All fequent asked questions about Club Med Ixtapa Mexico.

Club Med Frequently Asked Questions And Answers.

How to contact a friend vacationing in a Club Med Village?
Each Village will soon have its own e-mail address. For now, you can contact Club Med
Villages by "snail mail", phone or fax. The numbers are listed in the Villages Pages.

These Club Med vacations sound terrific... But I want to know how much a week in
the Village of my choice is going to cost me!
Each Village description comes along with a "See the prices" link. Simply click on it and
have a look at the "Price grid" to view the prices of the Village you chose.
Another way is to go through the reservation process in order to get a quote of your
vacations taking account if your children's age or your extras.

What exactly is included in the package price?
For starters, round-trip flights and airport-Village transfers, if you choose an air/land
package, as well as double-occupancy accommodations, three meals a day with wine, beer
and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. But that´s not all : a wide array of sports, complete with
modern equipment and all levels of instruction; loads of organized activities; evening
entertainment before and after dinner; and dancing. At family Villages, facilities for babies
and children in separate clubhouses are also included in the pre-paid price of your vacation.

I've heard that some things aren't included in the price. What are they?
Certain expensive features simply don't interest all of our guests. Scuba diving or horseback
riding, for example. And other items of a personal nature - bar drinks or laundry service. We
thought it best to separate these features so that GM´s could participate according to their
individual tastes, without incurring an additional cost burden for everyone. Items not included
in the package price are as follows:
- Passports, tourist cards, vaccination certificates, visas
- Excess baggage charges
- Airport taxes, except on Club Med Land/Cruise with Air packages
- Transfers, except on Club Med Land/Cruise with Air packages (unused transfers are
non-refundable)
- Horseback riding; some health-fitness center services; green fees and other golf-related
expenses; ski equipment rentals; scuba diving, certifications and specialty courses; arts &
crafts supplies; billiards at certain Villages; certain tournaments, programs and special
events
- Bar beads or coupons (not redeemable for cash; may be used at other Villages)
- Boutique, bazaar purchases
- Tours and excursions
- Hairdresser
- Beauty treatments

But I thought you didn't need to carry money at Club Med! How do you pay for those expenses? And what are those beads for?

Almost everything can be signed for - you just pay once at the end of your stay. The ships
and some Villages use Club Med's Smartcard, which functions like a credit card. You can
settle your account with American Express, Visa, MasterCard, cash or traveler's checks
(no personal checks, please). Keep some cash on hand for photos or trips outside the
Village. We use the beads (or coupons in certain Villages) to buy drinks at the bar. It's
easier and more fun than carrying cash!

I'm a single person traveling alone. Is it true that I'll have to share a room with a
stranger?!
Not if you don't want to. Depending on availability, single rooms are offered at a supplement.
We recommend sharing your room, though. You'll have an instant, same-sex buddy to get
your vacation off to a friendlier start! We recommend Turquoise, Buccaneer's Creek, Playa
Blanca, Sonora Bay and Cancun for young singles. Paradise Island and La Caravelle are
well suited for mature single people in their 30s and above.

Can I request a king-size bed, connecting rooms or a room with a view?
Some Villages have special room categories, so views and/or suites are available for a
supplement. Triple occupancy or economy rooms at certain Villages save you money. Ask
for these options, or for connecting rooms, when you reserve. Request large beds, which are
available at most Villages, when you arrive. They can be reserved in advance. Everything
depends upon space availability - see Village pages for details.

What do the Trident symbols mean?
With so many Club Med Villages throughout the world, it's sometimes difficult to choose the
best one for you. That's why we created a standard measure of our Trident symbols, which
rate the comfort level at each Village. Using this "star system" of sorts, you can easily pick
the Village that comfortably suits your needs.
2-Trident Villages : These Villages provides all the necessities, yet without going overboard.
They are comfortable. Great fun. And easy to afford.
3-Trident Villages : Traditional. Classic. Definitively Club Med. Many of these Villages are
located in the world's most beautiful settings. Rooms are comfortably furnished with
standard amenities.
4-Trident Villages : These are our finest Villages and they embody our values in every
regard.

