Transportation from Cozumel to Cancun

[Cape Couple]

My husband and I are mapping out a vacation that will split our time between Cozumel and Cancun. We plan to fly into Cozumel (we like that airport much better than the one in Cancun) and spend a couple of nights there so my husband can do some scuba diving with a dive operator he knows there. Then we want to take the ferry and head up the road to Cancun for five more nights at one of the AI's in the Hotel Zone before flying home out of Cancun (we're booking one-way flights each way).

My question is, once we take the ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, how do we make our way up the highway to Cancun? Are there busses? Shuttles? Taxis? And does anyone know how much they cost, how often they run, and where we get picked up?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Please post your response here and/or e-mail me at jwolz@sehosp.org or jwolz@charter.net

[Klaw]

Ther are buses thst run just about every hour allday between Playa nd Cancun.

I think it's something like $3.50-5.00 per person. I forget excatly how much we paid last time we took that bus.

You could always do the taxi thing but it would be much more expensive as would hiring a private transport.

In my opinion, the bus is just fine.

[Cape Couple]

Wow...thanks for the quick reply, Karan!

BTW, we're new to this message board and my husband asked what exactly you do as a "moderator"...can you fill him in?

[janie]

A taxi from Playa to the hotel zone in Cancun is about $50.00 USD

The bus is about $3.50.

When you get off the ferry in Playa walk straight up the hill to 5th Avenue to the bus station.
Very nice, comfortable, air conditioned bus, it takes about 45 - 60 minutes to get to Cancun.


What does Karan do as a moderator?

She keeps the rest of us in line, she makes sure we all behave,
and if you get out of line she'll rough you up! :whip:

[Klaw]

Originally Posted by Cape Couple

Wow...thanks for the quick reply, Karan!

BTW, we're new to this message board and my husband asked what exactly you do as a "moderator"...can you fill him in?

Well, first of all, Welcome to Cancuncare.

The hope is that as a Moderator I don't hav to do much at all except read.

I read the posts to make sure there isn't anything in them that shouldn't be...like explicit or foul language. If there is then I edit it out and leave a warning for th eperson who wrote the post that whatever was there is not acceptable here at CC.

On occasion I, and the other Mods, had had to play referee when there were threads that got out of hand. An example would be if someone was attacking another person persoanlly or something of that nature. Thankfully that does not happen often her.

I also delete the SPAM thread that pop up every day.

That about covers it.

[Cape Couple]

A follow-up question, Karan (or anyone else for that matter)...

How much luggage are we allowed to bring on the bus from Playa to Cancun? I'm guessing we'll each have a fairly large suitcase plus a "carry-on" type bag each...any problem bringing suitcases on the bus?

Thanks...

Cape Couple

[Klaw]

I don't think you'll have a problem.

My boyfriend and I each had a suitcase and a carry on one time we took the bus to Playa for a few days and it wasn't a problem at all.

[Cape Couple]

Thanks again, Karan. You've been very helpful.

Now we just have to hunt around and find our best flight options out of St. Louis. Looks like our best bets are Continental (or maybe AA) to Cozumel on 5/29 (with a stop in either Houston or Miami) and USA3000 non-stop from Cancun back to St. Louis on 6/5.

Seems like most of the major travel sites - orbitz, cheapfares.com, expedia, etc. - have pretty much the same pricing for the airfare.

Speaking of flights, i see you're in Cincinnati which is now Cape Girardeau's new "hub" ... probably to keep Procter & Gamble happy. Anyway, it's just as easy for us to drive to STL instead of trying to make a connection in Cincinnati...

[Klaw]

Originally Posted by janie

What does Karan do as a moderator?

She keeps the rest of us in line, she makes sure we all behave,
and if you get out of line she'll rough you up![/b] :whip:

Shh.....we only tell people that AFTER they've reached 100 posts, LOL. :lol:

[Klaw]

Originally Posted by Cape Couple

Thanks again, Karan. You've been very helpful.

