About Our Destination

Currency

The local currency is the Mexican Peso but US Dollars are accepted and can be exchanged at the resort if needed.

Languages

Spanish and English

Being Gay in Mexico

Mexico’s beach cities are very gay-friendly. In fact, three states have legalized same-sex civil unions.

Climate

In November, Ixtapa usually has highs of 87 degrees and lows of 72 degrees.

Before Your Trip

What’s Included and What’s Not

What is included?

• Accommodations for 8 days/7 night at the all-inclusive, oceanfront Club Med Ixtapa Resort
• All meals while at the resort
• All beverages, including coffee, tea, soft drinks, bottled water, beer, wine and alcohol
• Personalized beach and pool service
• Room accommodations featuring CD players, mini-refrigerators, bottled water (replenished daily), televisions, coffee makers, hairdryer, iron/ironing board and other standard comforts and amenities
• Access to a wide menu of exciting land and water sports including archery, beach and hard court volleyball, bocce ball, circus school, flying trapeze, water aerobics, fitness center and classes (including yoga and Zumba), rollerblading, miniature golf, soccer, tennis, climbing wall, sailing, kayaking, volleyball, basketball, ping pong, water polo
• Round-trip airport transfers to/from the Zihuatanejo (ZIH) airport on arrival and departure day
• Olivia’s signature entertainment and programming
• Olivia staff assistance throughout

What’s not included?

• Airfare to and from Zihuatanejo (ZIH) airport
• Traveler insurance
• Tips to local guides
• Optional excursions including golf, shopping, sunset cruises, city tours, swimming with the dolphins, deep sea fishing and more
• Resort services such as boutique, spa services, internet access, telephone/fax, champagne and certain premium alcohol spirits

Travel documentation and identification

You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a US citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the Mexican consulate to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.

Vaccinations

Please check with your local Public Health Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” and then “Vaccinations.”

Travel insurance

We encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance. Olivia has recently partnered with Travel Guard to make things easier for you; you can now add your travel insurance when you book your trip, all in one call. In order to receive the most comprehensive coverage, please purchase your insurance within 15 days of your initial invoice. If you have questions about Olivia’s travel insurance, call 800-631-6277 option 1 to talk to one of our travel consultants.

Joining the Olivia.com trip group

If you’d like to chat with people who are going on the trip, sign up for the official Olivia trip group, Olivia’s Ixtapa, Mexico Resort.

Travel and arrival

Air travel

Where to fly into/out of

You will need to fly into and out of Zihautanejo International Airport (ZIH).

Suggested arrival/departure times

Arrive any time on November 2, 2013 and depart any time on November 9, 2013. Upon arrival, check in time is at 3pm. If you arrive early, you can store your luggage and enjoy the resort until your room is available.

Airfare

The Alaska Airlines discount code ECMB96 is good for 7% off and applies to flights into and out of Zihuatanejo, Mexico (ZIH). Dates of travel are October 29 – November 12, 2013. Airfare can be booked no earlier than 11 months before the trip. This reservation can be booked by calling (800) 445-4435 ($15 booking fee applies) or visiting alaskaair.com (no booking fee). PLEASE NOTE: Alaska Airlines does NOT fly into and out of Ixtapa daily.

Olivia’s preferred travel agency

We are happy to partner with Panorama Travel, which provides excellent service and competitive airfares. For a small fee, they can also assist you with using your frequent flyer miles for free tickets and upgrades. You can reach them at 800-523-0093 or 503-682-6800.

Luggage allowances

While there is no luggage limit at the resort, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.

Transfers and Meeting up with Olivia

Getting to / from the resort

Your round trip transfers to and from Zihuatanejo (ZIH) airport are included. We will request your flight information approximately 90 days in advance of the trip to ensure you receive your transfer. Alternatively, you can visit your Olivia Travel Profile and enter your flight information at any time. The airport is approximately 30 minutes from the resort.

Check in

Resort check in is at 3pm on November 2, 2013.

During your trip

Accommodations

Club Med’s Ixtapa Resort

Club Med’s Ixtapa Resort amenities include:

• Three all-inclusive restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world
• Three all-inclusive bars featuring premium alcohol and soft drinks
• Two swimming pools
• Access to a wide menu of exciting land and water sports including archery, beach and hard court volleyball, bocce ball, circus school, flying trapeze, water aerobics, fitness center and classes (including yoga and Zumba), rollerblading, miniature golf, soccer, tennis, climbing wall, sailing, kayaking, volleyball, basketball, ping pong and water polo.

Ocean View Suites with Balcony (Category S+ & S) amenities include:

• Breakfast room service
• Turndown service
• Priority housekeeping
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Welcome gift
• Stocked mini-fridge
• Complimentary internet access
• Laundry service (with charge)

Room Accommodations

• MP3 alarm clock
• Mini-refrigerator
• Bottled water (replenished daily)
• Flat-screen television
• Coffee maker
• Hairdryer
• Iron/Ironing board
• Secure safe
• U.S. electrical outlets (110 volts)
• Other standard comforts

Dining

Seating policy

Meals are open seating. We will have a special solos dining area.

El Encanto

This air-conditioned restaurant, with 5 intimate rooms and an additional large ocean view terrace, offers every day cuisine from around the world from sushi to fresh fish or a Mexican specialty.

Miramar

All day dining is provided at this oceanfront, open-air venue. Enjoy a late breakfast, a light grill menu for lunch and an Argentinean steakhouse restaurant for dinner.

Luna Azul

A beautifully decorated open-air restaurant, Luna Azul serves contemporary fusion cuisine underneath the trees and the stars (reservations required).

Electricity

The rooms have 110 volt electricity, the same as the U.S.

Excursions

The resort offers a wide array of excursion options available at an extra charge. Offerings include golf, sunset cruises, swimming with the dolphins, deep sea fishing and more. Excursions can be booked at the resort.

Gratuities

Gratuities are included in the cost of the trip.

Internet / e-mail / fax

There is an Internet Center at the resort with minute plans available. WiFi can also be used with your personal laptop under the internet plan. Pricing is posted at the resort and is subject to change. There is complimentary internet access in all Ocean View Suites (Category S+ and S).

Laundry and dry cleaning

Laundry and dry cleaning is available for a fee.

Medical services

There is an infirmary at the resort. Standard fees are charged for medical services.

Resort Account

Upon arrival, you will be asked to register your credit card to open a resort account. With a resort account, you can bill services and purchases to your room during your stay.

Phone

Each room has a phone. There is an additional fee to use this phone. Phone rates will be available at the resort.

Smoking policy

Smoking is not permitted in rooms or in public indoor areas. Smoking is permitted on balconies and in designated outdoor smoking areas.

Solo travelers

We will have a solos program at the resort, including a solos dining area at all meals.

Spa services

Indulge and relax at the resort's spa. Traditional massages and spa packages are available for a fee.

After Your Trip

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out our Olivia travel FAQ. Or call us at 800.631.6277