An excellent way to get to know the Yucatan Peninsula is by car. I recommend renting a car to friends who come. What roads will you find, where to rent a car, is it safe, is gasoline expensive?
Driving through the Yucatan Peninsula:
La Yucatan Peninsula it is an area safe to travel it in auto, with well-conditioned roads y well marked. The tourist destinations are clearly indicated, even the minors: if a community runs a cenote, you will see a sign on the road, even if the indication is made of wood.
Drive with prudence and enjoy the Peninsula
What kind of roads are there in the Yucatan Peninsula?
At the Yucatan Peninsula There are two types of roads, of quota and the roads free.
- ROADS OF FEE (with tolls): there are two payment roads in the Peninsula, the one that connects Mérida with Cancún and the other Campeche with Champoton. The latter is a section of 40 km and costs around 60 pesos.
- FREE ROADS they are the rest, without any payment. All the roads that connect the main towns such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Chetumal, Escárcega, Campeche, Mérida, Progreso, Peto, Ticul, Tizimín…. They are good roads and well signposted. The back roads is where you can find some section with holes and less help signs on the road. They are not an impediment to travel by car.
Main roads of the Yucatan Peninsula:
Mérida-Cancún fee highway:
One of the most expensive highways in the country, 2 lanes per address, fast and safe. It has a single gas station approximately half way. In the rest area you can eat and go to the bathroom. In the areas of the collection booths there are also clean toilets. You can not pay by card, carry cash. Distance: 241 km Price from Cancun to Mérida: 407 mxn (Mexican pesos). If you want your invoice of the fee, click here.
Prices per trips: Cancun-Valladolid 258 pesos / Valladolid-Chichén itzá 63 pesos / Chichén Itzá-Mérida 82 pesos / Mérida-Valladolid 149 pesos
A few months ago they inaugurated a stretch of quota between Valladolid y Playa del Carmen-Tulum. The sections are from "Estación Tintal" located at the junction of the new branch New Xcan to Playa del Carmen of 262 pesos and 153 pesos the next section to Valladolid.
Free highway Mérida-Cancun:
The other option is to drive for free (without tolls). They wait for you between Cancún and Mérida 43 populations and 146 buffers. Single-lane road, with some very wide sections, most of them reaching Chichén Itzá. The toll road is the fast track between Mérida and Cancun, it saves you between an hour and an hour and a half, but if you're not in a hurry, go your own way: passing through these towns you will get a glimpse of the tradition and the flavor of the land . It is much more entertaining, and you can always discover a corner where you can peek. I leave you a link of what Interesting stops to do in the free from Merida to CancunEnjoy, traveler.
Federal Highway 307 Cancun-Playa del Carmen-Tulum-Chetumal:
This is one of the busiest roads in the Peninsula is the one that runs through the Riviera Maya, one of the areas that brings together tourism and points of interest. 130 miles of Caribbean await you between Cancun and Tulum. A dual lane road, with good signs and many returns in case you pass your entrance. There are a couple of fixed municipal police controls at the entrances to Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
From Tulum to the south it becomes a one-lane road. Here the tourist influx goes down, you already leave the Riviera Maya and it shows. The road is perfectly signposted and the destinations more tourist like Mahahual, Chetumal, Bacalar and archaeological zones are well indicated.
This road takes you to Belize. From Cancun to Belize there are about 5 hours and a half.
Federal Highway 186 Chetumal-Escárcega:
This one-lane road, most wide stretches and with good visibility, leads you through the south of the Peninsula, linking the states of Quintana Roo and Campeche. In this area is where we surely find the most interesting old Mayan cities of the Peninsula. Calakmul, Becán, Balamkú, Kohunlich, Dzibanché await you ... go wonders.
Federal Highway 180 Champoton-Campeche-Mérida:
This section of the Peninsula is also perfectly communicated and signposted by the federal highway 180. The different points of interest are marked on the road. Between Campeche y Champoton You can go for the toll: 40 km and pay around 60 pesos. Between Campeche and Mérida, federal highway 180 is the main one, well signposted.
Rent a car in Peninsula Yucatan:
For rent a car you will need to have more than 18 years (some companies over 21 years, and others from 25), a Driver's license (driving license) and credit card. I leave you the Tips for driving around the Peninsula in case you're thinking about doing it
There are many national and international car rental companies, you can find them at airports, in the main cities or on the internet. Rental companies facilitate delivery to hotels. My choice is book the car via internet because it is usually cheaper. I recommend booking the car months before, especially if you travel in peak times such as Christmas, Easter or summer. They tend to increase prices as the date approaches, just as it happens with airline tickets. You do not need an 4 × 4 to travel the Peninsula, the roads are good and safe.
Reserve your car at Rentalcars, They give you comparative prices between companies and opinions of customers.
The famous caps:
The buffers They are used as speed bumps, being located mainly at the entrances and exits of the towns of the secondary roads and in rural areas. It is the effective way to stop the speed of traffic that tends to divide the towns on both sides of the road, where children play, people walk and dogs lie down to rest ... you must be careful crossing the villages. What of eat the caps is something habitual, some are not seen by badly indicated or positioned ... others are so exaggerated that almost the scales, be careful especially with low car ... a whole world of buffers.
In many buffers of populations you will find people selling local products, from mango to fish. Well entertained the roads in the Yucatan Peninsula, you can taste all the flavors of the earth, fantastic. If you go attentive and respecting the speed limits, I do not doubt that you will enjoy going through the small towns of the Peninsula.
Caution on the road with:
The secondary roads are not illuminated. For those in rural areas travel at night People on a bike and on foot returning home, be careful. It is one of the reasons why it is not recommended to drive at night if you do not know the area, the visibility will greatly impede your driving.
As we said, go through the villages is to cross the road that divides the town on both sides, where children cross, there are dogs, the tricitaxis, the clueless chicken, the street vendors ... so do not get lost.
