Isla Mujeres, onto Tulum

[CindyM]

What's the best way to get to ferry for Isla? Grab a cab outside of airport? Always seems so hectic when you exit the terminal. What should the cost be to ferry when using cab?

[Armchairshrink]

When I went to Isla 4 years ago, we were coming up from Playa, so I think we just took a cab from Playa all the way to the ferry terminal.

If you want the most hassle free experience, you should probably take a taxi from the airport. I'm sure there's a bus that goes from the airport too, but it might be more difficult to find. No idea how much taxis will cost.

[DougSR]

What's the best way to get to ferry for Isla? Grab a cab outside of airport? Always seems so hectic when you exit the terminal. What should the cost be to ferry when using cab?

Hey Cindy...I got this brochure about Isla which I will cut and paste from.

"As soon as you are about to leave the Cancun airport building you will see a ticket booth (left side) at which you must purchase your ground transportation to Puerto Juarez which is 15 miles from the airport. The cost of a 4-passenger taxi is $42 and the cost of a 9 passenger Suburban is $72. If you ask other tourists purchasing tickets you can often find someone who will ride-share. They also run vans (collectiva) through the hotel zone to Puerto Juarez and charge $12/head for the trip. Will take over 1 hour but is a good deal for two people. It also affords you the opportunity to see all the hotels along the strip in Cancun. You can also “Google” Best Day and reserve a ride for $9 per head—this is what we do—Cancun valet provides a similar service. All transportation from the airport is Syndicate controlled; so don't try to barter for a lower fare. Do not give the driver money except for baggage handling tip."

[Lynnette]

We always take a private transfer to the ferry. They will wait outside the terminal holding a sign with your name. We've used Best Day and AGI. I think there is a $$issue taking a cab from the airport, because no one does it....very expensive due to the airport fees. We do take a taxi back to the airport from the ferry, though...around $18. The taxis across the street from Ultra Mar will give you a better fare.

[austxdan]

We did this in 2005, and I think it went like this:

We took an ADO bus from the airport to 'el Centro' also known as the Cancun downtown bus station. You pick this bus up to the far right as you exit the airport. It is the same location that you pick up the buses for Playa, but make sure you get the one for downtown. I think it was like $3.20 USD/each at the time. Once at the bus station we went to the curb and took a cab to the Puerto Juarez ferry. I don't think we paid more than $5 USD for this. So the whole thing was fairly quick and pretty darned cheap.

PS - Doug, this might help you. Coming back from Isla, when you disembark at Puerto Juarez do not catch a cab in the parking lot. Walk through the lot and grab a cab off the street. You'll save about a $5 "port tax" by getting the cab yourself. If the cabbie give you some grief, walk to the next one, he'll see what you're doing and be more than happy to help. Take your cab back to 'el Centro' and catch a bus to Playa, then a collectivo to Tulum, and your all set.


Dan

PS - and that's all from memory, so be wary of actual prices :confused:

[Gale in KY]

Taxi's have to have a special license to do pick ups at the airport, and they pass the cost on to the customers, making them very expensive. I would take the bus into Cancun Centro and then take a cab to the ferry from the bus station, or pre-book a private transfer.

A sample of private transfer costs
http://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/pj_airport_transfers.htm

[DougSR]

Thanks Dan. Noted.

I just contacted BestDay for a van transfer to the Puerto Juarez. They were just $17usd. I can tell you that when I hit the ground I will be SO ready to get to the sand that I will forgo the bus. Think I'll book now! $17 is nada to get to the beach.

Plus, you guys probably don't care but, I just came into some cash from a big natural gas deposit under my land. I am about to significantly upgrade my whole trip. I'm thinking about XD for a night or two for some fishing. I'm not upscale. I don't need fancy accomodations. I just want more tours (biospere, Isla Contoy). Wish I had time for Holbox...maybe I'll tire of Akumal, check out a day or two early and head north for a day to check out the whale sharks.

[Gale in KY]

Doug..that van is probably a shared van that will stop at any number of hotels in Cancun's hotel zone before getting you to the ferry.

Congratulations on your big score!!! I have always wanted to see Holbox..that would be a great addition to your trip!

[skiptown]

After looking at all of the options we decided to go with Best Day and are prepaid. Why spend a lot of time getting from the airport to the ferry. Last trip we took a collectivo and it stopped three times and took forever to get to the ferry. I agree that you need to watch coming back from Isla and taking a taxi to anywhere, we took one to the bus station and the fare was a lot more than I thought it should be. Six days to wait, I am like a kid waiting for christmas to get here.

