Chapter 22 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Passenger ferries to mainland There are two companies providing fast passenger service between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, both for around 160 pesos one way for the 30 to 45 minute ride. Regular departures leave the municipal pier in front of Las Palmeras Restaurant daily. Typically, the departures are at the top of the hour starting from 5 AM from Cozumel to Playa and 6 AM from Playa to Cozumel, with the last ferry of the day leaving Playa for Cozumel at 11 PM and from Cozumel to Playa at 10 PM, but theses hours are subject to change. For Mexico WaterJet s current schedules, see their website at www.mexicowaterjets.com or call them at 872-1508. UltraMar can be reached at 872-3223 or visit their website www.granpuerto.com.mx Tickets for both companies can be purchased at the pier. Both companies honor the Plan Locale discount card. There is no charge for luggage. Freight (boxes) that can be handled by one or two men will be charged a nominal rate. Plan Locale, the discount plan for locals Both passenger ferry companies on Cozumel issue Plan Locale discount cards. Apply for this discount card at the Modulo de Plan just outside the offices of Mexican WaterJets on Av. 6 Norte between 10th and 15th, or at Ultramar s office at the corner of calle 2 norte and Av 5. You need the original and a copy of your Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente visa, proof of residence in Cozumel (current cable, light, or water bill) and 100 pesos. Your picture will be taken and a card issued while you wait. The card is also honored at many local business for discounts ranging from 5 to 30%. Car/truck ferry to the mainland TransCaribe runs a vehicle ferry from Calica (also known as Punto Venado) on the mainland (on the Carretera Playa del Carmen-Tulum, Km. 282) to Cozumel and back around six times a day, except Sunday and Monday which have reduced schedules. The voyage takes about one hour and fifteen minutes. For a current schedule and price of tickets, visit the ferry s website www.transcaribe.com.mx or call them at 987-872-7688, 987-872-7671, or 987-872- 7504. To buy a ticket and board, go to the API ferry staging area on Av. Presedente Miguel Aleman, just east of the red light at the car ferry pier south of town before the scheduled departure and you will be given a slip of paper to fill out and sign at the entrance. You will be shown where to line up your vehicle for boarding. Once boarded, take the slip to the cashier on board and pay the fare. Collectivos
Collectivos are shared vans (combis) operated by the taxi union that run along fixed routes with fixed stops. Prices are by the ride, not by the stop or distance. Non-scheduled stops are not allowed. Routes are marked on the van s windshields. All 7 routes begin and end at Chedraui Plaza. They begin running at 6 AM and the last run is at 8 PM, daily, but Sundays the service may be a little delayed, as the supervisors have Sundays off. No animals, smoking, or consumption of alcohol allowed aboard. Cost is 7 pesos adults, 3 pesos children under 3 years or students and seniors with ID. Supervisors are on hand M-Sat at stops at Chedraui, Av. 35 x Av. 65, and Juarez x Av. 90. There is always an English-speaking supervisor at Chedraui. The main office is on Av. 5 between Av. Xelha and Av. 13. Combi Route 5 Chentuk-San Gervasio is shown below. It is run by 2 vans, #5-02 and #5-06. One of these two comes by each stop every 20 minutes.
Combi Route Emiliano Zapata I is run in a clockwise direction by van # 12, which makes each stop every 20 minutes.
Combi Route 6 Circuitas Colonias Norte is serviced by 2 vans, #6-07 and #6-10. A van passes by each stop every 25 minutes. The route is the same as Combi route 6 Circuita Colonias Sur, but in the opposite direction (Route 6 Circuitas Colonias Norte travels clockwise)
Combi Route 6 Circuito Colonias Sur runs the same route as Combi Route 6 Colonias Norte, but in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise). It is run by vans #6-08 and #611 and they pass each stop every 25 minutes.
Combi Route 9 Ranchito is run by vans #9-03 and #9-15 in a clockwise direction. A van stops by each stop every 25 minutes.
Combi Route 1 San Miguel I y II is run by vans #1-01, #1-04, #1-05, and #113, traveling in a counter-clockwise direction. A van services each stop every 9 minutes.