The semaphores from amber to red they change very fast. If you skip a red light you'll probably have a municipal nearby willing to fine you, they're like mushrooms 🙂
Roadblocks:
In Mexico, revisions and controls on the roads, the Yucatan Peninsula is no exception. Normally the checkpoints are located at the same points at the entrances to the towns where you slow down when passing through the checkpoint. Sometimes there are special checkpoints. Just follow the instructions they give you: depending on the type of control you only slow down, others make you get out of the car, others roll down the window and ask you routinely.
Driving with heat and rains:
In the months of heat from April to October, the asphalt gets very hot, so check your tires or it will not be the first tire to explode on the road, no kidding. And with the intense Rain Check your windshields, sometimes they are so concentrated that you hardly see the road. The good thing is that many times the intensity lasts minutes.
Gasoline and gas stations in Mexico:
Petrol is supplied by PEMEX, the national company. There's a lot gas stations In all the territory, you will not have problems to refuel. If you go to remote places such as archaeological sites, caves or any point that you should use dirt roads, go with the full tank. You should know that in many towns in the Peninsula they sell gas in people's houses in case they have to get out of a hurry, you know.
In rural areas of India, families in charge of a blind minor frequently isolate and deprive him/her of the care and attention they provide to their other children; such situation becomes even more severe among lower-caste families, orphans and if the blind child is a girl. gas stations there are services free and often a grocery store. The staff offers to clean the windshield, check the tires and the oil level. You give a few tips for the service. The driver does not get out of the car.
You can pay in cash or by card. If you carry cash better, they explained to me that some gas stations clone cards. Gasoline in Mexico is at a good price compared to Spain, I don't know about other countries. If you want to know the price of gasoline in Mexico, click here
Parking in cities:
Big cities like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Mérida, Valladolid o Campeche do private parking for cars with surveillance, where they are more protected than on the street. Many hotels offer private parking. If there is a yellow or red line on the sidewalk you cannot park on the street.
In many restaurants in cities such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Mérida they have valet parking, which means that you park and keep the car, something that greatly facilitates the exits to drivers. To the person of valet parking you give a few pesos of tip.
Fines and bites:
This ugly thing that happens, it's illegal and an abuse of authority, but some policemen, when they see a rental car, they see an easy prey for fine. What should you never do? One is to skip the Speed limits, they are very strict. Do not drive talking on the phone, and be very careful with skipping a semaphore in red. If you do not commit any of these infractions you will have a quiet road.
If you are fined, you will see that the bite exists. It consists of paying a smaller amount to the police than the fine amounts, fast and without losing time in papers. «How do we fix this, buddy? »It is usually a good phrase to be told what to do, although if you go by rental car they will guide you to the agreement. My recommendation is: drive attentive to the signals, and in theory they will not fine you ... If they do, I prefer to pay a fine than to give a bite. The pity is that being a tourist they will manage to get paid, and they invent lies to take money from you. Yes, that's how shabby the police in Riviera Maya are. The rest of the Yucatan Peninsula is quieter.
Language to understand us in Mexico:
Here it is drive (he drives) car (car). Whether strike (bursts, clicks) tire (tire) you should look for a vulcanizer (tire workshop) for fix it (fix it) The tank (deposit of gas (petrol) fill it at the gas station, or at la Pemex. The trunk It's the trunk. The car prendes (boot) and I warn you that the indicators (intermittent) drivers do not use them too much.
Cross borders by car from Mexico:
Cross to Guatemala y Belize from Mexico by rental car is not easy, only some car rental agencies make it easy to do so, one is American Car Rental and another one that I know is Price Car Rentals. In private car yes it is simple cross the border Mexico-Belizeor from Cuauhtémoc City (Mexico)-The Mesilla (Guatemala), only the relevant procedures and that the car is in your name.
Combine Yucatan Peninsula with Chiapas:
Many travelers combine their trip by car through the Peninsula with part of Chiapas. For you to have the complete information I leave you the driving tips for Chiapas, a state with special characteristics.
Are you ready to enjoy your car trip through the Yucatan Peninsula? This beautiful land will captivate you, travel by car It will allow you to reach secluded corners, especially cenotes and haciendas. A great option In addition, the roads of the Peninsula are guarded by Green Angels.
Good way,
- Offers on flights international and national ..
- Find the accommodation with the best offers from Booking.com.
- Stay with airbnb and get 25 € discount.
- Contract activities, tours and excursions organized.
- Rent a car with the indispensable and necessary best discounts.
- Secure your transfers of arrival or departure to the airport.
- Travel safely with IATI and take advantage of 5% off.
If you prefer, you tell us your idea of the trip and together we organize it.
Excellent article, it's exactly what I was looking for for my trip. I would like to know if the prices you indicate of the cost of the tolls is that year?
Thank you!
Good to serve you. The prices are updated, if you need something else do not hesitate to contact me. Good trip Stephanía!
What detailed and valuable information, Sandra !! I go to Mexico to say goodbye to the year and I already wanted to, but after reading what you say, many more. Thank you for the generosity of sharing it. A big hug
Mariajo, thank you very much for the detail of the comment. I hope you enjoy the area very much, have a great time here. Any questions you tell me.
A hug .-)
Thanks for your answer. I would like to know if you approximately have the value in Mexican pesos of gasoline consumption to make the following journey: Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Valladolid and finally on the fast track return to Cancun. I would go in a Hyundai i10 car
You make it difficult for me Stepahnia, I would lie to you if I told you something exact ... it could be around 700 mxn. Let's see if I calculated well, you'll tell me. Regards!
Hello, good morning.
Please request a quote for a rental car from 13 to November 20, Mérida as a place of departure and Cancun as your destination
Hi Juan, I pass you the Rentalcars contact a car rental website in case it is useful for you to quote: https://www.rentalcars.com/?affiliateCode=elcaminoma699
Dear Sandra. We will travel my wife and I next May 26. We will arrive in Cancun but we will leave immediately, by rental car, to Valladolid in order to go the next day to Chichén Itzá and the subsequent one to Ek Balam and, to return the 28 in the night to Cancun to the 31. Taking advantage of this stay we will leave for Tulum and Playa del Carmen and some xenote. Your blog has served us a lot as a guide to make this short, but very cultural trip. Any information that we find to enrich your blog will be happening once we return. If you have any additional recommendation, I thank you.
