Muses In Wonderland
Presents...
MUSES TAKEOVER
All-Inclusive Photoshoots!
January 26th - February 1st, 2025
IT'S GO TIME! READ ON FOR MORE TRIP INFORMATION
Detailed Event Information
GET READY FOR ADVENTURE!
PACKING
You will want to bring the essentials. 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗦: Bring bikinis, beach cover-ups, dresses, skirts, lightweight pants, tank tops, and t-shirts. The general vibe of Tulum is boho/beachy/relaxed. Research ”Tulum Aesthetic” to get a better idea for what other creatives have found to look best for photoshoots in this area. Most all places you can get away with posing semi-nude, so long as there are no children or heavy amounts of tourists around, and we have our private villa available for photoshoots, so feel free to pack your tiny/sheer outfits. *We will have at least one group photo set for where the models wear matching outfits that we provide. 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦: Bring swimwear, beach cover-ups, lightweight pants for the jungle, shorts, tank tops, and/or t-shirts. The general vibe of Tulum is boho/beachy/relaxed. Research ”Tulum Aesthetic” to get a better idea for what other creatives have found to look best for photoshoots in this area - you will fit right in if you’d like to dress casual. Pack for yourself, as well as bring any outfits you want the models to wear for your photoshoots. They have been told to bring their own baseline wardrobe, especially wardrobe that fits the Tulum aesthetic, but many models enjoy posing in clothed offered for them by photographers as well. Most all places you can get away with posing semi-nude, so long as there are no children or heavy amounts of tourists around, and we have our private villa available for photoshoots, so feel free to pack your tiny/sheer outfits. *We will have at least one group photo set where the models will wear matching outfits that we provide. 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘: 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: Be prepared for the jungle, beaches, and other outdoor areas. There will be bugs and sunshine! *Everywhere we visit will have shade. We recommend you pack enough clothes that you will not need laundry services during the trip (enough for seven days). It will be hot, and you will sweat, so plan accordingly with your outfits! 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻: Bring your preferred sunscreen. Opt for sunscreen that is zinc based whenever possible (especially for swimming activities) as to not disturb the natural ecosystem of the areas we will be visiting with chemicals that may emit from commercial sunscreens. 𝗕𝘂𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆: Bug spray is extremely important, as mosquitos can carry disease. Although unlikely, people have been known to contract Dengue Fever from even one mosquito bite, which is really inconvenient and uncomfortable for you if you so happen to contract this. 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿: Models and photographers are encouraged to bring their preferred gear for creating photos/videos/content. Models should think about bringing their tripod for their phone to record behind-the-scenes of their photoshoots, and photographers are urged to bring what they prefer for outdoor, on-location photoshoots, preferably equipment that is light-weight and not too much to carry. We will not do any major hiking, but we may take the time to walk from one location to the next if it is not too far, such as in the same park area.
FLIGHTS / SHUTTLE
𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗦: When booking flights, keep in mind our check-in and check-out times for our villa. If we are not at the villa, we will be unable to accommodate you, so plan your flights accordingly. See the next section, "VILLA CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT," for specific dates and times we will be at our villa. 𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: You will either fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN), or Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto (TQO). Cancún is your first choice, as it services everywhere. Tulum airport is very very small and may not accommodate your area, and if it does, it’s typically expensive. 𝗦𝗛𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘: Cancún airport is about two hours drive from where we are staying in Tulum. This is a typical route for transportation services to travel to. We will cover your shuttle service to and from the airport, hotel, and back ONLY IF you let us reserve the ADO bus service for you, or you purchase the tickets yourself and we reimburse you later (up to $25 one way). If you choose to book the tickets yourself, you will need to use a third-party bus ticket site, such as BusBud, to secure tickets in advance. Tickets are often sold out if you try to purchase on-site at the airport. The ADO buses are very safe, clean, and quiet; a splendid way to shuttle down to Tulum and back. If you choose to book your bus tickets yourself, select ADO Aeropuerto tickets coming from Aeropuerto Cancún, NOT the tickets going from Cancún Centro (which is in Cancún the town, not the airport). You will select your destination as Tulum Centro, which will drop you in Tulum the town. If you let us know your time of arrival, we will be there to pick you up so you do not need to take a taxi.
