Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen
How do you get from the Cancun Airport and Playa Del Carmen? This is a very frequent question among tourist and the answer is easy. The Cancun Airport is actually between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen but is still about one hour from the center of Playa Del Carmen. It is well connected by a modern 4 lane highway that is fast to drive. You can take a bus, rent a car or private transfer to where you need to go. Here is our guide with all the options on how best to get from the Cancun Airport based on your budget and what you need.
Options for getting from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen
1. Private Transfer Van from the Cancun Airport
This is the best option for most people and the one we recommend. If you want to get to your hotel in the fastest way and not have to worry about driving, renting or haggling with a taxi driver, this is the best option. The prices can be comparable with the bus if you are traveling with your family. Plus, the private transfers are faster than the ADO bus. One of the most recommended transfer companies from the Cancun Airport is listed below.
- Tip: Booking round trip saves you between $10 and $35 USD off the transportation.
- You can book this service for one person and up.
- You ride is fully insured, and you will have a bilingual driver.
- These transfers are just for your group and not shared. They can take you to any rental or hotel in all of the Riviera Maya and Cancun area.
- Click below to see prices and book your destination.
2. Take a shared shuttle to your hotel
If you want a more budget friendly option for an airport shuttle, here is another option for you. These shared shuttles for between Cancun Airport and Playa Del Carmen or wherever you are staying. We recommend this option if you are staying outside of Playa Del Carmen and want to a cheaper option to get to your hotel. This option can be better than the ADO bus since you will not be going to just the bus station.
These are small vans with air-conditioning. This company has 10 years of experience and professional drivers. You do need to reserve in advance, so you have a seat. You can reserve by following the reserve now button. This will take you to the official shuttle website for booking.
3. Rent a car
If you are staying at a non-all-inclusive hotel and are going to travel around a bit, this option might work best for you. There are many rental car companies at the airport. The cheaper ones are just outside the airport and will pick you up when your flight arrives and take you to the office. We like this car rental company because they offer good rates on long term rentals and include all mandatory insurance you need in Mexico. If you are renting for a week or longer, they will do free airport pick up service. We recommend taking a look here if you are going to be renting a car for your stay in the Riviera Maya. If you only want to rent a car for a day or short time period, this website is good for comparing prices and reserving a rental car.
4. The only bus service from the Cancun Airport
This works best if you are traveling single and or have a hotel in Playa Del Carmen that you can walk to from the bus station. ADO (pronounced in Spanish AHH-DAY-OH) bus company services the airport on a regular basis and takes people to Cancun or Playa Del Carmen. Here are some photos and detailed information so you can find the service easily. (Just to note: taxis into Cancun or the Hotel Zone and other destinations are very expensive from the airport. So don’t plan on just hopping in a taxi unless you want to pay a lot)
For schedules, here is the ADO bus company’s website. It should be noted that they try to stick to the schedule, but don’t be shocked if they are not on time. This timing is more affected by the departing busses from the airport. Traffic and other considerations affect the timing. You will not have to wait long though for the next bus if you have just missed one. Going to the airport, they are pretty tight to the schedule.
5. Taking the Tren Maya from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen
The Tren Maya is now working between the airport and Playa Del Carmen. It is new, and things are still getting up and running, so it is not as efficient as you might like. We compare the train to the ADO bus and look at costs and time it takes. We have a full guide on how to take the Tren Maya from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen here.
6. Most all inclusive will have transport included
If this is an add on feature, calculate the cost between booking your own private transfer (see below). Sometimes the transportation for the resorts is a big bus and you have to wait for all the people to come out of the airport. Plus, it still cost you, so having a private driver waiting for you at the airport is a great way to start your vacation. It will make your trip much easier unless you are going to do some outings and feel comfortable renting a car for your stay which will allow you the freedom to come and go as you please and drive to day trips.
How to take the ADO Bus from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen
Most international flights arrive at Terminal 3 or the Terminal 4. After you go through immigration and customs you will walk out to a hall. There will be rental car companies and tour booths. There is an ADO booth, and you can buy your ticket BUT…we prefer to go outside and get it. If there is a bus, you can jump on and you are buying the same ticket, just at the curb. Both Terminal 3 & 4 have stands for bus tickets inside and outside during the day.
Exiting Terminal 3 directions for the bus to Playa Del Carmen
Go outside and you will see a lot of people with signs for people and people offering you taxi service. Just ignore them and walk toward the right.
The people working here usually speak some English. It is platform 1 & 2. See photos. The current price is 250 Pesos for one way. You should only book one way since you might not know when you want to return. They do accept USD but do not have anything over a $20 bill to give them. Change will be in Pesos. They will give you a ticket and you should retain it for your entire journey in case they need to see it. The seating is open even if the ticket has a seat number.
Platform 1 is for Cancun buses and Platform 2 is for Playa Del Carmen. Usually, the bus will have it in the digital sign on the front of the bus. When it arrives, you will be asked to put suitcases under the bus. There are no luggage tags given and security is not really an issue, so don’t worry.
Directions to the bus for Playa Del Carmen from Terminal 4 in the Cancun Airport
After you clear immigration and customs you will be exiting the terminal. There are two different exits. One exit it to friends and family and the other is to transportation pickups. For the bus, exit to your left for the transportation. After exiting the building, walk down the sidewalk until you reach the platforms for the buses. You will see a red ADO bus stand and they can tell you what the correct bus to Playa Del Carmen is.
Directions to the bus in Terminal 1 or 2 of the Cancun Airport to Playa
If your plane happens to arrive at Terminal 2, (see map below) which can happen when the airport is full, here are directions. Exit the terminal and walk to your right. You will have to walk the length of the building and then come to a security gate where the busses are parked. Just ask to go to the ADO and then board there. Same procedure as above. If you arrive via a domestic airline in Terminal 2 you will exit in the middle of the building and just walk to the right, just with a little less walking as arriving internationally.
Terminal 1 is rarely used but if by chance you have taken a domestic flight into the airport and arrive at this terminal, there is an ADO stop just out front of the building.
The bus from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen
The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes in a comfortable air-conditioned bus. It will take you to the ADO bus station on 5th Avenue and Juarez Avenue. This is the ONLY stop in Playa Del Carmen it makes. It does not go to the other bus station in the center of Playa Del Carmen when it arrives. It does however pick up from the two bus stations when going to the Cancun Airport.
Going back to the airport for departure? You can buy a ticket in both ADO stations in Playa Del Carmen. The busses leave from 5th Ave and Juarez station first and then stop by the 20th Street bus station. Busses stop at all terminals at the airport. If you are going to Terminal 4, this adds about 10 minutes to the trip.
If you get off at the wrong terminal there is a free airport shuttle between the terminals that passes every 20 minutes. The terminals look close together, but it takes about 8 minutes between each terminal. It is almost impossible to walk between the terminals. Directions are not clearly marked well, and you have to walk through the outside in the parking lots. It is much better to pay for a short ride in a taxi.
Make sure you allow at least one hour before your flight because Cancun Airport is very strict about check in. If you do not you may have to find and book another flight.
Tip: Check in online for your flight if you can. That way, if you run late you can run through security and hop on your flight. Security usually never takes more than 10 minutes to get through.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article.
Frequently asked questions about getting from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen
Can you take UBER from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen?
The short answer is no. UBER service has been in the area but due to lack of drivers and pushback from taxi companies, the service has not taken off. Do not count on being able to get a ride from the airport. It is best to book a private transfer.
How far is Playa Del Carmen from the Cancun Airport?
Playa Del Carmen is about 50 minutes away from the Cancun Airport. It does depend on what part of Playa you are staying in. If you are staying at an all inclusive hotel, some of these are north or south of Playa. This means that the ADO bus will not service those and you will need to book direct transportation. If you do book a private transfer, they will advise you of the pick-up time according to how traffic is and construction.
Can you take the colectivos and get off at the highway for the airport?
Colectivos are the vans that go between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen on the highway. These vans are mainly for workers going to various hotels. The colectivos do not have much space for luggage and even if you stopped by the airport on the highway, it is too far to walk. Even if you wanted to leave the airport and get a colectivo in the highway, most are full going toward Playa Del Carmen. It is much better to take the ADO bus from the airport to Playa Del Carmen.
Do you need to get from the Cancun Airport to Tulum?
See our article here on how to get from the Cancun Airport to Tulum.
Have you transferred from the Cancun airport to Playa Del Carmen? Do you have some travel tips for our readers? Let us know below, we would love to hear from you!
About The Author
Hello. We are coming into Cancun airport at 10:00pm flight next Monday. Will we have time to get the ADO bus or should we book a shuttle to Playa Del Carmen? We are staying in the downtown of Playa Del Carmen on 30th Street. Thanks
Hello. Thanks for your question. There is a bus at 11:00pm and 11:50pm. If you arrive at 10:00pm you will have to go through immigration and customs. You should be through and ready for the 11pm bus to Playa Del Carmen. Depending on how many you are traveling with, another option is booking the private shuttle. This way you can get directly to your hotel without waiting or taking a taxi from the bus station in Playa to your hotel. You can see details in the above article. We hope you have a great trip and a smooth transfer.
update for arriving at terminal 2: we arrived today on a domestic flight from México City. There are 2 ADO counters in the baggage claim area. One was closed, we got tickets at the other one, price from Cancún airport to Playa del Carmen 168 Pesos.
Exit from the building and turned right, the ADO busses depart from the last row (no. 66 to 69), right after the Coconut Welcome Bar. There are employees in red ADO shirts to guide you to the right bus, they have a small counter on wheels as well.
Thank you for your most recent experience of getting from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. We hope your trip goes great in Playa.
168 pesos for how many people? Thanks
That is the ADO price he was reading to. The price is not. About 190 pesos and is per person.
Hi I’m planing to travel to Cancun and then travel to an area close to Scaret Park will that be playa Del Carmen the closest place to Scaret Park ? We are trying to stay as Close to the beach as it is to the Park what will be our better choice thank you .? What is the peso dollar exchange at this time of the year , and recommend a good place to eat the most local delicious foods of the area ?
Hello Carlos. YOu must mean Xcaret Park since there is nothing called scarlet park here in the Riviera Maya. Xcaret is just south of Playa Del Carmen. We also assume you have not hotel yet and you want to go from the Cancun airport to an area close to Xcaret. The best area would be Playa Del Carmen. This is a full town and you will have restaurants and many other attractions including the beach. If you want an all inclusive hotel you can stay st some close to the park. Playa Del Carmen is easy to get to from the airport and you can see how in this guide. Then you can read in our Xcaret guide how to get there or you can book transportation through them included in your ticket price. On our site you can see restaurant guides and even cheap eats guide so you can have good places to eat while in Playa Del Carmen. We hope you have a great time and get easily from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen.
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! I love how detailed it is and easy to follow instructions one getting from the airport to Playa Del Carmen. Out trip is already off to a great start.
Thank you so much for your comment. We love to provide independent information so people can find things in and around Playa Del Carmen. We hope the rest of your vacation goes well and let us know if you need anything.
Hi
I arrive at 1300 tomorrow. Private driver website says I need to have arranged driver by 1900 tonight. Can you still accommodate me?
Hello Candice. You will need to contact the transportation company. The contact here is just our website where we recommend the transfers between Cancun Airport and Playa Del Carmen or the Rivera Maya. We hope you have a great vacation here and get transported easily between the airport and your hotel.
Outstanding article and very detailed! We have been trying to decide on how to get from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen for vacation. We have decided to book the private transfrers. We will let you know how it goes.
Good morning,
My daughter is arriving at Cancun Airport on the 18th July. She is traveling solo and i wonder what form of transport would be best for her to travel to Playa Del Carmen.
She is staying at the Grand Hyatt and im not sure how far this hotel is positioned from the bus station in Playa Del Carmen.
Kind regards,
Mrs S Webster
The bus is a very safe option and is fairly easy to figure out. The Bus station is a little bit of a walk and a taxi would be recommended. It is about 15 blocks from the bus station to the Gran Hyatt. So a taxi is recommended. From the Bus station the taxis would charge about 50 pesos (note there is a taxi stand there so the standard rate plus what extra they charge is what it is) The base taxi fare is 25 pesos, so about 25 extra is what they will charge. The other option is the private transfer from Cancun airport to Playa Del Carmen. It is a flat fee for 1-3 people. The private transfer is more direct and will save about 20-25 minutes but cost more. We hope this helps you make a decision. Let us know if you have an further comments and we will be glad to help you out. Thanks.
Hi, the ADO website states there is direct bus from Cancun to Tulum. Is this not accurate?
Hello. Are you trying to take a ADO bus from the Cancun Airport to Tulum? All ADO busses leave Cancun Airport and go to Cancun downtown or Playa Del Carmen. It you want to go to Tulum you will need to get off in Playa Del Carmen and transfer to another bus. The good thing is the busses to Tulum are often and your wait will not be long. If you are arrive to Cancun Airport and going to Tulum we recommend the Private transfer if you are two or more people. It is much quicker and easier.
The ADO bus website does have a schedule from Cancun downtown to Tulum. This bus does take over two hours and will stop un Playa Del Carmen. The nice thing is you get one ticket and the best connection.
Hello. I wanted to say we loved taking the transfer from the Cancun airport to Playa Del Carmen. It made our trip so easy. We are used to taking the bus because we thought it was a cheap option and easy but the last time we stayed at a hotel just outside of Playa Del Carmen’s center so we decidd to take the shuttle. So simple and booking roundtrip even saved us money. We are going to do that from now on. We felt like royalty and it did not even cost us that much.
Hello.We wanted to get back to you on the private transfer from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen option. Everything went very smooth and driver knew where our hotel was. Good option and we recommend it to other people.
Thanks for the write up. I will be traveling from cancun airport to playa with a bike in a large box plus another checked in bag plus a carryon small backpack. Will there be room under the bus for my luggage in particular the bike box?
Hello AK
There is room for bikes under the bus. Usually there is not a full load of people coming on the bus to Playa Del Carmen. We have seen ADO busses take bikes under them on other runs. Technically there should be an extra fee for the large luggage but this is not always charged. We hope your transfer from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen goes smoothly and you have fun here.
Awesome thanks for the reply.
Another question I hope you don’t mind. I will be returning to Cancun with all my luggage before heading over to Cuba for 10 days then back to Cancun for 2 nights before flying home. I’d love to be able to store the large bike bag plus the other checked in bag somewhere in Cancun whilst I’m travelling around Cuba. I found a hotel that said they provide storage which I’ve booked with the intention of staying there for 1 night before leaving for Havana then returning for the final 2 nights but they’re not responding to my emails. So long story short can you recommend somewhere in Cancun to store the large luggage or a budget hotel which would store it for me. Happy to pay a reasonable fee for the privilege.
We have a great storage service in Cancun that seems to be just what you are looking for! Their website is cancunstorage.com You can leave things here and they have a lot of drop off and pick up services. Alternatively the ADO bus station in Cancun does storage but a large bike box might be hard for them to hold for you. The above mentioned company sounds perfect for your needs.
Does the ADO bus make stops by Mayakoba Hotel coming from Cancun airport?
Hello Milly
The ADO bus only stops in Puerto Morelos along the highway and in Playa Del Carmen at the bus station on 5th Avenue. If you need to go to Mayakoba or nearby you will need to take the bus to Playa Del Carmen and then take a taxi. The taxi will cost about 500 pesos back toward Mayakoba so it makes more sense to take a private shuttle from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen.
We had a hotel that had transportation add on package from the airport to our hotel. It was find but it was a big bus and we had to wait for everyone to go through customs and get their bags. there was air conditioning on the bus but after a 9 hour flight we just wanted to go to the hotel and relax. I think next time we should book one of these transfers. It is a good price and not much more then the bus but for the comfort and time we would of saved it would of been a much better option for getting to the airport.
Hello Bill
We know what you mean. We recently took a long trans Atlantic flight to Cancun Airport and were pretty tired and ready to get to Playa Del Carmen. When you leave in the daytime and arrive in the daytime, it can be hard to sleep on the plane. You start to get tired and you have to remind yourself what time it is for your body. The private transfers can be the best way to get from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen or wherever you are staying in the Riviera Maya.
We took your private transfer recommendation this time to Playa Del Carmen. We found it so easy and even though it is just two of us, it was a good option for getting from the Cancun Airport to our rental. We are going to do that from now on.
