We're heading to Cancun next week and I had a couple of questions. We're staying at the Fiesta Americana Condesa.<BR><BR>Is there a way to get to Isla Mujeres without going on an excursion? Public ferry? Is it close to our hotel?<BR><BR>To get to the downtown area from our hotel, can you take a public bus? Is it safe at night?<BR><BR>If we wanted to rent a car for the day to go to either Tulum/Xelha or Xcaret, is it better to rent before you go? <BR><BR>Last year in Puerto Vallarta, there was a big festival around this time of year, is there also one in Cancun over the weekend of Dec 8-9? <BR><BR>Thanks for any help!

Just stayed at this hotel in October, you will love it! Very nice pool area and nice beach. There is a public ferry to the island, but it is a ways from the hotel. We took a cab to the ferry and then rented golf carts on the island and explored that way, it was fun! Most of the time we did use the public buses for about 50cents per ride to get to shopping or restaurants. The best meal we had was at La Habichueala (sp?) and you will likely need to take a cab there, it is a bit off the main drag, but worth the trip. Eat outside on the patio, fabulous! Have a flaming coffee drink after dinner, what a presentation. I felt very safe in Cancun after dark, no problem. Didn't do the day trip to the ruins, so can't advise you on that. We usually do Puerto Vallarta (our favorite!) but have been to the Condesa in Cancun twice. The town is nowhere near as charming as PV, but the beaches and water are spectacular in comparison to PV. Excellent nightlife in Cancun if you like to party. Have fun!

The Fiesta Americana Condesa is a great hotel. You will love it! To get to Isla Mujeres you can catch a bus on the main street right in front of your hotel. Look for one with "Puerto Juarez" on the front window. It is about a 20 minute bus ride. The ferry goes about 8 times a day. You can also take a car ferry from Punta Sam but I don't recommend that. It's much more fun as the previous person said to rent a golf cart to explore the Isla once you get there. The public bus will take you into downtown Cancun and to me this is where the best restaurants are. It is very safe at night just be careful of pickpockets if the bus is crowded. As for renting a car, I have found that I can get much better rates by reserving ahead of time. Use a reputable company like Hertz, Avis, etc. They have locations in the hotel zone. I was in Cancun last year in Dec. and did not see a big festival. There was a small processional through the hotel zone for the Virgen of Guadalupe but there may have been something going on downtown that I didn't know about. Have a great trip!

Maybe the Puorto Juarez bus is somewhat new. Anyway we would take the Zona Hoteleria-Tulum bus to the end of its route at Plaza 2000. From plaza 2000 take a Taxi $2US to Puorto Juarez. Your hotel is way down on the south end so would allow 45 to 60 Minutes for the trip. DO NOT take the Zona Hoteleria-Centro bus. Once at PJ be sure to take the modern air conditioned water taxis-the run every 20 to 30 minutes. The locals try to talk you into taking their little dingys. buy your tickets from the hostess on the boat. TRy to pay in pesos. Also visit isla-mujeres.net for further instructions on getting to the island as well as maps and other usefull stuff. Have fun IM is a great place--especially Norde Beach.

Thanks for the replies! We rented a car from Avis for $26.95 for the day. The car rental place appears to be a couple of miles from the hotel (we're at 16km and the rental place is at 12km at La Isla mall). Is there a bus that runs through the hotel zone that we could catch that runs frequently?