buster car rental return at airport

[viajero]

We're leaving in two weeks! Getting excited...

We finally decided to take a van from the airport to Hamaca Loca (USA Transfers, $79) and have Buster meet us at HL with the car ($45 charge to pick up in Tulum, nothing extra for them meeting us at HL). We will return the car at the airport.

Are there signs at the airport for rental returns? Or is the Buster return off site? Anyone have directions?

Thanks!

[Lynnette]

Buster is off site from the airport, but very close. They should have a map with directions to give you when they drop off the car. Be forewarned, there might be a small charge for dropping off at a different location than the origin, which is in Tulum. If you want it waived, get it in writing. This happened to us with Buster a few trips ago. No biggie. :)

[AdGuy]

Buster is on the west side of Highway 307, a few miles north of the airport road. It's in a shopping plaza that's pretty distinctive (slightly north of the Pemex gas station). Lynette's right about the charge for a different drop-off. That said, why not pick up the car (and return it) at the airport? You'd save yourself over a hundred bucks.

[viajero]

Thanks for the info! Does Buster have a shuttle to the airport?

[beachreader]

If you're booking with them, you can certainly get all your details from them in an e-mail, but yes, they'll get you to the airport after you drop the car off. Most of them just get in the car and drive you there so you don't have to deal with your luggage, then they take the car back. Or else they have a van.

The plaza Lee is referring to I believe is Plaza Santa Fe (many small rental agencies share the building), but they'll give you directions when you pick up the car I'm sure.

And I know you want to avoid the hassle of driving on 307 on your very first trip, so I do understand why you're renting the way you are. But you would definitely save money if you rented for the whole time. Not that I'm beating a dead horse or anything! :D

[viajero]

Thanks for the help!

Beachreader, I hope I come back saying "Now I know why BR and Adguy said the drive to the airport was no big deal!"

It was -14 this morning, so I am really getting psyched!

[beachreader]

Is that transfer a private for $79 for two people? Or is it $79 pp? I would find out if you can get a private, non-stop transfer for not much more, because if they're dropping people off all the way down there, the trip is going to take forever. I did it once and it took two and a half, almost 3 hours to get to my hotel in Tulum. Since driving it straight only takes 1.5-2 hours, that was a big bummer to me (besides, I'm not a good passenger, and all those turns and stops and accelerations and all gave me a headache).

Oh, and if it's not officially a "private", make sure there's some guarantee that you won't have to wait to have the van fill up. Some places guarantee that you won't have to wait more than 15 minutes, which means if you're lucky and other peoples' flights are delayed, you can get a private for the price of a regular.

Up to you and your budget, of course, but an extra hour on the beach on that first day is a big deal to me.

[AdGuy]

Oh, and if it's not officially a "private", make sure there's some guarantee that you won't have to wait to have the van fill up. Some places guarantee that you won't have to wait more than 15 minutes, which means if you're lucky and other peoples' flights are delayed, you can get a private for the price of a regular.

Good advice from beachreader. Unfortunately, many of the "promises" made by transfer reps seem to go unfulfilled by the driver and/or coordinator. When we use to take a shuttle from CUN to the Cancun Hotel Zone to stay with my in-laws (I know...double hell) they would wait till they filled the van. Sometimes it would take 15 minutes and we weren't even the first occupants (though it did seem we were always the last to be dropped off).

Rather than hoping to hear "Now I know why BR and Adguy said the drive to the airport was no big deal!" I hope we hear "Gosh...I'm glad I took everyone's advice and drove the rental car from CUN to Tulum and back again".

[Lynnette]

When we use to take a shuttle from CUN to the Cancun Hotel Zone to stay with my in-laws (I know...double hell)

Lee, this has to be the funniest Roo related quote EVER!!! Hilarious, but I do feel your pain. :D:D

[viajero]

This is what the website says:

Private (no one else in the vehicle) transportation to/from the airport to your Tulum hotel.

WE DO NOT OFFER SHARED SERVICES




The live chat just now went as follows:

Ara: Welcome to our real-time support chat. How can I help you today?
jennifer: I reserved one-way for my husband and myself from the airport to Tulum. I understand that it will just be the 2 of us and the driver. The driver is not going to transport any more passengers. Is this correct?
Ara: no worries it is a private transportation
jennifer: Thanks!
Ara: just you two and the driver
jennifer: What is the approximate drive time to Tulum?
Ara: 1.45 to 2hrs
jennifer: Thanks!

[viajero]

It's $79, one-way, for 1-3 people.

[minniemex]

Just a few thoughts - if it is going to cost you to drop the car in Cancun, would you rather just arrange return tranfer to the airport?? I would find it confusing and stressful to find a place in Cancun I had never been to before. Especially since you haven't picked the car up there and seen where they are. I also am a little hesitant with Buster, as they were the company that let us wait close to 3 hours to show up to their office in Tulum. I would be very sure they are aware of the times you need to be to the airport, even to the extent of getting it in writing!!

On another note!!



Quote:
Originally Posted by AdGuy http://tulum.info/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://tulum.info/showthread.php?p=15632#post15632)
When we use to take a shuttle from CUN to the Cancun Hotel Zone to stay with my in-laws (I know...double hell)

Lee, this has to be the funniest Roo related quote EVER!!! Hilarious, but I do feel your pain. :D:D


I happen to have liked my inlaws!! And I think I am at least batting 50% in the mother-in-law department myself!! LOL

[blackdogbuckeye]

I'm planning on trying some fishing from shore at Punta Yuyum or Punta Xamach. Has anyone tried it,or does anyone have any tips on spots, or lures, or flies?

[beachreader]

It's $79, one-way, for 1-3 people.


That sounds really good to me, definitely a deal especially as it's private. I'd print out that live chat and bring it with you just in case your driver decides to try to pick up some more people on the side.

1.45-2 hours sounds about right to me too.

Since you have such a good deal there, I agree with Minnie. Maybe book it round trip and just have the car down there for your day trip needs? I know I'm flipping around here, but Minnie's reasoning is excellent (sucking up to the new moderator here:rolleyes:).

[AdGuy]

On another note!!

I happen to have liked my inlaws!! And I think I am at least batting 50% in the mother-in-law department myself!! LOL


Not to burst your bubble, Kayt, but I'm sure my in-laws think they're in the positive as well...remember, they invite us down for all-expense-paid (flights, hotel, meals) for a week each January. It's been five years since we took them up on it. :eek: