|
|
Once you make it into Playa del Carmen, you will no
doubt want to explore your surroundings, and you won’t
be disappointed, now just to choose how to get to and
from place to place. Depending on where you want to
go you can walk, rent a bike, rent a car, take a taxi,
catch a bus, “collectivo” vans, or if you really want
to see the sites out there are always organized tour
buses. You can always ask at your hotel desk which is
the best method of transportation to a certain place,
the front desk staff would be more then happy to point
you in the right direction.
Planning on staying in town? Walking would be the
best way to take in all there is to see. The main drag,
5th Avenue, has a number of things to see, not to mention
it’s only a block away from the beautiful beach and
it doesn’t cost you a thing! Maybe, walking is not something
that appeals to you, then rent a bike, on the north
end of 5th Avenue there are quite a few of shops that
rent bikes to the public. If getting there fast is more
along the lines of your thinking, you may want to check
into renting a car or scooter. Up at the north end of
5th Avenue, while not actually allowed on 5th Avenue,
there are major car rental companies along with a few
local rental companies that may offer a discounted rate
compared to the big companies. A scooter is an alternative
to renting a car, while it’s not really a suggested
mode of transportation it is an available option. Perhaps
you are thinking, “I’m on vacation, why should I drive?”
or “I don’t know where I am going, can’t someone just
take me there?” then a taxi would be perfect for you.
You can catch a taxi at any of the cross streets along
5th Avenue and they will be happy to take you as close
as they can to your desired destination; word to the
wise, if you hail a cab at one of their “sitios” it
could end up costing you more then if you were to catch
it on the street.
So, you’ve seen all you want to see in town, you now
want to explore the areas outside of Playa del Carmen,
try taking a bus; there are a number of bus options
available to get you from point A to point B and back
again. The bus station is located at the south end of
5th Avenue; you have your choice of first class or second
class buses. First class ADO buses offer “door to door”
service to some of the major tourist destinations and
the Cancun airport. You can catch the bus every hour
and it will deliver you to the front gate of your destination
all for about $4-$8. The second class Mayab buses are
more like the local public transportation, they travel
the highway and make regular stops along the way, meaning
that you would have to walk from the highway down to
the entrance of your destination. There are also organized
bus tours that will take you on journeys to Cancun,
Celestun, Chichen Itza, Coba, Ek Balam, Isla Mujeres,
Mahahual, Merida, Rio Lagartos, Sian Ka'an, Tulum, Uxmal,
Xcaret, Xelha, and many more places around the Yucatan
and the Maya Riviera.
The last method of transportation are “collectivo”
vans, these are government run vans that travel along
highway 307, they are air-conditioned, so there is no
fear of being too hot while traveling. Pick up times
average every 10 minutes and are along the highway and
can take you anywhere between Cancun and Tulum for about
$6.
|
