Rental car.. sí o no?
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Ricardo V.
Contributor
There are lots of taxis passing by... to and from the airport. I would save time and money and just use taxis to move around. Stand at the curb and you won’t have but to wait a couple of minutes or so.
You won’t have to worry about parking nor navigating one way streets that don’t always have an easy pattern or logic on who has the right of way or not. Usually it’s the one that has more forward momentum that crosses first.
Taxis are very affordable and reasonable. There are some bikes at the Villas. Not sure that’s worth it either. After a couple of close calls, I figured best to enjoy the trip, keep unnecessary risks low like driving a rental or riding a bike in a place where traffic is not anywhere close to what is normally seen in Colorado.
Enjoy your trip.
You won’t have to worry about parking nor navigating one way streets that don’t always have an easy pattern or logic on who has the right of way or not. Usually it’s the one that has more forward momentum that crosses first.
Taxis are very affordable and reasonable. There are some bikes at the Villas. Not sure that’s worth it either. After a couple of close calls, I figured best to enjoy the trip, keep unnecessary risks low like driving a rental or riding a bike in a place where traffic is not anywhere close to what is normally seen in Colorado.
Enjoy your trip.
mikeycanuk
Contributor
With Waze and some attitude, if it wasn’t for the ISIS sticker you wouldn’t know I’m a gringo driver. 
And the fact it’s
Not a scooter
No baby up front and 2 ninos behind
Working lights
Concealed engine bay
License plate
What you really have to keep an eye on is the nighttime ninja cyclists who wear dark clothes. no lights in dimly lit areas. Which Waze loves to take you around. I’ve seen more of the back streets of San Miguel than ever.
And the fact it’s
Not a scooter
No baby up front and 2 ninos behind
Working lights
Concealed engine bay
License plate
What you really have to keep an eye on is the nighttime ninja cyclists who wear dark clothes. no lights in dimly lit areas. Which Waze loves to take you around. I’ve seen more of the back streets of San Miguel than ever.
Last edited:
ccannon707
Contributor
Ricardo, your post made my eyes bug out. AFAIK there IS a logic - I had to look this up to be sure. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
AVENIDAS (Avenues) run West - East, incrementally by 5. Avenidas have priority.
CALLES (Streets) run North (even) - South (odd)
Usually a "big street" like 11, 30, 65, and eastern Juarez (there called the Transversal) has 2 way traffic. Some of the smaller streets way back in the hoods go 2-way as well. Look at the street sign for the <->
AVENIDAS (Avenues) run West - East, incrementally by 5. Avenidas have priority.
CALLES (Streets) run North (even) - South (odd)
Usually a "big street" like 11, 30, 65, and eastern Juarez (there called the Transversal) has 2 way traffic. Some of the smaller streets way back in the hoods go 2-way as well. Look at the street sign for the <->
Ricardo V.
Contributor
Maybe so. No need to get anyone’s eyes bugged out either, in any case.... the post I’ve made represents my personal opinion, which I’m sharing with the O.P. with the purpose of shedding some light or perspectives from personal experiences while visiting the island.
I’ve been to Cozumel several times and while I’ve had an opportunity to: walk around town, to rely on taxis for longer distances and to ride a bike around several neighborhoods, Cozumel does not have a traffic pattern or logic like the type we are used to in FL. Like everything in life, there are some exceptions and rules that don’t always apply. You may be correct and you may be on point about avenidas, calles, altos y derecho de paso.
In reality, from my personal observations while visiting Cozumel, not all roads have signs, not all signs are clear, nor always follow a logic pattern that is easy to grasp for someone like me that is used to driving in FL and more importantly, don’t live there and have no solid knowledge of the different roads and intersections. It’s logic for anyone used to the traffic patterns, not me.
I’ll share this. Every single day when walking in or out of a restaurant for diner, we’ve seen more than one scooter pass by driven by a Mom or a Dad, with a child sitting in the back, sometimes 2 of them in the back... plus a smaller child “standing” on the floorboard of the scooter. Yes, the parent or responsible adult is wearing a helmet, so are the rest of the riders. I don’t know about you, but I would hate to startle or spook anyone driving around, particularly when I’m not familiar with the rules of the road.
There is risk in everything we do. When visiting Cozumel, I prefer taking mine underwater, exploring and diving to my hearts content and enjoying the underwater scenery and critters that make Cozumel such a wonderful place to visit.
