Collectivo.....need help please!

[Mauiwowie]

We were leaning towards taking a taxi to Xel-Ha from RPR (now RPDC). However, many here suggest using the collectivo as it is relatively inexpensive. This is now a consideration. But, we have many questions regarding the collectivo and they are as follows.....

- where does one go to get on it?
- how do you know you are on the right one?
- what will it cost to get to Xel-Ha?
- do you need the exact change?
- if we aren't paying attention, might we go pass our destination?

Any other helpful info on using the collectivo would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Mauiwowie

We were leaning towards taking a taxi to Xel-Ha from RPR (now RPDC). However, many here suggest using the collectivo as it is relatively inexpensive. This is now a consideration. But, we have many questions regarding the collectivo and they are as follows.....

- where does one go to get on it?
- how do you know you are on the right one?
- what will it cost to get to Xel-Ha?
- do you need the exact change?
- if we aren't paying attention, might we go pass our destination?

Any other helpful info on using the collectivo would be appreciated. Thank you!

• Avenida 15 and Calle 2
• One goes north to Cancun the other goes south toward Tulum. If you're not on the one to Cancun, you're on the right one.
• Not much... around $2US/20 pesos.
• It would help, but I'm sure the driver appreciates a tip.
• Be sure to tell the driver where you want to go and pay attention also.

And another helpful bit of info is that there is only one L in COLECTIVO.

[MWC]

I'm not resort-savvy. Where exactly is the RPR, or whatever it's called?

[himandeye]

We paid 25 pesos per person and tiped them another ten per person. Go early!

We just told them where we were headed and it was not a problem at all with having them drop us off at the right place. It was very easy to do and a good experience...coming back to Playa was just as easy, the colectivo vans were there at the entrance to Xel-ha where it meets 307. Again told them we were headed back to Playa del Carmen and off we went....same price back.

[silvergirl]

Originally Posted by MWC

I'm not resort-savvy. Where exactly is the RPR, or whatever it's called?

On Contituyentes (sp?) right off 5th on the beach

[MWC]

Nevermind, I figured it out.

There is only one pickup point in Playa proper, the one Susie gave you.
Most of the colectivos will be going south toward Xel-ha, Tulum, so don't worry too much about that. We hav
e had to pull teeth sometimes to get a colectivo to Cancun.

if you're on a colectivo headed for Tulum, you're on the right one.

When you board, there will be a man there to ask you where you are going. You will say "Xel-ha" (shell-ha). He will nod and point you to your van.

Unless you are sleeping, it will be rather hard to miss the Xel-ha stop. if you read the highway signs, they will give you plenty of warning as to when the main entrance will be coming up.

Another option you may want to consider is taking the ADO bus to and from Xelha. The only reason I mention this is that it can be difficult to hail a Playa-bound collectivo from Xelha. (The vans start in Tulum, which is just a little ways south of Xelha, and don't leave until they're starting full). the ADO bus would guarantee you a seat back. Or hail a colectivo south into Tulum, and take your Playa-bound colectivo from tulum, seat guaranteed.

[Mauiwowie]

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

• Avenida 15 and Calle 2
• One goes north to Cancun the other goes south toward Tulum. If you're not on the one to Cancun, you're on the right one.
• Not much... around $2US/20 pesos.
• It would help, but I'm sure the driver appreciates a tip.
• Be sure to tell the driver where you want to go and pay attention also.

And another helpful bit of info is that there is only one L in COLECTIVO.

Thanks for the spelling tip Not knowing PDC well, is avenida 15 and calle 2 near RPR? Also, is the price for taking the colectivo always the same or does it depend on the destination? Thanks for the help Susie!

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Mauiwowie

Thanks for the spelling tip Not knowing PDC well, is avenida 15 and calle 2 near RPR? Also, is the price for taking the colectivo always the same or does it depend on the destination? Thanks for the help Susie!

