Giving Back in Isla Mujeres & Riviera Maya: How CARM Tours & Transfers Supports Local Children

 

Giving Back to the Communities That Welcome You

CARM Drivers Cesar, William & Henrry!

When you vacation in Cancún, the Riviera Maya, or Isla Mujeres, you’re experiencing more than beautiful beaches and turquoise water…you’re visiting vibrant communities that make this region so special. At CARM Tours and Transfers, this is where we live and work, and giving back to these communities is an important part of who we are.

That’s why each year we proudly support Shoes For Children MX, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children in underserved areas of the Yucatán Peninsula by providing a pair of shoes to those in need. The organization was started in 2015 by Brenda & Don Gentry and is still going strong today.

Supporting Communities Beyond the Resorts

While many visitors see the coastline, just a short distance away are small villages where families face daily challenges. We donate vans, and our staff each year, ensuring Shoes with Children MX can safely transport volunteers, supplies, and hundreds of pairs of shoes to children who need them most.

Reliable transportation makes these outreach programs possible, and we’re honored to contribute with vehicles and drivers, as well as having our staff volunteer in a meaningful, hands-on way.

Our Team Volunteers Along the Way

Our involvement goes beyond providing vehicles. Members of the CARM team volunteer their time, sorting shoes, translating, and traveling  to the small rural villages to help with set up, shoe fittings and break down. Thank you to all of the volunteers who make this possible every years and to our CARM staff Sally, Cesar, William & Henrry for traveling to the small village of Tres Reyes near Coba this year to help with this special event.

We’re also proud to support the organization’s annual shoe giveaway on Isla Mujeres, where local children receive new shoes that help them walk safely to school, play comfortably, and stay healthy. Many visitors enjoy the region for a short vacation for it’s charm and beauty. This event supports the families who call the island home year-round.

Why This Matters to Travelers

For many children in the region, a simple pair of shoes can mean fewer injuries, better health, and consistent school attendance. This program addresses this need with care, respect, and long-term commitment to local communities. As a traveler, choosing companies that invest locally helps ensure tourism benefits the people who make your vacation possible. [Read more…]

Kayak Travel Guides: CARM Tours, Activities & Attractions

 

We are happy to announce that our tours are now featured on Kayak.com !

Discover more things to do in Cancun at KAYAK!

We are celebrating our 25th year in business this year! Since 1999, we have been your on-site specialist for all of your excursions whether you are staying in Cancun, Isla Mujeres, or anywhere in the Riviera Maya!

Have you ever wanted to see Mayan ruins, fly above the jungle on zip lines, explore underground cenotes, swim with sea turtles, or visit Pueblo Magicos (magical cities in Mexico)?…. Check out our private tours to Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, Coba, Tulum, cenotes and more….:

Private Tour to Chichen Itza Ruins with Cenote & Lunch: https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/tours/chichenitza-ikkil-private.asp

Private Tour to Tulum Ruins & Swim with Sea Turtles in Akumal: https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/tours/tulum-akumal.asp

Private Tour to Ek Balam ruins & Xcanche Cenote with Zipline: https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/Tours/ekbalam-private.asp

Private Tour to Coba Ruins:                        https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/tours/coba.asp

Private Tour to Chichen Itza & Ek Balam Ruins with Cenote & Lunch: https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/tours/chichenitza-ikkil-ekbalam.asp

Private Tour to Chichen Itza & Coba Ruins with Cenote & Lunch: https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/tours/chichenitza-ikkil-coba.asp

Private Tour to Tulum & Coba Ruins:          https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/Tours/tulum-coba.asp

Private Cenote Snorkel & Canopy Zipline Tour: https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/Tours/aktun-chen.asp

And you can see more options for exploring the Mayan ruins & cenotes here: https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/tours/clasification.asp?code=RUINS


Or maybe you prefer activities on the water such as snorkeling, catamaran tours or swimming with whale sharks!…:

Best Reef Snorkel Tour:                       https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/tours/snorkel.asp

Isla Mujeres Catamaran Day Trip (Public): https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/tours/Catamaran.asp

Isla Mujeres Catamaran Day Trip (Private): https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/tours/Catamaran-Private.asp

Swim with the Whale Sharks on Isla Mujeres: https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/Tours/whalesharkisla.asp

 

What are you waiting for? Start planning your vacation now! We love living in Cancun and Isla Mujeres, and helping visitors make the most of their vacation. Let CARM help you too!

Avoiding Scams at the Cancun Airport!

 
We want to help you be aware of SCAMS at the Cancun Airport!
We ALWAYS tell clients not speak to anyone at the Cancun Airport. Once you have left Customs and make your way outside, a barrage of people will approach you with offers and questions: A simple “No gracias” and continuing to walk away is sufficient to the many people who may approach you.

