Bit the Bullet...First Bag Drag

[ggunn]

Yes, the ferry companies and ADO will take USD, but why would you? You'll pass the ATM before you get to the ADO booth.

Is that ATM a bank owned one or one of those standalone Cashola (or whatever) ones? If it's the latter I would pay in US$ until I could get to one of the former.

 

[mediumone]

Is that ATM a bank owned one or one of those standalone Cashola (or whatever) ones? If it's the latter I would pay in US$ until I could get to one of the former.

Bank owned. As I said, I think it's Santander.

Agreed, I wouldn't touch a non-bank ATM with the proverbial 10' pole.

Actually, just looked it up, and yes, it is Santander.

 

[Steelyeyes]

My wife is checking ferry schedules and she's under the impression that there are baggage limits. Is that true?

 

[cvchief]

I got SW BWI to Cancun for like 240 in Dec and 238 in Jan round trip. With the SW companion pass, the wife goes for the taxes, say 70 ish. Then I get 20is back on each for the MX tourism tax refund.

 

[cvchief]

My wife is checking ferry schedules and she's under the impression that there are baggage limits. Is that true?

Not that I have ever seen. People with lots of bags. I am sure there is a limit, but probably wouldn't fly with whatever it is.

 

[ReefHound]

My wife is checking ferry schedules and she's under the impression that there are baggage limits. Is that true?

Why is she under that impression? The baggage handlers don't seem to count the bags and certainly don't weigh them. There may be an informal limit of reasonableness - don't move to Cozumel and show up with a household of belongings - but I'd say if you can fly with it you can go on the ferry with it.

 

[Steelyeyes]

Why is she under that impression? The baggage handlers don't seem to count the bags and certainly don't weigh them. There may be an informal limit of reasonableness - don't move to Cozumel and show up with a household of belongings - but I'd say if you can fly with it you can go on the ferry with it.

Ultramar's website mentions a baggage limit of 28 kg and some sizes but I just found out that they don't enforce it.

 

[neehooya]

My van guy is good and pretty cheap:

Jose Marino Hernandes
American Transfers Cancun
Mobile: (998) 201-1720 (MX)
E-mail: forsale_jose@hotmail.com

Hey! He is quick to respond, esp on whatsapp. a day is usually of notice, same day with enough notice he has done for me. The new thing with him is make the deal in pesos. I used to pay 45-55 dollars. Started pesos and he takes 750 give or take. He used to make me negotiate, but now I say 750 and he usually takes it. Pesos is the key!

He will be waiting just outside the doors for you, probably with a sign. He knows me now, so as soon as I exit, I hear him calling me. Nice guy. Stopping for a six pack makes the drive nicer and you can carry it on the ferry. Be sure to tip the driver!

Be sure to tell him Jefe sent you~

Thanks cvchief!
I've used Jose's company and vouch for his services, easy peasy.
cheers

 

[Dan G]

I've done it three times so far this year. Its not bad. Buy the bus ticket from the ADO guys at the terminal. Do NOT buy the ferry tickets from the ADO guys! Buy the ferry tickets right at the pier from what ever company is the next to leave (there are three now). I do not buy the round trip so you can pick the next most convenient ferry from the island on your way home.
The first two times coming back to the airport I almost was denied Boarding by United as the bus was about 1:45 travel time(I only allotted 1 hr for the bus and 1 hr for the ferry)... I took a cab to the CUN airport last Saturday $69 for the three of us. Worst part was humping the bags up the hill to the van. Once there we made it to the airport in 35 minutes. I'll probably do the taxi/van from now on, unless solo and up really early to catch the O' dark 30 ferry. I can't afford to miss my flight and the bus seems to take too long recently going to CUN. Terminal 3 (most US flights) is the last stop btw. I'll take the ADO bus to Playa every time, unless in a rush. ADO is nice and really cheap. It's really not bad and if the cost savings is more than $200 on a RT ticket and I can get a direct flight out of CUN after 2:00pm I'll do the bag drag everytime. The key is that the flight is direct to/from CUN. No broken planes or weather in Texas or ATL. Just get to the CUN airport grab an adult beverage and start to relax.
Here is the shuttle people I used:
Cancun and Riviera Maya Tours and Transporation by CARM

I bought a RT tix just last week because it was cheaper than one way x2, at least from the price list they showed me. $400 MX RT, $280 OW IIRC. I've noticed that WinJet and Ultra Mar run identical schedules.

For some reason, they won't give luggage tags if it contains diving stuff. I've had the same experience with all three ferries.

Same happened to me. I agree it is odd.

 

[ReefHound]

I bought a RT tix just last week because it was cheaper than one way x2, at least from the price list they showed me. $400 MX RT, $280 OW IIRC. I've noticed that WinJet and Ultra Mar run identical schedules.

I've never seen that much discount for RT. If anything, it's usually been maybe $20 less. I've never found it worth the hassle and risk. You could lose the ticket. Or you could arrive 10 minutes before the *other* ferry departs but an hour and 10 minutes before your ferry departs. That would be frustrating.

Edit: looks like they both are running every hour so the issue of having to wait an extra hour is resolved, at least for now. Used to they would each run every other hour for the most part.

Ultramar website lists $400RT ($22) or $220 ($12) one way. Winjet site doesn't show RT fares, just $10 each way (or $8 if you buy online). At 18:1 that makes Winjet several dollars cheaper.