We will be flying in mid oct and I was wanting to get transportation for 4 to playa del carmen as we are renting a vacation home in Cozumel. What area would I put in the drop down as I only see hotel areas. Which would be the closest to take the ferry to Cozumel?
Hello Miranda
You would be booking for Playa Del Carmen so that would be your rate. You could book and in the notes just tell the transportation company that you want to go to the Cozumel ferry. We will see if the private transfer company can put a location on the drop off for the Cozumel Ferry in Playa Del Carmen, but until then, we recommend contacting them just so they know where exactly you are going and it should be no problem. We hope you have a great time in Cozumel and a smooth transfer from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen.
We always like to take the private transfers because they take you right to your hotel. We have done the bus but then has to pay for a taxi to take us to the hotel and it tool like 30 minutes longer. It was affordable doing the private transfer from Cancun Airport and very easy.
Hello. Thanks for your detailed guide. It was our first time coming to Playa Del Carmen and we were not sure how to get from the airport to Playa. We took your advise on the private shuttle and were picked up right as we walked out. They drove the van for the three of us and we were at our hotel in about 45 minutes from when we left Cancun Airport. It was so easy. And they came back and got us and we did not have to wait for the bus or anything. It was worth the cost. good tips!
Hello I have a question. If I rented a condo just outside of Playa Del Carmen can the private transfer take me there?
Hello Doug
The private transfer company can take you to any location either hotel or rental property in the Riviera Maya. Just have the exact address for your booking so they know where to take you. Addresses are not always that exact in Mexico so if you get a good address and directions from your rental agency that would be good. We hope you have a great vacation here and get transported smoothly from the Cancun Airport to your rental.
Thank you! This a good article with all the details on taking the bus from the airport to Playa del Carmen. We do this.
We took the private transfer to Akumal and really like the service. We recommend this for those coming to Cancun airport and need to get to the Rivera Maya.
This is a really good tip particularly to those new to coming to Mexico.
Simple but very accurate info. I am sure this will help people find their way from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen.
I know I sent you an email but also wanted to add a note to this article because it is great you guys there go this negotiated rate for the private transfer company. This is the best price from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. We come back and forth about 4 times a year and book this service a lot. The price here is lower then others and the service is punctual and good. Thanks again!
This might be a stupid question but do the private transfers run all day long from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen? We have a very early flight and I wonder if it is possible. Thnaks
Hello Whitney
You question is valid since there are some very early flights that leave from the Cancun Airport. Even the busses have had to change their schedules some to accommodate earlier flights. The Cancun airport is getting busier with more flights and hours are being stretched for arrivals and departures. You can be assured that the private transfers from Playa Del Carmen to the Cancun Airport will accommodate you. They will ask for your flight information when booking and will confirm everything for you. We hope you have a great trip here and smooth transfer.
Exceptionally individual service from the airport to Playa del Carmen. We took the shuttle to our hotel the Dorado and is was super smooth. Would recommend this service.
Hello. I just wanted to write you a note and say thanks for the detailed instructions from the airport to Playa Del Carmen. We had no problem following them. It made it easy for us to find out way even though this was our first tip trip to Mexico.
Virtually all of the taxi drivers try to charge you a different price to and from the Cancun Airport. I don’t know why they don’t do a better job because they are killing each other with a bad reputation. I would much rather take a transfer service. Not only do you have more room a driver that speaks English but they know where your hotel is and they charge the correct amount.
We have taken taxis in the past from the Cancun Airport but don’t like the issues they have with Uber. We are going to take the private transfers because not only can you get to your hotel faster you don’t have to deal with taxi drivers that try to scam you and charge more. We hope Uber gets a hold in the Riviera Maya and gets some competition for the prices.
Thanks for the information on the bus. I was able to find the ADO bus and get to Playa Del Carmen from the airport. Great tips and helpful.
Hello I wanted to ask you if the schedule for the ADO bus was correct. I had friends fly into Cancun Airport and someone said the last bus is at 11:oopm to Playa Del Carmen. I am coming this next week and arrive late to the airport and don’t want the same situation.
Mr.Yucatan. I’ll be going to the airport myself because I have an early flight. What is the best option ? I plan to leave the hotel early morning possibly around 8am. Is there a bus at that time and should I purchase the ticket asap ? Where on 5th ave is the bus stop ? Thanks
Hello Sunny and thank you for your question. If you are going to the Cancun Airport from Playa Del Carmen you can get on at wither ADO bus Station. The bus will leave from the Juarez Avenue and 5th Avenue bus station and then go to the second bus station in Playa Del Carmen on 20th Avenue and 12th Street. Leaving from the first bus station on 5th Avenue there are busses at 7:30am, 8:00am and 8:20am. All of these busses will stop at the second station 10 minutes later. We mention this because your hotel might be closer to the other station. We do recommend buying your ticket the day before because if you are tight on time and if the bus you want fills up, you don’t want to have to take another bus. This only usually happens in high season but it never hurts to plan ahead. The current price is 168 pesos. If you need any more information or maps on the ADO Bs Stations we have a guide for that here: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/ado-bus-and-stations-guide-in-playa/ We hope you have a smooth transfer between Playa Del Carmen and the Cancun Airport and you come back soon. If you have any other questions, feel free to write a comment here.
Hi, I am planning out my trip to the Riviera Maya and wanted to know how long I should plan on a private transfer to pick me up at the Cancun Airport and drop me off in Akumal? I am meeting my Airbnb host and need to arrange a time to meet.
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Hello
The nice thing about the private transfers is the fact you can have a driver waiting. We do recommend that if you are coming on an international flight you should expect it to take about 30-one hour to go though customs and immigration at the Cancun Airport. It will depend on when you arrive, what terminal you come into and if you checked luggage. Sometimes it is just luck and you can get your bags within 20 minutes and then there is no line in immigration. The time of year also effects how long it will take since there are higher and lower travel seasons. With that said, once you walk out the doors of the Cancun Airport you driver will be waiting there with a sign. The drive from the Cancun Airport to Akumal will take about one hour. We hope this estimate helps you plan your trip and we hope you have a great time here in the Riviera Maya. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask here.
What is the possibility of going to Playa Del Carmen on the private transfer with a bike that is in a shipping box? I am looking for two people to transfer from the Cancun Airport. Thank you.
Hello Alfanzo
The vehicles that pick you up from the Cancun Airport are vans and are spacious. There should be space but it is good to contact the transportation company to ask first to make sure. They can make a note on your reservation to be sure they vehicle they send for you can work. We hope you are able to take this shuttle and have a smooth transfer to Playa Del Carmen.
Hi. I just wanted to say we took your advice on the private transfer from the Cancun Airport and we got great service. It was so easy and nice ot have a driver great us. It made us feel special. We were at our hotel in less then one hour from landing. We are now on the beach enjoying our vacation. Many thanks, I appreciate it! We love your website and all the tips you have to share.
Thank you Lisa. We like to recommend good local businesses. We have had no complaints about this transportation service and we are happy to tell people about them. We hope the rest of your time here goes well. The weather is beautiful today and a great day for the beach. Enjoy!
Hello
We arrive a the cancun airport at approx. 5:30 pm Nov 8 my sister, myself and 11 year old nephew . I believe I have the process down to ride the ADO. We are staying at the Riu Yucatan. Will we be able to get a cab easy from the bus stop to our hotel?
thank you for your time
Hello Janie
Once you transport from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen on the ADO bus, you will arrive at the Juarez Avenue and 5th Avenue bus station. A taxi stand is right next to the bus station. A taxi hailed on the street should cost 90 pesos to you hotel. A taxi stand is supposed to charge 5 pesos more, so the total should be 95. However the taxi stand there is notorious for charging too much. You will have to ask how much before getting in. It is not unreasonable to pay 100, 120 but we would not pay more. Even when we have tried to walk to 10th Avenue to hail a taxi they have overcharged or told us a higher price then the official price. There are no meters in the taxis in Playa Del Carmen but they are supposed to have a rate sheet, most do not have it visible. So in short, it is easy to get to your hotel from the bus, you just have to watch the price. We hope you have a smooth transfer from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen and have a great trip here!
Wonderful thank you so much ! You are so very kind and helpful
We are staying in a private condo between Akumal and Tulum. Will the private shuttles be able to drive us there from the Cancun Airport? I don’t know if they only go to Hotels. Thanks you.
Hello. The private transfers do take people to rentals, condos, houses and hotels. Wherever you need to be dropped off. That is a nice thing about not having a shared van because they will take you anywhere and you don’t have to worry about stopping at a bunch of hotels. We hope you have a nice flight into Cancun and enjoy your stay in the Riviera Maya.
Hello. does your airport transportation have group rates? We have a group of 15 people coming into Cancun Airport and we need several or one large bus to get us to Playa Del Carmen.
Hello Paul. The company that we recommend for Cancun Airport transfers does offer group services. We will send you an email with all the information. If there is anything else you need, feel free to ask. We hope that you and your group has a wonderful time here in Playa Del Carmen.
Hi there! Your information is so helpful! Gracias!
A couple questions:
1. So, we don’t have to change buses once we arrive in PDC on the way to Tulum? Just need to wait for the Tulum bus to arrive?
2.
I’m curious as to the timing of the buses leaving Tulum on a Saturday in November. I have a flight leaving at 1:00 and wanted to ask what timing you would recommend?
Thanks SO much!
Hello Ann
Thank you for reading our site and we are glad you found the information helpful. To answer your first question, you will need to take the ADO Bus to Playa Del Carmen. At the bus station you will get off and get on the next bus to Tulum. You should be able to buy the ADO ticket from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum at the Cancun Airport. This will make it a little easier. If they cannot give you that part of the ticket, it is fairly easy to get the ticket once you get to Playa Del Carmen.
In response to your second question. If you flight leaves at 1pm, we assume this is an international flight. So you need to get there at 11am or earlier. There are two busses that leave Tulum in the morning that connect well with the bus leaving from Playa Del Carmen. One is 7:10am and the other 9:00am. The bus says it will take 2 hours and 5 minutes. So if you took the 9:00am bus from Tulum you can technically get there at 11:05am. We think it will be a little later then that, like 11:25 by the time you get off at terminal 3 for your international flight. If that is too close for you to worry about you can take the earlier bus at 7:10. If you are traveling with someone or want an easier no hassle way to go, we usualy recommend this way to get from Tulum to the Cancun Airport. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-get-from-the-cancun-airport-to-tulum/
Wonderful! This is SO helpful. I am travelling by myself actually, so a shuttle will be too expensive, but I think the ADO bus will work perfectly. Is the bus stop where I take the bus in Tulum clear and signposted?
Thanks again!
The ADO bus leaves from the ADO bus station in the center of Tulum along the 307 Highway. You are able to see it from the road. It is not that big and about the size of a house.
Gracias a ti!
Hi there, You’ve done a fantastic job telling people how to get from the Cancun Airport. I’ll certainly recommend to my friends.
I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website. Cheers!
It’s hard to find straight answers but you lay out how to get from the airport pretty easy. Thanks and we will be checking out the rest of your website for our trip.
Appreciating the time and energy you put into your articles. This was very detailed and easy to follow. It is always hard to descend into a foreign country and figure things out. I always like doing a little research so we don’t look so lost when we land. We took the transfer and it was easy from terminal 3 to come out and see them waiting for us. Our diver was bilingual and very polite.
Thanks for the shuttle information. We took your suggestion and booked the private transfer. It totally made our vacation simple. They were right outside the door at the airport and came right on time to get us back for our flight. Very professional and would recommend them to everyone coming to the Riviera Maya. Cannot wait to come back soon.
Thank you Aurelia. We are glad you like the services that we recommend. We try to test and only support good businesses here in the Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen. We hope to see you soon back here.
Hello. We are coming in January. Will the busses still be running on this schedule from the airport to Playa Del Carmen? Thanks
Hello Jill
Yes, as far as we know, the bus hours for the first and last bus is correct and if it does change, we will update that information here. We hope you have a nice flight into Cancun and nice stay in Playa Del Carmen.
Do they tag the luggage that you put on the bus at the airport? I wonder because I would think all the luggage looks a like and I worry about people getting off and taking your bag by accident. Should I make my bag stand out?
Hello
having your bag standout is always a good thing, even in the airport it makes it easy to find on a conveyor belt. The ADO bus at the Cancun Airport only has one stop before Playa Del Carmen and not many people get off here, if any. The bags are not tagged since this would take more time loading up and unloading in the busy station in Playa Del Carmen. We have heard no reports of people having trouble getting bags taken or messed up.
There is a group of 6 coming into Cancun airport and traveling to Playa Del Carmen. Our flights are about 30 minutes apart and are landing at two different terminals. The later flight arrives at terminal 3. Will the terminal bus drop us off at terminal 3 outside where all the other pickups are at such as Best Day Travel and buses to Playa Del Carmen? We were hoping to meet the others and ride all together.
Hello Dan
If you take the free Cancun Airport bus to Terminal 3 you can easily find your friends. The internal bus shuttle runs every 20 minutes and take about 5 minutes to get from each terminal to the next. In a pinch you can walk or take a taxi. Walking is hard because you cannot see where the terminals are and there are not well signed sidewalks.
Terminal 3 is small and just has two exit doors. The two sides are separated because one side is for the ADO bus arrivals and departures. The other side is for taxis and small vans.
We hope this helps you and you connect with your friends. If the last party books the private transfer then the first ones that arrive can go over to the terminal, you all can take a van to Playa Del Carmen. The recommended transfer service we have here is very good and offers good service.
Hello. We want to book a private transfer from the Cancun Airport. We are three people and are coming for an extended trip. Is there space for large bags of three persons? We might have about 2 each and wonder if we should get a van or how big the transport is. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hello Kandy
The private transfers are used to people arriving with luggage and sometimes large amounts. There should be space for three people to have two large bags each. You can confirm when booking but this should not be a problem even if you have a little more then that. They often use vans for the transfers from Cancun Airport.
I’m not sure if you know but does the ADO bus go from the airport and then to Akumal? We arrive in Cancun at 3pm and want to get to our hotel by 5pm. Is this possible? Thanks in advance.
Hello
You can take the ADO bus from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen but you will need to get off and then take either a very local bus with many stops, a colectivo or a taxi. It is best to book a private transfer. ADO bus does not stop in Akumal. Here is our guide on getting to Akumal from the airport: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-get-from-cancun-airport-to-akumal/
If I arrive after the last bus to Playa Del Carmen from the airport is it good to go to Cancun and get a colectivo from there? Let me know.
I’d definitely appreciate it.
Hello. There is transportation into Cancun from the airport but you have to remember that it will take about 22 minutes to take a taxi into Cancun and it will be expensive. It is better to book a private transfer from the airport to Playa Del Carmen. It is a more expensive than the bus but it will save you a lot of time after a trip and you can go directly to Playa Del Carmen You option will take you at least an hour or more longer.
Wondering if Uber is available to Playa and if so, your thoughts on using it ?
Hello Sophia
Uber is only available in Cancun. It has just started there. It is not that big yet and there have been a lot of protest from the taxi and van services because of unfair competition. Uber is not allowed to service Playa Del Carmen from the Cancun Airport so this is not an option as of now.
Hello, can you tell me how long the van takes to get from the airport to the Mayakoba hotel? We are meeting some friends at the hotel and want to give them a time. Thanks
Hello Esperanza
The airport transfer will take about 40-45 minutes to get from the Cancun Airport to the Mayakoba Hotel. Mayakoba is just north of Playa Del Carmen so it is a little faster to get to than the downtown of Playa Del Carmen. We hope this helps you and you have a smooth transfer.
Is it possible to get a colectivo from the airport to Playa Del Carmen? I am looking for the cheapest way.
Hello Patty
The answer to catching a colectivo is no. They do not run into the Cancun Airport. They only run on the highway and are really for people getting between cities. There is not a lot of space from luggage as well. The cheapest option is the ADO bus.
Great web site you’ve have. I am doing all my research on it for our trip to Playa Del Carmen. I had a question about the shuttles from the airport. There are those ones that pick up people and drop them off at different hotels. Do you recommend these for airport transportation?
Hello Yenny
There are some of those van services that you can pay but if you are looking to do it inexpensive it is good to take ADO bus. Only if your hotel is in the middle of nowhere then that is a good option. They tend to take a while dropping people off and we have gotten many complaints about slow service, both pick up and drop off. That is why we show people the options of the ADO bus and the private transfers from the Cancun Airport.
