE ARE SO EXCITED THAT YOU’RE COMING!!

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What is the easiest way to get from the airport to the island?https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/sunhorse/chantal-jay.asp

CARM Tours and Transfers will arrange your airport pickup, private drive to the dock, ferry tickets, and return trip.

What will the weather be like in July?

July is quite warm on Isla Mujeres (75-90℉). Thank goodness for an island breeze and clear Caribbean water to jump into.  Pack a strong SPF, a hat, and bug spray/wipes for dusk. Bug repellant will be most important on the evening of the wedding, as the venue is near a lagoon.  However, once on the beach side, you should be fine!

How can we get around the island?

If you are staying on North Beach, you can walk everywhere! That’s our favorite part about the town.  However, cabs can zip you around quickly for a few dollars. Golf cart rentals and motorbike rentals are also affordable ($15/hr) if you want to zip to the south side of the island.  Note: If you join our Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt on Thursday, you’ll get to see the hidden gems that most tourists miss.

Sign up here by July 1: www.eventbrite.com/e/chantal-jays-island-golf-cart-scavenger-hunt-tickets-59482055429

Do I need to convert dollars to pesos?

The island is incredibly accommodating, but we recommend ordering pesos from your bank a few weeks ahead of time to get the best exchange rate. However, cabs, restaurants, and shops will take dollars and half of them accept VISA or Mastercard.  Be sure to call your bank ahead of time if you plan to use your card in Mexico; they’ll add a travel alert so your cards work abroad.

Note: There’s an exchange booth at the ferry dock, and they’ll need your passport to make the swap. Don’t forget your passport, in general!

How do I get to the wedding venue?

We are getting married at Vela Vento Beach Club, and cabs will be arriving at Ixchel Beach Hotel and Playa Arena at 5:45 on Friday evening.  Each cab costs $120-$150 pesos (or $6-$9) each way. That includes tip! If you split a cab with 4 people, what a deal!

Note: If you are staying at a private Air BnB, you are welcome to cab directly to Vela Vento Beach Club or meet us at one of the above hotels.  Guests should plan to arrive at 6 p.m. The ceremony starts promptly at 6:30 p.m., since we can’t slow the sunset to fit our timetable.

What should I wear to the wedding?

To directly quote the bride, “I want everyone to wake up on the day of our wedding and be as excited to put on their dress as I am.”  Men, you may be more comfortable in shorts. With the heat, we recommend linen shirts and light pants or shorts, barefoot or sandals, hair up and off the neck. We are getting married on a private beach, so the ocean is our playground.  You will die of heat stroke if you wear a suit. Be casual. Be comfortable. And, most importantly, make sure you wear something great for dancing!

What should I wear to the rehearsal dinner? (Family of the bride and groom)

Rolandi’s is air conditioned, so you’ll be comfortable in longer sun dresses, light pants and short sleeve button downs, or any other island wear that makes you feel festive.

What’s up with the drinking water and ice?

Like most of Mexico, you want to be conscientious with the water.  You can buy large bottles of water when you arrive on the island, and if you order water at a restaurant that’s how it will come.  Please use bottled water to brush your teeth- just to be safe. As far as ice, all restaurants used bagged ice. Enjoy your cocktails with ease.  

Note: Because of the heat, consume alcoholic beverages slowly and sip bottled water consistently between them.  

Will I have cell phone service on the island?

You’ll want to check with your cell phone provider.  Some plans include Mexico, at no extra cost. However, if you don’t want to add an international plan, you can keep your phone in airplane mode and use wifi. Most restaurants and all hotels have it, so you can be in communication with Jay and I.

How can I navigate around Mexico without internet or cell service? App: Maps.me

We invite you to share our FAVORITE app that allows you to navigate without internet or cell service.  You’ll need to download it ahead of time (it’s free!) and type in the map (Isla Mujeres) that you want to download.  Once it’s in your phone, you’ll be able to search for all key points on the island (without wifi or cell service). Or, ask a local! Everything is pretty close.

We are registered at Travelers Joy!

We have had so many people ask us where we are registered, and we couldn’t think of any items that we need for our home. Then, somebody told us about Travelers Joy, where we could register for honeymoon experiences. You can view our wish list here: http://www.travelersjoy.com/cbandj

Please do not feel obligated to give a gift; we know that travel expenses to the wedding add up, and we are most excited to share our special day with you. Thank you for all of the ways you’ve blessed us as a couple already.

Getting to Isla Mujeres

To get to our island paradise, you'll fly into Cancun.  Make sure your passport is current. (If you're coming from San Diego, there are some budget flights from Tijuana!)  

For your transfer to the island, use this link:
https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/sunhorse/chantal-jay.asp
CARM Tours and Transfers will arrange your airport pickup, private drive to the dock, ferry tickets, and return trip.   

We plan to arrive Tuesday, July 16 and depart Sunday, July 21.

Wedding: Friday, July 19 @ 6:00pm (Ceremony to start @ 6:30.)

Rehearsal Dinner for Immediate Family: Thursday, July 18

Hotel Options on Isla Mujeres

We will be staying on Playa Norte (north shore of the island), and there are dozens of hotels and AirBnBs to choose from.  All of the hotels listed below are within walking distance of where we are staying.

While you can walk to these hotels from the ferry landing, we suggest you grab a cab so you aren’t dragging your luggage in the heat. It will only cost you a few dollars, as the hotels are within a mile of where the boat drops you.

Note: All of these suggested hotels have air conditioning and most can be booked more affordably on www.booking.com 

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Playa Arena https://www.playa-arena.com/
Jay and I will be staying at Playa Arena, a newer Playa Norte hotel with relaxed rooms.  Beachfront and casual, this location has some suites to accommodate larger groups, a bar, and pool. 

Ixchel Beach Hotel https://www.ixchelbeachhotel.com/default-en.html
With bright rooms, this beachfront hotel boasts incredible sunsets and also has a fitness center and outdoor pools.  Only guests can enter, so if you appreciate a bit more security this is a great option.  

Nautibeach Condos https://www.nautibeach.com/
Looking to stay as a larger group?  These condos and apartments can accommodate larger families and some rooms offer kitchens for those who enjoy that amenity.

Tres Mentiras Boutique Rooms https://tresmentirasboutiquerooms.com/  
Just a few blocks off the beach, this boutique hotel has six special rooms that early bookers might find charming.  They are each decorated to represent a different state of Mexico.

Hotel Posada Del Mar http://posadadelmar.com/en/

This is the most affordable, beachfront option that offers all basic necessities.  Nothing fancy, but spacious rooms and balconies and look out to the water.  We stayed here last summer and loved it!

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