PD The photos are beautiful
Carlos, I am glad that the blog has helped you, you are very kind to tell me, always give encouragement to continue doing the work, thank you very much. About cenotes I make recommendations you will find in the coastal area, about some I did not publish yet: cenote Dos Ojos (very touristy but it is something very beautiful), Gran Cenote (at 4km from Tulum to Cobá) ... and in the area of Puerto Morelos the Kin-há or the Seven Bocas. In Ek Balam you have the Xcanché, open and beautiful, and near Valladolid those of Dzitnup (these are in the blog). If from Ek Balam you arrive at Rio Lagartos, you can see the flamingos during the nesting season, it is very nice if you have never seen this bird. Akumal is another of the places you can not miss, there you can swim with turtles in their natural habitat. You will surely enjoy this little paradise, and I will be happy to listen to your suggestions. Anything do not hesitate to write me. Very good way through Mayan lands, health travelers!
Is it necessary to go with a paid tour or can you go on your own?
Hello Mauricio, on your own you can organize to tour the Penínsila. I do not know if you mean this with your question.
Regards,
Thank you very much, that's exactly what I needed. Raissa
Hello Sandra! Do you need the international driver's license to rent a car in Mexico? Thank you!
Hi Teresa, you do not need the international. Remember to take a credit card. Regards,
Hello Sandra! Excellent article, some years ago we visited the tourist area of Tulum in the typical all inclusive .. (We still did not dare to travel by free) now we want to return and travel 15 days the real Yucatan, and we want to do it by free car, we would like do it but with our daughter of 1 year, would I like to ask you if it is safe to go with the girl? We would have good health insurance, and we would not drive at night.
Congratulations on your page and thanks for your help.
Hello Veronica, thank you very much for your words and happy to be able to help you. My opinion is that it is not dangerous to travel with your girl on the Peninsula, I would do it without hesitation with my children if I had, it seems a great idea for travelers! 🙂 If you have doubts, I will try to support you in what you see as necessary. You could contact a car rental agency for the seat in the car, I do not know how the theme really works, or if you bring all the gadgets you. We are in contact to continue solving what comes up. Good road travelers!
Thanks Sandra, we still do not know the specific date for the trip, you know the work ... But thank you very much for offering your help, when I start to organize if doubts arise do not doubt that I will ask you. Many thanks to pages like yours that help travelers like us who want to travel freely.
Nothing, just to thank you for the article and for taking the time. Excellent!
I appreciate the comment Marcelo, I am happy to help a little. Regards!
Dear Sandra: Could you help me please: I'm going to Mérida for 5 nights, I have an invitation to go to playa del carmen (hotel SANDOS PLAYA CAR) on 3 nights. How long is it on the MERIDA fee road to PLAYA DEL CARMEN, for your comments the road is MERIDA-VALLODOLID-CANCUN as it is of booths, you mention that there is a branch from Valladolid to Playa del Carmen that is not yet built, how much It is the section that is not completed to get to PLAYA DEL CARMEN. Is there free road? thanks for your support. best regards
Hello Jorge, with pleasure I try to solve your doubts if I can. Calculate some more 400 mxn from Merida to Playa del Carmen, and about three hours of travel. I think the section is not finished, but part of the branch is already paid. All the way is perfectly indicated, you will not lose Jorge. The branch leaves you a few kilometers from Playa del Carmen. Greetings, any doubt here you find me.
Dear Sandra: requesting your support again, as I mention I'm going to Merida for 5 nights, I have the option of going to PLAYA EL CARMEN, visiting other areas near Merida on another way, perhaps knowing Campeche, etc., maybe sleeping Somewhere you visit, you could support me with some route, I would move in a car and my wife and I go. Also if possible to mention a city, if you can add where to stay, would be great.
best regards
Hello Jorge, let's see if I can help you. Campeche It is a very beautiful city, I think it is worth visiting. Look at the Hotel Castelmar or the Maya Campeche Hotel, downtown and average prices. I do not know if you are looking for cheaper ... I leave the Tripadvisor reference: http://www.tripadvisor.com.mx/Hotels-g1632078-Campeche_Yucatan_Peninsula-Hotels.html
Another beautiful city near Merida is Izamal, the Hotel San Miguel Arcangel is a good option to stay.
Near Merida you are left Uxmal y Celestún to visit on a day trip from Merida, both very beautiful. Haciendda Yaxcopoil on the way to Uxmal too. All these places are in the blog, you can check them yourself.
Have a base Mérida It offers you many opportunities. I leave the reference of hotels in Merida: http://www.tripadvisor.com.mx/Hotels-g150811-Merida_Yucatan_Peninsula-Hotels.html
Valladolid It is also another of the beautiful Magical Towns of the Peninsula.
I hope it serves as an orientation for your trip.
Any other thing we keep in touch.
Best regards,
As a driver (If you were the one driving) you are a very good photographer, 🙂
Thank you very much Ezequiel 🙂
Hello Sandra .. very important all this information for all of us who intend to make this trip. Thank you. One question: could you tell me what is the free way of payment from Cancun or Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza to be able to trace it on the map and then on the GPS? Thank you!!
Hello Andrés, I'm glad I can help you 🙂
I pass this link with what you ask me, if it does not solve you, you tell me: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/chichen-itza-en-coche-de-alquiler/
Greetings and good trip!
Excellent Sandra, thank you very much for this valuable information. When I return, I tell everyone what I did and how it went. I have another doubt and soon you can help me too. Instead of going to the resort early, we have only thought about going to the nightly lights show. Can you do this? Do you have to pay day and night tickets as well? Or only the night. Where are tickets purchased? Again, thank you very much for the information ...
