Map | Directions
Driving Directions from the Cancun Airport to Soliman Bay and Tulum, Mexico (Click for printable PDF)
Driving Directions to Villa MarCaribe (Casa Kristie & Casa Jihae) from Cancun International Airport to all major destinations in the Riviera Maya, Mexico:
Leaving the airport, there is only one road that exits from the Cancun Airport.
As you leave you will pass a number of billboards and approach Highway 307 and a highway overpass. The on-ramp to your right before the overpass goes to the Riviera Maya and is the ramp to go south on Highway 307. The sign says Tulum and/or Chetumal.
( Do not drive straight across the overpass will take you to the hotel zone of Cancun . The ramp to your left just over the overpass is the north on-ramp to Highway 307 and goes into the center of the city of Cancun.)
The Highway 307 south will take you to all points south on the Riviera Maya, the Cancun-Tulum tourism corridor, including: Puerto Morelos, Playa Secreto, Playa del Carmen and Playacar, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Ha, Akumal, Jade Beach, South Akumal, Aventuras Akumal, Chemuyil, Xel-Ha, Soliman Bay, Tankah Tres, and finally Tulum at the southern end of the corridor.
Once you pass Xel-Ha ecological park, it is 4km south to the entrance. You will see Osca Y Lalo restaurant on your right hand side and the entrance is right across the restaurant. Pass the Oscar Y Lalo to make a u-turn and come back to the entrance. You will be driving on the dirt road and come to the security check point at the T. Let the security know that you are the guests to Casa MarCaribe and they let you drive through.
You drive pass a dozen houses on your left, and you will see a yellow house with a huge span of window with the sign, “MarCaribe.” You can park on the path to the beach. You will not miss it..
The caretakers will be there every day but Sunday. They will be there to greet you.
DRIVING THE NEW HIGHWAY FROM CANCUN AIRPORT SOUTH
The new highway from Cancun to Tulum is a great improvement from the old one we had for years. However you should drive it with care. Driving laws and etiquette vary from country to country, and in Mexico the driving habits may be different from those that you are used to back home. There are a few areas of the highway you should be cautious of:
1. The first area of caution is about 15 miles South of the airport- the first town you come to- Puerto Morelos. As you approach the town the two lanes that you are on divide. We recommend staying in the left lane which takes you straight through the area, unless you want to stop for drinks and snacks in which case move over to the right lane. If you need gas you can pull into the gas station here from the right lane (There are no gas stations in Akumal, but there are plenty between Cancun and Tulum).
As you are leaving town, the center lane and the right lane join back together. Where they do, the far left lane actually turns into a 30 mph “turn around and head back to Cancun” lane. Drive slowly in this area, or alternatively, stay in the right lane all the way South.
2. The second area to be careful of is just like the first. About 30 miles south of the airport, as you approach Playa Del Carmen, you will encounter the same problem. The highway splits. Unless you need to pull off to the right hand side (to get a snack from the store), stay in the left lane and slow down!
The speed limit through town is 60km per hour! If you need to use the right lane, the highway joins back together south of town and there is that far left “turn around and head back to Cancuri” situation to be careful of.
There is a large shopping mall called Centro Maya on the right hand side before you leave Akumal. There is a supermarket here called Soriana which is a good place to get groceries. There is also a City Club at Centro Maya and a Sams Club across the road.
3. The third problem, found all over Mexico, is the “left turn.”
If you are making a left turn: Pull off to your far right as far as you can, slow down, and put your left blinker on. When the driver behind you has gone by and no one else is coming- make your left turn. DO NOT EVER stop in the middle of the highway to make a left hand turn. The new highway has RETURNOs at various intervals which allow you to cross the highway.
The “left turn” rule is mainly applicable in areas where the highway has not yet been upgraded or on local main roads. Be aware that the shoulder is used by animals, pedestrians and bicycles, so take care, especially at night.
4. A recent problem that some people have reported to us is an issue with some of the gas stations.
When you pay for your gas, make sure that you hold onto each bill and read aloud the value to the attendant before you hand it over to make it absolutely clear how much you are paying. For example, if the attendant pumps 200 pesos of gas into your car and you pay with 2 x 100 peso bills then make sure that you hand each bill over separately and say “100 pesos” as you do so.
There have been a couple of incidents of “bill switching” recently, generally with people who are being distracted, for example by their kids, so just being aware of this will help prevent this from happening to you.
Just remember: you are on vacation in a foreign country, so take your time. Speed limits must be observed and wearing your seat belt is mandatory.
Well, that’s it from all of us at the Akumal Villas team. Have a pleasant flight and don’t forget to take a copy of the agreement with you to Mexico…We wish you a wonderful vacation!