We had friends pick us up at the airport but we need to get back on our own. We asked some taxi drivers on 5th the other day how much and they told us 1,300 pesos which sounded really high. So this might sound like a silly question but you can book the transfers just one way to the Cancun airport? Thank you.
Hello Missy
The transfers are nice because you can schedule them and then they just show up to your door without having to call and wait for them. It will be better priced than the taxi quote as well. You can book just one way from Playa Del Carmen to the airport. We hope you have a smooth transfer and come back soon.
I just wanted to say we arrived this week here to the Riviera Maya. We took the private transfer from the airport and it went very well. Good recommended service. Thanks.
Thanks for your detailed instructions for catching the bus. It was super easy to do and a nice option for me since I was traveling alone.
Thanks for the info. We got out of the airport and found our guy super easy. It was our first time to Mexico so we were a little worried about trying figure it out.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how to get from Cancun Airport
to Playa Del Carmen. Regards. It helps me plan.
Thank you for this detailed write-up, Mr Yucatan. Exactly what I needed. I love you.
Thank you very much! I love helping people find what they need.
These are good prices for the transfers! We have seen much higher prices.
Last time we rented a car to go fro the airport to Playa Del Carmen because we had a week and wanted to travel around. We found we could walk almost everywhere in town and a cheap taxi was always available. This time we will skip the car and just take the shuttle. Must easier and cost effective. This is the best options for us.
Thanks for the info. Very detailed work and helpful.
I constantly refer my guest of the hotel to your website. It is very helpful in answering questions about the Riviera Maya and how to get from the airport.
Hi there to all, since I am planning a trip to Playa Del Carmen I cam across your website. Great details on everything. I look forward to exploring with your site
Thank you for great information I used it for looking for this info for my mission. I am bringing a group to the Riviera Maya and I am in charge of the logistics.
Thanks for the information on airport transfers. My wife and I plan to go to one of these AI resorts at PlayaDC nest month. They ask us to rent a car at Cancun Airport, but since they told us we only need a car for 3 of the 5 days there, I am thinking of taking the private transfers to Playa and then rent a car there for 3 days. Do you have any suggestion or guidelines on car rental at Playa del Carmen, specifically places that is reliable and not too expensive after adding all the necessary insurance? Thanks
Hello Peter
We have been trying to get one good car company to give us a good rate for our readers. We are almost there. We like American car rental that is in the center of Playa because they are professional. We will soon have two rates, one with full coverage and one with just the liability which is required in Mexico. You can check them out online. Many people like the private transfers because you don’t need a car most of the time here. Many tours will pick you up and drop you at your hotel. We hope you have a great trip down here and let us know if you need anything.
Attractive details and well thought out. I hate corporate guides. You have good info on your site, thanks. I look forward to exploring Playa soon.
Crudos to our driver who knew our flight was delayed but as waiting at the airport for us and go us to our hotel right on time. Great service and I would say looking forward to going back to the airport with them, but we are sure we will want to stay longer in the Riviera Maya. Note to self, book two weeks next year.
We are coming for our first time to the Riviera Maya and really looking forward to it. We have been reading everything you publish. We are doing the more independent our so looking to take the bus from the airport to Playa.
Hi there, great tips and info. We had been debating on how we were going to get form the airport. We took the bus last time and got a taxi to our hotel, but that took too much time with luggage. So this year we are doing the shuttle for sure. Direct is best if you are staying out of Playa Del Carmen on the coast.
Hello. You have such good advice about airport transportation do you also have info on what tours are best to take?Thanks
Hello and thanks for taking a look at our website. We love making guides for our readers. We have several articles that you might like. Our. If tour article with a map of places can easily help you find places. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/playa-del-carmen-tours/
We hope this gives you some ideas and you can always use the search button in the site so you can find exactly what you want. We hope you have a great trip.
Well explained and very through guide. Thanks.
We are flying into Cancun but have a standby ticket. How can we book s transfer to our hotel if we are not sure the time we arrive or how far in advance can we book?
Hello Rory
That is great you are coming to the Riviera Maya! The transportation company needs to make a schedule of all its drivers the day before and usually they require a 24 hour notice. You can always contact them through the link so you can ask if they can arrange a ride for you once you know your flight. We hope your flight goes well and you are able to book a transfer. Thanks for your question.
Great tips for travel in Mexico! thanks for your website.
I have seen a lot of stuff about Uber in Cancun. Is there any service to Playa Del Carmen yet?
Hello Matthew
Uber was only operating in Cancun and does not have permission to service the route from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. Even though this service has started to Cancun and in the city of Cancun we do not fully recommend it for several reasons. Number one there are not many drivers and people using the service. Number two there have been conflicts between the taxi union and Uber and the last thing in the news were Uber cars getting fined by the government for fees owed because it was deemed that Uber was operating illegally according to State laws. We suggest the transportation option in our article.
We just got back to Michigan and wanted to say everything went well with our airport transfer and getting back and forth to the airport. Thanks so much for your help.
Hello Richard
We are glad you had a good trip and all went well. We hope to see you back here soon. We will be busy working here in paradise to keep you on top of what is going on here.
I always thought Playa del Carmen was farther away from the airport than Cancun. It seems pretty easy to get to. We have stayed in Cancun and the transfers were 40 minutes or longer. So there was no real point in staying in Cancun to be near the airport.
I found your site while researching our trip down to Playa Del Carmen. I amazed at how much info you have on here. You make it easy to get around. Thanks for all your guides.
Hello. This is our first time we have planned a trip to Playa Del Carmen. Of course on of the first things we checked was this article. We like your site and all the details you have. Cheers!
Wonderful web site. A lot of useful info here. I am coming into Cancun this week and will be using the transfer service. This time I am staying in Playacar and don’t want to take a taxi from the center of Playa Del Carmen with my luggage. I definitely want to check out some of the restaurants on your guides a well!
Hello. We are a group of 10 people but have one child with us. Do you think we can fit into one van for pick up at Cancun Airport or do we need to book two vans? Please let us know. Thanks.
Hello Ana
the best thing to do would be to contact the transfer company and give them your details like the age of the child. Since we do not do the transfers, they will be able to directly answer your questions. We hope you have a good visit and transfer from the airport. Thanks for using our website.
Terrific resource of information on Playa and all around. Have you considered putting this in other languages? I have a lot of friends that travel to Cancun and the information in Spanish and Portuguese is very limited. Just an idea since you have such good articles.
Hello Emilio
We would love to have all our information in many languages and on many sites. We do have a translator on the site so people can translate it but that is not always the best. Perhaps in the future we can have several sites in different languages. Right now on google you need to have just one language on your site so it does not get confused.
I am looking at booking the transfer but my hotels is not on the list. How do I book for my hotel in Playa Del Carmen? Thanks
Hello Oliver
If you are coming from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen and want to go to a hotel not on the list, you can pick the generic “Playa Del Carmen Center” or “other hotel” and then the transportation company will ask you which hotel to make sure it is in the center of Playa or just outside. We thank you for reading our article and we hope you have a great trip!
Hello we are two couples coming to the Riviera Maya. We are staying at two separate hotels but are coming on the same flight. We wanted to see if we could get a van for both couples and they drop us off. I think the hotels are close to each other. Do you think that is possible? Thanks
Hello Sam
First off, welcome to the Riviera Maya or soon to welcome you. We hope you have a great vacation here. As far as your question of transportation from the Cancun Airport, the best way is to click the book now button and that will take you to the transportations website. They will be able to answer your question and see if they can accommodate your request. Thanks
Hi we are landing Cancun at 4:28pm 15th of march and need to get to the Soho Playa hotel in Play de Carmen, can you tell us what a transfer will cost either by taxi or shuttle, there are two adults. Thank you Geoff
Hello Geoff
If you click on the link in the article to the booking of the transfers you will see that the price from the Cancun Airport to the Soho Hotel in Playa Del Carmen it will be $60 one way or $110 round trip. These private transfers will be waiting for you outside when you arrive and will take you directly to your hotel. We recommend this service because they offer good service and good prices. Our other readers have really been please with this service so we are sure this will be a good option for you. We hope you have a great vacation here and enjoy the recommended services we have on the website.
We just go into Playa Del Carmen and we are sure happy to be back. The warm air coming out of the airport was a nice welcome. We left behind cold winter weather and we are looking forward to a great time here. Thanks for all your tips for making our vacation special.
Thank you very much
For those that come to Mexico you should know that there are very good services here. The people work hard and even the busses from the airport are clean, well driven and air-conditioned. Mexico is not the third world country it is thought to be. The Riviera Maya is super safe and clean and in some ways nicer then some parts of the States and Europe. We love visiting each year and finding new things. We like to move around and be a little independent so we take the busses without having to rent a car. The ADO busses are great option for the person or couple that wants to be mobile.
Hello Ian
We could not agree with you more. The services here are very good in most cases. We are so glad you like traveling around. We are working hard on more guides to places that are not heard of and finding those places that are not full of tourist. We hope you have a great time if you are here or when you come back to Mexico again.
Fantastic website and information. We are planning a trip to Playa Del Carmen and you have everything here! Very complete information! Thanks.
Hello my wife and I are arriving in Cancun Airport and want to take a collective shuttle to our hotels. Are there vans that take people to hotel along the coast? We don’t want to take the bus to Playa Del Carmen and then have to take a taxi.
Hello Henry
There are a few of these services but we do not recommend them. We understand you do not want to take the ADO bus from the airport to Playa Del Carmen because it will mean more transportation time. The private transfers are direct to your hotel and only are for you. The few services that offer group vans often will have to wait for people to arrive even after you have gotten to the airport and then you will have a much longer time going to your hotel unless yours is the first one. Many of the hotels in the Rivera Maya have long access roads. If there are one or two hotels before you this can add 30-45 minutes of time to your trip. Most people do not like to do this after taking a long flight to Mexico. The direct service is only a little more but very much a welcome relief on vacation. We hope this helps you and you have a great time here.
Just a quick question about the bus from the airport, are there holiday hours or times when they run less frequent to Playa Del Carmen? We are coming Christmas and flying out New Years day and I wanted to know. Thanks
Hello David. The busses between the airport and Playa Del Carmen are very consistent even during holidays and weekend. You should have no issues with the schedule we just recommend that you buy your return ticket to the Cancun Airport in advance since this will be a heavy travel time and you don’t want to get to the bus station and not be able to get on the bus you want because it is full. Safe travels and we hope you enjoy your trip here.
Hello. We are coming into Cancun and are having friends pick us up. We wonder how long it takes to get through customs and come out of the airport?
Hello Carlos
It can vary a lot depending on how any planes arrive at the same time but here is a general timeline. If you plane arrives at 1pm it usually takes 15 minutes to get off the plane and get in line for immigration. The lines can take 10-30 minutes. Usually you can account for 15 minutes. If you have checked bags you will pick these up next. This will take another 10 minutes. Then you will go through customs. This can take another 10 minutes. So if you plane arrives at 1pm you would most likely get out at 1:50.
Thanks for all the details in the article. My wife was so worried about getting out at Cancun Airport and not finding our ride and getting our vacation started. We got it all sorted out had a great time.
Hello Carl
We love hearing success stories. We try to make things easy for people to figure out and get around so they can focus on their vacations. We hope you come back soon.
Just booked and will be there in 24 day! Looking forward to being in Playa again!
I want to say that we arrived at the Cancun Airport today and there are guys with “Official Cancun Drivers” shirts. They will talk to people in English and give incorrect information about transportation. Then I saw taxi drivers pulling out calculators and bargaining with a couple from the States. They were getting totally ripped off. I felt like saying something but I refrained. I just waited to vent here and say you give good advice to have people book ahead of time so they can have a booked pickup from the Airport. I hope that people read this and take your advice. It is hard after a flight to try to figure out the ride and then overpay because you just want to get to your hotel.
Hello Nancy
Thank you for your comments. We have seen this as well and it why we work hard to recommend good services at fair prices. We do not really recommend the taxis from the airport for several reasons. We wish more people would book in advance so they can have a stress free arrival and not end up paying too much.
Quick thanks for all your tour recommendations and shuttle from the airport. We found everything just like how you wrote it. It was super easy. Your website is the best for visiting Playa del Carmen!
What is the stop not in terminal 3 of the airport for the bus? Last time I was there it was under construction. Has it moved?
Hello Max
The terminal 3 has a new wing but the bus stop is still in the same spot. Just as you come out to your right. It might look a little different but it is still there.
How long does it take to get from the Cancun Airport to Akumal?
Hello
If you take a private transfer it will take about 1 hour and 25 minutes to get to Akumal. As you know there are not direct busses between the airport and Akumal. Also a taxi would be very expensive.
Hi first of all thanks for all your explanation:
I thought the bus will stop to the ADO station near to our hotel (ADO Playa del Carmen Alterna) fortunately I saw your article so now I am asking how can we reach this bus station? Can we take another ADO bus or we can only ask for a taxi or walk ?
Thank you
Hello
I will be arriving in Cancun Airport next Tuesday Dec 27 to TERMINAL 1 from Mexico City. Does the ADO Bus to Playa Del Carmen pick you up at Terminal 1? Is it easy to find the ticket counter to buy a ticket?
It seems the bus mostly picks up from Terminal 2 and 3.
Also on the way back from Playa Del Carmen, does it drop passengers off at Terminal 1?
Hello Dane
The ADO bus does stop and pick people up from Terminal One of Cancun Airport. It is easy to find. There is a ticket booth inside of Terminal 1 as you get off the plane and enter the terminal. For a long time the ADO bus only went to terminal 2 and 3 but now that terminal 1 is more used, it stops there both picking people up and dropping them off. It is the first stop as you arrive to the airport.
I’m amazed at how much info you have on your site. There must be a lot of time spent on it. I like the guides and stuff to do in and around Playa del Carmen. We think we will enjoy it with your help/
Hi, thx for the info! Do you know if ADO buses run from Cancun airport to playa del Carmen then from playa to Tulum on JANUARY 1?? Thanks for any info
Hello. We believe they do. The busses are always busy and running. We remember last year the colectivos e up and running on January one because so many people use them. We would double check but the ADO website is down right now, so we can only go by what it was like last year.
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you so much. However I cannot seem to check the ADO website. Is the company still working?
Hello Jeremy
The ADO bus service is working just fine from the Airport to Playa Del Carmen. The website however for ADO is often not working correctly. That is why we like to have as much information online for people visiting so number one it is in English and number two, it is available. You should have no issues when you arrive and we hope you have a great vacation here.
Is it far from the bus station in Playa Del Carmen to get to Mayakoba by taxi?
Hello Phillip
You would need to take a taxi from the bus station in Playa Del Carmen to Mayakoba. Since the hotel is about 15 minutes back toward the airport, you will need to do a little back tracking. You might wave money on taking the bus to Playa Del Camren but the taxi cost will add up. So we recommend you taking the private transfer to Mayakoba directly from the Cancun Airport. This will make for a seamless transfer and make it much more easy.
Hello ad great website by the way. I am wondering if Jan 1 everything ill be running back and forth from the Airport and Playa? I guess so but just wanted to check so I have no surprises.
Hello David
Yes, everything will be up and running on January 1. Both the ADO and the private transfers will be having service between Playa and the Cancun Airport. We hope you have had or will have a pleasant vacation here.
We are coming to Playa Del Carmen and wondered if our hotel is on the list of transfers from the airport. We are at the Fiesta Inn on 10th Avenue. Thanks
Hello Naomi
Yes all hotels are available, just when you go to book there will be an option from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen center. This will cover all the downtown and you can tell them exactly what hotel you are going to. We hope you have a great vacation here and let us know if you need anything else.
Great Info! Will be visiting Mexico for the first time and looking forward to the warm ocean breezes!
Just arrived in Mexico yesterday and wanted to say the airport pick up went very well. Thanks for all the information and guides. Now just waking up to the Christmas Day sunrise over the ocean. Best gift ever to give ourselves. Merry Christmas.
Hello. Since we are coming to the Riviera Maya for three weeks e have a lot of bags. Can you tell me if the vehicle that is for the 3 people will have enough space for two large bags per person? Thanks.
Hello Ivan
The transportation company is used to people brining a lot of luggage and you should fit comfortably the three of you and your bags. We hope you have a good flight into Cancun and you enjoy your time here in the Riviera Maya.
