Collectivo from Ib* Lindo to Playa??

Sukidog · 11-19-2004

Is it possible to get the bus into Playa?? I realize that there is a shuttle into Playa, but we stayed at the Copa last year and it was really conveniente to catch the bus just a few steps away from the hotel lobby into Playa. It seems people complain about the shuttle or bus dropping them off blocks away from 5th Ave. but we enjoyed the walk. Carry a knapsack and away you go. Hands free so to speak..Not that we are cheap or anything but the hole bus experience is so awesome. Is it too far to catch the collectivo? Would we be better off taking the shuttle and then catching a cab back to the Lindo. It is hard to tell if the resort is too far from the highway to catch the bus. Thanks for the help. Loving this site!!!
The countdown continues.

tbasson · 11-19-2004

My wife and I took the Collectivo quite a bit, and I agree, it is a best way to go if you want the flexibility and are willing to make a few stops along the way. We called the collectivos the 'best kept secret' because knowbody around the resort paid too much attention to them (except for the locals). We found then reliable, safe, and extremely convenient. The price is also unbelievable. Get this, from downtown Playa del Carmen all the way to Talum (about a 40 minute drive) the collectivos only charge each person 20 pesos ($2) - we were shocked and thought they made a mistake on the fair. But then on the way back from Talum we stopped off at another place about half way and they only charged us 10 pesos. There also air conditioned which was a plus. Each one holds around 12 passengers.

They run from downtown Cancun as far south as Talum, with the bus depo somewhere in downtown Playa del Carmen (I think its on 12th Avenue but you can grab one anywhere). The ones heading south have a different colour of writing on the bus, compared to the ones heading north.

Although you can grab on outside of the Lindo along the highway, we usually just grabbed the shuttle into Playa del Carmen, walked to the depo, and then took it from there to all of the excursions. If you do decide to take one from outside of the Lindo, its about a ten minute walk (or a little tip to the Lindo staff which may run you out on their golf carts). From the excursion, the walk from the main highway is 1km at the most - but there are many taxis lining up if you should care to take one in ($2-3).

SandyDee · 11-19-2004

You will have to walk about 1/4 - 1/2 mile from the Ib* resort to get to Hwy 307 in order to catch a collectivo. It can be really sweltering hot & humid to walk that far. Then, you will have to be out in the blasting sun for an additional 10-20 minutes waiting for a collectivo to come, and hopefully the collectivo is not full, or you will have to wait 10-20 more minutes for another van to come by, all the while you will be out in the heat of the day and hoping the next collectivo is not full. There are no shaded areas or shaded huts on the highway outside of the Ib* resorts for people who are waiting for collectivos. A cab would be a cheap and preferred option for getting from the resort to the highway. That way you'll have more staying power for waiting out in the sun.

Sukidog · 11-21-2004

Thanks for the great advice tbasson and sandee. Gee, we never found it to be that hot in Mexico. Loved it in fact. And loved the walking. I love finding out the other peoples tricks of the trade.

That's how you stay smart, watching and observing other people and keeping an open mind.

The countdown continues.

Coral Reef · 11-22-2004

The shuttle drops and picks up at the aviary, not in downtown Playa. So you are going to end up walking out in the sun for 1/4 mile or so, whether you choose the collectivo or the shuttle. But the shuttle is free.

SandyDee · 11-23-2004

Yes, the shuttle is free, but you have to wait until 9am for the earliest shuttle to depart from Ib*, then it is a 30 minute ride to the bus stop at the aviary in Playacar. With a collectivo you have the freedom of getting an earlier start to your day.

Pluses and minuses to both.

11-19-2004	#1 (permalink)
Sukidog reposado Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 1,366	*Collectivo from Ib Lindo to Playa??** Is it possible to get the bus into Playa?? I realize that there is a shuttle into Playa, but we stayed at the Copa last year and it was really conveniente to catch the bus just a few steps away from the hotel lobby into Playa. It seems people complain about the shuttle or bus dropping them off blocks away from 5th Ave. but we enjoyed the walk. Carry a knapsack and away you go. Hands free so to speak..Not that we are cheap or anything but the hole bus experience is so awesome. Is it too far to catch the collectivo? Would we be better off taking the shuttle and then catching a cab back to the Lindo. It is hard to tell if the resort is too far from the highway to catch the bus. Thanks for the help. Loving this site!!! The countdown continues.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-19-2004	#2 (permalink)
tbasson into ruins Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 74	My wife and I took the Collectivo quite a bit, and I agree, it is a best way to go if you want the flexibility and are willing to make a few stops along the way. We called the collectivos the 'best kept secret' because knowbody around the resort paid too much attention to them (except for the locals). We found then reliable, safe, and extremely convenient. The price is also unbelievable. Get this, from downtown Playa del Carmen all the way to Talum (about a 40 minute drive) the collectivos only charge each person 20 pesos ($2) - we were shocked and thought they made a mistake on the fair. But then on the way back from Talum we stopped off at another place about half way and they only charged us 10 pesos. There also air conditioned which was a plus. Each one holds around 12 passengers. They run from downtown Cancun as far south as Talum, with the bus depo somewhere in downtown Playa del Carmen (I think its on 12th Avenue but you can grab one anywhere). The ones heading south have a different colour of writing on the bus, compared to the ones heading north. Although you can grab on outside of the Lindo along the highway, we usually just grabbed the shuttle into Playa del Carmen, walked to the depo, and then took it from there to all of the excursions. If you do decide to take one from outside of the Lindo, its about a ten minute walk (or a little tip to the Lindo staff which may run you out on their golf carts). From the excursion, the walk from the main highway is 1km at the most - but there are many taxis lining up if you should care to take one in ($2-3).

11-19-2004	#3 (permalink)
SandyDee ruined Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 83	You will have to walk about 1/4 - 1/2 mile from the Ib* resort to get to Hwy 307 in order to catch a collectivo. It can be really sweltering hot & humid to walk that far. Then, you will have to be out in the blasting sun for an additional 10-20 minutes waiting for a collectivo to come, and hopefully the collectivo is not full, or you will have to wait 10-20 more minutes for another van to come by, all the while you will be out in the heat of the day and hoping the next collectivo is not full. There are no shaded areas or shaded huts on the highway outside of the Ib* resorts for people who are waiting for collectivos. A cab would be a cheap and preferred option for getting from the resort to the highway. That way you'll have more staying power for waiting out in the sun.

11-21-2004	#4 (permalink)
Sukidog reposado Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 1,366	Thanks for the great advice tbasson and sandee. Gee, we never found it to be that hot in Mexico. Loved it in fact. And loved the walking. I love finding out the other peoples tricks of the trade. That's how you stay smart, watching and observing other people and keeping an open mind. The countdown continues.

11-22-2004	#5 (permalink)
Coral Reef way into it Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 155	The shuttle drops and picks up at the aviary, not in downtown Playa. So you are going to end up walking out in the sun for 1/4 mile or so, whether you choose the collectivo or the shuttle. But the shuttle is free.

11-23-2004	#6 (permalink)
SandyDee ruined Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 83	Yes, the shuttle is free, but you have to wait until 9am for the earliest shuttle to depart from Ib*, then it is a 30 minute ride to the bus stop at the aviary in Playacar. With a collectivo you have the freedom of getting an earlier start to your day. Pluses and minuses to both.

register to remove these adverts