The Best Way to Travel from Cancun to Tulum [2023]: Bus, Transfer, Taxi & Car

If you’re wondering how to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum, you’ve probably just discovered Tulum Airport doesn’t exist. So to get to one of the world’s hottest destinations you will need to fly into Cancun first.

Here we explain the different options to travel from Cancun to Tulum on a Cancun, Mexico Road Trip including bus, shuttle / transfer, taxi service and rental car.

Before we dive in, let’s get one question out of the way which we’re often asked by friends planning a trip to Mexico for the first time …

Is it safe to travel from Cancun to Tulum?

In a word. Yes. The roads are freshly paved so potholes aren’t a worry, the traffic is usually quite light but there’s enough cars around so you aren’t isolated at all. Contrary to what fear-mongerers on forums will have you believe (usually self-serving transportation providers) this region of Mexico is exempt from cartel activities.

How to Get from Cancun to Tulum

From Cancun Airport to Tulum is about a 1.5 hour drive, but it will take you 2 – 3 hours if you take the cheapest option by bus.

TL;DR just tell me the best way now

If you already have a plan in mind about how you want to get to Tulum from the airport, click the links below to jump to it.

Easiest Way: Private Transfer

Cheapest Way: Bus

Overall best way: Rental Car

Rental Car

Many forums will have you believe driving in the Riviera Maya region is dangerous. The forums are wrong. 

After experiencing some other options first hand, we can recommend renting a car in Cancun and driving to Tulum as the best way to get there.

Driving in the Riviera Maya region which stretches from Cancun to Tulum is really easy as there is not much traffic and the roads in 2020 are mostly well paved.

The #1 reason for renting a car is convenience and price.

Car rental in Mexico is cheap: in December 2019 we rented a car for about $10 a day including insurance.

You will also save a bunch on all your activities in Tulum because all of the best things to do (like the stunning cenotes or Coba ruins) are outside town.

Check car availability at Cancun Airport, reviews and prices

Tulum Attractions you’ll need a car, collectivo or tour for:

Laguna Kaan Luum: the giant deep blue whole cenote and natural bud bath (20 minutes drive / 16km / 10 miles away)

The Beach: Unless you’re staying in a resort along Tulum beach then it’s quite the distance from the town. For example, from Tulum to Taqueria La Eufemia (the cheapest and therefore most popular beach bar) is almost 7 miles or 30 minutes driving. Most people hire bicycles though it is still a long ride.

Tulum ruins: a must see tourist attraction in Tulum is deceptively far from town. Plenty of people cycle there even though the road is rocky and unpaved. You might want to consider saving your energy for hiking the sprawling ruins

Coba Ruins: the only Mayan temple you can still climb. You really appreciate how epic the structure is when you see how it dwarfs everything around it. 1 hour drive away

Cenote Carwash: There are no Cenotes in Tulum town itself. One or two you can cycle to like Gran Cenote or Cenote Calavera but if you want to see more it’s so much easier to hire a car. For example, Cenote Carwash is 20 minutes drive and you can swim with a friendly baby alligator in crystal clear water.

Bus

The cheapest way to travel from Cancun Airport to Tulum is the ADO bus which costs 252 MXN pesos ($14 USD).

The journey takes about 2 hours if you catch one of the six (6) direct services daily.

ADO Autobuses is the only company which operates the route. We’ve traveled with them and can report first-hand the buses are air-conditioned, are generally in good condition and pretty reliable.

We stowed our suitcases in the luggage compartments underneath and kept any other valuables in our seat with us. We found the buses to be safe – we wouldn’t expect you to be hassled even as a solo traveler. 

Check latest Tulum Bus service schedules and fares

Cancun Airport to Tulum Bus Schedule

You can catch the bus from any of Cancun’s 4 terminals (try to be there 10 – 15 minutes before hand).

If you arrive just after the scheduled departure times you may still be in luck because the bus picks up passengers from each terminal, departing from the 1st terminal at around the time listed below.

Direct Bus Schedule [2020]

• 10:55 am
• 12:25 pm
• 2:25 pm
• 4:55 pm
• 8:00pm
• 9:45pm

If you miss one of the direct buses, you don’t need to wait another two hours. You can catch a bus to Playa del Carmen (1 hour journey) then transfer buses to get to Tulum.

