How do I get to Tulum from Cancun Airport?
Post by Kelly McLaughlin
Mar 03, 2024.
How do I get to Tulum from Cancun Airport? How do you get to Tulum 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 visited by millions each year.
Tulum is located 130 kms/81 miles south of the Cancun airport. Getting to Tulum you’ll find a
dynamic beach vibe with hip boutique hotels, great views and ocean breeze and an artistic cultural scene. Tulum is a
mega popular destination for celebrities and those looking for a luxurious yet rustic escape. The areas surrounding
Tulum include exclusive world-class resorts and luxurious vacation rentals and Airbnbs. Getting to your Tulum
vacation rental from Cancun or getting to downtown Tulum hotels or resorts is easiest with private transportation
with a reputable company.
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How to get to Tulum from Cancun by local bus?
You can get to Tulum 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
Tulum are usually punctual, safe, and more comfortable than collective vans, in general, they are a good option
in getting to Tulum 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 downtown Cancun, (Pino Street, between Tulúm and Uxmal
avenues); inside the Cancun International Airport; and one station in Puerto Morelos. You can purchase your ADO
bus tickets to get to Puerto Morelos 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 Puerto Morelos from Cancun specifications:
- - The distance between Cancun and Tulum is 130 kilometers and the duration of the journey is between one
hour and 30 minutes and two hours, considering the stop in Puerto Morelos.
- - The cost of the trip is approximately MXN 288 (USD 15).
- - Make sure that the destination is the town of Tulum, and not the archaeological zone, it is very easy to
get confused and you could end up paying more than planned.
- - The ADO company does not charge extra charges for overweight luggage, great news if you
are looking to save your expenses
How to get to Tulum from Cancun by Collective Service?
Combis are another alternative to get to Tulum from Cancun with the 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 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.
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 Tulum at night.
There are several areas where you can make the bus 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.
There are several areas where you can make the bus stop. In Cancun you can take the service
near the ADO station.
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.
To get to Tulum in this transport, you will have to make a first trip from Cancun to Playa del
Carmen, and then wait for a second van that leaves from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.
Route specifications:
- - The duration of the journey is between two hours to two and a half hours; It will depend on the number of
stops that the same passengers ask the driver before reaching the last stop in Tulum.
- - 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.
- - Foreign Collective Services vans circulate every day, 24 hours a day, regardless of holidays.
- - The price ranges per trip is 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 Tulum from Cancun by rental car?
Renting a car in Cancun is an excellent option if you plan to visit various points of the
Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula on your own, without worrying about departure times or buying tickets.
The highways of the state of Quintana Roo, including the route from Cancun to Tulum, are in
good condition. And the directional signs are clear enough so that you can easily reach your destination.
Many companies provide this service, 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.
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.
How to get to Tulum from Cancun by taxi?
Among all the options to get to Tulum 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 Tulum from the Cancun airport with private transportation?
The most comfortable and cost effective way to get to Tulum 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 Puerto Morelos 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 Puerto Morelos, so we take care of the logistics and offer you the best prices,
the friendliest drivers and the most reliable service. Reserving your private Puerto Morelos 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 Puerto Morelos vacation with no worries about your Cancun airport
transportation.