Most of Cancun is too spread out to be considered walkable, except for the cluster of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls around the Convention Center. Many visitors take the bus, which stops frequently along Boulevard Kukulcan and is a great bargain (less than US$1 for each fare). Taxis also cruise the island's main road. They don’t have meters so visitors are advised to agree on a price before the ride starts. Cars and bicycles are available for rent. Traffic is on the right side of the road.
Ferries make the short trip to Isla Mujeres several times a day. Intercity buses connect Cancun with other points on the Yucatan Peninsula, including all of the major Mayan sites. Cozumel can be reached by plane or by ferry from the town of Playa del Carmen, which is an hour's drive south of Cancun.
Local officials are considering a bypass of the Party Zone that would connect the boulevard near the Presidente InterContinental Hotel to the road near Senor Frogs, but construction has not yet begun. The road from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, Highway 307, is now four lanes and construction continues to widen the road all the way to Tulum.
Car
A rental car is unnecessary in Cancun, although it is a convenient, if pricey, way to reach more distant attractions. You may be able to get a better deal by reserving a car in advance from your country of origin. Rates start at about US$40 a day, depending on the model. Be sure to check the condition of the car before you take it and make sure Mexican liability insurance (
seguros) is included (comprehensive coverage, about US$35 per day, should be seriously considered). If you have an accident without insurance, you must settle the claim there or go to jail until it is resolved. If your credit card covers collision and theft insurance, make sure that the coverage is valid in Mexico.
Driving on the island is easy because it has only one main avenue and hotels generally offer free parking. Ciudad Cancun can be confusing, and parking is scarce there. Speed limits are occasionally enforced outside of the cities, and speed bumps (topes) are used to slow traffic coming into populated areas. Driving is on the right. (Note that gas stations don't accept credit cards. Also, an attendant pumps your gas for you, and you are expected to tip.)
Ferry
There are two ways to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun itself—the regular ferry and the NautiTaxi. The most common—and cheapest—way to reach Isla Mujeres, however, is from Puerto Juarez, which is about 5 mi/8 km north of Cancun.
Taxi
Though cheap when compared with taxis in many developed countries, the cost of cab rides has increased and can add up if you use them a lot. There are no meters, but prices are based loosely on distance. (From the Hotel Zone to downtown costs roughly US$6-$15.) The minimum fare in the Hotel Zone is US$6. Always negotiate the fare before getting into the car. Most hotels post approximate taxi fares near their entrance—be sure to consult them before you start your haggling. Most drivers speak some English, and fluent English-speaking drivers can be hired by the hour. Though it's convenient to take a cab right from the hotel door, you can save some money by catching a roving cab on the road outside the hotel.
Other
Bicycles can be rented for about US$2 an hour or US$10 a day. If you have a bike, be sure to lock it when you make a stop: Theft can be a problem.