We arrived at the Cancun Airport last week and when we left the terminal there were these men in official looking shorts that came up to us and asked us if we needed help. We asked them about transportation because they seemed to be helpful and spoke English. We asked about Uber and they gave a very snide remark. I guess they were more from the Taxi union or transport companies. I guess the whole Uber thing has not gone over well. I did not see anyone that was taking it, although hard to tell because people can look like they are picking up friends.
This is a very thorough guide My wife and I got out of a long flight and were happy to find everything exactly as you described. We found our ride and we at the beach in no time.
Greetings from Ohio! We are in the throws of winter and looking forward to our trip down to Mexico. We are online and doing some planning. We are starting with the airport and working our way through our week there. We will be in Playacar during our stay there. Do you recommend any places to eat in downtown? We have half the meals covered at the hotel so we can go our or pay for the rest so we are looking at options. Your site is so helpful with answers we thought we would throw it out there. Thanks.
Hello Ray
Thanks for reading our site. We are sure you are excited now to come to Mexico. The weather is great. There are not many restaurants in Playacar so you will need to take a taxi into the center of Playa. If you don’t mind doing this several times during your week or even taking a long walk, there are many good places to eat. We are not sure if you have seen our restaurant guide: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/playa-del-carmen-restaurants/ We talk about all the great places and what our recommendations are. You should have plenty to choose from. one note, it is a busy time of year now through mid January so you might enjoy some of the less touristy restaurants off 5th Avenue. Let us know what ones you liked after you came. We love to hear feedback. Have a great trip.
We arrived this week at the Cancun Airport and it was packed! We were so glad we booked ahead and got our transport. There were some lost looking tourist getting off the plane and getting eaten alive by the taxi drivers. People, book ahead and don’t deal with transport at the airport.
Hello Gab
That is good advice to other travelers. It is so good to plan ahead and have your ride waiting for you. It makes for a great start to your vacation.
Hello. These are great options. I do have a question about the airport pickup though. I am driving to the airport to pick up friends. I know they will arrive at terminal 3 but I don’t know how long I can park in front, What is the parking like there? Is there a parking lot and how much does it cost? Thanks
Hello Julia
There are parking lots at each terminal of the Cancun Airport. The parking is very reasonable and will cost about 40 pesos. Make sure you take your ticket with you and pay at the machine in the airport. There are not tolls collected at the exit of the parking lots. It is totally automatic.
Very nice article with complete details. We navigated the airport and all the time share sellers yesterday and made it to Playa.
We are coming to Cancun for the first time. We wanted to know if there is anything to do close to the airport because our friends are going on a flight before us and we all are going back tot he airport at the same time to return our car.
Hello Will
It would be best if you dropped off your friends and then you have use of the car to go to a mall or Puerto Morelos. Both things are about 15-20 minutes away. We are not sure how much time you have between flights. Puerto Morelos is a nice small town with a beach and small boardwalk. You can take a meal here and go back to Cancun Airport. If you need to take the car back early there is nothing within walking distance or short taxi distance worth going to.
If we are three people arriving near the same time on two flights will we be able to have a transfer van wait for both of us? What do you recommend?
Hello Hector
It is very easy answer to your question. Just reserve the private transfer with the second arrival flight. The first to arrive just wait and meet up with the second party. If the second flight is late the transfer van will wait until they arrive. That way the driver does not get there for the first flight and wait extra long. Just make sure you both arrive at the same terminal so you can meet up. Some international flights arrive at terminal 2 and some at terminal 3. Most arrive at terminal 3 however. We hope you have great flights and a vacation here.
Is it fairly easy to rent aa car from Cancun Airport? We are arriving and will want to drive around the week we are there. The options at the resort are much more for renting a car.
Hello Dr. Yuri
There are numerous car rental agencies at the airport. Some are on sight and some are off the property. We prefer the ones that are on the airport because they make it easier to get to and often are more professional. Avis is a big company and has good services but also is more expensive. You often get what you pay for, so it availability and convenience is what you want we recommend Avis. They are probably still cheaper then at your hotel.
Hello. We are debating how to get back to the Cancun Airport because we have heard there are blockades on the highway for the people protesting fuel increases. Should we take the ADO bus or a transfer? Will the Transfers be able to get through?
Cheers!
Hello F. Stein
It is true there have been some protest that has slowed or blocked traffic to the Cancun Airport. The ADO busses are stuck with the route where the private transfer cans can radio and know what is going on and perhaps take the alternate route. There is not good way to get around it because the highway is the main way and the other way is a lot longer but guaranteed to get you to your flight. You could also leave very early on your ADO bus and hope for the best.
Are these the current prices for the bus to Playa Del Carmen from the airport? Thanks
Hello Nathan
Yes. The ADO bus price is now 178 pesos. We changed this information this week. The prices have increased due to gas prices in Mexico rising.
I just came into Cancun Airport and see that while I was away ADO bus raised the ticket price to 178 pesos to Playa del Carmen. No big surprise but will see how if they keep raising this ticket price.
It is very good advice to avoid the taxis at Cancun Airport, they are aggressive at times and look to overcharge tourist. There should be more regulation for the transport so tourist can have good prices marked at the airport.
Good job explaining the airport. It can be confusing when you land in any foreign country.
Very nice article, just what I needed to help plan my trip.
We are coming to Cancun next year and arriving January 1. We wanted to know if the busses and other transportation options ran on this day? Thanks
Hello
We know this question well because we just passed New Years Day and many people asked us. The services for transportation to and from the airport are 365 days a year. They realize that people need these and are always in transit. We hope you have a great trip down. It seems like you will since you are doing so much planning in advance.
I am coming from Sweden and coming to the Mayakoba Hotel in Playa Del Carmen. It is the same to take the bus to Playa Del Carmen and take a taxi to the hotel? It looks close on the map but not sure of the cost. Or is a transfer from the airport cost effective?
I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!
Hello Jan
The bus to Playa is a good option if you are staying in the downtown and close to the south end of town plus traveling with one or two people. Since Mayakoba is actually outside the immediate Playa Del Carmen area, you might actually say outside of the city to the north, it is better to take a direct transfer there. If you take the bus you will pass the entrance and then have to double back with a taxi. The taxis are also not that cheap from the bus station to Mayakoba. That can cost between 400-600 pesos.
Hello. I am looking for a transfer company that will be able to do multiple trips in a day from the airport. We are a group of 10 but all arrive at different times. Is there in company that I can book with to keep it simple for coordinating all my guest? Thanks.
Hello Kristen
If you see the links in our article we recommend this transfer company because they are very punctual and can handle all the the arrivals of people from all over. This company should have no problem coordinated multiple pick ups in one day for your group. We only like to recommend services that we know about and have good feedback from our readers. You just need to click on the book now and you can book all your pick ups with them.
Great information. Thanks for the details. We will see you in February.
Hello Everything. We are in need of transport from the airport to Playa del Carmen area and are brining our dog. What should we book for coming? Does anyone transport pets? Thanks for your great website.
Hello George
We have talked to the private transfer company we recommend here in this article. They will carry pets to and from the airport for no additional charge. Pets must be in carriers though, no exceptions. This is a very nice service this company is offering. We hope you get to use them and have a good experience like all our other readers. Safe travels.
Hello Everything. I am coming to Playa with my dog and will need transportation from the Cancun airport to Playa Del Carmen. Can you recommend a transport company that will carry me and my dog?
Hello Brianna
That is great news that you are coming to Playa Del Carmen and bring your dog. You will be happy to know that the transport company we recommend allows dogs as long as they are in a carrier. There is no extra charge. This is a great extra service they provide. Just click the link in this article and you will be able to arrange a pickup. We hope you have a great trip down and see you here soon.
Hello! My friend and I will be arriving at the Cancun airport on April 6th around 3:50pm. I’m guessing that with customs and getting our luggage, we should allow at least a little while before we board the ADO bus. Our final destination is Tulum, but I was thinking of going to Playa del Carmen first for dinner, and then taking the bus to Tulum. My question is– should we reserve the ADO bus tickets for both buses? (first to Playa del Carmen from the airport, and then from Playa del Carmen to Tulum). I’m not sure how long it will take for us to eat dinner, so it would be nice to buy the bus tickets when we’re there, rather than reserving them ahead of time. I just don’t know if it’s recommended that we reserve tickets ahead of time, or if it would be easy to just buy tickets then and hop on the buses. Thanks so much!
Hello Sarah. It is best to get your ADO bus ticket to your Playa when you arrive and then when you get to Playa you can decide if you want to purchase your ticket then or if they say there is a lot of space, wait until after dinner. There are not many great restaurants near the bus station, 4 block area, so you might walk a little to find something you like. You can pay for bag storage at ADO but do. Or leave valuables in the bags. Recent reports have told us there are issues there. Have a great trip and don’t worry about the Tulum leg of your journey. There are many busses that make the trip and it is pretty easy.
Your link says the price is $110 ROUND TRIP NOT $20 per person. Was the price raised?
Hello Ken
The price is still $60 USD one way and $110 RT for a private transfer from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. I think what you are referring to is the fact we say it can be $20 per person. We were referring to the option of one way for three people.
This is kind of a silly question, but I was looking at the ADO website to see the price of a ticket from the airport to Playa del Carmen. It shows $178 on the website, but I am not sure if this is in USD or Pesos. If it is USD it seems like a lot compared to the private transfer.
The prices on the ADO website are pesos. The “$” sign is actually the pesos sign. The USD borrowed the “$” from Mexico. It can be confusing at times.
This article was great! We just came back from Playa and could have used this advice. We decided to stay at a small place called Coco’s Cabanos. Very nice but thought we could just grab a cab at the airport when we arrived. OH NO! It was a hr wait for the Super Shuttle which was a disaster. People were angry waiting in line. It was the only way of booking a cab and it cost $1000 pesos one way. We were told the white cabs you usually see in Playa are not allowed in the airport. So this was an experience. We are returning soon to Playa to get away from the winter and decided this time to rent a car. Your article just made everything easier. THANK YOU
Dear Kathy
Thank you for your experience and sorry it was not the best. We have heard all kind of stories told by “officials” at the Cancun Airport. Although we have been to some airports in the word that are worse, we want to make it easy for people to get to their destination in the manner that is cost effective and give people options.
We always take ADO bus because it is so convenient. When we have stayed at a resort out of Playa Del Carmen we take the transfers SO much easier then trying to piecemeal a transportation together.
Arriving May 10 in Cancun, need transportation to Playa del Carmen – La Playa Condo Hotel located on Calle 50 Mza 279 Lote 09, How far it is to walk or a taxi cost from the ADO drop off and where is it located?? Thank You for your help 🙂
Hello Michelle
The bus goes to the ADO Station on 5th Avenue and Juarez Avenue. A taxi from the bus station taxi stand to your condo should technically be 35 pesos. We say technically because they notoriously overcharge people. A taxi from the street should be 30 pesos. Each taxi has a rate chart and is supposed to have it in the car. You can always ask at the taxi stand how much it is. You are going to Zacil Ha neighborhood or just Calle 50 and 5th Avenue. It is left up to you how much is reasonable. It should be noted though that if you have bags and it takes a little to get into the car and out, they should be tip or they might include that in the price.
Excellent info. We go right from the airport to our hotel in no time. It was a super easy transport. We just hope they forget to pick us up so we can stay longer!
I often pass through Cancun airport and am glad that it is growing. However I see more stray people offering taxi services and colectivo vans to areas up and down the Riviera Maya. I recommend people to book a transfer before coming or take the bus. Do not fall trap to these drivers that are offering rides at all different prices.
Hi, This is a very informative site! I will be arriving in April 2017 in Playa del Carmen for a wedding on a Saturday at The Reef Playacar Resort & Spa. Can you tell me how to get there by bus or taxi & what the cost might be? I am a single woman traveling alone, is it safe? Thanks
Hello Bettye
After you take the ADO bus to Playa then you will need to take a taxi. The taxi stand is located just outside of the station. The fare should cost 95 pesos but often the taxi drivers try to charge more even though there is a rate chart with official prices. The taxi ride will take about 7 minutes. You can also book the transfers we mentioned and they will take you from the airport to your hotel directly.
The transportation is very safe for a single woman whatever method you choose to come form the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. We hope you have a great trip and enjoy your wedding here.
Hello. I am a senior citizen and have some mobility issues. I want to take the ADO bus from the airport to Playa Del Carmen. How hard is it to get on the bus? Is there reserved seats in the front for elderly or handicapped people?
Hello Agatha
The busses that service the Cancun Airport are the regular large buses that hold about 50 people. They can assist you walking up and down the stairs but if you need more help, it might be better to take a private transfer. There are no reserved seats on the bus per say. When you do buy a ticket there is an assigned number but most of the time it is open seating. However you should be able to get a seat in the first few rows and people are very friendly to help fellow travelers. The drivers are also very courteous.
Read your info and found it very helpful. People need to be aware of scammers from the “Playa Del Carmen Taxi Co.” (who are horrible !) approaching people at the Ado bus stop. One of them approached us after a 5.5 hr flight from Vancouver, B.C. and advised us that the bus wouldn’t be arriving for 90 mins. He would take us into P.D.C. for $1,000.00 pesos. I was tired from the long flight and (like a complete idiot) and asked him if that fare was per person. He said yes. I fork over $2,000.00 and away we go. Halfway into the trip the driver says that he’ll have to drop us with an “amigo” of his and he’d take us into town. We pull over into a gas station and put our luggage into another cab and carry on. We finally figured out what was going on and let the guy know we we’re very displeased over what had happened. All he had to say was that he didn’t know the other guy. He dropped us off at our destination and we stewed over the loss of $71.00 Can. It’s not the money that’s the issue, it’s the dishonesty and naivete (on our part)that burns me most. I’m a pretty easy going guy and would like to think that extra money perhaps went to the drivers family of 5 or 6 kids, who knows. I want your readers to be aware of this little scam from the “Playa Del Carmen Taxi Co.” (don’t use this taxi service unless you really need to !) This small annoyance in no way has or will ever detract me from beautiful Mexico. It’s warm, friendly, honest (most of the time) people are the main reason I love it so. Thanks
Hello Ken
Thank you for relating your experience. We are sorry this happened to you. Letting us know and other tourist is a good way to advise people about this company. We do highlight the bus or the private transportation and have vetted the company to know that they will treat our readers well. We have had 0 complaints about the transport, so needless to say we are happy and glad we can refer a good service. Around the world taxi drivers at airports in particular do not have the best reputation and have an endless supply of people tot try scams on. We continue to try to find good tours, companies, restaurants and other services for our readers so this does not happen to people especially on vacation.
I visit daily your website for information and to read articles. Thanks for all the details of traveling there.
I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of info that should be on website. It is very straightforward and easy to understand. Thanks for all your guides.
I wanted to ask about renting a car from the airport. We are staying in Akumal and are 4 people. We are coming for a week and might do a day trip. Would you suggest we get a car or take the private transfer? Cheers!
Hello Claire
Akumal is not totally walkable and spread out. It will depend on where you stay, so having a car might be a nice option since there are also only a few restaurants in the area. It will also give you a mode of transport for a day trip to some ruins and then your transport to and from the Cancun Airport. We hope you have a great vacation here!
I did not know that Cancun and Playa are practically the same time from the airport. We have been going to Cancun for the past three years but maybe it is time to check out the buzz about Playa del Carmen.
I have a group coming to Cancun and we need transportation to Mahahual from the Airport. Can you arrange this? Thanks.
Hello Arnold
This is possible to do. You will need to contact the transportation company directly and set it up. These comments go to us here at the website that recommend this company. Once you click on the link to the company ask them about pricing for Mahahual. Since this is a longer trip they will need to schedule this and have a driver ready for that day. Also let them know how many people and if you have a lot of gear. We say that because many people going to Mahahual are diving or staying longer.
Is it possible to buy a round trip private shuttle for 3 people that goes from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen and then returns from Cozumel back to airport?
Hello. Are you asking for a pick up from the Cozumel Ferry in Playa Del Carmen or for a return from Cozumel the island?
Hey,
me and two of my friends are staying in an rented apartment on Calle 60 Norte 5 3, playa del carmen, so it isn’t a resort/hotel.
What kind of a transfer would be ideal for us from Cancun’s airport?
