From the airport to the city centre Yucatán Peninsula

There are several options for getting to Cancún from the airport.

The cheapest is to take an ADO bus ($94), which drops you off at the bus station downtown in 30 minutes (buses every 30 minutes). Then take a bus ($12) from the corner of Tulum and Uxmal avenues (very close by), or a cab or VTC (around $180) to the hotel zone.

Second option: the colectivo via the Green Line or Gray Line companies, for example, which drop passengers off at the foot of their hotel ($270 per person). This is the most convenient option.

Finally, the most comfortable option, but also the most expensive, is to take a cab. Impossible to negotiate, prices are fixed and will cost you over $600, a fortune compared to prices in the rest of the country.

Note that you can reach Playa del Carmen by ADO bus without passing through the center of Cancún. Departures from the airport every 45 minutes, 1-hour drive ($250). Ditto for Tulum, 2-hour drive ($420).

Arrival by train Yucatán Peninsula

Mexico has an extensive rail network, but it is now reserved for the transport of goods. Immigrants from Central American countries use it clandestinely to reach the northern border, but it's really not advisable to do the same. On the peninsula, as elsewhere, there have been no trains to get you from town to town.

President AMLO's ambitious but controversial " Mayan train " project, designed to link the region's main tourist sites (a loop of some 1,500 km over five states, with 34 stations and stops), was inaugurated on December 15, 2023 with the commissioning of the first section between Cancún and Campeche. Since February 29, 2024, the line has extended from Playa del Carmen to Palenque. The final Playa del Carmen - Tulum - Calakmul section will open at a later date. Please note that stations are generally located quite far from the city centers of the towns served. Free shuttle buses run between the Maya Train stations and the city centers. However, this tourist-only train remains hotly contested by environmental organizations and Mayan communities, and rightly so.

Arrival by boat Yucatán Peninsula

Chetumal can be reached from San Pedro (Belize) in 1 hour 30 minutes. Daily departures in both directions with San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi (www.belizewatertaxi.com) and Water Jets International (www.sanpedrowatertaxi.com). Ultramar (www.ultramarferry.com) offers regular ferry services between Playa del Carmen and the island of Cozumel, and from Cancún (Puerto Juárez, Playa Tortuga, El Embarcadero and Playa Caracol) to Isla Mujeres. Several cruise lines serve the ports of Cozumel, Mahahual and Progreso.

Public transport Yucatán Peninsula

Bus. If there's one word to remember for travelers who opt for the bus, it's the term camión, which refers to buses in Mexico. First-class buses(ejecutivo) are comfortable, equipped with TVs, toilets, sometimes Wi-Fi, and air conditioning (which always makes you wish you'd forgotten your scarf and hat). In the higher category, known as servicio de lujo, more spacious reclining seats are offered, as well as drinks, snacks and wifi. It is generally 20% more expensive than the previous category. These buses use toll freeways. Bus stations offer toilets where you can wash up and cafeterias where you can recharge your batteries. Luggage lockers are also sometimes available, making it easy to visit a city in just a few hours.

On the Yucatán peninsula, ADO (pronounced "a-dé-o") is the main bus company and has its own bus stations. Tickets can be booked and purchased online via the company's website(ado.com.mx), app (not very functional) or via booking platforms such as busbud.com or miescape.com.mx. Second-class buses (Mayab, Oriente, Sur...) don't necessarily require reservations and are less expensive. They often use secondary roads and stop in villages along the way. Journey times are therefore longer and more tiring. There's also a greater risk of baggage theft, as tickets are not systematically issued when personal belongings are checked in. Similarly, it's advisable not to leave your belongings lying around on your seat once you've made it to your dreamland.

Colectivos. Public transport for short distances is generally provided by shared cabs(colectivos) or combis (minivans). Colectivos leave as soon as they are full (4 to 7 passengers), while combis stop non-stop to pick up or drop off passengers en route. This is handy for accessing certain sites where conventional buses don't stop.

City buses. Numerous buses and minibuses(camiones) criss-cross the cities. Getting around is easy (but it's best to let the driver know where you're going), cheap and there's never a long wait (every 5-10 minutes on average). However, it can be tricky with bulky luggage.

Bike, scooters & co Yucatán Peninsula

Adventurers who want to explore the peninsula by bike will have the advantage of flat terrain. It's a fantastic means of locomotion for those with time, a certain level of fitness and a propensity to endure natural elements that aren't always friendly (the heat in particular; prefer the slightly cooler months of December to March). However, this is the price to pay for unforgettable experiences that the most colorful bus can't offer. Ideally, of course, you should come to Mexico with your own bike, which most airlines will carry free of charge if you give them advance notice. You can also buy a bike locally, for a trip lasting a few weeks. Hourly or daily rentals are common in tourist centers (Tulum, Playa del Carmen, on the islands...). Bicycles are very practical for reaching beaches or visiting cenotes , for example, without having to wait for a colectivo each time. Expect to pay around $100 a day (9am-6pm generally) or $150 for 24 hours. Scooters are also practical, and can be ridden by two people! 500 a day, $700 for 24 hours.

