Frequently Asked Questions about our home:

- Where exactly is the house? Which airport do we fly in to?
You'll be flying in to Cancun international airport.
The house is approximately 100 kilometres (65 miles) south of Cancun. We are 40 kilometres (26 miles) south of Playa del Carmen. We're 5 miles south of Akumal, and 12 miles north of Tulum.
Here are some overview pictures Overview 1, Overview 2, Overview 3

- Where are the cheap flights?
We have used Red Tag and Sell off Vacations, as well as Sunwing

- Should I rent a car?
Recommended, but not necessary.
Some rental agencies we've used: Easyway Car Rentals, National Car, E-Z Rentacar

- How can we get there?
We recommend renting a car simply because the rate for a week is usually quite reasonable (under $150). You can take the ADO bus (similar to Greyhound) all the way to Tulum, then take a cab or collectivo back to the house. The bus is approximately $20 and a cab ride from Tulum to the house is about $20.
By the time you've paid for a few cab rides and collectivos you'll have spent the cost of renting a car. If you're SURE you won't be going anywhere but the beach and maybe up to Akumal, perhaps the bus is the better choice. We'll be doing it soon and I'll post whether or not I thought it was worth it or not. UPDATE I have taken the ADO and Collectivo down to the house from the airport (and back). Total time: 2 hours. Total cost: 140 pesos ($14.00)

The buses are comfortable and air-conditioned, and they played a movie for the trip. You do need to change bus terminals in Playa del Carmen and it's about an 8 block walk. I would definitely do this again. Please let me know if you plan on using this system and I will pass on all the details.

- What is a collectivo?
The 'public transit' system for the highway corridor between Cancun and Tulum. Collectivos are passenger vans (Econoline) that drive up and down the highway. You simply stand at the side of the highway and wait for one to drive by. The typical wait is no longer than 15 minutes. A collectivo costs 20 - 40 pesos ($2.00 - $4.00) per person, depending on how far you wish to travel. Jump on, tell the driver where you'd like to go, and then you pay when you get off.

- Do you have air conditioning?
YESSSSS!! The house is also equipped with 2 large ceiling fans in the main living area and another in the master bedroom. There is also a portable fan in the second bedroom. There is a nice breeze that flows naturally through the house with the windows in the front and back open.

- Do you have a telephone?
No. We do not have any plans to install a phone at this time. You can purchase a TelCel card for $10,$15,$20 and call Canada or the U.S. for relatively cheap. I think it's about $0.05 cents / minute.

- Is there internet service nearby?
Yes. Our neighbor has a wireless signal that he shares for $10 USD / week. There is als an internet cafe in Chemuyil, about 10 minutes walk from the house. Internet is about $3.00 per hour.

- Is babysitting available?
Yes. We know of a few individuals in the area who will watch your children for a fee.

- What is a cenote?
(Pronounced "sin-oh-tay") The majority of fresh water in the Yucatan penninsula travels through underground rivers. In many areas the surface of the land has fallen through to expose the underground water. These areas may look like ponds, but in reality the water is flowing through them. This is a cenote.
There are 2 small cenotes in our community, one is within 50 feet of our back door. There is also a cenote at the beach, and another just down the road ($3.00 entry fee). Larger cenotes such as Hidden Worlds and Dos Ojos are very close to our house.

- Is the neighborhood safe?
Yes. Our community is completely safe and it's not uncommon to see groups of vacationing children and local boys and girls wander the few blocks we call 'home' even late into the evening.