Combi Route 7 Circunvalación is serviced by vans #7-09 and #7-14, in a counter-clockwise direction. A van comes by each stop every 20 minutes. Uniper City Buses A city bus service runs seven routes around town. Each bus has its scheduled stops written on its windshield. All 7 routes begin and end at Chedraui Plaza. They begin running at 6 AM and the last run is at 9 PM, daily, but Sundays the service may be a little delayed, as the supervisors have Sundays off. No animals, smoking, or consumption of alcohol allowed aboard. Cost is 7 pesos adults, 3 pesos for children under 3 years, or students and seniors with ID. Supervisors are on hand M-Sat at stops at Chedraui, Av. 35 x Av. 65, and Juarez x Av. 90. There is always an English-speaking supervisor at Chedraui. The main office is on Av. 5 between Av. 13 and A. Xelha. Uniper Bus Route Emiliano Zapata I is shown below. It is
serviced by Uniper bus #T23, and is run in a clockwise direction. The bus comes by each stop on this route every 30 minutes.
Uniper Bus Route 7 Circunvalación Norte is serviced by two Uniper buses, #7-U14 and #7- U09, each running in a clockwise direction. A bus comes by each stop every 20 minutes.
Uniper Bus Route 3 Chentuk is serviced by Uniper bus #3-U05 and #3-U13, running the route in a counter-clockwise direction. A bus stops by each stop every 20 minutes.
Uniper Bus Route Huertos Familiares is serviced by Uniper bus #U-12 in a counter-clockwise direction. This bus stops by each stop every 55 minutes.
Uniper Bus Route 2 CTM-Flamingos is serviced by Uniper buses #2-U01 and #2-U04, running in a counter clockwise direction. A bus comes by each stop every 20 minutes.
Uniper Route 4 Emiliano Zapata is serviced by Uniper buses #4-U06 and #4-U15, running the route in a clockwise direction. A bus stops at each stop every 15 minutes.
Uniper Route Fincas is run by Uniper bus #11-U10 in a clockwise direction and passes by each stop on its route every 55 minutes. Taxis Taxi rates in Cozumel are based on zones rather than taximeters. For a current table of the official taxi rates for the zones in Cozumel, see the Sindicato Unico de Choferes Taxistas y Similares web page at www.taxicozumel.com They also offer bilingual guide services, island tours, limo service (14 pax Lincoln Navigator, 6 pax Lincoln Town car), 7 pax minivans, 14 pax vans, handicapped van service, 36 pax all-terrain truck-busses, and 45 pax a/c tour busses, as well as taxis. Call them at 987-872-1130 or 987-872-1167. Taxi office is at Calle 2 between Av. 5 & Av. 10. taxicozumel@hotmail.com Commercial and private aviation All commercial flights leave from Cozumel s International Airport (CZM). The phones at the airport general office are 872-2081 and 872-0485. Private planes may take off and land at the new aerodrome Capt. Eduardo Toledo south of town at KM 11.2 (200 25 31.2 N 870 00 5.3 W), but if their flight originated outside of Mexico, they will need to land at another Mexican airport first to clear customs and immigration as there is no facility at the aerodrome to get this done. They also offer flying classes. The runway is 11/29, 1.2 KM, paved. For more info, call them at (987) 869-0873,
cell (987) 100-9829, or see their website www.fly2cozumel.com.mx or email them at info@fly2cozumel.com.mx National flights MAYAIR operates a local daily service to and from Cancun, as well as flights from Cancun to Merida, Villahermosa, and Veracruz. For current schedule, see www.mayair.com or call them at 872-21595 Interjet This national airline flies from the CZM international terminal to Mexico City, www.interjet.com.mx 01-800-011-2345 International Flights Several international airline companies service Cozumel with flights originating from the US and Canada. Many more international airline companies service Cancun s airport, and it is relatively easy to connect with these Cancun flights from Cozumel via ferry and bus or taxi rides, or by taking a commuter flight from Cozumel to Cancun. Airlines with offices in the Cozumel airport American www.aa.com 01-800-904-6000 Air Canada www.aircanada.com 01 800 719 2827 Continental/United www.continental.com 800.523.3273 counter hours 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM SUN-FRI / 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM SAT Delta www.delta.com 01-800-123-4710 Frontier www.frontierairlines.com 01-800-432-1359 Sun Country www.suncountry.com 800-924-6184 (International) US Airways www.usairways.com 01-800-428-4322 WestJet www.westjet.com 1-888-937-8538 Air charters Ferinco flies air charters from the general aviation side of the terminal. For prices and schedules, call 01-987-872-1781 to reach their office on Av. Pedro Joaquin Coldwell at Calle 5. Bus lines on the mainland To find out schedules or to buy tickets for bus lines ADO, OCC, ATS, Mayab, or Riviera Airport Shuttle that service the mainland, stop by the ADO bus ticket office on the corner of Calle 2 and AV. 10 in Cozumel, or call them at (987) 869-2553.