A pleasure Andrés. You only have to pay the entrance to the light and sound show. You buy the tickets one hour before at the entrance of the compound to Chcichén Itzá, it's that easy. I do not remember the price, I leave your website: http://nochesdekukulkan.com/#!otras-opciones.php
Best regards,
Hello Sandra, first of all your report is very good, in a few days I will walk through these lands we landed in Cancun and rent a car to the Hacienda Temozon, do you have any kind of recommendations to make during this trip ????
I think to go by the quota route as to gain time since I arrive at mid-morning, and on the way back do the same and visit the yellow city, basically I wanted to ask you the status of the secondary routes to get to these destinations, and how we will be close of cenotes to visit them, which are a little lonely, I wanted to know if it is safe to go there.
I also wanted to ask you if the route El Tintal - Playa del Carmen is finished since we finished there, Thank you
Hi Javier, great destination Temozón.
In that area you have many places to visit, which I surely recommend in the Hacienda better than myself. The secondary ones, in spite of being narrow and with some hole, are perfectly transitable and safe roads. To think that you are going to travel through an area of tranquil villages, where they will help you when you need it. No fear for lonely cenotes, really. In your area there are many beautiful ones in the area of Mucuyché (Yaaluzdzil, Kankirixche ...), the X-Batún cenote is close to you and those of the Tecoh and Sabacché area. Maní is nice to visit, as well as Loltún and all the archaeological sites near Temozón. Of the places that I name you, you have the info in the blog.
If you need anything, you tell me. The fee is already completed until you reach Playa del Carmen, at least almost the entire journey. Better not drive at night by the secondary, especially not knowing the way and not having almost light.
Greetings and very good trip, you will enjoy it!
Hello Sandra, very good report, I wanted to know if you had more information about the connection by highway to Playa del Carmen, is the work completed, can you go there?
Thank you.
Agustin
Hi Agustin, I'm glad it's useful for your trip. You can take the connection to Playa del Carmen, the branch is done.
Greetings and good way,
Hello Sandra,
I have loved your advice. Surely they will be great help. As I see that you are an expert knowledge of the place I wanted to consult you several doubts that bother me. My partner I will travel honeymoon in early January and I have recommended Playa del Carmen ... but of course, the one who recommends it is the seller of the travel agency, and as I do not know the place, I do not know if it is reliable 100% your information. It's a good option? As we only have 7 days, what places are imprescible to know? Because I see that there are many beautiful places and unfortunately we can not cover them all with that short stay.
Waiting for your wise advice receives a cordial greeting.
Rosa.
Hello Rosa, congratulations on the wedding and the trip 🙂
Look, normally those who come in plane + hotel package from Europe go to the area of Playa del Carmen, Cancun is more American and Canadian, and Tulum is more expensive and almost everything is not included, that is why the agencies do not package it. So the Playa del Carmen area is a good option, then you need to know the hotel, of course. To help you better tell me what you have plans: rent a car, go on excursions ... what interests you: beach, archaeological sites, nature, theme parks ... If you explain a little more it is easier for me. You can write to my email if you like.
Best regards,
Hi Sandra, your article is very good and very clear. I'm from Uruguay and we traveled to Playa del Carmen in August for the first time. We are 5 adults and the idea is to visit Chichen Itza. For reasons of time I am in charge of collecting all the information about the trips. In the case of Chichen Itza I was looking to hire the tours offered by the agencies and also the option to rent a car and make the trip on our own. It seems to me that being 5 suits us the last option. The question I have is the subject of the route to be made, if to go by the toll highway that opened on late 2014 or via Tulum that is free. In the new one it is not clear to me where are the toll booths and how many do I have to pay to get to the Ruins and if the tolls are paid on the way out and back and I have not found the cost to April of the 2016 of them. I would appreciate if you can help me with these doubts and if I am wrong in something, let me know so I look for more information. Thank you very much for your kind response. regards
Hello Alicia,
Look, for the fee to Chichén from Playa del Carmen calculate between 300 to 400 pesos one way, and return the same (about 750 pesos the total in tolls). If you go for the fee you can do the stretch to Valladolid, and from Valladolid to Chichén for free, there are several options. By free you can go quietly to Chichén Itzá, the road is fine, you will take a little longer, but it's fine. The day of Chichén is long for kilometers, on the way to calculate between 2 hours and a half and three to reach Chichén Itzá.
Pleased to be able to help you a little bit.
Very good trip!
Thank you very much Sandra, for your prompt response. I will consider your advice.
regards
AMIGO
Hello Sandra,
Your post seemed good to me. Congratulations!!
If you allow me, I take this opportunity to ask you a question. Visiting Uxmal from Tulum is possible in one day? (The idea was to go in a rental car).
If yes, which is the safest route?
Thank you very much
Hi Núria, thank you very much for the comment.
From Tulum to Uxmal you have 4 hours, it is a bit far ... if you dare to do it, you go from Tulum to Valladolid on the road to Cobá, and from Valladolid to Mérida you have the option of going for the quota, some time save, or for free. Before entering Merida there are the indications to go to Uxmal by one of the peripheral roads to the city.
Let's see if you can ...
Regards!
Sandra
Good night.
We have traveled to several destinations in Mexico, this year touches Chiapas. We leave from Cancun, we arrive at the pacific and we make a route until returning again to Cancun, through the Caribbean
I wanted to know how is the security issue for those lands. I worry a lot, especially the issue of express kidnappings, assaults ...
If you can inform me, I would greatly appreciate it,
Thank you Sandra
Hello Victoria, what a good trip awaits you.
I do not know if you go by public transport or private car. In Chiapas, on the Palenque-San Cristóbal de las Casas highway, which is very touristy, there are sometimes checkpoints where they ask you for money. It does not happen to majors, but I understand that it can scare. If you go in a tourist combi the driver or the guide usually take care of everything and sometimes the traveler does not know. With that I tell you that they are "lights" of the population. Right now, both Oaxaca and Chiapas are somewhat moved by the teachers' strikes. This can mean cut roads and stoppages on public transport. I have been in these lands in such situations and I have not experienced them as dangerous and insecure, but they can affect travel times. Peninsula Yucatan I consider it more stable and calm, without anything remarkable to comment. On a personal level, both in the Peninsula and in Chiapas, I have never experienced a dangerous situation, taking the normal precautions of one when traveling.