Now we just have to hunt around and find our best flight options out of St. Louis. Looks like our best bets are Continental (or maybe AA) to Cozumel on 5/29 (with a stop in either Houston or Miami) and USA3000 non-stop from Cancun back to St. Louis on 6/5.

Seems like most of the major travel sites - orbitz, cheapfares.com, expedia, etc. - have pretty much the same pricing for the airfare. ..

You might want to check into Vacation Express. I think they fly out of St Louis and I've gottenm some good deals on air through them. They also offer packages including air and resort if you need that.

Another one that does package deals is Apple vacations. They do sell air only (they use USA3000) but it's cheaper to book through USA3000 directly if you're just looking for air.

[Cape Couple]

Originally Posted by Klaw

You might want to check into Vacation Express. I think they fly out of St Louis and I've gottenm some good deals on air through them. They also offer packages including air and resort if you need that.

Another one that does package deals is Apple vacations. They do sell air only (they use USA3000) but it's cheaper to book through USA3000 directly if you're just looking for air.

Thanks for the advice...By the way, Karan, from the looks of the message board, you're quite a fan of BBG, but it looks a little too "crazy" for us...we were thinking more along the lines of Golden Parnassus or Riu Cancun. Any thoughts on those - or other - places we ought to consider?

[Klaw]

Originally Posted by Cape Couple

Thanks for the advice...By the way, Karan, from the looks of the message board, you're quite a fan of BBG, but it looks a little too "crazy" for us...we were thinking more along the lines of Golden Parnassus or Riu Cancun. Any thoughts on those - or other - places we ought to consider?

I do like BBG but the main reason I have beeen there so many times (63) is because my boyfriend works there.

It can be a bit crazy but they do have a quiet side if you aren't into all the games and such.

I have stayed at the Riu and absloutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone.

I haven't stayed ot the Golden Panassus so can't be of much help on that one but I have't heard anything but good things about it.

[justjimmy]

Look into MLT/ Worry Free

They fly out of St. L to Cancun, Air only or package. We've used them the last 1/2 dozen times and they are great. I compared them to Apple, same dates and hotel even the same flight and apple was over $500 more.

Package includes RT transfer to PDC. Ferry to Cozumel is 10.50 I think.

It doesn't look like they fly to Cozumel from St Louis. But from Denver they do and we got $99 PP air only as we are renting a condo in PDC.

Jimmy

[Cape Couple]

Originally Posted by justjimmy

Look into MLT/ Worry Free

They fly out of St. L to Cancun, Air only or package. We've used them the last 1/2 dozen times and they are great. I compared them to Apple, same dates and hotel even the same flight and apple was over $500 more.

Package includes RT transfer to PDC. Ferry to Cozumel is 10.50 I think.

It doesn't look like they fly to Cozumel from St Louis. But from Denver they do and we got $99 PP air only as we are renting a condo in PDC.

Jimmy

Thanks for the info, Jimmy. That's a fantastic price out of Denver...makes me wonder if it's worth getting a flight to Denver then catching a $99 connection to COZ, lol. I think I can do USA3000 from STL to Cancun non-stop for around $210pp rt and taking the bus to the Cozumel ferry which would be a lot less than if we took Continental into Cozumel with one stop for around $250pp one way.

Maybe what I'll do is get all my flight and hotel possibilities together - including the pricing I've found - and take it all to a local travel agent and say "beat it."

[Cape Couple]

Originally Posted by Klaw

I do like BBG but the main reason I have beeen there so many times (63) is because my boyfriend works there.

It can be a bit crazy but they do have a quiet side if you aren't into all the games and such.

I have stayed at the Riu and absloutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone.

I haven't stayed ot the Golden Panassus so can't be of much help on that one but I have't heard anything but good things about it.

SIXTY-THREE TIMES???!!!! OMG! It's no wonder you're the BBG "expert"! When do you find time to practice (spouse is an attorney, too)? How have you managed to keep track of all your trips there? I'd lose track after the third or fourth visit, lol.

