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- Restaurant Reviews (66)
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Driving Tips
There's no better way to see the Yucatán than to rent a car, grab a map and go exploring. Here are some things to consider when planning a road trip.
Conditions:
Driving in the Yucatán is safe and easy. The peninsula is flat and most roads are well maintained. Occasional thunderstorms may impair visibility, so it's important to inspect your windshield wipers before your trip. On particularly hot days, driving at high speed on smoldering asphalt can cause blow-outs, so check your tire pressure and tread wear as well.
The most common road hazards are topes, or speed bumps, encountered mostly in villages and on rural roads. They are generally marked by a sign, but not always. The topes in the Yucatán were probably designed by ancient pyramid builders.
Caution! In rural areas at night, many of the Mayan locals must cross the roads to return home from their milpas. Many also work near the roads in the evening to avoid the mid-day heat. For this reason, it is best to avoid driving at night. When driving off the main roads in villages and rural areas, always be alert for pedestrians, livestock and the native fauna.
Car Rentals:
A valid driver's license and major credit card qualify you for a rental car. Many models are available, including the Yucatán's favorite: the Volkswagen Beetle. After selecting your car, you will be required to purchase Mexican auto insurance. Prices vary, but expect to pay a bit more than usual. To locate a rental agency, see our list of car rental agencies.
Gasoline:
All gas stations in Mexico are operated by PEMEX, the government-owned Petroleos Mexicanos. Service is pretty reliable, and gas stations are relatively frequent; but be sure to always fill up before leaving on a trip and keep your tank topped up. Check that the attendant sets the pump back to ZERO before pumping your gas. There are no self-serve gas stations in Mexico, so tipping is customary. The current price is 9.40 pesos per liter for Magna (regular) and 10.42 pesos per liter for Premium. Be sure to pay with exact change or credit card (accepted in most stations).
Distances:
The Yucatán, and all of Mexico, uses the metric system. All distances are given in kilometers. To convert kilometers to miles, multiply by 0.62.
Distances from Mérida in miles:
Dzibilchaltún: 14 miles
Progreso: 22 miles
Telchac Puerto: 38 miles
Izamal: 44 miles
Uxmal: 50 miles
Celestún: 52 miles
Kabah: 63 miles
Loltún: 70 miles
Chichén Itzá: 75 miles
Valladolid: 100 miles
Campeche: 100 miles
Río Lagartos: 165 miles
Cancún: 199 miles
Playa del Carmen: 240 miles
Tulum: 296 miles
Palenque: 346 miles
Agua Azul: 384 miles
San Cristobal: 493 miles
Mexico City: 946 miles
Click here for distances and driving times in Mexico.
Toll Roads:
Highway 18 from Mérida becomes the 180 toll road, also called a cuota or carretera de cobro, going east to Cancún. This four-lane speedway is by far the fastest route to Cancún. Using it, you can avoid 146 topes and 43 villages. Along the way, you will encounter toll booths or casetas de cobro. Expect to pay $381 pesos between Mérida and Cancún. Have pesos in hand because the exchange rates at the toll booths are less than generous.
Exact tolls are:
Mérida to Chichén Itzá - $81 Pesos.
Mérida to Valladolid - $140 Pesos.
Chichén Itzá to Valladolid - $59 Pesos.
Valladolid to Cancún - $241 Pesos.
Mérida to Cancún - $381 Pesos.
Parking:
There are no parking meters in the Yucatán, but you'll discover a couple of unexpected traditions. You can generally park anywhere, with the exception of yellow or red curbs in the cities. Always remove valuables and lock the car whenever you park.A pilot plan is underway in Centro, where parking zones will be indicated with blue paint on the pavement.
Some downtown streets, or calles, in Mérida have parking attendants as well. If you see a red, three-wheeled tricicleta somewhere on the calle, there is probably an attendant on the job. They wave a red rag and use a whistle. They are there to prevent minor fender-benders, maintain the flow of traffic and provide security. They will also wash your windshield, or your entire car if you ask ("Tienes tiempo para lavar mi coche, ahora?").
