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By Kevin D. - Updated on 25 May 2022
Getting from Cancun International Airport to Tulum is much easier than you think. The distance between Cancun Airport and Tulum is approximately 133 km (70 miles), about 1 hour and a half from Cancun International Airport (CUN).
There are many options for getting from Cancun Airport to Tulum, from private service to public transportation. The choice of your transportation to venture to this wonderful destination will depend on your needs as a traveler, and your budget.
The Riviera Maya has more than 120 km (74.5 miles) of extension where its impressive Caribbean beaches with crystalline turquoise waters stand out. Within this area, you will find the wonderful Magic Town of Tulum, a destination considered a jewel of the Caribbean, where you can discover an endless number of natural attractions. Tulum also stands out for its wide variety of hotels such as Ahau Tulum, Azulik, Delek Tulum, Villa Pescadores, Prana Boutique Hotel, among others.
In Tulum you can enjoy beautiful beaches such as Playa Pescadores, Playa de las Ruinas and Playa Paraíso; visit the archaeological zone where you will find El Castillo, El Templo de los frescos, la Casa del Cenote, the walls, among other Mayan vestiges; as well as live a fascinating adventure in the Natural Port of Xel Ha; swim in the majestic cenotes such as Cenote Dos Ojos, Gran Cenote and Tak Be Ha. Also, keep in mind to make the most of your trip by exploring the sites near Tulum, such as Cobá Archaeological Zone, Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, and Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
Cancun International Airport is located 16 km (10 miles) away from downtown Cancun, approximately 2 hours. It has 4 terminals and direct flights. It is the closest commercial airport to Tulum, and it’s considered the second most important airport in Mexico.
Tulum is located approximately 119 km (74 miles) away from Cancun Airport. To get to this destination in a comfortable and efficient way, you should choose correctly your means of transportation that best suits your needs, budget, and type of trip. Below we present different options of Transportation from Cancun Airport to Tulum so you can choose the best one for you.
As a main option it is always advisable to hire a Car Rental in Cancun to get to Tulum and Riviera Maya. This way, you will have total freedom to explore all the surroundings of Tulum and Riviera Maya without distance or time limitations. Furthermore, contrary to what many would think, renting a car from Cancun to Tulum is quite economical, since the only thing you as a customer must pay is the car rental, gas, and tolls, depending on the routes you choose.
Unlike a fixed route transportation, aboard a car you can move freely to wherever you want, whenever you decide; which makes it a very practical option. This way you can have more control of the destinations you wish to visit near Tulum and Riviera Maya.
Many companies like City Car Rental Cancun offer a wide variety of vehicles for your car rental in Cancun to Tulum, according to the budget and type of trip of each client, from a compact car to a van. The rental price varies depending on the vehicle, you can find rates starting at $21 USD. You should also have in mind the gas consumption of the chosen car to consider it within your travel budget and not end up with surprises.
Car rentals in Cancun and throughout the country are regulated, so they must have insurance included. Always verify that the company with which you book your Cancun Car Rental to Tulum is totally transparent with this issue. Remember that ideally, the rate should include insurance and taxes from the very beginning. Avoid any company that offers low rates of up to $1 USD at all costs, as these companies usually do not include taxes and insurance.
Although sometimes private transfers may seem expensive compared to other transportation options such as ADO buses or public transportation, they offer many significant advantages. Hiring a Private Transfers from Cancun Airport to Tulum is one of the most comfortable, safe, and even economical options if you choose the right company.
First of all, the main advantage of hiring this type of service is that you can book in advance and very easily your Private Shuttle Cancun Airport to Tulum, just by using the website of the company providing this service. An online reservation allows you to plan your trip in a better way, since you can choose your destination, the type of service, arrival time, extra services, among many other things.
The capacity of the vehicles for Private Transfers Cancun Airport to Tulum is from 1 to 15 passengers plus luggage, which makes them ideal for families and large groups. Also, if you require transportation for a special event, with this option your guests will be able to enjoy total comfort during their trip at a totally affordable price.
