Thank you for all of the information. It will be a lot of help.
LeeNY wrote:
> fayzer2@cox.net wrote:
>
> > We will be cruising Thanksgiving week 2006 . This time we have
> > researched our destination to Calica (Playa Del Carmen) and Cancun. We
> > know we want to go the Tulum, Xel-ha or Isla Mujeres.
>
> We toured Tulum independently, and we came over from Cozumel. So, to do
> it from Playa del Carmen should be a piece of cake. We didn't use a
> tour van...we rented a car and drove there on our own. I don't know
> where the cruise ship pier is, but coming over on the ferry, the rental
> car office was right there...probably 50 steps from where we got on
> land. We prebooked the car through National Rental Car...it was a late
> model VW in excellent condition, so we had little worries about
> mechanical difficulties. Car ran about $35 for the day..
>
> The drive to Tulum couldn't be easier. From where we picked up the car,
> we basically drove west (away from the water) until we came to the one
> major north-south road. It's pretty obvious. We headed south and then
> drove until we hit the entrance to Tulum. On the way, we passed the
> entrance to Xel-ha, so that would be an easy trip as well.
>
> Once at Tulum, we paid $2.50 to park and $3.00 each for admission to
> the ruins (this was back in 2001). Then, we hired one of the guides
> standing around for $20. He was a retired engineer, fluent in English
> and very knowledgeable about the ruins. Spent a few hours there and
> then drove back to Playa to grab a ferry back to Coz.
>
> All in all, logistically, the day went very smoothly. We allowed a lot
> of cushion in our schedule, in the event of some kind of glitch (flat
> tire, breakdown, etc.). But everything went as planned. It was a long
> day, to do it from Cozumel, but from Playa del Carmen, you're saving a
> few hours, right off the bat, not having to deal with the ferry
> schedule.
>
> Can't help with Isla de Mujeres. You will have to deal with a ferry to
> get there and back, so just allow yourselves plenty of cushion in your
> schedule, in case the ferries aren't running on time, etc. You might
> consider doing Xel-ha one day, Tulum the next.
>
> Have a great time!
>
> Lee
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