How to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, Mexico

If you are headed for a vacation in Playa del Carmen then you will most likely be landing at the Cancun airport. Playa del Carmen, or just Playa as the locals call it, doesn’t have an airport so you will have to make the hour-long trip from Cancun. We put together this list of the different options that you’ll have to get there and which ones we like and which ones we think you should avoid. 

Playa is bustling with excitement and things going on, but you can still escape everything and relax on the beach. This is a very popular tourist spot where you can find English speakers, so you won’t be totally lost if you don’t speak great Spanish, but it’s always a good idea to learn a few phrases to make things a little easier. 

Playa del Carmen is a great destination for vacations and a very popular hub for digital nomads. It is located on the coast between Cancun and Tulum and Cozumel is just off the coast directly in front of the town. Great beaches, interesting culture, and the perfect location make Playa del Carmen an awesome place to visit.

Having cell service can make your travels easier, safer, and give you a bit of peace of mind. The airport in Cancun doesn’t have anywhere to buy a SIM card so we recommend using Airlo to download an eSIM. You can use the Wifi at the airport to download your eSIM from Airlo so that you will have instant access to mobile data, and the best part is that it’s cheap! 

This is an easy way to stay connected for an affordable price and you won’t have to stress about searching the streets of Cancun for a place to buy a local SIM card. Even better, you won’t have to mess with getting it set up and hope that everything works. Airlo makes life easy for you so that you can get out of the airport and on the road to Playa del Carmen!

The ADO bus is one of our favorite ways to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, in fact, we think that this is your best option if you don’t have a rental car. It is very affordable, relatively quick, comfortable, and easy to figure out. 

After you go through customs, you will exit the airport near the baggage claim. As you exit the airport, you will walk through a gauntlet of people yelling and trying to convince you to use their transportation or tour services. Just politely ignore them and keep moving and look for the red ADO counter. 

If there is not an ADO counter inside, then look for a red ADO kiosk set up outside in the parking lot. The counters inside the airport take cash or card but the kiosks outside are cash-only. The buses run every 20-30 minutes or so, so you shouldn’t have to wait long for the next bus. You’ll then show your ticket to get on the bus and find your assigned seat which will be called “asiento” on your ticket. 

The bus may stop at the other terminals to pick up other passengers but things move quickly and you should be in Playa Del Carmen in a little over an hour. There is only one drop-off point in Playa so you will hop off there and then you can take a local taxi or walk to your hotel. 

The ADO bus has plenty of space where you can put your bags under the bus which is not a convenience that you will find with other options like a colectivo. The bus will cost about $10-12 USD per person and the ADO buses are modern so this will be one of the cheapest and most comfortable ways to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. 

If you are trying to stick to a shoestring budget then the colectivo will be your best bet, but don’t expect to be comfortable during the ride. The colectivo will cost about $2-3 USD so it is definitely the cheapest option to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, but these small vans won’t have A/C or storage for bags, so you will be hot and have your bags in your lap for the ride. 

Additionally, the colectivo doesn’t run from the airport in Cancun so you will have to take a bus from the airport to Downtown Cancun. You can find the Playa Express colectivo just in front of the ADO Downtown Cancun bus station and grab a colectivo to Playa from there. 

Taking a bus to Downtown Cancun and then taking the colectivo to Playa will take about twice the time as taking a direct ADO bus directly from the airport. The ADO bus is a few dollars more expensive but the colectivo takes twice the time, is less comfortable, and is less convenient. Most people find it worth it to pay the extra $5 or so to take the ADO bus and get there quicker with more comfort. 

A private shuttle will be the most stress-free way to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. While solo travelers may want to save money and take a shared shuttle, private shuttles are a great option for families or groups who can split the cost or if you aren’t worried about the budget. Not only is it easy, but it will be the fastest way to get to Playa as well as it will be a door-to-door trip and will only take about an hour. 

Most private shuttle companies have bilingual drivers so you should be with someone who can speak English if your Spanish isn’t up to par yet. You will get a nicer vehicle than the other methods, typically a newer car with A/C and plenty of room. Your driver will greet you at the airport exit, load up your bags, and get you on your way to your hotel. 

There are several private shuttle companies available so be sure to do some research and book your trip beforehand. Here are a few options that you may want to consider. All of these options will give you a bilingual driver, A/C, private transportation, and are all properly insured. 

Up to three passengers - $70 for one way or $125 round trip. 

Up to six passengers - $99 for one way or $175 round trip.

Up to 16 passengers - $120 for one way or $220 round trip.

Cun Shuttle also offers tours in the Cancun area so this can be a great option if you want to take on a trip to see some of the Mayan ruins that are on the Yucatan or do some snorkeling in Cancun. 

Up to three passengers - $55 for one way or $100 round trip.

Up to six passengers - $60 for one way or $110 round trip.

Up to 14 passengers - $120 for one way or $220 round trip.

They also offer the option for Chevy Suburbans but that option is more expensive. They can accommodate larger groups as well. They simply use more vehicles to get your group to the destination, but of course, it gets more expensive when you need more cars and drivers. You will also get 10 minutes to grab some groceries before you get to your hotel. 

Up to seven passengers - $43 for one way or $84 round trip.

Up to 14 passengers - $99 for one way or $168 round trip

They can also handle larger groups if needed. This shuttle service is operated by the Cancun airport so they will likely be the most flexible. They also have several different vehicle options that you can choose from. 

You can almost always find taxis to travel within cities/towns or to nearby destinations, but the prices for taxis in Mexico are pretty high compared to other transportation options. As a general rule, taxis to and from the airport will usually be more expensive than taking a taxi around town. Airport taxis are our least recommended way to get from Cancun to Playa. 

The taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging tourists with expensive set rates that are simply exploitative of tourists who may feel overwhelmed if they don’t speak the language or know their way around. The airport has set rates that are posted so make sure that if you use a taxi, the driver follows the posted price. 

Most taxis will be older cars without air conditioning. While usually not a problem for short rides, the hour-long ride to Playa del Carmen won’t be too comfortable in a taxi, especially considering the price that you’ll be paying. Also, keep in mind that taxis generally only accept cash so be prepared to pay a good chunk of cash for your ride. A taxi will get you where you’re going, but you can find more comfortable options for less money. 

A rental car can be a good option but we only really recommend it if you think that you will need a car to travel around the Yucatan during your trip. If you plan on just hanging out in Playa del Carmen and enjoying the beach, it’s probably better to save some money and take one of the cheaper options. 

A car will give you more freedom to explore and take day trips in the area but keep in mind that some resorts and hotels may charge for parking. If you are thinking about getting a car for your trip then check our article about renting a car in Mexico for an in-depth rundown of what to expect and things to know before you rent a car.