If you can't find parking on the street, look for an estacionamiento sign. There is a public parking lot in just about every block of the centro of Mérida, so you should have no problem. Just look for Estacionamiento Público signs, usually painted on the wall of the entrance to the lots. The charges are hourly, usually 10 or 12 pesos per hour, some as low as 8. Always check what time they lock up, as after that hour (usually fairly late at night, somewhere between 9 pm and 2 am) you wouldn't be able to get your car till the next morning. Every public parking lot has an attendant who will give you a ticket with the time of entry on it, and the cost is calculated when you return for your car. Some of the lots will require you to leave your keys in case they need to move cars around. Don't worry about this. Generally, it is safer to leave your car in a parking lot than on the street. Obviously don't leave valuables in the car no matter where you park. Click here for the location of parking lots in Centro.
You'll also find parking attendants in most business parking lots, such as for a bank or shopping center. They may usher you into a space, help with loading any merchandise you purchased, and help you navigate out of the lot. They may also be unavailable to help you on a busy day. Tip parking attendants five or six pesos depending on the assistance they are able to provide.
Green Angels:
Mexico has a wonderful roadside assistance service called Angeles Verdes or the Green Angels. These are auto mechanics in green utility trucks who patrol the major roads. They can provide gas, oil, tire repair and other minor maintenance, as well as arrange towing. They only charge for parts. Their labor is free and they don't accept tips. They have been operating on Mexican roads since 1960. Thank you, Green Angels! Their phone number is (999) 983 1184.
Arriving to Cancún and want to get to Mérida?
How to get to Mérida from Cancún: If you are renting a car you do not have to worry since all the car rentals are at Cancún International Airport (CUN). Check our Yucatán map to get a general idea of your drive to Mérida that should take about 4 hours. We do recommend taking the highway one way to save time if you wish, and the freeway back to be able to go through all the villages and get a glimpse of what Mayan people and their villages are like.
If you are taking the bus to Mérida it all starts when you leave the airport in Cancún and walk all the way to the right end where you take a bus for $50 pesos into the downtown bus station. This bus runs every hour and takes about 35 minutes. For up-to-date information click here. There are 3 levels of service: super luxury "Platino" for 438 pesos, luxury "GL" for 334 pesos, and first class for 268 pesos. There are plenty of buses coming and going all the time, so if it's not high season you do not need reservations. Visit http://www.ticketbus.com.mx/wtbkd/index.jsp for schedules. (Note: you can also fly between Cancun and Merida; MayAir has one nonstop flight per day.)
Driving to Merida from the United States
Hey, with the increasing violence at the border, I am trying to plan a driving trip to Merida very carefully. Can anyone give recent advice on a couple of issues: 1. do you still consider it relatively safe, 2. Traveling with dogs and am finding flying VERY difficult or impossible...any other suggestions for getting them there other than driving, 3. Can anyone give a suggested "most safe" route including stopping informaiton. For example, cross at neuevo Loredo and drive 12 hours to Puebla and overnight there at??? Any help woudl be GREATLY Appreciated!!!!
re. driving to merida from the us
Please stand by, I am gathering info for you. How many dogs?
Traveling to Yucatan
I have two dogs....Thank you for any help...The information (even from the Mexico government) is spotty and inconsistent!
re. traveling to yucatan
I have sent you an email to the email address indicated on your first posting.
Juanita Stein, Editor, Yucatan Today
Driving Information
Hi Juanita,
We don't have dogs but could you send us the same driving information,Please.
We will be driving from Tucson,Az.to Merida.We will be leasing a home in Churbana for 12 months.
Thank You so Much.
Jim and Sherri Sullivan
re. driving info
There are mixed reviews about the safety of driving in northern Mexico. Here is a really useful and recent article... http://www.quadro.net/~shirley/Brownsville-Merida/
Thanks for info
Hi Juanita,
Boy...That is Great information.We don't venture out on our trip until May,2011.If anything changes ,Please keep us posted.
Again,you have been so helpful.Hopefully,we can return the favor some time.
Jim and Sherri Sullivan
Driving in the Yucatan area.
