Bus from Cancun to Tulum: Best Options in 2023

Trying to figure out how to take the bus from Cancun to Tulum? You’ve come to the right guide!

As a travel blogger that lives in nearby Playa del Carmen, I’ve become an expert on all the bus routes and transportation options in the region.

If you’re not familiar with the area, getting from Cancun to Tulum can be a bit confusing. But with this comprehensive guide, you’ll have no trouble getting to your destination in Tulum.

In this post, I’ll explain exactly how to take the bus from Cancun to Tulum, including the best options, as well as the schedules, prices, and booking information.

So if you’re looking to get from the Cancun Airport to Tulum, or want to go from downtown Cancun to Tulum, I’ve got you covered!

Ready to find out how to take the Cancun to Tulum bus? Let’s get started!

Bus from Cancun Airport to Tulum

If you’re looking to get from the Cancun Airport to Tulum, these are the best options:

ADO Bus Cancun Airport to Tulum Schedule

The ADO bus to Tulum from Cancun Airport runs daily and has around 9 different departures from roughly 10AM-9PM.

ℹ️ Note: ADO bus departure times can change and these times may not always be 100% accurate. Always double check the ADO website for the most up-to-date information.

The Cancun airport bus to Tulum will go from terminal to terminal picking up passengers so you’ll likely have a bit of extra wait time before you actually depart.

ADO Bus Cancun Airport to Tulum Cost

The ADO bus is the cheapest option for getting from Cancun Airport to Tulum. To buy tickets, all you need to do is head to the red ADO ticket counter at the Cancun Airport after exiting baggage claim.

The attendant will likely speak English but if they don’t, you can just say “Uno para Tulum, por favor”.

The ADO bus from Cancun to Tulum costs around $365 pesos (~$20 USD). Cash and credit cards are accepted but I would recommend paying in cash if possible.

The only reason I say this is because I once paid with a credit card and they next day I had a bunch of fraudulent charges on my credit card. I can’t be certain but I suspect it was from my ADO purchase.

Also, while ADO tickets can also be purchased online in advance, I would recommend waiting and buying them directly at the airport ticket counter.

It can be extremely difficult to predict what time you’ll actually exit the airport after the long lines at Customs and Immigration.

So it’s best to just purchase your ADO tickets at the counter and then hop on the next departing bus.

On your ticket will be printed the parking slot number where your bus will arrive. Exit the airport and walk all the way to the back past all of the transportation people to the red ADO ticket stand.

Then look for the overhead slot numbers to see where you need to wait for your bus. When your bus pulls in, it will say “Tulum” on the screen reader on the front of the bus.

ADO Bus Cancun Airport to Tulum Duration

Buses from Cancun Airport to Tulum take approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes normally–however, you might run into some occasional traffic and construction delays.

There’s a big construction project going on near the airport right now which has been causing major delays.

But thankfully, the ADO bus is large, comfortable, and has air conditioning. Plus, there’s a restroom and TVs on board.

Once you arrive in Tulum, the ADO bus will drop you off directly at the ADO station in downtown Tulum (📍 Google Maps location). From there, you can take a taxi or walk to your final destination in Tulum.

The beach is about 3 miles from downtown Tulum, so if you’re staying at one of the Tulum hotels in the beachfront Hotel Zone, you’ll need to take a taxi.

This is a more expensive option than taking the ADO but has the added convenience of door-to-door service as it will drop you off at your hotel or vacation rental in Tulum.

A Cancun to Tulum shuttle is typically shared with around 8-10 other people and can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on how many people they are dropping off.

That’s the one bad thing about a shared shuttle is that you might have multiple stops to make and it could end up taking much longer than the ADO bus. But if you’re not pressed for time, it’s a great option.

A private airport transfer from Cancun to Tulum is the fastest and most direct way to get from the airport to Tulum.

It does cost quite a bit more but if you’re short on time or traveling with a large group, it’s definitely worth the extra expense.

Because, let’s face it, the beach and margaritas are waiting! And after a long flight, the last thing you want to do is wait around on public transportation buses or shared transfers.

Bus from from Downtown Cancun to Tulum

Alternatively, if you’re trying to get from downtown Cancun to Tulum, below are the best transport options.

The main transportation hub in downtown Cancun is the Cancun ADO bus station, so that’s where you’ll want to go to catch a bus.

