Another Tori's Tip...

[ToriB]

OK, so I put out some tips for ppl to follow, and this one goes out to all you newbies. An incident happened today that still has me chuckling to myself....

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT DIRECTION YOU ARE HEADING IN!!!!!

To get home, I take the R15 bus from the Hotels to downtown. This bus passes Marcado 28 and Walmart. Some ppl also take it a little further and walk the couple blocks to Costco. Today there was a pretty large group of Breakers that didn't get off at Walmart or Market 28, but I ignored it as I sometimes but in and ask where they are heading so they don't get lost in out in the middle of nowhere.
As the bus turned onto La Luna, (passing the Costco "stop") a woman did the butting in and the said..... Royal Solaris. There were quit a few bursts of laughter, as, as you see, they got on the bus on the wrong side of the street. My assumption is, they were at The Oasis or Krystal, and didn't cross the street to get back to their hotel. The woman mentioned to them there were a good hour away from their resort; they should get off the bus, cross the street and get the next R15 back to the Hotel Zone. But for some stupid ass reason they didn't. I got off and they remained, heading to a place I have never been.

Moral of the story, if you are unsure, ask the driver or someone else at the bus stop where you are going.

[tgordon2191]

Very useful I'd say. I didn't know the bus numbers when I got down there so that was fun lol but then my terrible elementary spanish helped me figure out what "Zona Hotelera" meant. Obvious, I know

http://www.cancuncare.com/Cancun_Tra...ncun_buses.htm

[ToriB]

I guess this would help some new ppl as well. Here are the bus numbers and where they go once you leave the Hotel Zone. The hotel Zone is kind of shaped like the number 7. Holiday Inn at the North and the Westin in the South. If you plan to travel within the Hotel Zone, you can get on any bus, but if your destination is below Plaza Kukulcan, next to The Ritz, and you are somewhere in the north above this Plaza, be sure you see WESTIN on the front of the bus or ask the driver. Some buses turn around at Kukulcan Plaza.

If you want to be adventurous and explore outside of "the bubble," get on a bus and go explore downtown....

R-1... once out of the HZ (hotel zone), the bus will make a right down Ave Tulum. Here you will find restaurants, shops, Parque Palapas, ADO Bus Station.. places where the locals all hang and do business.

R-2 and R-15... both can be used to go to Market 28 and Walmart. They take the same route til a ways past Walmart. Then they go in different directions.

R-27...makes a left down Ave Tulum. Again, more restaurants, Plaza Las Americas (our local fabulous Mall), and also Dubai Casino (a million times better then Playboy)

Again, getting back to the HZ, ask around. People will help.

[Gabu]

Tory, those were definitely very useful tips, specially for me, as this will be my first time down there... I'll make sure I print out these tips, cause I know I'm gonna need them...

I don't mean to steal the thread, but since you are giving tips to people, do you mind if I ask a couple more?

- Shopping: Where is the best place to go shopping? I'm more interested in clothing and electronics... Do they have cheaper stores for the locals/spanish speakers? Usually when I travel, I find that the places that most tourists go are overpriced, so I always try to look for alternatives

- Prices: I've heard that electronics in general are more expensive than in the US (Miami to be more specific). Is it true?

How dangerous do you think it is to go outside "the bubble" ? Keep in mind that I'm from Brazil, so I'm kind used to it

Thanks again for the help

[ToriB]

Electronics are ridiculous here. Skip it. And clothes are cheaply made and are priced too high as well. And the "designer labels" are mostly knock offs, unless purchased at a reputable store. Most people that live here either go the the US for these things or have people bring them down for them.

If you are heading to any of the places I mentioned above, you are for sure very safe. It all has to do with being smart. I walk the streets at night and in the year and 4 months I have lived here, I have yet to have any problems. I take taxis, buses as well...and I speak very basic Spanish. Get downtown and explore. If anyone is a little weary, go during the day.

[Gabu]

awesome !

appreciate all the valuable tips Tori! it will definitely save me a lot of time while there

[maxsteel]

Originally Posted by ToriB

Electronics are ridiculous here. Skip it. And clothes are cheaply made and are priced too high as well. And the "designer labels" are mostly knock offs, unless purchased at a reputable store. Most people that live here either go the the US for these things or have people bring them down for them.

mmmmmm... last year we went to "La Isla" and my wife bought a TOUS (spanish TM) purse, it was about half the price there compared to our country.

