Cancun Bus Service

Paumavista · Feb 18, 2012

Just back from out first trip to Cancun (THANK YOU to Royal Resorts by EARL we were in the ocean front penthouse at the Royal Sands!!!!!!)

We loved Cancun! (although we'd been skepticle of Mexico before the trip). The resort was as wonderful as everyone said, weather was really nice, and getting around was easy.

We took the tour on Tuesday down to the Hacienda's and thought it was GREAT. Absolutely no pressure (we said we were members of TUG) and it didn't take very long. First they took us (and daughter & friend) into Playa del Carmen for breakfast and then we walked around 5th avenue a little before heading to the resort. We spent the day around the resort - we loved the pool lounges, hot tubs and the fact that there were plenty of unreserved beach chairs/umbrellas **(must say this is a BIG problem at the Sands - we watched people out before 7am reserving beach chairs, rediculous!!)

After spending most of the day enjoying the Hacienda resort we skipped the shuttle ride back to the Sands and took a taxi into Playa instead. We shopped, ate and enjoyed the evening before catching a bus back to Cancun ($6/pp).

The bus system in Cancun is wonderful and easy. Want to encourage anyone thinking about it to try it right away so that they gain confidence to use the system their entire trip.

We absolutely look forward to returning again soon.
Thanks to everyone else for all the information I received here ahead of time!
Judy

Carta · Feb 18, 2012

Judy, Glad u had a good time... Where did u catch bus from Playa del Carmen to Cancun; and where did they drop u off? Thx

siesta · Feb 18, 2012

good to hear you had a great first trip. Although it is undeniable that the security situation in Mx is deteriorating, this has yet to affect most major tourist cities. Acapulco is a big exception.

Public transportation in Mx is a great cheap way to get around, i always ride the buses.

Paumavista · Feb 19, 2012

Bus

Carta said:
Judy, Glad u had a good time... Where did u catch bus from Playa del Carmen to Cancun; and where did they drop u off? Thx

The bus station is at the end of 5th Avenue (the ocean on our left as we walked along). Anyone can point you in the right direction but it's literally right along the street (on the right side). We got tickets for $6 each to the main bus station in downtown Cancun (they even showed a movie - my daughter laughed cause she said she didn't even get a movie on the plane coming to Cancun). Then we took Bus 1 (.80) back to the hotel zone (you can probably take ANY of the buses from there that run back to the hotel zone).. You have to walk out of the bus station across to the main street....we just asked the driver if he was "going to hotels?" (our spanish is pretty bad :shrug:

I suggest trying the bus for a little trip in Cancun so you feel comfortable at the beginning of your trip...then you'll build up confidence for longer excursions. Have a great trip - we can't wait to go back! Judy

Carta · Feb 20, 2012

Judy...Thx.. I'm familiar w/ CUN bus system; just not to Playa.... Ur info is very helpful.....

Seems like the buses to CUN; from Playa run every half hr. or so; correct?

Takes an hour or so?

Paumavista · Feb 20, 2012

Carta said:
Judy...Thx.. I'm familiar w/ CUN bus system; just not to Playa.... Ur info is very helpful.....

Seems like the buses to CUN; from Playa run every half hr. or so; correct?

Takes an hour or so?

Yes, I think they did run about every 30 minutes (I know we didn't wait long at all). And yes it took about an hour. When we go back (if it's just the two of us) I'd like to even see about taking the bus to Tulum and Akumal - right now my DH is saying he is still not crazy about renting a car/driving and it would be cost way too much to hire private drivers for the two of us.

Have a great trip.
Judy

Carta · Feb 21, 2012

Judy....I wanna warn u about renting a car in CUN...I've read too many horror stories about corrupt police.. (TripAdvisor.com)

Phydeaux · Feb 21, 2012

Carta said:
Judy....I wanna warn u about renting a car in CUN...I've read too many horror stories about corrupt police.. (TripAdvisor.com)

I've been renting and driving the area for the past twenty years without a single problem. Just reserved a car yesterday as a matter of fact for our vacation coming up. A different suggestion might be, do your research ahead of time, and become familiar with driving practices in Mexico before you rent a car. There's a sticky on this forum for it.

ilene13 · Feb 21, 2012

We have been renting a car in Cancun twice a year since 1990. There are no problems. I think the driving is easier there than in Manhatten. We are currently in Playa with a car

Carta · Feb 21, 2012

iLene13 & Phydeau, I am not talking about driving practices in CUN...I'm talking about the corruption of police.... There have been many stories w/ police stopping tourists in a rental car for no reason. And extorting cash.... I do not have first hand experience, but I will never rent a car in CUN.... Rather be safe than sorry... That being said: I don't need a car.... My way of traveling is taxi and bus...

Please don't shoot the messenger........

ps... Do u guys speak spanish? If so, big help.... Maybe you've just been

Lucky..

Please read TripAdvisor forum on this subject

Phydeaux · Feb 21, 2012

Carta said:
iLene13 & Phydeau, I am not talking about driving practices in CUN...I'm talking about the corruption of police.... There have been many stories w/ police stopping tourists in a rental car for no reason. And extorting cash.... I do not have first hand experience, but I will never rent a car in CUN.... Rather be safe than sorry... That being said: I don't need a car.... My way of traveling is taxi and bus...

