How do I get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport?
Post by Kelly McLaughlin
Mar 03, 2024.
How do you get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport? 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 easiest
with private transportation with a reputable
company.
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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 buses 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 stops running from the airport
before or around midnight *depends on terminal.
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 Tulum 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, their app 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 currently MXN 250.
- - 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
“La Comercial Mexicana” shopping center.
Playa del Carmen: street 2 with avenue 20 and avenue
25.
Course specifications:
- - 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.
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. It is not legal to hail a taxi at the Cancun Airport and rideshare apps
like Uber are not permitted.
How to get to Playa del Carmen from the Cancun airport with private transportation?
The most comfortable and cost effective way to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun is with a
reputable private
transportation company like 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.