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5/6/2002 Mayan TORCH return time update 5/6/2002

Tickets from www.priceline.com are non-refundable/non-exchangable AND
inexpensive.

When I recently bought tickets for a couple staff here's the process I went
through.

1. I entered the departure and arrival (Cancun) cities.

2. I entered the prefered dates. They ask you if you're flexible and if
you'd accept a ticket a day or two before and/or after.

3. I entered a price: in this case $250.

4. After waiting a while I found out the bid was rejected.

5. In one case I reentered a bid for $275.

6. I was then told this bid was rejected but Priceline found an airline
willing to sell the ticket for $315 plus taxes and fees to me. The total
was roughly $400. The dates were exactly what I had asked. It asked if I
wanted it?

7. I though this was a great price and bought the ticket.

Good luck ticket shopping.

Cheers,

David

 

4/18/2002 Mayan TORCH return time update 4/18/2002

Many teachers are getting great fares at STA TRAVEL.

In booking your return flight from Cancun please consider that you will be able to catch flights departing from 10 AM the morning of July 6. If someone needs to leave earlier please let us know. We'll try to accomodate you.


4/17/2002 Mayan TORCH airfare update 4/17/02

Greetings Maya TORCHers,

Please be sure to check out workshop updates at: www.environmentallearning.org.

For those of you seeking inexpensive airfares to Cancun or Cozumel, we arranged for Teacher fares through STA TRAVEL in Tucson, Arizona. Sample round trip fares include:

Newark - Cancun $442
Raleigh/Durham - Cancun $486
Houston - Cancun $486

In order to be eligible for these fares you must have the International Teacher Identification Card, which is an additional $25. It's good to have this card anyway because it provides additional medical/emergency extraction coverage and some cultural center fee discounts while traveling anywhere overseas.

Please book your tickets in order to be at Cancun Airport at 2 PM or Playa del Carmen (where the Cozumel ferry lands on the Yucatan Peninsula mainland) at 4:30 PM, June 29. From the rendezvous you will have no additional program related expenses.

If interested in these fares please contact:

Veronica Duncan
STA Travel
910 E. University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85719

520-903-1195

One teacher has reported a Round Trip fare for Atlanta - Cancun of $387 available at www.travelocity.com.

You might also check www.priceline.com.
I have frequently bought discounted tickets through this agency. I usually start bidding at 1/3 the published fare. Again, it helps to be flexible on your travel dates.

Another inexpensive airfare possibility is www.skyauction.com. Fares to Cancun and Cozumel have been going for roughly $350-450 through them. I've purchased several tickets to destinations around the world with them. Quite reliable. But again, once you win an auction, you need to sometimes be flexible in your travel days.

Please send me any new information on inexpensive fares to the area so that we may share our resources.

If I can clarify any aspect of this email please do not hesitate to contact me.

Here is some information on travel between Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.

Cheers,

David


EVERY DAY

PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO COZUMEL

5:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 P.M.

COZUMEL TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN

4:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 8:00,10:00 P.M.

Approximately 40 Minutes $7.50 (USD) / 73 Pesos Each Way. Schedules may change without notice. For more information call (91-987) 2-15-08 & 2-15-88.

The only vehicle ferry servicing Cozumel leaves from the International pier (just south of La Ceiba Hotel) for Puerto Morelos. The trip lasts about two-and-a-half (2 1/2) hours. It leaves twice daily at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. You should get in line at least twelve (12) hours in advance to insure a place for your vehicle.

Getting To & From Cozumel Island Mexico

Rates as of July 1, 2001. Please note that rates may have changed since last edition of this page.

Flight from Cancun to Cozumel: ~$70 US one-way

Ferry: 73 pesos (~$8.20 US) per adult, children under 12 is half price

Taxi from Cancun-Playa Del Carmen: $60 US for 2 people (see below for more info)

Bus from Cancun-Playa Del Carmen: 20 pesos ($2.25 US) one way - Playa Express bus just across from the bus terminal or; 32 pesos ($3.50 US one way - Bus terminal

Airport Transfers (from airport to Playa Del Carmen) - ~$30 US one-way

Airport Transfers pre-arranged, $30 US/person, cost reduces with # of people (more than 3)

Airport to Cancun Bus Terminal & Cancun Hotel Zone: 79 pesos or $9 US one-way

Cozumel Island, Mexico has an international airport on the island so many airlines fly directly to the island.