OUR VILLA
We will send you the villa address personally. Please do not share our location with anyone outside of our group. If you are unsure, please ask our event staff if someone is included our group. 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞-𝗜𝗡: Our check-in time is more relaxed. You may arrive any time on January 25th or 26th at our designated villa. We understand that some of our travelers may need time to decompress, sort their gear, and place a game plan before the program begins, so the 25th is a great time to do so if you need extra time. 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞-𝗢𝗨𝗧: Our check-out time on February 1st at noon, so you will want to make sure to plan your travels back accordingly. No one is allowed to stay in the villa past that time; we must have everything picked up and left the way we found it by check-out time. 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧: We have a huge, newly refurbished villa enriched with all the style of Tulum! Modern amenities are included such as central air conditioning, swimming pools, internet access, and TVs for streaming. The house has a corridor to connect the model house and photographer house from the inside. It is a large space in the heart of Tulum Centro, close to a diverse array of affordable shopping and dinning options. On top of our daily photoshoot destinations, we will make lots of time to visit the beaches and touristy spots on the Tulum strip throughout our stay, this way will get to enjoy all Tulum has to offer!
PHOTOSHOOTS
𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬: Our first official photoshoot will begin January 27th, and our last scheduled shoot will end January 31st. We plan to have one daily photoshoot destination planned, either in the early morning or late afternoon, depending on avoiding crowds and getting the best natural light for those natural light shooters. Our daily excursions will be approximately half a day long, 4-6 hours, to allow models and photographers the chance to really explore and get as much photoshoot time in a given area as possible. 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: Models have been notified that they must come to the once daily photoshoot location. If a model is not feeling well, it is up to them to let us know if they need a break, and if they need to sit out of a photoshoot location. However, we take active notes of models who show enthusiasm for participation, and those models who make the most effort to model in each location will be our first choice to cover for future travel destination trips. Photographers will have the opportunity to photograph all models during the trip. Photographers may choose to come to the designated photoshoot locations at their discretion. Our event staff will be at every photoshoot location to capture the models for their own social media content if they wish to work with our team. Our event staff is also happy to capture behind-the-scenes of the photographers if they so choose. If photographers do not wish to be filmed, we respect this as well. 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗩𝗦. 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: You may either choose to plan your photoshoots in advance, or decide to wait and shoot upon arrival at the location. We recommend keeping as much flexibility in your plans as possible, as this is a week-long trip, and it is normal for some of the models and photographers to feel moments of fatigue here and there throughout the trip. Our itinerary will be punctual, but please do let us know anytime you need something, whether it is water, food, or a break. We are flexible and understanding for everyone's needs, and want to make sure everyone is comfortable and having a good time. 𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗦: Photoshoots can take place any time at our villa as well. Photographers, please ask models’ permission for photos at the villa, as this is also our communal place of rest in-between our Tulum adventures. Our villa is exemplary of the highly sought after, “Tulum Aesthetic,” that everyone raves about when visiting Tulum, and it is encouraged that everyone capture some shots at some point while you stay at the villa with us. *We have full permission from the home owner to take photos at the villa.
RULES / LAWS YOU MUST KNOW
𝗗𝗥𝗨𝗚 𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘: DO NOT bring drugs on this trip, SERIOUSLY, including weed AND vapes. Drug possession and use, including medical marijuana, is ILLEGAL in Mexico and will result in a lengthy jail sentence. If the police even find the smallest bit of marijuana/weed, or even a simple vape pen, they could throw us in prison for a LONG time. Worst case scenario, tourists have been known to become seriously ill and/or died in Mexico after using synthetic drugs or adulterated prescription pills. Marijuana/weed can, and these days is often laced with Fentanyl, a lethal drug. We are here to have a good time; please don’t put yourself or the group in jeopardy by bringing drugs with you, or buying drugs within Mexico. If you somehow locate drugs to use in Mexico during your stay, NEVER, and we must emphasize NEVER bring those drugs into our rental vehicles or our villa; our group does not want to be caught with drugs by the Mexican police or cartel. Thank you for your understanding with this. *Alcohol is legal and okay to consume on this trip, but we will not be covering alcohol purchases. Please only buy alcohol from reputable sources, as unregulated alcohol may be contaminated, and tourists have reported losing consciousness or becoming injured after consuming alcohol that was possibly tainted, and in rare cases, tourists have passed away from methanol poisoning in alcohol.
