How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport by bus

You’ve bought the flights, booked your accommodation and now the last thing on the list is to just figure out how to get to Playa del Carmen. The good news is, the city is very well connected by bus and it’s one of the cheapest and easiest ways to get from the airport.

I personally use the bus, especially if I’m traveling on my own so I’ve detailed how to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen by bus to help you with your vacation planning.

If the bus is not on the cards for you, check out this full guide on transport from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen with suggestions for private drivers, shuttle companies, and rental cars.

How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport by bus

Fast facts

Cost: MXN$208 or roughly USD$10

Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Bus station in Playa del Carmen: Corner of Fifth Avenue and Benito Juarez Avenue

“ADO BUS STATION - PLAYA DEL CARMEN”, BY Stephen Rees, LICENSED UNDER CC BY 2.0

Step by step guide

Getting the bus from Cancun Airport is relatively painless and I’ve had many visitors go through the process with no drama. You don’t need to book in advance and the bus will drop you directly on Fifth Avenue in central Playa del Carmen.

Step 1 - Find the bus stop

Head straight outside the terminal where you’ll likely see a mob of drivers with signs asking you where you want to go. Each terminal layout is slightly different but you should find a sign for the buses or you can ask one of the taxi drivers to point you in the right direction.

Note: There have been complaints by people online that taxi drivers have told them the buses are not operating to try to get them to take a taxi instead. If this happens to you, just be firm and tell them you already have a ticket. This has never happened to me in my ten years traveling here but I thought it was important to give you a heads up.

Step 2 - Buy your ticket first

You can buy your ticket from the small ticket kiosk located right by the bus stop. Tickets are currently MXN$208 and you must pay in cash. You can withdraw pesos from the ATMs located inside the terminal or, you can purchase your ticket using a credit card from the ADO salesperson found near the rental car companies right after baggage claim.

Note: If you’re buying a ticket from inside the terminal, they may not sell you a ticket for the next bus departure if they think you won’t have enough time to make it. This could mean a longer wait which is why I would avoid this method if possible and try to have the cash to pay curbside.

Step 3 - Get on the bus

Look for the bus heading to Playa del Carmen as they are also buses going to Cancun, Tulum, and Merida. The bus driver will scan your ticket and remind you to sit in the seat assigned to you. There should only be one stop in Puerto Morelos before you get to Playa del Carmen but the bus driver will make announcements to make sure you get off at the right place.

Sometimes the driver will put on a movie but this will likely be dubbed over in Spanish. A great opportunity for you to practice your language skills. Or maybe just pop some headphones in and have a nap. The trip will take upwards of 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on which terminal you get on at as the bus will make a stop at each one before leaving the airport.

“ADO BUS STATION - PLAYA DEL CARMEN”, BY APPAIOOSA, LICENSED UNDER CC BY 2.0

Which bus company to use to get from Cancun Airport

ADO is the bus company that serves much of the Yucatan Peninsula and can get you around the Riviera Maya with ease. The buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and driven by professional drivers to get you to your holiday destination safely.

Who should use the bus to get from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen?

If you’re traveling on your own or with a friend, looking to save some money, or want a pain-free way to get to Playa del Carmen then the bus is your best option.

The bus might not be the best option if you’re staying at a resort outside of Playa del Carmen. You can get a taxi once you arrive at the station but the costs of the cab fare and the time taken to switch from bus to taxi makes getting a private driver or taking a shuttle a much better option.

Where does the bus stop in Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen has two bus stations but the bus from Cancun Airport only stops at one of these. This bus station is located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Benito Juarez Avenue on the south side of town.

 

How to get from the Playa del Carmen bus station to your hotel

One thing to note is that the bus will drop you at the main bus station located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Juarez Avenue so if you’re hotel is not located within walking distance or you have a lot of bags, you will have to get a taxi on the other end.

Taxis in Playa are usually cheap with a standard fare around the downtown area costing no more than MXN $40 (USD$2) and you can flag one down quite easily. When you’re around the more touristy parts of Playa, however, you’re going to find taxi ranks set up with taxis ready to get you wherever you want to go.

The downside of these taxi ranks is that they’re going to charge you far more than the standard fare for the benefit of not having to look for your own. One such taxi rank is located right outside the Playa del Carmen bus station and you’re be expected to fork out around MXN$100-$150 even if your hotel is not far away.

If you’re happy paying more, then these taxis are a safe way to get to your hotel and still a good option. If you’re willing to walk two blocks west to 15 Avenue then you can flag a regular cab down and bring your costs back down. Just remember to confirm the cost with the driver before you get in as it is unfortunately common practice to try to get unwitting tourists to pay a higher price.

Arm yourself with the Playa del Carmen taxi zone chart so you know the correct fare to get you to your accommodation and help you get around town without getting ripped off.

Cenote Azul near Playa del Carmen

Frequently asked questions

How much luggage am I allowed on the bus from Cancun Airport?

Technically,  you’re allowed one bigger bag in the bag storage area under the bus and one to carry on. Practically, the bus drivers don’t ever seem to monitor this so as long as you’re not taking the piss with an entourage of 10 bags, you should probably be fine.

Can I take my pet on the bus from Cancun Airport?

The official rule is that pets have to go in the baggage storage under the bus in a carrier and most drivers will enforce this rule. I have known people to get away with carrying a small dog in their bag but you might not want to rely on this method lest you be stuck with an unusable bus ticket and the last resort choice of getting an expensive taxi to Playa del Carmen. 