I hope you feel like making the trip around here, I would not think much about it 😉
Greetings travelers,
Sandra
Sandra, how are you? Thank you very much for the information provided, it has been very useful to plan my trip. In January I will be traveling to Mexico and with such great distances I decided it was better to move by car in the peninsula to save time. One thing that was not clear to me, and maybe you can help me, is where the free highway from Merida to Cancun crosses, it made me much more eager to go around because of your description of the small towns.
Thank you!!
Hello Ana, I'm glad that I serve what I do, thank you for commenting.
The free from Cancun to Mérida for populations from east to west as Leona Vicario, Ignacio Zaragoza (where El Naranjal is, Mayan ruins), X-Can (with the caves of Santa Rita and the Chooj Ja 'cenote on the way), Chemax , Valladolid (with the option to continue on the periphery or enter the city), Piste (where the entrance to Chichén Itzá is), and from Piste to Kantunil you pass through great cenotes like the Yozdzonot. From Kantunil to Mérida there is no longer any payment on the road. The free one is a fantastic trip, more entertaining than the one of sure quota.
Good traveling road!
Sandra, thanks for the recommendations. We plan to rent a car and travel by day to the following destinations:
Tuesday: Of the apt. Cancun - Pisté (Chichenitza, spend the night Pisté hotel Chichen Itza) Wednesday: Pisté - Mahahual (spend the night Mahahual hotel Porto Coral) Thursday: Mahahual - Tulum (spend night in Tulum Hotel playa esperanza) Friday: Tulum - Xcaret - Playa del Carmen ( spend night Playa del Carmen) Saturday Sunday and Monday Playa del Carmen. As far as I can see, the signs are easy and a gps solves everything. I'm leaving the weekend for Playa del Carmen 5a avenue, beach, ferry to Holbox / Isla Mujeres. Do you think that this journey is tired? We go to the family of a wife and 2 peques. Sds,
Hello Javier, the longest journeys are the first days, to Chichén and then to Mahahual (going to Tulum from Valladolid), you will start your journey with strength 😉 The next few days you will already go down, so you will have time to rest a little . I see that you want to go to Holbox from Playa del Carmen, that is a bit far away. You have Cozumel, even Isla Mujeres that you also name it, closer. As you say, the places you have chosen are well marked on the road.
Very good trip family, any doubt I am aware.
Sandra saving I ask you to recommend me to get to Playa del Carmen from Mérida I want to pass through Valladolid, coba and tulun I wear a card as much as I would
Hello Jose. Take ña of quota of Merida to Valladolid, on some 150 weights you leave. From Valladolid take the free direction Cancun and you will see a detour towards Cobá and Tulum. Follow this route, once in Tulum follow direction Playa del Carmen. In gas I do not know how to say the cost, the roads are good.
Greetings and good trip,
Good morning, in a couple of weeks we will be in Cancun, is there any inconvenience in traveling at night, for example from Chichén Itzel to Mérida? Can you recommend an agency for car rental? Which currency is better to carry?
Hi Juaco, I do not recommend going overnight at night because the roads are not very bright and due to the ignorance of the traveler's area. But precisely the section you talk to me I do not see it inconvenient to do at night, especially if you go for the fee, without problems you can do it. When I rented a car I did it through the internet with American Car Rental and I never had any problems, but I can not tell you about the other companies. I give you an article that will surely be useful for the topic of money: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/datos-practicos-para-viajar-a-mexico/
Greetings and have an excellent trip!
Good evening another doubt, I was seeing the article of the trip by the free way, in money the saving if it is significant in this way? Thank you very much for the previous answer and the article. From Colombia a special greeting!
Very good Juaco, because in tolls you save something more than 400 pesos, gasoline consumption less for the free gives me the sensation, but something little significant.
A hug, how beautiful is Colombia 🙂
Hello Sandra, your tips for traveling in Yucatan are very good and timely.
In a few weeks I will be with my wife in Cancun and we will go to Chichen Itza, then we will return to Cancun for several days. The toll must be paid round trip? How much would the approximate cost?
Greetings from Costa Rica. Pure Life !!!
Pura Vida Carlos,
You must pay for a trip from Riviera Maya to Chichen Itza about 350 pesos. Back the same. I give you an entry where I talk about going down the free road in case you're interested. https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/la-libre-merida-cancun/
Have a nice trip!
good afternoon, in the summer I will fly to Merida and from there I would like to go by car to Cancun, a doubt the journey from Merida to Cancun 100% is freeway with 2 one way and 2 return? or sections of a single lane?
Hello Fernando, as you say, the fee route between Mérida and Cancún is two lanes one way, and two lanes back. There is usually little transit in the quota. I leave another entrance to the free road that connects Mérida with Cancún, in case you get interested: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/la-libre-merida-cancun/
Have an excellent trip!
How recommendable is it to leave Mérida for Uxmal, to visit these ruins and then arrive to Celestún on the same day? We plan to spend a night in Celestun and the next day in the morning, drive our rental car to Campeche. Of course we want the time to reach the boat ride to see the flamingos and if possible take a swim on the beach. We have doubts about whether we will be able to do everything. Perhaps it is more convenient to leave the Uxmal route for the day that we should return to Merida. What is your suggestion? Thank you.
Hello María Teresa, because the two options reach you by time, the truth. It's less to do Uxmal on the way to Campeche, so as not to be so scammed, but I tell you that both are feasible. In Celestun the boat ride, since you stay to sleep, do it for the sunset, you see more birds and it is prettier.
Have an excellent time, a hug and a good way!
Hello Sandra! Greetings from Costa Rica!! Of all the experiences that you mention, what could you tell me about getting off by car from Cancun to Bacalar? Is it dangerous to get to Bacalar at the 8 or 9pm ??? Thank you very much and excellent blog!