Could I please have your thoughts on is it safe to drive in the Yucatan area.
thanks
Neil
re. driving in yucatan
Absolutely. I have lived here 8 years and drive anywhere in the city, the state, and the peninsula with no problem. I do avoid highway driving at night but this is more because of drinking drivers than anything else.
Juanita Stein
Yucatan Today Editor
Driving to Majahual
This is great information. My mother and I are planning a trip in November to visit my brother who is living in Costa Maya (Majahual). Our plan is to fly into Cancun and rent a car and drive to Costa Maya and explore the area using his resort as a home base for day trips. Then we were planning to drive to Merida and spend a night or two there before heading back to the Cancun area.
Do you know what the driving time would be and do you have any tips for this itinerary?
re. driving to mahahual
We specialize in the state of Yucatan but you will need to get a good road map of the whole peninsula. From Cancun you will head south to Tulum on a divided highway, and continue south on an excellent road to Felipe Carrillo Puerto then on to Los Limones where you will take a smaller road east (left) to Mahahual. Total driving time about 7 hours. From Mahahuall back to the highway then diagonally northwest to Merida, partly on an excellent secondary road then switching to divided highway. About 7 hours. From Merida back to Cancun on the divided toll road, about 4 hours. Tips--it is very safe and the roads are very good. I always avoid driving at night on unfamiliar roads. Be sure to read our article on Merida and use our city maps.
driving from colorado
Hi, I will be driving in January with my 2 dogs from Colorado to Merida, so I have the same questions as some others. Can you email me the information you sent to Harvey as far as best place to cross the border, best route to take, safety, etc.? Thanks so much, Nina
re. driving from colorado
Hi, I had sent him info about flying with dogs plus this comment: There are mixed reviews about the safety of driving in northern Mexico. Here is a really useful and recent article... http://www.quadro.net/~shirley/Brownsville-Merida/
Thanks for your quick
Thanks for your quick response. I was hoping, though, that you would have information for crossing the border somewhere further west than Brownsville, Texas. That is a long way from Colorado, and I imagine we would take a very different route. Could you also send the info. for flying with dogs to me? Nina
re. driving from Colorado
I don't know of any other websites with driving info...check in with yolisto.com which is a place where Yucatan expats exchange info about everything under the sun and see what others have to say. Also check out yucatanexpatriateservices.com which may or may not address this topic, but you could ask them. Also check out the blog http://debiinmerida.blogspot.com/ which a Colorado woman writes now that she and her hubby live here, and she may have some info for you. Re. flying with the dogs...the info is quite lengthy so I will email you.
driving through mexico
Here is a good article on driving through Mexico: http://www.yucatanliving.com/daily-life/driving-with-dogs-through-mexico...
Driving tips, route suggestions
Hola
My husband and I are heading to Cancun in late April/early May for two weeks. The first week we are thinking of: Cancun to Valladolid (one night), then Piste to see Chichen Itza, then to Merida for two nights, then thinking of heading down to Uxmal for one or two nights and then blast over to Akumal. We hope to fit this part of the trip into 6 days (we arrive April 27 before lunch and want to stay in Tulum the night of May 2nd. We are then spending one week on Half Moon Bay in Akumal. Can you give us some tips for our driving portion, which routes are best to take and in which order and what not to miss. We have heard the Flycather Inn near Uxmal is a good place to stay.
Thank for any help/info you can give.
Arlene
re. driving tips, route suggestions
The first thing you need to know is that the week before and after Easter Sunday are both quite busy travel times in Mexico. Easter is on Apr. 24.
The order you suggested is fine. From Cancun to Valladolid you can take the excellent divided highway toll road "Cuota" for a total cost of 225 pesos in tolls (about 2 hours). From there just follow the signs to Piste and Chichen Itza (a half hour). From there take the toll road to Merida, the cost is 75 pesos (2 hours). From Merida head south to Uxmal on the excellent road, this is about an hour. From there to Akumal you have 2 choices: go back to Merida and then take the toll road to Valladolid and then head southeast to Tulum and Akumal, or take a more scenic route: Uxmal-Ticul-Peto-Cobá-Tulum-Akumal. Plan on a full day for this drive. I don't know the Flycatcher but you can see what others think on TripAdvisor.com.
