Does a bus from the hotel zone still go to Puerto Juarez? Couldn't find one this year. Had to take a collectivo from Ave Tulum at Lopez to the ferry. Jimmy
Jimmy...you have to get on the R1 bus that says Puerto Juarez in the window. All other R1's stop where you did and you have to take the Collectivo the rest of the way. I just figured this out this year. Now leaving the Port, I would think you would wait forever for that R1, so the Collectivo to Av Tulum is your best bet.
As Tori says, most of the R-1's go to Puerto Juarez, BUT you must make sure it says "Puerto Juarez" or "PJ" on the signs or front windows. Some R-1's make the right off Tulum onto Lopez Portillo and then make a quick U-turn. At that point you can look down Lopez and see the tall building that looks like it could be an observation area (it's not, rather it is a below average over priced restaurant IMHO) but it is at the Gran Puerto, where you get the boats to Isla Mujeres. Coming back FROM PJ any R-1 goes to the HZ. To answer all the questions, not that my friend Tori didn't, but XO's came after her reply, you can get to the port for the boats to Isla Mujeres as follows, assuming the R-1 bus for all or part of the way. 1. Take an R-1 that says Puerto Juarez on the front window or the sign above the front window. 2. Take an R-1 that does NOT go all they way to PJ. You can get off anywhere downtown and the fare will be $20 pesos total, not per person. You need to verify the fare before getting in the cab, or have correct change when you get out. Most cabbies are honest but not all, and it is close to Christmas. You can get off across from the bus station if front of the Comercial Mexicana grocery. As you are heading in this direction on the bus from the HZ, you will make a right turn on to Av. Tulum. This will be about the 3rd stop of the R-1. As you are approaching where to get off you can see a very tall McDonald's sign that is just past the bus stop. From there you can grab a cab or also an R-13 (smaller) bus. The fare is 2 pesos less than the R-1. I rarely ride the bus but I think it is $7.5 from the HZ and therefore the local routes are only $5.5. You can also go past the Comercial Mex stop and when the bus turns right onto Lopez Portillo, you can get off there and flag a taxi. Lopez is maybe 1/2 mile after the Comercial Mex. HOT TIP: If you choose this option, exactly at the corner where the bus turns, there is this little sidewalk cafe with great tortas and aguas. Yummy. My favorite and I eat a ton of them, is "torta de lechon" (Torta DAY LAY-chone, like phone) This is to pork as veal is to beef. Aguas are not waters but rather water blended with fruit, plus one called Horchata. My favorites are Agua de Melon (MAY-lone, again, like phone) This is cantaloupe. Also Agua de Sandia (Sahn-dee-ah, with "a" as in "what") This is watermelon. Agua de Horchata (or-chat-ah, remember "a" is always prounounced like the a in what, and "h" is always silent except with the "ch" combo) This is a white colored, rice based drink. It is really good but the taste is difficult to explain. They will probably give you a taste if you want to try it. This question is: Puedo probar la horchata, por favor? You can also get tacos de lechon and tortas and tacos de cochinita. Keep it simple and have a torta de lechon and an agua de melon. Deadly cheap and addictively tasty. Tori - Your job is to try this place, you being a Cancunense now. Have fun.
Thanks TJ and Tori We've taken the R1 many times. We just got tired of waiting. Since we know our way around it wasn't a bid deal. We may do the same next time so we can try the torta place. I jotted down the name on my Map Chick map. Jimmy P.S. Almost done with our trip report. Hopefully I can finish this weekend. It will be up for a few days before Janie gets back and puts mine to shame. :roll:
