How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun?
How do you get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun? Getting around Cancun and the Riviera Maya is
relatively easy and there are several options for the savvy travelers who visit this chic seaside Mexican
Caribbean destination simply and lovingly known as “Playa”.
Playa del Carmen is located 52 kms/32 miles south of the Cancun airport, halfway between Cancun
and Tulum. Getting to downtown Playa del Carmen you’ll find a dynamic beach vibe with hip boutique hotels, great
nightlife and an artistic cultural scene. The areas surrounding downtown Playa del Carmen include exclusive
world-class resorts to the north of town and a gated community called Playacar to the south. Getting to your
Playacar vacation rental from Cancun or getting to downtown Playa del Carmen hotels or resorts is easy with
Happy Shuttle Cancun.
How to get to Playa del Carmen from the Cancun airport with Happy Shuttle Cancun?
The most comfortable and cheapest way to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun is with
Happy Shuttle Cancun!
Happy Shuttle Cancun is a family-run business, a Cancun transportation company with more than
10 years of experience, offering transfers from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen and all destinations in the
Mexican Caribbean.
We know that when you travel, you arrive tired and the last thing you want is to worry about
your Cancun airport transfer to Playa del Carmen, so we take care of the logistics and offer you the best
prices, the friendliest drivers and the most reliable service. Reserving your private Playa del Carmen transfers
with Happy Shuttle Cancun ensures safety, comfort and a peace of mind knowing that you are in good hands.
Happy Shuttle Cancun is standing by, you can communicate with us 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, all to ensure that you have the best Playa del Carmen vacation with no worries about your Cancun airport
transportation.
What are the details about private transportation to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen?
- - The cost per person is approximately $ 1,400 MXN (USD 69.93).
- - You can schedule your Happy Shuttle Cancun Playa del Carmen transfer at the time you want, without
limitations or restrictions.
- - We are honored to have received Trip Advisor’s Travelers Choice Award 2021.
- - Our drivers are certified and their health is screened daily.
How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun by local bus?
You can get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun via ADO buses, one of the most
popular means among Quintana Roo residents. This is due to the affordable price and the reliability of the
service. ADO busses from Cancun to Playa del Carmen are usually punctual, safe, and more
comfortable than collective vans, in general, they are a good option in getting to Playa del Carmen from
Cancun.
The ADO bus stations are located in strategic points in the state of Quintana Roo, and
connect downtown Cancun with the airport and, basically, any destination you want to travel to in the
Yucatan Peninsula
The central station is located in the center of Cancun, (Pino street, between Tulúm and
Uxmal avenues); inside the Cancun International Airport; and two stations in Playa del Carmen:
- - One is located on Fifth Avenue (Avd. 5 with Av. Benito Juarez), known as the "Turística" station.
- - Another located on Avenida 20 Norte (between Calle 12 Norte and 12 Norte Bis), known as the “Alterna”
station.
You can purchase your ADO bus tickets to get to Playa del Carmen from
Cancun through the official website or directly at the ticket offices, before midnight.
Payments can be made with your credit or debit card; unlike collective vans, which charge
cash and pay directly to the driver.
You can make your payment in dollars or Mexican pesos; We recommend that you do it in
Mexican pesos so that you do not spend more with the currency exchange
ADO Bus Route to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun specifications:
- - The distance between Cancun and Playa del Carmen is 68 kilometers and the duration of the journey is
between one hour to one hour and 15 minutes, considering the stop in Puerto Morelos.
- - The cost of the journey is approximately MXN 216 / USD 11.
- - Other local bus companies offer the same service and the same routes for a lower cost. However, ADO is
more secure, comfortable, and reliable.
How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun by Collective Service?
Another alternative to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun is the vans of local companies
Playa Express and the Foreign Collective Service. They are vans, which
resemble a minibus, where 15 passengers can fit (counting the driver) and operate several routes constantly,
both during the day and at night.
This means of transport is the most used by locals in the area, since it is quite effective
to travel to their work areas at a low cost, and due to the large number of stops on the routes.
