Mexico Playa del Carmen

How to get from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen

In this in-depth route guide, you can compare the best ways to travel the 123 kilometers (76 miles) from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen. Our team of indpendent travel experts researched each route — breaking down each option by travel time, price, and comfort. Plus, we’ll share the best booking options to help you get the best deal.

Written by Ela - Senior Travel WriterReviewed by Maarten - Trip Planning ExpertLast updated: February 25, 2025

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Why visit 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.

What are the 4 ways to travel from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen?

There are 4 ways to travel the 123 kilometers (76 miles) from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen. You can choose between the bus, minivan, private transfer and colectivo. The journey takes 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by colectivo with tickets starting at 250 MXN ($12.50).

Transport

Duration

Pricing

Transport Options

Minivan

2h - 2h 30m

From 305 MXN ($15.10)

Book Tickets

Colectivo

2h 30m

From 250 MXN ($12.50)

Bus

2h 20m

From 410 MXN ($20)

Book Tickets

Private Transfer

From 3,050 MXN ($150)

Book Tickets

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.

Chiquila to Playa del Carmen by Minivan

Duration: 2h - 2h 30m

Costs: 305 MXN ($15.10)

Duration: 2h - 2h 30m

Costs: 305 MXN ($15.10)

There are plenty of minivans operating from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen.

The minivan journey takes around 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes, with fares starting at 305 MXN ($15.10).

There are three companies operating on this route: Nice Travel Holbox, Peninsula Travel and Chiquila Holbox Extreme.

Departure and arrival stations

All minivans depart from the parking lot in front of Puerto de Chiquilá.

They arrive at Colectivo Station – Playa del Carmen to Tulum. If you are taking Chiquila Holbox Extreme, check with the driver to confirm the drop-off location.

Minivan schedule from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen

Estacionamiento Genesis

Standard

Terminal de colectivos Playa del Carmen

07:30

2h 30m

10:00

08:30

2h 30m

11:00

11:30

2h 30m

14:00

14:30

2h 30m

17:00

15:30

2h 30m

18:00

18:30

2h 30m

21:00

Nice Travel Holbox

305 MXN ($15.10)

Get Your Tickets

Te Llevo a Holbox - Servicio Colectivo

Standard

Terminal de colectivos Playa del Carmen - Tulum (Shuttle Bus)

06:30

08:30

07:30

09:30

08:30

10:30

12:30

11:30

13:30

15:30

14:30

16:30

15:30

17:30

19:30

18:30

20:30

Peninsula Travel

345 MXN ($17.10)

Get Your Tickets

Puerto de Chiquila

Tourist

Playa del Carmen Bus Stop

07:30

09:30

08:30

10:30

11:30

13:30

14:30

16:30

15:30

17:30

18:30

20:30

Chiquila Holbox Extreme

345 MXN ($17.10)

Get Your Tickets

You can book minivan tickets online through BookAway.

Chiquila to Playa del Carmen by Colectivo

Duration: 2h 30m

Costs: 250 MXN ($12.50)

Duration: 2h 30m

Costs: 250 MXN ($12.50)

Colectivo companies operate from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen using sprinter-type minivans. They have plenty of space in the back, in case you are carrying bulky luggage. The colectivos are also equipped with AC and reclining seats.

Travel time with a colectivo from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen takes 2 hours 30 minutes. A ticket costs 250 MXN ($12.50).

Departure and arrival stations

Colectivos depart from Te Llevo a Holbox- Servicio Colectivo, the colectivo stop across Chiquila Police Station, around 300 metres from the main port.

Most colectivos park at Playa del Carmen Colectivo Station, about 1.5 km from the town centre.

Chiquila to Playa del Carmen by Bus

Duration: 2h 20m

Costs: 410 MXN ($20)

Duration: 2h 20m

Costs: 410 MXN ($20)

The bus service from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen is operated by ADO, Mexico’s largest bus company.

ADO buses have air-conditioning, reclining seats and a toilet.

There’s only one daily departure, and the journey takes 2 hours 20 minutes. A bus ticket costs around 410 MXN ($20).

Departure and arrival stations

Buses from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen depart from ADO Chiquila, about 400 metres from the main dock.

In Playa del Carmen, they arrive at Terminal Turistica on 5th Avenue, just a few blocks from the beach.

Bus schedule from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen

Chiquilá Bus Station

Standard

Playa Del Carmen ADO Bus Station

13:00

2h 20m

15:20

ADO

410 MXN ($20)

Get Your Tickets

Trips are limited, so booking at least a day in advance is best. We recommend using BookAway, which offers excellent customer service.

If you buy tickets onsite, they may be sold out, and you’ll have to wait until the next day for the next trip.

Chiquila to Playa del Carmen by Private Transfer

Duration: 2 hours

Costs: 3,050 MXN ($150)

Duration: 2 hours

Costs: 3,050 MXN ($150)

A private transfer from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 2 hours, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.

Prices for private transfer start at 3,050 MXN ($150) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 1,020 MXN ($51) each.

You can book your private ride in advance through Viator or 12GoAsia.

Standard Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 1,020 MXN ($51)

Daytrip

3,050 MXN ($150)

Get Your Tickets

Standard Car 4 PAX

Price per person = 790 MXN ($39)

Viator

3,160 MXN ($160)

Get Your Tickets

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

Check Available Rooms

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

Check Available Rooms

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

Check Available Rooms

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

Check Available Rooms

Frequently Asked Questions about Chiquila to Playa del Carmen

What is the distance from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen?

The distance from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen is 123 kilometers (76 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen?

The fastest way to get from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen is by minivan and takes 2 hours.

What is the cheapest way to get from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen?

The cheapest way to get from Chiquila to Playa del Carmen is by colectivo with ticket costs starting from 250 MXN ($12.50).

Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Chiquila 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!

About the author(s)

Ela

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.

Maarten

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.

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