Playa del Carmen is well-known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and laid-back vibe. Check out our guide for the best options to travel from Tulum to Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen is a popular coastal town on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.
It is well-known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and laid-back vibe.
Check our guide for the best options to travel from Tulum to Playa del Carmen.
How far is Tulum to Playa del Carmen?
The distance from Tulum to Playa del Carmen is 39.8 miles or 64 kilometers.
Transportation Options from Tulum to Playa del Carmen
The following table outlines all transportation options from Tulum to Playa del Carmen:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bus from Tulum to Playa del Carmen | 1 hour 10 minutes | USD 9 |
| Colectivo from Tulum to Playa del Carmen | ~1 hour | – |
| Shared Shuttle from Tulum to Playa del Carmen | 50 minutes | USD 5 |
| Private Transfer from Tulum to Playa del Carmen | 50 minutes | – |
| Taxi from Tulum to Playa del Carmen | 50 minutes | – |
| Rental Car | 50 minutes | – |
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Tulum to Playa del Carmen. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online.
Getting to Playa del Carmen from Tulum
1. ADO Bus from Tulum to Playa del Carmen
Journey Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes
If you are traveling on a budget and don’t want to take a colectivo, the cheapest transportation between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, we recommend taking the ADO bus.
All ADO buses are equipped with Air conditioning, a luggage rack, TVs, reclinable seats, and a toilet.
An ADO bus ticket costs $9 at the time of writing, and the journey takes around one hour and 10 minutes.
Tulum to Playa del Carmen Bus Schedule
- 08:10 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 01:00 PM
- 04:30 PM
- 05:35 PM
- 07:35 PM
2. Shared Van Shuttle
Journey Duration: 50 minutes
Another great way to travel to Playa del Carmen is by minivan shuttle. Sindicato Lázaro Cárdenas offers a shuttle every hour for $4.52 USD.
The earliest departure from Tulum Calle Jupiter Nte. 22 is 08:00 AM, and the latest departure is 08:00 PM. The earliest arrival at station Avenida Benito Juarez in Playa del Carmen is at 08:45 AM, and the latest arrival is at 08:45 PM.
3. Private Transfer from Tulum to Playa del Carmen
Journey Duration: 50 minutes
A private transfer from Tulum to Playa del Carmen is the most convenient and hassle-free option to travel!
Your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Tulum and drop you off at your accommodation in Playa del Carmen. You are also not dependent on bus or shuttle schedules as you decide when you want to get picked up.
Another advantage is that your driver will go straight to Tulum without stopping on the way unless you want to combine your transfer with a sightseeing tour. In fact, most drivers will offer you to stop along the way for an additional charge.
4. Colectivo to Playa del Carmen from Tulum
Journey Duration: ~1 hour
The cheapest way to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum is by colectivo.
A colectivo is basically a minibus that you can share with other passengers. The difference with a regular shuttle van is that you cannot make a reservation for a collective, and there are no fixed departure times.
The colectivo departs once all seats are taken. But don’t worry. As the route between Tulum and Playa del Carmen is very popular, colectivos usually fill up quite fast.
If you prefer to reserve a seat, you can book a ticket for a minivan here.
5. Driving with Rental Car
Journey Duration: 50 minutes
One of the best ways to explore the Yucatan Peninsula is by rental car.
With a rental car, you can easily visit the Mayan ruins located close to Tulum or make some of the most popular day trips from Tulum.
Traveling by car from Tulum to Playa del Carmen is also easy and safe and has many advantages. You are flexible; you can stop along the way wherever you want and take more luggage.
We use Rentalcars.com to book a rental car in advance as they compare all major rental car companies and usually offer the best prices.
6. Taxi
Journey Duration: 50 minutes
If you want to decide last minute when you would like to travel to Playa del Carmen, a taxi might be the best option. If possible, however, we recommend booking your transportation in advance to save money.
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.
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