Another advantage is that this is a direct service, that means there are no additional stops anywhere unless you request it. This way you will be able to respect your established schedules for your trip to Tulum.
With companies like Cancun Airport Transportation you will be able to avoid uncomfortable unannounced changes in the final fares thanks to the flight monitoring it offers. Whether the flight is early or late, the fare will always be preserved.
Many Cancun to Tulum Airport Transportation companies offer excellent discounts when booking a round-trip service.
On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that the prices and services offered by the Private Transportation Cancun Airport to Tulum companies are regulated nationally and internationally.
You may be wondering about the disadvantages of this type of service, however, it is important to note that although its price may be somewhat high, this is one of the best options, as it is ideal for the family. Starting from $69 USD you can travel with up to 8 people.
This option is good if you are traveling alone, however, if you are traveling with companions it is much more feasible to pay for a Private Transportation service to Tulum or rent a car or van. Have always in mind that the cost of all the individual tickets in the collective transportation will probably be equivalent to hiring a Private Transportation.
It is relatively the cheapest option for a solo traveler with light luggage (usually backpackers), since traveling from Cancun downtown to Playa del Carmen has an approximate price of $2 USD per person. To get to Tulum you will have to take the van at the station in Playa del Carmen, where the ticket has an estimated price of $3 USD.
More disadvantages than advantages
One of the main problems of this alternative is how uncomfortable it can be for travelers, even if you travel with light luggage, the space is usually extremely limited, since the vans travel almost always at maximum passenger capacity, so the comfort is in the background.
These vehicles do not pick you up at the Cancun International Airport (CUN) nor do they have nearby stations, these can only be found in downtown Cancun, so you would have to spend on another means of transportation to take you there.
Departures of these vehicles are every 10 minutes or until they are at maximum capacity, so it is very likely that you will suffer delays in your travel itinerary and have limited time. To ease the situation, it is recommended to avoid rush hours between 5 and 9 AM, and from 3 to 7 PM.
This option is only recommended unless you have an extremely limited budget and you are willing to wait for hours at the ADO bus terminal.
If what you are really looking for is a very affordable price, this service is for you, as the ticket is between $9 to $14 USD per person. For a backpacker or solo traveler it is quite convenient. Likewise, this service allows you to buy your tickets online and avoid any problems related to these.
Main disadvantages of the ADO Cancun to Tulum Bus service
During the day there are usually only 5 trips from Cancun Airport to Tulum. ADO buses leave the airport at 10:20 AM, 11:20 AM, 12:20 AM, 2:15 PM and 7:15 PM. So you should be as punctual as possible.
If your hotel or destination is in the center of Tulum you won’t have any inconvenience, since the 2 ADO terminals are located in Tulum downtown and near the ruins. However, if your stay is in the hotel zone of Tulum this service will represent a big problem, since you will have to take a cab to get there, which will surely increase your costs.
When you arrive at Cancun International Airport (CUN), passing through customs and the immigration office, you will find the ADO booth to buy your tickets, or to resolve any questions related to the service.
When you arrive at Cancun International Airport (CUN), you will most likely see an avalanche of tour operators, transporters, cab drivers, and private drivers. Private Drivers usually offer to take travelers to any destination in Tulum, however this is not a highly recommended option, since there are no regulations in terms of quality and price for this kind of service, so the rates can be misleading, as well as the safety of the client is not guaranteed.
With all of the above, it will always be preferable to hire services that guarantee safety, comfort and quality, such as the services of Private Transportation from Cancun Airport to Tulum. Book online with reliable and regulated transportation companies, such as Cancun Airport Transportation, which assures you a pleasant experience, where your well-being will always be a priority.
So... What is the best option for your transportation?
Finally, what really matters when choosing your ideal transportation is the level of your needs as a traveler. For this it is advisable to make a complete planning of your trip, taking into account the number of companions, budget, established times, as well as all the activities to do and places to visit in Tulum.
And remember, the means of Transportation from Cancun Airport to Tulum is an essential factor for you and your travel companions to enjoy your adventure to the fullest!
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