Phish’s Summer Tour 2015 just wrapped up this past weekend in Colorado where the band performed three magnificent shows at the hallowed Dick’s Sporting Good Arena. Usually the end of summer tour signals the beginning of the wait for New Year’s announcements, but this year Phish has bestowed upon their fans an event of a lifetime. Phish will play their first and hopefully not their last destination event at the illustrious Barceló Maya Beach Resort in Mexico’s beautiful Riviera Maya from January 15th to January 17th, 2016. With an event of such a caliber, there are some important things phans must take into consideration before embarking on this epic journey. Here’s a list of a few things patrons need to bring with them:
1. Passports. As any globetrotter knows, leaving the country requires the acquisition of a passport. Mexico, although being one of our countries closest neighbors, requires a passport for entry. Acquiring a passport can be a daunting task with a lot of red tape and rigmarole, so if you plan on making the trip to Mexico for Phish in 2016, it would be best to start the application process as soon as possible.
2. Airfare. As of now it is clear if the packages made available by Phish and the resort will NOT include airfare, so the best advice I can give from one traveller to another is to start looking into booking flights now. There is no doubt that the demand for a seat on planes going to Mexico on the weekend of Phish Riviera Maya will soon be too high to be satisfied by airlines, so the sooner you can secure your spot the better. Additionally, booking flights earlier tends to translate into cheaper airfare prices.
3. Tickets. Obviously one of the most important objects to bring with you on your trip to Phish Riviera Maya is your ticket! Tickets for the event go on sale HERE Thursday, September 10th at 11AM Eastern Time. There are quite a few different packages available to concertgoers, all of which include entry to the event and a room at on of these all inclusive resorts: Barcelo Maya, The Hard Rock Hotel, Dreams Tulum or Fairmont Mayakoba; all of which are hosting phans for the weekend. There are different price ranges and tiers for each resort, so be sure to check out the offerings and find out what works best for you and your crew.
4. Payment Plan. Fortunately, the good people behind Riviera Maya have made it possible for patrons to pay via installments! To take advantage of the lay-away concert series of a lifetime is you must pay 60% of your total at the time of booking your package on September 10th. After booking your room, you must pay the remaining balance by October 15th, 2015.
5. Gear. Mexico can be a harsh mistress. Sometimes the weather may not cooperate with your plans, so pack accordingly. In January, the weather tends to be beautiful, with temperatures in the 70’s and sunny days. Pack your usual beach going attire, but don’t forget a poncho, there’s always a possibility of a little water in the sky. Also, remember its going to be January and you’re probably going to be as pale as a ghost, don’t skimp on the sunscreen!
6. Your Friends! One of the most defining aspects of a Phish concert is getting to share the experience with friends, family and significant others. Make sure to plan your trip according to the schedules of your friends and fellow phans. Try to secure a room with your friends or loved ones along with seats on the plane. Don’t worry about getting from the airport to the Resort, they have that covered for you with shuttles busing people to and from the airport. Also check-out options for Family Rooms! Family Rooms are reserved for those with children that are attending the event.
Whatever package you choose and whichever friends you bring along for the ride, Phish Riviera Maya 2016 is going to be one for the books. What better way to spend an otherwise dull weekend in January than with Phish and all your friends in Mexico? This event is the first of its kind for Phish, this fact alone will surely draw ticket sales and the limited available space will contribute to making this ticket one tough snag, If you plan on making this dream a reality, be responsible when acquiring tickets and get them soon, this WILL sell out. If you take anything away from this list just remember while you stand barefoot on the sandy, white beaches of Riviera Maya, whatever you do, take care of your shoes!