One last thing, even the sidewalks can be tricky. I don’t have the best eyesight, but do keep a special awareness not to be caught walking into a power pole anchoring wire, a security fence awning, a legacy stop sign long gone but half the post still waiting for an unsuspecting pedestrian, the standard hole in the ground from some unfinished or ongoing utility work.
Maybe it’s easy for others, but not for me... therefore, I would recommend the original poster to simply enjoy the trip, hire a taxi or walk when possible and forego driving because the rules of the road aren’t like the ones we have here in the U.S. I’m not saying our are better, they are differnt.
The people of Cozumel are wonderful, welcoming and respectful. The town has great things to offer and the diving is superb. Taxis are extremely affordable and moving around is easy. Renting a car there may end up being more of an inconvenience than helpful... but then again, that is my opinion and not a rule or a mandate.
Cheers,
Ricardo
I’ve been to Cozumel several times and while I’ve had an opportunity to: walk around town, to rely on taxis for longer distances and to ride a bike around several neighborhoods, Cozumel does not have a traffic pattern or logic like the type we are used to in FL. Like everything in life, there are some exceptions and rules that don’t always apply. You may be correct and you may be on point about avenidas, calles, altos y derecho de paso.
In reality, from my personal observations while visiting Cozumel, not all roads have signs, not all signs are clear, nor always follow a logic pattern that is easy to grasp for someone like me that is used to driving in FL and more importantly, don’t live there and have no solid knowledge of the different roads and intersections. It’s logic for anyone used to the traffic patterns, not me.
I’ll share this. Every single day when walking in or out of a restaurant for diner, we’ve seen more than one scooter pass by driven by a Mom or a Dad, with a child sitting in the back, sometimes 2 of them in the back... plus a smaller child “standing” on the floorboard of the scooter. Yes, the parent or responsible adult is wearing a helmet, so are the rest of the riders. I don’t know about you, but I would hate to startle or spook anyone driving around, particularly when I’m not familiar with the rules of the road.
There is risk in everything we do. When visiting Cozumel, I prefer taking mine underwater, exploring and diving to my hearts content and enjoying the underwater scenery and critters that make Cozumel such a wonderful place to visit.
One last thing, even the sidewalks can be tricky. I don’t have the best eyesight, but do keep a special awareness not to be caught walking into a power pole anchoring wire, a security fence awning, a legacy stop sign long gone but half the post still waiting for an unsuspecting pedestrian, the standard hole in the ground from some unfinished or ongoing utility work.
Maybe it’s easy for others, but not for me... therefore, I would recommend the original poster to simply enjoy the trip, hire a taxi or walk when possible and forego driving because the rules of the road aren’t like the ones we have here in the U.S. I’m not saying our are better, they are differnt.
The people of Cozumel are wonderful, welcoming and respectful. The town has great things to offer and the diving is superb. Taxis are extremely affordable and moving around is easy. Renting a car there may end up being more of an inconvenience than helpful... but then again, that is my opinion and not a rule or a mandate.
Cheers,
Ricardo
mikeycanuk
Contributor
Yes those smaller streets back in the hood where we are can go both ways. And sometimes there are 2 85th Avenida streets for instance. 1st thing after getting the car (and after getting a little lost) was getting a SIM card so I could use Waze. A manual transmission helps get the little Gol to go as those scooters can sneak up as some use blue headlights, dim headlights or eco mode no lights.
My two bits would be that city streets usually have corner buildings with narrow sidewalks which means you approach intersections "blind" to crossing traffic until you are right on top of the intersection. So even at the ones where you have "right of way", slow down and be cautious and prepared to brake. Sometimes one will add a quick toot-toot of the horn to signal their approach. Also, the red octagonal Alto signs are Stop signs but most Mexicans treat them as Yield signs. If you make a full stop when nothing is crossing, you may be rear-ended. Also, acceptable clearance between your vehicle and other vehicles and objects along the road is much less than is normal in the states.
mikeycanuk
Contributor
I have to say that we loved having the convenience of a rental car. ISIS was great and they let slide the slight ding that wasn’t done by me. I did take the advice of others and videoed the inspection. The Gol is a nice little car with the manual helping to pep it along when those invisible nighttime scooters shoot along the cross streets.
The 6 month old who was sleeping being held at an outward angle on a scooter sticks in my mind as the most unlikely the happen in Norte Americano. Does explain why the locals are so good on scooters, they are practically born on them!
The 6 month old who was sleeping being held at an outward angle on a scooter sticks in my mind as the most unlikely the happen in Norte Americano. Does explain why the locals are so good on scooters, they are practically born on them!
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