Best Route: Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Exploring the Yucatán Peninsula is a bucket list item for most travelers. With many of Mexico's top destinations spread out, navigating between them can be confusing. If you plan to explore the area without a rental car, you will likely need to find your way from Playa del Carmen (PDC) to Tulum. With PDC having no airport, the only option to Tulum is via bus, taxi, or colectivo. I have crafted the ultimate detailed travel guide to ensure your journey from Playa del Carmen to Tulum is smooth and straightforward.
Pro Tip: With a 2-hour journey ahead of you, be sure to pack a small snack and some water!
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Travel Guide: Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Step 1: Choose your mode of transportation
The OPTIONS:
The total travel time from Playa del Carmen to Tulum is 1 to 1.5 hours. You can take a private taxi, a shared van / colectivo, or the ADO bus to get in between the two.
Private Taxi:
When I originally planned my journey from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, I considered taking a private taxi since it felt like the easiest and safest option, especially with two suitcases. I had contacted many companies but was consistently quoted prices ranging from 1200 to 2000 pesos (70-120 USD). This amount felt too high for me, even if split with my boyfriend, so we opted for the bus instead.
Colectivo:
A Colectivo is a shared van with other people heading to the same destination you are. This mode of transport is favored by backpackers and travelers who have less luggage.
The Colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Tulum can be found under Highway 307, (below Juarez Avenue) near Chedraui. Find the Google Maps location here.
The Colectivo ride costs around 40 pesos and stops near the Tulum Ruins and the Tulum ADO Bus Station. They do not always stop at Tulum Ruins, so if this is your destination, be sure to inform the driver ahead of time and be on the lookout during your drive. You will either need to walk or hire an additional taxi to get to your accommodation.
Note: Colectivos can be small, crammed, and timely. Sometimes they will wait for a full van before departing. They do not always have working air conditioning. If you have a lot of bags or a large bag, they may turn you down for more passengers instead (more money for the driver).
ADO Bus:
I recommend utilizing the largest Mexican bus company, ADO, since it is the cheapest and easiest option. Prices vary depending on the day and time. I suggest booking ahead to secure your ticket for the desired day and time. ADO frequently offers discounts on random days and times, so if you're looking for a deal and don't mind when you travel, be sure to list the buses from cheapest to most expensive. My bus ticket was 120 Pesos (around $7 USD) and was scheduled for 11:40 AM.
The ADO Bus Experience
IMPORTANT NOTE: THERE ARE 2 ado bus locations in PDC!
There are 2 ADO bus stations in Playa del Carmen (PDC). One location is ADO Terminal Turística, which is closer to the Playa del Carmen ferry pier (a 2-5 minute walk if that). The second location is ADO Playa del Carmen Alterna, which is a little bit further out of central PDC, near Walmart. When you are booking, be sure to check which terminal is listed under the “More Information” tab. Some will say “ADO Aeropuerto,” meaning they will go to the Tulum Airport. See below for how to check where the bus is going.
After searching your route on the ADO website, click “ver detalle” (see details)
and a bottom section should show (see photo as an example). Click “ver mapa,” and your screen should look like the photo below…
P.S. If you have suitcases, make sure the small suitcase icon is shown (I have circled this in pink)–not all buses have suitcase space.
This is the second screen that will pop up after clicking “ver mapa.”
Salida: This is your origin or where you are getting the bus from.
Llegada: This is your destination.
The duration of your bus can be found above the purple box.
Stops along your route can be found under the purple box.
Pro Tip: Be sure to download your ticket to your phone in case the cell service is spotty.
My bus to Tulum departed from ADO Playa del Carmen Alterna, the further out terminal. I chose to walk the 10 minutes to the terminal, and since it was still early in the day, the heat was not so bad even with my backpack and two suitcases. You can always opt for a taxi from your accommodation to the terminal instead of walking.
Once you arrive at the terminal, since you already have your ticket, you can head through the front doors, past the ticket terminal, and through the back doors to where you will wait for the bus. The buses will have their stops indicated across a sign above the windshield. If you have any confusion or it is getting closer to your bus time, feel free to ask the workers outside for assistance.
Pro Tip: There are small vendors inside the bus terminal selling water and snacks if needed. The restroom inside the terminal has a fee, while the restroom outside, near where the buses are, is free!
Did the Bus Arrive on Time?
Yes, my bus arrived 10 minutes before departure time. We departed only 6 minutes after the scheduled departure time of 11:40 AM.
Where Does Baggage Go?
Larger bags, suitcases, and any bag with wheels must go under the bus. My suitcases were locked via a built-in combination lock (thank you TUMI) or secured with a mini padlock between the zippers. I packed all my valuables, money, and other important items in a backpack that I kept with me on the bus. The bag stayed near my feet for the entire ride. The bus was air-conditioned, seats were pretty cozy, shades were available to shut out light, a movie was playing on TV screens around the bus (Batman was playing for us in Spanish), and a bathroom was available in the back of the bus.
Pro Tip: Passengers do not always sit in assigned seats, so get on the bus early! Sit further from the bathroom if possible… :)
How Long is the Bus?
My bus ride took 1 hour and 8 minutes. Tulum was the first stop from PDC. The bus was scheduled to stop in Bacalar and Chetumal after Tulum.
Is the Bus Safe?
This specific route from Playa del Carmen to Tulum felt safe to me. I never had a moment of uncertainty or nervousness. There were a few solo young female travelers on my bus, which I think speaks volumes. However, I suggest being extra cautious: avoid riding the bus at night or arriving at your destination after dark. If you're a heavy sleeper, it's best not to nap on the bus. Follow basic safety rules, such as not flashing money or engaging in arguments with strangers. Again, I can only speak from my experience with the Playa del Carmen to Tulum route, so be sure to do thorough research on other bus routes and always stay alert.
Step 2: Arrive in Tulum & Transfer to ACCOMMODATION
Once you arrive in Tulum, you are dropped off at the Tulum ADO Bus Station. It is known that taxis are quite expensive in Tulum. If your accommodation does not offer free transportation, head outside the bus terminal to find plenty of taxis waiting for passengers. The most important key here is knowing where you are going and how far it is so you can estimate how much it should cost.
We were heading to Erena Mindful Apartments in La Veleta, which was around 8-10 minutes from the terminal. We agreed to pay 200 pesos for my boyfriend and me, 100 pesos per person. You MUST agree to a price before getting into the taxi to avoid any miscommunication or scams. If you are heading farther out, it may be best to find someone else from your bus to split a taxi with.
CONGRATS YOU Have MADE IT from Playa del carmen to Tulum!
What an easy-peasy travel day! It only took me less than 2 hours from Playa del Carmen to my accommodation in Tulum, costing around 220 pesos (just under 13 USD) for the bus and taxi (I split this with my boyfriend). This can, of course, also be reversed to go from Tulum to Playa del Carmen!
Note: Transportation throughout the Yucatán Peninsula is on its way to becoming more accessible with the new Tren Maya Railway. Head here for more information and to stay up to date on which routes are open now!