Hello Mori
Since there are three of you, it might be easiest if you take the private transfer from the airport to your rental unit. The other way you have to buy three tickets on the bus and then get a taxi from the south end of Playa to your rental on the north end. You will be paying $60 in total or $20 each for door to door service. The link to the private transfer company is one that all of our readers have enjoyed and we like their good prices and service. We hope you have a great vacation here!
Part of our group is arriving a couple hours early. As they leave the Cancun Airport (Terminal 3) is it possible for them to walk over to Berry Hill Restaurant and wait for the rest of us to arrive? I know the restaurant should be to the left as you exit the airport, but I wan’t sure if it was accessible or if there was a gate separating the arrival and departure areas. Any help you can give me would be appreciated.
Hello
We know exactly the gate you are talking about. The guards are accepting of people wanting to pass to the restaurant. If you also wanted to meet them inside of Terminal 3 at departures there is also a restaurant inside the terminal and a Starbucks
Hi… we are flying into Cancun on Friday March 14th (Good Friday). It just occurred to us that it might be extremely busy as it’s Easter weekend. Do you recommend buying ADO tickets for Playa del Carmen ahead of time online? If we play it safe and buy for a much later departure, would they let us on an earlier bus if there’s room?
Hello Fred
It is best to buy your tickets upon arrival because they are timed. The other issue is the fact that ADO website often does not allow foreign credit cards to buy tickets online. Even sometimes when we get a ticket for the next bus and there is one before it, they don’t allow people on because people are buying them in the moment at other terminals. So they are pretty regulated with the time and your ticket. The good news is that ADO knows that it is a busy weekend and that will have a record of what last year was like and have more busses if necessary.
Re: previous comment – Sorry that’s April 14th of course, not March 14th.
My friend just arrived in CUN, and this page on the ADO buses was *very* helpful. It allowed me to comfortably guide her to Playa while I’m sitting here in Sydney hahaha. Very useful — thank you.
Thank you Dave. We try to make it simple and easy to get around. We want people to enjoy their time here and not have to worry about all the little stuff. We have even sent this to our friends visiting so we don’t have to explain it each time to guest. We hope your friend has a great trip here.
thank for answering all y questions. I think we are all set for our trip now.
Hi, thanks for site, is very helpful. We are planing to take ADO at the airport to PDC, how much a taxi cost from PDC to Sandos Caracol Eco Resort? Thanks.
Hello Eddie
We assume you are less than 4 people so the taxi fare from the ADO to the Sandos Caracol is 160 pesos. So for two people at current exchange rates it will cost about $29.50 USD one way (bus and taxi). That is half of the private transfer but it will take you about 1 hour and 25 minutes as apposed to 50 minutes by transfer. So there is give and take between the two options.
Thanks for the info, this was very helpful.
I had to thank you very much again for all the articles. I do not think we could of made the trip anything like what it was without your help. Great website. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Nicky. We are so glad you had a good time here. We hope you get to come back again soon and explore more. There is so much to see here.
Flying in this next Friday and super excited! thanks for all the details
Hello. We are flying into Cancun airport but will be going to Valladolid. Can you help me know what is the best way to go? Should I go to Cancun first or Playa Del Carmen? Is there a bus that is direct from the airport? Thanks
Hello Halley
There is not direct transportation from the Cancun Airport to Valladolid since many people don’t make this their first stop. You have two options, taking the ADO bus to Cancun downtown and catching a bus there or taking the bus to Playa Del Carmen and then taking the bus to Valladolid. The shortest route would be taking the bus to Cancun. It would save you about 45 minutes taking this route. We hope you have a great trip and enjoy Valladolid. It is a charming town.
I just wanted to compliment our driver from the airport. His name was Miguel. He was right on time and was so helpful with getting us all loaded up. Very pleasant to talk to. It made us feel very good coming to Mexico and meeting such a nice driver. We hope we have the same driver going back to the airport!
Thank you Elaine for your comments. People love it when people take note of their good service here. We are also glad to hear your transfer went well. We really like recommending good companies to our readers and this transportation company has done a great job. We hope to keep working with them. We hope the rest of your vacation is here and even if you don’t get the same driver back to the airport, we think you will be happy who comes.
We have three kids ages 7, 4 and 3 and were looking at the bus from Cancun Airport. Is there a children’s policy on the bus? For tickets and prices?
Hello Arleen
There is a childrens price for the ADO bus. Your children 4 and 3 are free but in case the bus is full they need to sit on a lap of an adult. This is rarely the case though. Your child that is under 12 will be 50% off. We hope you have a great time here in the Riviera Maya and have a smooth transfer from the Cancun airport to Playa Del Carmen.
We just arrived to Playa del Carmen! Thanks for all your help. We look forward to checking out the city and restaurant scene.
Welcome Roberto
We hope you have a great time here and get to go on some of those tours we talked about. The jungle tour sounded right up your alley.
How safe is luggage on the bus when coming from the airport?
Hello Charlie
There are not luggage tags on the ADO Airport Bus but there is only one possible stop in Puerto Morelos that people will get off at. Once in Playa Del Carmen everyone gets off at the one bus station and gets their bags. We have never heard of any troubles with people taking bags.
My husband and I are doing the reverse of some of the previous posts I’ve been reading through. We’re flying in to Cozumel, diving for a few days, then taking the ferry over to Playa and then onto a couple days in Cancun. What are your suggestions for getting from Playa del Carmen to our hotel in the hotel zone? And then from the hotel zone to Cancun airport? We’re not very particular. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hello Cindy
You can try this shuttle company. You will need to book two separate one way trips. One trip from the Hotel Zone to the airport and one from Playa Del Carmen to the Hotel Zone. For the trip from Playa to Cancun you will have to use the chat or write in where you want to go. Not many people do the Playa to Cancun Hotel Zone but this private transfer company will do it for you. It will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on what KM your hotel is. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-get-from-the-cancun-airport-to-the-hotel-zone/
We hope you have a great time here and if you have any other questions, feel free to contact us.
I am curious to find out after we get to Playa del Carmen how we can get to Akumal from the Airport. Thanks
Hello Mr. Easley
Were you thinking of taking the bus from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen and then a taxi to Akumal? It is best if you take a private transfer from the airport to Akumal. There is that booking option. This way you do not have to spend on an expensive taxi from Playa to Akumal. We hope you have a great vacation. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-get-from-cancun-airport-to-akumal/
Hello. I just want to say I am glad I found your website. I travel a lot and always appreciate when people take the time to write detailed info for other travelers. It really comes across as something helpful. I will be coming to Playa Del Carmen for two weeks and hope to see a lot of places nearby that you write about. Thanks again.
Hello Rita
Thank you so much for your kind words. We hope that your trip goes great and if you need anything just drop us a message. Safe travels.
Thanks for your suggestion. We had a very nice driver and everything was great! Thanks for your help with our vacation.
I am looking for a shared taxi or van. Do you recommend these from the airport to Playa?
Hello Justin
There are a few services like this but What happens is they take a while to get to Playa Del Carmen. You have to remember that most of the all inclusive resorts are 1 kilometer from the highway and it can take 15 minutes to do one drop off at a hotel. So if you are in Playa or near Playa, we recommend the ADO bus or a private transfer since these are much more efficient. Remember this is your vacation and your time is worth something. It can be worth the extra small charge or even cheaper on the bus if your hotel is close to the bus station.
Spot on with this write-up, I tried to take a taxi from the airport and the guy wanted nearly $30 USD more then what the transfer was. I was like, oh well and hoped in the bus. Thanks for the advice!
Hello from England! We are looking forward to our first trip to Mexico. We have tons of questions and have red your website a lot already. I see that Playa Del Carmen is spread out. Can you tell us where it is good to stay? We will take the bus to Playa Del Carmen and stay for three days and then go to Tulum. Cheers!
Hello Tristan
Welcome to your first trip to Mexico! We hope you have a great time here. Since you are staying in Playa Del Carmen for a short time, the hotel is going to be more of a base. We suggest staying somewhere between Playacar on the south end and Constituyentes Avenue. There are a host of Airbnb and hotels. The Maya Bric hotel is right on 5th and a good location for exploring. Just to name one. The area from the ferry pier to 6th Street is not our favorite because it is a little less classy. Other then that, you will be close to the bus station and ready to go!
Thank you so much for all your suggestions for our trip. We have a very nice driver that picked us up at the airport and they were right on time for our trip back, even though we were hoping not to leave paradise. We will definitely be back and reading more about what things there are to do in the area!
We found the bus easy. It was just like how you described it.Thanks!
I just want to make sure I have it correct. I am staying in Akumal and want to stop in Playa del Carmen first. What is the best way to get from Playa Del Carmen to Akumal after I stop in Playa? I was going to take the bus to Playa and then hoping to take the bus to Akumal.
Hello
There are no ADO buses that go from Playa Del Carmen to Akumal. There are colectivos and taxis that will make this trip. It is not cheap if you go by taxi. The colectivos are not really for luggage so this might not work for you. And Akumal is spread out so once you get there you will need to make sure you have the address. You might want to take a private transfer to Akumal and leave your bags and then take a taxi or colectivo to Playa. We don’t know if you are visiting someone or what, but this is another option for you.
This is good advice, thanks.
Thanks for all your help making our time in the Riviera Maya great! Your suggestions were spot on and not all the typical stuff people want to push on you. Thanks for a real insiders look at the Riviera Maya.
This was an extremely helpful post.
Thanks for providing this information.
Thank you for everything you have published on the area. We are thankful we found your website so we can plan out what we want to do in the Rivera Maya.
hello there,
do we need to pre book a ticket for the bus from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, or is it ok to usually buy it on the day when you land in cancun… I’m worried tickets will sell out! Also what is the current price for a ticket?
Thanks.
Hello Dee
The current prices are in the article. We always keep things as up-to-date as possible. Most people cannot buy ahead of time because their website does not accept foreign cards. We los do not recommend this because there are a lot of variations of things that can effect your exit time from the Cancun Airport. It is 90% sure that you can walk out and get on the next bus. Even if not, they are frequent enough that the wait is about 30 minutes between busses. There are disadvantages to the public bus but there are other options if you want a driver waiting for you. We hope you have a great vacation here! If you need any other information on your trip, we have dozens of guides written by locals here: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/playa-del-carmen-guides/
Hello. Just found your website while doing some travel planning. I think it is going to help a lot. Cheers!
Just arrived and found it so easy to get from the airport. Thanks for all your help!
Your website always has the best tips! Love all your videos and information. We use it for travel planning all the time. Thanks so much!
Is the ADO bus comfortable for a family of four? We have two young kids and are going to be staying at the Azul Fives resort just outside of Playa Del Carmen. We figure this is the cheapest way to get there. Please advise.
Hello
Well, it will be a bit of a hassle because you will arrive in Playa Del Carmen one hour later from the Cancun Airport. Then you will need to backtrack to your hotel which is just north and outside of Playa Del Carmen. You will need to take a taxi and this will cost about 400 pesos. This will take another 18 minutes. But you will have time for the getting off the bus and getting to the taxi stand. So your overall time will be about 1.5 hours to your hotel as compared to 45 minutes in a private transfer. You will save a little but not with the hassle in our opinion.
This article is very helpful! I was planing on taking a taxi without knowing about the ADO services. I think I might do that instead in order to save money. How far would it be from the stop at the 5th Av. in PDC to the Royal Hotel? is it a walk able distance or do i need a taxi from there? If so, How much would it cost?
Hello Mercedes
We assume you mean the Royal on Constituyentes and the Royal Hideaway or one of the other hotels with the word royal. That hotel isa little far to walk to. It would take about 15 minutes and it is hot, so you would be very sweaty when you arrive. A taxi is supposed to cost around 30 pesos but often from around the bus station they charge more. It is often more if they have to stop for luggage and opening the truck as well. But it is not much and you should expect them to say anything from 40/100 pesos but you should try to get it for less, like 50. No tip is needed.
Hi,
My friends and I will be travelling to Cancun early August and will be staying at the RIU Playacar hotel. Two of us will be arriving a day earlier (on different flights, arrival time 10 mins apart) we would like to take the same transport going to the hotel, is there a possibility to book the same transfer? Also, can you recommend a safe, affordable option for the traveller who will be coming the next day?
Hello
You can book the transfer based on the later flight and then just meet up at the airport and ride into Playa Del Carmen to your hotel. For the next day you can book another transfer or the ADO but then you will either have to meet them at the bus station or have them take a taxi from the bus station to the hotel. Sometimes it is easier just to take the transfer and arrive in the fastest way without have to take the bus and then a taxi, but it is a matter of how much you want to spend.
We are flying into Cancun and need to transfer to Playa Del Carmen this Wednesday after the storm. Is everything operating good now?
Hello Erika
Everything is back to normal at the Cancun Airport. Things we a little backed up the other day with flights. All transfers and flights are running normal now.
We splurged and took the VIP transfer. It was fun to start our vacation that way and it was a nice surprise for my husband. Thank for the suggestion.
Easy guide to follow, thank you. It made arriving at Cancun simple.
Thanks for your prompt email about my questions. Keep up the good website with lots of great tips for visiting the Riviera Maya.
I tried to book a bus ticket online before arriving. What is the chance of it being sold out when I arrive in Cancun?
Hello Susan
Most of the time the bus website does not accept foreign cards. It is also a timed ticket so we don’t recommend it. We would say that 92% of the time there is space on the next bus leaving Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. We hope you have a great trip here!
Hello I would like to book a transfer for 5 people on September 2nd arriving at 10:30am.
Hello Gabriel
Booking for transfers is done by clicking the link to the booking page. Here you can enter your details and you will be all set for your vacation. We hope you have a great trip to Mexico and enjoy the Riviera Maya.
There seems to be good connections from the airport to all places. There is not a problem if I want to go to the beach area of Tulum is it? Thank you in advance.
Hello
You can easily get transfers to all areas. The link we posted will allow you to book to wherever you want to go. We hope you have a great vacation here.
We have a larger group coming to Playa Del Carmen and then we are going to Akumal for three days. After that we are returning to the Cancun Airport. What is the best way to transfer around? Thanks
Hello Chassy
It does depend on how big your group is but here is one option for you. The transfer links here will allow you to book a transfer from the airport to Playa Del Carmen. Once in Playa you can take a large taxi for your group to Akumal. When you are ready to go back to the Cancun Airport you can book another group transfer in a larger van. This would be the easiest way to do this. We hope you have a great time here!
Hello,
I will be traveling with my two very young daughters from Cancun airport to Playa de Carmen. We arrive late, 10:25pm, on a Saturday night. What would you recommend in this case for transportation?
Many thanks!
Hello Eric
Well it might be easiest for several reasons the private transfers. For one your daughters might be tried after a flight and you don’t want to have to wait for 30 minutes to one hour for the bus. With 3 of you it will be one the price of two adults on the bus (one adult and two half price tickets). Since it is late we would just take the private transfer. If you are leaving to Cancun Airport at a more reasonable hour and you wanted to save some money and your hotel is near the bus station, you might take the ADO bus back to the airport. We hope this helps and we hope you have a great trip here!
Great advice, thank you very much!
I am traveling with a large suitcase and I cannot really load it on the bus. Are there people that can pick it up for me and put it under the bus?
Hello Beatris
The ADO bus company does have someone there to load suitcases at the airport. When you arrive in Playa there might be someone to help or you might need to ask for help. It you are going to be getting a taxi in Playa Del Carmen to your hotel, you can have the driver help you and you just need to add a little tip for the driver.
We are thinking of driving from the airport to Playa and then to Tulum. How are the roads for driving? Do we have to watch out for anything?
Hello Jake
Our article here about driving will give you lots of tips for driving. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/road-rules-driving-in-the-mexican-riviera/
The roads here are in good shape and the signage is good. There are police checkpoints but these are more to make sure people are not drunk and for personal safety. We hope you have a good trip here.
Thank you a lot f᧐r the detailed guide for catching the bus. It was just how we found it and it was easy to do. We are now in Playa del Carmen enjoying the sunny weather and beach.
This will be our first time going to Playa del Carmen. We have been to Cancun twice but wanted to stay at a hotel down the coast. We are booked at the Tres Rios Resorts and wanted to know how long it take a transfer to get us to get there?
Thanks!
Hello
That is great you are seeing more of the Riviera Maya and getting to see new parts. The transfer from the airport will take about 45 minutes. It is on the north side of Playa Del Carmen so it is easier to get to. We hope you have a great time here!
