Travel to Riviera Maya (Mexico)?

Question

Its my 1st time flying? What should I expect when i arrive (from customs)? What should i be prepared for? Also, I'm staying for a week, so Taxi's or Rental car? Any added info would be much appreciated... thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The other answers are good about what to expect from customs. As for renting a car, it depends. If you are going to spend a lot of time at the beach on your resort, I wouldn't bother. And for ruins and other off resort sights there's lots of tours that include the bus ride so you don't need to worry about driving.

There is a better option than taxi's, they are called colectivos. They are like shared taxis. White mini-vans with red trim that run regularly between PDC and Cancun and PDC and Tulum. You just make your way to the road at the end of your resort (assuming that road is highway 307 and for 99% of the resorts it would be) and flag one down. They'll take you into PDC or Cancun for a couple of bucks. The price is based on how far you are going. Just ask at your hotel, they'll help you.

Enjoy.

Answer 2

When I went down there, it was my first time flying as well.  When you land, you will get off your plane on the tarmac.  When you go inside the airport, a custom's agent will stamp your passport and then you'll go to the baggage claim area.  After you get you bags, you will have to go by a thing that looks like a stop light.  A custom's agent will push a button and, more than likely, the light will turn green and you will be allowed to pass.  The light is set to randomly show red, and they will search your bags for contraband.  But, I think you'd have to be a bit unlucky to have that happen.  Anyway, check with your hotel to see if they offer free shuttle service (the Catalonia Maya Riviera did).  If they don't, the taxi ride isn't too bad.  We rode into town on a bus and took a taxi back to the hotel.  The only weird thing that I experienced were a few cops in town that were standing on the street with guns in their hands.  My travel agent told me that this was common.  Other than that, it's AWESOME!!!  Have fun....I know we had a blast!

Answer 3

I LOVE the Riviera Maya, so beautiful there!!  It is about a 50 minute drive from Cancun, and taxis can be quite expensive.  But the traffic is kind of nuts, and if you can't speak or read spanish, I would definately reccoment a taxi.  They usually have shuttles from a majority of the resorts that will take you to popular destinations, and they are usually resonably priced.   Xcarat is something you should definately check out!

When you arrive, you will go through customs and have to hit a button at customs, if it lights up green, you go through.  If i lights up red, you get searched.  It is completely random.  On my way home last time, everyone was searched before getting on the plane home to USA.