[maxsteel]

Originally Posted by ToriB

R-2 and R-15... both can be used to go to Market 28 and Walmart. They take the same route til a ways past Walmart. Then they go in different directions.

I'm def going to Market 28 this time.

[ToriB]

My experience is US, Canada and England only when it comes to price comparison. Other then Mexicans, those are the only other nationalities I know that live here and do what ever possible NOT to buy those things here. I have never looked at handbag prices as I have all my good ones back in the US. I buy at Walmart or similar as I have no need for expensive name brand things here.

[mormis]

Originally Posted by maxsteel

I'm def going to Market 28 this time.

haha! i live literally 2 blocks away from there lol

[HammieJ]

Tori,
Is there a bus that goes STRAIGHT to Puerto Juarez? Every time I try to take the bus that says on the front "puerto Juarez" (even after confirming with the driver) they drop me off like 5-10 mins away from the pier and tell me to get into a tiny white van filled with locals. that van(only once packed ..... well...... "like mexicans" .... lol) leaves that place and drops people off when they say so.

This is the only way I know how to get to PJ from Golden Parnassus

Is there an easier way? does the bus ever REALLY go to the port? or does the bus just say it for fun?

Thanks for any tidbits! <3

[mormis]

it does go all the way there, it takes forever when you are waiting for it to go back tho hahaha

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by mormis

it does go all the way there, it takes forever when you are waiting for it to go back tho hahaha

how come they always drop me off at the white van?

[ToriB]

I have been on a R1 bus that has taken me all the way there. But most of the time, he stops where you mentioned and I do the van. Honestly, I have not seen a bus with the P. Juarez board in a very very long time. I now take a taxi, and maybe you can too. Get to downtown, get off at the first stop and get in a taxi. It shouldn't cost you any more then 20-25 pesos

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by ToriB

I have been on a R1 bus that has taken me all the way there. But most of the time, he stops where you mentioned and I do the van. Honestly, I have not seen a bus with the P. Juarez board in a very very long time. I now take a taxi, and maybe you can too. Get to downtown, get off at the first stop and get in a taxi. It shouldn't cost you any more then 20-25 pesos

how do i know when i get to downtown? or anywhere cheap enough to take a cab for that price?

what number bus is it? or any that go past temptations? lol. (all of em! lol)

[ToriB]

All the buses go to downtown from the hz. Pass Temp and the Holiday Inn. Once you come to an intersection, that is downtown. Once through that light, push one of the buttons to let the driver know u want off at the next stop. From there, tell the taxi puerto juarez. The standard fare downtown is 20 pesos, but could be 30 to there. Its their call. Confirm before getting into the taxi

[Princess015690]

hallie.. i dont know where temptations is.. your gonna have to meet me in front of ME for the boobs cruise, then get onthe bus again.. ill pay your fare since im making you get off, lol!

[wookie2533]

what is market 28 and puerto juarez?

also whats the difference between costco and walmart (non american here )

[sv3smilez]

Originally Posted by wookie2533

what is market 28 and puerto juarez?

also whats the difference between costco and walmart (non american here )

At Costco you can get stuff by the case like a warehouse, whereas Walmart it's more like an oversized supermarket

[Canadian Dos Equis fan]

Tori, you're instructions on the bus are easy to follow but for those who like maps in the crowd like me are there any pdf's out there that show bus routes in cancun you know of?

[ToriB]

Why yes, I certainly do have one that helps with all different things downtown.....

I want to point out...
Green (R2) and Blue (R15) follow the same route OUT of the Hotel Zone (Ave Coba) and also INTO the Hotel Zone (Ave Xcaret). They split at Ave Kabah. Only Green is represented on the map until Kabah. Make sure you do not get on the bus on the same street you got off, unless you want to go beeper downtown. Market 28 to Walmart and vise versa are very walkable from each other. I say, when you are ready to get back to your hotel, get to Walmart and get on the bus there.

The waiting times under the bus numbers are way off. The R1 comes like every 30 seconds. The R2 about every 1 to 2 min. R15 is about right. R27 whenever the hell it wants too. I've waited over an hour at times.

Downtown Cancun Map

For a GREAT map, there is poster on the forum that sells the most amazing map sets EVER!!!! They have saved me over and over again when I first moved here. You all may have some time to order them. I got mine pretty fast...
Cancun Map and Travel Guide

[Canadian Dos Equis fan]

very cool, I may have to do a little extra exploring in April!