The travel time is approximately 2 hours 40 minutes and some of the buses have a quick stop at the Playa del Carmen ADO station.

🗿 An ADO bus from Cancun to Tulum Ruins is also available. You can enter “Tulum zona arqueológica” as the destination to book this route.

Tickets for the Cancun to Tulum service can be booked on the ADO website, on Busbud, or directly at the ADO bus terminal.

The ADO website is only in Spanish and foreigners can sometimes have issues with credit cards on the ADO website, so I would recommend booking your tickets on Busbud.

The Busbud website is available in English and while there’s a small surcharge, it offers a lot more convenience for checking bus schedules and booking tickets.

The cost is around $230 pesos each way and the ADO bus Cancun to Tulum schedule has departures roughly every hour from 6AM-11PM.

The Playa Express is cheaper than the ADO and runs more frequently, but it only goes as far as Playa del Carmen.

From there, you’ll need to transfer and take a colectivo (shared van) to Tulum.

🧳 The Playa Express and colectivos don’t have much luggage storage so you pretty much can only take what can fit on your lap. If you’re carrying luggage, then the ADO is a better option.

It doesn’t have a set schedule but leaves pretty frequently and just departs when full.

Once you arrive at the ADO Station in Cancun, you should see the white Playa Express buses lined up across from the main entrance.

The Playa Express costs around $50 pesos (~$2.50 USD each way) and the journey from Cancun to Playa del Carmen normally takes around 1 hour.

But with the current traffic conditions near Cancun Airport, you can pretty much guarantee it will take longer.

Once you get to Playa del Carmen, the Playa Express will drop you off at the Playa Express station, which is located near Avenida Juarez just on the other side of the main federal highway 307.

These white vans are smaller than the Playa Express and usually say Tulum on the front or side. There’s a lot of staff around there too that can help you out if you need it.

Similar to the Playa Express, colectivos do not have a set schedule and just depart when full. They usually run from the early morning to around 11PM.

The journey from Playa del Carmen to Tulum takes about 1 hour and will drop you off near the ADO station in downtown Tulum.

If you’re headed to the Tulum Ruins or the beach, you can also get off the colectivo a bit sooner by telling the driver and they’ll let you off on the side of the highway.

You’ll pay upon exiting and the cost should be around $50 pesos (~$2.50 USD). Make sure to have small bills on hand as drivers don’t have much change.

From there, you can walk or take a taxi to your final destination in Tulum.

This process is almost identical to the process outlined above for taking the Playa Express.

The main difference is that colectivos are smaller, more crowded, and not as comfortable as the Playa Express.

But the plus side is that the final drop off point is at the same location as the colectivos to Tulum, so you won’t need to do much walking once you get there.

You should look for the white vans with the “Playa-Cancun” sign in the window.

Colectivos don’t have set schedules and just depart when full. They run daily from early in the morning to late at night.

The colectivo journey from Cancun to Playa del Carmen costs around $50 pesos (~$2.50 USD each way) and takes over 1 hour–depending on traffic.

The final destination is the main colectivo station in downtown Playa del Carmen and you’ll pay the driver upon exiting.

The process is exactly the same as outlined above. You’ll need to get on a colectivo headed to Tulum.

The journey takes about 1 hour and the cost is around $50 pesos (~$2.50 USD). The final destination will be near the ADO station in downtown Tulum.

From there, you can walk or take a taxi to your final destination in Tulum.

Other Ways to Get from Cancun to Tulum

Besides buses, here are a couple other ways to get from Cancun to Tulum:

Regular taxis are not allowed at the Cancun Airport and only official airport taxis are allowed.

This means that they can get away with charging insane rates, and are often a hassle to negotiate and arrange.

Plus, there’s a lot of scam artists at the airport so it can be really hard to know who to trust.

The safest and most reliable way to go is just to book private transportation from Cancun to Tulum in advance.

However, if you want to take a taxi service from downtown Cancun or the Cancun Hotel Zone to Tulum, then this is definitely doable. Just be prepared–it will be expensive!

The cost will probably be around $2000 pesos (~$100 USD) and you’ll need to have cash on hand. Taxis can be easily hailed from the many taxi stands around Cancun.

Renting a car allows you to go at your own pace and check out some of the more off-the-beaten-path attractions along the way, or explore some of the fun day trips around Tulum.

