Cab From Barcelo Palace to Playa?

[lvprettyplcs]

Anyone know about how much we should expect to pay for a cab ride from Barcelo to Playa?

[Shammy]

$22-$25 one way.

You can get a colectivo out on the highway - just walk out (or ask for a ride in a golf cart or on the train) and stand by the side of the road. $3/pp.

[STL15]

I believe they also have organized shopping trips to Playa with drop off and pick up at a set time.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by STL15

I believe they also have organized shopping trips to Playa with drop off and pick up at a set time.

If they do, it is not really well advertised. We didn't know about this, we were there ten days.


We took a large van-style taxi with 9 people for 700 pesos and then caught a couple regular car style back for 250 pesos each- that is the price that was on the sign at the taxi queue by the ADO station on Fifth, too. It is about a 20 minute drive.

[lvprettyplcs]

Originally Posted by Shammy

$22-$25 one way.

You can get a colectivo out on the highway - just walk out (or ask for a ride in a golf cart or on the train) and stand by the side of the road. $3/pp.

Thanks Shammy! Im trying not to bombard you with emails the last few weeks! Although you are VERY knowledgable & it would be easier to ask you in the 1st place..Thank You

[lvprettyplcs]

Originally Posted by STL15

I believe they also have organized shopping trips to Playa with drop off and pick up at a set time.

It would be nice if they did!!!

[lvprettyplcs]

Originally Posted by Rissask

If they do, it is not really well advertised. We didn't know about this, we were there ten days.


We took a large van-style taxi with 9 people for 700 pesos and then caught a couple regular car style back for 250 pesos each- that is the price that was on the sign at the taxi queue by the ADO station on Fifth, too. It is about a 20 minute drive.

Thank You! 20 minutes isnt bad at all! I figured it was further than that

[STL15]

Originally Posted by lvprettyplcs

It would be nice if they did!!!

They definitely used to.

We have stayed at Barcelo Maya several times and have done this shopping trip a couple times. The last would have been Sept 2010 at the Palace. I believe you left at 9 or 10 am and they picked you back up around 4 pm. I think they dropped you on Ave. Constituyuentes between Ave. 5 and 10 (near the craft market). We always just cabbed it back in the evening.

Maybe they don't offer this any more. I would ask the concierge when you get there or send an email. Barcelo has been good about returning emails.

There is also a really good Barcelo Maya Discussion Forum where you could ask (although I bet Shammy already knows the answer).

Good luck.

[Rissask]

Here is the 'unofficial' Barcelo site.


UNOFFICIAL BARCELO MAYA | Beach | Caribe | Tropical | Colonial | Palace

There is a message board, but it's really not that helpful. Trip Advisor's Puerto Aventuras board is much better, you can search the archives on there.

[Shammy]

I don't know of any transportation/shopping trip to Playa done by the Barcelo either.

[STL15]

Originally Posted by Shammy

I don't know of any transportation/shopping trip to Playa done by the Barcelo either.

I don't think I am going crazy . . . here are some more details that I can recall.

It was not a daily thing, matter of fact it might have been just once or twice a week and it was listed on the list of daily activities.

Heck, maybe I am crazy.

[beam-eye]

Originally Posted by Shammy

$22-$25 one way.

You can get a colectivo out on the highway - just walk out (or ask for a ride in a golf cart or on the train) and stand by the side of the road. $3/pp.

The colectivo (minivan) from Barcelo to Playa is 30 pesos (each way), which at today's admittedly-very-unusual-and-highly-advantageous bank conversion rate of 13.88 pesos to the dollar is all of about 2 dollars and 16 cents (to get the bank rate, use your ATM card - check the "ATM" postings on this site). Use the considerable savings from the $22-25 USD you would pay for a taxi ($44-50 USD round trip, or about 611 to 694 pesos) and have a couple of really nice meals ("or whatever", as the saying goes - take a taxi in town for another 25 to 30 pesos). How to "catch" a colectivo? They run about every 15 minutes or so (no fixed schedule) and will automatically stop for you if they see you at the Barcelo's bus shelter (or anywhere near the hi-way) - they usually flash the headlights to see if you're interested, so just respond with a wave and they'll stop. When you get on you say "Playa, for favor" (no need to ask "how much" - it's currently 25 to 30 pesos each way, and they won't haggle or hassle you) - you can pay as you get on or as you leave, but it's easiest for all concerned if you pay when you get off (if you pay in dollars, you get the "standard" 10 pesos to the dollar rate - it's easier to figure - instead of the current daily bank rate). The end of the ride is on Calle 4, anywhere between Avenida 30 and Avenida 10, so just walk the few blocks east to Fifth Ave. To get back to Barcelo, go to the colectivo "stop" on Calle 2 between Avenidas 15 and 20, say "Barcelo" to the loadermaster on the sidewalk, get in the van and tell the driver "Barcelo" - they depart when it's full. Enjoy your trip.

[Rissask]

Colectivos are another possibility, yes.

But they can be hot and crowded and make frequent stops, and you have to hike to catch one from the Palace.


And, since their original purpose was to transport locals to work and back up and down the coast, not tourists, we try to avoid using them- at least during peak hours of the day- I would hate to take a spot away from a local who needs to save pesos more than we do.

Cabs are still pretty cheap and more comfortable and they will take you right to the hotel entrance. Unless you are going into Playa or elsewhere every day, I would say the taxi is worth the extra cost.

[beam-eye]

Originally Posted by Rissask

...they can be hot and crowded and make frequent stops, and you have to hike to catch one from the Palace.


And, since their original purpose was to transport locals to work and back up and down the coast, not tourists, we try to avoid using them- at least during peak hours of the day- I would hate to take a spot away from a local who needs to save pesos more than we do.

Cabs are still pretty cheap and more comfortable and they will take you right to the hotel entrance. Unless you are going into Playa or elsewhere every day, I would say the taxi is worth the extra cost.

All good comments, and there's no question that taxis are generally better air-conditioned, probably roomier, and more convenient in a door-to-door sense than a colectivo. The colectivos all have A/C now, though, so that's less of a problem than before, and they can be crowded (not "standing-in-the-aisles" crowded - everybody does have a seat), and that can tax older model A/Cs, so it is a trade-off (although generally a pleasant one - I've never had a real problem in the course of many rides going north to Cancun or south to Tulum). So stick your head in the door, look around, and If you think it's too crowded, or not cool enough, just wait for the next colectivo that's coming along right behind - there are plenty of colectivos. It's the real Mexico, for this area at least, and if it turns out not to be your cup of tea, you can always take a taxi. Happy trails, and enjoy your trip.

[Bluespicker]

Rate sheet says 205 pesos from the Barcelo to Playa.