I'm going to Playa in a few weeks with family and am trying to understand the best way to get around. Our resort has a partnership with a third party-private shuttle service, which I already booked for round trip airport transfer.

We are looking to do an excursion in Playa only about 5 miles from the resort, but all I can seem to find where I can book in advance are airport shuttles. The shuttle offered through the hotel would be about $150 round trip for the excursion, which seems high, but not trying to cheap out either. Is this reasonable? Should taxis be avoided? Any recommendations for private companies?

Concierge from your resort should be able to arrange something like that.

I would recommend if you have not booked your excursion to see if the company offers round trip ground transportation for the excursion. Most of the companies do. As a travel advisor I would recommend this. If you have any other questions I'm well versed in the area and my contact info is in my Bio.

Take a cab. It'll be high leaving the resort, but it should be cheaper going back. That's what my wife and I did when we went to the dive shop that was 5km away.

Thank y'all for the responses!

That's good to know lol, thanks

Another way to cover your back if you take a taxi is to use this app:

https://taritaxi.mx/

It tracks a rcord of the pick up location the drop off location the driver name and ID and License plate and cab #. Since it's all in the system it's safer but still not what is do. The good part is auto factors the rate by zones so if you don't speak Spanish and they give you a crazy gringo price, you tell them to get fd, vdeo you paying the correct rate and you're reporting them. They don't like it when tourists know the rules because it cuts into their mordida but they can't do anything because they were breaking the law and it's a law they actually care about.

The taxi drivers know you have no idea about the fixed rates if you get into a taxi and ask how much. You don't ask how much, you tell them before you get in that X Zone to Y Zone is $150 pesos YOU NEVER ask "How much to get to Centro etc" because that means gringo price as every local knows it's rate by zone. You can find the Max rate on the billboards at the taxi stations.

Thanks, I'm likely just going to book a private transfer. We are meeting for a fishing/snorkeling excursion on a beach not far from the resort, so just wanted to see what my options were. In the past, our trips were arranged through the hotel but decided to go a different route this time. The quotes I've seen for the transfer services were just high imo- costing more than the trip from the airport for a far shorter distance. But not a big deal to pay a few extra bucks to not have to worry about it

I've used a private driver the past few years from that area. He has a shuttle service and his name is Licho. If you would like his number I can post if for you

That would be great, thanks

Actually very good advice. The wife and I were leaving Coco Bongo late one night and goofing around. Were tourists but can at least speak Spanish. And I got bent over on a taxi rate (not being in a sound state of mind). Looking back, very dumb situation.

Last time we were there we needed a transfer and I was worried because so many people on this board and others said Taxi's are dangerous.

But others said just get your hotel to call one for you and I decided to do that.

It was just like riding a Taxi anywhere else. I'm sure there are some bad situations, and it's probably not as regulated as closely as here, but I think the key is getting your hotel to book for you. It's bad for business when guests get hijacked.

Hotels don't winnow the taxis at all. They're calling the local sitio de taxi and requesting one. Almost every major hotel has one within walking distance. They have and you have no idea the history of the driver you're getting. He's the front in line at the sitio so he gets the fare. Thats a huge misnomer by tourists.

This is the most recent example but they happen weekly.

https://riviera-maya-news.com/cozumel-taxi-driver-gunned-down-in-island-restaurant-part-of-criminal-family/2025.html

https://riviera-maya-news.com/another-state-taxi-driver-charged-with-drug-dealing/2024.html

https://riviera-maya-news.com/another-cancun-cab-driver-arrested-for-narcotics-aggression-against-uber/2024.html

Heres the head of the taxi Union getting arrested for 4 murders and being the getaway driver for a shooting that happened in broad day light on the beach.

I don't think you guys understand how knee deep the taxis are in on everything. I'm sorry but on this thread I've read alot of US centric mental accounting that is blatantly untrue. You guys need to be safer and not project what you want to think as being the truth.

Taxis here are corrupt. They're ALL in the same unin and they all are responsonsible to what the Union tells them to do. The same unin whos boss is in jail for 4 murder AT MNIMUM.

https://riviera-maya-news.com/weapons-and-murder-charges-tulum-taxi-union-leader-and-active-councilor-arrested-from-city-street/2024.html

Heres When You get a taxi - you're a tourist and You want drugs and You dont want to buy them off the street. If You want drugs get in a taxi and ask. They will be able to help. Thats the only reason to take a taxi. They don't make enough money to just be a taxi and feed their family. Taxis here are the equivalent of USPS in the US. They are the ones moving all the drugs because they have the cover and the connections.

The head commander of the police was arrested 2 weeks ago for mltiple murders. They're ALL in bed together.

If you decide to Drive as a tourist you get 2 pull overs that arent major violations for free before they can issue you a ticket.

Dear Police,

I'm a tourist. I apologize if I have committed any traffic violation. I respectfully request that you issue me a Courtesy Violation Ticket in accordance with Article 241 of the Quintana Roo Traffic Regulations.

TRANSIT REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OF QUINTANA ROO

Chapter XVII

TOURIST SUPPORT

Article 241.- It is established in the State; the Courtesy Violation Ticket that the Traffic Directorate, in its respective jurisdiction, will apply exclusively to Tourists who violate the Traffic Regulations. The Courtesy Violation Ticket does not imply any cost to the one imposed, its objective being to point out the violation committed and encourage driving in compliance with the Traffic rules. The Courtesy Sanction is applied up to two times to the same vehicle and/or driver and does not apply in cases of serious acts and omissions contrary to the provisions of this Regulation.

Article 243.- The Municipal Authorities will provide the necessary measures so that the measures referred to in the previous articles are included in their regulations corresponding to their jurisdiction.



Speeding is a major infraction. I always tell people drive the speed limit not the flow of mexican Traffic because that when you make yourself a target. Rental License plates here are different than local plates so they can pick you out of the 20+ cars around you very easily.

I'm just reporting our experience. Of course everyone should do their due diligence.

But I'd also offer the I could pull articles every day that make Chicago, New Orleans, and St. Louis etc. sound every bit as scary as the articles you posted.

Safety is not guaranteed anywhere. Nothing comes without risk.

I hopped in a cab in Cartagena Colombia and as we pulled off the driver hammered a beer and threw it in his front floorboard. After closer examination there were already about 8 empty bottles there. He proceeded to take us to our destination without ever stopping at a stop sign or light or slowing down enough for me to bail out. I've also been stopped by the FARC in Colombia while in a cab so the Playa cabs we took seemed down right tame.

I'm colombian. Eso! Theryre the same in Bogot.

Nash12 said:

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That would be great, thanks

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Licho is his name. He communicates thru what's app.
+52 984 105 9734

Got it, thank you

Sam Williams said:

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I've used a private driver the past few years from that area. He has a shuttle service and his name is Licho. If you would like his number I can post if for you

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We ended up using Licho's services in PDC and he was great- worked with us on a changing schedule and was reasonably priced. Thanks for the rec, would definitely recommend to others as well