Cancun to Playa bus?
 

Going to Playa with four or five people, including child, and wondering if the Autobus Riviera is a decent way to get to Playa from Cancun airport? We'll be arriving at the airport around 5 pm. Anyone have any experience with this bus? Does it run frequently? I've heard it can be hard to locate at the terminal - because other transfer companies try to sell you on their rides and they'll pretend to not know where the bus is. Also, in Playa, do you walk to your hotel or take a taxi from the bus station? Our hotel will be on the north edge of town, not in the heart. Thanks so much!

We've taken the Riviera bus several times. Costs about $7.00US one way. As you head out of the terminal just keep going right. Big blue buses. They run about every hour, but I'm not sure when the latest one is. With five people it might not be much more to hire a driver. Check with Cancun Valet and see what they charge.

We just dragged our bags down 5th Avenue from the bus station in Playa, but we weren't staying that far north. I'm sure it wouldn't cost much for a cab.

We have taken this bus 2 or 3 times on different trips. Then we discovered it is cheaper to just get a taxi. We negotiated the rate from Cancun to Playa to around $35, which is not much more than the bus. Plus it takes less time.

If you choose to go with the bus instead, note that the seats are assigned. On one trip there were people who were very upset by others sitting in their seats and so the whole bus had to rearrange seating to their "assigned" seat. Also, when you are in Cancun and board the bus, it might be another 30 minutes or more before it actually pulls out of the terminal. Once you are in Playa, the bus terminal is at the south end of town. It is easy to navigate once you are there and on avenida 5, however if you have a lot of luggage, it can be a little hectic trying to walk all the way up the street which is crowded with people, vendors, etc.

So I again recommend the taxi because it will drop you right off at your hotel.

I'm a little confused by the previous poster who said the seats on the bus were reserved. This must have been on a private bus, because on the Rivieras, there is no assigned seating and the cost from Cancun to Playa is about $7. No way is it cheaper to take a taxi. I live in Cozumel and travel back and forth from Playa to Cancun on a regular basis. The bus is easy, leaves very frequently, and is very comfortable.

cozanne, we have done the buses many times and had no idea there were assigned seats until a very rude, older couple got irate with someone sitting in their seat. they pointed out that in very small, lite print on the ticket there is a seat number, and sure enough there was. because of them the entire bus ended up playing musical chairs. other than that one instance we have never had problems with the seats. if you have 4 people to a taxi and you negotiate the price to around $30 or $35 you are only paying $2 - $7 more than if you were to all take the bus. plus you would be dropped by your hotel instead of having to walk avenida 5 in playa del carmen.

We took the Riviera bus, and it was great. It is a little tricky to find the terminal, since it is way to the right of the airport terminal. The busses are now RED not blue! We didn't encounter anything about reserved seats, we just sat where we wanted. The overhead tv's are a bit annoying - constantly showing very violent adventure shows during the whole trip. The busses are modern, clean and comfortable, however. We walked about 5 blocks from the terminal to our hotel. It was actually fun, since it's a pedestrain street, and was a good way to get introduced to this hopping city.

Agree with CozAnnie. The Riviera bus is the best way to go. The seats are not assigned (a number may be printed on the ticket but it is usually the same on everyone's ticket!). The buses operate on a schedule and normally leave right on schedule--so, if you board early, it is possible to have a bit of a wait.
I also feel much safer in the bus in the heavy traffic on the Cancun--Playa highway. Their speed is regulated--as opposed to the taxi drivers who often try to set a new record!
Enjoy!