HELP!!! Driving in Calica and Playa Del Carmen

[SportsGal]

I'm renting a car in Calica, how's the driving in this area? I keep reading threads that I shouldn't rent a car. We going to do the horseback riding, dolphin swim and shop in Playa de Carmen. Please someone give me some advise before I get there in a couple of weeks.....

[SportsGal]

I would really love to hear from someone else that has rented a car here. I have heard that the police might pull me over and give me a ticket for no reason.

[Cacky1]

We were there in January. We rented a jeep and drove to Tulum. We were very nervous about driving there b/c of all of the things we had heard about the police. So we did not speed at all. We saw a few cars pulled over. The driving is somewhat different than in the US. When you want to turn to the left, you pull over to the shoulder lane and let everyone pass then you turn. We saw a car almost get plowed by a tour bus b/c the people turned left like they would do in the US. You still put your left signal on like you are getting ready to turn but you pull over to the right side of the road. Does that make any sense at all to you? lol We were also told to slip a $20.00 to an officer if we were stopped and he would let us go. It didn't happen so I don't know how true that is. Have fun...I wish I was there NOW!! :)

[SportsGal]

thanks for the information. I understand what you mean about turning left and slipping the officer $20.00 dollars. If you or anyone else think of anything I should please let me know.

 

20 days left before I leave.

[SportsGal]

Cacky1,

 

I backed out about rent a car. I email the car rental yesterday and cancelled my reservation for the car. I would rather pay the money for taxis and have no worries. You really got me thinking and this is something I don't want to do on the trip. Thanks

[Cacky1]

Hey,

Sorry I made you nervous about driving in Mexico. It really wasn't as bad as it sounds. We were aware of the possibilities before hand so we made sure we did it all correctly. It really wasn't a big deal. have fun on your trip. :)

[SportsGal]

It's OK, I leave in 4 days....

[Cacky1]

With the day I had at work today, I think if I were scheduled to leave in 4 days, I would think I was in heaven!!! lol

[SportsGal]

Now, I'm down to 3 days and I am so ready................. Sorry to hear Cacky1 you had a bad day yesterday, hope you have a better day today.

[SportsGal]

Now I'm back from the cruise and I am so glad I didn't drive. It was cheaper to get a taxi than to rent a car for the day. I think I paid about 45.00 dollars for the taxi rides and the rental would have been around $65.00.

 

I did the horseback riding tours (10.00, taxi cost) and I asked the driver to return to pick us up and he did, on time I also tipped with (tip $4.00). Next, I did the dolphin swim, (taxi, 10.00) and we only had 45 min. to get there and we made it on time. If I had been driving and lost I wouldn't have made it. Next, off the Playa de Carmen (taxi, 15.00), then back to the boat, (taxi, 10.00).

 

Time was an issue and we made it to everything and even back to the boat an hour before departing.

[mapchick]

can be more relaxing to let someone else do the driving, (well, depending on the taxi driver!) glad you had fun!