How to get fromCancun to Playa del Carmen

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

The 5 ways to travel the distance of 68 kilometers (42 miles) from Cancun to Playa del Carmen are 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 ($2.20) for the 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 ($2.20) 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.

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.

Cancun ADO Bus Station

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ADO

125 MXN ($6.20)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

125 MXN ($6.20)

07:10

1h 20m

08:30

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• 24/7 customer support

125 MXN ($6.30)

00:30

1h 20m

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1h 20m

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Check on BookAway

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 ($13.90).

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 ($48).

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 1,310 MXN ($65). 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 ($10.50). 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.

If you want to avoid going to/from bus terminals, shared minivans conveniently take you from door to door for only 290 MXN ($14.40). 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

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 ($35). 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.

Taxi options from Cancun to Playa del Carmen