Transportation tips

[DougSR]

I've been reading some tips on transportation in the forums. The last time I went to Tulum I used the bus which was fine for me. This time we (my girlfriend and I) are going to spend the first night and the last night in Cancun. The other two days will be in Tulum.

The question...should we rent a car? I've read stories on the boards about non-warranted traffic stops and shake downs. But the rental cars are so cheap. I see some really great deals on Orbitz (thanks to a post).

[austxdan]

The question...should we rent a car? I've read stories on the boards about non-warranted traffic stops and shake downs. But the rental cars are so cheap. I see some really great deals on Orbitz (thanks to a post).

That all depends on you Doug.

Once you get to Tulum do you plan to get out and about or just lay on the beach the whole time? If you are planning to do some sightseing, it may be better to have a car. The convenience and flexibility are definitely worth it. We rented a car this past May and loved it. Don't fret the shakedowns, etc - just be on your toes and use good common sense.

If, however, you plan to basically just lay on the beach, except maybe to catch the occasional meal in town, something we did in 2006, you may just want to take a bus/collectivo down to Tulum and use taxis/collectivos to get around. Nobody can really answer this except you.

Good luck in your decision - and have a great trip.


Dan

[DougSR]

Thanks Dan. We will probably chill more than not. But we will also visit the cenotes/ruins/restaurants. I'm guessing the shuttle, bus and taxi may be our ticket. By the way, what is a collectivo? Is this a shuttle?

[PhyllisB]

Yep, it's like public transit, of sorts. All the locals take it. Dan can fill you in - he's an expert at collectivo travel!

We've always rented a car. I just wanted to mention that you should make sure INSURANCE is included in the price quotes you're seeing. It can double the price of the car (and you really should get it). If you're seeing really low prices, my bet is that it doesn't include insurance.

p.

[austxdan]

Yep, it's like public transit, of sorts. All the locals take it. Dan can fill you in - he's an expert at collectivo travel!
p.

Hmmm . . . collectivos. Ahhh, yes. Collectivo (http://www.travelyucatan.com/collectivo.php). These are the white vans that run up and down Hwy 307. I love 'em. They're cheap, they're convenient, and they're fun. Click the link for the "official info" page, but basically you stand on the side of the road (for the direction you want to go) and when you see a white van approach (if it's more than 5 minutes I'll buy you a beer) you hold out your hand. If they have room inside they'll stop and pick you up. Tell 'em where you wanna stop at, and have a seat. Most trips will cost $20 MXP ($2 USD) but Playa to Tulum will cost $25 MXP ($2.50 USD). You pay when you get off, not when you get on.

Say hi to a local and practice your spanish! Many locals use the collectivos to get to and from work anywhere from Tulum up to PDC.

So if you're not renting a car and say you want to go up to Akumal for a day to snorkel with the turtles, take a taxi into Tulum Pueblo, and grab a collectivo to Akumal. They let you off on the side of the road, and you walk into Akumal. When you are done, walk back out to 307, cross over to southbound side, and repeat the process. Make sure you tell them Tulum Pueblo, or they'll see you as a tourist and drop you off at the ruins.

That should about cover it. The first time you may be a little apprehensive, after that its just flat out fun. Yup, did I say I like the collectivos? :D


Dan

[AdGuy]

I'm a big fan of rental cars but in your situation, Doug, I'd recommend taking the ADO bus from the downtown Cancun terminal directly to the Tulum pubelo station and then a taxi to the beach. Most of the restaurants and bars you'll want to go to are right on the beach road (either within walking distance or a short cab ride). A cab into town will probably run you $5USD/way should you decide to venture into Tulum pubelo some night.

You can find bus schedules and costs at http://www.ticketbus.com.mx/ (http://www.ticketbus.com.mx/)

[beachreader]

If it were longer than two days in Tulum, I'd suggest the car, but you're there such a short time, I think the ADO bus/taxi-type stuff recommended above will fit the bill just fine.

Where are you staying when you're there?

