If you have traveled the free highway between Cancun and Merida, you know that this highway is significantly different from the optional toll road. In the ‘old’ days the free road was the only way to get to Chichen Itza. It was a well traveled route but with the introduction of the Cancun-Merida toll highway and the new Playa del Carmen-Nuevo Xcan toll highway fewer cars use this route, which may be why improvements are happening.
Recently we were driving around and found ourselves on the rural ‘free highway’. To my amazement and surprise, the highway upgrades between Valladolid and Chichen Itza became an OMG moment. Instead of a two lane highway with no shoulder and many (oh so many) speed bumps, we found a four lane highway with ample shoulder. Wow! This may sound funny to celebrate a nice, wide highway when you have the option to travel a perfectly good toll highway, but quite frankly I have missed traveling on the ‘free highways’. The free highways that take you through remote rural villages, force you over topes where travel snacks can be purchased and car axels can be broken. You get a glimpse into rural Mexican life. The free highway was a big part of the road trip experience, albeit a slower experience.
If better free highways (highways were you don’t have to pay a toll) are the new norm, count me in! Life over the years has become increasingly busy and time a bit more precious, so our leisurely rural highway experience has in many cases been abandoned for the ease and speed of toll roads. It kills me to admit that, but it is true. With the opening of the new Playa del Carmen toll road that intersects with the Cancun-Merida toll road, a trip to Merida takes 25% less time and it is possible to get to the city of Campeche in under 7 hours. Getting to Holbox takes half the time and Valladolid seems like a hop, skip and jump away.
Benefits to Traveling the Rural Highways in the Riviera Maya
If you are an explorer like us, then the rural highways are not new. For visitors that want to get to Chichen Itza, or Valladolid without sacrificing 14 hours of their day, the toll road would be the best option. But with an upgraded rural highway, granted it is only the section between Valladolid and Chichen Itza, I am looking forward to getting back on the free highway bandwagon to reap all the benefits of these roads.
Save a whack of money – If you travel from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza on the toll road expect to pay 219 pesos each way – about $18 USD.
See Mexico from a local perspective – Rural highways go through rural towns. This is a great way to sneak a peek in the back door of rural life.
Experience authentic Yucatan cuisine and local produce. – I have had some of my best street food on rural highways. Topes (speed bumps) are used as a selling opportunity for local residents. Tamales, corn bread, Muchipollo, fresh pineapple (cut and ready to eat), horchata and coconut water can purchased from local vendors without even leaving your car, or even pulling over.
Rural landscape – this may be one of my favorite benefits. The Yucatan, as flat as it is, is littered with cenotes, marshes and some interesting lagoons. Farm animals graze by the road, and locals can be seen on their tricycles foraging in the countryside. This authenticity is not found along the toll road.
Local handicrafts – I have purchased some of my favorite handicrafts at local stores on the rural highways. What I love about these items is that i know I am supporting local families and I have a great story to tell as to how I found it.
Check out our story about the new Playa del Carmen-Xcan toll road that leads to Holbox and Merida to access a back up plan when you are in a rush. When you have the time, take a rural highway and experience what made us fall in the love with the Riviera Maya. Our Loco Adventure Itineraries give you great DIY instructions so you can explore just a little bit more.