Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are the most important destinations on the Mexican Caribbean coastline, in the stretch known as Riviera Maya. How to go from Cancun to Playa del Carmen and Tulum? What transport possibilities are there between these cities?

The flow of local people commuting daily for work between Cancun and Playa del Carmen is considerable. This is an indicator that there are very easy ways to go from Cancun to Playa del Carmen and Tulum. There are different transports, we will see them in this article that will help you move as if you were local in the area.

We live in the area since 2007, we can help you with your questions

HOW TO GO FROM CANCUN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN AND TULUM

All public transports that leave Cancun to Playa del Carmen do so from the same area in Cancun. They are all located near the Cancun Central Bus Terminal, in downtown Cancun. We know this terminal as the ADO terminal (pronounces adeo).

As you see the three options of how to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen they are very close:

  1. ADO BUSES: ADO is the best known bus company in Southeast Mexico. There are other companies in the terminal that are going to Cancun to Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
  2. COLECTIVOS PLAYA EXPRESS: is a private transport company
  3. FOREIGN COLLECTIVE SERVICE: belongs to a taxi drivers union

All transportation options for go from cancun to playa del carmen They make a stop in Puerto Morelos, the town that is halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen: From Cancun to Tulum it is also very easy to go, we will see it too.

WHAT IS A COLLECTIVE?

We have seen that to go from Cancun to Playa del Carmen there are buses (in Mexico they are called trucks) and also buses. WHAT IS A COLLECTIVE? If you are not used to the language here we will explain it to you. It is simply a van, a combi as they call it elsewhere.

This van transport carries fewer people and goes faster. What you're most interested in knowing is that they stop where you tell the driver. Just as the bus has fixed stops, the bus stops where you want. This makes it the ideal option depending on your destination.

To take a bus in the middle of the road, all you have to do are signs for the driver to stop, and they pick you up right there. WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT? Many times they are full and will not stop at intermediate stops. You have to be patient.

  • CAN I TRAVEL WITH LUGGAGE IN THE BUS? I don't recommend it to go with big suitcases, that's what the bus is for. You can go with your hand luggage without problem.
  • CAN I TRAVEL IN THE BUS WITH A PET? It's not allowed.
  • IS THERE AIR CONDITIONING IN THE BUS? Yes there is and it is usually at a very cold temperature. I always go with a jacket or scarf for the cold. This temperature is very personal, but in case you are a chiller, I will warn you.

I warn you that there are drivers who believe that the collective is their own space and not a customer service: this makes them turn on their music at full volume, and sometimes they drive as they please. You can report the driver to the company if he did not drive correctly. These denunciation actions make that we all improve the services, so you don't have to do it.

cancun bus to playa del carmen
Collective Playa Express

HOW TO GET TO THE TRANSPORT ZONE TO GO FROM CANCUN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN

  • FROM THE AIRPORT: buses depart directly from the Cancun airport to the ADO terminal in Cancun.
  • FROM CANCÚN CENTRO: you can go by taxi for about 40 pesos, or by urban bus that passes through the area for about 10 pesos.
  • FROM THE ZONA HOTELERA FROM CANCÚN: you can take the R-1 bus for 12 pesos that leaves you on Tulum avenue in front of the ADO bus terminal or by taxi for about 120 pesos. The price depends on where you are from zona hotelera de Cancun.
how to go from Cancun to Playa del Carmen and Tulum
Cancun bus station ADO (pronounced "adeo")

1- HOW TO GO FROM CANCÚN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN BY BUS ADO

It is the best transport service at a comfort and prudence level. The buses only stop in Puerto Morelos between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

  • EVERY TIME THE BUS GOES: it has constant departures, every 15 minutes or so, from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. It also has regular services to Tulum throughout the day.
  • PRICE: The price of Cancun to Playa del Carmen is from 74 mxn, for Quintana Roo costs 36 mxn (you must present a credential).
  • TRIP DURATION: 1 hour 20 minutes. 
  • CANCUN TERMINAL LOCATION: La main terminal de Cancún of the ADO It is located on Pino Street, on Av. Tulum with Uxmal.
  • TERMINAL LOCATION PLAYA DEL CARMEN: The main terminal of Playa del Carmen is located on 5th avenue with Benito Juárez. The alternate terminal at 20 Av. Nte corner with 12 Norte.
  • El price from Cancun to Tulum is from 168 mxn, with a duration 2 hours 35 minutes. The main terminal de Tulum It is located in the middle of town, on federal highway 307 that crosses it.