Unfortunately, during low seasons, not all departure cities offer direct flights to the island. These flights usually fly directly to Cancun and then a very short connecting flight is taken to Cozumel Island, Mexico. Many travel agencies, tour operators, hotels and airlines offer air/hotel packages as well as air flights only.

By Water From the Mainland & Back

For those staying at one of the many locations on the mainland along the coast of the Yucatan peninsula from Cancun to Tulum, a very short ferry trip can take you on a day trip to Cozumel Island. The ferry can be taken from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel Island, Mexico. The ferry ride leaves almost every hour until late evening.

There are several places to visit other than the obvious.

If you are on Cozumel Island, one can take a day trips to the mainland to one of the serene beach locations or to Cancun or to one of the Mayan ruins and more. See below for the ferry schedule.

By Water

The island has several international piers where cruise ships dock. Many cruise lines offer Cozumel Island, Mexico as a vacation destination. During the stop over at Cozumel Island, one can spend the day snorkeling,

diving, horseback riding, shopping or just relaxing on one of the many beautiful beaches. A variety of restaurants and bars are available to be enjoyed before heading back to the boat.

Cancun to Cozumel Island

If you arrive in Cancun, there are several ways to get you to Cozumel Island.

Cancun to Cozumel Direct

1. Fly from Cancun to Cozumel. See top of page for current rates. The flight is about 20 minutes in a small jet.

Flies frequently from the domestic airport. If you arrive from out of the country, there is a free airport bus

to the domestic airport 5 minutes away.

Cancun to Playa Del Carmen (40 minutes traveling time)

2. Airport Transfer. There will be airport transfer buses and they charge per person. You can take this directly

to Playa Del Carmen. The wait depends on the number of people traveling and times. You can book in advance and have them wait for you ($30 US per person) or wait around and catch one that's going there.

3. Taxi. There are no regular taxis at the airport. If you want to take a taxi, you have to get out of the airport by either taking an airport transfer to the bus terminal or walk out far enough to catch a taxi who is dropping someone off.

4. Bus from the Cancun Bus Terminal. First you have to take an airport transfer to the bus terminal. Then you can take a bus to Playa Del Carmen. The bus leaves about once every hour. Last bus from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen departs around 10pm.

Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel (40-45 minutes traveling time)

Then from Playa Del Carmen, take the ferry to Cozumel Island. The ferryboat ride is about 35 minutes and docks right at the heart of the city, San Miguel in Cozumel.

Daily Ferry Schedule (Central Standard Time) (updated July 7, 2001)

Cozumel Island to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Morning 5 am 7 am 8 am 9 am 10 am 12 pm

Afternoon 2 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 8 pm 10pm

Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel Island, Mexico Morning 6am 8am 9 am 10 am 11 am

Afternoon 1 pm 3 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 9 pm 11 pm

Driving Laws - The driving laws are about the same as the U.S., but if stopped for a moving violation, your vehicle will be impounded and you must accompany the officer to the station to pay your fine. Carrying over 5 people constitutes a moving violation.

Parking and Fines - Curbs painted yellow are for bicycle and motorcycle/moped parking only. Curbs painted red are No Parking zones. If you park in a no parking zone, your car will either be towed, or police will remove the license plate and the rental agency will collect the fine(s) from you. These signs can also identify no Parking zones:

Taxis - Probably the most economical way to get around town and surrounding areas is by taxi. Taxi drivers are usually very friendly and courteous, and fares are reasonable. It is a good idea to settle on the price before you get in a taxi, as meters are not used (a taxi ride within town will generally cost around $6 to $25 pesos depending on distance). Fares are NOT per person, but rather per cab. Drivers do not usually carry a lot of change, so try not to pay with large bills. The maximum number of people a taxi can carry is 5 persons. Tips are expected and appreciated.

Taxi Fares From Downtown

To Airport: 32 Pesos - $3.50 US