Airports

It is usually most practical to fly into Cancun (CUN) International Airport. The Chetumal International Airport (CTM) is closer but has very limited flights. It is worth checking Chetumal to see if it makes sense for you.

Driving

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Driving is by far the best way to get to the villa from the airport. The Cancun airport has a large selection of car rental companies with desks outside the immigration/ customs exit. You will check-in at the car rental desk, and someone will walk you outside where a shuttle will pick you up to go to the car rental office. The drive from Cancun airport is about 4.5 hours and from Chetumal airport about 2.5 hours. The highways are very nice with plenty of gas stations, and most of the way is divided highway. If you have never driven in Mexico before you need to be on the alert for “topes,” or massive speed bumps, that are usually located on the highways right outside small villages. They sneak up on you, and if you do not slow down your car could be airborne! There are usually one or more signs warning you of the topes, but they are easy to miss, so be careful. Also, don’t be surprised if you pass police or military checkpoints along the way. The local police have permanent checkpoints outside Cancun and Tulum. They are looking for a certain profile, so most likely they will just wave you through. The military has intermittent checkpoints, and the most common location is the turnoff from Highway 307 to the El Cafetal-Mahahual highway. They see less activity so are more likely to stop you and do a cursory search of your car looking for illegal conch, lobster, drugs, firearms, and anything else exciting. I have never had a negative experience with either the police or the military. In Mexico, gas stations are always full service, and not all of them take credit cards, so be sure to have cash on hand. Many will accept US dollars, but at an undesirable exchange rate. Be sure to check the gas pump reads all zeros before the attendant starts pumping (especially with the older non-digital displays), and a small tip of a few pesos is standard. There are typically two grades of gas, Magna (for most cars) and Premium (for certain cars that require higher octane). A good phrase to learn is, “Llene con Magna, por favor.”

It is very easy to leave the Cancun airport and find your way to Highway 307 (the north-south highway that will take you most of the way). You might want to spend the night in Tulum (the last resort-style town before the desolate stretch of highway begins). It is best to do the part of the drive south of Tulum during the day, because the highway afterward will be very dark, and finding your way all the way to the villa at night can be tricky and most of all disorienting.

Bus

Bus schedules can change frequently. It is best to check with http://ado.com.mx for the most current schedule. There are 1-2 buses per day each way. The buses are clean with good air conditioning. In case of changes, there is a second category service to Limones from where one can take a taxi to the villa.

Semi-Private Shuttle

For a shuttle from the Riviera Maya area (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc) contact Ernest Salazar by regular telephone or WhatsApp at +52 998 321 4367.

Local Taxis

There are plenty of taxis in Mahahual at reasonable prices, and they have a good reputation. Be sure to agree on a price before getting in.