Driving and finding places

Avenidas

Avenidas (avenues) run parallel to the length of the island "north - south"

• Avenida Rafael E. Melgar, or "el Malecón", runs along the waterfront

• Avenidas are numbered by 5's (5a, 10a, 15a, etc.) counting away from Av. Melgar

  • Most are one-way in alternating directions

• Large Avenidas that are divided are two-way

• Some large divided Avenidas have "special" names instead of numbers:

  • Avenida Pedro Joaquin Coldwell = 30a Avenida

  • Avenida 8 de Octubre = 65a Avenida

• Avenidas have few stops, and some will get you from one end of town to the other nonstop

Calles

• Calles (streets) run across the island "east - west"

  • Calles are numbered with odd numbers counting south from Av. Benito Juárez

  • Calles are numbered with even numbers counting north from Av. Benito Juárez

  • Calle Dr. Adolfo Rosado Salas is between Calle 1 Sur and Calle 3 Sur

  • Most are one-way in alternating directions

• The large divided Calles are two-way

• Some large Calles have "special" names instead of numbers (and are called Avenidas!):

  • Avenida Andrés Quintana Roo = Calle 11 Sur

  • Avenida Xel-Ha = Calle 15 Sur

• Most calles have stop signs at every cross street

Avenida Benito Juárez, the Transversal highway

• • Divides "Norte" from "Sur"

  • Referred to as Avenida Benito Juárez "in town"

  • Referred to as Carretera Transversal outside of town

  • One-way from Melgar to Coldwell (30), two-way east of there

Carretera Costera Sur

• • Southern Coastal Highway

  • What Avenida Rafael E. Melgar becomes south of town

Carretera San Juan

• • San Juan (Northern Coastal) Highway

  • What Avenida Rafael E. Melgar becomes north of town

North and South

• Streets are specified as being Norte (Nte) if they're north of Avenida Benito Juárez

• Streets are specified as being Sur if they're south of Avenida Benito Juárez

Bis and C

• Bis mean repeated, and these streets fall between other numbers

• Bis C streets exist in some places to make up for a further lack of street numbers

• For example, there's 15a Avenida Sur, 15a Avenida Bis Sur, and 15a Avenida Bis C Sur

"Funky" Streets

• Here and there, seemingly at random, named streets appear between the numbered ones or the regular numbering system isn't followed

• In some areas the alternation of one-way directions isn't followed, especially around parks and schools

• Google Maps typically shows these correctly (or nearly so)

• Street numbers are inconsistent and are often not used even when they are assigned

• Quite a few places officially have no number at all - s/n means "sin número", or "without a number"

• Addresses are often specified as being on a street between two others or at the corner of another one

  • con = with or at, entre = between, esquina = (at the) corner (of), frente = across from

• Correct addresses always include the Colonia (neighborhood)

• Red-painted curbs mean "No Parking" and tickets are likely

• A sign on a post or painted on the road showing an E in a slashed circle also marks "No Parking"

• "No Estacionarse" painted on a wall or gate denotes a private entry where you should not park

• "Se Usará Grúa" means "Tow-away Zone" (literally "the crane will be used"). They mean it.

• "Se Ponchan Llantas Gratis" means "Tires Punctured for Free". Don't block driveways!

• Even if not marked, don't block people's or businesses' driveways

• A parking violation will result in removal of your license plate to ensure you pay up

  • On the waterfront, wheel-locking boots are applied with enthusiasm

• Public parking lots (Estacionamiento Público) are plentiful and cheap

• Parking lots typically cost 10-15 pesos an hour

• Parking lots do close at night, so be sure you know when to return for your car - the last ferry arrives after nearby parking lots are closed for the night!