First time visitor, a couple of questions
¡Hola!
My husband and I are traveling to Playa del Carmen from the UK at the end of the month for our (belated) honeymoon. We're flying to Cancun airport and will be staying at an all inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen. We plan to spend time at the resort as well as do typical touristy things like XCaret, Tulum, Chichen Itza, Cozumel etc. I have a couple of questions, if anyone is able to help me, please. I hope I don't come across like a clueless tourist - I suppose I am, as it's my first time visiting, but I'd like to be as prepared as possible and who better to advise me than people with first hand experience?
Mosquitoes: how bad are they and how much of a health risk? I've been advised by a nurse at a travel health clinic to use 50% DEET spray (after sunscreen) throughout the day and night to protect myself from bites and illness like zika, dengue etc. Is the nurse being overly cautious or is it something I need to constantly think about? Do I need to cover up with long sleeves, trousers, etc.? How often should I reapply the mosquito spray? What do locals do with regards to mosquitoes?
Cash: I have preemptively purchased some Pesos in cash for my trip. (I have been caught out in the past traveling to countries assuming they would use cards as much as we do in the UK, and then quickly learning that's not the case and having to withdraw money from ATMs with high fees). However, I have ended up with big notes of 100, 200 and 500 Pesos. As we are staying at an all inclusive resort, I wanted cash so I could tip staff, but I will have to break these big notes somehow. What would be the best way for me to do this? Is there a bureau de change or bank at Cancun airport that will be able to do this for me? Or will I have to go to a grocery store and buy something to break the notes?
Any advice is appreciated, I'm really excited to visit Mexico. Thank you in advance! Gracias!