Bus Travel in Mexico
The first picture in most people’s head about taking a bus in Latin America is an old bus that is crowded and has everything including chickens onboard. While you can get these types of buses, most of the time people in Mexico are on modern and actually very nice buses. In this article we will give you some important tips about taking the bus and why it might just open up your travel to new and exciting places.
Since we focus on the Riviera Maya of Mexico, we will focus a little more about bus travel in our part of Mexico. However, many of the tips here apply to all parts of Mexico. We hope these tips and this article help prepare you for a bus trip and calm fears about all the stories you hear.
Is bus travel in Mexico safe?
Bus travel in Mexico is used a lot in Mexico. Just between Playa Del Carmen and other places there are thousands of people who take the bus somewhere daily. ADO is our main local bus company. ADO the largest bus company in Mexico which covers some 17 states. The reason we state some of these facts is because it shows that buses are used a lot in Mexico and have a good safety record.
Bus drivers are very professional for the most part, and it is rare to hear of a bus accident. Buses are safer than the colectivos that go up and down the 307 Highway in the Riviera Maya. Taking the bus also eliminates driving which is a little different in Mexico with the many speed bumps and peculiar things you need to be alert of.
Luggage theft from under the bus is not really heard of, even on occasions luggage tags are not used. The only notes we do have for riders is on long journeys and overnight trips, any bag you have with you, or store overheard, lock it or do not keep valuables in the bag. On second class buses, keep an eye on bags on the floor. This is because often there is space to reach under seats and steal. These are not very common things, but something to keep in mind to keep your personal belongings safe.
Personally, in over 20 years of travel in Mexico, I have never been in a bus accident nor had any issues with missing items or robbery. I consider them one of the safest forms of transportation.
What are the bus companies and where do they go?
On the Yucatan Peninsula the main bus company is ADO. When we say the main bus company, we mean 75% of bus travel is done by them. The rest of the bus travel is by smaller second-class services that connect all the other cities and towns.
Mayab, Noreste, Oriente and Centro are other bus companies that offer connections between destinations. The tickets are often less but the time is longer since they make many stops along the way. We only recommend these bus services when there are no other options for a faster or first-class bus.
What are the best places to take a bus from the Riviera Maya?
For those that are just visiting for the first time, you might want to take the ADO bus to Tulum, Tulum Ruins, Bacalar, Playa Del Carmen or Cancun. These are easy daytrips or overnight trips that you can take on the bus between these points in the Riviera Maya and surrounding area.
If you have seen the Riviera Maya before and want to do a little more exploring, going inland to Isla Holbox, the colonial city of Valladolid, or Merida which are good options for overnight or several days to explore the areas. Buses connect these destinations to smaller destination nearby and also between points in the Riviera Maya.
What are most buses like in Mexico?
Most of the buses used are newer, clean and comfortable. Bus travel in Mexico is better than bus travel in the United States or Canada. There is a higher level of service and overall is more efficient and cleaner.
If you are taking ADO, there are three levels of service. The basic red buses which are comfortable and usually just fine for a trip. The second level is the GL (purple bus). This bus has wider seats, and they recline a little more. The highest class is the Platino (blue buses). They are three seats wide and will offer the most comfortable trip (imagine La-Z-Boy recliners on a bus). These buses are used on long haul trips. With a Platino ticket you also get access to lounges if the station offers it.
How to buy bus tickets and tips for traveling with the bus
You can shop online first to see what routes are available and how much tickets are. However, online information is often not complete. Not all routes are online and sometimes the websites show there are no tickets for each day, when clearly there are tickets. So, buying tickets in person at the bus station is also a good option. This will mean an extra trip to the bus station, but you are guaranteed answers to your questions and help for alternative ideas if tickets are not available. Here are some important tips for buying bus tickets:
- Buying tickets in advance will often give you a discount. This can be as much as 30% to 40% off. This is several weeks or months in advance.
- For holiday time periods (Christmas, New Years, Holy Week etc.) It is good to book ahead by months for long haul trips. Holiday bus travel is busy in Mexico. Expect buses to be full and try to plan in advance when you can.
- You will need ID to buy the tickets. The names are put on the tickets. Technically you are supposed to show ID to ride the bus.