Hello Rolo, this road is good, you can do it at this time. There is not much lighting, it is only one lane and you pass through villages where there are stops, just that. Enjoy Bacalar and these lands.
Pure Life! 🙂
Hello Sandra, in the next week I will be traveling to Playa del Carmen, and along with my wife we wanted to rent a car, the only doubt I have is the issue of police controls, in my country are very strict with the consumption of alcohol and very severe fines, I wanted to know what those controls are like in Mexico. Thank you
Hello Roberto, in a matter of alcohol controls, they are also severe, if you go to take you to preventive jail or pay high fine, and it is not easy to get rid of paying bite in these cases. Limit are 0,40 degrees. There are few controls of alcolhemia, usually from Thursday to Saturday at night in large cities, and Sundays during the day in specific places. You can not drive taking alcohol, neither the driver nor the companions.
I hope it will be useful for your trip.
A hug, have a good trip!
I am from Colombia and arrive to visit Cancun this week, and in order to visit Chichen Itza we decided to rent a car. After visiting Chichen Itza we decided to go on the way to Playa del Carmen, when we passed through a small town called Chemax, a car appeared in front of us and started to slow down, when we tried to overtake it, it blocked us, until a moment a very abrupt movement looking to block us, the reaction of my friend who was driving was to accelerate no matter if we would collide with them and that forced them to brake and we could pass, but they began to persecute us until reaching the 160km. when we saw in the GPS we identified a Cocoyol town where we saw a group of taxi drivers who were assembled and we managed to get the car allli, immediately we shouted to help us and to indicate where the police station was, which was a few blocks ahead . and the police helped us, received our information about the vehicle and the license plates. then we heard that there are cases of kidnapping of rental vehicles since they are easy to identify, just do not know how frequent this event is, but it is worthwhile to be aware if you decide to rent a car for road trips.
Hello Alfredo, thank you very much for your testimony, if we can alert ourselves to these things between us much better.
I'm glad it was nothing, the truth that you had good determination in this situation.
Again, thank you very much for the information, I will ask the policemen in the area to see what they explain to me.
Best regards,
Hello Sandra! I did not understand well, is there a toll on the road from Valladolid to Tulum? I am preparing the trip for a few weeks and I want to have an estimate of the toll and entry costs to the different archaeological sites, Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, Ek Balam. Thank you
Hello Tania, from Valladolid to Tulum you have both options, by fee or by free, fee you get in a 270 pesos this way. In your case I would take the option to go free. The costs to these archaeological areas are in the blog.
Any clarification we continue with the subject.
Very good trip, what excitement!
Hello Sandra
I was reading all the comments I find very helpful for those we do not know and we want to go to such a wonderful site
We plan to go to Cancun at the end of June
We want to go to Tulum and Coba
Rent a car »but I do not know if they rent it without problems since we are not Mexicans»
I was also shocked by the comment of my compatriot
How safe is the cancun road Tulum and Cobá ???
We already bought the tours to Chichén Itzá and Xcaret, but we want to go to Tulum, Cobá and the cenotes on our own
Thanks for the help you can give us
Blessings
Hi Josefina, nice to meet you.
I was also surprised by what happened to your compatriot, I have not had any more reports from the area, I recently passed through there. The road Cancun-Tulum-Coba the ground do often, and never that I know has been reported major incidents. You can go easy, really. To rent a car being Colombians you do not have to have any problem, yes, they will ask for your passport and a credit visa.
You really enjoy the stay, good way!
Hello good night, someone could inform me if the road from escargena to chetumal is safe, mainly in that section, thank you.
Hello Rogelio, I have traveled that road dozens of times without incident, I do not know if someone has a negative report.
Best regards,
Hello Sandra, you travel continuously on that road or you settle somewhere in the southern part.
It is not very lonely if it is traveled.
What estimated time did you make from Escargena to Chetumal.
Hello Rogelio, I do not live in the south, but in the 10 years living in the Peninsula I have traveled dozens of times, since it is one of the most interesting areas of Mayan cities. Calculate three and a half hours between the two towns by car.
I hope you serve, best regards.
Hello Sandra, good evening finally right now the road will be in good condition, since I intend to do a tour around the peninsula in the first week of August, thanks greetings.
Hello Rogelio, as far as I know, the road is in good condition, only one lane, but wide.
Excellent trip, you'll explain how it went.
Hello! Thank you very much for your work and your time! I loved your blog. One question, do you know if in the car the child seats are obligatory? Should it be up to q age or height / weight? Idea of how much the supplement can be to pay for them ?. And changing the subject ... Will there be many mosquitoes in January? A thousand thanks primor.
Hello Zuzú, how bad do you know me but I can help you little in that. Ask directly to the car rental company. I will try to find out to expand the information, which is important and I have not contemplated it. The security rules here are very flexible, yes.
For mosquitoes in January do not worry that it is not time, only in sunsets and sunrises appear more, and after a good rain.
A hug, have a great time here 🙂
Hello Sandra, thank you very much for the blog, very useful! In 1 week we travel from Bogotá from 11 / 02 to 18 / 02 with my 2 daughters (4 years and 4 months), my in-laws and my parents, we already rent an airbnb in PDC all week and we are going to rent a car. Using your blog and what I have seen out there, I have this plan, I would like to know how you see it, very tight? Would you change a plan?
11-feb Arrival 12m - Afternoon in Cancun (Plaza Bonita - Mercado 28)
12-feb Playa del Carmen: Mamitas Beach, Fifth Avenue
13-feb Akumal - Tulum - Cenotes (garden of eden, crystalline and blue)
14-feb Chemuyil
15-feb Xcaret Park
16-feb Coba - Chichen Itza
17-feb Playa Maroma - Shopping - Playa del Carmen
18-feb Return home
Thank you!!
Hi Patricia,
What a beautiful family trip, I wish you have a great time around here.
Your itinerary is great, alternate days moved with more leisurely. The only thing I would think about changing would be the Chemuyil beach by some other such as Paamul, Soliman or Tankah. Xcacel is beautiful, but there are no services, and thinking of the family better with services. I leave a link with beaches to make it easier for you: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/mejores-playas-riviera-maya/
Enjoy a lot 🙂
Thank you very much for the comment, I will change Chemuyil. Then I'll tell you ... If one day you decide to come to Colombia and you need information or something, with pleasure.