Be sure to pick up a current copy of our magazine Yucatan Today when you get to Valladolid. You can also send me your mailing address at info@yucatantoday.com and I will mail you a copy when our new improved map of the Yucatan peninsula is published mid-Dec.
Hotels
Maps
map and other things
Hola
Thanks for your response -lots of good info. I have emailed you my address for the revised map when it's ready.
Can you tell me what the Puuc Route is? Is it the more scenic hwy as opposed to the toll highway?
Thanks again, I'll probably have more questions soon!
Arlene
re. map and other things
Here is info on the Ruta Puuc: http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/puuc-route
It has nothing to do with scenic vs. toll highway which is the east-west Cancun-Merida road. I will send you a map of the Puuc Route and also try to upload it to our website.
Car service vs. Renting a car
Hi, we are a party of 3 adults coming down to Yucatan end of Dec/early Jan. It will be everyone's first time in Mexico. We are trying to be independent travelers. Our schedule has us Cancun-Merida-Coba-Tulum-Playa Del Carmen. Lots of sightseeing and ruins along the way!Do you recommend us hiring a car and driver or just renting a car? I did contact William Lawson and they said due to regulations between counties/cities, if I book their service, on certain days, I would need to switch drivers half way through a day. Your thoughts? Is it safe to rent a car and just drive ourself from city to city, ruins to ruins? Oh and we don't speak any spanish. Thank you for your suggestions!
-Helen
re. car service
Lawson is excellent and here is another option:
http://www.yucatan-connection.com/
But it is perfectly safe to rent a car and do it yourself...bring a phrase book and our map and you will be just fine. This article has driving tips plus a link to car rental companies. When you get to Merida be sure to pick up a copy of our December edition with the new and improved peninsula map (if the one we mail you does not arrive in time). As for getting from Cancun airport to the highway to Merida, I will send you an email with a special map.
Driving Merida to Palenque and maybe beyond
Looks like this should be a piece of cake to do in a day. Just wondering if you have links to local car rental and if there are any points of interest along the way that you recommend. Thanks!
re. palenque
It's about 8 hours from Merida to Palenque. If you decide to continue on to San Cristobal de las Casas, save it for the next day. It is not far but it is a VERY steep and windy mountain road and takes several hours, and you should only do it in daylight when you are well rested. Get a good road map before you leave home. Here is a link to our car rental list: http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/car-rentals
Maps of yucatan peninsula.
Hi,
I´m brazilian and in the end of february, me and other friends will be traveling around yucatan peninsula, specifically beteewn merida, tulum, cozumel and cancun. I would like to know if its posible to send me a map of this area?
re. maps
Send me an email to info@yucatantoday.com with your mailing address and I will send you a free copy of our monthly magazine which has an excellent map of the peninsula.
Yucatan Today
Dear Juanita, I would love to have a current copy of the magazine.
Many thanks for your help and advise.
Kathy
re. yucatan today
Hi Kathy, with pleasure!
Juanita
Map of peninsula.
Dear Juanita, I would love to have a current copy of the magazine.
Many thanks for your help and advise.
Renting a car
Hello!
I'd like to ask if someone can suggest about reting cars in Merida and droping off in Cancun. Someone knows a cheap company?
Thanks and best regards,
Lucas.
re. map of peninsula
Please send me your land mail address: info@yucatantoday.com
Driving to Merida from the United States
Juanita, et al!
Thank you so much for all of the information on traveling to Merida from Mississippi. I actually did it between December 16 and 21, 2010. I was nervous about the border areas and had some issues in Tampico and Tuxpan (police asking for bribes of us and others - mostly Mexicans driving home from the U.S. to see families for the holidays). Other than those annoyances, it was a GREAT drive. We did it with your help and even enjoyed a few stops along the way. I am currently enjoying my time in Merida living in a neighborhood in the north of town until August. Again, thank you so much for everything. Incidentally, I flew back to Merida next to your husband after flying home for Christmas for the holidays. Thank you again for everything!!! Incidentally, this website was amazing and extremely accurate!!!
http://www.quadro.net/~shirley/Brownsville-Merida/
re. driving to merida
Happy to hear your positive story! Thanks.
