... Paseo del Sol condos in Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Deluxe condominiums on spacious grounds ...

Airport Transfer - Currency Exchange - ATM's - Playa Banks

Airport Transfer

A lot of Agency services may charge as much as $150 usd  for a round-trip transfer to/from the airport for 2 people. When I travel to Playa I use a very reliable and reputable private Van/Limo service that costs me less and the price is usually per load. When I'm traveling with 3 or more people it's an excellent service to consider. I recommend this private service for all my clients, currently at $109usd Round Trip. It's an exceptional value and the same price from 2 to 12 person group reserving together with same flight dates. The driver holds a sign up with your name at airport customs exit. As an added note, tipping is not obligatory, but consider tipping the driver $10usd tip every family of up to 4 people.
The company uses private air conditioned van when they pick you up at the airport and condo. I will provide you with this information after confirmed booking at your request. This again is booked in advance with your vacation. The private service is always on time at the airport and at Paseo del Sol on time wehn you need them regardless if your flight is delayed.

Taxi service is abundant at the airport. A taxi can also bring you direct from the airport to Paseo Del Sol for about $65 usd one-way. And from the condo to the airport is around $50 usd. That's the current rate as of year-end 2006.  Just make sure your party and luggage all fit in the small taxi cabs. Some taxi cars are station wagons and work well for additional suitcases and larger families if they're available at the airport. You don't need to order taxi pick in advance. You simple arrange it as soon as you exit the airport. Don't worry, they're all waiting to serve you at the exit. 

A one-way transfer by shuttle van for a party of 4 people would cost you $72 dollars (usd) or $18 dollars per person. Keep in mind that the shuttle van does make stops along the way and may take as much as 1.5 hours to reach your destination. You don't need to order shuttle service in advance. You simple arrange it as soon as you exit the airport.

If you arrange to use the Shuttle Van service, it will be a one-way service. Currently shuttle van service is only from the airport. Your return to the Cancun airport would require you to travel by privite van/limo, taxi or bus. A bus also leaves daily from the Playa del Carmen bus depot located on the corner 5th Avenue and Benito Juarez. Coordinate bus tranportation to the airport in advance. Any taxi service in Playa will take you to the airport. Just arrange it a few days in advance. Arrange Taxi and Van service for pickup in front of Paseo del Sol at lease 3.0 hours before your departure flight time. If you are taking a bus, you will need to get to the bus depot by foot or taxi.

Renting A Car and Obeying the Law
As always you can alway rent a car. Car rental service is a short distance from the condo just past the Playacar golf course. It's not hard to get around and most rental agencies have made if very easy to fill out minimal paper work and renting from anywhere in the Riviera Maya. NOTE: I recommend going to a AAA Travel service and getting an international license for Mexico. It will cost you about $25.00 dollars and worth every penny. I think it's advantageous to have one if you get stopped by the police. This way if you get stopped, you won't have to hand over you're real driver's license unless asked. IF they ask for your real driver's license, just say the Internation license is acceptable and all you have on you. Why? You'll have to go down to the police station to collect it and pay a fine of at least $100 usd.
I would try to obey traffic and avoid handing over your real license if you get stopped and accused of a traffic violation.
Also keep in mind that you may be approached by a corrupt mexican police officer. Yes they are bad news for the tourist areas of Mexico, but they are officers and will stop you, take you license, force you down to the station to get it back. And some of the time they will accept a money offer from you on the spot just to get your real license returned. And they may take up 30 minutes of your time while you haggle with them. Just hope this doesn't happen if you got to catch a flight in cancun. Do yourself a favor and get an international license just for the added security and peace of mind.

Also in Mexico if you illegally park, they take your license plate. Then you have to go down to the police station to get it back for around $40 usd. They don't tow cars in Mexico. If it's a rental car, you have no choice but to get the license plate back.

Just remember, taxi's are abundant, so you can always wave down a taxi cab any day of the week at any time in front of the condo parking lot. You can always make arrangement by exchanging information for pickup at Paseo del Sol and drop off at the airport.
Here is a phone number for your convenience. 984-117-2813 Taxi Number 104. Ask for Antonio as he works out of Playa del Carmen and will take you to where you need to go anytime. Call anytime. He speaks some english, yet he is honest, kind and friendly.