We have friends who highly recommend the Riu Cancun having stayed there several times, but we're a little wary of the fact that the Riu resorts are open to children & families. We like the "adults only" appeal of the Golden Parnassus, although we're a little disappointed that it doesn't have a swim-up bar. On past vacations to places like Couples Negril, the Riu Palace and the Barcello Maya we've found that swim up bars are great places to meet other people.

[Cape Couple]

Originally Posted by Klaw

I do like BBG but the main reason I have beeen there so many times (63) is because my boyfriend works there.

It can be a bit crazy but they do have a quiet side if you aren't into all the games and such.

I have stayed at the Riu and absloutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone.

I haven't stayed ot the Golden Panassus so can't be of much help on that one but I have't heard anything but good things about it.

SIXTY-THREE TIMES???!!!! OMG! It's no wonder you're the BBG "expert"! When do you find time to practice (spouse is an attorney, too)? How have you managed to keep track of all your trips there? I'd lose track after the third or fourth visit, lol.

We have friends who highly recommend the Riu Cancun having stayed there several times, but we're a little wary of the fact that the Riu resorts are open to children & families. We like the "adults only" appeal of the Golden Parnassus, although we're a little disappointed that it doesn't have a swim-up bar. On past vacations to places like Couples Negril, the Riu Palace and the Barcello Maya we've found that swim up bars are great places to meet other people.

[CancunCanuck]

If you are looking for adults only, your options are the BBG, Le Blanc, Golden Parnassus or the new Royal Cancun. When Sun Palace opens (can't remember if it is open yet or not but I don't think so), it will not only be adults only, but couples only as well.

BBG has the "racy" games and sexy atmosphere, Golden Parnassus has a huge fan club but they are pretty honest about the facilities being a little old, clean and safe but old. The new Royal looks fantastic! Le Blanc is sophisticated and luxurious but on the quiet side.

[justjimmy]

We stayed at Riu Cancun 2 years ago after Wilma shut down the Westin. Had a great time. First and only time at an AI. There really wern't alot of kids.

As for the Wesitin, returned for a fith time last Nov. Obviously we love it. It's the first stop from the airport. Not near the party center but who cares when the busses pass by about every 5 minutes. And they added a swim-up bar during remodel :lol:

In PDC we are staying at the Xaman Ha condo hotel. Swimup bar,
1 bedroom and on the beach, 5 min from ferry and downtown :lol:

$775 for the week!

Jimmy

[Klaw]

Originally Posted by Cape Couple

SIXTY-THREE TIMES???!!!! OMG! It's no wonder you're the BBG "expert"! When do you find time to practice (spouse is an attorney, too)? How have you managed to keep track of all your trips there? I'd lose track after the third or fourth visit, lol.

I work my butt off while I'm here in Cincy and have a cell phone in Cancun and check in with myoffice regularly.

Ad really it's BBG who keeps track of how many time I've been there...they have a record of each and every visit. They always tell me when I check in what visit I'm on and have done some very nice things for on certain visits.

[Cape Couple]

Originally Posted by CancunCanuck

If you are looking for adults only, your options are the BBG, Le Blanc, Golden Parnassus or the new Royal Cancun. When Sun Palace opens (can't remember if it is open yet or not but I don't think so), it will not only be adults only, but couples only as well.

Hi, CancunCanuck...thanks for the input about the adults-only AI's in Cancun. As you said, BBG can be racy (which is fine if you're in the mood for spring break) and based on trip reports we've read, Le Blanc seems TOO quiet for our tastes (not to mention pretty pricy for our budget!). As for the Royal Cancun, the reports I've read on tripadvisor.com sound great, but the rates are quite a bit more than we'd like to spend (starting around $400 on the low end to around $1,200 a night...cha-ching!!). We haven't heard much buzz yet about the Sun Palace since its reopening (if it has, indeed, reopened) which pretty much leaves us with the Golden P (which sounds fine to us, unless you do it in the swimming pool, ha ha).