I have read this article but am not sure the best way to get to Valladolid from the airport. Is there a direct transfer there?
Hello Lucy
There is no direct transfer to Valladolid since it is not a popular route. It is best to go to Playa and take a bus or Cancun. You can also rent a car and drive there yourself. Most people stay in Playa and then take a bus so it breaks up the trip. The bus from Playa Del Carmen to Valladolid is 2 1/2 hours. It is about the same from Cancun.
I am just checking if the private transport picks people up from all terminals of the airport? We are arriving domestic flight and I think we will arrive in terminal 1. I just want to make sure before we book.
Hello Ana
Yes all terminals have service for the transportation pickup. They will ask your flight and confirm where you are landing so they will be there when you arrive. We hope you have a pleasant flight and good time here.
I heard someone say that you could get a Uber from the airport to Playa, is this true?
Hello Craig
Uber does not have service in Playa Del Carmen. When the app is on it tells you this. Uber did start in Cancun but it has not taken off like in other places. There are not many drivers and it is not recommended to rely on it. It is still best to take the ADO bus for economical service and private transfer for direct service to your hotel.
My son and I are traveling to Cozumel for a diving vacation on the 26th of December. Will that be a problem concerning the Ferry? What is the holiday schedule for the ferry?
It will not be a problem at all since the ferries Tun with an active schedule during that time period. We hope you have a good vacation.
Hello – what is the easiest way to get from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen for 2 adults and 2 small children (2 and 4 years old)? Is the bus an option? Can we rent a car with toddler car seats? Thanks!
Well Kat it will depend on how much you will use the car and where your hotel is. If you are doing some self drive day trips, then the car might be a good option. You can see our recommended car rental article here. If you are renting for the week, there can be airport service. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/car-rental-playa-del-carmen/ If you are staying near the Bus terminal it is fairly easy to take with a family. Children are either free or half off. If you are not near the Bus station in Playa and will not be driving or using the car much, the transfer can be a very easy option. We hope this helps you.
It’s possible to book to condo in Akumal? a transfer?
Hello Fedrica
It is possible to arrange a ride to your rental. Just look for the section on Akumal and pick a private residence instead of a hotel destination.
Amazing !!! This is an excellent info for my wedding group. It will give them options for which way they want to come from the airport. I also wanted to say a big thanks for the tour you suggested.
Thank you. I will come returning to the airport with the bus.
I clicked the link but the page did not show. How can I book this?
We communicated with the transportation company and they are updating thier website. It should be back today. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Quick question about time zone and arrivals. We are coming from New York. Are we on the same time zone as you guys? I know the time just fell back but I think the time is the same there. It is a little confusing and I want to line up my flights in and out of Cancun.
Hello
We are now on the same time zone as New York. If you book a transportation pick up they will know your arrival as scheduled from your airline.
Hello. I am looking for transportation for two groups of people. do you have vans for large groups? We are staying in Tulum. Thanks
Hello Irma
the transportation company we recommend here does have vans that can accommodate any size group you have. They also provide transportation from Cancun Airport to Tulum. Just click the link and you can see what options they have. They also have a chat where you can ask questions. Thanks for asking your question.
Hi, this is fantastic information, thank you. Any idea if the dropoff at 5th and Jaurez and the Royal Playa del Carmen are within walking distance of each other? Looks like about 12 blocks or so from what I can tell. Thanks again!
Hello Michael
The walk is a little long to your hotel. Some might try it but even though the bus station is on 5th Avenue and you can walk down the pedestrian it can take about 15 minutes walking with suitcases. You can take a taxi from the bus stop and it should be 35 pesos but they often charge more. A taxi for 50 pesos is reasonable.
Can I pay with credit card for the bus?
Hello Paul
You can once you arrive in Mexico. Many times if you try online the bus company will not accept foreign cards. Once you arrive at the Cancun Airport just go the counter and pay there at each of the terminals.
Hey there. We land on Christmas day and wonder if it is possibe to book a transfer this day?
Hello Gilda
Yes everything runs on Christmas day since there are many people traveling on that day. We hope you have a good flight and good timer here.
Thanks for this easy guide. I will definitely return to the Riviera Maya!
Hi, I will be landing around 11:35 PM with United Airlines if the flight is not delayed. Will I be able to get the last bus to Playa del Carmen?
Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards
Hello Stefan
It probably is better to book a transfer. You have to get off and go through immigration. Depending on how many people arrive at that time it can take 10-35 minutes. Then you need to collect your bag and go through customs. In total it can be 30/40 minutes from time of deplaning to exiting.
Very good article information. We are coming for the first time to the Riviera Maya and love your site.
Thank you very much Angie. We hope you have a great time here in Playa Del Carmen or other parts of the Riviera Maya. If you need anything else for your trip, just let us know.
The small restaurant of Pik Nik has good mole but not everyday. They have honest and basic good Mexican food. Axiote is a high end must visit for the Mexican food enthusiast. Many recommendations are full on restaurant so if you are looking to walk around and nibble it might be hard. Maybe just tying some things each day. Here are two other articles that might help you: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/pozole-playa-del-carmen/ https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/ancient-food-found-on-street-corner-in-playa-del-carmen/
Hi. I have not been to the new Terminal 4 yet, but WestJet now arrives at this at 4. I am meeting someone there. Is there somewhere we can meet outside the arrival doors. We are taking the ADO Bus back to Playa del Carmen; is there a kiosk to purchase tickets when you exit Terminal 4. Is the ADO bus right there at Terminal 4.
Hello Sawny
There is a meeting point at Terminal 4 outside the arrivals. Just tell your friends that there are two ways they can exit. One for friends and family and one for taxis and transport. The ADO bus arrives at the terminal now. We have not seen a kiosk outside to get tickets so you could ask your friends to buy you a ticket and then you all get on at once.
I gotta favorite this site it seems very helpful very useful. I am coming to Mexico next month and I am researching via your page.
I have seen the new security alerts and wonder if it is safe to drive from the airport to the resorts?
Hello Josh
It is very safe to travel to and from the airport. There is not problems there. Only a few areas of Playa Del Carmen were mentioned in the security alert. We hope you enjoy your vacation in the Riviera Maya.
Hello, I will be arriving on Southwest terminal 4 Cancun and my daughter is arriving on Delta Terminal 3. We both arrive around the same time, Where would I meet her as we want to ride the ADO bus to Playa del Carmen? Do I need to take the airport transfer bus to her terminal 3?
It would be best if one of you took the free shuttle to the other terminal. That way you can make sure you get on the same ADO bus to Playa. You will just need to tell security at the terminal you go to for access to the departures area outside where you get the ADO bus. Alternatively you can call each other after you clear customs and are out of the security area. Then buy tickets at the same time and then arrange getting the same ADO bus to Playa Del Carmen.
Hello, we have taken the ADO bus in the past, however, this time we are arriving at 06:00 am and according to ADO’s website the first bus on that day (Sunday July 1, 2018) is not until 08:30 am, is this correct? Would not want to wait over two hours…
Hello Tina
It is correct that the first bus from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen is at 8:30am. You might want to book a private transfer in this case. This company has been liked by our readers and offers good prices. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/private-transfers-from-cancun-airport/
Hі, I have been reading up on our trip and found your very helpful website. We already have plans to visit Xcaret and rent a car to see some of the beaches. Thanks for your help.
I feel that it is good to mention that for first timers to the Riviera Maya you should not rent a car. One because you probably will get a ride to your hotel and stay there and two, all tours will pick you up. I highly reccomend taking a transger directly to your hotel. Dont waste time waiting for a bus or a shuttle provided by the hotel. Enjoy your well deserved time off on vacation.
I’ll am planning out my trip to Playa Del Carmen now. Your website is so helpful and seems to have everything I am looking for. Just booked transportation from the airport. I also look forward to tasting some of the local restaurants in the area. We have been to Cancun before but this will be our first time visiting the Playa area. The kids of course are looking forward to Xplor and the beach. We are looking forward to some downtime as well. Thanks again for the great website.
Hello Allen
Thanks for reading out website. We are glad you found it so helpful in your planning. If there is anything else you need, feel free to ask. We love hlping people coming to the area find all the good things. Safe travels.
How far is the ferry from where ADO drops off in PDC
The bus from the Cancun Airport will drop you off at the Juarez and 5th Avenue bus station. It is about three blocks to the ferry. It is all pedestrian streets, so if you have bags you can get a bike taxi for a few dollars to drop you and your stuff at the ferry terminal.
I am flying into Cancun Airport this Tuesday. Are the taxi drivers still prostesting? How are the transportation times to the resorts? I dpt want to be blocked up behind grumpy drivers protesting for thier lack of modernizing.
Hello Lou
We hope the taxi drivers have stopped by Tuesday. There were two days they were protesting and holding up traffic.
I stopped taking taxis to the airport when then they protested last time about Uber. They are always trying to get every dollar they can. From now on I will be taking the vans with private driver. Taxis dont deserve the business.
I changed my flight to Cancun, can I change my pickup time? Thanks
Hello Gerald
You certainly can change your reservation. You will need to contact the transportation company directly. When you booked you got the confirmation. They do not check the messages here, it just goes to us here at the website. We hope you have a great vacation in the Riviera Maya.
Can a person take a taxi from Southwest (terminal 4) exit to United (Terminal 3) exit to the shuttle area? Our nephew is meeting us for our ride and I made transport reservations but don’t know if he can get from the outside exit of one to the outside exit of the other where the Marguritaville stand is located.
Hello Laura
You can take a taxi or the free shuttle between terminals. The free Cancun Airport shuttle goes around about ever 20 minutes. It is too far to walk. The shuttle or taxi will drop you in front of Terminal 3 where departures are. You would need to walk left to the end of the building toward Margaritaville Restaurant. There is a security gate and you just have to explain you are getting a transport from there. It would be good if you have a printout of the reservation. TIP: There are official looking people that try to help you and they will ask if you already have a booked shuttle or transport. They are only trying to get customers and are a bit annoying. The printed out copy will help the real guard allow you in no questions asked. We hope you have a great trip. If you need any other help, feel free to ask.
Good info here. We are coming to the Riviera Maya for the first time. I know it is not the best time with the seaweed and all but the hotel has a great pool. We just booked a trasfer and will be using your website for lots of planning. Thanks.
Good day! We are coming this week to the Riviera Maya but want to visit a beach without seaweed. How is Playa now?
Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Cheers
Hello Dan
This week it has cleared up a little bit and is better then the past month. You still should expect some. Most of the beaches are the same so there is not one place that will be pristine. Have you considered some of the parks? These are great day trips and can offer swimming in inlets or lagoons connected to the ocean but without the seaweed. Parks like Xcaret and Xel Ha are the best.
Great tips for first timers. This will be our second time coming to the Riviera Maya but this time we will arrive at terminal 4. I guess this is about the same process? We booked a transfer and will meet them outside. Thanks also for your other guides, they have been our tour bible for visiting.
Hello Betsy
First of all thank you for reading the site. We hope your next vacation is just as good for you. Terminal 4 at Cancun Airport is new and nice. It is open and more spacious. The process is the same for getting your transport. Just when you exit you go to your left and you will see everyone standing there. The driver will have your sign and you will be off to your hotel in no time. Safe Travels.
Hello. I am flying into Cancun with my dog, do you know what is the best way to transport him and us to our house in Playacar? Thanks in advance.
Hello Drey
The best way is this transportation company that has vans and will take dogs. The dog must be in a cage for transport. Any questions about the details you can ask the transportation company. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/pet-transportation-cancun-airport/ Thanks for your question. We hope your travels go smoothly.
DONT TAKE TAXIS FROM THE AIRPORT! I got way overcharged in Cancun Airport. I was just getting off my flight and a guy with an official badge got offered me a ride to m hotel. It was a taxi and the driver said is $50 to the hotel. I said ok because I just wanted to get to the hotel. I later found out that a private transfer was only $35. Taixs are such rip off artist. Do yourself a favor and book in advance and save money.
We just flew in this week and saw how agressive the taxi drivers were at the airport. The “official” ids and all. Glad I took your advice and booked a transfer. I dont like having to messs with the taxi drivers.
I will be coming to Playa del Carmen this September and staying at the Azul Fives Resort. How far is that from the bus station? Is it possible to do any other way? What is your recommendation? Thanks
Hello Steve
that resort is on the north side of Playa Del Carmen. If you come on the ADO bus from the airport you will actually pass it and have to go into town. That adds another 15 minutes to your journey. Then you need to get a taxi and go back to the hotel. That will be another 15 minutes. Plus you will have a taxi charge of about $25 USD. So it is best to book the private transfer service to your hotel since it is similar in price and saves you about 30 minutes.
What is your best recomendation for getting to one of the hotels in the Tulum Hotel Zone from the airport?
Hello
If you are going to the Tulum area the private transfers are the best option. On the website for booking there is a menu of places including the hotel zone in Tulum. Since Tulum is about one hour and fifteen minutes from the Cancun Airport it is nice to have a driver waiting for you and a quick trip to start your vacation.
Hello, I am arriving at terminal 3. My girlfriend is arriving at terminal 4 an hour after me. How far is terminal 4 from terminal 3?? I want to meet her at terminal 4. any help is greatly appreciated.
Hello Bryan. It is easy to take the free airport shuttle between the terminals. It is a white bus that comes every 20 minutes according to the sign. We have found it comes when it wants to and is more often then every 20 minutes. It is more like every 15 minutes.
Last time we came to Cancun we decided to take the bus to Playa. We just missed it so we had to wait 30 minutes. The bus can and we got to Playa but then had to get a taxi. The taxi driver would not charge the correct price and it was a hassle on the first day of our trip. Not again! We are booking a van this time because we dont want the hassle and we are also staying a little farther from the bus station and a taxi would be more expensive.
I’ve been coming to the Riviera Maya for three years now. I used to hop in a taxi but when the taxi unions protested Uber to the point of stopping cars and blockig them I stopped. They need to be comntroled. I will take the bus or private transport from now on.
Thanks a bunch for sharing this information. I booked a transfer and will be arriving this Friday. I cannot wait to explore and of course I will be using your guides here.
Thank you Adam for using our website. If there is anything else you need, just let us know. You can leave a comment here or email us. We love to help people find the best things here so they can have a good vacation.
I tried the link recommended in the Rent A Car paragraph only to discover the company does not have cars taking people from Cancun to PDC.
Did you think they take people to Playa as a service? Thisnis a place to rent cars for your vacation and you can self drive to Playa.
How frequent are busses to Tulum after I get to Playa del Carmen from the airport bus? Thanks in advance.
Hello Miguel
Once you have taken the ADO bus from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen you will be at the ADO bus station on Juarez Avenue. This is the same station busses leave for Tulum. They leave about every 30 minutes and have two stops in Tulum. One is in the center of town and the other possibility is the Tulum Ruins stop. WE hope you have a great vacation!
Hello!
Is there a welcome bar outside or near Terminal 4 yet? Would like to grab a drink while waiting for my other travelers to arrive.
No we don’t think there is one yet nor is there space for one. You might have to tailgate it while you wait.
Hello, is it possible to take a bus from the Cancun airport(air Canada arrival 18:05)to Playa del Carmen directly to the bus terminal on 20th.
Thank you.
No. The only bus station the ADO goes to in Playa Del Carmen is the Juarez and 5th Avenue station. From there you can take a taxi to where you need to go in Playa.
As always your site has helped up out. THanks for all the time you put into the articles and guides. we keep coming back to the Riviera Maya and love it and love seeing what is new in the area to explore.
Good luck for the next year!
Thank you so much! We hope your travels go well and if you ever need anything just let us know. Giving standard advice is good but personalized is always better based on what you need for you.
Ⴝomebody mentioned to me that the resort where we are staying has transport but it is a shuttle. Is this the type of small bus or large bus? I dont want to get stuck at Cancun Airport waiting for a large group of people to come out and get to the hotel. Do you know how most hotels work with transportation?
Hello Martin
Most all inclusive hotels have a large bus that they use to transport passengers to and from the airport. Since most large resorts accommodate several hundred guest, there are always people coming and going to the airport. We don’t know exactly what resort you are staying in so we cannot comment with 100% certainty on the size of bus, but most have large busses. We often see them parked at the airport waiting for guest. If you want to go direct to the hotel and get a private transport back, a private transfer van is a good recommendation. It can save you time and hassle.
