This is a great thread - so let me add 2 cents - one of which might help improve the image of Norte Americanos when and where it might be useful. I noticed once where a Mexican lady returned her (uncrinkled) ticket to the bus driver while leaving the bus. I asked someone I consider knowlegeable there why she might do something like that. Apparently, that's a way you can 'tip' the bus driver. It seems that this provides the bus driver with the option of giving that ticket to another customer and pocketing that passenger's bus fare. Not condoning anything here - just passing along something I observed. One more thing about taking the buses. Do NOT try and take the bus downtown from the hotel zone betweeen 4 and 6 PM on weekedays if you can avoid it. That's when all of the construction crews in the hotel zone let their workers go home, and the busses are all packed to the gills. Hope this helps out.
renting a car We are going to make trips to Xel-Ha, Xcaret, and other excursions. I'm thinking about renting a car. My wife is a bit nervous about safety. Are her concerns valid?
I guess that would depend on her estimate of your driving skills <smile>. Safety is not a concern on the drives along the Mayan Riveria. But if you've not been to these places before and you don't have specific places you want to stop on the way, you'll be just as well (or even better) off taking one of the tours and being able to relax instead of trying to navigate roads and negotiate lanes and parking. Driving in Cancun on the other hand could be hazardous. I advise taking the bus and/or (price pre-negotiated) taxis.
I found that out the hard way a couple of times in my Cancun adventures. You could imagine as a shot girl I definately took my share of shots, plus the normal drinking-while-I'm-working (cuz I could do that ).... then more times than not I'd go out with friends after work. Twice, I think it was, I literally passed out on the bus. The driver stopped a ways after my stop and told me I gotta go. I looked around and had no clue where I was. Drunk and alone. It was cool though. I just got a taxi to my house.
Alrighty then I will print it out. Beacuse I too have stayed on that bus, thinking that it would take me back to point A. My poor mom said, "Where in the hell are we?" We had to get off and wait around for another bus to take us back. We still laugh about that. :lol:
would it be difficult (ie dangerous in terms of road/driving conditions) to rent a car and drive from the hotel zone to chiechen itza? I've heard drivers aren't the best in mexico....
