Take a picture of your cab and driver before you leave any port as you may need it later, and it helps keep people honest. Most drivers smile and will show their ID for the photo. We were scammed at Big Mamas, we paid the waiter then later the owner appeared and said we needed to pay him. Waiter was no longer around. Never going back to Big Mamas.
Great idea on the pic of the driver! And man I'm so sorry you were scammed at Big Momma's. Seems like they are in on quite a few of thesez unfortunately. Thanks for sharing that so others can know what to look out for as well!
This just happened to me 3 days ago! My family wanted to go to Big Momma's - the taxi driver told us it was $30 per person & gave us the name of our waiter. We rolled up to a place that we later found out wasn't Big Momma's. I discussed the $30 per person with my waiter who said we were at a free beach. We enjoyed our day. Lucky for me, I returned to port & I saw the man. I confronted him and got loud - he quickly gave me my $90 back. Thank you for making this video to warn others. I consider myself a well traveled woman - they tried to get me but didn't succeed.
I'm so sorry you had to deal with this there. However, it is amazingly awesome that you stood of for yourself and got your money back! We love cruising and traveling and just want to help everyone have the best vacations possible by making travel simple. I hate that this video ended up being a reality for you, but thank you for verifying the information for everyone. 😊 Sounds like you have your wits about you, so I'm sure you'll do great wherever your next adventure leads you! Safe travels Jesse.
Understandable. We do like the port area for the 2 free pools, the aviary, and the dolphins (free spectating lol). But onces you've done those a few times, there isn't much else there. We just didn't the ruins and that was neat. But running out of things at that port quickly. It is nice to have a relaxing resort to retreat to.
I am aware of all these. before COVID the taxi was $4 per car load. Now in these eating joints. I always keep the menu they brought us until we pay out. I also only use CASH. Don't carry credit cards ashore.
Awesome sounds like you're a super savvy traveler. Glad to hear you were prepared for all of these! I love the idea of keeping the menu. Seems like an easy way to avoid that scam or like the other person suggested taking a picture. Thanks for sharing with our viewers!
This one...pick up a glass item, more come tumbling down. The owner says a ridiculous price. Finally settled on a price. The item was cheap, and placed to make another fall.
Oh no! 🙄 That's ridiculous. It sucks we even have to have a list of these, but stories like yours show that irs necessary to protect ourselves from scammers.
This is a fantastic way to prevent fraudulent charges. I do know that some folks are concerned with carrying wads of cash in foreign countries and having to deal with currency exchange rates. But it is definitely not that big of a deal, and your suggestion if a valid one. Thanks for helping our viewers.
I was recently in costa maya. I was looking at some jewelry and was told it was 14k. I knew something was up because the weight was off. I looked inside of it and it was 925 which i knew to be sterling silver. I often wonder how many people the trick with this.
Grrr! 😠 Man, that's frustrating! So glad you knew better and didn't get taken advantage of! Thanks for sharing your experience here so others don't get ripped off. 😊
Thanks for the info. Best reminder is that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! I'd heard of that menu switch scam being common in Egypt, but I guess there are scammers everywhere!
You're so welcome! And unfortunately, you're so right. They are everywhere, so coming together like this helps us get the word out there and let others know how to protect themselves. Thanks for the tip on Egypt by the way ;)
I can totally understand your frustration. I think the issue is there's no possible way they can know every single scam. They always try to steer people towards vetted shops, but everyone is able to as they please. If you're not wanting to stick to the higher port prices, then you gotta be savvy and know what to look out. Which is where this video comes in.
Wow Super sorry that happened to you. The other option another commenter mentioned is actually KEEPING one of the menus they've given you at the beginning so there's no questions as to when the picture was taken. Food for thought (pun intended)
Our beautiful states are amazing and all unique. And we're so glad you enjoy visiting them all. However, there are so many other beautiful and unique places as well. With beautiful people, cultures, and experiences. Unfortunately, there are bad people everywhere and things like this could happen here also. Wherever you choose to vacation, just be smart and have a great time 😊
The United States is beautiful and I’ve traveled to every one of them but I’ve also traveled to other countries and learned so many things as a results. Did you know Canada has a wine country? It’s beautiful and they make ice wine there. Amazing. I’ve seen Mayan ruins in Mexico and gazed at the fjords in Norway while the aurora sparkled in the sky. I’ve visited Poland and saw Auschwitz and learned about intolerance and genocide and was humbled by the horror I saw and I learned how to understand and accept people who have different ideologies than myself. I’ve stood in the ocean in Sweden and watched the waves of two seas slap up against each other. I’ve watched the sun set over Mt. Vesuvius and pondered how the ancients felt that day it erupted. I’ve had so many experiences from my travels and met so many wonderful people from all walks of life. I’ve also encountered some bad but I’ve encountered more of that right here at home in the US. I don’t want to get to the end of my life and say, well I played it safe and never took chances so nothing bad happened. Get out and live my friend.
Take a picture of your cab and driver before you leave any port as you may need it later, and it helps keep people honest. Most drivers smile and will show their ID for the photo. We were scammed at Big Mamas, we paid the waiter then later the owner appeared and said we needed to pay him. Waiter was no longer around. Never going back to Big Mamas.
Great idea on the pic of the driver! And man I'm so sorry you were scammed at Big Momma's. Seems like they are in on quite a few of thesez unfortunately.
Thanks for sharing that so others can know what to look out for as well!
This just happened to me 3 days ago! My family wanted to go to Big Momma's - the taxi driver told us it was $30 per person & gave us the name of our waiter.
We rolled up to a place that we later found out wasn't Big Momma's. I discussed the $30 per person with my waiter who said we were at a free beach.
We enjoyed our day. Lucky for me, I returned to port & I saw the man. I confronted him and got loud - he quickly gave me my $90 back. Thank you for making this video to warn others. I consider myself a well traveled woman - they tried to get me but didn't succeed.
I'm so sorry you had to deal with this there. However, it is amazingly awesome that you stood of for yourself and got your money back! We love cruising and traveling and just want to help everyone have the best vacations possible by making travel simple. I hate that this video ended up being a reality for you, but thank you for verifying the information for everyone. 😊 Sounds like you have your wits about you, so I'm sure you'll do great wherever your next adventure leads you! Safe travels Jesse.
You did the right thing by confronting the scammer. Always threaten to tell the police and they will give you your money back.
What a great idea to take a picture of the menu! I never thought I'd have to worry about that, though. Thanks for sharing that.
You're so welcome. We thought it was ingenious as well, when we heard it 🙂
I'm not a fan of Costa Maya, I will basically go to Maya Chan and that's it.
Understandable. We do like the port area for the 2 free pools, the aviary, and the dolphins (free spectating lol). But onces you've done those a few times, there isn't much else there. We just didn't the ruins and that was neat. But running out of things at that port quickly. It is nice to have a relaxing resort to retreat to.
I am aware of all these. before COVID the taxi was $4 per car load. Now in these eating joints. I always keep the menu they brought us until we pay out. I also only use CASH. Don't carry credit cards ashore.
Awesome sounds like you're a super savvy traveler. Glad to hear you were prepared for all of these! I love the idea of keeping the menu. Seems like an easy way to avoid that scam or like the other person suggested taking a picture. Thanks for sharing with our viewers!
@@amysturnkeytravel I have been on about 50 cruises. Have done 3-4 Mayan ruins, and Lake Bacalar from Costa Maya.
We were considering doing the lake excursion next. What were your thoughts on it?
This one...pick up a glass item, more come tumbling down. The owner says a ridiculous price. Finally settled on a price. The item was cheap, and placed to make another fall.
Oh no! 🙄 That's ridiculous. It sucks we even have to have a list of these, but stories like yours show that irs necessary to protect ourselves from scammers.
Pay balances and extra food etc in cash
This is a fantastic way to prevent fraudulent charges. I do know that some folks are concerned with carrying wads of cash in foreign countries and having to deal with currency exchange rates. But it is definitely not that big of a deal, and your suggestion if a valid one. Thanks for helping our viewers.
I was recently in costa maya. I was looking at some jewelry and was told it was 14k. I knew something was up because the weight was off. I looked inside of it and it was 925 which i knew to be sterling silver. I often wonder how many people the trick with this.
Grrr! 😠 Man, that's frustrating! So glad you knew better and didn't get taken advantage of! Thanks for sharing your experience here so others don't get ripped off. 😊
Thanks for the info. Best reminder is that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! I'd heard of that menu switch scam being common in Egypt, but I guess there are scammers everywhere!
You're so welcome! And unfortunately, you're so right. They are everywhere, so coming together like this helps us get the word out there and let others know how to protect themselves. Thanks for the tip on Egypt by the way ;)
Great info . Thanks
You're so welcome! Have fun in Costa Maya. We just posted the Chachobben ruins tour video if it's something you're considering doing 😁
It’s sad that the cruise line does not warn the passengers about these known scams!
I can totally understand your frustration. I think the issue is there's no possible way they can know every single scam. They always try to steer people towards vetted shops, but everyone is able to as they please. If you're not wanting to stick to the higher port prices, then you gotta be savvy and know what to look out. Which is where this video comes in.
SE BUSCA restaurant in cozumel mexico charge me a $100 for a steak dinner and $40 for a salad.
🤯 What?!? That's a lot of money for a steak in Mexico! Wow. Was it a bait and switch menu situation?
@@amysturnkeytravel yup.
But I'm going to take your advice on taking pictures of the menus from how on. We are going back October the 14th for 5 days 5 nights.
Wow Super sorry that happened to you. The other option another commenter mentioned is actually KEEPING one of the menus they've given you at the beginning so there's no questions as to when the picture was taken. Food for thought (pun intended)
I have never vacationed out side of the US and I never will. We have 50 states and amazing sights.
Our beautiful states are amazing and all unique. And we're so glad you enjoy visiting them all.
However, there are so many other beautiful and unique places as well. With beautiful people, cultures, and experiences.
Unfortunately, there are bad people everywhere and things like this could happen here also.
Wherever you choose to vacation, just be smart and have a great time 😊
Research the videos that reveal the scams in American tourists traps.
The United States is beautiful and I’ve traveled to every one of them but I’ve also traveled to other countries and learned so many things as a results. Did you know Canada has a wine country? It’s beautiful and they make ice wine there. Amazing. I’ve seen Mayan ruins in Mexico and gazed at the fjords in Norway while the aurora sparkled in the sky. I’ve visited Poland and saw Auschwitz and learned about intolerance and genocide and was humbled by the horror I saw and I learned how to understand and accept people who have different ideologies than myself. I’ve stood in the ocean in Sweden and watched the waves of two seas slap up against each other. I’ve watched the sun set over Mt. Vesuvius and pondered how the ancients felt that day it erupted. I’ve had so many experiences from my travels and met so many wonderful people from all walks of life. I’ve also encountered some bad but I’ve encountered more of that right here at home in the US. I don’t want to get to the end of my life and say, well I played it safe and never took chances so nothing bad happened. Get out and live my friend.
Beautifully written. We love this.