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05-13-2008, 09:49 AM
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Should I be scared to rent a car?
I am staying at the Rosewood Mayakoba in a week and have a rental car reserved. We were going to use it to go into Playa and down to Tulum. I have read many threads about crooked cops and taxi drivers, etc. Should I be worried about driving down there? Should I scrap the car and just take Taxi's everywhere? Thanks for your help.
    
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05-13-2008, 10:00 AM
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For going to Tulum, or other places in the area, the car could be very convenient. But, for going to Playa, I would say the car might not be worth the hassle. Not because of the cops or taxi drivers; parking in Playa is very difficult, and there is also a lot of construction, traffic, and one-way streets. Not to mention the fact that a big chunk of the city is closed to traffic. I think most people rent a car to get out of Playa, not get into Playa.
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05-13-2008, 10:06 AM
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05-13-2008, 10:13 AM
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Rent the car......We have always rented one and we have been going down since 2000......I have gotten pulled over one time becasue I did not use my blinker to change lanes......But I have been pulled over in the states for the same thing......The cop did want $100 right there but told him I did not have it and he ended up with $12 in change........I got pulled over on the way to Cancun.....Have never had issues in Playa or Tulum or even further south.....
Also have never had a problem with parking......You can always find a spot around the park or their records building that is off of 15th I think it is......There is parking all along the square......Then you just walk two blocks to hit fifth.......If I were you I would get the car becasue it allows you so much freedom as far as when you want to go and where you want to go.....FWIW....... This was our bad boy that we rented and it was a blast.....We got it fpr $70 a day all insurance included in the price......We rented from Hertz off of 307 in Playa.......And for its size it got really good gas mileage and also had a nice input that you could plug an MP3 player into so you could have some music......You do have to have the cable that goes from your player to the radio but we picked one up for $2 at Electronica Gonzales off of 18th..... 
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Good Luck Eagles Last edited by PlayaWithMe; 05-13-2008 at 10:19 AM.
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05-13-2008, 10:25 AM
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Rent the car. Dan-O is right about driving in Playa. It's a pain and parking is awful unless you park in pay-for-parking lot.
If the police stops you and wants money, tell them you have just a small amount with you. As Mikey mentioned, they'll take that. Same holds for a taxi driver if they bump into you. Don't argue with them and let them have that little bit of money and insist you do not have anymore. Basically, it's no win with those guys. 
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05-13-2008, 10:31 AM
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rent a car playa
Maya Koba is beautifull but away from the shopping, nightlife and fun of Playa, there is a lot of parking for 10 pesos an hour a new 3 story parking facility is available between 12 and 14th street it is called Tendenza, if you want covered parking. At one more block you have Wallmart or Mega who close at 2 am or 3 am also covered and no charge (I did not say this)
In playa you just have to obey the traffic signs, school zones are 20 km and regular 40, there is no parking next to a yellow sidewalk or where there is no parking sign even if you see tons of cars parked there, also no parking 4 meters from a corner. In the highway the speed limit aproaching playa is 80km/h, once you arrive to the city it is 60 in the middle lane and 40 outside You will be fine, the authorities are working on improving this. I have been pulled over 2 times in 8 years and that was justified unfortunately, my heavy feet  So have fun and enjoy Playa!
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Claudia
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05-13-2008, 10:33 AM
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Also make sure there is no yellow on the curb you are parking in front of or beside.......That is a No No and they will take your plate and hold it until you pay the fine........I think it is about $30.......But don't let this turn you off to getting a car.....It is still the beat way to get around.......
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Good Luck Eagles
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05-13-2008, 11:21 AM
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Whilst taking care where you park (don't always trust a store/bar owner who says "yeah yeah no probs").... also take care not to drive off after a cop has just finished speaking to you about it and head the wrong way up a one-way street while he is still watching you.....
 
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05-13-2008, 11:57 AM
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Like everyone else who responded, I'd say that you should continue with your plans of renting a car and not worry about hassles with cops and taxistas.
As far as corrupt cops and taxistas go... they do exist. However, the likelihood that you will encounter them is fairly small. We've been driving in Playa for 2.5 years with US license plates and have never had a problem. Maybe they think that we are too cheap since we don't even bother to wash all the construction dust off our car on a daily basis. For general advice on driving in the Riviera Maya, check out this thread: Talk to me about driving on 307
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05-13-2008, 12:47 PM
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Seriously, I would think that your hotel would have shuttle service to downtown Playa. I'm the lone dissenter on this, but what if you want to go downtown and drink and party?  I wouldn't be able to find my car, much less navigate it back to the hotel.
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05-13-2008, 01:06 PM
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05-13-2008, 01:25 PM
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Another vote to rent a car. It is so convenient and I had no problems at all. We are two women travellers on our own and have rented each time we travel to the area. The highway to Tulum has greatly improved with two lanes going in each direction with a divider for a good portion of the way. Do be careful on the portion of the highway that hasn't been upgraded, as it is only one lane each way without a divider and it is a bit crazy with drivers thinking they are Mario Andretti, passing each other at high speeds and driving down the centre line.
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05-13-2008, 01:58 PM
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Good Luck Eagles
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05-14-2008, 12:04 AM
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Rent
Another vote for renting the car. We were just down there for 11 days with a car. Stayed a 3 different hotels in the area and the car was a big help. Taxis are a pain for me. I like the freedom of having a car even if it sits there for a day or two.
Cops were an issue many years ago but I haven't had a problem in the last 7 years. Now, Any legit cop will not ask for money. If one does, say no way and then leave. He cannot do anything to you. I noticed this year there are no license plates on rentals for the cops to try and take off. It used to be a big game with them.
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May 1st to the 11th 
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05-14-2008, 09:34 AM
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There are several parking lots, and they are not expensive! We are not big drinkers, and if we are going to be drinking, then we leave the car parked at the Condo, and take a taxi. That simple! We like the freedom of having the car. To each his own, but using the parking as an excuse, just doesn't work for me.
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