Are you wondering about the modes and costs of transportation from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, Mexico? Here, you’ll find the best ways to travel stress-free and make your trip cost-efficient.
Playa del Carmen is a popular destination in the Yucatan peninsula for families, couples, tourists, and digital nomads. It is located halfway between Cancun and Tulum, and you can spend a beautiful day trip or even a standalone vacation.
The town is walkable, right next to the beach, stocked with incredible cenotes, near the Tulum ruins and the Coba ruins, many fantastic amusement parks, and the nightlife that Cancun and the Riviera Maya offers.
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You can choose many convenient and comfortable ways to get to Playa del Carmen based on your budget and traveling style.
How to Get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
In this detailed guide on how to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, I’ll go over multiple cost-efficient and comfortable ways to arrive in the town safely and quickly, so you can get out and enjoy every fun thing that Playa del Carmen has to offer!
Distance from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen
Cancun and Playa del Carmen’s distance is around 42 miles or 68 kilometers.
Transportation Options from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
The following table outlines all transportation options from Cancun to Playa del Carmen:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ADO Bus from Cancun to Playa del Carmen | 1 hour and 40 minutes | USD 7 |
| Shared Shuttle from Cancun to Playa del Carmen | 1 hour and 40 minutes | USD 25 |
| Private Transfer from Cancun to Playa del Carmen | 1 hour and 15 minutes | – |
| Taxi from Cancun to Playa del Carmen | 1 hour and 15 minutes | – |
| Rental Car | 1 hour and 15 minutes | – |
1. ADO Bus from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Journey Duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes
The most economical option is to take an ADO bus from Cancun to Playa del Carmen.
The price for a one-way ticket starts at 7 USD. All ADO buses have air conditioning, reclinable seats, a bathroom, and TVs on board.
2. Rent a car at Cancun Airport
Journey Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Renting a car in Cancun is one of your best options for visiting Playa del Carmen. You’ll be free to explore many more places on the Yucatan peninsula with a car.
We recommend visiting the pink lakes of Las Coloradas and Chechen Itza.
You can get a rental car in Cancun, but we recommend getting a vehicle from Rentalcars to get better deals.
3. Private Transfer from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Journey Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Private transfer can cost you more, but it is the most comfortable, quick, and safe to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. The cost of a private transfer largely depends on the type of vehicle and the number of people in your group.
4. Taxi or Uber
Journey Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Taking a taxi from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is also an option if you haven’t booked a transfer in advance.
Due to the higher fare, we recommend booking a transfer in advance.
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online.
5. Cancun to Playa del Carmen Shared Shuttle
Journey Duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Your last option to travel from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is by shared shuttle. The only difference between a private transfer and a shuttle minivan is that the latter is shared, and thus the cost is shared!
If you have a lot of time on your plate, are looking forward to a budget-based trip, or want to travel with random people, booking a shuttle can be a great option.
You can get a Cancun to Playa del Carmen shuttle 24 times a day! These shuttles are entirely sanitized, very comfortable, air-conditioned, and freshly clean. The booking only costs $25 per person in a shuttle, which is a great price given the comfort, convenience, and adventure!
We recommend booking it a few days earlier, so you do not have to wait for people to join in. You can now book a shuttle on Book a Way at a reasonable price!
Bottom Line
It is more than easy to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun. These are five of the best ways to travel within both places. I hope this guide helped you figure out the transportation and that you spend some quality time at Playa del Carmen.
Chill out on the beach, go on 4WD tours, take architecture and cultural tours, visit theme and water parks, explore nature & wildlife areas, dance the night away in the clubs, and enjoy your time at Playa del Carmen!
Best day tours in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.
The following widget shows some of the best tours in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
