Driving in the Yucatan

Old Feb 8th, 2007, 04:14 PM
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Driving in the Yucatan

I am planning a "girls" trip with my best friend. We want to fly into Cancun and then go directly to Tulum for a few days, then on to Merida. Also want to spend a night at Uxmal and one or two around Vallodolid before heading back to Cancun (possibly staying in Isla Mujeres for a day or two). My question is this: How safe is it for 2 women (50's) to drive on our own? I have travelled all over Mexico with my husband and we usually do rent a car and have had no probems to speak of. But this time, I'm a little more leary. I know the buses are great, but with the itinerary we have, it may make it a little difficult. What do you think?
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Old Feb 8th, 2007, 05:39 PM
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I think you'd be fine as long as you are careful and make sure you are always on the main roads so the "green hornets" can help out if you need it. Also, most of the places you mention I've driven through myself with various people and not had a problem. The highway south from Cancun to Tulum is well traveled as is the road from Tulum to Valladolid. The highway between Cancun and Merida is a toll road and also well traveled with military checkpoints at various exits. The only road I haven't traveled is the one to Uxmal but I'd love to go see it myself. The buses are a great way to travel also. I've just turned 50 myself and rent a car most of the time when I'm down there. If you have not driven in Mexico before it's important to know the rules of the road as they are different than the U.S. if that's where your originating from.
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Old Feb 12th, 2007, 09:07 PM
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Just did this trip last year. We drove from Tulum to Uxmal--very easy drive. There is a perimeter hwy around Merida, so from Valladolid you don't go through Merida, but south around it. We did meet folks in Merida who did the whole trip by bus.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2007, 04:10 PM
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I've driven from Cancun to Merida by myself several times with side trips as you've asked about. Never had a problem and at the toll booths from Cancun to Merida, I often see the guys smile and start to laugh because I'm foreign and by myself. I have a girlfriend who is American and has a house in Playa del Carmen and in Merida. She goes back and forth all the time without problems. Uxmal is nice and you will enjoy the trip from Merida. Don't worry, you will be fine.
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Old Mar 5th, 2007, 10:06 AM
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I would avoid traveling after dark -- some of the roads in the interior are very narrow. That is a pretty ambitious itinerary!
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