OUR RULES
𝗗𝗥𝗨𝗚 𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘: I know we talked about this in the previous section, but we cannot stress this enough: please DO NOT bring drugs on this trip, SERIOUSLY, including weed AND vapes. Drug possession and use, including medical marijuana, is ILLEGAL in Mexico and will result in a lengthy jail sentence. If the police even find the smallest bit of marijuana/weed, or even a simple vape pen, they could throw us in prison for a LONG time. Worst case scenario, tourists have been known to become seriously ill and/or died in Mexico after using synthetic drugs or adulterated prescription pills. Marijuana/weed can, and these days is often laced with Fentanyl, a lethal drug. We are here to have a good time; please don’t put yourself or the group in jeopardy by bringing drugs with you, or buying drugs within Mexico. If you somehow locate drugs to use in Mexico during your stay, NEVER, and we must emphasize NEVER bring those drugs into our rental vehicles or our villa; our group does not want to be caught with drugs by the Mexican police or cartel. Thank you for your understanding with this. *Alcohol is legal and okay to consume on this trip, but we will not be covering alcohol purchases. Please only buy alcohol from reputable sources, as unregulated alcohol may be contaminated, and tourists have reported losing consciousness or becoming injured after consuming alcohol that was possibly tainted, and in rare cases, tourists have passed away from methanol poisoning in alcohol. 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: Please leave the villa as you found it. It is booked under the event coordinator’s personal Airbnb account, so Alice is responsible for the way the Airbnb is returned to the homeowner. Please report anything that is broken or damaged to the event coordinator so we can work to have it resolved. We will not be upset - accidents happen! *Please no smoking cigarettes inside the villa, we have many indoor spaces you can use. 𝗡𝗢 𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦: No one from outside of our group is allowed in our villa. We have a maximum group number capacity, and there are security cameras outside the villa to see who comes and goes to make sure we follow the homeowner's capacity rules. Security cameras also ensure our safety during our stay. We also have expensive photography equipment on site, and we do not want anything to go missing. We wish to keep our villa exclusive to our group only. 𝗡𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗗 𝗡𝗢𝗜𝗦𝗘 / 𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗗 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗖: Be courteous to our villa neighbors, and don’t create so much noise that it grabs their attention in thinking we are throwing a party or event. We do not want our group to get kicked out of our Airbnb.