Keep in mind you must arrive at the Cancun airport 3 hours prior to departure.

	Cancun Airline Information
	In Cancun
Airline Information
	AeroCaribe - Airline Information in Cancun  in Cancun 01-998-884-2000. Location: Av. Coba 5, Plaza America SM4
	AeroMexico - Airline Information in Cancun  From within Mexico 01-800-021-4000. Location: Av. Coba 80 SM 3, Cancun Centro
	Allegro Airlines - Airline Information in Cancun  In Cancun, 01-998-884-3746. Location: Av. Coba No. 5 SM 4, Plaza America
	American Airlines - Airline Information in Cancun  From within Mexico call toll free 01-800-904-6000. Location: Cancun Airport
	Aviacsa - Airline Information in Cancun  For information call toll free from within Mexico 01-800-006-2200, at the airport, 01-998-886-0280. Location: Av. Coba No. 37 SM4
	Continental Airlines - Airline Information in Cancun  From within Mexico, in Cancun 01-998-886-0169 or 886-0006. For reservations: toll free from within Mexico 01-800-900-5000. Location: Cancun Airport
	Iberia Airlines - Airline Information in Cancun  For information, in Cancun 01-998-886-0243. Location: Cancun Airport
	Lan Chile - Airline Information in Cancun  For information 01-998-887-2406. Location: Av. Coba #12 Super Manzana 3
	Mexicana - Airline Information in Cancun  For information toll free from within Mexico 01-800-849-1529. At the airport, 01-998-886-0143. Location: Cancun Airport
	Northwest - KLM Airlines - Airline Information in Cancun  Toll free for international flights 800-447-4747. Location: Cancun Airport
	United Airlines - Airline Information in Cancun  For information call toll free from within Mexico, 01-800-003-0777. Location: Cancun Airport
	US Airways - Airline Information in Cancun  Toll from within Mexico 01-800-007-8800. Location: Cancun Airport

Online Currency Exchange Rates

Use the following link to view currency exchange rates and a calculator.

Currency Exchange tables and Calculator

Money,  ATM's
    Mexican Peso is the official currency in Mexico. You can also pay for goods and services in most places with US Dollars, Euros, Canadian Dollars.
Most banks are located on Benito Juarez on/near the corners of 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue. Several ATMs can be found around town mainly on 10 Ave and exchange bureaus are found all over town.

For best exchange rates go directly to the banks, or and exchange booth on 5th avenue. Please make sure to bring your passport. You will need it to exchange money or cash traveler checks.

Credit cards are widely accepted as well as traveler's checks but make sure before you sit down for a dinner or at a bar that they accept credit cards or traveler checks.

Banks

Banamex
Bank, ATM machine, money exchange and other bank services.
Location: 10th Avenue and Calle 12, and Ave. Juarez between Calle 20 and 25. Open 9:00 am , closed Sunday

Banorte 
Bank, ATM machine, money exchange and other bank services.
Location: Plaza Pelicanos, 10th Ave. between Calle 8 and 10. Open 9:00 am, weekdays

BBV Bancomer
Bank, ATM machine, money exchange and other bank services.
Location: Av. Juarez y 25 Avenue
Accepts credit cards Open 9:00 am, weekdays.

Bital
Bank, ATM machine, money exchange and other bank services.
Location: 30th Ave. between Calle 4 and 6, and Av. Juarez between 10th Ave. and 15th Ave. Open 9:00 am - 3 pm, weekdays

Monex - Money Exchange Wire Transfers in Playa del Carmen Money exchange.
Location: Plaza Antigua near Immigration office Open 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, closed weekends.

Scotiabank Inverlat - Money Exchange/ATM in Playa del Carmen
Bank, ATM machine, money exchange and other bank services.
Location: The corner of 5th Ave. and Juarez, next to MacDonald in front of the bus station & second location on 10th avenue and Constituyente avenue, closed on weekends.