See below for popular scams, and valuable advice on how to avoid them:

Unauthorized taxi drivers & time shares sales people will say anything to get you to go with them. They are very organized teams and the scams are usually the same:

? They tell you that even if you have pre-booked transfers, you must go with them prior to exiting to a kiosk to do an additional required check in for “Corona virus/COVID-19”. This is FALSE. They will ask for personal info/tell you your transportation has left and that you should take their taxi/van and pay an exorbitant amount & and CARM will reimburse you later FOR BOTH YOUR MISSED VAN AND THE TAXI. This is untrue. You have been scammed.
? They ask if you need help FINDING your transportation company. Or they say that they ARE your transportation company. Or that your company LEFT you. They say: “I’ll call the office myself for you and have you talk to them.” They call on their own phone or your phone, actually dialing the number of a friend who is part of the scam. The person on the phone goes as far as to ask for your name, confirmation #, and tells you that your CARM driver left (or that you must wait 3 additional hours), so you should take this taxi at an outrageous price & CARM will reimburse you “later” FOR BOTH YOUR MISSED VAN AND THE TAXI. They will even write you a very official looking receipt. And you have been scammed.

✍️There are 4 separate terminals at the Cancun Airport. All of our CARM, employees are waiting outside the terminals at the designated reunion point in each terminal as noted on your detailed confirmation vouchers. They are wearing shirts with our CARM name/logo and holding a sign with YOUR RESERVATION NAME on it. It is important to follow these instructions. If you ever need assistance, feel free to call any of the contact numbers (never allow strangers to dial our numbers for you)!

Book your private transfers today!:

Contact us!:

US Phone (rings to Cancun, calls only): 407-284-1673
Cancun Phone (calls only): +52 998-273-2970
Cancun Cell (calls, texts, WhatsApps): +52 998 235 7135
Email: office@cancunandrivieramaya.com

Isla Mujeres Artist Fair

 

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The Isla Mujeres Artist Fair is on the first Thursday of every month from 4pm to 7pm in the Zocalo (town square) on Isla Mujeres. Local artists, food vendors, musicians & Isla’s non-profits celebrate the creative arts with locals, tourists, foreign residents & our neighbors from Cancun.

[Read more…]

Orphanage in Cancun Finds Support from Expat living in Cancun

 

I was first introduced to the orphanage in Cancun, called Casa Hogar Para Niños Esperanza, which means “House of Hope for Children” by my friend TJ Carter. TJ is an expat living in Cancun. He has become increasingly involved with the orphanage and raising funds for their needs. He helps with organizing events for the kids, day-to-day medical and educational needs along with finding sponsors for weekly grocery shopping trips.

casa-hogarTJ has started a group of like-minded people eager to help the less-fortunate kids, which he is calling FOCH for Friends of Casa Hogar. On the website and facebook group, TJ has inspired many other to become involved. His ongoing mission is to provide food, clothing, education, love & cultural entertainment to these kids. His work is much needed since the orphanage receives ZERO government funding.

Sponsors and the kids from Casa Hogar recently went on a field trip to Crococun Zoo and as you can imagine the kids LOVED it. Check out the photos here.

Friends of Casa Hogar are looking for sponsors for the weekly grocery trips and for monetary pledges. To find out more about Casa Hogar and how you can help, please visit http://www.friendsofcasahogar.org/ or on Facebook here.

Spay & Neuter Clinic for Cats and Dogs in Cancun

 

CANDi Spay and Neuter Clinic Jan 2013This is one of the things we volunteer our time for and love doing. The spay and neuter clinics in Cancun have become very popular and this week the goal is to spay or neuter 1,000 animals. These clinics are sponsored and organized by CANDi (Cats And Dogs International), headed by Darci Galati. Their efforts to help control the stray population and the number of unwated cats and dogs has been truly outstanding.

In the photo above you can see the surgery area in the back behind the blue screen. After surgery the dogs come to the Recovery tables on the right. Once they begin to wake up the animals are moved to the floor to be with their owners as they come out of anesthesia.

The clinic is held in Bonfil, close to the Cancun Airport, from Jan 11 to Jan 16. After the clinic is over there will be a concert on Isla Mujeres starring country singer Craig Moritz. Tickets are $15 and proceeds go to the animal shelters.

This is a great cause to volunteer for; during your vacation you might want to check out which local programs you can donate your time or money to. Vets, vet techs and volunteers fly in from the US and Canada to organize these clinics. We are very appreciative for everything they do to help the animal overpopulating in Cancun.