[DougSR]

Thanks guys. I love the idea of the bus to Tulum. It's so carefree and they usually have a movie as I recall. Plus I can sleep if we were out dancing til dawn the night before. Second, this collectivo just sounds fun! My gf speaks really good spanish as she lived in Lima of 4 years. I plan to make her flex her muscle while we are down there. So thats it! Bus/tax/collectivo for us. Thanks again.

[glencliff1]

Good evening everyone ;)

On my first trip to Tulum (about 5 years ago) my wife and I rented a car from Hertz. On our way south, approaching Akumal, I was behind a tour bus doing about 5 miles an hour over the posted limit. About this time we had the opportunity to meet one of the friendliest, biggest smiles police man you could ask for. After discussing paper work he happily let me know I was speeding and would have to go see a judge. I asked him if we could pay the fine here, to him.......Si senor thats the best way he said. $125.00 now. Or see the judge and pay 250.00.
After exchanging more smiles handshakes and more smiles we were on our way...a lil poorer, a lil wiser. This was so comical we laugh at this story whenever we remember it.

I always drive now, just below the limit. Anyone had similar stops????

Renting from Hertz the insurance can just about double the price of the car or more.
Thanks to this forum I will try another Rental car company this February when I return :)

[beachreader]

Glen, just so you know, the locals on the Playa board say never to pay the guy like that. He'll say you'll have to pay more when you see the judge, but apparently that rarely (never) happens. Insist on him bringing you in to the station, act dumb, don't try to speak Spanish, play the dumb American but say "OK, I'll go to the station" in the nicest way possible, show him that you don't have any cash (or only a small amount--some of the local ex-pats keep separate wallets for this purpose). Apparently most of the cops will just let you go, since they want to stay out on the road and get cash from the next guy. There are many threads on this on the Playa.Info board if you want to search.


And yes, insurance on a rental will often double the price of the car, just as it will here in the US, but down there you really need it while up here, not so much.

[AdGuy]

BR is right. I actually had an experience like this in Costa Rica with a corrupt cop. After he suggested I pay him half the fine right there, I pulled out what converted to roughly $20USD in local currency and said since I only had this amount I guess I'd just have to see the judge and pay the full fare later. He took the money and (with a huff) let me go.

[DougSR]

You know I've heard more than stories. They hit me up for $20 in Cabo San Lucas for riding a motorcycle with no helmet. I wonder if there is some trickle down theory where they give a percentage to the local judge or do they just pocket the $$$. Also, I wonder if they shake down the locals as well.

[Tracee]

Ok...so since we are renting a car when we go to Tulum we should follow these suggestions:

1. Pay for gas w/ small bills and pay close attention to what we give the attendent.
2. Drive the speed limit or lower
3. If we get pulled over, tell the cop to take us to the station.

Am I missing anything?

We drove in Costa Rica and had no problems. I'm guessing it might be a little different in Mexico?

[AdGuy]

Ok...so since we are renting a car when we go to Tulum we should follow these suggestions:

1. Pay for gas w/ small bills and pay close attention to what we give the attendent.
2. Drive the speed limit or lower
3. If we get pulled over, tell the cop to take us to the station.

Am I missing anything?

We drove in Costa Rica and had no problems. I'm guessing it might be a little different in Mexico?


Actually get out of the car and verify the gas attendant "zeros out" the pump.
If someone's riding your bumper, move over to the right...they want to pass.
If you own one, take your radar detector...it's not illegal to use and has pointed out some traps ahead of time.
Make sure you have good maps...the Can-Do ones are great.
Check the rental car over completely, noting every ding, crack and scratch...also verify you have a spare.

[beachreader]

The modern gas stations have the kind of pumps that automatically zero out (or they can't be used), just like here, but it's always good to check and to pay in small bills that require no change.

I've driven down there I guess four or five times, and I've never had a problem, but it could just be luck. Just want to say that it's not a guarantee that you'll be ripped off by anyone, rental companies, gas station attendants or cops. Just good to be prepared, I guess.

