Help needed

Pumpkin · 03-29-2003

I'll be returning in several weeks with my older sister (this time) by way of a Carnival cruise. We, of course, will be docking at Calica.

My sister wants to see the ruins at Tulum. Jackflash and I saw them last year when we were there. We rented a car; however, he drove and I do not feel comfortable renting a car and driving in Mexico.

I would love for my sister to get to see these ruins. The trip offered by the ship is pricey and takes all day. I don't see the need to spend that much time (5 hours) on that trip as a trip to PDC is a must also.

I need some suggestions as to how to work this out. Get a taxi to take us to the ruins from Calica? How much? Then, can we get a taxi from the ruin to Playa? How much? And then, of course we have to get back to the ship from Playa. How much?

Is a taxi the best bet? My sister is not into walking long distances, so we need transportation.

Any help or comments would be great!!!

Pumpkin · 03-30-2003

Surely, someone has some comments or suggestions?

**Bumper** · 03-30-2003

Sorry, but I have no idea where Calica is, so find it difficult to offer much in the way of advise. I was told you can catch a "collectivo" to Tulum from Playa. They are vans which can be caught near the bus terminal on 5th Avenue in downton Playa. I understand they go quite frequently, as soon as they get a reasonable sized load. Though we didn't use the service ourselves - we had a day rental of a car and driver for our trip to Tulum - I understand it costs about 40 pesos for the trip by collectivo. Make sure the driver understands you want to go to the ruins themselves, not the town of Tulum, which is some distance away. I presume the return price to Playa would be comparable. If you're not into walking, I suggest you take the "train" option from the highway into the Tulum site. It's not really a train, but passenger cars pulled by a tractor. It's cheap and the walk in is quite lengthy. You could hire a taxi in Playa to take you to Tulum, but I suspect it would be considerably more expensive than the collectivo option. As far as timing at the ruins goes, we did a pretty thorough walkabout tour in a couple of hours. We were on our own, as opposed to being part of a guided group. Sorry I can't offer more information than this.

**james** · 03-31-2003

Calica is pure cruise ship unloading.

Once you get out of there, you are able to take advantage of all the ground transport options.

Pumpkin · 04-01-2003

So James:

Are you saying that we need to get ourselves to PDC first and then possibly take the bus to the ruins? Does the bus let you off on the highway? How far from the highway is the entrance where you pay your fee to ride the "train?"

Thanks for your help.

ksw · 04-02-2003

Hi, my Family and I have done the Cruise Ship Thing and we have found some wonderful Eden's, that we have then returned to on a Destination Basis. Playa is one of them.

We have one rule and that is this....Leave your money in your pocket (do not book with the Cruise Line Land Package Dept) and debark from the Cruise Ship and Walk a bit further than the Cruise Ship Owned Pier. You will find amazing Local People who are willing to show you the amazing destination you have landed in for a fraction of the cost that will go to the Local Economy, it may be a Local Taxi, Local Tour Company, but you will usually find them just outside of the Cruise Ship Pier and they are full of information on what is the best way to spend your day from the Cruise Port you land on.

We have always returned with many amazing memories and stories to share with fellow passengers and they are in awe as to how we can do this and often end up with us at our next Port. The first question is: Isn't it dangerous??? Some Cruise Line Info states that if you deal with Local People that they do not recommend, it is dangerous. Our answer is: If we feel uncomfortable we just go to the next person waiting to tour us, there is always another person more than willing to help show us their area. Many of the Transportation within said Piers have to pay the Cruise Line a Percentage of their Profits or pay for a Liscence in order to be close to the Pier. A short walk will find you a better value and someone who is knowledgable and proud to show you their personal Mexico or any Destination you may stop in. Agree on the cost of your day, less any entry fees to parks etc before you actually get into your chosen transportation mode.

This doesn't answer all your questions as I am not familiar with the Pier you are debarking on, but there is a web site: www.cruisemates.com
It is a passenger driven web site with all kinds of real info.

