What to expect when visiting Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a quickly evolving resort town in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. At its heart are palm-tree-lined beaches and music, best enjoyed at a bar by the shore. The city offers a more relaxed vibe compared to the nearby Cancun, but there are still plenty of things to do.
Some of our favourite activities in Playa del Carmen include sunbathing by the beach, hopping between cafes, and wandering around the boutiques at Quinta Avenida. And the fun doesn’t end in the city! Just 15 minutes away, you’ll find the famed nature resort Xcaret Park. Playa del Carmen is also the gateway to the beautiful Cozumel Island.
5 ways to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
There are 5 ways to travel the distance of 68 kilometers (42 miles) from Cancun to Playa del Carmen by bus (1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes), Shared minivan (45 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes), Taxi (45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes), flight (1 hour 30 minutes) and colectivo (1 hour 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 45 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes and the quickest way is by shared minivan. The lowest priced tickets start from 45 MXN (€2.10) for the colectivo.Where to stay in Playa del Carmen?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Playa del Carmen at the bottom of this page.
Cancun to Playa del Carmen by Colectivo
Colectivos are the cheapest option to travel from Cancun to Playa del Carmen and a popular mode of transport in the Riviera Maya.
However, they are mostly used by local workers and not by tourists, so they don’t have any space for luggage. Therefore, we think that colectivos are a good option only for day trips to Playa del Carmen or if you are travelling with just hand luggage.
The average rate to Playa del Carmen by colectivo is 45 MXN (€2.10) but can go higher during peak season (December to April). There’s no option to book online, but colectivos depart frequently throughout the day and you can just pay directly to the driver.
Colectivo companies
There are two companies operating this route: Playa Express and Colectivos Foraneos – each one has its own stop. Both run every 15 minutes or when the vehicle is full.
Playa Express operates from 04:00 to 23:00 while Colectivos Foraneos run 24 hours. It’s good to know that Playa Express vehicles are more comfortable with more space between seats and working AC, so keep that as your first choice.
Departure and arrival station
Colectivos to Playa del Carmen depart from two stops close to Cancun’s Central Bus Terminal in the city centre.
When you arrive in Playa del Carmen, the Colectivo bus stop is located within the tourist area, just a couple of blocks away from the Turistica Bus Terminal.
Cancun to Playa del Carmen by Bus
ADO, Mexico’s most popular bus company, is the sole operator of buses from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. ADO buses offer great quality service with buses that include AC, a toilet and reclining seats.
Note that Playa del Carmen has two ADO bus stations, one within the tourist area near the beach (Turistica) and another one that is still in the centre, but a little further from the tourist attractions (Alterna). Most buses will drop you off at Playa del Carmen Turistica bus station, though.
ADO Bus schedule from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
It’s best to book your ticket online at least a day before to be assured of a seat on your desired date and time. You can also buy your tickets at ADO bus station, but make sure to get there at least 30 minutes prior to your target departure time,
When booking, pay attention to the departure and arrival points as some buses depart from the airport and not from Cancun Central Bus Terminal.
Departure station
Cancun bus station is conveniently located in the city centre and is easily accessible by foot or via a short taxi ride.
If you’re staying in the resort/beach area, you can either take a taxi or save some money by using the local public transport. Lines R-1, R-3 and R-38 will drop you off at Avenida Tulum, right in front of the bus terminal.
Arrival station
The bus will drop you off at Turistica Bus Terminal, located in downtown Playa del Carmen. If your accommodation is nearby, you can consider walking. But if you are staying further away, the best option is to take a taxi.
Keep in mind that taxis in Playa del Carmen are not metered so it’s better to agree on the rate before stepping in. A reasonable rate to go within the limits of Playa del Carmen is between 70 MXN (€3.30) to 150 MXN (€7.10).
Cancun to Playa del Carmen by Flight
If you’re arriving at Cancun International Airport and want to travel directly to Playa del Carmen, you have three options: a shared minivan or Cancun Airport shuttle, a private transfer or a bus. All options for airport transfer have an average duration of 1 hour 30 minutes.
Shared Minivan from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen
When it comes to Cancun Airport transportation, minivans are the best option for solo and couple travellers. They offer a good mix of budget and convenience when travelling from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen.
Minivans depart every hour, 24 hours a day from Cancun Airport and will drop you off at your accommodation in Playa del Carmen.
You can book a Cancun Airport shuttle service on BookAway with fares from 280 MXN (€13.20).
Private transfer from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen
Another good option is to hire a private Cancun Airport transfer, where your driver will be waiting for you outside the arrivals gate to take you to your accommodation in Playa del Carmen.
We recommend booking your ride through BookAway, which offers spacious cars that come with professional drivers. Rates for a private shuttle from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen start from 960 MXN (€45).
Other options to book with are popular local travel agencies like eTransfers and Happy Shuttle Cancun.
