How to get fromCancun to Tulum

What to expect when visiting Tulum

Cancun might be the most famous destination on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, but many people actually prefer to spend their time in the Riviera Maya in Tulum. Lying by the Caribbean coast, Tulum is becoming an ever-more popular beach destination in the Riviera Maya. It used to be overshadowed by bigger cities nearby like Playa del Carmen and Cancun. But as more people want to escape the bustle of these places, many are now heading to Tulum for a more laidback, bohemian vibe.

The town of Tulum was named after its stunning Mayan ruins perched on top of a cliff, overlooking the ocean below. But as beautiful as these ruins are, for us the best thing to do in Tulum is to go cenote-hopping! Some of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico can be found here.

5 ways to get from Cancun to Tulum

The 5 ways to travel the distance of 130 kilometers (81 miles) from Cancun to Tulum are by: bus (2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 25 minutes), Shared minivan (1 hour 40 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes), private transfer (1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes), colectivo (1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes) and Shuttle from Cancun Airport (2 hours to 2 hours 50 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transfer. The lowest priced tickets start from 295 MXN ($14.60) for the shuttle from cancun airport.

If you want to travel directly from Cancun Airport to Tulum, you can take a direct bus, taxi, shared minivan, airport shuttle or a private shuttle. Cancun Airport is the closest airport to Tulum, so you’ll have plenty of options!

All four options have an average duration of 2 hours to 2 hours 50 minutes, but the bus may take an extra 15 minutes as it makes a stop in Playa del Carmen.

Shared minivans are a great way to travel from Cancun International Airport straight to your hotel’s doorstep. They depart every hour, 24 hours a day. You can book a Cancun airport shuttle from Cancun to Tulum on BookAway with fares from 675 MXN ($33).

Another good option from Cancun Airport to Tulum is to hire a private transfer. Your driver will be waiting for you outside the arrivals gate to take you to your accommodation in Tulum.

A private transfer is a convenient way to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum, even cheaper than the bus or minivan if you’re travelling in a group. Through BookAway, you can get a 6 to 8-seater minivan for 1,390 MXN ($68).

You can get a private shuttle from one of many companies providing them at Cancun Airport. Better yet, check the availability and book one online. Two local agencies with the best reviews and cost-benefit ratio are eTransfers and Happy Shuttle Cancun. Rates start at 1,400 MXN ($69) for a one-way trip.

Taxis are also available 24 hours a day at Cancun International Airport and the average rate to get to Tulum is around 1,600 MXN ($79). You can buy your ticket at any taxi counter inside the arrivals hall.

Buses from Cancun International Airport to Tulum are run by the ADO bus company – one of the most popular bus companies in Mexico. Make your way to the ADO bus counter in the arrivals hall to buy your ticket or book it online through BookAway or ClickBus. A bus ticket costs 295 MXN ($14.60).

All buses park at the main ADO bus station in Tulum Centro.

Buses operating from Cancun to Tulum depart from ADO Bus Station along Calle Pino in the city centre. The terminal is easily accessible by foot or by a short taxi ride.

If you’re staying in Cancun hotel zone, you can save some money by taking the bus. Lines R-1, R-3 and R-38 all make a stop at Avenida Tulum, right in front of the bus terminal.

Transportation from to is operated by two main bus companies: ADO Bus and AU Bus. Both are good in terms of quality, but most travellers take the ADO Bus because of their more frequent departures.

All buses are labeled as first class, meaning they include AC, a toilet and reclining seats. ADO buses also have TV, but you might not have any need for it as your eyes will be glued to the window view for most of the journey.

You can get a bus ticket from Cancun to Tulum for 285 MXN ($13.90).

When you travel with ADO or AU bus from to , the bus will arrive at the ADO bus station, the main bus terminal in Tulum. It’s located in Tulum town centre, and your accommodation might be within walking distance. For those staying in the beach area, the best option is to take a taxi.

Taxis in Tulum are not metered so you need to agree on the rate before stepping in. A good average rate to the Tulum beach area is 150 MXN ($7.40).

Most colectivos operating from Cancun to Tulum are indirect, meaning you’ll have to make a stop and transfer at Playa del Carmen. With combined fares from 440 MXN ($22), we can’t argue that this is the cheapest rate.

