Booze!!

[ChiroMan&RadioGirl]

Are liquor prices ok at the duty free shops at the airport...or is it best to stop at Wal-Mart on the way to the resort? I'd prefer not to have to make a stop but if the prices are significantly better at Wal-mart, I may be willing to?!?!?!?

[T.J.]

It would make no sense to bring in booze from the US duty free shop, nor to purchase it at the Cancun airport.

The normally significantly better prices will be at Walmart & La Europea, which is across the street from Walmart, on the ground floor of the building that has big RED letters high on the outside reading SUPER DAMAS FITNESS.

I prefer La Europea for variety and harder to find brands. If you want rum or commonly known brands of tequila, you will be fine at Walmart.

BUT, unless you are driving it will not be as simple as "to stop at Wal-Mart on the way to the resort". However, from the resorts you can take the R-2 bus which drops you a block from Walmart and then back to the resort on an R-2 that that you catch on the street beside Walmart on the right side of the building. You do NOT get the bus back to the Hotel Zone where it drops you off going TO Walmart.

Hope this helps.

You did not ask BUT if you are taking booze back to the states and your flight has a connection, you are best to buy it downtown and pack it yourself in your luggage. If you buy Duty Free at the airport, it is delivered to you as you get on the plane. When you get to your first stop in the US you have to clear Immigration, then get your checked luggage, then clear Customs, then recheck your bags, THEN CLEAR SECURITY AGAIN. You will not be able to clear Security with booze in your carryon.

Each person can take back up to 2 liters of "spirits" duty free.

[GONZO]

TJ, I have always been told it is one liter per person. Is that wrong. I guess it doesnt really matter because I have always brought back 4 liters between my wife and I.

Thought I was being sneaky.

How are you doing? Hope all is well.

[stlouiscouple]

Man we have alway brought back 6 liters between the 2 of us. just packed them all in the checked bags. I doubt we will do that again, just not the drinkers we used to be.

[Turquoise water]

Originally Posted by ChiroMan&RadioGirl

Are liquor prices ok at the duty free shops at the airport...or is it best to stop at Wal-Mart on the way to the resort? I'd prefer not to have to make a stop but if the prices are significantly better at Wal-mart, I may be willing to?!?!?!?

We just brought back 4 liters and bought it at the duty free in Cancun airport and it was cheap!! there are lots of specials like buy 2 get one free, or buy two and save. We actually stocked up on rum and tequila for those summer time frozen drinks. I know the prices were allot cheaper than what we pay at home. One thing to think about you are going to have to pay for a bus or taxi to Wal Mart and waste a few hours of your vacation to save a few dollars.

[GONZO]

Can you even get to the duty free shop on an incoming flight??? Never noticed before.

[ToriB]

there is a store in Baggage, but I don't think the selection is all that great

[GONZO]

By that point I am way too ready to get into the sun than look for a duty free shop....

[SCMcons]

I know that there is a Duty Free Shop in Terminal Three next to baggage claim. The selection is reasonable and I've picked up some things while waiting for baggage to be unloaded. The prices on some items are less then in the large markets in town.

[T.J.]

Actually the prices at the Terminal 3 place by baggage claim are not that bad. I am trying to think if the sign says Duty Free or not. I don't think technically it can be an official Duty Free store.

But, hey, who wants to shop at the d@$# airport. Head down to Walmart and La European where the prices are cheaper for sure, there is a greater selection, and you can see people whose clothes are color coordinated.

[SCMcons]

TJ,
It does have a Duty Free sign and you do have to show your passport and incoming flight number. I have no idea if that makes it a Duty free shop or is just something to make people feel like they are getting true duty free pricing. There are some things that I've found at a better price then downtown, others are higher. Absolut and Glen Fiddich are less then downtown. If you are just coming in and want to grab something to have before you make a larger trek it's not bad. I agree that I enjoy La Europea and it does have a larger selection then the shop in the terminal.

[T.J.]

My bad. Looks like it is one liter duty free per person.

Sorry.

[GONZO]

No need for sorry. I still plan on bringing back my standard 4 liters.

[Turquoise water]

Yep there is a store in baggage, my wife picked up some stuff for the room a couple of weeks ago. I don't know what she paid, nor do I care. We always get two or three bottles at the airport regardless of whether the room has a mini bar or not. We bring drinks back to the room at night and we like to spike them up a bit with our own Rum or tequila, I even carry a little flask to the hotel bars from time to time and add a shot of my own Rum. Maybe it is just me, but All inclusive liquor does noting to me. There have been days and nights that I have just drank and drank in these places and have felt no effects of alcohol what so ever.