Have a wonderful trip enjoy the not so Touristy Areas and the People you meet.
ksw.

petersmith · 04-03-2003

I am not sure of the taxi prices, but I am assuming that they will probably charge you something like 25$ U.S.D. each way (Calica-Tulum) (Tulum-Calica) of course it could be less, but make sure you ARRANGE THE PRICE BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAB, it will save alot of hassle afterwards.

The distance between the entrance to Tulum and the actual ruins is a few kilometers long on a straight non-shaded paved road. The little train costs less than 5 dollars, so it all depends on how sporty you want to be. I did the walk once and never again, now I take the train.

Or just stand on the side of the highway when you see a bus or an old-style volkswagen van with green piping (known as combis and were a favorite in the 70's) stick up your arm to indicate to the driver to stop. These collectivos can get quite packed but cost less than 5 dollars.

Montana Guy · 04-03-2003

I also don't know where the Calica cruise ship port is. But I can add that the local buses are acceptable and the bus terminal in Playa is fine and the one in Tulum is adequate - partly open air next to a cafe. Normal large bus from Playa to Tulum town (Pueblo Tulum) was something like $6 US and taxi from the town to the beach / ruins was $3 so about $9 US one way.

On the way back, a local taxi driver for the $3 drive offered us a cheap deal to take us all the way up to Playa for 100 pesos or roughly $12.50 US(which since there were four of us who happened to get picked up at the same time we split four ways - cheap) That's right on target with the above mentioned $25 US round trip PDC Tulum taxi fare. My guess is at that price the driver is not making much; a nice tip would be in order if he waits while you to see the ruins.

Local transportation does not have to be expensive.

petersmith · 04-04-2003

I believe that the Calica port is somewhere next to the Xcaret "eco" park.

03-29-2003	#1 (permalink)
Pumpkin lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Texas, USA Posts: 12	Help needed I'll be returning in several weeks with my older sister (this time) by way of a Carnival cruise. We, of course, will be docking at Calica. My sister wants to see the ruins at Tulum. Jackflash and I saw them last year when we were there. We rented a car; however, he drove and I do not feel comfortable renting a car and driving in Mexico. I would love for my sister to get to see these ruins. The trip offered by the ship is pricey and takes all day. I don't see the need to spend that much time (5 hours) on that trip as a trip to PDC is a must also. I need some suggestions as to how to work this out. Get a taxi to take us to the ruins from Calica? How much? Then, can we get a taxi from the ruin to Playa? How much? And then, of course we have to get back to the ship from Playa. How much? Is a taxi the best bet? My sister is not into walking long distances, so we need transportation. Any help or comments would be great!!!

03-31-2003	#4 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,747	Calica is pure cruise ship unloading. Once you get out of there, you are able to take advantage of all the ground transport options. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image!

04-02-2003	#6 (permalink)
ksw lost on fifth Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 24	Non Cruise Ship Organized Fun Hi, my Family and I have done the Cruise Ship Thing and we have found some wonderful Eden's, that we have then returned to on a Destination Basis. Playa is one of them. We have one rule and that is this....Leave your money in your pocket (do not book with the Cruise Line Land Package Dept) and debark from the Cruise Ship and Walk a bit further than the Cruise Ship Owned Pier. You will find amazing Local People who are willing to show you the amazing destination you have landed in for a fraction of the cost that will go to the Local Economy, it may be a Local Taxi, Local Tour Company, but you will usually find them just outside of the Cruise Ship Pier and they are full of information on what is the best way to spend your day from the Cruise Port you land on. We have always returned with many amazing memories and stories to share with fellow passengers and they are in awe as to how we can do this and often end up with us at our next Port. The first question is: Isn't it dangerous??? Some Cruise Line Info states that if you deal with Local People that they do not recommend, it is dangerous. Our answer is: If we feel uncomfortable we just go to the next person waiting to tour us, there is always another person more than willing to help show us their area. Many of the Transportation within said Piers have to pay the Cruise Line a Percentage of their Profits or pay for a Liscence in order to be close to the Pier. A short walk will find you a better value and someone who is knowledgable and proud to show you their personal Mexico or any Destination you may stop in. Agree on the cost of your day, less any entry fees to parks etc before you actually get into your chosen transportation mode. This doesn't answer all your questions as I am not familiar with the Pier you are debarking on, but there is a web site: www.cruisemates.com It is a passenger driven web site with all kinds of real info. Have a wonderful trip enjoy the not so Touristy Areas and the People you meet. ksw.

