Does anyone happen to know how to travel between Playa del Carmen and Ambergris caye? We're planing a week in both and the only advise from a travel agent was to fly back to Houston and then to Cancun. I was hoping for a more economical travel solution.

Would like to know that one myself. I recently checked airfare from the States to CUN and CUN to BZ & at this time the fare from CUN to BZ was the same as IAH to CUN. Kinda high. Anyone have ideas?

The bus. The bus.

we went the other direction.
flew to corozal, enjoyed a long lunch at tonys, had alvin leslie take us across the border to chetumal (your driver is a great help at the boarder crossing), spent a fun night in chetumal at cocos hotel (you can shop your butt off there too), take the primo clause (1st class) bus to playa del carmen. not a bad journey. good ac, american movie, functioning toilet. david, being 6'2" said that it did get a bit cramped but it is not a bad ride.

Gay and David, How long did it take from Chet to Player? Thanks

Just how bad is MX 307 from the BZ border to Playa? I've not heard good things about that stretch of road. lol

We went from San Pedro to Mexico last spring as well. I think the flight from SP to Corozal only cost $35.00 per person. Bruce and I were the only passengers on the flight. There was a cab driver at the airport who offered to drive us to the bus station in Chetumal for, I think 40.00. He did make crossing the border very easy, as he kept track of our luggage. We hopped on a bus to Tulum and arrived there about 3 or 4pm. Only a three hour bus ride. Not bad at all. Playa del Carmen would have added another hour. There was some significant road construction close to Chetumal, but after that it's an easy drive/ride.

The cab driver gave us his card and said he would come and pick us up at Chetumal if we desired on our next trip. In fact, he said he would drive all the way to Cancun if we wanted. Hate to think what that might cost. I can probably find his business card if anyone wants his name.

Jean

i want to say it took about 4 hrs. no more, maybe even less. the bus makes 1 stop in a small town. can't remember the name. (maybe puerto morales, if that is not along the way i am thinking of somewhere else.) you miss the end of the movie unless you go on to cancun. we got off at pdc and took the ferry to cozumel. the road was not bad at all. sometimes you feel very very close to oncoming traffic. i was thinking a couple times that the driver should pull the side mirrors in! it takes a lot to scare me on the road, i ride with david!!!!

Thanks JeanH and Gay for the info. Sounds like a fun trip and not as long as I anticipated.

David,........ we need to talk about your driving. Anyone that can top those Mexican bus drivers is bad,..... make that BAD. (smiles)

I do that trip every few months also. Like Gay, I fly from SP to Corozal, and I also use Leslie taxi service to do the crossings, I've tried the bus and other taxis and I feel Leslie is the best for what I need to do (I'm always hauling a lot of stuff) They take you right to the bus station and will bring you into the terminal and help you get your ticket also. The bus from Chetumal to Playa is 4 to 4-1/2 hours. If you want to return to Belize, you can call Leslie's the day before and they will meet you whatever time you need them to. I've been met by them at 5 a.m... on time.
I've also driven the route a few times and will stick with the Mexican bus system from here on out.
--Lee

Thanks for the info. Can you get me any more info on Leslie's and the Mexican bus service?

Leslie's Taxi Service, Alvin Leslie, 501-422-2377. He even walked into the bus station in Chetumal with us and pointed us to the proper place to purchase tickets to Tulum. Since my Spanish is pretty limited, I really appreciated the help. Jean

Fot the Mexican bus system, go to www.ticketbus.com.mx, there is an English version, sort of - the Spanish version is not too difficult to follow.
From Corazol to Chetumal, and vice versa, George Morales will take you across the border - these drivers know all the border people and are a great help. His e-mail is getransfers@btl.net
His tel. number is 501-4222485, or was the last time I spoke to him last year.

Its an easy trip I usually use Mr Moralez and his familly who are very nice people bus is the cheapest and easiest but be sure to take a blanket with you as that Bus gets colder than the antartic with its A/C

Have fun

Gaz Cooper
PLaya Blanca Beach Club
50% OFF room rates all summer long
www.PlayaBlancaBelize.com

I went to Playa by bus as described above. No problems. When coming back though our driver ,Henry Menzies, warned they may try to charge us at the border for being in the country more than 72hrs but that we were in fact allowed 7 days with our tourist cards. Sure enough at irritations ,or is that immigrations, they asked for 100 funny money per passport. I told the guy the embassy had said I had 7 days and after checking with another guy he said OK. I believe they tried this a while back but it was stopped. Seems they are trying again. Havent complained to Mexican Embassy yet but plan to, worked last time I am told.