How much money should I bring with me?

[serene56]

Make sure you let your bank know that you will be out of the country.

See if your bank charges any fees for international rate.

--Lisa- can those guidelines be used at other all inclusives?

[cupidgirl21483]

I have to make sure I remember to do that - I did make a note to let our banks know. Hopefully I remember to look at that note - haha!

How far in advance do you think we should inform our CC companies & banks we're going to be out of the country?

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by cupidgirl21483

I actually ended up making a little chart with everything broken down by day. I shot high & figured out around the amount we'd need for ourselves. I figure with that plus credit cards if we need them, we'll be good.

We do the same. Since we always have our dinners planned out before we arrive, I also figure out cab fares in advance. Along with the tip, dh places the amount in an envelope for each night's transportation.

This is the only cash we carry along with $200 in $1's & $5's for tips.

Everything else is charged to our Capital One card which has no international fees. The only exception to that being our rental vehicle which is charged to AMEX because we take their Premium Car Rental Protection.

Originally Posted by serene56

--Lisa- can those guidelines be used at other all inclusives?

I truly do not see why not. Though would just double check to make sure that they are included at the Occidental. I know tips are included in the pricing at the Tamarijn and the guidelines above are for "above and beyond". Imo, the person(s) overlooked the most for their customer service are the concierges.

[rainmakr]

Originally Posted by John T

And dont forget taxi cabs . My wife and I take $2000 and 2 children so things are more expensive for us yet we always go home with at least $500. Better to take extra and not need it than to worry about running short.

Do you mind telling us what all this covers? My family of four will be there in a couple of weeks (children 4 & 7) and I also plan on bringing $2,000; but, I can't see myself coming back with much.

Thanks,
John

[Andrea J.]

if you are going all inclusive
AND
are not planning on eating off site too often

$2000 is PLENTY.............UNLESS

will the casinos be calling your name?
will you be doing any costly excursions? submarine ride?, skydive, scuba?
dinner sail?
if the answers are NO, again $2000 is plenty.

Originally Posted by rainmakr

Do you mind telling us what all this covers? My family of four will be there in a couple of weeks (children 4 & 7) and I also plan on bringing $2,000; but, I can't see myself coming back with much.

Thanks,
John

[cupidgirl21483]

I am thankful to have a Capital One card so that I don't have to worry about international fees.

[kent]

The old saying is to leave half of the clothes at home that you were planning to bring and bring twice the money you thought and that usually works out very well.

[ms1728]

Take extra travelers checks if you don't spend it you can always take them home and cash them. It is better to have more then not enough as you might see something you want or want to do something extra and if you don't have the money you will be sorry.

[lasalleboygmu]

It's rather expensive on the island, take more than you would normally bring on a vacation unless your staying at an all exclusive place!