A tip: a common problem you’ll find on forums and anecdotally are tickets purchased online don’t work. You can’t go wrong buying in person (English is spoken)  or for more certainty (and little price difference) you can book a Tulum shuttle.  

Essential information

Price: 252 MXN pesos ($14 US dollar)

Journey Time: 2 hours

Departure: ADO Bus Terminal Cancun Downtown (via Google Maps)

Arrival: ADO Terminal Tulum (via Google Maps) or Tulum Ruins stop

Tulum Via Playa del Carmen

Buses from Cancun Airport or downtown to Playa del Carmen run more regularly at 30 minute intervals daily. 

Playa del Carmen is much more authentic than Cancun. Mexicans chose to vacation in Playa because it’s not orientated to American tourists.

From Playa del Carmen you can visit lots of interesting places including the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins, eat real Mexican food and take the ferry over to the gorgeous Cozumel island.

You can reach Tulum via Playa del Carmen transferring at ADO Terminal Playa del Carmen on Calle Quinta Avenida.

Essential information

Price: $302 MXP pesos ($16 US dollar). The fare is $208mxp from the Airport to Tulum, then $94 MXP to Tulum

Journey Time: 2.5 – 3 hours including wait time

Departure: ADO Terminal Cancun Downtown (click to open Google Maps)

Transfer: ADO Terminal Playa del Carmen, Corner 5th Avenue and Juarez Avenue

Note: there are two bus terminals in Playa – on 5th Avenue and on 20th Avenue. Buses to Tulum leave from 5th Avenue.

Arrival: ADO Terminal Tulum (via Google Maps) or Tulum Ruins stop

Tulum Bus Terminal

 

From Cancun Downtown

If you are spending time in the Hotel Zone first, there’s no need to return to the Airport to get the bus to Tulum. 

You can catch it from ADO terminal in Downtown Cancun instead.

The average ticket from downtown Cancun to Tulum is 190 MXN pesos ($10 USD) but you can find some cheaper services from $170 MXN pesos depending on your dates and times.

Downtown Cancun to Tulum Bus Schedule 2020

• 05:30am
• 6:00am
• 07:10am
• 07:50am
• 08:00am
• 08:45am
• 09:45am
• 10:30am
• 13:15am
• 14:30am
• 15:45am
• 16:45am
• 17:30am
• 17:45am
• 18:00am
• 18:20am
• 18:30am
• 19:45am
• 20:10am
• 20:40am
• 20:50am
• 21:30am
• 23:15am

Essential information

Price: 190 MXN pesos ($10 USD)

Journey Time: 2 hours

Departure: ADO Bus Terminal Cancun Downtown (via Google Maps)

Arrival: ADO Terminal Tulum (via Google Maps) or Tulum Ruins stop

Check bus availability, schedules and fares

Cancun to Tulum Shuttle

If you don’t like the idea of catching a bus or driving in Mexico, you can easily get transportation from Cancun to Tulum by shuttle or private transfer.

The Tulum Shuttle will get you from the airport to the beach in as little as 1.5 hours. You will be shuttled in air-conditioned luxury in a large minivan (usually up to 11 people will fit).

You can get a shuttle service day and night but you should book in advance to avoid being extorted at the airport.

A Tulum shuttle may be shared for as little as $16 (for this Tulum shuttle service which isn’t reviewed) but they can fluctuate and become more expensive closer to your travel dates.

Check Tulum shuttle service reviews, availability and cost

What’s the difference between a private transfer and a shuttle?

A shuttle is a shared service with other passengers, meaning the price is cheaper.

With a private transfer you don’t need to wait for other passengers. Find your driver, jump in and go! Think of it like a pre-booked taxi with a lot more leg room and enough space to move a whole family.

A private Tulum Shuttle from Cancun Airport costs as little as $40 round-trip.

Check luxury Tulum Shuttle reviews, cost and availability

Taxi

I’m going to offend some friends’ family members here because I hate taxis. There, I said it.

I would rather take an Uber, Grab or any other local Uber-alternative 10 out of 10 times. I’ve never been ripped off by an Uber but I’ve been ripped off by taxis about 50% of the time.