Magazine
Juanita,
It would be great if you could send me a copy of your magazine on the Yucatan. Planning a trip in the near future.
re. magazine
Please send me an email to info@yucatantoday.com with your land mailing address. Thanks!
Driving From Brownsville to Cancun
We drove it with a Subaru,2 poodles and lots of stuff, from Texas to Cancun to Cozumel. We stayed on all new highways, and stayed in wonderful accommodations (motels) at night. Wondered how the roads are now. That was over a year ago. At that time the highways were under construction, but many were great.
Tolls were worth it. No problems with Federalies or Police or anyone at anytime.
DRIVING FROM CANCUN TO TULUM
Hello,
We will be arriving in Cancun in July from France. -Normally at 10:00 P.M then we have to drive that night to our hotel in Tulum.
How safe is it to take the highway at this time at night ? Should I rent a hotel room and leave early in the morning ? We are travelling as a family of 5. 1
re. driving cancun to tulum
I would suggest staying in Cancun. By the time you get through Customs and Immigration it will be even later, and you are coming off a very long flight. It is a good 2 to 3 hour drive, after dark always a challenge when the road is unfamiliar. I don't think safety would be an issue but to be on the safe side, spend the night in Cancun. The hotel near the airport is http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cuncy-courtyard-cancun/
Maybe if you arrange your car rental for the next day it will cost less and help to offset the extra expense of the hotel.
Driving on the Yucatan Peninsula
Just returned from driving Merida-Uxmal-Palenque-Bonampak-Yaxchilan-Tulum-Merida over 8 days.
Can confirm that most roads are even better than those in USA! "Topes" are annoying but manageable.
You might alert your readers and inquirers that rental agencies like Easy Way WILL NOT let you take their cars into Chiapas. We used National on a don't ask/don't tell basis and all was fine.
We used our copy of Yucatan today for the maps and other useful info. Thanks Juanita!
Driving from Merida to Brownsville
I am trying to find the best route to take to get back to the U.S. - prefer toll roads and not the coastal drive, as I got lost coming here and ended up on the coastal drive. If Laredo is a better crossing area with better roads and more tolls, that would be fine. I am by myself (64 years of age) with a cat and am afraid to make the drive by myself, but I may have no choice. Thank you for any information you can give me - having a devil of a time trying to find a route map that will help me.
re. driving from merida to brownsville
Check out this article: http://www.yucatanliving.com/daily-life/driving-through-mexico-with-dogs...
Maybe the authors can answer your specific questions. I don't have the info you need, sorry! Good luck.
YT Editor
driving back home
Hello there,
We live in Itzimna, Merida and we are driving down to Yucatan next month sometime. Would you have any up to date info. on the best route for us to take, or info. were I might be able to find that info??. lol.
not necessasarily the fastest, just the best.
Thanks for any help you can give,
Allen
driving back home
Hi there again, I guess it would be a very good idea to let you know where we are driving FROM eh? lol
we will be leaving from British Columbia Canada (west coast) I've been told that the easiest crossing into Mexico would probably be Tucson/Nogales
thank you again for any assistance you may able to offer.
Allen
driving back home
Hi there Juanita, the info. you sent this chap would probably be the info. I'm looking for as well. Could you send it to me as well please?
Thank you,
Allen
re. driving back home
The info I emailed to a reader a few months ago was specifically about traveling with his dogs...I would think that your best bet would be to follow the same route that the Yucatan Living folks used recently, and although their story is also dog-related, the route info is very helpful. The other website I found with helpful driving info is this one. In both cases I would suggest contacting the websites and asking them if they have any new information. I honestly don't know the pros and cons of Nogales vs. Brownsville...you can also check in with yolisto.com which is a place where Yucatan expats exchange info about everything under the sun and see what others have to say. Once you complete the journey, please write again and tell us of your experiences.
Thanks for sharing your
Thanks for sharing your experience. I had a college professor from Belize and he always showed us pictures of how beautiful it was there. I was hoping to travel there someday, but was worried about safety.
