Getting Around The Yucatan
How to Get from Place to Place in the Yucatan
Updated November 2023
Welcome to Yucatan
The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is a stunning destination visited by millions of people each year. It can be confusing navigating the area and choosing a transportation method, so we did the work for you! Here is a guide for traveling between the peninsula’s most popular destinations. If you’re staying at a resort or a high-end hotel, you should check to see if they include free airport transfers.
Mexican Caribbean Map
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Contents
Cancun To Tulum
There are a few ways to get to Tulum. Note that some larger hotels in Tulum may provide free transportation to town, so check ahead before planning alternative transportation.
By Car
Renting a vehicle may be the most convenient choice depending on how much exploring you plan to do on your own. Driving from Cancun Airport to Tulum takes around an hour and 45 minutes and is roughly 73 miles, making it the fastest route. Most rental companies are just past customs and average $13/day. We recommend booking your car here for the best prices. Be sure to check if your lodgings are in the Zona Hotelera (hotel zone) or Centro (town center), as your turn off will be on different sides of the road.
By Shuttle
If you don’t feel like driving, some suggest the easiest way to get to Tulum is by hiring a shuttle ride in advance. Twelve-passenger shuttles start from the Cancun airport and pick up riders from major Cancun hotels along the way, taking about two hours. You can purchase a $14-$20 (per person) one-way ticket online ahead of time. At the airport, look for the representative with your name on a sign who will lead you to the shuttle.
By Bus
One of the more popular transportation options between the two cities is taking the ADO Bus (Autobuses de Oriente), which takes about 2.5 hours. A one-way ticket from Cancun to Tulum costs $11.81 in person and $8 online. Look for the ADO bus passenger’s booth when you leave the airport.
By Taxi
If you don’t feel like renting a vehicle but don’t want to take a bus, taking a taxi is an efficient (but expensive) option. Numerous taxis wait outside the airport. At $70 or so, it is the priciest option, but you’ll arrive in under two hours. Taxis are also everywhere in Cancun and will take you straight to your accommodation in Tulum. Be sure to discuss the prices in advance of taking the ride so you don’t get overcharged.
For hotel recommendations for every budget, check out our Tulum Hotel Guide
Cancun To Holbox Island
Important – There are a few ways to get to Holbox. All of them involve taking ground transportation to the town of Chiquila and then the ferry to Holbox. Note that some larger hotels in Holbox may provide free transportation to town, so check ahead before planning alternative transportation.
Shuttle to Chiquila
1. Take Shuttle to Chiquila.
Some suggest the easiest way to go is by hiring a shuttle ride in advance. The shuttle company will take you from the Cancun airport directly to the ferry terminal in Chiquilá. An airport shuttle from Terminal 2 at Cancún Airport takes around 2.5 hours and costs $50 one way. You must book your ticket in advance.
2. Take ferry to Holbox (see below)
Rental Car to Chiquila
1. Take Rental Car to Chiquila.
Renting a vehicle may be the most convenient choice depending on how much exploring you plan to do on your own. It is an easy and affordable option. You can rent a car from the Cancun airport and drive to Chiquila in just under two hours. We recommend booking your car here for the best prices. Most rental companies are just past customs and average $13-17/day. There is a parking lot that costs around $5 a day at the Chiquila dock with 24/7 surveillance.
2. Take ferry to Holbox (see below)
Taxi to Chiquila
1. Take Taxi to Chiquila.
If you don’t feel like renting a vehicle but don’t want to take a bus, taking a taxi is an efficient option. Numerous taxis wait outside the Cancun airport or can pick you up at your hotel. Be sure to discuss the prices in advance of taking the ride so you don’t get overcharged. Taking a taxi is an efficient option to reach Chiquila and takes just under two hours, but costs roughly $40 one way.
2. Take ferry to Holbox (see below)
Bus to Chiquila
1. Take Bus to Chiquila.
The ADO Bus from Cancun takes a little over two hours and costs just under $15 one way. Find the ADO passenger’s booth at the airport and go from there.
2. Take ferry to Holbox (see below)
Colectivo to Chiquila
1. Take Colectivo to Chiquila. This option costs a little over $12 and takes a bit over two hours to reach Chiquila. Pick up is in Central Cancun near the Soriana car park.
2. Take ferry to Holbox (see below)
Ferry To Holbox
The journey between Chiquila and Holbox is a 25-minute ferry ride on the Holbox Ferry. It roughly costs between $5-10 to ride the ferry. You can buy tickets online.
For hotel recommendations for every budget, check out our Holbox Hotel Guide
Cancun To Isla Mujeres
There are a few ways to get to Isla Mujeres. Note that some larger hotels in Isla Mujeres may provide free transportation to town, so check ahead before planning alternative transportation.
By Ferry
From the Cancun bus station you can take a taxi (around $5 USD) to the Puerto Juárez ferry terminal or, if you are up for a more local experience, you can catch the “Ruta 13” bus that will drop you off at Puerto Juárez near the ferry dock. This is far and away the most economical way for one or two people.
Once in Puerto Juarez, buy your tickets at the Gran Puerto Cancun (Ultramar) ferry dock. You can buy a one-way ticket for 160 pesos or round-trip ticket for 300 pesos. The boats leave every half hour from 5:00 am until 9:30 pm and every hour after that. The crossing takes about 15 minutes.
By Catamaran Day Cruise
Throughout Cancun & Playa del Carmen you can book a day trip to Isla Mujeres. These fun boats take you out on beautiful catamarans for a whole day of snorkeling and cruising. Full-day trips typically include all-day rum punch and buffet lunch on Isla Mujeres. Bring Sunblock!
