How to get from Tulum to Playa del Carmen
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 3 ways to travel from Tulum to Playa del Carmen?
There are 3 ways to travel the 65 kilometre (40 miles) distance from Tulum to Playa del Carmen. You can choose between the bus, private transport and colectivo. The journey takes 50 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by colectivo with tickets starting at 50 MXN ($2.80).
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.
Tulum to Playa del Carmen by Bus
The main bus company operating from Tulum to Playa del Carmen is ADO.
ADO is Mexico’s most popular bus company, offering comfortable, air-conditioned buses with reclining seats and onboard restrooms. For this route, you can book ADO Primera Clase or ADO Conecta. See our Mexico Bus Guide for the differences between ADO’s bus types.
Ticket prices start at 85 MXN ($4.80), and the trip takes around 50 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes.
Departure stations
It’s important to pay attention to the departure and arrival points when booking your ride.
In Tulum, the buses depart from two different locations – the ADO Tulum Bus Station in the town centre and the Tulum Ruins, 4 km east of downtown Tulum.
If your hotel isn’t within walking distance, you might need to take a taxi to the terminal. Expect to pay around 300 MXN ($16.70) from the Hotel Zone to ADO Bus Station, while a taxi to the ruins starts at 150 MXN ($8.40).
Bus schedule from Tulum to Playa del Carmen
Book your tickets online via BookAway to be assured of a seat on your desired date and time. If you prefer to buy your ticket at the bus station, arrive there at least 30 minutes before departure time.
Arrival stations
There are two terminals in downtown Playa del Carmen – Turistica and Alterna. Turistica is the main bus station just across Parque Los Fundadores. Alterna is about 1 km away from Turistica, a bit outside of the tourist centre. Pick a bus that makes its last stop near your accommodation.
Depending on where you’re staying, you may have to take a taxi from the bus station. Keep in mind that taxis in Playa del Carmen aren’t metred. Always agree on a price before hopping in.
Heading to Xel-Ha Park?
You can book a bus that stops directly at the Xel-Há Park ticket booth. There are two options available on BookAway — one from the Tulum ruins and the other from the ADO Tulum Bus Station.
Tulum to Playa del Carmen by Private Transport
Are you travelling in a group and want more convenience? A private transfer is a great way to hop from one destination to the next in the Riviera Maya. If you only want to explore Playa del Carmen on a day trip, then this is the best option because it allows you to save a lot of time and hassle.
The journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at 3,060 MXN ($170) for a 7-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 440 MXN ($24.50) each.
Private Transport options from Tulum to Playa del Carmen
Tulum to Playa del Carmen by Colectivo
Colectivos are a great option to travel from Tulum to Playa del Carmen. They are also the cheapest way to get to any of the cenotes, archaeological ruins and beaches in the Riviera Maya.
Since they are used mostly by local workers and not by tourists, they don’t have space for luggage, making them only a good option for day trips to Playa del Carmen or if you are travelling with only hand luggage.
The ride to Playa del Carmen typically costs 50 MXN ($2.80) and lasts around 1 hour 30 minutes. Just a heads up, prices can increase during peak tourist seasons, around December to February.
Departure and arrival stations
All colectivos depart from Transporte Publico Tulum – Playa del Carmen, opposite the ADO bus station.
In Playa del Carmen, colectivos park at Colectivo Station – Playa del Carmen in front of the Chedraui supermarket.
Unlike buses, they can stop anywhere along the route, allowing you to get off before the last stop if your accommodation is on the way.
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
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Tulum 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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Tulum to Playa del Carmen
Can you rent a car from Tulum to Playa del Carmen?
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.
Faye is a writer and full-time mom. She loves planning trips to the beach, tasting new cuisines and discovering gems in the Philippines. But if she had to choose, London is her favourite place in the world and she can't wait to travel there again with her hubby and baby!
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.