You can rent a car from the Cancun Airport or from downtown Cancun and then drive south to Tulum. It’s an easy drive and should take you around 1 hour and 40 minutes hours depending on traffic.

There are a few police checkpoints along the way but as long as you’re not doing anything illegal, you’ll just need to slow down and then be on your way.

It’s important to know that renting a car in Mexico can sometimes be a hassle as scams are common, but it can be done! You can read my full rental car guide for tips and what to avoid.

How far is Tulum from Cancun?

Tulum is located around 80 miles (130 km) south of Cancun and it should take you around 1.5-2 hours to get there depending on traffic, and what mode of transport you take.

The drive from Cancun to Tulum Mexico is a straight shot down the main highway 307, although you may face occasional traffic and road construction delays.

There is an ongoing construction project happening near the Cancun Airport right now so you can pretty much expect extra delays around this area.

Additionally, there are a few traffic checkpoints along the way that are monitored by the local tourist police. As long as you’re not doing anything illegal, you’ll just have to slow down and pass through these areas.

Is the ADO bus from Cancun to Tulum safe?

Yes, the ADO is very safe and one of the most popular ways to travel between Cancun and Tulum for both tourists and locals.

• Avoid using the overhead bins: Don’t use the overhead bins if possible as this can be a common safety scam. Thieves can walk down the center aisle and hold onto the upper bins for “stability”, while actually sliding items in the overhead bin along with them.

• Don’t keep valuables in your checked luggage: Again, don’t keep valuable items like laptops and cameras in your checked luggage in case somebody else takes it. I’ve never had any issues retrieving my checked luggage on the ADO but it can happen.

• Always be aware of your surroundings: Be aware of your surroundings and what people are doing around you. It’s a long ride to Tulum but if you’re traveling alone, I would avoid sleeping just to be cautious.

• Pay in cash: As I mentioned, I would recommend paying for ADO bus tickets in cash if possible (you can pay in pesos or USD). The only reason I say this is because I once had fraudulent charges on my credit card the day after an ADO purchase so I suspect my card was compromised.

Is there Uber at Cancun Airport?

No, it is NOT recommended to use Uber at the Cancun Airport. Even if your Uber app works at the airport, it is NOT safe to take Uber in Cancun or the surrounding region.

This is currently a topic of contention as legislation was recently passed in the state of Quintana Roo in January 2023 to allow Uber to operate in the region.

However, taxi drivers have always strongly opposed Uber in Mexico, which has made it very difficult for them to start transportation services here.

There have been several reports of violence against Uber drivers and passengers so it is currently NOT safe to use Uber in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or the entire Riviera Maya region.

Instead, the best ways to get from the Cancun Airport to Tulum are taking the ADO bus, booking a shared airport shuttle, or booking a private airport transfer.

Tips for Taking the Bus from Cancun to Tulum

• Be prepared for a long ride: The bus ride from Cancun to Tulum takes almost 3 hours depending on traffic so be prepared for a long ride! Construction is pretty much inevitable so don’t be surprised if you get stuck in traffic.

• Bring snacks and entertainment: Make sure to bring snacks, water, and entertainment for the long ride. I usually bring my Kindle and my Apple Airpods so I can read or listen to music. Also, there aren’t any plugs on the ADO bus so it’s a good idea to bring a portable charger.

• Have cash for tips: If you’re storing any luggage below the bus, be sure to bring some extra cash to tip the luggage attendant. They’ll help you load and unload the luggage from the bus.

Bus from Cancun to Tulum: FAQs

Conclusion: Bus from Cancun to Tulum Transportation Guide

I hope this guide on how to take the bus from Cancun to Tulum has been helpful!

Taking the ADO bus is the best way to get from Cancun to Tulum, as it’s direct, comfortable, and affordable for budget travelers.

The ADO bus can be taken from the Cancun Airport or downtown Cancun, and drops you off at the ADO Tulum bus station.

Other options for getting from Cancun to Tulum include taking a shared airport shuttle, booking a private airport transfer, or renting a car.

And for those coming from downtown Cancun, colectivos and the Playa Express are available, but you’ll need to make a transfer in Playa del Carmen.

Regardless of how you decide to travel, getting to Tulum from Cancun can be a long ride but will be worth it when you arrive to its beautiful beaches! Safe travels!