Is there Uber in Cancun?

Unfortunately, there is no Uber in Cancun, which unfortunately means it’s not possible to get an Uber from Cancun Airport to Tulum or Playa del Carmen.

Uber does operate in Mexico, but only in Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Cuernavaca, Guadalajara, Merida, Mexicali, Mexico City, Monterrey, Puebla, San Miguel de Allende and Tijuana.

If you do decide to take a taxi from Cancun Airport to Tulum, expect to pay no less than 1,700 MXN ($90 USD) one way.

If you’re getting a taxi prepare to barter. Expect your first quotes to be closer to 2,500 – 3,000 MXN ($130 – $160 USD). 

We paid less than $250 USD for three weeks car hire including comprehensive insurance which for us is a way better deal because we could drive to remote cenotes nearby without paying for an expensive tour.

Check car availability and prices

Arriving in Cancun Airport

A word of warning for first-timers. Arriving in Cancun Airport is overwhelming, even for seasoned visitors.

Although airport authorities have clearly placed restrictions on the amount of spruiking which can be done inside the terminal, you will still feel bombarded by vendors selling all the different transportation options under the sun.

Our best tip for smooth sailing it to know how you want to get from the airport before you arrive.

Although all the spruikers there want to make a sale, Mexicans are also incredibly friendly and will gladly help you find your transportation option if you explain you’ve already booked it in advance.

When you collect your bags and pass customs at the airport (International Terminal), you will head pass through doors into the foyer where you will find rental car companies, private transfer operators, taxi companies and ADO bus representatives.

There are also ATMs, foreign cash exchanges, sim card sellers and small convenience stores for a snack if you feel peckish. Outside you will find a couple of fancy-ish restaurants serving western-style Mexican food and icy margaritas and cold Coronas which looked very appealing to parched travellers. 

15 Tips for Driving in Mexico

Read More: Car Rental in Cancun

Here are some useful tips. If you heed our advice to rent a car in Cancun and drive to Tulum.

One question I didn’t research before driving in Mexico was whether it is legal to turn right through a red light?

The legal answer is No. I’m ashamed to say it took me over a week of driving around taking illegal right turns through red lights before I remembered to ask a Mexican friend the answer.

All the locals take illegal right turns, so it’s up to you about whether you drive like a local. Personally, I won’t be doing it because I don’t want any run-ins with Mexico police. 

• In Mexico you drive on the right hand side of the road (like the US)
• Traffic lights at four way intersections operate one at a time. This means that cars on a green signal will be turning left, right and straight, so keep an eye out if you’re making an illegal right turn through a red light. From memory I only recall two traffic lights on the highway from Cancun Airport to Tulum. One is as you turn right onto the road to Tulum. The second is at the intersection as you enter Tulum town. 
• In Mexico you drive on the right side of the road (normal for US and most of the world except UK, New Zealand etc)
• The maximum speed limit on the highway to Tulum is 100 km/h (62 miles / h). You will find a lot of cars exceeding the speed limit. I didn’t spot any speed cameras, but there were a few police cars parked along the roadside. 
• Avoid driving at night. This is a general rule of thumb in Mexico which our Mexican friends gave us. Driving within Cancun, or Tulum is fine of course, but I would personally avoid driving from Cancun to Tulum at night and stay at one of the airport hotels instead. As far as I’m aware the drive is not dangerous but there will be fewer other drivers at night and scams do occur.
• If your driver’s license is not in English (i.e. Cyrillic, Japanese, Arabic, etc), you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) or an official translation in English. 
• The minimum age to rent a car in Mexico is 21 years. Like many other countries, a young driver fee must be paid if you’re 21-25.
• yellow lines on the curb mean no parking. If the curb is painted white, or not marked at all, you’re probably safe to park there.
• Mexican gas stations are not self-service. When you enter a gas station to fill up, an attendant will usher you to a pump and then pump the gas for you. You might even get a window wash and inflated tires too. Tips are usually expected – 10 pesos ($.5) is plenty.
• Returning cars is simple – just program in the airport then follow the signs to your rental company once you are near the airport. Note that if you program in the rental company into Google Maps, it will take you to the vehicle collection location, which is different to the drop off area for most major companies.
• All major car rental companies at Cancun Airport have their cars on-site but not within walking distance from your terminals. Find you company’s booth as you exit customs – they will show you where to get the shuttle to the collection center
• make sure to check underneath your car for damage. Speed bumps are used to slow drivers entering towns, and they can approach quickly if you’re not paying complete attention. You don’t want to get a car which looks fine on the exterior but has been scratched under carriage by the previous driver.
• the legal alcohol limit in Quinto Rio, Mexico (the state for Tulum and Cancun) is 0.8 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) which is the same as every US state except for Utah. 
• If you plan to visit Cenotes or less touristy Mexican beaches like Akumal, be prepared to go over some pot hole filled dirt roads. You don’t need a 4WD for driving the Rivera Maya region.