[mayaflya]

Plus, you guys probably don't care but, I just came into some cash from a big natural gas deposit under my land. I am about to significantly upgrade my whole trip. I'm thinking about XD for a night or two for some fishing. I'm not upscale. I don't need fancy accomodations. I just want more tours (biospere, Isla Contoy). Wish I had time for Holbox...maybe I'll tire of Akumal, check out a day or two early and head north for a day to check out the whale sharks.

Congrats on the windfall...it will hurt a little less (but not much less) paying my gas bill next winter, knowing the money is going to a good cause....think I need to spend my economic stimulus check down in Mexico......

[beachreader]

Congrats, Doug! Most excellent news, have fun upgrading things here and there, like maybe a private/direct transfer to Puerto Juarez? You will definitely love XD, hope you can get down there.

[DougSR]

Thanks Fran. When you say private do you mean a taxi? I book the van transfer tonight. I'm really a simple guy who likes the rustic stuff, but this trip I look forward to getting what I want when I want it. The rock star limo would be fun but thats not me.

[beachreader]

Not a rock star limo, though you'd look good in one; just when you're booking the transfer, ask them if it's non-stop to Puerto Juarez or if it will be making stops all along the way (as Gale said). You'll have to pay more, but you'll save loads of time, and time is money on vacation!

[CindyM]

I also just reserved with Bestday for shuttle to ferry. Thanks for all the info. $42 for 5 of us.

[DougSR]

Definitely will check into the non-stop. Thanks again.

Cindy, glad you got booked. I guess the more people the better the bargain.

[TnTWalter]

Congrats on the windfall. So are you buying me a :margarita: ??:)

Sadly Holbox doesn't start whale tours until June. I was originally planning on Holbox to do the whale sharks but was told by most only June - Sept.

Hold on just checked my tripplanning folder and there is one place that told me Mid-May...posada mawimbi. They start as soon as the permit allows but there's a chance you won't see them [not guaranteed] until June. So check with them if you're interested..this place also looks good if you want to stay a night.

[minniemex]

Thanks Dan. Noted.

I just contacted BestDay for a van transfer to the Puerto Juarez. They were just $17usd. I can tell you that when I hit the ground I will be SO ready to get to the sand that I will forgo the bus. Think I'll book now! $17 is nada to get to the beach.

Plus, you guys probably don't care but, I just came into some cash from a big natural gas deposit under my land. I am about to significantly upgrade my whole trip. I'm thinking about XD for a night or two for some fishing. I'm not upscale. I don't need fancy accomodations. I just want more tours (biospere, Isla Contoy). Wish I had time for Holbox...maybe I'll tire of Akumal, check out a day or two early and head north for a day to check out the whale sharks.


Say, congrats on your windfall!! Enjoy it!!

In regards to getting to PJ - we always used Best Day and you get a car to the ferry - we have never had a van transfer us there -

[Lynnette]

Woohooo...extra $$$ to spend in Mexico. One small detail to clarify. The newer ferry to Isla is the Ultra Mar and leaves from a different dock, very close to the older Puerto Juarez ferry. There's been some confusion, but I'm sure Best Day should know that the Ultra Mar is what you mean. Sometimes Best Day doesn't have any passengers going to the Hotel Zone and you zip directly to the ferry!!!

[DougSR]

Congrats on the windfall. So are you buying me a :margarita: ??:)

Sadly Holbox doesn't start whale tours until June. I was originally planning on Holbox to do the whale sharks but was told by most only June - Sept.

Hold on just checked my tripplanning folder and there is one place that told me Mid-May...posada mawimbi. They start as soon as the permit allows but there's a chance you won't see them [not guaranteed] until June. So check with them if you're interested..this place also looks good if you want to stay a night.

Hey thanks Trish. I haven't even researched Holbox yet but will look into Posada Mawimbi. Not sure I'll have sufficient time but I've heard great stuff about Holbox. And yes, I would love to buy you guys a few rounds should our paths cross.

Lynnette, can I just walk up to the ferry or do I need to book in advance?

It's crazy how this natural gas thing has changed Dallas Fort Worth. I read Barnett Shale is believed to be the largest on-shore natural gas reserve in the US. People who have alot of land have become millionaires overnight. I just have a small city lot so I wouldn't call it a "windfall" but I've got to wonder how this will change the metroplex.

[Lynnette]

Doug...there is an office on your right at the entrance to the Ultra Mar dock area. You can buy your tickets there.