Seriously, the majority of the reports and reviews we've read seem to acknowledge that the Golden Parnassus shows its age here and there, but the customer service and atmosphere seem to more than make up for the signs of age, as well as the fact that there's no swim up bar. Hopefully, even without the swim up bar, we can find a few folks to party with there!
:lotsofmichaelf:

[Cape Couple]

Originally Posted by Klaw

I work my butt off while I'm here in Cincy and have a cell phone in Cancun and check in with myoffice regularly.

Ad really it's BBG who keeps track of how many time I've been there...they have a record of each and every visit. They always tell me when I check in what visit I'm on and have done some very nice things for on certain visits.

Karan...I didn't mean to infer that you weren't working hard...I'm sure you do (especially knowing how hard my other half works!). If my earlier comment came off sounding rude or flippant, I certainly apologize (my bad!).

[Klaw]

Originally Posted by Cape Couple

Karan...I didn't mean to infer that you weren't working hard...I'm sure you do (especially knowing how hard my other half works!). If my earlier comment came off sounding rude or flippant, I certainly apologize (my bad!).

You didn't sound rude or flippant at all. I assumed that you knew how hard I had to work when I wasn't there being anmrried to an attorney.

No apology necessary. :lol:

[Cape Couple]

:lol:
Okay, we've finally booked (and paid for) our Cozumel/Cancun vacation that starts 67 days, 7 hours, 39 minutes and 25 seconds from now (not that we're counting!).

We're going to start out in Cozumel for a couple of days of scuba diving before crossing over to the mainland and heading up to Cancun where we've booked a Crown Club Oceanview Room at the Golden Parnassus for five nights, May 31-June 5. We really enjoy adults-only all-inclusives which is one of the main reasons we booked GP...that and the price...our flights plus all of our accommodations in both Cozumel and Cancun are coming in at around $2,500...and that's with the top-of-the-line room at GP.

We always enjoy meeting people on vacation so if anyone out there will be at GP the same time as us, please let us know!

[Buffett]

I have stayed at the BBG twice and loved it both times but had a better time the second time because I just let myself go. Hung around the pool bar and got to know lots of people.
Last year I wanted something different so I stayed at the Golden Parnassus. It was super. As far as not having a swim up bar it was not a problem. The waitress came around often to bring us drinks or the Tiki bar is wonderful. From 8 to whenever, I don't know what times I went to bed, the tiki bar is the place to hang. If you bring your own CD's they will usually play them for you. We had some Brits there last year and they had all the old Beatles songs, I brought Jimmy Buffett. We had a blast every night.
During the day the staff will keep you busy if you want, but if you don't they will leave you to lounge around and drink.
I am going back to the Parnassus in June also but will not be there until the 23rd thur the 30th.

[Cape Couple]

Hi, Buffett...thanks for the description of the Tiki Bar at the Golden Parnassus. It definitely sounds like a good place to hang out late at night, if you have the right mix of people. Some past Golden Parnassus guests sent us some photos of the Tiki Bar crowd from one of their vacations there. I don't know if the pictures they sent were typical of what happens every night, but it sure looked interesting (topless body shots on the bar).

We'll be sure to bring some CDs. One of our favorites is a compulation of Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, UB40, Garth Brooks, etc., that some friends made for us before we vacationed in Jamaica a couple of years ago...really puts us in a tropical mindset...

Speaking of Jimmy Buffett....is that him in your avatar photo???? If so, I'm impressed!!!

[Buffett]

Yes topless and almost bottomless body shots when I was there.
If you haven't listened to any Brent Burns he would fit right in with some of the tunes on your CD.
I can't wait.
The Rainbow shots are great. I had way too many on my birthday last year. Everybody that we met at the tiki bar was bringing them to me. At first they were bringing me Tequila shots but my stomach cannot handle Tequila but the rainbow shots went down real well and did not come back up which is the good thing. LOL