04-03-2003	#8 (permalink)
Montana Guy very sparkly Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Montana USA Posts: 32	Taxi I also don't know where the Calica cruise ship port is. But I can add that the local buses are acceptable and the bus terminal in Playa is fine and the one in Tulum is adequate - partly open air next to a cafe. Normal large bus from Playa to Tulum town (Pueblo Tulum) was something like $6 US and taxi from the town to the beach / ruins was $3 so about $9 US one way. On the way back, a local taxi driver for the $3 drive offered us a cheap deal to take us all the way up to Playa for 100 pesos or roughly $12.50 US(which since there were four of us who happened to get picked up at the same time we split four ways - cheap) That's right on target with the above mentioned $25 US round trip PDC Tulum taxi fare. My guess is at that price the driver is not making much; a nice tip would be in order if he waits while you to see the ruins. Local transportation does not have to be expensive.

03-30-2003	#2 (permalink)
Pumpkin lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Texas, USA Posts: 12	Surely, someone has some comments or suggestions?

03-30-2003	#3 (permalink)
Bumper Class Clown Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 9,700	Sorry, but I have no idea where Calica is, so find it difficult to offer much in the way of advise. I was told you can catch a "collectivo" to Tulum from Playa. They are vans which can be caught near the bus terminal on 5th Avenue in downton Playa. I understand they go quite frequently, as soon as they get a reasonable sized load. Though we didn't use the service ourselves - we had a day rental of a car and driver for our trip to Tulum - I understand it costs about 40 pesos for the trip by collectivo. Make sure the driver understands you want to go to the ruins themselves, not the town of Tulum, which is some distance away. I presume the return price to Playa would be comparable. If you're not into walking, I suggest you take the "train" option from the highway into the Tulum site. It's not really a train, but passenger cars pulled by a tractor. It's cheap and the walk in is quite lengthy. You could hire a taxi in Playa to take you to Tulum, but I suspect it would be considerably more expensive than the collectivo option. As far as timing at the ruins goes, we did a pretty thorough walkabout tour in a couple of hours. We were on our own, as opposed to being part of a guided group. Sorry I can't offer more information than this.

04-01-2003	#5 (permalink)
Pumpkin lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Texas, USA Posts: 12	So James: Are you saying that we need to get ourselves to PDC first and then possibly take the bus to the ruins? Does the bus let you off on the highway? How far from the highway is the entrance where you pay your fee to ride the "train?" Thanks for your help.

04-03-2003	#7 (permalink)
petersmith very sparkly Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 39	I am not sure of the taxi prices, but I am assuming that they will probably charge you something like 25$ U.S.D. each way (Calica-Tulum) (Tulum-Calica) of course it could be less, but make sure you ARRANGE THE PRICE BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAB, it will save alot of hassle afterwards. The distance between the entrance to Tulum and the actual ruins is a few kilometers long on a straight non-shaded paved road. The little train costs less than 5 dollars, so it all depends on how sporty you want to be. I did the walk once and never again, now I take the train. Or just stand on the side of the highway when you see a bus or an old-style volkswagen van with green piping (known as combis and were a favorite in the 70's) stick up your arm to indicate to the driver to stop. These collectivos can get quite packed but cost less than 5 dollars.

04-04-2003	#9 (permalink)
petersmith very sparkly Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 39	I believe that the Calica port is somewhere next to the Xcaret "eco" park.

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