Overview Compare Minivan Taxi Bus Colectivo From Airport Questions To Stay
How to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
There are 4 ways to travel the 68 km (42 miles) from Cancun to Playa del Carmen: a 1.5-hour shared minivan, a 1-hour taxi, a 1-hour-20 minute bus, or a 1.5-hour colectivo. Fares range between 45 MXN ($2.30) and 700 MXN ($37).
The shared minivan is the option preferred by many tourists With a minivan service, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cancun and taken straight to your destination in Playa del Carmen. No need to worry about finding your way to and from bus terminals.
If you prefer private transportation, you can also take a taxi from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. It’s the fastest option at only 1 hour. Rates start from 700 MXN ($37), which can be cheaper than a shared minivan if you’re travelling with at least one companion.
Buses have set departures, offer more legroom, as well as enough room for your luggage. When travelling by bus, keep your belongings close to you. Getting pickpocketed on the bus is not uncommon in the Riviera Maya.
Colectivos are slightly cheaper than buses, but the journey time is longer due to multiple stops along the way. The colectivo also doesn’t offer space for luggage, so keep this in mind if you’re travelling with a suitcase or big backpack.
If you’re looking to travel from Cancun Airport directly to Tulum, there are options available that don’t require you to enter the city centre. You can find out more about this in the last section of this article.
Insider tip from Kate
Playa Del Carmen boasts beautiful beaches, however, they tend to be crowded. If you prefer a more secluded experience, Bacalar may be a better option.
New to Playa del Carmen? Our compact Playa del Carmen guide shows you the best areas to stay, restaurants you don’t want to miss and many more tips for your visit to Playa del Carmen!
Itinerary from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Taxi
- Cancun
- 1.5 hours
- Playa del Carmen
Colectivo
- Cancun
- 1.5 hours
- Playa del Carmen
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 475 MXN ($25). 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 1.5 hours.
Minivans are best booked online so that you won’t have to go to their office just to buy a ticket!
Check Minivan Tickets with BookAway
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!
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 an hour.
Taxi rates start from 700 MXN ($37). Taxi drivers may try to charge you a higher rate, so it’s best to know the average price!
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
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 ($3.70) to 150 MXN ($7.50).
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 ($2.30) 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 Airport to Playa del Carmen
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 to 1.5 hours.
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 ($14.50).
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 ($50).
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 $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 212 MXN ($11). 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.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a rental car from Cancun to Playa del Carmen?
Yes, you can be your own private driver when travelling between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Rental cars in Mexico are cheap. Prices start from 570 MXN ($30) for a 24-hour rental and 2,375 MXN ($125) if you want to rent for a week.
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?
Playa del Carmen is a smaller coastal resort town in the Riviera Maya, but it still has a lot to offer. Many travellers tend to make Playa del Carmen their next port of call after Cancun due to its spectacular beaches, lively nightlife and access to some amazing cenotes.
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.
Our favourite 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
About the author(s)
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.