Excellent Website. Can you tell me how much I would be expected to pay for a taxi from the Ado drop off in PDC to the Real Ibiza2 complex? Google Maps estimates 16 minutes and 6.5 Kms distance.
Thank you.
Hello Michael
The taxis should charge about 60/70 pesos for the ride. Taxis go by zone and you are going from zone 1 to 21. However, taxis from the ADO bus station are notorious for overcharging. It is best to ask before you get in. Real Ibiza is a large area with different sections, so be prepared to describe where you are going or have some street names. Ask the price before getting in. At least you have something to go by now. We hope you have a good trip.
Thank you for the details. We will be coming for the first time in a few years and need to reaquiant ourselves with everything in the Riviera Maya.
Hello. Are these schedules for the bus up to date? I am planing my trip and dont want to miss one. Thanks
Hello Richard
Yes this is the current schedule for the bus from the airport to Playa Del Carmen. We hope you have a nice flight and vacation in our area.
Thanks to my friends that just got back from Playa I learned about your website. It has been very helpful to me planning out my vacation. You have lots of good info here.
Hello Emma
We are glad you found our website and coming to the area soon. We hope you have the best time. Let us know if you need anything in particular.
Hi. I have a question. I have two big bags that I am brining. Will there be someone to help me put them on and off the bus from the airport?
Hello Liz
There is a porter there at the airport and usualy at the station in Playa Del Carmen and Cancun downtown. If you are going to Puerto Morelos, there is usualy not someone to help you. It is a brief stop at the side of the highway. It is good to tip them a little. Once you arrive, if you are going to Playa Del Carmen we assume you will be needing to go to your hotel. The taxis are there next to the station but usualy will charge a little more for helping with bags or just tip them for helping you as well. Most taxis are Nissans and have a good size truck but if your bags are too big for them you might have some issues getting them to your hotel.
Ηave you information on how best to get to Yucatan Princess Resort? Should I take ADO bus from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen or can I get off on the highway and take a taxi to the hotel? Thanks in advance for your answer.
Hello Analisa
The best way is going to be a private transfer. You can take a bus from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen but you will pass your resort and have to go another 15 minutes to the bus station. Then you will need to transfer your luggage to a taxi and go back to the resort. The taxi will cost about $30 USD to make the one way trip and this way will add about a half hour to your trip from the airport. The small cost of convenience is well worth it by taking the private transfer. We hope you have a great vacation. Let us know if you have any other questions for your trip.
I am planning my families trip to the Riviera Maya. Can you let me know if there is a transportation option for 12 people? We are going to Akumal.
Hello Dennise
There is a van that can take your family to Akumal from the Cancun Airport. You will need to chat with them online to get that set up. Just click the link to the transportation and you will go directly to their website. We hope you and your family have a great time in the Riviera Maya and if you need anything else, just drop us an email and we will be glad to help you out.
I am flying in on Christmas day to Cancun. Is everything open at the airport? Thanks
Hello Everett
It is a busy travel day as many flights are scheduled to arrive and take off that day. The airport will function as a normal day. Just be kind to the poor people that have to work that day.
Because the airport was crowded we arrived out of the airport a little later then we thought but our driver was there faithfully standing there with the sign. We wanted to thank you for the good service. It will be the only thing good about leaving is knowing we have a nice van for the return. We love Mexico and will keep coming back each year.
Hello Liz
We are glad you enjoyed your pickup service. They are very organized and know the times people will take to get out of the airport. We will convey your thanks to them since these comments just get posted to our website. We hope you come back soon and we will be working hard here to bring you more interesting things to see and do for your next trip.
We are spending New Years in Playa del Carmen and leaving on January 1 since we got a good flight out of Cancun Airport. Will all the transfer companies and airport be running on schedule that day or is it good to go early to the airport? Thanks
Hello Jenny
Many people travel on New Years Day as well as Christmas. The transfer companies will be running smoothly and the Cancun Airport is open as normal. You should have no problem on your day you are leaving. Just make sure to pre book your transfer so you can have that all set. The longer they have the reservation the more planning time they have to give customers good service. Thanks for your question and we hope you had a great time in Mexico.
Thanks for all your help on this trip of ours. I do have one more question if you don’t mind. I want to book tickets to Xel Ha but not sure what the weather and water temps will be in January. Is it good to go then?
Thanks!
Hello
The water at Xel Ha is swimable all year round. While locals tend not to swim as much in January, people coming from the north will love it. The water is from the ground at Xel Ha and it flows out into the bay. SO the ground cools in the summer and warms in the winter keeping it relatively the same. You should go since this is a great park. You can see our video and article here: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/xel-ha-water-park/
I am looking to conect with Merida on the other side of the peninsula. Is there a bus or transportation service that you recommend form the Cancun Airport? Thanks
Hello Arturo
Since not a lot of people make this trip the private transfer companies charge a lot. Most have to charge for round trip since the divers will be comong back to the Riviera Maya empty. One good option is the small ADO van that runs between the Airport and Merida. Even if you have to wait a little to the next scheduled one it can be worth it. Otherwise you can take ADO bus to the downtown of Cancun and get a bus to Cancun. The schedule is on thier website. We hope you have a good trip.
I few into Cancun already but I am shopping and not sure what is in the airport for shopping. Should I buy everything now as far as souvenirs? Can I buy decent tequila at the Cancun Airport? Thanks Sorry for such a random question.
Hello Shelia
There are a lot of stores for shopping at the Cancun Airport. There is a large duty free that has a lot of selection of alcohols including tequilas. We have bought some higher end tequila at the airport and were happy with it. However you can get a slightly better price on it if you are able to go to a La Europea Store. They are the retail store with a good selection. If you cannot, the airport is not that bad of a place to get some things. We hope you have a good trip.
I am a first time visitor to the Riviera Maya and found your website. I am so glad I did. I have so many questions on what to do and what to see. I will search through your site and send you any questions I have. Greetings from Poland.
Hello Nick
We hope you have a great first trip here to the Riviera Maya. Let us know what you need after you look over our website. We have lots of guides here. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/playa-del-carmen-guides/
I am planning my trip from the airport to Playa. Now that there is four terminals does the bus take longer? How much time do I need to allow to get there so I can check in? Thank you
Hello Tammy
The ADO bus does go to all the terminals at the Cancun Airport now. It has added about 5-10 minutes to the overall drop off time if you are going to the last terminal. Most people are leaving from terminal 3, so that is the last drop off. Make sure you get there at least one hour before so you can go through security. We hope you have a good trip.
We are staying at Anah Suites, 20 Avenida Norte esq 14 Bis, Centro, Playa del Carmen,in March. Our son is joining us couple of days later into our stay. I am assuming taking ADO bus from airport to Playa would be most affordable option for him? He is flying with Air Transat and I can’t see on the map which terminal Air Transat flights arrive to. Is the main bus stop in Playa close enough to Anah Suites to walk or he will need to take a cab from the bus stop to the Anah’s. Thank you
The ADFO bus is the most affordable option for him from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. The bus only goes to the bus station at Juarez Avenue and 5th. So he can walk or take a taxi from there. All terminals are serviced for the ADO bus so it does not matter what terminal he arrives at.
Hi. I have checked the bus scehdule from the airport. Can I buy my ticket online and then use it or is it best ot buy it when I get there? I just dont want it to be sold out. Thanks
Hello Kevin
We recommend you buy it when you arrive at the airport. Number one, you have to pass through immigration and customs first and you don’t know how long this will take. The tickets are timed so you don’t want to miss you bus. Also many times the ADO website will not take foreign credit cards. It is fairly easy to get the next bus. Only in super busy times like Christmas and Easter are there problems.
I have seen the price of the bus go up each year. Do you think it will be the same price until this fall? I am debating on taking the bus or other method.
The price of the ADO bus is based on gas and exchange rate. It seems to be pretty stable now and the price of the bus from the airport to Playa should stay the same for a while.
I have to get to the Cancun Airport but need to park there. I have heard it is expensive. what is the best way to park long term there? Is there offsite options?
Hello Michael
There is an offsite option. Here is a link to our article about it. It is the best offer there is because inside the airport it is more expensive. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/long-term-parking-cancun-airport/
We have not booked our flight to Cancun yet because we get last minute deals. So I am wondering how soon before we arrive do we need to book the tranfer van?
Hello Ernesto
You can do it up to the day before. They need to plan the routes and drivers for the next day. So you should be good to go once you arrange your flight. There is a chat function on the booking website if you have any other questions for them. We hope you have a great trip to the area.
How far is the Secrets Akumal from the Cancun Airport?
Hello Emily
This resort is one hour and 15 minutes from the Cancun International Airport. There is not public transportation so the best option is the private transfer service. If you book a round trip you will get a discount for your trip. We hope you have a pleasant time on your vacation.
I booked a rental in Lol Tun in Playa del Carmen. What is the best way to get there from the airport? How far is this area from the ADO bus station in Playa? THanks
Hello Rick
This area is north of Playa Del Carmen and while still in Playa it is on the outskirts. It is not really connected to Playa except by the 307 highway. Once there you will need a car to get around or taxi service. From the ADO bus station in Playa it is about a 12 minute taxi ride back towards the airport. There is not set price for that taxi but a taxi from the ADO station might charge you 300-400 pesos to get there. You might op to just take a private transfer there. Not only will it save you about 30 minutes it will save transferring your bags and paying for the bus and taxi. For the price difference it is worth it for the convenience.
Really good to have found your website. I love your photos and content. I have planned most of my holiday from your website, everything from transportation to tours. Thanks for all the tips.
You can definitely get around the Riviera Maya easy with transfers. We stay at a resort near Playa Del Carmen in Playacar. The transfer takes one hour and from there we either stay at the resort or walk into town. Taxis are easy to get from the hotel but they often overcharge. Always ask before getting in.
Thanks for sharing so much details about the airport. I have a question. How long does it normally take to go through customs and immigration at the Cancun Airport?
Hello Angie
It will depend if you have checked bags and part luck of how many planes arrive at the same time. Sometimes your plane will arrive early and there can be other groups in line. Normally it can be about 40 minutes to get off you plane and go through customs and immigration. If you have bags this can add another 10 minutes. We hope you have a great trip to the area and let us know if you need anything else.
What’s near Sirenis Resort that I can do? I am taking the transfer to the airport but wonder if I can walk to other places nearby or should I rent a car at the airport instead?
Hello Marcia
There is not anything within walking distance from your hotel. If you do book tours you can get a pick up for free included in the tour. If you rent a car it will be sitting at the hotel for a few days since you will be enjoying the resort so that adds up to expenses that you don’t need. You can take taxis from Sirenis also but there are not too many places close by that people visit. The transfer is the best option and most people book a tour or two when there are here for a week. The tours pick them up and this makes it easy.
We are going to be staying at the Yucatan Princess Resort. If we take the ADO bus from the airport how long is a taxi to the resort? About how much would it cost?
Hello Nick
The Yucatan Princess Resort is before Playa Del Carmen so if you take the ADO bus you pass it and will continue into Playa. It will be an additional 12 minutes to town and 12 back so adding about 24 minutes to your arrival. A taxi from the bus station to the hotel will be about 400 pesos or about $20 USD.
Ι wanted to know if Uber is now working in the Cancun Airport? I like using them because it is easy.
Hello Elie
There is still no Uber service in the Cancun Airport of the Riviera Maya. Your transportation options remain in the article here.
I got discount shuttle service coupon but not sure if it is worth it to use. It is a collective shuttle to Playa del Carmen. I have not seen anything else about it on the internet. Is this company####### a real one?
Hello Ady
We have never heard of that company before. It might be an independent person trying to do rides that is not authorized or some kind of scam. A lot of people need rides from the airport and many people are always trying to catch them for their services. That is why we try to street people to reputable services.
I just tried booking online for a trip on 4/7/2019 and it returns an error. Bookings work fine in March. So, question is does the bus service run everyday or is it seasonal?? Thanks!!
Hello Billy
Buses do run each day from the Cancun Airport. It is not a seasonal thing. It must be a glitch in their website. It is fine if you arrive and get a ticket though without having one. This is good since you are not sure exactly what time you will exit the airport.
I think this good info. I do have a question though. If I take a transfer to my hotel and a I want to get to the airport early, can I book the time to go back?
Hello Tammy
The return transfer is normally scheduled by your departure time out of Cancun Airport. You can however ask to go at what time you like. These are private transfers and just for you, so you are the deciding person. You might just have to make a note on your reservation.
Enjoyed every bit of our trip to Playa. We will be back soon!
Hеllo, if I read correctly the bus for the airort leaves from both stations in Playa but it is the same bus right?
Hello Jeff
We think we understand your question. The same bus does leave the first station and goes to the second station to pick up passengers. This is why you need a ticket so you have a seat when it is on its way to the airport.
There must be a lot of people coming for holiday in Mexico now because the airport lines for arrival were very long. It toook about 50 minutes just to get through the line to immigration and there was another line for the customs exit.
You ought to see the taxi drivers try to get people into their taxis at the airport. It is unabashed robery how some of them act.
We landed today and had a very smooth passage through the Cancun Airport. One tip for fellow travelers is to fill out both parts of the landing card. You will have to fill it out before the immigration counter. Many people dont see the bottom part to fill in.
I was very pleased with our driver and transfer. I would recomend this company to other people looking to get from the airport to thier hotel in the Riviera Maya.
Hello Everyone! We were able to figure out the bus from the airport. It was pretty easy to use and the people that worked there were helpful. Just watch out for the taxi drivers that tell you the bus will not come for another hour. Such bs.
Yes, there are people at the airport that try to say something wrong about the bus hours just to get you to go with them. That is why we just have the recommended options on our site.
I have just gotten back from Play Del carmen. It was my first time there. I really enjoyed it. The youthful vive , beach, walking around, it was all good. Wish the beaches were in better shape though.
Hello, I want to ask if we have frinds arrive at terminal 4 and we arrive at terminal 3, what is the best way to meet? If there a free shuttle or transportation between terminals?
Hello
There is a free shuttle between terminals that leaves about every 20 minutes, although it seems to come a little more frequent then that. You can also take a taxi. It is not possible to walk between the terminals.
What is the current rate for the ADO bus from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen?
The current rate of ADO is 218 pesos from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen.
It has been a few years since I flew into Cancun Airport but I am very glad to see the new terminal 4. It aleviates some of the bottleneck of 3 and offers passengers a little more luxurous option.
Is there free wifi at the Cancun airport when we arrive? I will need to send message to our driver.
There is only a paid service but your best option might be to go to Starbucks and get a quick log on. If you book the transfer service they will be waiting there for you and there is no need to send them a message.
First off, love your webiste. It has been a big help in planning our trip. We have been working on this for a long time and overdue. I wanted to ask your opion about going on one of the tours to Xcaret park once we arrive. Is it best to book transport or go by ourselves?
Hello Chantel
Thank you for using our website and we are glad you find it helpful. As for your question, if you book ahead online you can save up to 15% off tickets. It depends on where you are staying. The included transportation is expensive if you are staying in Playa for example. A taxi is cheaper.
Hello, thanks for the comprehensive guide, so informative! Is there any chance you know whether the buses run on December 26th? I have tried searching on the ADO website several times but it says it can’t return any results! I felt sure we’d be ok getting from the airport to Playa del Carmen on boxing day!
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!
Hello Helen
The busses do run everyday of the year. It is too valuable of a route not to run both for tourists and for the company. You will have not problem getting from the airport when you arrive. We hope you have a good trip.
We are first time visitors to the area and are thinking about renting a car from the Cancun Airport. We are thinking about driving to Merida and doing a week long driving trip. Is this easy to do from the airport? Is this the best place to rent from?
If you are doing a round trip from the airport to Merida and back, this is a good idea. There are a lot of agencies that rent at the Cancun Airport so you can pick which one you want. Prices are a little higher but this should not be a determining factor.
I am trying to buy my ADO bus ticket to the Cancun Airport but I cannot find it on the list of places to go. What is going on with ADO? Thanks
Hello Roxanne
ADO has changed their website and made it more confusing. Select Cancun as your destination and then use the arrow on the side to pull down a menu to what terminal you want to go to at the airport. ADO still has service but it is confusing on the website. We hope you had a good trip here to Playa Del Carmen.
