Playa Del Carmen Forum & Riviera Maya Forums

I'm travelling to Puerto aventurs at easter and have rented a condo in the marina. We have travelled a lot but usually under our own steam. I am finding car hire really expensive. Do I need a car or should I use taxis and transfers? What about airport transfers? I will need a supermarket shop is this able to be done in puerto or will I need a car for this? Or is it best just to eat out and forget it? I do have 2 children aged 8 and 6!!! Thanks for any advice
Paul

If you are interested in seeing/doing things out of Puerto Aventuras, I would recommend a car. Have you checked the rates at EasyWay? I have used them at least 8-10 times and have been pleased with price and service. Not a fancy operation - just a little office 10 minutes from the airport. You can use a taxi for going into Playa from Puerto, but if you want to get to places like Akumal, Coba, Tulum, etc., a car gives you a lot of flexibility. Bus is hard to use from Puerto because the entrance to Puerto on the highway is a long walk from the marinas. There are a couple of small grocery stores in Puerto, but you are not going to find meat, fish, chicken or vegetables to your liking. They are more oriented to snack type food and beverages and booze. I am not sure about getting to Puerto from the airport via bus. You would be dropped at the entrance on the highway and it would be a long hot walk dragging luggage. I would estimate a taxi ride at about $80-$90. The car rental agences wiill meet you as soon as you exit outside the aiport. They will have a big sign with your name on it. A lot of people are intimidated about driving in Mexico. Personally, I find it the best way to get around.

Hi Paul,

Great to have you coming to Puerto Aventuras. There are many options for getting around, some better than others and some cheaper than others.

1. The walk from the farthest point of Puerto Aventuras to the exit is about 1 kilometer, I walk it everyday from the highway to the office with my backpack and coffee and I am 51. Some times of the year as well as time of the day makes it alot easier, from May to Sept. I can't wear clothes for the walk since I would arrive to work sweating but right now the morning temps are 63° to 68° and the afternoons 82° so not that bad. You can pay a taxi to take you to the entrance but for me to pay 40 pesos for a ride to the entrance is silly.

2. Once you are out to the highway you can take the MAYAB Bus or Collective Taxis (mini vans) which are the most economic ways to get around. $1.25 to get from Puerto Aventuras to Playa Del Carmen or Tulum and you can get off anywhere along the way. If you want to go to places out of the way (oh and remember you have to walk to where ever you are going from where you get off the bus or collective) you can take the collective to Playa and get the ADO bus (first class bus) to places like Valladolid which is a colonial town about 2 hours from Puerto Aventuras. You can have lunch there although I recommend the Brunch with Cochinita Pibil at one of the local hotel / restaurants. There is a cenote nearby as well as a museum and they have a tourism office open everyday near the town square..

3. You can of course rent a car and you can find usually from 25 dollars per day to 150 dollars per day depending on the car you want or need.

Inside Puerto Aventuras you do not need a car to get around.

Getting from the Airport to Puerto Aventuras can be as easy or complicated as you want to make it. Yes Airport Transfers are not cheap... Depending on the number of people in your group it can cost from $85 dollars each way ($150 round trip) to $150 each way ($280 round trip). Puerto Aventuras is not the farthest destination from Cancuns Airport but not the closest either. 1 Hour usually with a fast driver but also depending on the day, I have gone to Cancun from Playa Del Carmen and spent 90 minutes getting there. If you are not going to rent a car at the airport we recommend a pre-arranged, prepaid transfer round trip. There is nothing better than having your ride waiting outside the terminal for you to get you right to your hotel or condo. No waiting for the van to fill up and no sitting in the van while others are dropped off along the way. Most of the per person transportations fill the vehicle before leaving and if you are the farthest away you are the last to be dropped off so maybe spending an extra hour in the van while people getted dropped of doesn't bother you but I hate it.
If you want to arrange airport transfers please e-mail info@puertoaventuras.com and someone will arrange it for you.

Thats all I can think of about your subject right now but don't hesitate to post or email us if you have questions about anything else. If you want to do some activities we can book for you Sailing and Snorkeling with a visit to the Tulum Ruins with a Guide, food and beverage all included or there is swimming with the dolphins and much more.