2- HOW TO GO FROM CANCÚN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN IN PLAYA EXPRESS BUS

  • HOW MUCH DOES THE COLLECTIVE LEAVE? Departures every 10 minutes, when the van is full, they leave. There are peak hours during the day like 7 to 9 in the morning or 5 to 7 in the afternoon. They are the most common hours of workers.
  • SCHEDULES: They operate from 4 am to 23 pm. 
  • LOCATION: The Cancun terminal is located in front of the ADO on Calle Pino, on Av. Tulum with Uxmal. Express Beach
  • PRICE: The price of Cancun to Playa del Carmen is from 40 mxn.
  • DURATION OF THE TRIP: between 1 hour and an hour and a half, depending on intermediate stops you make. The Playa del Carmen terminal is located on Calle 2 with Avenida 25

HOW TO GO FROM CANCÚN TO TULUM IN PLAYA EXPRESS BUS

The price from Cancun to Tulum is 65 mxn. Duration almost 2 hours. To go to Tulum you must get off at the Playa del Carmen terminal and the buses to Tulum leave from the same stop. The Tulum terminal is located in the middle of town in front of the ADO terminal, on federal highway 307 that crosses it.

3- HOW TO GO FROM CANCÚN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN IN COLECTIVO FORÁNEOS

  • HOW MUCH DOES THE COLLECTIVE LEAVE? Departures every 10 minutes, when the van is full, they leave. There are peak hours during the day like 7 to 9 in the morning or 5 to 7 in the afternoon. They are the most common hours of workers.
  • SCHEDULES: They operate 24 hours a day. The night hours, where there is less demand, fill with 7 passengers, and leave in 10 minutes.
  • LOCATION: It is located on Tulum Avenue, crossing the avenue from the ADO terminal. Between an Oxxo and the supermarket the central Mexican.
  • PRICE: The price of Cancun to Playa del Carmen is from 40 mxn.
  • DURATION OF THE TRIP: between 1 hour and an hour and a half, depending on intermediate stops you make. The Playa del Carmen terminal is located on calle 2 between avenida 15 y 20.

HOW TO GO FROM CANCÚN TO TULUM IN PLAYA EXPRESS BUS

The price from Cancun to Tulum is 65 mxn. Duration of almost 2 hours. To go to Tulum you must get off at the Playa del Carmen terminal and the buses to Tulum leave from the same stop. The Tulum terminal is located in the middle of town in front of the ADO terminal, on federal highway 307 that crosses it.

cancun bus to playa del carmen
Collective interior

HOW MUCH DOES A TAXI FROM CANCUN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN COST

For many it can be a comfortable option to get around by taxi. Taxi drivers have official rates and must show them to you if you want to see them. They are official 2019 rates, you can guide yourself with these prices.

We can recommend a trusted taxi driver if you want, write us in comments and we will contact you.

  • TAXI 4 PASSENGERS FROM CANCÚN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN: 850 PESOS
  • TAXI 8 PASSENGERS FROM CANCÚN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN: 1600 PESOS
Cancun taxi to Playa del Carmen

Look at the transportation options and prices from the Cancun airport

For transfers from the Cancun international airport and other destinations I leave you the option of different tourist servers that you can hire online through GET YOUR GUIDE. It can be very useful for transfers to hire in advance to go more calm.

 

Good way,

Travel hacks
the shortest way participate in affiliate program this means that we get a small commission if you buy through these links accessing discounts; in no case does it suppose an additional cost for you and in this way you help us to maintain the blog.

If you prefer, you tell us your idea of ​​the trip and together we organize it.


Sandra Salvadó Training photographer, traveler by vocation and certified tourism guide by the Government of Mexico. We promote natural wonders and contemporary Mayan culture. Great fan of pre-Hispanic history. Author of the blog and co-founder of The Shortest Path Travel, agency that guides you through alternative paths in Mayan lands. Social and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas.
I am at your disposal for whatever you need. Let's talk.

error: Content is protected !!