Looking forward to it now!
To Jim and Sherri Sullivan
Hello there you two.
We live in Itzimna, Merida, and will be driving down from BC Canada this June. Can you tell us how your trip went and what route you took?
Much appreciated
Allen
DRIVING THROUGH MEXICO
To all of you who are driving to or from Mexico, with or without dogs, I have posted links to 2 different articles at different times published on the website yucatanliving.com and they both have similar titles. Just to be sure you see them both, here are the 2 links, and be sure to read all the comments: http://www.yucatanliving.com/daily-life/driving-with-dogs-through-mexico.htm and http://www.yucatanliving.com/daily-life/driving-through-mexico-with-dogs.htm The other article people say is good is: http://www.quadro.net/~shirley/Brownsville-Merida/ Here is a link to various articles on yolisto.com http://www.yolisto.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1 Another excellent website for all kinds of info: http://www.rollybrook.com/
If ANY of this has been helpful, I would ask you all to please return the favor by posting your own experiences here...especially about driving through Mexico today. Folks are understandably nervous and you can all help each other by telling us how it was for you. Don't worry about the length, I can always set it up as a separate blog, with a link from this page.
Thanks! Juanita, Editor, YT
PS RE. DRIVING THROUGH MEXICO
IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON DRIVING THROUGH MEXICO, YOU MUST READ THIS AND VIEW ITS ATTACHED MAP: http://www.travelweekly.com/mexicomap/
map
Thanks Juanita
Driving to Palenque
Greetings from Florida,
We are flying to the Yucatan in Oct. to Nov. and have reservations at the Omni Cancun, The Mayaland,The Hacienda,Chan Kah and Sian Kah. We have a rental car but cannot find up to date maps at local BN. Could you please help with one of your magazines? I like to study the maps beforehand.I read on one of your articles that rental cars cannot drive to Palanque in Chiapas is this true with most of the rental car agents at airport and why?
Thank you for your help
Driving to Palenque
Please send us an email so we can email you a detailed map of the Yucatan Peninsula
Driving to Palenque et al
Check out my comment 39 above. Easy Way claimed that they had had two cars already stolen down in Chiapas.
National did not ask and we did not tell where we were going.
There are NO maps available locally for areas outside Quintano Roo/ Yucatan/Campeche so find some before you leave home. There are not that many roads anyhow but feels better when you have SOME idea of where you are going.
Overall, driving is really easy if you mind the Topes and the speed limits in the tiny towns. We got pulled over and paid 100p fine. That was cheap 'cause my NYC friend was so obnoxious the cop wanted us GONE! Be sure to have someone watch your vehicle for you whenever you can. Worth the few pesos. Also, be sure you tip the guys at the Pemex stations- they are tight with the local cops and can make you or break you if you don't play by the rules. Besides, it doesn't cost much to be generous here.
maps
Thank you
magazine & map of the Yucatan peninsula
Just been checking through the posts - we are headed to Cancun by air in November & plan to drive to Merida, Progresso, etc.
Would love to receive a copy of your publication and the best map available of the area - thank you very much!!
re. magazine and map
With pleasure! Send me an email to info@yucatantoday.com with your mailing address.
magazine and map of Yucatan
Hi. I have been reading posts on your website, and it seems so full of good information and friendly people! We are planning a trip to Telchac Puerto in March, and will be driving there from Cancun. We want to explore the area, and would love to receive a good map, and a copy of your magazine. We went to Akumal last year, and our experience with the Mexican maps was not very good, so I am looking forward to receiving a copy of yours!
re. magazine and map
Hello, I sent you an email about subscribing. Let me know! In the meantime, I will email you a copy of our excellent map.
maps
Juanita, two questions,/
Would you know of a good map of Merida?, and
Is there a map around which shows the seven historic mayan sites?
Thank you,
Allen
re. maps
Hola Allen!