Navigating some Unique Traffic Intersections

One unique feature about driving in Mexico is traffic intersections along major highways with no stop lights – just blinking yellow or red lights.

Upon approaching these intersections you will be slowed down by rows and rows of raised cats eye markers operating like mini speed bumps.

This is because the traffic lights don’t usually work on a red, yellow green basis. Rather, the lights will either be flashing yellow or flashing red.

Flashing yellow means you have right of way over vehicles driving along the road with flashing red lights. This seems complicated but it’s a really simple system which local drivers respect and it’s not dangerous.

Where to stop on the journey to Tulum

Kick your vacation off with a bang by making a pit stop at some of these restaurants and tourist attractions on the way from the airport. 

Near Cancun

If you’re in need of caffeine or a restroom, there’s a Starbucks on the highway as you depart the airport.

About 50 metres before Starbucks is a taco stand on the side of the road. We didn’t stop ourselves but it’s very popular with locals which is always a good way to pick a restaurant here.

About 10 minutes drive down the highway to Tulum is a large brewery called Casa Cervecera Pescadores where you can try locally brewed lagers. There is live music Saturday from 4 – 6 pm and a popular taco truck out front. (Google Maps)

Dolphinaris Cancun – a few years ago we did the Trainer for a Day visit. It remains one of our favourite animal encounters! The affordable tourist attractions is one of the reasons people flock here each June.

Near Playa Del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is about 50 minutes drive from Cancun Airport. The town is a destination in its own right – think of it as a more authentic version of Cancun. It’s where Mexicans vacation if they want to avoid the Americanized Cancun hotels and strip.

Coffee Break: There’s another Starbucks at Playa del Carmen on the highway from Cancun to Tulum if you need a rest break (Google Maps). 

Food break: Grab authentic Mexican tacos al pastor (pork topped with pineapple) from El Fogon for $16 MXN pesos or $1 each (Google Maps). A frosty Corona will set you back about $36 MXN pesos – less than $2.

Xplor Park is the most visited zip-line park in the world. Zip through Playa del Carmen’s jungle through two circuits containing seven zip-lines each. Cool off with water slides and refreshing water landings.

Akumal – between Playa del Carmen and Tulum is this cool beach where you can swim with turtles. The turtles are most active in the morning, so I would recommend skipping this if you are driving in the afternoon. You can visit Akumal on this tour from Tulum including lunch, a cenote visit and early access to Tulum Ruins.

Xcaret is a water, theme, amusement, eco-archaeological park. Located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum in the Mayan jungle you will find underground rivers, cenotes and white-sand beaches. For nature lovers you will see jaguars, manatees, flamingos, spider monkeys and saraguato, bats, deer, and tapirs. You can experience daily life in a Mayan Village; be part of their homes and customs.

Cenote Dos Ojos – about 30 minutes drive outside of Tulum you will find one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum. Personally, we recommend the Cenote next door: Cenote Tak Be Ha because it’s epic (think a the cave is there are far fewer tourists).

So we think the best way to travel from Cancun to Tulum is with a rental car. What do you think? If you have any tips about the journey – maybe your favourite bus seat or somewhere else to stop on the way – share it with us and other readers in the comments below

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Wondering where to go next?

Why not go to Cuba, only a hop, skip and a jump away from Cancun. If this sounds like a great idea, check out our Cancun to Cuba guide for the best way to get there.