The boats will visit Isla Mujeres, but you will have a very limited time to explore the island. If you only have one day to visit the island this can be a fun adventure, but if you have more time, we recommend spending a night or two on the island.
For hotel recommendations for every budget, check out our Isla Mujeres Hotel Guide
Cancun To Playa Del Carmen
There are a few ways to get to Playa Del Carmen. Note that some larger hotels in Playa may provide free transportation to town, so check ahead before planning alternative transportation.
By Car
Renting a vehicle may be the most convenient choice depending on how much exploring you plan to do on your own. It is an easy and affordable option. Driving to Playa del Carmen from Cancun is straightforward and takes just under an hour from the airport. You can rent a sedan for as little as $13 a day directly outside the terminal. We recommend booking your car here for the best prices.
By Shuttle
Some suggest the easiest way to go is by hiring a shuttle ride in advance. The shuttle company will take you from the Cancun airport directly to your accommodation in Playa del Carmen. This air-conditioned shuttle will take you to Playa del Carmen for $19 one way. Pre-book one and find them waiting for you in any arrival hall. You can also book a deluxe shuttle for $27 one way per passenger.
By Bus
One of the most popular transportation options between the two cities is taking the ADO Bus (Autobuses de Oriente), which takes a little more than one hour. A one-way ticket from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is roughly $10 per person.
By Taxi
If you don’t feel like renting a vehicle but don’t want to take a bus, taking a taxi is an efficient option. Numerous taxis wait outside the Cancun airport or can pick you up at your hotel. Be sure to discuss the prices in advance of taking the ride so you don’t get overcharged. The 50-minute taxi ride to Playa del Carmen from Cancun is the fastest option and costs around $60-70. It is better to pre-book a taxi or find one at the airport taxi booth instead of taking the first one you encounter to avoid scams.
By Colectivo
This is the cheapest option at just a few dollars (prices vary) one way. You can catch a colectivo across from the downtown ADO bus station. The trek can take about an hour but may vary depending on the stops it makes.
For hotel recommendations for every budget, check out our Playa Del Carmen Hotel Guide
Playa Del Carmen To Cozumel
There is only one way to get from Playa Del Carmen to get to Cozumel. The Ferry!
By Ferry
A 40-minute ferry ride is the only way to get to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen. Two ferry companies, Ultramar and Winjet, offer passenger-only services to and from the island for $8-13 one way and $17-$25 round trip. You can catch the ferry from the Playa Del Carmen ferry terminal located three blocks away from Juarez and 5th Avenue’s ADO bus station, where buses from Cancun arrive.
IMPORTANT: The two ferry companies often operate on different days and sometimes their websites are inaccurate. For this reason, we suggest you do not book your ferry ticket in advance, and instead buy your ticket when you arrive at the ferry terminal. You may have to wait in line, but it’s better than having an unusable ticket.
For hotel recommendations for every budget, check out our Cozumel Hotel Guide
Playa Del Carmen To Tulum
There are a few ways to get to Tulum. Note that some larger hotels in Tulum may provide free transportation to town, so check ahead before planning alternative transportation.
By Car
Renting a vehicle may be the most convenient choice depending on how much exploring you plan to do on your own. It is an easy and affordable option. The roads between Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum and very straightforward and safe. You can rent a sedan in Playa del Carmen for $17-35 a day. The drive is about 54 minutes from the city.
Book a car for pick up at the Cancun airport here.
Book a car for pick up in Renting a vehicle
By Bus
ADO is an excellent option if you are traveling with large suitcases. It costs $7 to buy a ticket online or at any ADO station in person. It takes about 50 minutes to reach Tulum from 5th Avenue and Benito Juarez Terminal Túristica.
By Colectivo
A colectivo is the most inexpensive transportation option. You’ll get to Tulum for around $2-3 per person in about an hour and a half. Catch it on Calle 2 between 15th and 20th Avenue. Bring small bills and small bags.
By Taxi
If you don’t feel like renting a vehicle but don’t want to take a bus or a colectivo, taking a taxi is comfortable and stress-free. Taxis can pick you up at your hotel and take you directly to your accommodation in Tulum. Be sure to discuss the prices in advance of taking the ride so you don’t get overcharged. It should cost around $30, which up to 2-3 people can split, and takes around one hour. If you are lodging at a hotel, they can call a legitimate taxi option.
For hotel recommendations for every budget, check out our Tulum Hotel Guide
More
MEXICAN CARIBBEAN
Cancun, Islands, Tulum and More
Cancun Visitors Guide
Tulum Visitors Guide
Cozumel Visitors Guide
Isla Mujeres Visitors Guide
Holbox Visitors Guide
Isla Contoy Visitors Guide
7 Yucatan Foods That Will Blow Your Mind
The Best Cenotes in Yucatan
Cozumel Beach Bar Guide
Tulum Mayan Ruins Guide
Cozumel Diving Guide
This was a very helpful guide on getting around. As a solo traveler, I am always nervous to rent a car in other countries, so it was nice to see different ways to get to the different areas. Thank you!
This page was so helpful!
Happy to help!
Can’t wait to visit there!
Great stuff!
I’ve found that rental cars are much more expensive on Cozumel than other places in Riviera Maya. Is it because it’s an island?
This was such a great find! Thank you so much for putting all of this information in one easy place. I didn’t even need to read my guide book.