Here are links to various maps, including several of Merida:
http://yucatantoday.com/en/maps
Re. Mayan sites, there are dozens!!! I'm going to email you our detailed map of the Yucatan peninsula which shows all the sites. And this section of our website should help you plan:
http://yucatantoday.com/en/destinations?filter0=177
Driving From Cancun Airport
Hi 4 of us are arriving on October 30th about 4:00 pm and planning on driving to Merida to stay a week, i am wondering about safety on the highway and should we overnight in Cancun and just drive in the morning or is it safe to drive in at that time (arriving in Merida about 8-8:30 PM)
thank you so much
Doug
Driving From Cancun Airport
Hola Doug, it is perfectly safe to drive on the toll road (Cuota). Our highways specially this one are completely safe, so... Happy Travels!
international drive license
Is it necessary to have an international license to rent a car in MExico?
Merida to Mahahual
Hi Juanita. Thanks for the helpful driving information. Four of us are visiting in February and plan to drive from Merida to Mahahual after seeing Merida for a few days. We would like to visit some of the villages on the way and are looking for a good stopping point mid-way. Any recommendations would be most appreciated.
Thank you
Tony
re. merida to mahahual
Without a doubt: Valladolid!
http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/valladolid
Christmas and New years
Happy New Year to all you people out there in Meridaville
re Maps
Hi I am coming Back to Tulum for the seventh Time pretty well up on the roads from tulum to Cancun and road off of there but was wondering if there is better road to take as visiting friends in Merida and did not fancy going from Tulum into Cancun and then out to Merida Have seen a road that goes from tulum to Chemax is this a Quicker way or do you have detailed map also one more question have they finished the over pass bridge through playa del carmen yet last time I was there was 2010
Thank you For your time
re. maps
The road from Tulum to Valladolid via Coba and Chemax is excellent, and then you join the Cuota to Merida. Sorry I don't know about the overpass in PDC, our website specializes in the state of Yucatan. Here is our map: http://yucatantoday.com/en/maps/map-yucatan-peninsula
driving from Cancun to Merida
I'm driving from Cancun to Merida for the first time. Is this an easy one day drive, or do folks recommend stopping somewhere halfway, like Valladolid? Takinf the toll road, are this rest stops, places to eat? Any recommendations appreciated.
Driving from Canun to Merida
I'm driving from Canun to Merida for the first time. Is this an easy one day trip, or do you recommend a stop over half way, such as Valladolid? Suggestions for lunch or sights along the way? Thanks
David
Mexican auto insurance
Hi
we are visiting yucatan and mexico for first time and driving to merida, campeche and tulum, then back to cancun. We have hired a car through Alamo. Can anyone advise about mexican auto insurance. I read it's essential to have full mexican cover to avoid hefty liability claims (i have holiday insurance also). Can I buy this through alamo when i collect the car at the airport?
Thanks
re. driving from cancun to merida
This is an easy 4-hour drive on an excellent divided (toll) highway. However, Valladolid is a beautiful town and well worth the stopover! Lots of excellent restaurants: try Las Campanas (corner of 42 and 41) or Hotel Meson del Marques on the main plaza (39 between 40 and 42). There is also a rest area right on the highway at the halfway point, with plenty of places to eat. Chichen Itza archaeological site is also along the way between Cancun and Merida.
re. mexican auto insurance
It is no problem, you can buy it from Alamo when you rent the vehicle.
Your trip
Say Lizzy, are you planning on visiting the awesome ruins in those areas? Don't know why you are going to Campeche but for my money, visiting Uxmal and Chichen Itza are an infinitely better use of your time. Just my opinion!
magazine copy + feedback on our driving plan
Hi Juanita, I have just sent you and email on the indicated topics (would have been too long to post it here)..
Thanks a lot!
Ciao
Vincenzo
re. magazine copy + feedback
Perfecto! I will respond directly.
RELOCATING TO MERIDA WITH MY MASTIFF
PLEASE SEND ME MORE INFO ON HOW I CAN RELOCATE WITH MY HUGE DOG.
THANK YOU FOR BEING AVAILABLE WITH THIS INFO.
PAULA
re. relocating with mastiff
I'm sending you an email about flying with dogs.