It is a practical and safe transport to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun, although less
comfortable than ADO buses. The Playa Express service is operated by a private company
while the Foreign Collective Service is provided by a taxi drivers union.
It is a practical choice; however, it is not as comfortable as ADO buses, and accidents
tend to occur periodically, due to drivers not respecting traffic signs, speed limits, and maximum passenger
capacity; a serious problem in times of pandemic. Getting to Playa del Carmen from Cancun in “colectivo” is
inexpensive but the frequent stops and the potential for overcrowding or bad drivers make it a less
desirable option.
Between the two companies, the safest are the Playa Express vans. But if
you are going to travel at night, you can only use the Foreign Collective Service since it
is the only one that makes the journey from Cancun to Playa del Carmen at night.
There are several areas where you can make the van stop. In Cancun you can take the service
near the ADO station; and in Playa del Carmen, the stop is very close to Fifth Avenue.
Do not worry! Here you will find the exact addresses:
- - Playa Express:
-
- Cancun: In front of the ADO bus terminal.
- Playa del Carmen: street 2 with avenue 20.
- - Groups of the Foreign Collective Service:
-
- Cancun: Tulum Avenue, next to the ADO Bus terminal and the “Soriana” shopping center.
- Playa del Carmen: street 2 with avenue 20 and avenue 25.
- - The duration of the journey is between an hour to an hour and a half; It will depend on the number of
stops that the same passengers ask the driver before reaching the last stop in Playa del Carmen.
- - In the transfer on the federal highway, there are no designated or established stops, local people
stand on the side of the road and the drivers already know that they are waiting to be picked up to go
somewhere; the wait used to take between 10 to 30 minutes; however, with the pandemic, those times have
doubled.
- - The first Playa Express van leaves Cancun at 04:00 hours and the last transfer from
Playa del Carmen is at 00:00 hours.
- - Foreign Collective Services vans circulate every day, 24 hours a day, regardless of
holidays.
- - The price ranges from MXN 35 to MXN 40 each way, that is, between USD 1.75 to USD 2, it is paid in
cash and directly to the driver; to whom you have to tell where you are going so that he knows how much
to charge you; If you are not easily located, ask the driver to notify you when you arrive at your
destination.
How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun by rental car?
If your thought is to do all the excursions on your own, the best option to get to Playa
del Carmen from Cancun will be by rental car.
If you plan to visit various points of the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula in a
freer and private way, without worrying about departure times or buying tickets, renting a car is an
excellent option.
The roads of the state of Quintana Roo, as well as the direct highway from Cancun to Playa
del Carmen, are in good condition. The signs are clear enough so that you can easily reach your destination.
Highway 307 runs from Cancun all the way down to the border with Belize, easy to navigate to the hidden
corners of the state.
Many companies provide this car rental service to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun, and
you could do online research to choose the one that best suits your needs; or evaluate the options found
within the Cancun International Airport.
However, we recommend that you book your rental online and in advance; to make the process
faster and ensure a lower rate.
Specifications
- - Whether you are Mexican or foreign, you will need an official ID, a valid driver's license, and a
credit card to be able to rent a car.
- - Rental prices range from MXN 400 to MXN 2,100 per day, an approximate of USD 20 to USD 100.
- - Apart from the maps of your GPS on your Smartphone, we recommend that you request the maps with the
most famous or recognized sites in the area, this will help you locate and/or ask for recommendations.
How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun by taxi?
How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun by taxi?
Among all the options to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun, perhaps the least recommended
is to travel by taxi. Unfortunately, the costs are very high and there appears to be no set base rate,
meaning the price may vary depending on the driver.
However, traveling by taxi is still very common for many travelers, and sometimes even more
comfortable and simple; since you do not have to pay anything or make a prior reservation.
Taxis are always outside the airport, ready to take you to your destination!
Specifications
- - Inside the Airport, there are exclusive companies that will take you to any destination, however, you
will not be able to take a local taxi service from the city of Cancun.
- - The approximate cost ranges from MXN 1,500 to $ 2,000 MNX, in dollars, it would be around USD 75 to
USD 100.
- - You can pay for your transfer from the airport to Playa del Carmen with a credit or debit card.
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