The beautiful city of Cancun is home to an interesting and friendly people. Still, it can be a bit frightening to navigate around an unfamiliar place particularly when you dont know the language. But don’t worry! Entering Mexico involves nothing more difficult than the usual passport and photo ID. Flying is the most popular way to get to Cancun, and there are many commercial and charter flights to choose from. After finishing with customs, the hardest decision is deciding between the rental cars and taxis that will take you to your hotel.
Renting a car can be a complicated and stressful experience in Cancun. Not only does the renter need to have Mexican insurance, but they must be thorough in the initial viewing of the car. Every scratch and dent, no matter how seemingly insignificant must be reported before leaving. Tourists who neglect this attention to detail can be faced with large charges and will not be allowed to leave the country until the debt is cleared. As with all vehicles, always carry your driver’s license.
The favored way of getting around Cancun is via the bus! Inexpensive and reliable, the public bus is always easy to find – just look for the signs with the picture of the bus! While at the bus stop, don’t assume that the driver is going to stop. Wave your arms at the driver so they know you want to ride the bus and aren’t just hanging out. Speak clearly and slowly when telling the driver where you are heading and then keep track of where you are going. Some drivers get so involved with driving the bus that they don’t always stop where the tourist wants to go! If that happens, speak up! Otherwise – enjoy the ride and congratulate yourself on successfully traveling your way through a foreign city!
Taxis are the second best way to get around the downtown and hotel districts of Cancun. Choose only licensed and regulated “sitio” taxis to ensure the best experience. Tips are included in the cost of every trip. Best of all, any taxi cab ride except for the one leaving the airport can be negotiated by the confident vacationer. If a driver tries to cause trouble after reaching the destination by refusing to take the originally agreed upon price, be sure to get the number off the taxi cab and report the driver to the hotel where you are staying or to the cab company themselves. Most travelers will never have this problem.
Mopeds are handy to use but Cancun can be hectic. Pedestrians do not have the right of way so street navigation can become quite the challenge. It can get a little hairy just trying to go from one side of the street to the other! Add a tourist who doesn’t know where they are trying to go and things could quickly turn disastrous. Helmets are required by law and are provided with rentals. But really, mopeds should be left to the locals who know the ins and outs of every street and are better prepared to handle the unexpected.
There is a lot to see and do in Cancun and it is up to the wise tourist to consider their current travel goals and future needs and plan accordingly. For those vacationers who only want to explore the nearby hotel and shopping districts, the bus or taxi would be ideal. The more adventurous tourists wanting spontaneous trips would benefit from renting a car. Whether you choose bus, moped, rental car, or taxi, use common sense. Relax, you’re on vacation, so what’s the hurry?