This website may be helpful: http://www.yucatanexpatriateservices.com/
If you are planning to drive, check out these links:
http://www.yucatanliving.com/daily-life/driving-with-dogs-through-mexico...
http://www.yucatanliving.com/daily-life/driving-through-mexico-with-dogs...
http://www.travelweekly.com/mexicomap/
http://www.quadro.net/~shirley/Brownsville-Merida/
http://www.rollybrook.com/
Yucatan
Hi,
I need some advice.
My wife and I are planning a trip to the Yucatan in July for about 9 days. We plan to try and visit the following in that order:
Fly in to Cancun
Chichen Itza
Merida
Oxkintok
Uxmal
Bolonchen de Rejon - Cave
Campeche
Edzna
Xpujil - Calakmul
Chetumal
Lake Bacalar
Tulum
Cozumel
My question is should we take the buses or should we rent a car? I'm concerned about the car rentals there. I read a lot of reviews about car rentals in Cancun airport and how the rental facilities try to charge you for everything, dents, scratches etc... even though they were there before. What do you suggest? Also, which would be less expensive?
Thank you for your help.
re. Yucatan
This is a tough question! Your itinerary is quite ambitious for only 9 days. The only way you can make it happen without stress would be in a car; bus service between some of these places is frequent and between others not so frequent.
Of course the bus option would be less expensive.
But check through the Trip Advisor reviews and see which car rental companies have positive reviews. Our website does not cover the state of Quintana Roo so I'm not current on the good guys and bad guys at Cancun airport. Maybe take out your camera when they are doing the inspection, and photograph any dents, scratches, etc. in the presence of their agent. Get his/her name and make a note on BOTH copies of the rental agreement that he/she witnessed you taking the photos. Be sure the date and time are accurate on your camera. Just a thought!
Driving Tips
Hi,
Thanks for your response. I was thinking of taking a bus from Cancun to Chichen Itza, then to Merida and renting a car there. What are the good companies to rent from there? I really want to get to Calakmul since it's not as touristy. Should we cut other places out? Or do you think we can jam all those places in, in 9 days?
re. driving tips
Good plan. Here is our map and here is a list of car rental companies who we know. Hmmm...it does seem like an extremely ambitious itinerary for 9 days, even with a car!
Relaxing vacation? I think not!
Wade,
(see 39 and 53 above)
You really should heed the "gentle" recommendation of Juanita and rent a car already! They are dirt cheap even loaded with all the extras which we took just to keep my travel partner happy. We covered a lot of ground,too, in 8 days and paid less than $250 all told.
Why deal with the anxiety of public transport when time is limited?
Plot your travel itinerary before you leave because there ARE NO MAPS besides the limited area Juanita provides. Planning ahead will actually allow you more flexibility to change a plan since you can know how much time a distance will take, not just how far it is.
Seriously, either take the bus and enjoy the ride to wherever it takes you or rent a car, relax, and control your own destiny.
Sweet
Thanks for the push! :) I think we will rent a car now... Seems like we would be super stressed with the buses and all the places we want to see. I found http://www.easywayrentacar.com/ which seems like a good company.
Ive got most of it mapped out already so I'll get the details and make it happen. Thanks!
Cancun to Merida-Not through Valladolid
Is there a route from Cancun airport that goes across near the coast, and not through Valladolid? Much appreciated!
re. not through valladolid
No, there is not. You can take a route which avoids Valladolid and is a bit further to the north of that major route, but it will probably take twice as long as it's all secondary roads, and still nowhere near the coast. Check out our map, I'm referring to the Tizimin-Motul route. The only stretch of road along the Yucatan north coast is from Dzilam de Bravo through Progreso to Chuburna. Have you seen Valladolid? It is considered by many as the prettiest city in Yucatan.
http://yucatantoday.com/en/maps/map-yucatan-peninsula
NOTE: For high quality of the map please click on mapapeninsula.pdf
magazine
Thanks for the info! May I purchase your magazine in the CUN airport? Is it available in the US?
re. magazine
Hola! The only place we have our magazine in Cancun is at Roots Jazz Club! If you will be there overnight I'll give you their details. But I'd be happy to mail you a free copy if time permits before your departure. Send me an email at info@yucatantoday.com with your mailing address.
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