Depends on the destination. When I use it to go to Paamul (about half the distance to Xel-Ha), it costs 12 pesos. The colectivo pickup is not exactly "close" but it is within walking distance - 2 blocks west and maybe 8-10 blocks south... about the same as walking the entire length of 5th itself.

Except... now that I think of it... is it Calle 2 or Calle 4???

[Mauiwowie]

The help comes so quickly here and I see my previous reply has already been answered here. Thanks everyone!!!!!

[Heather]

Calle 2, Miss Susie.

[Doug from Iowa]

Originally Posted by MWC

Nevermind, I figured it out.

There is only one pickup point in Playa proper, the one Susie gave you.
Most of the colectivos will be going south toward Xel-ha, Tulum, so don't worry too much about that. We hav
e had to pull teeth sometimes to get a colectivo to Cancun.

if you're on a colectivo headed for Tulum, you're on the right one.

When you board, there will be a man there to ask you where you are going. You will say "Xel-ha" (shell-ha). He will nod and point you to your van.

Unless you are sleeping, it will be rather hard to miss the Xel-ha stop. if you read the highway signs, they will give you plenty of warning as to when the main entrance will be coming up.

Another option you may want to consider is taking the ADO bus to and from Xelha. The only reason I mention this is that it can be difficult to hail a Playa-bound collectivo from Xelha. (The vans start in Tulum, which is just a little ways south of Xelha, and don't leave until they're starting full). the ADO bus would guarantee you a seat back. Or hail a colectivo south into Tulum, and take your Playa-bound colectivo from tulum, seat guaranteed.

We took a colectivo back to Playa from Xel Ha with a group of 4 couples, had to wait along time for one to stop, and when it did, we had to pack in like sardines. I still have one butt cheek numb from the experience. I LIKE YOUR SUGGESTION TO TAKE A COLECTIVO TO TULUM, AND CATCH AN EMPTY ONE BACK TO PLAYA.

1. When the colectivo stops in Tulum, does it stop at a bus station like in Playa?

2. If it does stop at a station, are there things to do close before reboarding a colectivo (resturants, bars, shopping, bars, bars, taco stands, bars,etc)?

[MWC]

Originally Posted by Doug from Iowa

We took a colectivo back to Playa from Xel Ha with a group of 4 couples, had to wait along time for one to stop, and when it did, we had to pack in like sardines. I still have one butt cheek numb from the experience. I LIKE YOUR SUGGESTION TO TAKE A COLECTIVO TO TULUM, AND CATCH AN EMPTY ONE BACK TO PLAYA.

1. When the colectivo stops in Tulum, does it stop at a bus station like in Playa?

2. If it does stop at a station, are there things to do close before reboarding a colectivo (resturants, bars, shopping, bars, bars, taco stands, bars,etc)?

You're very welcome. We got to the point where we planned to go into Tulum for an early dinner, then head back to Playa.

1. Yes. If you take it to its terminus, it stops across the street from a bus station. That is also where the playa-bound colectivos begin. Not at the bus station itself, but the median strip right in front of the bus stop.

2. Yes. You will still be on 307, which is the main drag in Tulum. If it is still there, we really liked Charlie's, which is a bar/restaurant. There were also lots of storefront shops, and cheaper places to eat, around there.

[islandgirl07]

Originally Posted by MWC

You're very welcome. We got to the point where we planned to go into Tulum for an early dinner, then head back to Playa.

1. Yes. If you take it to its terminus, it stops across the street from a bus station. That is also where the playa-bound colectivos begin. Not at the bus station itself, but the median strip right in front of the bus stop.

2. Yes. You will still be on 307, which is the main drag in Tulum. If it is still there, we really liked Charlie's, which is a bar/restaurant. There were also lots of storefront shops, and cheaper places to eat, around there.

This answers alot of questions for me also...but...what is an ADO?

[cmsitaly]

edit**

[MWC]

Originally Posted by islandgirl07

This answers alot of questions for me also...but...what is an ADO?

I don't know what it literally translates to, but it's a bus line. Not vans, but full-sized bus coaches with ac, scheduled service, etc.