Transportation Riviera Maya
 

Hi,

We will be at Puerto Aventuras for 6 days over Christmas. We are not sure we want to rent a car and drive ourselves around. We want to go to Akumal, Coba or Tulum ruins, etc. Does anyone have recs for private drivers or small tour operators? We would love to be just the 5 of us and in control of our schedule. I anticipate being out and about for 5-6 hours each day.

Thanks!

There are dozens of small tour operators. However, driving around is quite easy and safe. We wouldn't consider staying on the Riviera Maya without a car.

Ditto zootsi, driving is easy, highway 307 is 4 lane and well signed. Just obey the speed limits. Otherwise take taxis or colectivos (with 5 have a plan to meet up in case you have to split up - those vans only hold 12-16).
I have heard good things about a driver named Monica Rendon on Tripadvisor, sounded a bit pricey to me but she gets good reviews. Or try edventure, Ed and his wife Bonnie are nice folks, met them a few years ago at Lol-Ha in Akumal. They will do a custom tour with whatever you want to visit and may even have some suggestions. Have fun.

Thank you so much! Will either rent a car or follow up with these suggestions!

You can rent a car just outside the gates of PA called Carrito. He will give you s fair price if you bargain and pick you up at your condo. He or his father can also drive you to the sirport on your way back for an agreed price. Just fill up at the station next door and take a close look at the car before leaving, if any scratches, you need to mention on the paperwork. Make sure you have your drivers license and passport just in case... You will enjoy the freedom and ease of driving on uour own time. If you rent a condo in PA with a car you can also do your groceries at Wal mart or Mega both on Ave. 30 in Playa. There is a Chedraui ( groceries) accross the hwy from PA but I find the selevtion so much better in Playa.

I was happy to stay in the area without a rental, as I FAR prefer public transportation when possible! You might check the Moon Guide, Rough Guide, or Lonely Planet Guide -- they normally provide excellent information on transportation options.

Contact Edventure Tours. They have several "set" tours, but are also happy to set up a day around what you want to do. Experienced guides/drivers. Great reliable company.
http://www.edventuretours.com.mx/

If you decide not to drive yourself, I've read good reports about these folks who do small group trips:

http://www.yucatreks.com/

and locogringo:
https://www.locogringo.com/

Public transportation (ADO bus or the shared local vans/collectivos) on the whole seems OK, but with 5 people I would rent a car or do a tour. Also, some destinations, like Coba for example, don't have very convenient bus schedules to facilitate day trips.

True SambaChula, I think ADO only has two afternoon departures from Coba ruins, so if you miss it you are SOL.

I've been there numerous times and just use small tour operators, who are very cheap and makes things easy. If you wanted to go somewhere else that wasn't common, I could see it, but those are major sites.

If you want to be "in control of your schedule", then I guess you would need a private car or whatever. Pay attention to insurance, you must have it, and if you intend to use your own policy or CC, make sure it will cover things like theft or damages. You must by law have Mexican third party liability insurance and you'll have to buy it from the car rental company, you can get arrested if you don't have it and are stopped.

They have local tour company brochures all over the place in hotels and main shopping areas of places I've been, but last time I think I used this website and booked a couple through them http://www.cancun-discounts.com/tours/playa-del-carmen/ They are really a consolidator that handle various companies, as I understand it. I know they handle departrues from various points in the Mexican Riviera area. Their tour to Ek Balam and Rio Lagartos was excellent, and the guide superb.

Glad you had a good experience Christina, and Ek Balam and Rio Lagartos are terrific places to visit.
However Johann and Sandra who operate that site are resellers who do not even live in Mexico, just FYI for the OP.