Are you looking for ways how to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum? Learn about your transport options, including what you need to consider when choosing to go by bus, shuttle, or car.
Playa del Carmen and Tulum are two travel destinations you must not miss when exploring Quintana Roo in Mexico. Both have great beaches, good food, and many other offerings, even for the most discerning traveler.
If you have done all the best things in Playa del Carmen and are on a hunt for more activities, consider extending your visit and traveling to Tulum.
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Tulum has its own unique charm and set of tourist spots that are truly worth the drive, so don’t let the distance hinder you from visiting this beautiful destination.
To visit Tulum from Playa del Carmen, you can go by ADO Bus, shuttle, taxi, or rental car.
How far is Tulum from Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen and Tulum distance is 46 miles or 74 kilometers.
Transportation Options from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, Mexico
The following table outlines all transportation options from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, Mexico:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum | 1 hour | USD 6 |
| Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Tulum | 50 minutes | USD 114 |
| Taxi from Playa del Carmen to Tulum | 50 minutes | |
| Shared van shuttle from Playa del Carmen to Tulum | 1 hour | |
| Rental Car from Playa del Carmen to Tulum | 50 minutes |
How to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum?
1. ADO Bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Taking an ADO Bus is one of the best ways to get to Tulum from Playa del Carmen.
The cost to ride an ADO Bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum starts at 50 pesos. The journey takes around 50 minutes to one hour and 10 minutes, depending on your departure time.
Riding an ADO Bus is one of the most preferred routes from Playa del Carmen to Tulum because of its safety features and dependable service. It is recommended for budget travelers and for those who are not in a hurry to reach Tulum.
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online.
2. Shuttle from Playa del Carmen to Tulum
You can take a shuttle to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. Colectivos, as locals call them, are a cheaper alternative to buses. The fare costs about 40 pesos and the total travel time is about an hour – depending on the number of stops your Colectivo makes.
Colectivos are, in general, minivans with no air conditioning. You can hail one along the road if you see space or go to their pick-up points for a better chance at seats.
Riding a Colectivo is one of the things you must do when visiting Quintana Roo. It is one of the most efficient ways of traveling from city to city, from cenote to cenote, and from one destination to the next.
Think twice about taking a Colectivo if you have much luggage in tow. As the name suggests, the minivan is too tiny to carry too many bags.
3. Taxi from Playa del Carmen to Tulum
If you are traveling as a group or family and opt not to share rides, you can choose to ride a taxi to Tulum from Playa del Carmen. This gives you space for your luggage and the utmost privacy.
Given the long distance from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, your taxi trip will cost about 600 pesos (and potentially more.) Talk to your driver and agree to a fixed price before starting the journey.
4. Private car from Playa del Carmen to Tulum
If you prefer more comfort and flexibility, a private transfer from Playa del Carmen to Tulum might be your best option.
Your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Merida at your preferred time. For an additional charge, it is often also possible to make stops on the way.
5. Uber to Tulum
Right now, there are no Uber services in the cities of Playa del Carmen and Tulum, so you cannot possibly go there by Uber.
6. Rent a car
One best way to go from Playa del Carmen to Tulum is by renting a car. This way, you can take the wheel and plan a whole itinerary out of your ride.
You can also choose to rent the car for the whole duration of your stay in Quintana Roo and use it to do all the best things to do in Tulum and beyond.
It takes 54 minutes to drive to Tulum from Playa del Carmen nonstop. You just have to go straight and stay on 50 Avenida Sur/Cancun – Chetumal/Carr. Tulum – Cancún/México 307.
The cost to rent a car starts at 52 USD per day. You can choose to conveniently leave the rental car in Tulum or drive it back to Playa del Carmen.
Before renting a car, consider travelers’ comments about the difficulty of finding parking spaces in popular tourist destinations in Tulum. Road signages, rules, and maps are also something you must research before your trip.
Best day tours in Tulum, 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 Tulum, Mexico.
FAQ How to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Is it safe to drive from Playa del Carmen to Tulum?
It is generally safe to drive from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. The road conditions between the two cities are good aside from some potholes, poorly-marked roads, and dim lights. To avoid these, consider driving during the daytime. Regarding crime, the area is regularly patrolled by police, so this should give you a sense of security.
Is it worth going to Tulum?
It is worth going to Tulum. It is home to numerous beautiful cenotes, lovely locals, stunning beaches, and world-renowned ruins. Reading about all the best things to do in Tulum will convince you even more.