Your best bet is to hire a private driver and I’ve listed a few options who are happy to have a pet tag along in the full Transport from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen guide.

Is the bus from Cancun Airport good for small kids?

You can certainly use the bus if you’re traveling with kids but my recommendation when traveling in a group is to use a private driver. The cost will be cheaper once you have at least three people and you will get door-to-door service with enough space for car seats and luggage.

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If you have any questions or comments, please let me know in the comments below. I read them all and would love to know if there is anything else you’re like to know or share about Playa del Carmen.

How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport

Planning your Mexican escape? Once you’ve got the flights and hotel sorted, the next step is figuring out how to get to your tropical vacation.

Cancun Airport is located 35 miles (56 km) away from Playa del Carmen and getting there is actually quite easy. Even if you’ve left it to the last minute, there are still a few transport options to get you to Playa Del Carmen without much fuss.

Read on to find out how to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport including some frequently asked questions to help you with your planning.

“Boeing 787 / Aeroméxico”, by Hector Martínez, licensed under CC BY 2.0

How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport

Whether you’re going solo or got the whole crew in tow, there are several options you can take to get to Playa del Carmen. The bus is the cheapest option, especially if you’re traveling alone while renting a car can be the most pricey but it will give you the freedom to get around the area and explore.

Rent a car

If you’re planning to rent a car anyway for your visit, renting a car at Cancun Airport could be the easiest option. It’s an easy 45-minute drive to Playa del Carmen and I often found the car rental agencies located at the airport to be some of the best to deal with.

Make sure to book in advance and have a Plan B in place just in case your flight arrives too late. Unlike some other international airports, the car rental places in Cancun seem to close early and some travelers have been stuck.

Take the bus

The ADO bus is usually my go-to if I’m traveling on my own from Cancun Airport. It’s about USD$10, air-conditioned, comfortable and there is only one stop in Puerto Morelos before you get to Playa del Carmen. Depending on the time of day, the buses can depart as early as every half hour with a longer wait in off-peak times.

The buses drop you off at a bus station located on the south end of Playa where you have a choice of walking to your accommodation if it’s near enough or getting a taxi.

You can get your ticket once you arrive from either a ticket booth within the airport found after baggage claim and near the car rental booths or curbside next to the bus stop. The booth inside takes cards but the one outside is cash only.

My best advice is to get your ticket curbside if you can. The tickets are for set departure times so if you’re too close to the next departure, the booth inside will usually sell you the following departure time even if you still have a chance of making the next one. I was unfortunate enough once to not have cash so had to use the booth inside the airport and when I got outside the bus was sitting there for a good 10 minutes before it left followed by another half an hour wait before the next one.

Check out the full guide on How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport by bus for more detail.

“ADO Bus Station - Playa Del Carmen”, by appaIoosa, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Hire a driver

There are a ton of drivers willing to pick you up at Cancun Airport for a fair fee. I usually pay around MXN$600-$800 or USD$30-$40.

Here are some personal recommendations of drivers I use regularly:

• JF Riviera Tours: +52 984 176 1374

• Daniel: +52 984 105 1368

• Tania: +52 984 322 5142

They all speak English and can also be hired for day trips and as guides to help you explore the area. I suggest you get in touch with them through WhatsApp, one of the must have apps for travel.

Book a shuttle

A shuttle from Cancun Airport is a slightly cheaper option than a private driver if you’re on your own and don’t mind sharing a van with a few strangers. Shuttles will take you from door to door and you will usually have to pay in advance.

Grab a taxi

This is the last resort if the bus wait is too long or you haven’t already arranged any other transport in advance. Once you exit the terminal, you will see a large group of taxi drivers happy to take you where you need to go but this is definitely the priciest option.

You’ll have to do some negotiating here as they are going to start prices as high as MXN $1,200 (USD$60) or even more.

Chichen Itza - one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and an easy day trip from Playa del Carmen

Frequently asked questions

How can I get to Playa del Carmen with a pet?

The ADO bus only allows pets to be placed in the luggage storage underneath the bus and not onboard so this is probably not the best option unless you have a particularly chill pup. I do know of some people who have snuck on with a small dog in their bag but you might not want to rely on this option.

Your best bet is to either rent a car or use one of the suggested drivers who are all happy to have a pet on board.

How can I get from Cancun Airport with a lot of luggage?

If you’re struggling to pack light, then get in touch with a private driver. Fernando at JF Riviera Tours and Christian both have a variety of vehicles to fit multiple bags.

How can I get from Cancun Airport with a group?

If you’re travelling with a group of more than 3 people, it makes sense to hire a private driver or get a taxi as a last resort. The recommended drivers can carry large groups and all their luggage with no worries.

Can I use the colectivos to get to Playa del Carmen?

The colectivo vans that travel up and down the main highway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen are a cheap way to get around the Riviera Maya. Unfortunately, you can’t use them to get from the Cancun Airport.

Practically, you would have to walk almost 40 minutes in the heat and humidity that the area is known for, along roads not designed for pedestrians before you get to the busy highway where you’d have to wait for a colectivo to pick you up. I can be pretty frugal at times but I haven’t heard of anyone attempting this, especially since the bus is only about USD$10 and a much comfier option.