How to get to Tulum from Cancun?

Transfers in ADO buses, along with collective vans, are the most popular means among Quintana Roo residents. This is due to the affordable price and the good connectivity of this medium. They are usually punctual, safe, and more comfortable than collective vans, in general, they are a good option to go to Tulum 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 Tulum and Uxmal avenues); and there are other ticket offices inside the Cancun International Airport.

You can purchase your ADO bus tickets 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.

Course 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).
• - Other local bus companies offer the same service and the same routes for a lower cost. However, ADO is more secure, comfortable, and reliable.
• - 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

Another alternative to get to Tulum from Cancun are the groups of 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 and safe transport, 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; serious problem in times of pandemic.

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.

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.
• - Vans of the Foreign Collective Service:
• • Cancun: Tulum Avenue, next to the ADO Bus terminal and the “La Comercial Mexicana” shopping center.
  • Playa del Carmen: Calle 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.

Course 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.

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 route from Cancun to Tulum, are in good condition. And the 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.

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.

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 Tulum with a credit or debit card.