Very nice Patricia, I appreciate it. A few years ago we traveled through Colombia a month, area of Manizales, and then Cali, Popayan, San Agustin and Neiva. Many parks and mountains, coming from the Caribbean seemed like a mountain. Wonderful journey through its landscapes and above all by people, we return in love with your country. We will return someday.
Enjoy your trip a lot 🙂
Good afternoon, Sandra. My future wife and I are planning our wedding trip that will be next August. We will arrive in Cancun at the 2 in August and we will stay in Yucatan until the 16. We plan to travel by free, renting a car. At the moment we have only the plane tickets and we are at the beginning of everything with our searches. I discovered your blog that I think is great! So I'll take the opportunity to ask you some things from there. Now I say goodbye and forgive me for my simple Spanish, I'm from northern Italy and I speak to you as a Spanish student. With a lot of affection and sympathy
Flavio
Hahahaha Flavio, happy to meet you. If you do not say you're Italian, I do not guess, your Spanish is great.
I'm glad that the blog is useful, it sure helps you plan the trip. It is an excellent option to rent a car, the Peninsula is very interesting. When you go planning, you already transmit the doubts.
Best regards Flavio, and congratulations for your wedding.
Hello Sandra! My future wife and I want to spend our honeymoon in Cancun in January. We would like to drive from Cancun to Merida to visit the cenotes. Is it necessary to rent an 4 × 4? Do you know how much you can spend on gas? Is it safe to manage those routes? How many days do you recommend us? What company to rent a car do you recommend? or would it be better to go by bus? We also want to go down from Cancun to Playa Carmen to visit some attractions there. We are from costa rica. My name is Andres and my girlfriend Fernanda. We appreciate all your help you can give us. The blog is very useful we thank you very much. thank you!
Hello Andres,
The roads are safe and well indicated, do not drive at night as a precaution. No 4 × 4 is needed at all. A trip Cancun-Merida can be around 600 gasoline weights, more or less, depending on the vehicle. I understand that going by bus or car is something personal according to budget and comfort, both valid options. The bus here is well connected, if your intention is to go to cenotes, better car. In the article there is a good car search engine, the companies are rated by users, so it is easier for you to decide, this car search engine is very good. I leave an article that can be useful: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/la-libre-merida-cancun/
Any concrete doubt with pleasure I help you. Pure Life ?
Thanks for the post. Very useful.
Thanks for the comment, they are good breaths 🙂
Hi Sandra, your blog is very beautiful, just as I was also born in the Mediterranean.
I have planned to go in Easter with my husband and daughter to Cancun. I wanted to rent a car to go to Holbox and then to Chichen Itza. The fact is that reading a comment from a guy who tried to intersect on the road has given me a little fear. Do you usually give these cases? Are there any roads or sections that I have to avoid? Is it safer to go by bus?
Hello Ana, happy to say hello to a Mediterranean 🙂
These cases are very isolated in the Peninsula, a lot. Go quiet in the car, really yes. Anyway to not pass through the section that the Colombian guy talks about in the comment I give you the safest route for your peace of mind: from Cancun to Holbox it is a busy section, but you can go for the fee (toll road) until the exit of Holbox. From Holbox to Chichén you can go the same way to take the toll road that connects by Kantunilkin to Chichén Itzá, and so you are totally calm.
I hope I help you, have a great time here. Ah, I advise you to book with time accommodation and the vehicle for those dates.
A hug,
Hello Sandra, thank you very much for your prompt response. I was also considering not to leave 3 days the car the Chiquila go by bus from Cancun. Do you think it's a good option? Are the ADOs safe? I also want to visit some cenote of the Puerto Morelos route, is there any one that can be reached directly by car? The more I read the blog, the more I like it. Thank you. A hug
Hi Ana, the ADOs are good and safe, without a doubt. I leave an entry with advice in case you use this means of transport: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/guias-practicas/consejos-para-viajar-en-bus-en-la-peninsula-de-yucatan-y-chiapas/
If you go by car to the Ruta de los Cenotes of Puerto Morelos, all the cenotes are easily accessible, all: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/la-ruta-de-los-cenotes-de-puerto-morelos-leona-vicario/ If I had to choose to go to one from Cancun I would go to Choj Ja ', it will be in another direction, but if you have to choose it is that, it is wonderful: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/los-mejores-cenotes-desde-cancun-para-nadar/
I hope the information is usefull.
A hug,
Thank you very much very nice that cenote I will put it on the route.
Hello, is it necessary to rent 4 × 4 or with common car can you drive quietly? Very complete the note! Thank you
Hello Ailen, in common car you go without problem, most roads are good, only some secondary is half ugly, but the Peninsula have a good road network.
Good way,
Goodnight
Is it safe to leave the car parked in chiquila during 4 days to go to holbox?
We are a couple with 3 children and we want to rent a car and do:
Cancun -holbox 3 nights
Holbox -rio lizards 2 nights
River lizards -chichen chalk -tulum 4 nights
What do you think?
Thank you very much
Eva
Hello Eva, I think it's an excellent plan, very complete, and you can see several cenotes and archaeological sites on the way 🙂 For the Holbox theme do not worry. For the people of Chiquilá their business is parking, they take good care of their interest. So do not worry, go quietly parking in Chicquilá, you will see that there are several families who are dedicated to it.
That you have an excellent trip, any doubt here you find me.
Hello Sandra… first of all, thank you for everything you contribute to those of us who like to travel.
My route through Quintana Roo and Yucatan will be the following:
21 arrival in Cancun
Route by rental car
23 and 23 holbox
24 Valladolid
25 snack
26 Campeche
27,28,1,2,3,4 rest in IT in tulum
My question is the return from Campeche to Tulum… .to not go back again… ..thanks
Hello Beatriz, welcome to Mexico, sorry for the delay.