The only problem with a car I've had was with the previous driver, not the company. We pulled away from the lot and thought "hmm, something smells like a toilet", but thought maybe we were just driving by a sewage plant or something (we were in Playa). After a mile or two we realized it was the car and tried various efforts at open windows, a/c, fan, vent, nothing helped. After a stop, I was accelerating back onto the highway, and my friend in the back seat exclaimed that she found our problem. Apparently the previous driver had peed into a soda bottle and left the thing under the seat; it rolled out onto her foot with the acceleration. What kind of crazy thing is that? You're a guy, don't you just pull over somewhere and pee on a tree? I could see maybe a long-distance trucker not being able to pull over, but a guy in a rental car?

That was one disgusting discovery, and while I am a full-on anti-littering fanatic, we pitched that sucker into the brush at the side of the road and she spent the next ten minutes cleaning up with the germ gel and face wipes in my backpack. Ugh.

[minniemex]

The only problem with a car I've had was with the previous driver, not the company. We pulled away from the lot and thought "hmm, something smells like a toilet", but thought maybe we were just driving by a sewage plant or something (we were in Playa). After a mile or two we realized it was the car and tried various efforts at open windows, a/c, fan, vent, nothing helped. After a stop, I was accelerating back onto the highway, and my friend in the back seat exclaimed that she found our problem. Apparently the previous driver had peed into a soda bottle and left the thing under the seat; it rolled out onto her foot with the acceleration. What kind of crazy thing is that? You're a guy, don't you just pull over somewhere and pee on a tree? I could see maybe a long-distance trucker not being able to pull over, but a guy in a rental car?

That was one disgusting discovery, and while I am a full-on anti-littering fanatic, we pitched that sucker into the brush at the side of the road and she spent the next ten minutes cleaning up with the germ gel and face wipes in my backpack. Ugh.


Too too funny - especially the ten minutes with the wipes and germ gel - I think it would have taken me at least 20 minutes with the gel & wipes, plus two showers!!! LOL It also would have taken me days to use my fingers to eat anything!!

[austxdan]

Nasty! Soda bottle ? :eek: That does seem to lend itself to a whole bunch of jokes about the anatomy of the previous driver :cool:.



Dan

[FITZ]

Hi Doug! For the amount of time you'll spend in Tulum, I'd skip the car and taxi/bus/collectivo it. The cabs will take you anywhere you want to go, just negotiate the fare first. Some will rent themselves out hourly or daily. It will take you longer on the bus/collectivo to get to Tulum and back, which, in your case, would be the only reason I would rent a car. There are car rentals in Tulum, if you wanted one for a day. Once we hit the beach we didn't want to leave-for the first couple of days. Our rental sat there, unused. Once we had a few cocktails, driving was, of course, out of the question. Finding a cab was not a problemo. If there are specific places you want to visit, talk to your host. I'm sure they can set you up.
Not having a rental also allows you one less hassle.

[AdGuy]

It will take you longer on the bus/collectivo to get to Tulum and back.

Fitz, you must have been with different collectivo drivers than I've ridden with...they drove so fast they bent the space-time continuum! A bit stressful, but at least I was younger after the journey! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/26/26_9_12.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[beachreader]

Too too funny - especially the ten minutes with the wipes and germ gel - I think it would have taken me at least 20 minutes with the gel & wipes, plus two showers!!! LOL It also would have taken me days to use my fingers to eat anything!!



Minnie, believe me we washed up obsessively as soon as we found a bathroom. The wipes and gel were just to get us to Tulum. I say "us", when I really mean "she", since thankfully I didn't have to touch the thing.

[AdGuy]

Boy...finding that bottle gives new meaning to BYOB! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_4_4v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)


P.S. How jealous is Minniemex of that smile?!?!

[minniemex]

Boy...finding that bottle gives new meaning to BYOB! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_4_4v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)


P.S. How jealous is Minniemex of that smile?!?!

That is not NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!