However, we also found a direct colectivo that is only 51 MXN ($2.50) more expensive. With this economy minivan ride offered by Sindicato Lazaro Cardenas, you’ll have a more comfortable trip from Cancun to Tulum that takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes. You won’t have to make a minivan transfer and you can complete your journey at least 30 minutes faster!

The direct colectivo from Cancun to Tulum departs every hour, on the hour, from 08:00 to 20:00. A ticket costs 130 MXN ($6.40).

Departure and arrival station

You can board the colectivo from Puente Peatonal in downtown Cancun.

You will be dropped off along Calle Jupiter in Tulum city centre. This is about 10 km away or a 15-minute drive from the Cancun hotel zone.

Do you prefer to take the colectivo the local way? And the cheapest way possible? If yes, then you can take the indirect route via Playa del Carmen. For this option, you’ll first have to take a colectivo to Playa del Carmen and then switch to another one going to Tulum.

Combined fares are only around 87 MXN ($4.30) and can be paid directly on the bus.

Colectivos from Cancun to Playa del Carmen depart from two stops that are located around Cancun’s Central Bus Terminal in the city centre.

There are two companies operating this route: Playa Express and Colectivos Foraneos. Each company has its own stop and the buses depart every 15 minutes or when the vehicle reaches capacity.

Playa Express operates from 04:00 to 23:00, while Colectivos Foraneos runs 24 hours. Keep in mind that Playa Express vehicles are more comfortable with more space between seats and working AC, so we recommend making this your first choice.

The rate to Playa del Carmen is 295 MXN ($14.40), but it can increase during peak tourist season between December and February. Unfortunately, there’s no option to book online. You’ll need to go to the stop and pay directly to the bus driver.

When you arrive in Playa del Carmen, get off at the last stop. This is where you’ll also find the colectivos to Tulum. They are operated by the same two companies and run every 15 minutes as well.

The ride from Playa del Carmen to Tulum costs around 150 MXN ($7.30), but prices can increase during peak tourist seasons.

The colectivo’s last stop is just a couple of blocks away from the main bus station in Tulum. However, unlike buses, you can get off prior if your accommodation is on the way or if you want to go to the archaeological ruins before entering Tulum town.

Colectivos between Cancun-Playa del Carmen-Tulum

Colectivos running on the route from Cancun-Playa del Carmen-Tulum are originally not intended for tourists. They mainly transport locals and workers from the resorts and tourist attractions.

But in the past years, they have become popular among independent travellers and low-budget tourists to bring them around the Riviera Maya. The advantage is that they stop everywhere so they allow people to visit multiple beaches, cenotes and ruins without paying for expensive tours.

If you want to avoid going to/from bus terminals, shared minivans conveniently take you door-to-door. This service from Cancun to Tulum is offered by several companies and is commonly booked online.

Although still more expensive than the bus, this shared minivan may be a good option if you’re staying far from the bus terminals and want to save some money on taxis. You can book this service via BookAway.

Shared minivans include hotel pick-up and drop-off and cost around 620 MXN ($31). They run every hour from 08:00 to 19:00. Travel time varies depending on the number of passengers and additional stops on the way, but travel time from Cancun to Tulum is normally between 1 hour 40 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes.

Shared Minivan options from Cancun to Tulum

If you’re in a group, travelling by taxi or private transportation from Cancun to Tulum is a more practical option compared to taking the minivan. Prices start from 2,080 MXN ($100) for a taxi ride with trusted companies. Some taxi drivers from the streets may be willing to charge a lower rate. But keep in mind that they may not be as reliable as taxi drivers from established companies.

Another option is to rent a private car. It’s a bit cheaper than a taxi with rates from 1,900 MXN ($94) for a 10-seater car, but you’ll get a more spacious vehicle and a professional driver. You can also conveniently book this private transport from Cancun to Tulum online through BookAway.

Important: When booking your ride online, make sure that your car’s departure point is downtown Cancun or the Hotel Zone, wherever you’re staying. Fares for taxis and private cars from Cancun Airport to Tulum are cheaper and may look tempting, but keep in mind that the airport is 20 minutes away from Cancun’s tourist area.

Private Transfer options from Cancun to Tulum