SAFETY
Tulum is a very safe, touristy area in Mexico, BUT, Please read this section in its entirety to understand important laws and regulations of this country. 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗟: The cartel keep their dealings between themselves and the locals, and do not target tourists. Targeting tourists would ruin income for the country, and thus, they leave tourists alone. For the very few times that tourists have been caught in crossfire, these have been unfortunate accidents. It is important just as it is in the states to stay vigilant, and be mindful of your surroundings. With that said, Tulum is one of the largest wellness hotspots where people come to meditate and discover themselves. There is no extra caution you need to take differently than if you were back in your home country, especially while staying with our group. Part of our job is to keep you safe while you explore Tulum, and staying with the group is a great way to make sure we all stay safe, together. 𝗕𝗨𝗗𝗗𝗬 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠: We request that all models on the trip use the “buddy system” if leaving our group to explore on their own, preferably accompanied by a man from our group. We want to make sure everyone gets home safe, and this safety tip goes for anywhere in the world; never go out alone on your own in a strange place! Someone in your buddy system should remain sober in case drinks are spiked - the designated sober person should feel comfortable in making sure everyone returns to the villa safely. 𝗗𝗥𝗨𝗚 𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘: DO NOT bring drugs on this trip, SERIOUSLY, including weed AND vapes. Drug possession and use, including medical marijuana, is ILLEGAL in Mexico and will result in a lengthy jail sentence. If the police even find the smallest bit of marijuana/weed, or even a simple vape pen, they could throw us in prison for a LONG time. Worst case scenario, tourists have been known to become seriously ill and/or died in Mexico after using synthetic drugs or adulterated prescription pills. Marijuana/weed can, and these days is often laced with Fentanyl, a lethal drug. We are here to have a good time; please don’t put yourself or the group in jeopardy by bringing drugs with you, or buying drugs within Mexico. If you somehow locate drugs to use in Mexico during your stay, NEVER, and we must emphasize NEVER bring those drugs into our rental vehicles or our villa; our group does not want to be caught with drugs by the Mexican police or cartel. Thank you for your understanding with this. *Alcohol is legal and okay to consume on this trip, but we will not be covering alcohol purchases. Please only buy alcohol from reputable sources, as unregulated alcohol may be contaminated, and tourists have reported losing consciousness or becoming injured after consuming alcohol that was possibly tainted, and in rare cases, tourists have passed away from methanol poisoning in alcohol. 𝗦𝗠𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗦: Smokers may only smoke in their homes or other private places. It is illegal to smoke in public in Mexico, effective since January 2023, but smokers can use designated smoking areas, which are marked with signs, including on the beach. At our villa, you are free to smoke cigarettes within our outdoor villa courtyards. Please do not smoke indoors, especially since this is a smoke free villa home, and can get our main event coordinator kicked off Airbnb if the home owners notice any signs of smoke reside. Please be courteous for us and use one of our private outdoor areas for smoking.
SCAMS
Our team has been to Tulum before, and are familiar with common scams, but if you wish to go out on your own please take the time to review and research more about the area, such as reviewing the advice in this video: https://youtu.be/uMvDmqreN3s?si=XL6GrzA_BAZDAreL You probably won’t run into any scams if you stay with our group because we will handle all communications with those we need to talk to along the way. If you go exploring without the group, here are some common scams to watch for: 𝗧𝗔𝗫𝗜𝗦: One of the biggest scams are the taxis. Never take a taxi in Tulum! They are overpriced and will take advantage of tourists. Rent a bike/scooter/ATV instead. 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗥𝗦: Don't buy your souvenirs on the touristy Tulum hotel and beach club area (the area we are staying in), where they are way too overpriced. Instead, buy your souvenirs in Tulum centro (the town) for the best deals. The souvenirs further away from the touristy areas are handcrafted, and are exactly the same as the ones being sold in the touristy part of Tulum. We will make a point to visit Tulum centro as a group, just let us know if there is a shop you see that you would like to check out and we will accommodate. 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗦: Local sellers and service providers often change prices on the spot based on how much money they think you have. Prices and hours you see online may not be accurate. Try to dress casual, and not show signs that you have a lot of money. Count your money to the merchant, and check how much money you get back when you get change. 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘: When we are driving from spot to spot, there is always a probability we get pulled over, even without good causation. Be cooperative with police and they will let us pass sooner. Before we even leave our villa, HIDE YOUR MONEY whether that be in your bra, sock, inside pockets, etc. because they will take your money if they can take it from your wallet, pants pockets, places in the car, etc. Try to REALLY hide your money! *They will not do full body frisks. 𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗦: Limit the amount of cash you carry in public, exercise caution when withdrawing cash, and avoid ATMs in isolated or unlit areas. Only make ATM withdrawals from reputable bank ATMs, as so many ATMs in Mexico are fake; they will take your card and not give it back.
