Riviera Maya - Essential Information
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Cancún International Airport
Cancún International Airport is the main airport to reach the Riviera Maya.
Cancun is the second-largest airport in Mexico and it serves more than 10 million passengers per year. The airport is located 50 km from Playa del Carmen and 112 km from Tulum.
Transfer from Cancun Airport to Riviera Maya
There are several options available for ground transportation. Some properties might include the transportation in the package.
Car rental is available and gives you the liberty to move around freely, all mayor car rental companies are represented.
Upon arrival you can also hire a shared shuttle service at around 18 USD per person or get a private taxi.
The most economic option is the ADO bus with services from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen with a brief stop at Puerto Morelos. Buses run from 10.00 am to 22.00 pm every hour and the rate is $116 pesos (around 10 USD)
The terminal is located at the southeast corner of terminal 2. A shuttle service runs every 10 minutes between terminal 2 and 3. Payment is accepted in mexican pesos and US Dollars. (Euro is NOT accepted)
ATM machines are available inside the terminals 2 and 3.
Buses are painted red and they will be marked with Playa del Carmen.
The ADO airport bus will take you to the bus station on 5th Avenue in downtown Playa del Carmen. There is a taxi stand located in front of the bus terminal for transportation to your hotel.
For more information please see the websites below:
www.ado.com.mx
Public Transportation
There are several ways to travel in Riviera Maya:
The ADO bus runs between the main cities and according to a timetable. The buses have air conditioning and video on board and offer services throughout the Mexican Republic. Buses to Cancun run every 15 minutes and to Tulum every 30 minutes.
For actual rates and schedules check the local bus station at 5th Avenue Corner Juarez Avenue in Playa del Carmen or click : www.ado.com.mx
Another option is the “colectivos” a shuttle-type service that runs between Tulum and Cancun. They run all day long and can be stopped at the side of the Highway 307. There is no timetable so some patience is requested. In Playa del Carmen you catch it at the “colectivo” stand located at 2nd Street between 15th and 20th Avenue. (Calle 2 Norte entre 15 y 20 Avenida).
Car Rental Agencies are located at the airport, in Playa del Carmen and in all the hotels in Riviera Maya. Rates may vary according to the season. A credit card and a valid driver’s license are requested and the minimum age to rent a car in Riviera Maya is 21 years.
The Highway 307 is a modern 4-lane divided highway in excellent condition that connects Cancun with Tulum. From Tulum 2 lanes continue to Chetumal in the south of the state of Quintana Roo.
Taxi
Taxis are available 24 hours a day. Rates are per taxi and a maximum of 4 people per taxi is allowed. There are taxi stands at strategic places in the mayor towns or simply stop any taxi on the street. Taxis have fixed rates and all taxi drivers should have a rate chart available. It is recommended to make out the price before boarding. Make sure you carry small bills or the correct amount as change is difficult sometimes. Most taxi drivers will speak little english so it is recommended to have the address written down on paper and remember the taxi number written on the door for eventual forgotten items. The current average cost for a taxi within Playa del Carmen is 25 pesos.
Health Care
You can find pharmacies in all villages and cities in the Riviera Maya, most of them are open 24 hours and some of them offer delivery service.
Please note that laws have changed in Mexico and that a prescription is required to purchase medication.
Farmacias Yza
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo Constituyentes Cruce con Av. 30 Col. Gonzalo Guerrero +52 984 873 0597
Farmacias del Ahorro
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo Av Constituyentes lt 1, Gonzalo Guerrero c.p. 77720 Toll free: 01 800 711 2222
Medical Assistance is excellent in the Riviera Maya. Doctors are professional and speak fluent English. Hospitals and Private Clinics are available for the unfortunate case you need one.
HOSPITEN
Medical Service in Playa del Carmen Full hospital with all medical and emergency services.
Tel. +52 984 803-1002, +52 984 803-1002
Location: Hwy 307 on the North bound side near the Playacar entrance Accepts Credit Cards.
Open 24 hrs, daily
PLAYAMED
Medical Service in Playa del Carmen
Hospital and emergency room services.
Tel. +52 984 879-3114, +52 984 879-3114
Location: Hwy 307 and Calle 28, on the west side of the highway.
Open 24 hrs, daily
Telephone Code
The Riviera Maya offers several communications options. From phone booths to Internet cafes located in shopping malls and restaurants, most of them with Wi-Fi service. Also most of the Hotels offer Internet service.
Country code: +52 Area code: 984
To call from México to USA you have to dial 001+ telephone number
To call from México to other countries dial 00+ country code+ telephone number
Electricity
110 Volt. Hotels usually offer voltage converters for 220 Volt devices.
Drinking Water
The water out of the tap is not drinking water. Please use bottled water instead. Ice cubes are made out of bottled water and are perfectly safe.
Weather
Riviera Maya has a subtropical climate with warm and sunny weather all year around.
The average daily temperature is 28°c / 85F with higher peaks in the summer months when temperatures can reach 32°C, 90 °F.
The climate is predominated by a rainy season from June until November. Generally this means some showers in the early evening or during the night.
It is recommended to bring a sweater or a light jacket in the wintermonths as temperatures may drop due to north wind influence.
