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opnspaces's avatar
opnspaces
Navigator II
Oct 11, 2022

Is Playa del Carmen and Majahual safe

My son is a free spirit and is traveling (walking, hitching rides etc) around Mexico. He is flying to Cancun today where he is hoping to take a Bus to Playa Del Carmen where a friend lives. From Playa Del Carmen he needs to figure out how to get to Manahaul where he has a house to stay.

I hear a lot of bad things about traveling in Mexico. But I also realize that the news generally want's to attract readership by only posting the bad things that are happening.

So my question is should I be concerned about this trip from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen by bus? Should I be concerned about the trip to Manahaul my guess is by bus as well? Are there any tips or cautions that anybody can give that I can relay like "definitely do not try to hitch hike in this area etc? I'm only asking here because I think I have read a few posts from people who stay in these areas.
Thank you

6 Replies

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  • Talleyho69's avatar
    Talleyho69
    Moderator
    Oct 12, 2022
    Possibly instead of cash on his person, make sure he has an ATM card and funds available. He should have a great time. Buses go everywhere and are affordable.
  • charlestonsouth's avatar
    charlestonsouth
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2022
    Opnspaces — The places you have mentioned have a high degree of tourism; therefore, many bus routes will be available. The most prevalent crimes will be pick pockets or sale of small amounts of drugs. Can you convince him to take a buddy with him (boy or girl)? The “buddy system” or four eyes are better than two eyes. Give him some extra cash to hide on his person; don’t want him to skimp on good transportation, it’s safer. A law officer suggested to me for my granddaughter to give her a “church key” bottle opener to use for beer; don’t accept an open beer from anyone; your son should open his own drinks. If he learns a few rules and abides by them, he’ll be fine.
  • ferndaleflyer's avatar
    ferndaleflyer
    Explorer III
    Oct 11, 2022
    I admire your son. I am 81 years old and for 2 years 15 to 17 I hitch hiked all over the USA and Northern Mexico with no plan and no money. I was young and DUMB but never had a major problem. Times have changed but like someone else said, where is it safe? He!! I took my wife and Daughter to Siagon in 1966 to work, how dumb was that?
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Oct 11, 2022
    bgum wrote:
    Hel it wouldn't be safe to hitchhike in the US.

    I'm with you but sometimes there's no stopping a kid. He is 21 so not really a kid anymore, but I'm still his father and so I'll do what I can to help keep him safe. Even if he won't listen to reason.
  • BarryG20's avatar
    BarryG20
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2022
    The bus from Cancun to Playa is no issue. I have never been to Manahaul so I cant speak specifically to that bus or location. I can say however that at least on the buses (the local collectivo's) I have taken there you best know where you need to get off. If no one speaks up or if no one is at the bus stop waiting to get on they don't stop. They don't really announce what the stop is or that you are coming up to a stop for "x" location. Again that is my experience on the "collectivo" in and around Playa heading north towards Cancun or heading south to Tulum etc. If it is more like a greyhound bus it may be different. In that area my only fear has been getting lost, wrong stop etc and not knowing the language well enough to be able to effectively communicate my dilemma, which is entirely on me.
  • bgum's avatar
    bgum
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2022
    Hel it wouldn't be safe to hitchhike in the US.

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