How do you fly to Tulum Mexico? Best airport and transportation options

How to fly to Tulum Mexico

How do you fly to Tulum Mexico?

Are you wanting to travel to Tulum Mexico? It has rapidly become a popular tourism destination. So, what is the best way to get there? How do you fly to Tulum Mexico? Here are the best transportation options for you to arrive.

Is there an airport in Tulum?

Let’s first start by saying there is no airport in Tulum.  There is an airport planed for construction just south of Tulum, but this is expected to open in 2023. The closest international airport is Cancun (CUN). This is where everyone flies into and then transfers to Tulum via transfer or bus. Cancun Airport is a modern airport with all the services you would expect. In fact, millions of people arrive here yearly for vacation in the Riviera Maya.

The Cancun International Airport is about one and a half hours from Tulum. This means that you probably will want the most direct service to your hotel so you can begin your vacation. So how to get from the Cancun Airport to Tulum? Below are recommended transportation options for you.

Best transportation option to Tulum from Cancun Airport

Taking a taxi or Uber to Tulum?

There is no Uber service in the Riviera Maya, so this is not an option. Taxis are smaller cars that are available at the Cancun Airport but there is not set price for the transfer. Most of the time people wind up paying more for a taxi after having to “negotiate” with them. You also cannot get a round trip discount with a taxi. So, we recommend the transfer service below.

Private transfers to Tulum from the Cancun Airport

We have researched companies that provide Tulum airport connections. We found one that our readers have enjoyed, and we have honestly never heard a complaint about them. Not only do they provide courteous and prompt service, but they also offer great rates. If you need transportation from the airport to Tulum all you need to do is click the book now button and you go to the official site. It is best to book in advance. This way you have your driver waiting for you don’t fall for the guys try to overcharge you.

flying to Tulum Mexico
Terminal 4 at Cancun Airport.

How much is a private transport from Cancun to Tulum?

Since the distance is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes it does have a cost but totally worth it. These vans from Cancun Airport to Tulum are private and are only for you and your family. This means not stopping at other hotels or waiting for other people at the airport.

The price is for the entire van and not per person. All fees and taxes are included. Travel insurance is included as well. Tip: Booking a round trip will save you between $10-$25 USD. Click the reserve no button to check prices and reserve. 

How to fly to Tulum Mexico
These are what the private transfer vans look like.

Other services you can pre book with your transfer to Tulum

Since this ride is over one hour you might like some of these extra services they offer.

  • Pre order on their booking page drinks for your ride like sodas, juices, wine or beer.
  • Snacks.
  • Book a one hour stop at a store for $35 USD. This can be helpful if you are staying somewhere where you might not have access to a store. Many resorts are far from anything, and you might now have an opportunity to buy things other than the resort without taking an expensive taxi.

Flying to Tulum for a special occasion?

If your vacation to Tulum is for a special occasion, you might want to take a VIP car service in a Suburban or similar type of vehicle. You might like to take a limo from the Cancun Airport to your hotel. This same company offers these as well and they come well recommended.

There are two types of limos available to transport you from the Cancun Airport to Tulum. The first is a Suburban limo. This limo holds up to 14 people. If traveling with luggage this limo holds 10 people with luggage. There are however options for a second vehicle for luggage if you have more then 10 people with luggage. The price is one way $296 and round trip $572.

The second option is the Chrysler 300 limo. This limousine holds 11 people or 6 people with luggage. This price for this service to Tulum is one way $310 and round trip $605.


Cancun to tulum
Limo options from the Cancun Airport to Tulum.

Should you take a taxi to Tulum from the airport?

The short answer is no, we don’t recommend it. For several reasons we prefer the private van service. Since the distance is longer you might as well be comfortable for the ride. The price is also the same or similar. We hate to see tourist arrive and have to negotiate with a taxi driver at the airport. Dollar amounts get punched into a calculator and most people wind up overpaying for the service because they just want to get to the hotel. It is so much better to have your ride all arranged so all you have to do is walk out the door of the airport and meet your driver.

It is also important to note that taxis at the airport are not city taxis. They have special licenses and act just like transfer companies, and this is why they cost so much.

Note: There is no Uber service in the Riviera Maya at this time. You must choose one of the other options.

Public bus from Cancun Airport to Tulum

The ADO bus company is the only public bus service from the Cancun Airport. They mainly have direct service to downtown Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. There are a few busses a day to Tulum. Check ADO’s website for the most up-to-date schedules. Each terminal of the Cancun Airport has a different schedule for the bus leaving for Tulum. Most international arrivals go to Terminal 3 or 4. 
The ADO bus takes just over 2 hours to get to Tulum bus station.

It should be noted that Tulum is a town in three separate parts, meaning it is spread out. There is the downtown, Tulum ruins area and the Hotel Zone along the ocean. If you are not staying near the bus station you will need to take a taxi, and this can add 10-20 minutes to your journey. The hotel area along the beach is long and can take a while in a taxi.

We only recommend the ADO bus Tulum airport connection for backpackers staying in the downtown. For most people it is total worth it to have a private transfer and take you directly to your hotel. 

If you have any questions or comments about getting to Tulum, let us know in the comments below. We will be happy to answer you. 

Thanks for reading our article about how to fly to Tulum Mexico. Since you are going to Tulum you might like to read our article about what things are best to do in Tulum.

How to fly to Tulum Mexico
Tulum Mexico.

 

 

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10 Comments

  1. It’s going to be my first time to Tulum. I have not been back to Mexico in years and I look forward to seeing how things are different.Thanks for all the tips. It really looks like things have changed and there are new places, cenotes and parks to visit when there. I will write abck with a trip report and how everything went with the transportation. Big Thanks.

    • Thank you for your kind words Rosa. We hope you have a great vacation to Tulum. If you need any further information, just let us know. We will be happy to help you out.

  2. My wife and I are bigs fans of your website. We have been coming to the area for three years now and will be exploring more of the Tulum area. WE like it so much we might end up moving to the area.

    • Hello Cliff

      Thank you for reading the website. That is great you are coming back and might even move to the area. We just did a video on real estate in the Tulum area you might be interested in.

  3. I remember when Tulum was going to open it’s own airport. That was big buzz. On google maps you can see it is made but it is not used. Maybe they ran into some cenotes or something.

  4. Hurrah! After all the planning I am finally going to Tulum! Thanks for all your help travel planning. I am also glad to see the beaches looking so great lately.

  5. Have you ever making maps for tourists? I like the print out ones. I know you have maps on your website but something in print is always helpful

    • Hello Santi

      Maps can be helpful. We do not have time to expand to that type of business. It is also hard because so much changes month to month. For example in Tulum many new streets open and new restaurants that the maps would be out of date as soon as we printed them.

    • Hello Mike

      It is very safe to drive around the area. The one thing that freaks people out is the checkpoints with the police. They dont usually pull people over, they just wait for them to come to them. The checkpoints are for security and checking for drunk drivers and things like that. Just be polite and they might ask to see your license and rental papers. Lock you car when you park. When at supermarkets or large areas in cities dont leave things in sight in your car. Be sure to read our article about gas stations and not getting tricked. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-avoid-scams-at-the-gas-station/

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