What to take on a bus trip in Mexico
Depending on how far you are traveling, you will want to take some things with you that will make the trip more comfortable. If you are traveling for more than two hours on a bus here are some things to think about taking with you:
- Jacket or sweatshirt. Yes, even in the tropical weather, buses turn up the ac and it can become very cold on the bus. You will see locals bundled up at the bus station and you will find out why shortly after the bus takes off.
- Many long-haul bus trips show movies on TVs that hang from the ceiling. These are usually in Spanish, and you have no control over the volume on the general speaker for the bus. Most of the time you have no interest in watching a particular movie, but you are sort of trapped. So, taking headphones and some music can make your trip more enjoyable.
- Snacks and drinks. Most bus trips longer than 5 hours will have a rest stop. Sometimes there will be people that hop on the bus and will pass up and down the aisle with snacks and drinks. This is not a given and so it can be good to bring somethings with you. Most always there is a bathroom on board the bus, so you don’t have to worry too much about drinking liquids and having to go to the bathroom.
- Keep your ticket with you. Sometimes there is a stop, and an inspector gets on to make sure everyone has a ticket. Your ticket might also be attached to your luggage ticket for pickup at your destination.
- USB cord for charging. Most buses will have charging plugs for USB.
Bus Stations in Playa Del Carmen
There are two bus stations in the downtown of Playa Del Carmen. One is called the Playa Del Carmen Turistica which is on Juarez Avenue and 5th Avenue. The other is called Playa Del Carmen Alterna which is on 20th Avenue and 12th Street.
In general, the Playa Del Carmen Turistica bus station has service up and down the Riviera Maya costal area. In general, the Playa Del Carmen Alterna bus station has buses to the interior of the peninsula. This included long haul trips further into Mexico. Be sure to check the website and your ticket to make sure you are at the right station for your bus.
Airport buses arriving to Playa Del Carmen ONLY stop at the Playa Del Carmen Turistica on 5th Avenue. Everyone will have to get off. This is the only stop in Playa. From the bus station you will need to walk or take a taxi to your hotel. Leaving Playa Del Carmen for the Cancun Airport, both bus stations are used. Buses leave from the Turistica station and then pass by the Alterna station before going to the Cancun Airport.
How to take the ADO Bus to and from the Cancun Airport
Perhaps the most used route of the ADO Bus Company is to and from the Cancun Airport. The ADO bus is the only public transportation to and from the Cancun Airport. It connects all four terminals to Playa Del Carmen. This is an affordable way to get to Playa in about one hour.
The ADO bus passes by all 4 terminals and then proceeds down the 307 Highway to Playa Del Carmen. It only goes to the Juarez Avenue bus station. You can buy your ticket at the ADO counter in the terminal or outside at the curb. We recommend just going to the curb and buying your ticket since you might be able to get on a bus that is just leaving. We do not recommend buying your ticket in advance since the tickets are timed and you do not know how long it will take to get out of the airport.
The ADO bus is the only public transportation from the Cancun Airport. Buses run about ever 30 minutes, so it is fairly easy to catch.
If you are staying at an all-inclusive along the Riviera Maya, the ADO bus does not make stops. This is where a shared shuttle or private transfer might be your best option.
Note: See our article about how the Tren Maya compares to taking the bus to and from the Cancun Airport. Hint, the bus is better.
Going back to the Cancun Airport by ADO Bus
The main difference going back to the airport is that you can get on at both bus station in Playa Del Carmen. The bus leaves from the Juarez Avenue bus station and then passes by the second bus station before heading to the Cancun Airport. The cost of the bus is the same both ways. It also takes the same amount of time to the airport which is about one hour. Buses leave Playa Del Carmen about every 30 minutes for the airport.
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Pls push for tulum airport to Playa. Pls pls
Why would anyone do that when it takes twice as long and there are no direct trips between Tulum airport & PDC?
Great article. Thanks for sharing. I did not realize there were three levels of ADO bus. We took the ADO a few years ago to Merida and it was a great way to travel. Very comfortable and very worry free. However, I will bring a sweater next time because it was quite chilly haha
When you are on the ADO website you can see the different services and the prices will be more for the same route for the more comfortable buses. Another tip is look at the overall transportation time. Some buses are direct, and others have a stop or two. Usually, the GL and Platinum will be direct.