I know that Club Med offers the original, pre-paid, complete vacation package. How and when was Club Med born?

In 1950, war-weary Europe needed a vacation. An Olympic water polo champion from
Belgium named Gerard Blitz organized a beach holiday for a few hundred of his friends in
Majorca, Spain. The program was simple : sun and fun on the shores of the Mediterranean,
sports and relaxation in a setting of natural beauty. The price? Very affordable! Of course,
the Club Med vacation concept evolves over time, in response to the needs and wishes of
our GM´s.

Isn't Club Med geared more to single travelers than to families?
You're partly right. Club Med was originally known for its singles vacations, but now the
Club has a long list of Villages that cater to a variety of tastes and lifestyles. At family
Villages, specially trained GO´s care for your kids in separate clubhouses for the entire day
or any part of it. According to their age and ability, they can try out exciting sports, learn
circus tricks and lots more! At night, most family Villages provide babysitting services for an
extra charge. Other Villages offer a romantic, exotic ambience that is ideal for couples; and
some are especially suited to a lively, social singles crowd...

What's all this GM and GO stuff???
Club Med is a French company, with its own special vocabulary. All members such as
yourself are GM´s, short for gentils members or gracious members. Your sports instructors,
hosts and hostesses, chefs and entertainers are GO´s, gentils organisateurs or gracious
organizers. Everyone lives in the Village, a self-sufficient vacation setting headed by a
charismatic Chef de Village, or Village chief.

Someone told me Club Med is like a camp for adults. I like to relax and make my
own program - will I be forced to join in activities?
There's never any pressure, never any obligations at Club Med. But there's almost always
something going on. Join the GO´s and GM´s if you care to - if not, feel free to do your own
thing.

I like to explore the local color and culture on vacation. Can I leave the Village?
Of course! Club Med Villages are in some of the most beautiful locations on earth, near
many awe-inspiring sites and sights! You can explore on your own or sign up for a guided
tour of the areas attractions (natural, cultural, athletic...). Excursions are different in each
Village, and vary in length and price. From European countries it is also possible to book a
tour prior to departure.

Why are some sports such as scuba diving at Punta Cana and mountain biking at
Sonora Bay called "Excursions"?
Sports that are not part of Club Med's program but are offered by an outside organization,
are considered excursions. (They usually differ from Club Med's programs.) We include
these in our listings because we want GM´s to be aware of every activity available to them.

Tell me about your dining options...
Almost every Village or ship has at least two restaurants. The main dining room, open for
breakfast, lunch and dinner, proposes a huge selection of dishes at the lavish buffets; the
cuisine varies every day. You'll dine with up to seven other GM´s and GO´s. It's a great,
pressure-free way to meet new people. Most Villages also host one or more intimate
specialty restaurants (Italian, seafood, continental...) that may serve buffets for late
breakfast and/or lunch. When you make a dinner reservation in the morning, you can
request a table for two or more. Usually, you order from the menu and dinner is served at the
table.

What should I pack? Will I need to dress up in the evenings?
Not really. Most Villages are very relaxed. Comfortable, casual clothes will fit the bill. Some
guests do like to dress up in the evenings; and keep in mind that nights may be cooler than
days. At Club Med's Finest, dress is somewhat more elegant, especially for evening. Do
pack appropriate sports attire, and when traveling to certain European Villages, remember to
bring along a beach towel. You're welcome to use Club Med's sports equipment, or to bring
your own. Pack essentials like glasses, medicines, valuables, money, etc. in your carry-on
bag.

What does the Pavlus 10% Discount Cover.
The 10% discount applies to all Club Med Land and Air portions of the total Club Med vacation price quoted from Club Med. Taxes, government fees, etc are not eligible for any discount.