Car, Taxi, Bus or Collectivo...How Do You Travel?

[AdGuy]

I imagine most of us fly into Cancun airport when heading down to Tulum. Some may stay before or after in PDC, Akumul or Cancun (please tell me no one stays in Cancun!) :rolleyes: , while others may just hang out the whole time on Tulum's great beaches.

My question? How do you get here (and then get around once here)? It seems a popular answer is car rental but others arrange for special transfers or take the bus. What's your prefered method?

Not to bias the jury, but we'll be renting a car (Buster Car Rental) for the eight days we'll be down there in December. It allows us to go where we want, when we want...for about $250/week.

Any other thoughts/ideas?

[Steve O]

I guess it depends on where I am going and who I am traveling with. I come down for a month to six months at a time. Usually I will take the bus from the airport to Playa or downtown Cancun. This last June I was first going to Isla Holbox but the bus to Chiquila had already left so I spent the night by the bus station. Usually I make my home base on Cozumel where I rent a house. When I do a road trip on the mainland I will either take a car over on the car ferry or rent one in Playa. This year when I come down I am going to drive and leave my car on the island so I won't have to rent anymore.

[jimw]

I know a lot of people rent cars but we didn't. We took the bus all the way to Tulum. I just liked not having to worry about renting a car and returning it but I can see where it would be nice to have. I think we would have explored a little more if we had rented. I'm still on the fence....I may have to rent next time.

We taxied back to CUN from the ABR. I think that was about $70. I think we spent around $160 total for transportation but that's because we took the bus down. The taxis do add up since they're rates are going up like everything else in Tulum. If we didn't take the bus down, we probably would have spent close to $250 so renting would be a wise choice.

[Ginger]

we always rent a car. We like the freedom to drive around and do what we want, drive down Boca Paila, drive to Coba, Chichen, Dos Ojos, wherever.

[Maverick]

What she said ^^^^^^^^^

Car is the only way to go for us. Too much to see and do, but on our terms.

[Jessie James]

I don't imagine we would ever bother with car rental except for when we go to Cozumel for a day or two and we rent a scooter to buzz around to the beach side during the day. When we bounce from Playa to Tulum to Puerto Morelos and one time Cancun for a night for a concert (we no like Cancun) we always take the bus and then grab cabs. The bus is very comfortable and cabs are pretty cheap. Plus with my my luck I'd be unlucky and be one of the folks that gets pulled over for no good reason because I'm driving a rental. Chances are that wouldn't happen, but I still dread the idea. We tend to get to one town and stay for a few days and do a lot of walking and never really even need to cab except in Tulum where we cab into town when the sun goes down.

[Gale in KY]

Each choice has it's own special qualities.
Renting a car is the most convenient, especially if you want to explore. You set the schedule and decide when you want to go and where.
Collectivos and the bus are great for meeting the locals and enjoying the culture as well as being very reasonable in cost. The bus worked out great for me the last time in Tulum.
I have been known to hitch a ride on occassion when in Tulum..somebody is always willing to give you a ride.
the last two trips I have combined the choices...rented a car when I wanted one, Buster has a shop in Tulum too, took the bus to Tulum, a cab to the beach and back to town, caught the collectivo to Akumal for a day of snorkeling after taking a cab to town from Cabanas Tulum. Was too tired to walk all the way out to 307 on the way back so I grabbed a cab at the arches.

[dcap]

We always rent a car. Do not want to be relying on waiting for taxi or wondering if you can find one when you want to go somewhere. Just be sure to make sure what you are actualy renting.
This was our rental from Rent-A- Wreck should of known...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g312/dcap06/CIMG0459.jpg

No, this was our car from National in PDC.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g312/dcap06/CIMG0455-1.jpg

[Ashlandor]

Where and how?
Do you do this ahead of time.
Insurance?

What is driving like?

If we arrive in Cancun in the afternoon how realistic is it for us to get a car and then drive down to Tulum that evening?

Thanks

[AdGuy]

Where and how?
Do you do this ahead of time.
Insurance?

What is driving like?

If we arrive in Cancun in the afternoon how realistic is it for us to get a car and then drive down to Tulum that evening?

Thanks

Depends on your definition of "afternoon". We usually arrive in Cancun between 12:30 and 2:00P. We also tend to come in on "slow" days (Wednesdays or Thursdays) so Immigration/Baggage Claim only takes us 30 minutes or so. The trip down to Tulum (no gas/grocery stops and not getting lost) runs us around 90 minutes. We usually allow an hour from pickup by the car rental rep (we rent offsite) till the paperwork is done, we've carefully checked the car, and are on our way. Total time from leaving the plane till arriving at our Tulum hotel usually takes about three hours.

I find the driving pretty easy but I've driven in several foreign areas (Europe, Central America). Just watch your speed, take your time, and keep an eye out for the collectivo drivers and tour buses. :eek:

I would DEFINITELY reserve your car prior to your arrival (and bring all your paperwork). As long as you don't need anything fancy you can probably figure on $40 - $50/day (including taxes and basic insurance). And, yes, make sure you get the insurance!!!

[AdGuy]

This was our rental from Rent-A- Wreck should of known...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g312/dcap06/CIMG0459.jpg




LOL!!! :D I think we had that car in Costa Rica! There's just nothing like showing up at the rental center in Liberia (aka: a shack in the middle of the jungle) to find your car is a 1991 Toyota Corolla with 135,000 miles on it and an empty tank of gas!). :eek: Glad to see they had a better alternative for you!! :)

[dcap]

Ok a more serious reply. We always rent in Playa Del Carmen. We take a private transfer from Airport to our hotel in PDC. Stay there a night or two than rent a car and drive the 45 min. trip to Tulum. There are many places in PDC to rent we shop around for a deal until we get what we want. And yes always buy the extra insurance. My credit card company says not nessesary I am covered, I say buy the extra Ins. Do not want any trouble or at least try to minimize it. You can also make pre. arrangements thru all the major rental co. to hold for you but we have never had a problem getting one on the spot, and seem to be able to get a good deal.