The distance between the two largest travel centers on the Caribbean coast of Mexico — Cancún and Playa del Carmen — approximately 70 kilometers. Passenger transport links are organized very well, and now we will tell you how to navigate this route yourself.
Cancún — Playa del Carmen
There are two types of public transport between Cancún and Playa del Carmen: buses and so-called colectivo (minibuses). Both are absolutely safe, they follow approximately the same route, and the travel time is also approximately the same. The only difference is the level of comfort and, accordingly, the price.
Buses
All buses to Playa del Carmen leave from the central bus station in downtown Cancúna (ADO bus station) and arrive here. You can get to the bus station by taxi and many public transport routes. Below we will tell you how to get to the ADO bus station from the Cancúna Hotel Zone.
First class buses of the company ADO run in both directions from 7:00 to 20:00, approximately every 30 minutes, in the evening — about once an hour. Travel time — 1:15. You can view the current schedule on the website ADO or Clickbus.
Fares — 84 MXN ($4) as of May 2020, but for some flights during the day it may be lower. Luggage is included in the price. Tickets can be purchased online in advance (the ADO website often does not accept cards from foreign banks). But this makes no sense, since there are always places on buses. You can buy tickets at the bus station ticket office by paying in cash or by card.
ADO buses are very comfortable, equipped with air conditioning and TVs (movies in Spanish).
Class II buses of the company Mayab from come from the same terminal. Often these are passing buses. Xfromya Mayab is one of the ADO brands; there is no schedule for these buses on the ADO website. Tickets for Mayab cost approximately 2 times cheaper, they can only be bought at the bus station ticket office.
The main difference between class I and II buses — There is a difference in air conditioning in the cabin and a slight difference in travel time. Therefore, if this is not important for you, take a ticket for any nearest bus. Wi-fi is available on from buses from both companies.
While there are no ADO buses from Playa del Carmen to Cancún at night, Mayab has a service to Cancún at 4:00.
In Playa del Carmen, buses have the right to arrive at (and depart from) 2 terminals: at the beginning of the 5th Avenida (Terminal Turistica) and not far from «VolMarch» on the 20th Avenida (Terminal Alterna). Buses operate at the same intensity from both terminals. Travelers prefer «country guest» terminal located near Fundadores Park (central beach).
Minibuses
Colectivo (minibuses) — no less, if not more common, method of communication between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. In Cancúne, minibuses leave from the same bus station as the buses. Just exit the station building and cross the station square. You will see white minivans with the word Playa Expres written on them. The minibuses are quite comfortable, but without air conditioning.
Minibuses run at approximately the same time as buses (but can run later), and depart without a schedule as they fill up, in other words, in fact, approximately every 15 minutes. Travel time — about 1 hour.
Price of travel — 42 MXN ($2), payment in cash upon boarding. Carrying large luggage (suitcases) is not provided, but small bags can be placed behind the rear seat.
If you cross Tulum Avenue from the bus station along the pedestrian crossing, right after the descent from the crossing you will find a parking lot for another minibus going to Playa del Carmen. They say Playa del Carmen. They are less comfortable, but also cost even less. The principle of fromgovernment is the same as that of the previous — as it fills up.
In Playa del Carmen, all minibuses arrive and depart from approximately the same location on North 2nd Street. On the map we marked how to get there from the ADO bus station, it’s about 600 meters.
Hotel zone — downtown Cancun
To get to the ADO bus terminal from the Cancun Hotel Zone, take the city bus route R-1. They run from 5am to 2am every few minutes. Traveling on such buses is absolutely safe; you can take luggage into the cabin. To stop a bus, go to the stop or simply wave your hand if you see a bus approaching.
Price of travel — 12 MXN ($0.5). Travel time to the bus station — 15-40 minutes. During rush hour (from 17:00 to 19:00) you risk getting stuck in traffic jams leaving the Hotel Zone, and your journey may be significantly delayed.
The R-1 stops close to the ADO bus station on Tulum Avenue. You should go to the bus station via a ground pedestrian crossing.
In the opposite direction (to the Hotel Zone) you can take the R-1 by exiting the bus station building, crossing the square, then turning right and immediately left around the corner. The stop will be behind the stairs to the pedestrian crossing.