Please don't shoot the messenger........

ps... Do u guys speak spanish? If so, big help.... Maybe you've just been

Lucky..

Please read TripAdvisor forum on this subject

Thank you for clearing that up. That's exactly what they are -stories. If you've seen my contribution, titled Driving in Mexico 101 in the sticky, you'll see that based on my 20 years of experience driving the area, I do not believe ANY of the stories of poneeople that claim they were pulled over "for no reason". That just doesn't happen. They've elected to leave out some key details in their stories. How do I know this? Very simple. The prevalence of gringos speeding, and breaking other traffic laws is so great, there is an unlimited supply of easy prey for the police. The police work the conscience of the guilty party - they don't pull someone over that is 100% innocent because that's a MUCH tougher argument.

Yes, there are some corrupt police in Mexico, as there are in any other city in the world. The point is, don't make yourself an easy target. If you don't break any laws, your marked rental car will travel freely on the roads. The gringos keeping up with traffic, and thus speeding, will get pulled over, and some will be pulled over by a corrupt cop. My philosophy for driving in the area is very simple - don't break any laws, and don't get pulled over. :wave:

Reposted, cause it's good.

Driving in Mexico 101
#1 Research la mordida, know what it is, and how not to become a victim. There are entire web sites devoted to this one topic alone. Locate and print a copy of Articulo 152, and have it with you in the car.
#1b. Secure full insurance through rental agency. Take photos of the vehicle, and point out any dings/damage to the rental agent before you sign off for the vehicle.
#2 Buckle your seat belt, and all passengers
#3 Obey ALL traffic laws.
#4 Do not keep up with traffic, since the vast majority are speeding. *Here's where most people fail*
#5 Do not think you can blend in with local traffic, your rental car is a marked target and is easily spotted by policia. (Do you know what the ‘mark’ is? See? Best to do some homework
#6 Move all of your money to a money belt. Keep little/none in your wallet. This goes for your passengers also.
#7 Have a spotter with good eyesight in the front passenger seat helping you spot the ever changing speed limit signs. Obey all of them. Watching for topes is secondary to spotting speed limits.
#8 Stay in the right lane at all times. You will be passed on your left like you're standing still. Pay no attention to them - they're locals. They're also gringos that haven't a clue, and you may see a few later up the road pulled over by the policia.
#9 If you followed # 1-8 above, it is highly unlikely that you will be pulled over, since tourists trying to blend in with traffic and thus speeding are so prevalent, they are easy pickins for the policia. I firmly believe police DO NOT pull over someone that is obeying all traffic laws.
#10 In the unlikely event that you are pulled over because you didn't follow these steps, or missed a speed limit change, DO NOT PAY A BRIBE TO THE OFFICER. Doing so is illegal, and you are then just as guilty paying a bribe as the officer is asking for one. You are also perpetuating the problem of la mordida. Stand your ground, politely, and ask for the ticket. Or, ask the officer to take you to the police station to pay it. Hand the officer your Articulo 152. At that point, the officer will undoubtedly let you go, and go for an easier target. Likewise, if you WERE speeding, ask for the ticket, and pay it at the police station. Do NOT pay the police officer.
#11 Do not give the officer your license until you have written down his name and badge number. You can communicate these points easily enough even if you don't speak Spanish.
#12 When filling up, get out of the vehicle, check to see the pump has been zeroed out, then tell the attendant how much fuel you want. Watch the pump for the correct amount. Pay attention.
These tips are from driving the area for over 19 years, and collected from my own research and experience. I have never been pulled over, and firmly believe that those that claim they were pulled over "for no reason" are simply mistaken, missed the speed limit change, or unwilling to admit they made a mistake. Or, very unlucky. Good luck, and do a little homework. It's nice to have the freedom of your own wheels.

Carta · Feb 21, 2012

Phydeaux, Thx for ur experience.. I still choose not to rent a car in CUN..I've been traveling Mexico and caribbean for 30 years.. I've rented many cars in my travels...Maybe b/c I'm older now, I'm less adventurous /more cautious...

If you've been renting cars in CUN for 20 years, U know what to expect... But put yourself in the drivers seat of a first timer.... (Whole new world) Not to mention, things have drastically changed in 20 years.. Would u agree?

Even w/ your 12 points of driving in Mex;; Hey,,,,I'm on vacation; i don't want ANY worries.....

ps..Do u speak spanish? As said b4: Big Plus

Phydeaux · Feb 21, 2012

Carta, no worries. We each make our own choices, and yours is just fine. Frankly, there are many people that do rent and drive the area that shouldn't. They are generally the ones posting having been pulled over for no reason, and I believe that's a pile of steaming crap.

Rumors, misinformation, and unadulterated nonsense need to be stifled as quickly as it fills the www. We don't share information over the fence with our neighbor anymore. Just doing my part to express the other side of the story...

P.S. Have you read the accounts of teenagers returning from a night out clubbing, only to be shaken down by the local police, for no reason? :rofl: