Airport to Playa del Carmen

You just arrived to Cancun’s airport. But now, how to get to Playa del Carmen?

Between Taxi, Shared Taxi, Bus, Shuttle Bus or Rental Car, you are spoiled for choice!

Personally, i recommend to take the ADO buses.

Let me explain you the different options.

• Bus ADO ( 180 pesos / 9 us$ ) ( 75 minutes ) : Bus ADO leaves the airport every 30 minutes in high season, every 45 minutes to an hour during low season. Prices are fixed so you don’t have to negotiate.

• Taxi ( 800 pesos / 40 us$ ) ( 50 minutes ) ( 1 to 3 people ) : There is plenty of taxis waiting for you at the airport. You should negotiate prices before getting into the taxi to avoid them to charge you more than they should.

• Shared Taxi ( 1400 pesos / 70 us$ ) ( 60 minutes ) ( 4 to 8 people ) : Shared taxis are a great option if you are 3 people with a lot of luggages, or if you are 4 to 8 people. You can also pick this option if you want to pay a little bit less than regular taxi.

• Rental Car ( from 1000 pesos/day // from 50 us$/day ) : Plenty of choices to rent a car from : Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Thrifty, Goldcar, Europcar, Cancun Car, Cancun Limo, Mex, Tipoa, Ace or Budget.

• Most All Inclusive Hotels offers free transport from the airport to Playa del Carmen

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Chichen Itza

WHAT ?

The Maya name Chichen Itza means : at the mouth of the well of the Itza (The Itza are Guatemalan people of Maya affiliation).

The impressive Chichen Itza archaeological site, chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, is without a doubt a must-see of the Yucatan Peninsula. The Clasico Tour is the perfect alternative to get to know this millennial Mayan city in a unique duet of nature and culture with the quality, safety and service our visitors are accustomed to.

While the rest of the world was immersed in the Middles Ages, the Maya built this majestic city, primary political center of the Mayan region. Its icon, “El Castillo“, a pyramid dedicated to the god Kukulcan, is a testimony of this important culture’s impressive mathematical and astronomical precision, which still baffles visitors today.

The 91 steps on each side of “El Castillo” and 1 on the altar add up 365 steps, the number of days in a year. The round structure of the Observatory is a surprising and unusual shape in Mayan architecture.

Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities. The buildings of Chichen Itza are grouped in a series of architectonic sets, the three best known of these complexes are the Great North Platform (which includes the monuments of El Castillo, Temple of Warriors and the Great Ball Court), The Osario Group (which includes the pyramid of the same name as well as the Temple of Xtoloc) and the Central Group (which includes the Caracol, Las Monjas, and Akab Dzib).

It was one of this touristic site that you HAVE TO visit if you spend your holidays in the Riviera Maya!

WHERE ?

Chichen Itza is located 2,5 hours driving from Playa del Carmen, or you can choose to go with the bus ADO (4 hours to go, same to come back) or by Tours that will stop a few hours at Chichen Itza and then an hour in Valladoid (founded by Francisco de Montejo “The Nephew”, this colonial town is one of the oldest in Latin America. The beautiful face of colonial architecture, in its stately old mansions and plazas is also found the warmth of its people and captivating places worth to visit).

HOW MUCH ?

The ADO is around 30 us$ round-trip, but a lot of tours offers you to visit Chichen Itza, prices varies a lot from one to another (100 us$ & up).

Mahahual

WHAT ?

Mahahual (also called Majahual) is the paradise on earth. You can enjoy the beautiful beach, snorkeling, swim with dolphins, or try the water park (Lost Mayan Kingdom). It is the perfect place to go with your friends or family, far from mass tourism and huge hotels.

WHERE ?

Mahahual is 3h30 driving from Playa del Carmen (286km), and 4h in bus ADO (7us$ one way).

HOW MUCH ?

Mahahual is free to visit, only activities have an extra cost. To get there in ADO you will pay around 15 us$ round-trip.

Kantun Chi

WHAT ?

Kantun Chi is an Eco Park of Caves and Cenotes in the heart of the Riviera Maya.

Kantun Chi in Maya means : Yellow stone mouth.

If your planning a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, you are likely wanting to enjoy this area’s amazing crystal blue oceans and fresh water cenotes.  Mexico works very hard to protect their cenotes as these naturally occurring freshwater wells are the area’s only major source of fresh water.

When tourists swim in them with lotions and sunscreens, the chemicals in these products inevitably enter the local population’s drinking water supply.  Even sunscreens that advertise themselves as “sweat proof” inevitably sweat from your skin and into whatever water you are swimming in.

WHERE ?

Kantun Chi is 15 min driving from Playa del Carmen.

HOW MUCH ?

A little bit expansive (starting at 20us$), plan at least 2 hours for the 4 cenotes pack, 3 hours for the 5 cenotes pack.