We are planning a trip to Mexico and I heard about a bus line from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen. Does this line / this bus also serve Akumal/Tulum ? If not, how much will be a taxi from the bus terminal in Playa del Carmen to Akumal (Hotel Bahia Principe Tulum) ?

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Jo

Taxis - especially around popular tourist areas - tend to be WAY overpriced. (I remember a cab-driver asking for 250 pesos to take me into town from the airport in Puerto Vallarta. I crossed the street, hopped on a bus, and saved about 249 pesos, 50 centavos.)

I don't know about buses specifically to Akumal, but all of the major lines that run in the area, like ADO, certainly run the full corridor from Cancun to Tulum (and beyond). It's worth inquiring not only if they officially stop in Akumal, but if the driver won't just drop you off there regardless. (I've found Mexican bus drivers to be very accommodating - especially if you speak a bit of Spanish.)

Beyond that, you might want to look into colectivos - little shared mini-vans - that are usually very cheap (slightly more than a bus, but far less than a taxi). They also tend to be very flexible in terms of stops, and are the best bet in terms of price and comfort.

Buen viaje!

Chris
Travel better. Travel Gator.
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The ADO bus runs from the airport to Playa Del Carmen for 8.00USD. You can then catch another bus to Tulum but that would be farther than you need to go and you'd have to backtrack and take a taxi anyway. The ADO bus is located at the far end of the terminal. When exiting the terminal turn to the right and follow the sidewalk all the way down to the end. There are two ADO buses there; one for Cancun and one for Playa Del Carmen. The destination is clearly displayed on the windshield. You can buy tickets either in the terminal right before you exit or at the bus itself. I don't know the price of a taxi from PDC to BPT but the price of a taxi from the airport to Tulum ran me 35USD in June.

We always use Cancun Valet. You can get prices from their website and right now I don't remember how much it is but we are using them to get from Cancun Airport to Akumal in October. We have always been totally satisfied with them - they go straight to wherever you want to go and you don't have to wait for anyone else or share the Suburban. Plus, they are waiting outside the airport with YOUR NAME ON A SIGN!!! I love that.

We used www.Dita .com to go from Cancun to Akumal. Price 140.00 round trip in a private van. Takes about 1 hour. Well worth it

sorry that web site is getdita.com.

The private transfers run between $135 - $150 or so, is there some reason you do not want to rent a car? We have been to Akumal 6 times now and always rent a car, for freedom of movement. Not that expensive either until you add on some insurance. You will have a good time in Akumal. Also check out site www.locogringo.com

We're going to Akumal Feb 3, and will be renting a car through Payless (from Expedia). I know we'll have to pay additional insurance charges; should we plan on buying Liability, collision and Personal Effects coverage? It will come to about $150 additional - does this sound about right?

Jamie55 - Since you've been to Akumal six times, have you done a trip report? We'd love to hear your comments. It's our first trip.
Lucy55

Hi Lucy,

I have done a trip report, but not on this site, on locogringo.com. This is a great site for the Riviera Maya and they have one forum devoted to nothing but trip reports. My next trip will be May 2007.

We always stay at Hotel Club Akumal Caribe and except for the first time, we booked through LG, the folks who run the site live down there fulltime so should any problem arise (we have never had any) they are right there on the spot.

We have been to most of the ruins, did CI and Tulum our first trip and have also done Coba (great) and Muyil and last trip went to Ek Balam. This trip we want to get over to Uxmal and also maybe Ruta Puuc sites.

We have also stayed in Cancun (first trip, ugh), Cancun Centro, Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres, Xcalak, Valladolid and Chichen Itza. Most of the places we stay are around US$100/night or less except for Hacienda Chichen Itza this last trip which was US$125 including tax and continental breakfast, but very much well worth the extra money.

We also always rent a car, it is hot in May and being from California I cannot see hiking out to the highway and waiting for a van (to say nothing about crossing that BUSY highway if we want to go south to Tulum or someplace).

Let me know if you have specific questions, however we never stay in AIs so cannot comment on them, sorry.

Jamie,
We're staying in the bungalows at Hotel Club Akumal Caribe.
I couldn't find your trip report on Locogringo - when did you post it?
Have you done much snorkling in Akumal? Are there good places to snorkle on Half Moon Bay?
What are your recommendations for good food???
Thanks!
Lucy

Hi Lucy,

Here is a link to my report, the default is for past 30 days, so I had to reset it since I was there in May 2006.

http://www.locogringo.com/forums/tm.asp?m=299380

We normally stay in the hotel rooms since we like to be beachfront and right next to the pool, but we did stay one night in the bungalows and they are very nice and spacious (and economical compared to the hotel rooms which were $99 last May).

I am not a diver and nor am I a strong swimmer, but I have done some snorkeling, mainly right in front of the hotel and Lol-ha restaurant, the snorkeling is great there and you will very likely see turtles. I have not yet gotten around to snorkeling Half Moon Bay but hear it is also very good. Upon entering the water it is somewhat rocky so buy or bring water shoes or socks.

For places to eat, my personal favorite is Cueva del Pescador (love the mini-lobster and the grilled shrimp is good also). Lol-ha is good, better for lunch than dinner, especially the beach bar. The main restaurant is starting to get a bit overpriced, but we will normally eat there at least once as we love the bacon wrapped shrimp. In Tulum I like Zamas on the beach road and Don Cafeto's in town. The Loncheria next door to the Super Chomak grocery store at the entrance to Akumal,, right outside the arches, also has good, economical breakfasts, lunch menu looked good also. Nothing fancy but the food is fresh and inexpensive.

Have a great trip.