MONEY
If you wish to use your own money for goods and services outside of our program, you should look into exchanging your local currency for Mexican pesos. 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘: Before your trip, it's best to do a currency exchange at your bank or credit union, which likely offers better rates and fewer and/or lower fees. Your bank or credit union may buy back leftover foreign currency in exchange for dollars when you return. 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗗𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚: If you want to exchange your money while in Mexico, visit a local bank during regular business hours to exchange your foreign currency for Mexican pesos. Authorized Exchange Offices: Look for authorized exchange offices or "casas de cambio" in tourist areas. Those establishments are specialized in currency exchange and typically offer competitive rates. 𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗦: Limit the amount of cash you carry in public, exercise caution when withdrawing cash, and avoid ATMs in isolated or unlit areas. Only make ATM withdrawals from reputable bank ATMs, as so many ATMs in Mexico are fake; they will take your card and not give it back. 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘: Most places offering good/services in Mexico only accept cash, and the conversion rate is currently about $1USD = ~18MXN, or approximately $12USD = ~200MXN *Rate subject to change between now and the trip dates.
VEHICLES
Our team will have rental vehicles, so we will be driving you all to the photoshoot destinations every day. You do not need to rent a vehicle of your own. Optionally, you may rent a scooter/bike/ATV in Tulum once you arrive if you so wish to explore on your own. DO NOT take taxis, they will rip you off! *We are only going to be covering our own rental to chauffeur you to photoshoot locations and food stops, we will not reimburse you for your own rentals (you don’t need rentals for this trip). Feel free to ask us first if you need a ride to get somewhere, and we will see what we can do. We will make stops for food as we need to, so please let us know when you would like to visit a grocery store for more snacks.
HEALTHCARE
Mexico has healthcare options for tourists, including hospitals and clinics that offer high-quality care. For less severe illness, we will have a doctor on call that can come by on a house visit if you come down ill and need medical attention. 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗦: Medical costs associated with this trip to Mexico, during or after, will have to be covered by you out of your own pocket, or through your insurance plan. Read on for more information about insurance options. 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: Speak with your primary care doctor about getting prescriptions filled in advance if you think you will run out of medication during your trip. Many doctors will be happy to prescribe you enough medication to last for the entirety of your trip. 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: Medical costs would have to be covered by you out of your own pocket, or with your insurance plan. It's generally recommended to get an international health insurance policy before traveling to Mexico, or any foreign destination. This insurance should cover medical evacuation back to the United States, if needed. It is just a quick Google search to see which plans are right for you. Most insurances cover trip protection and medical. See our “OPTIONAL: TRAVEL INSURANCE PLANS” section for more information on travel insurance as a whole.
OPTIONAL: TRAVEL INSURANCE PLANS
Travel insurance for Mexico can protect your trip-related expenses, such as prepaid and nonrefundable costs. It can cover a variety of things, including a few circumstances exampled here: • Trip cancellation, delay, or interruption: Some plans offer "cancel for any reason" or "interruption for any reason" upgrades for more flexibility. • Medical expenses: This can include emergency medical evacuation, accident and sickness, and medical expenses related to COVID-19. • Baggage: This can include loss, damage, or delay. • Rental car: This can include collision damage. It is just a quick Google search to see which plans are right for you. Most insurances cover trip protection and medical. When choosing a travel insurance plan for Mexico, you should compare plans to make sure you're getting enough coverage for your trip, and know the risks you're taking. For example, you might want to consider whether the plan covers emergency medical expenses, and/or if it covers lost baggage or equipment. You should also read through the policy details to understand what's covered and what's not. *On average, travel insurance for an eight-day trip to Mexico costs around $157.
We are thrilled that you will be joining us on our model photography trip to TULUM! Get ready for the ultimate photoshoot trip of a lifetime!
All-Inclusive Photoshoots
Experience photoshoots with zero hassle or costs. Our models are friendly, and happy to work with you. Pay once and you're good-to-go!
Zero Stress, Maximum Creativity
Enjoy photoshoot-ready accommodations and exclusive activities. Experience and create while we handle all the details, completely all-inclusive!
Expand Your Network
Meet other fun and like-minded creatives, just like yourself! This event is all about community, where models and photographers will not only capture moments, but also make memories, too!
SEE YOU SOON! ¡VIVA LA VIDA!
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