By Barry Bluth
Fresh off Panic en la Playa Siete, it dawned on us to share some tips for enjoying the special destination that is the Mexican coast. If you’ve never been to this stretch of Mexican waterfront, or the Barceló Maya Beach, it’s a magical place that’s an over-the-top venue for any band. If you’re Playa-bound for Dead & Co., you’re in for a real treat. But only if you plan ahead…
1. B.Y.O. swag to share. People dig their home-made swag – stickers, jewelry, coozies. Check out the various Facebook sites, Swag creation can get pretty frenzied – and fun.
2. Bring a Tervis or Yeti-type cup. You’ll never run out of beverages, but ice will melt. Keep your drink cold as you chill poolside.
3. Bring a cool pool floatie. Drift over to meet new friends. The crazier, the better. At PELP at the Hard Rock, we saw an inflatable “mechanical” bull, the POOP emoji, duck lips that would make Angelina Jolie jealous, and sugar skulls that caught the eye of many of the staff (Dia de Muerte is a big deal in the region).
4. Don’t pack valuables. You need very little jewelry or other valuables, and your bags may be opened once or twice in transit and staff may be in and out of your room, Your belongings are safe at the resort, but there are too many opportunistic chances.
5. Yes, it’s safe to drink the water.
6. Yes, it’s safe to drink the booze at this resort. Reports you may have read in 2017 happened at other hotels in remote towns and were not associated with a large resort.
7. Bring lots of $2 for tips. Service is over the top from the time you step foot there. But never hesitate to tip your servers. They are polite as can be and gladly share their smile while waiting on you hand and foot.
8. Watch that sun. Sun exposure in the first day or two, even for us Floridians, was much stronger than we realized. And nothing will ruin the shows – or weekend – more than a burn. So, sunscreen and a hat are a must. Don’t end up looking like a Canadian on a South Florida beach in December.
9. Cab it. A cab from the airport is about $60 for three people. Compare that against chartered buses and you get total flexibility to come and go on your schedule.
10. Don’t bring booze. As tempting as it is to buy duty-free in the airport, they have ample libations. The liquor isn’t top shelf, obviously, so if you must have your brand, pack it in. Also, you likely will not find energy drinks, or electrolyte “sport” drinks. You may want to being your fav hangover remedy or supplement.
Playing in the Sand with Dead & Co. at the Barceló Maya Beach promises to be magical for our fellow Dead Heads. Plan ahead so you ensure you have an unbelievable experience and memories that last a lifetime.