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Driving Tips
There's no better way to see the Yucatan than to rent a car, grab
a map and go exploring. Here are some things to consider when planning
a road trip.
Conditions
Driving in the Yucatan is safe and easy. The peninsula is flat and
most roads are well-maintained. Occasional thunder storms may impair
visibility, so it's important to inspect your windshield wipers
before your trip. On particularly hot days, driving at high-speed
on smoldering asphalt can cause blow-outs, so check your tire pressure
and tread wear as well.
The most common road hazards are topes, or speed bumps, encountered
mostly in villages and on rural roads. They are generally marked
by a sign, but not always. The topes in the Yucatan were
probably designed by ancient pyramid builders. Cuidado!
In rural areas at night, many of the Mayan locals must cross the
roads to return home from their milpas. Many also work near
the roads in the evening to avoid the mid-day heat. For this reason,
it is best to avoid driving at night. When driving off the main
roads in villages and rural areas, always be alert for pedestians,
livestock and the native fauna.
Car Rentals
A driver's license and major credit card qualify you for a rental
car. Many models are available, including the Yucatan's favorite:
the Volkswagon Beetle. After selecting your car, you will be required
to purchase Mexican auto insurance. Prices vary, but expect to pay
a bit more than usual. To locate a rental agency, click here.
Gasoline
All gasoline is distributed by the national oil company Petroleos
Mexicanos, known as PEMEX.
These ubiquitous green and white gas stations are abundant in the
cities and towns of the Yucatan, but if your destination is a distant
jungle ruin or a long drive on the Gulf coast, start with a full
tank.
The price of a U.S. gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, called
Magna, is currently $2.28 USD. To convert the price from
pesos per liter to dollars per gallon, multiply the price per liter
by 3.85 and divide the result by the current
exchange rate in pesos.
PEMEX stations are full service. At your request, the attendant
will fill the tank with regular ("lleno con Magna") or
a specific amount ("dos cientos de Magna"). He will wash
the windshields ("lave el parabrisas") and check the oil
("cheque el aceite"). After receiving service, it is customary
to tip the attendant with five or six pesos. You can also buy snacks
and visit the sanitario or restroom.
Distances
The Yucatan, and all of Mexico, uses the metric system. All distances
are given in kilometers. To convert kilometers to miles, multiply
by 0.62.
Distances from Merida in Miles:
Dzibilchaltun: 14 miles
Progreso: 22 miles
Telchac Puerto: 38 miles
Izamal: 44 miles
Uxmal: 50 miles
Celestun: 52 miles
Kabah: 63 miles
Loltun: 70 miles
Chichen Itza: 75 miles
Valladolid: 100 miles
Campeche: 157 miles
Río Lagartos: 165 miles
Cancun: 199 miles
Playa del Carmen: 240 miles
Tulum: 296 miles
Palenque: 346 miles
Agua Azul: 384 miles
San Cristobal: 493 miles
Mexico City: 946 miles
Toll Roads
Highway 18 from Merida becomes the 180 toll road, also called a
cuota or carretera de cobro, going east to Cancun
and south-west toward Campeche. This four-lane speedway is by far
the fastest route from one end of the peninsula to the other. Using
it, you can avoid 83 topes and 43 villiages. Along the way,
you will encounter toll booths or casetas de cobro. Expect
to pay $24 USD between Merida and Cancun. Have pesos in hand because
the exchange rates at the toll booths are less than generous.
Exact tolls are:
Merida to Chichen Itza - $67 Pesos
Merida to Valladolid - $117 Pesos
Chichen Itza to Valladolid - $50 Pesos
Valladolid to Cancun - $202 Pesos
Merida to Cancun - $319 Pesos
Merida to Campeche - $65 Pesos
A toll booth, or caseta de cobro, on
highway 180 between Merida and Cancun.
Parking
There are no parking meters in the Yucatan, but you'll discover
a couple unexpected traditions. You can generally park anywhere,
with the exception of yellow or red curbs in the cities. Always
remove valuables and lock the car whenever you park.
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Driver training at the Parque Zoologico
del Centenario, or Merida zoo.
Some downtown streets, or calles, in Merida have parking
attendants as well. If you see a red, three-wheeled tricicleta somewhere on the calle, there is probably an attendant on
the job. They wave a red rag and use a whistle. They are there to
prevent minor fender-benders, maintain the flow of traffic and provide
security. They will also wash your windshield, or your entire car
if you ask ("Tienes tiempo para lavar mi coche, ahora?").
A street attendant with his tricicleta
on a downtown calle in Merida.
If you can't find parking on the street, look for an estacionamiento sign. These point to a parking lot where you will pay an attendant
between 2 and 6 pesos an hour.
You'll also find parking attendants in most business parking lots,
such as for a bank or shopping center. They may usher you into a
space, help with loading any merchandise you purchased, and help
you navigate out of the lot. They may also be unavailable to help
you on a busy day. Tip parking attendants five or six pesos depending
on the assistance they are able to provide.
Green Angels
Mexico has a wonderful roadside assistance service called Angeles
Verde or the Green Angels. These are auto mechanics in green
utility trucks who patrol the major roads. They can provide gas,
oil, tire repair and other minor maintenance, as well as arrange
towing. They only charge for parts. Their labor is free and they
don't accept tips. They are currently celebrating 32 years of service.
Thank you, Green Angels!
Arriving to Cancun and want to get to Merida?
How to get to Merida from Cancun: If you are renting a car you do not have to worry since all the car rentals are at Cancun International Airport (CUN). Checking our Yucatan map to get a general idea of your driving to Merida that should take about 4. We do recommend taking the highway one way to save time if you wish and the freeway back to be able to go through all the villages and take a glimpse of what Mayans are really like these days.
If you are taking the bus to Merida it all starts when you leave the airpor in Cancun and walk all the way to the right end where you take a bus for $30 pesos ($3 usd) into the downtown bus station. This bus runs every 30 minutes and takes about 30 minutes. Once you are at the bus station in downtown Cancun we do recommend if your budget allows it, to take UNO, that is the luxury bus for $370 ($35usd), very comfortable althought they have a strong tendency to put the AC too cold. The next in budget would be ADO GL (runs every hour to and from Merida) for $260 pesos ($25usd). After those there are plenty of buses coming and going all the time so if its not high season you do not need reservations... if it is high season try buying your tickets online:
Schedule for UNO Merida-Cancun: 7:15 am, 7:45 am, 2:15 pm, 4:15 pm, 9:15 pm
Schedule for UNO Cancun-Merida:
7:15 am, 2:15 pm, 5:15 pm, 9:15 pm
 www.uno.com.mx
www.adogl.com.mx
Recommended reading
Airport
Bus Lines and Taxis
Car Rentals
Emergency Numbers
Travel Agencies and Airlines
Tourism Police
Tours
Ecological Tourist
Visit our map
Map of Merida Historical Downtown
Map of Merida Downtown
Map of Merida City
Map of Yucatan Peninsula
Events & Activities Calendar
Click Here for a complete description of the activites, events and attractions in the Yucatan.
Promotions & Discounts
Click here to get the best deals for your visit in the Yucatan.
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