Major Transportation Issue…

The other day I read about a robbery which occurred on one of the public buses in Cancun’s Hotel Zone.  This is the first such robbery I know of occurring in this area of Mexico since I started vacationing here in 2012.  According to the news story, a single adult male boarded one of the public buses, brandished a gun, and demanded all cell phones. While the driver attempted to stop him, he was hit in the head with the weapon and the robber quickly went through the bus collecting all cell phones, then departed the bus.

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Riviera Maya Construction Update

I just got to Catalonia Royal Tulum yesterday and I felt I had to say something about the current road construction which is occurring in the Riviera Maya.  If you may recall from a previous post, construction is now occurring for the most part to repair sinkholes to secure the roadway; all this is happening prior to the construction of the Mayan train which will take a couple of years.  Be prepared for CRAZY traffic once you travel south of the Cancun airport.  My private shuttle driver was delayed (due to traffic) coming back to the airport from a Riviera Maya resort; since I wasn’t in a hurry I decided to wait for him.  Here’s the timeline though–I landed at 6 p.m. and didn’t get to my room until 9 p.m.  With the driver’s delay and the absurd traffic, you may want to rethink your transportation from the airport to your resort if you will be staying somewhere south of Dreams Natura. I know I won’t be taking any more USA Transfers rides after this trip if I’m going to be going south into the Riviera Maya while this fiasco continues.  It may be best to sign up for a cab in order to avoid any unnecessary waiting at the airport–you may pay a bit more, but you will get there faster.  You may also want to check out the private driver I had back in November–he also does transport to resorts from the airport.  His name is Juan Jose Vicente Tiquet, and his company is Friendstravelcancun.

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Ongoing Road Construction in Riviera Maya

Be prepared for road delays for the next TWO YEARS when coming and going to resorts in the Riviera Maya.  Work recently began on the repair of sinkholes and changes that need to be made to support the building of the Maya Train on the main highway south of the airport all the way to Tulum.  Current work is focused on repairing the sinkholes at Km. 306 (that’s about where the Catalonia Playa Maroma resort is located–think Puerto Aventuras) and Paraiso Beach area which is just south of the Tulum ruins.

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Don’t Forget the New Tourist Tax…

Tomorrow, April 1, 2021, a new tourist tax will be implemented for international tourists who visit Cancun.  The tax amount is $224 Mexican Pesos which is approximately $11 USD; the new tax must be paid for each foreign/international visitor over age 15 (Brazil and some other select countries will pay less).  This new tax can be paid before you leave, while you are vacationing in Cancun, or paid in cash at various Cancun airport terminals before you fly home.

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My Air Travel Experience to/from Cancun During COVID

I recently returned from my Cancun trip and thought it might be informative to those thinking of traveling to Mexico to know what the experience was like.  This particular blog post will cover the air travel part of the trip.

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Cenotes Near Barcelo Maya Grand Resort

There are multiple cenotes across the street from the Barcelo Maya Grand. Courtesy Unofficial Barcelo Maya

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Don’t Forget to Bring Your ID

If you will be taking an ADO bus anywhere in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, make sure to bring your ID.  Due to the flow of migrants from central American countries throughout Mexico, identification is now required prior to boarding.  If you don’t have an ID, you will not be allowed to take this type of transportation throughout the area.

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Uber Again Operational In Cancun

Want the typically cheaper option of Uber while in Cancun?  This transportation service will once again be available starting June 6, 2019 after being suspended for over a year.  While a Mexican federal court ruling is responsible for its reinstatement, cab drivers and their representatives vow that the fight is not over, so Uber availability may once again change.  Don’t be surprised to see more blockades and physical resistance by the local cab drivers.

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