Cancun to Cozumel Bag Drag

[mediumone]

Well, here's my post of Dec. 16:

We've taken the ferry frequently the last two years, and it's been a bit of a hoot to see them (all 3) speed up departures and delay departures in an attempt to gain advantage. They were at times successful and of course shot themselves in the foot at other times.

Posted departure times were like stop signs; suggestions.

When there were just two companies, the scheduled times were pretty close. Never seen all 3 leave on the hour though --- in fact I think that would not be possible, as there wouldn't be enough room to maneuver. When we were there in April, and took the ferry 10 times, (5 round trips), there was usually a posted departure on the half hour.

Certainly the schedule has become more sporadic since our first of 29 round trips in 2008.

 

[gopbroek]

For me the critical ferry time is 0645 out of PDC which allows me to make a 0800 boat out of the Marina.

Last Sunday I did the early morning drag from downtown Cancun. When the first bus made it into the mid town PDC bus station at 0615 I went out front to get a cab (the first bus does not stop at the old station by the pier). No cab's (usually there are many) and there was a line at the taxi que. I had to hump it thru town from the mid town bus terminal to the pier. It was odd I saw lots of cab's along the way but all were already loaded up with tourists (few locals) later I found out about the violence at the Blue Parrot a few hours prior. The walk with bag took 20 minutes which to me shows that arriving into Cancun late, catching a room down town, the 5AM bus and still making the early AM ferry and a morning boat is doable. Had a very nice dive that morning.
Ultramar also offered one at 0645 in competition but when we were 10 minutes late out of PDF, due to a steam of late arrivals with bikes, Ultramar was still on the pier.

 

[JamesBon92007]

I don't know what is going on with the ferries, but what baffles me the most is how do they have 3 different ferry companies and they all leave on the hour, not one of them runs on the half hour?????? Who was the genius that came up with that? .

I noticed that and wondered why they did it that way on my way back to Playa but I thought that the one we caught to Cozumel left on the half hour. I could be mistaken or a lot can change in 11 days.

 

[blue steal]

Are all the ferries the same on the inside? I know some have outdoor seating and even entertainment.
I have only been one time long ago for a trip over to playa for a day trip, not sure which one but it was cold as hell inside dang near froze to death. Another question if I have a 4 or 5pm flight out of Cancun, when should I be heading over from Coz.

 

[mediumone]

Are all the ferries the same on the inside? I know some have outdoor seating and even entertainment.
I have only been one time long ago for a trip over to playa for a day trip, not sure which one but it was cold as hell inside dang near froze to death. Another question if I have a 4 or 5pm flight out of Cancun, when should I be heading over from Coz.

No, they're all different inside.

1 hour from Cozumel
1 hour Playa to the airport.
2 hours before flight time.

So if you fly out at 5:00, I'd take the 12:30 - 1:00. Walk up to the bus station and take the first bus available. As an example, next Saturday, there are busses that leave at 1:10, 1:20, 1:35, 1:45, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30

 

[lionfish-eater]

We took the ferry trip 4 legs on our recent visit to Coz, we took Ultra Mar 3 of them, they were late to leave and late to arrive all 3 times, (20 minutes on the worst leg), we finally said enough is enough and took Barco Carribe for our last trip which was the one back to fly out of Cancun, they arrived early and I looked out to see the Ultra Mar ferry way out there which I assume arrived late once again. WTF is up with Ultra Mar?

I don't know what is going on with the ferries, but what baffles me the most is how do they have 3 different ferry companies and they all leave on the hour, not one of them runs on the half hour?????? Who was the genius that came up with that? My assumption would be if whomever was in charge of issuing the license to the 3rd ferry had the people of Mexico's best interests in heart they would have issued the license to the 3rd ferry company only if they negotiated an agreement to leave on the half hour, giving the citizens a ferry choice every 30 minutes instead of every hour.

I recently posted an article stating that the two larger companies were fined for collusion partially because they both left at the same time and charged about the same amount.

3rd ferry..$8, is it back in operation?

 

[JamesBon92007]

Approximately one month ago I paid 115 pesos on UltraMar from Cozumel to Playa. That's about $5.37US. I'm not positive but I thought I saw a sign for Barcos Caribe for $50 pesos. According to their web site if you pay in US dollars UltraMar is $10.50.

I always try to leave Mexico with enough pesos for the ADO, the ferry, a taxi, and lunch or dinner for my next trip.

This was my second trip to Cozumel and I'm slowly learning how to do the trip for less money. I noticed that when the cruise ships leave many prices go down and I suspect you pay more at restaurants if you have a ship's badge hanging around your neck. When I first got there a taxi was 75 pesos and the last couple of times it was 40. Perhaps after you've been there about 8-9 days you don't look so much like a sucker, er, I mean tourist. Or maybe it was because I was wearing a Cozumel dive t-shirt and who would be dumb enough to wear a T-shirt announcing that they are a tourist so they must live there.

 

[gopbroek]

As of last Sunday they were off their fare wars and back to the published pricing:
$135 MXN for Barcos Caribe. Tarifas, Barcos Caribe, Cozumel más cerca de ti
$163 MXN for Ultramar. Routes and Timetables :: Ultramar
Mexico Waterjets was not open when I came by but I suspect their fare wars 'promotional' rate from a few months back is also over. Their walk up rate is $162 MXN per their site http://www.mexicowaterjets.com.mx/eng/

 

[gopbroek]

Are all the ferries the same on the inside? I know some have outdoor seating and even entertainment.
I have only been one time long ago for a trip over to playa for a day trip, not sure which one but it was cold as hell inside dang near froze to death. Another question if I have a 4 or 5pm flight out of Cancun, when should I be heading over from Coz.

Mid day thru early evening I have always liked Mexico Waterjets as they have had a band for entertainment on the aft upper open deck. Early morning or last trip over I prefer Barcos Caribe

 

[George Monnat Jr]

This is a great thread. I'm about to make my first trip there doing this. Does anyone have updated info to add?