With a driver Yucatán Peninsula

Cabs are equipped with taximeters in Mexico City, but rarely elsewhere. So remember to negotiate the fare before you leave, to avoid unpleasant surprises on arrival. Cab ranks"(sitios) are easy to spot on the street. You can also call them to pick you up at the location of your choice. It's worth noting that the Yucatán Peninsula receives many Anglo-Saxon tourists, so fares are higher than elsewhere, but they are generally more transparent than in the rest of the country. In many bus stations, you can now buy a ticket at a fixed price, depending on your destination, and hand it over to the driver. It's a little more expensive, but it avoids arguments. In several cities, such as Cozumel, flat-rate fares for travel around the island are displayed in all tourist areas.

More and more Mexicans (and tourists) are using the applications of VTC platforms such as Uber, Cabify or Didi. It's the safest way to get around town, and often costs less than a cab. A "cash payment" option(efectivo) is available at the time of booking. Please note that VTCs can drop you off at the airport, but cannot pick you up there.

By car Yucatán Peninsula

Renting a car is still the most comfortable way to visit the Yucatán Peninsula, and can be very cost-effective if there are 3 or 4 of you. It saves a lot of time, and means you don't have to plan your program around the bus timetable (even though buses are generally quite frequent). Road conditions are generally good, and the road network is extensive. Don't forget to install Waze and Maps.Me (this app works offline if you've downloaded the maps beforehand). Be very careful ofspeed bumps, which are frequent and sometimes unmarked (sometimes invisible at night), as they can be fatal for your shock absorbers. Always keep to the speed limit (30-50 km/hour in town, 80-120 km/hour outside built-up areas): traffic wardens love to stop tourists to lighten their wallets. Note that traffic lights are placed after intersections, which is surprising at first! Beware, too, of the rather folkloric local driving style. It's understandable: Mexicans don't have to take a driving test to get their license, they just have to pay a small fee and fill in a form.

In the event of a check-up, it's important to talk calmly to the police officer, explaining, for example, that you've only been driving in the country for a short time. It's always a good idea to avoid reversing the dominant-dominated role, and to keep the discussion going. The roads are not only populated by malicious people.

Car rental. An international driver's license is not required; however, a national driver's license (more than one year old) and a credit card with sufficient funds - blocked during the rental period for the deposit - and payment limits are indispensable. Drivers must be at least 21, or even 25, to rent a car. At the time of rental, you should ask which type of fuel is suitable: Pemex Premium (red pump) or Pemex Magna (green pump). The Pemex Magna blend is less expensive. For those who choose to rent a car from a major company, it's advisable to do so online, as prices on the web are often cheaper than those offered in agencies. In all cases, insurance(seguros) is not compulsory but is strongly recommended, and can significantly increase the bill. When you receive your car, check any scratches with the rental company, and don't hesitate to film or photograph them to avoid any subsequent disputes.

Theft. Rental cars are easy to spot (they're all pretty much the same), and we strongly advise you not to leave anything in your car, including the boot. Leave the car in paying parking lots(estacionamientos), and even then, don't leave anything of value (money, passport...). Again, for safety reasons, night driving is strongly discouraged, and be careful at crossroads in big cities: at night, Mexicans slow down but don't stop at traffic lights or stop signs.

Accessibility Yucatán Peninsula

Mexican cities are not very accessible for people with reduced mobility, or traveling with a stroller. Sidewalks are not always in good condition, and crosswalks are often non-existent or disregarded. Modern shopping malls and large hotels are the exception, with access ramps and specially equipped rooms.

Tourist traps Yucatán Peninsula

Since cabs are not equipped with a meter, beware of the "tourist" fare that may be charged, often double or triple the normal price, especially if you do not speak Spanish. Agree on the price before the start of the trip to avoid problems at the time of payment. Using the platforms Uber, Didi or Cabify are good alternatives to avoid price disputes. If you rent a car, beware of very low call prices, especially on the Internet, which can turn out to be real scams. In general, the low rates do not take into account the compulsory insurance and optional supplementary insurance, which make the rates explode. If you are coming from a long intercontinental trip, avoid signing a rental contract when you arrive at the airport. Finally, among the scams on the road, in addition to the untimely stops by the police to get money from you for an imaginary offence, be careful when you fill up your tank at the gas stations. These stations are not self-service, it is a pump attendant who serves you and it sometimes happens that he forgets to reset the meter to zero...