Are there any tolls if you drive from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen? I know some of the highways have them there and I want to be prepared. Thanks
Hello Llyoyd
There are no tolls on the highway between the airport and Playa Del Carmen. There are tolls on the 180 and 305 going between the Yucatan State and Quintana Roo but that is all. So you have nothing to worry about as far as tolls to Playa.
The last time I was at terminal 4 there were no lounges, are these open now?
Hello Jennifer
The lounges are open now. There are two or three in terminal 4 now.
Howdy! I am debating on taking the bus or transfer from the Cancun Airport to my hotel in Playacar. I know the bus station is close to the entrance but not sure which is best, bus plus taxi or transfer? Cancun you give me some guidance on this? Thanks
Hello Juan
A taxi from the bus station to Playacar is around 95 pesos, but this varies depending on the honesty of the taxi driver. There is a posted sign with prices. It will take about one hour for the bus and another 8 minutes to arrive and transfer to your taxi and another 5-10 minutes to your hotel. So about 1:15-1:20 for your one way. This does not take into account any wait time for the bus at the airport which can be 20 minutes. Depending on how many people are traveling with you, this will be another factor. A transfer will take you door to door in about one hour. For one person surely the bus is a good deal. For several people the private transfer gets more attractive. Also the pure convenience of having a driver waiting for you and saving about one hour round trip on transportation is a nice thing, plus no stress getting to the bus station to buy your ticket back to the airport. Most people staying in Playacar take a transfer because for the value it is a good thing for vacation.
I was just searching for Uber. I thought they were working in Cancun? What happened to them? Normally they keep working where they start.
Hello Magie
Uber did start in Cancun. There was a lot of competition and pressure from the Taxi union. There was even a lot of intimidation. The laws in the state also are different and this was a source of contention. So for now there is no Uber service and no time soon is there a planned roll out again. For now, the best option is the private transfers that you can book in advance. You can do so with the links here to one of the best companies we recommend.
If we arrive on the 25th of December to Cancun Airport is easy to get a transfer for this day or is there limited service?
Hello Claire
If you make your booking ahead of time you will have a transfer waiting for you for sure. Transfers are always booked ahead of time so the drivers can be scheduled. There are a lot of flights that arrive and depart on the 25th, so if you book now you can have that set for your trip.
Thank you for your detailed instructions and video. It was very helpful to my family as we traveled to the Riviera Maya for the first time.
Solid advice bro. Been coming to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya for years and your website always has the best advice. Keep it up.
I have never been to Playa Del Carmen before and want to make sure I understand the transportation options. There are no local local buses that go into Cancun? Only the ADO bus? Thank you in advance.
Hello Jen
This is correct There is no other bus available. Even employees at the airport carpool or drive themselves because there is not local bus. The ADO is not that expensive and fairly easy to use. We hope you have a good trip and let us know if you need anything else.
I need to get to a town call Akumal which is just past Playa Del CArmen. Is it best to take a taxi from Playa after arrive by bus?
Hello Tyler
That would take about 25 minutes longer and cost almost the same. Taxis from Playa Del Carmen to Akumal are expensive. The best way is a private transfer straight from the airport. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/cancun-private-transfers/
The girl at the counter lied to us. She said the bus was sold out and we’d have to wait 40 min for the next bus to playa and then buy another ticket once we’re there to Tulum.
I walked away and went outside and hopped on the bus to Tulum.
I am very happy I found your website and all the info you have. It is a great travel resource, thanks.
I don’t know what I would do without you. I love all the details on your website. I have been traveling for years and love all the details on your site.
Thank you Lori! We love to help people discover the best of the area.
Thanks for the tips on the bus to Playa from the airport. I do however have a question. How is it to go to Akumal from Playa once we arrive there? Is a taxi affordable?
Hello Vera
It is about a 30 minute drive to Akumal so taxis are not that cheap. There are some local bus services (not ADO) that go there but these are not really for tourist. Colectivos go there but it is not for luggage. So the best option is booking a transfer from the Cancun Airport to Akumal direct. This would take you to your hotel as well and not just the side of the highway.
Hi, we are travelling to Natz TI Ha which is
just north of Hotel Mahekal on Flamingo and 38th St, in August and arriving at Cancun airport at 18.30 on a Sunday, I will be travelling alone with my children, is it safe to get the bus at this time? How far will the bus take me ? Will I need a taxi for the rest of the journey? Will there be taxis at the bus stop and how much should they cost ok. Many thanks.
Hello
The bus will take you to Juarez and 5th Avenue stop only. From there, there is a taxi stand just outside the terminal. Taxis are notorious for charge more but it will be about 100/150 pesos one way. It is safe to travel at this time of day. It will be getting a little dark but the taxi ride from the bus station to your accommodations is short and straight forward. Just ask the taxi beforehand the price. Most will speak enough English to help you. We hope you have a great trip from the Cancun Airport to Playa and the rest of your trip goes well also.
Just as a second option, since there are three? of you or more, it might be just as easy or easier to take a transfer. The one way price is $60 USD but you get a discount when you book a round trip. You go direct to your rental and no need for taxi or passing your area on the bus and looping back in a taxi. If there are three of you and you pay bus and taxi it can be around $40 USD, so there is a convivence of taking a direct transfer. The best recommended transfer company is in our article with a link to their website. They have been doing transfers from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen for years and we have never had a complaint against them.
Hi there very nice web site! I see that the ADO bus site does not have all the stops beyond the airport. Is this because you have to buy separate tickets? We want to go to Bacalar. What is the best way to do this and the fastest?
Hello
Your best option would be to buy a ticket to Playa Del Carmen and then once you get off, buy a ticket to Bacalar. You might want to have lunch or stop for a bit in Playa. It is one hour to Playa from the Cancun Airport and then another 3 plus hours to Bacalar from Playa Del Carmen.
I think during these travel times it is going be a much better option not to take the bus with lots of people and perhaps just go to the hotel by private transportation. That is just my opinion. I hope we can all get through these times and for all the hard working people in Mexico, I hope they can manage while tourism comes back.
I was wondering what is your recommendation for transportation from the Cancun Airport to a hotel these days? I am coming to the Riviera Maya and have a hotel but am concerned about a transfer since covid is around. What do you think is the best way to get from the airport now? Please help.
Hello Tina
Thank you for your question. We have heard from many readers about this and wrote this article with a great clean recommendation for private transfers. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/best-cancun-airport-transportation-2020/ We hope you have a great trip. Let us know if you need anything else.
I am debating wither I should take the ADO bus or book a private shuttle to go to Playa Del Carmen. I see there is a longer wait between buses. I will arrive about one hour before the bus departs for Playa. Is this enough time to get through the customs and immigration at the Cancun Airport? I am also staying in Playacar. Will there be taxis to my hotel and what is the cost of these? Thank you
Hello Marsha
The ADO buses are running at a reduced schedule now from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. It normally takes about 40 minutes to get off the plane and get out of the airport, so you should be able to get this bus. Just get your ticket when leaving the terminal. Don’t listen to taxi drivers that might say the buses are not running or it will be two hours. They just want your business and will charge you a lot. There are taxis at the exit of the bus station in Playa Del Carmen. Here you can get a taxi for about $6 USD. There is a chart with prices. Drivers often overcharge from this area. So it is worth it to take time to look at the chart there. We hope you have a good trip.
Is the bus from the airport in the same place if 5th Avenue is being remodeled? Can you get around in town by walking?
Hello Kyle
The bus from the Cancun Airport is still arriving in the Juarez Avenue bus station in Playa Del Carmen. Parts of 5th Avenue are still under construction at this time but you can walk on 10th Avenue where there is a sidewalk if you like.
Just a heads up for people arriving at Cancun Airport now. There are restrictions for the amount of passengers in the taxis. There is a limit of two passengers and the driver, so if you are more that two traveling together, you have to take two taxis or pay more for the van, the transfer vans that you can book in advance work better because they have more space.
Will the vans that you can book have room for three people? I heard the taxis have a limit to two people? We are a couple with teen and traveling in the end of September and I want to book a transfer.
Hello Lucy
The private transportation vans have room for three and are approved to transport even more of a group at once. We don’t provide this service, but the link here to book takes you to a recommended airport transportation company that many of our readers enjoy and use often. We hope you have a great trip. Let us know if you need anything else for your trip.
Has the price of the ADO bus gone up this year?
Hello Stan
We try to keep the price updated in our article. It goes up a little each year but is not a significant price jump. Just this year the one thing to note is the reduced schedule due to less people traveling. Sometimes the wait times are longer since there are fewer buses from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen.
Hello. I need to get from Terminal 2 to 4 to pick up some friends that are coming with us. Can I walk this or can the shuttle driver take us there? Thanks
Hello Loren
The terminals at the Cancun Airport are far apart and you are not able to walk between them. There is a free shuttle between the terminals that goes around every 20 minutes. If you have a pre booked transfer, you can put on your reservation the two arriving flights. They can track it for you and they can make sure both of you arrive at the same time and pick you up.
Ꮋi have the ADO buses gone back to a normal schedule form the Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen or are they reduced for the amounts of people taking them?
Thank you very much for the information. I have a doubt, is it possible to order an Uber from the Cancun airport?
Hello Harry
Uber still does not serve the Cancun Airport to hotels in the Riviera Maya.
I like the valuable info you provide. I have a questions about covid test. I heard you can get them at the airport, is this true?
Hello Eunice
It is true they do offer these at the Cancun Airport. Depending on what country you are from, you need to check to see what type of test is accepted. We do have an article about where to get certain covid tests in Playa, Tulum and Cancun. This might take some stress away from your trip if you do it before you get to the airport.
I am trying to decide between the shuttle and a private transfer. There is the cost difference from the airport but wondering how much longer it might be to get to and from the airport? Any thoughts?
Hello Lori
You are correct to question which is a better option. The price is one thing, time is another. We would say you will have to wait a little bit for the shuttle and possible need another 40 minutes extra returning to the airport. So it would be maybe 1 hours 15 minutes extra with the shuttle option since it is shared.
I hear there is a lot of construction on the highway between the Cancun Airport and Playa del Carmen. Is this true and how much time do we need to allow to make the trip? I do not want to miss my flight nor be waiting at the airport a long time. Thanks
Hello Edna
There is construction going on between Cancun Airport and Playa Del Carmen. It is for the Maya Train. A couple of weeks ago it really slowed down traffic but it seems to be minimal now. There has not been any times it is bad recently and about 1 hour and 15 minutes is a good time to plan for your trip back. Of course this can change. The app Wayz and google maps update to more current traffic conditions.
It’s amazing how easy it is to get from the airport to Playa del Carmen. I remember back in the day when it was hard to get taxis to Tulum but the shear volume of pe0ple coming has widened the options.
I have hear that there is construction on the highway between Playa del Carmen and the airport. Is this affecting the buses and shuttles?
Hello Don
There were a few days that really disrupted transportation. For the most part things are running smoothing. A trick is to check google maps just before traveling. It is pretty accurate if there are current delays
I have a question about the private transfer vans. I want to book one but also want to come back from a second hotel that we will stay at. It is possible to book one transfer but with two different spots?
Hello
You can book a ride to your first hotel and second hotel going back the Cancun Airport. On the booking website there is this option and you can still get a round trip discount if it is the same area.
I don’t know what terminal I will arrive at for meeting up with my transfer from the airport to my hotel. Do I need to send a message when I take off so the van will be at the right terminal?
Hello
Your flight info on your reservation is used and they can track your flight to make sure your driver is waiting at the right terminal for you.
I read that some of the terminals were closed. Are they all open now at the airport? I wonder how this affects where we land and arrive. Thanks
Hello Daniela
All the terminals of Cancun Airport are open. So the international flights are landing at either terminal 3 or 4. Of course wherever you land and arrive at, the shuttle companies will track your flight and make sure they meet you at the exit.
If you want to go to Playacar to a hotel, can you take the ADO bus and then a taxi? How hard is it to change in Playa del Carmen to get the taxi and how much is it? Thanks
Hello Andy
You can take the ADO bus from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen and get off at the bus station. It is at Juarez Avenue which is the south end of Playa Del Carmen. There is a taxi stand outside with taxis always available. There are price list listed. It depends little on how much they help with luggage and of course the taxi stands cost more that just getting a taxi on the street. A taxi will cost about 100 pesos from the bus station to you hotel. It is always good to confirm the price before getting in.
Can you tell me more about driving from the airport to Playa? I’d want to find out more details before I take on driving and all the stuff you hear about problems.
Be Careful of the people offering rides at the airport. Most of the time they are trying to fill a van and people then get trapped and have to wait for more people to get in before they go. Or they are off duty drivers dropping people off and looking to make a quick buck off some tourists. It is not official transportation and you can could not be covered if anything goes wrong.
Question, do you think the Tren Maya will stop at the airport? That would be cool to take the train from the airport to Playa del Carmen.
Hello Alex
The train is being built now and is advancing. It will be opened in sections. The exact station for the Riviera Maya and how the train line will be is still under consideration. We think if it is not done at first, it will eventually be connected.
Hi. Is it possible to get transportation for 12 people from the airport to Playa del Carmen? We want to go in one or two vans. We are all arriving at the same hour but from different locations on different flights. We don’t mind waiting for each person in our group to arrive.
Hello. It is best to check the link to the transportation company’s website. They offer several options for vans. You can also communicate directly with them to see what they recommend. It might be good to have two planned vans. That way if anyone is arriving late, you can send some ahead so not everyone is waiting.
I wonder who are the people offering rides to people that are not taxis at the airport? Sometimes they offer deals.
Often these are taxi vans that are looking to fill up a van to take people to hotels. First, you have to negotiate the price and second, you often have to wait for more people. It is usually never a good idea. Plus they could be people that are not official drivers and it is always best to book ahead private transportation or take the ADO bus.
I love your blog, it is full of helpful info for travelers.
Hey, I used to see the ADO bus to Puerto Morelos but I cannot find the schedule. Is this bus still running from the airport?
Hello. the Cancun Airport to Puerto Morelos ADO bus does not make a stop there anymore. You can take a private transfer as the next best option.
So how soon before my flight will I know what terminal I will land in Cancun Airport? I want to schedule a pick up but as of now there is no terminal listed.
Hello Megan
If you book a private transfer, they will monitor which terminal you will arrive at and be ready for you. Usually by the time you leave your home airport, the terminal will be posted online for which terminal you will arrive at in Cancun. Only rarely will it change due to weather or other flights taking longer at gates.
So there is no way from the highway to walk into the airport?
Hello Jordi
The Cancun Airport is about 2 km from the highway and there are no sidewalks. Even the colectivos do not stop along the highway here. You need to take the ADO or private transport into the airport.
How is the airport construction affecting travel times to the airport?
Hello Rich
The delays are mainly going back to the airport. Use google maps to see real time traffic conditions. It is adding on average 30 minutes to the return. Sometimes it is open and no delay and other times it is a standstill and delays of one hour. It is a bit of a mess, but everyone is dealing with it the best they can. The road was in very bad shape and this should help a lot in the future.
We thought Uber would be working already but see there are not much cars and drivers available. We are glad we did not realy on them to pick us up at the airport because we would have had to wait a while. Think about it, thousands arriving each hour and there are not cars ready. Planning ahead can save you time at the airport. Thank you really much.
Will the Mayan train have a stop at the airport with connection for Playa Del Carmen?
There is a station planed at the Cancun Airport. It will be connected by bus because the station is on the other side of the runway at the airport. The station will be on the backside of Playa Del Carmen, so it will be connected, but it might not save anytime nor be as efficient as other transportation methods.
I am bringing a lot of bags with me because I have some special equipment. Can the transfers handle surfboard size bags? Will it be a car sometimes?
Hello Derrick. The transfers that we recommended are always going to be a van, so there is sufficient space for most things.
Is the construction on the road outside of the Cancun Airport still slowing down entrances? Should we allow more time to get back to the airport?
The construction is nearing its final stages. The worst is over and it is not impacting much the transportation time to and from the airport. A good trick is look at google maps the day you want to travel and you can see if it is slow or not. The maps update in almost real time.
Greate post with details about the airport. I find some websites have stock photos and generic info but you seem like you have been there and know what you are talking about.
Thanks for including us in your wedding plans. We looked over all your planning and you seem to be VERY organized for your trip. We hope you have an amazing time! We are sure with all your planning things will go very well.
Thank you so much again for this helpful site, yes is just me and my wife, so I guess I’ll use ADO.
Thank you so much for your information.