If you want to go another way, it would be via Ticul, Peto, Felipe Carrillo Puerto to Tulum. The route is very interesting, you go through many towns, this area is not so touristy, I personally like it a lot. You can sleep in Ticul or in another stop along the way for what is so heavy. Any information or questions write to me and I will help you with pleasure.
Good path through these lands?
Hello, I love the blog, a great help. I had planned to go with my daughter and husband to the Mayan Riviera during Holy Week. I had planned to rent a car, visit Holbox, Cancun, Chichen Itza, etc. I have been told that lately Playa del Carmen is very violent, that it is better not to go and you have to be careful on the roads. Is that peak of violence true? When I go with my daughter, she gives me more respect. Do you advise avoiding areas or some roads? Thank you.
Hi Vic, your concern is very understandable. Regarding the roads, there have been no reported incidents that I know, I consider it safe to travel by car in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is true that violence has increased in the Riviera Maya area for a couple of years, something that tourism hardly perceives. If my dearest friends asked me if they can come with children, I would say yes: I would avoid areas of Cancun, I think that is not your case, and the normal and usual prudence on the road, such as not driving at night. https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/seguridad-en-riviera-maya/
Best regards Vic,
Hello Sandra, thanks for replying. My idea was to get to Cancun to spend a day there, rent a car to go to holbox, tulum, akumal and I do not know if to put a bug. In Cancun and playa del carmen which areas do you recommend to avoid? Can you leave the night ?. Thank you very much, greetings.
Hi Vic, it's a pleasure to be able to support you with any doubts. The itineraries that you indicate are very common and frequent, there is no problem on the road. When I visit Cancun and Playa, now I live in the interior of Yucatán, I go quiet and go out to dinner and walk with friends without problems, as always. There are friends who leave less and gather more at home, others did not change their lives at all. The places you would avoid in Cancun will surely not be anywhere near, just like in Playa (there have been occasional fights in nightclubs). My opinion is that you can travel quietly, as I told you, I would not tell my friends not to come for that, it is not at that point, much less. If for example you go to a night show like Xcaret or any other, you can return to the hotel by car without problem. It is something that affects us above all to the locals with businesses for the extortions, it is what most affects really, not the visitor.
I understand that it is an issue that worries, so do not leave anything in the pipeline, as far as I know I answer.
Best regards,
Good afternoon we want to travel from Cancun to Chetumal due to the Taekwondo competition, is the road safe? and what is the cost of booths?
grace
Hello Claudia, you can go calmly from Cancun to Chetumal, it is a safe road. Until tulum the traffic is dense and there is double lane, from Tulum to Chetumal it is a single lane, wide and with less traffic. There are no toll booths, it's free. The journey is just over 4 hours.
Good trip and the competition is going very well.
hello we rented a car, we plan to travel from Cancun to Playa del Carmen at night, 7pm given that the flight arrives at that time, I would like to know how safe or not the road is and if they recommend us to do it or not.
Hi Camila, without a problem you can do that road at that time, go easy.
Have a good time here 🙂
Hi. Do you know how safe it is to travel from the Honduras / Guatemala border (near Omoa, Honduras) to Merida, Yucatan? We would travel by car with license plate (patent) from Honduras, and as far as possible we will not travel at night. Thank you
Hello Roque, I'm sorry I can not help you with the route you say because I never did it and it would be inventing on my part. I can only talk to you in this case about the area of Mexico, where you can go quietly. I hope you find who supports you with your doubts.
Greetings, have a good trip.
Hello Sandra, my girlfriend and I will travel to Mérida in November, right there we plan to start the car route to, Cancun, passing through Chichen, then Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and finally Bacalar, our return flight leaves Merida, how heavy ?, safe ?, viable ?, is the Bacalar-Merida route by road, thank you very much!
Hi César, it is a road that I know well: it is well signposted and it is wide in sections, it is not very busy, it is safe and viable. It is also entertaining because it is populated. The journey is long, put 5 hours. If you are interested in some community tourism I leave you the contact of a Mayan community one hour from Bacalar on the way to Merida that offers accommodation and very interesting cultural activities: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/kiichpam-kaax-selva-bonita/
Any questions you tell me, I wish you a good adventure through these lands 🙂
Hello! We rented a car in December to travel through Cancun from holbox to bacalar, are the roads safe? Are there booths or seals where you have to pay to pass? I have read that the area is safe, is there something we should keep in mind so as not to have problems with robberies or scams (with the police or with any other)? And about renting the car, you recommend me a website but, the whole risk we hire it from the web or from the site where we collect the car? Thank you! Your page has a lot of information
Hi Juan, go easy on security, there are no assaults. The only booths where you must pay are on the toll roads (highways), you will not find strange situations. The only thing there are police-vultures that fix a lot, especially in the Riviera Maya area, of any small infraction and dismiss the driver in a rental car to get money: he drives cautiously and nothing should happen. Subject car, the all-risk insurance would hire you directly with them. Any questions here you find us.
Best regards and good trip through these lands 🙂
Hello! I have the doubt if I take the toll road, can I leave to be able to enter the free as to divert to a cenote for example, or if I go for the toll road should I always go for that one? thanks and regards. The blog helps me a lot!
Hi Camila, how good the blog is for you, I'm glad 🙂
If you take the fee from Mérida to Cancún (or Riviera Maya) there are three exits: one at the height of Piste (Chichén Itzá), another at Valladolid and another at the height of X-Can (they made it as a detour to Playa del Carmen and Holbox). In those three exits there are cenotes nearby, so you will not have a problem.
Good trail, enjoy a lot.
Your article is very useful. Just a question. It is safe to drive on the toll road from Cancún to Mérida even if it is done at night, I would estimate arriving around 23 p.m.
Thank you very much
Hello Javier, sorry that we have had problems in the blog. Yes, it is safe at night, the only thing that is currently under construction is the Mayan Train and the road is somewhat heavy due to the works, but it is safe. The free road is also safe.
Best regards, I hope to arrive on time with the answer.