A slight alternative to a pre-organised private transfer is to jump in a taxi. Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport, but it’s important to note that they are more expensive than private transfers at around €60. You’ll need to buy your ticket at one of the taxi counters inside the arrivals hall before getting a taxi ride.
Bus from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen
Buses from Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen are run by the company ADO and depart roughly every hour from 08:30 to 21:45.
The bus rate is 210 MXN (€10). You can book your ticket online beforehand through BookAway. You can also buy them at the airport ticket counter, but there might be a long line of passengers queueing for tickets.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Cancun to Playa del Carmen by Shared Minivan
If you want to avoid going to/from bus terminals, shared minivans conveniently take you from door to door for only €13.20. This service is offered by several companies and it is commonly booked online.
Although still more expensive than the bus, you can actually save money on taxi rides if you’re staying a bit far from the bus stations in both cities.
Shared minivans from Cancun to Playa del Carmen run every hour from 08:00 to 19:00. Travel time varies because it depends on the number of passengers and additional stops on the way, but is often around 45 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes.
Minivans are best booked online so that you won’t have to go to their office just to buy a ticket!
PRO TIP: If you’re heading back to Cancun after visiting Playa del Carmen, you can book round trip tickets to get up to 20% discount!
Shared Minivan options from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Cancun to Playa del Carmen by Taxi
If you’re travelling with at least one other person, then a private transportation service will be a more cost-efficient option compared to taking a shared minivan. Unless there’s heavy traffic along the way, the entire taxi trip from Cancun to Playa del Carmen takes only about 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
Taxi rates start from 700 MXN (€33). Taxi drivers may try to charge you a higher rate, so it’s best to know the average price! Or better yet, book your ride online with BookAway.
Rates start from €53 for a 6-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about €8.80 per person.
Taxi options from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Best places to stay in Playa del Carmen
Maya Villa Condo Hotel and Beach Club - Treating Yourself
Playa del Carmen is full of luxury hotels and beach clubs, but Maya Villa is one of the best. Guests staying at the hotel get access to both a fully-equipped gym and the beach club!
The hotel boasts a Maya and tropical style with its natural decor and lush gardens. The turquoise pool winds around the hotel, dotted with waterfalls that create a relaxing soundtrack to the hotel. There’s even a hot tub on the roof! We guarantee that you’ll never want to leave this place.
- Hot tub and huge swimming pool
- Large and bright rooms
- Access to beach club and gym
- Steps away from the beach
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Opal Suites Apartments - Treating Yourself
Opal Suites offer luxury apartments with all of the facilities you get with a hotel. Staying here you’ll have access to a gym, rooftop swimming pool and even a barbeque.
Each stunning apartment contains all you need, a kitchen, washing machine, balcony and even Netflix. This can be a great option if you’re staying in Playa del Carmen for a couple of weeks, so you can settle in and feel at home.
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Vainilla Bed and Breakfast Mexico - Mid Range
Start the day right with the hotel’s complimentary breakfast, made up of fresh and home-made goodies. You can literally taste how much love the host puts into the food, as well as the day-to-day running of the hotel.
Just looking at the hotel will make you feel happy. It’s bursting with colour, both on the walls and from the fruit plants that decorate the garden. The hotel gets its name from the vanilla plants around the hostel, so essentially everywhere smells great.
- Superb breakfast
- Swimming pool
- Very friendly host
- Bright and clean decor
Double rooms between $40-$80 per night
Apart Hotel Casaejido - Budget Friendly
Playa del Carmen is a popular spot in Mexico, so finding a budget-friendly option can be hard. Casaejido is amongst the best that you can choose from. Situated a bit further out from all of the action and noise of Playa del Carmen, it feels like a little oasis.
Here you’ll find plenty of greenery, a pool, lounge chairs to relax in the garden and hammocks throughout. The bamboo and neutral decor also adds to the tranquil atmosphere. On top of that, the incredibly friendly staff will make you feel even more at ease and help you with anything you need.
- Gardens with hammocks
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Quiet location
- Outdoor swimming pool
Double rooms between $15-$40 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Can you get a rental car from Cancun to Playa del Carmen?
For the cheapest rentals and the most extensive selection of rental car companies, book one through Kayak or Skyscanner. You are required to have a valid driver’s license. We also recommend that you check out our Top 10 Tips on car rentals to help you save money when renting a car.
What to expect when visiting Playa del Carmen?
You can spend your days hopping from one hip cafe to another or go window shopping at the boutiques along Quinta Avenida. Something you may want to try is Xcaret Park. It describes itself as a nature park but is probably closer to a theme park, offering over 50 natural and cultural attractions.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Playa del Carmen Travel Guides
The Ultimate Playa del Carmen Travel Guide
15 best things to do in Playa del Carmen
Routes from Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen to Cozumel (and back)
Most popular routes in Mexico
Cancun to Chichen Itza (and back)
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
