How to Travel from Cancun to Tulum Cheap

Using colectivo in Cancun

It is pretty easy to travel from Cancun to Tulum on budget. Take a local colectivo with the sign R-1 to the ADO (pronounced AH-Day-Oh) bus station (make sure to tell them you are going to ADO Bus station).

It should cost you 12 pesos, be aware that if you bring a big suitcase you might struggle with space on the bus as this is meant for quick, fast trips. A regular carry on will be fine depending the amount of people on the bus. To take a local bus, all you to do is to stand by the side of the road and put your hands out once you see the R-1 route bus.

Again, DON’T forget to tell the bus driver that you are going to “ADO Bus station”.

R-1 Colectivo in Cancun

R-1 Colectivo on Cancun Hotel Zone

After getting to the ADO Bus stop, you have two (2) options to get to Tulum.

1. Using the ADO Bus

2. Using a colectivo, Playa Expréss Bus (cheaper option).

Cancun ADO Bus Stop
ADO Bus Stop Cancun

Using ADO Bus from Cancun to Tulum

If you pick this option make sure that before your trip you check online for the different times the bus leaves from Centro to Tulum. Typically it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours drive from Cancun to Tulum directly. Also, you can take the bus from Cancun Airport if you arrive on time and ADO has available buses. The cost is anywhere from 198 pesos to 300 pesos, just ensure to echeck onine.

At the ADO Bus Station, they check your temperature, give you hand and feet sanitizer and request that you have masks on at all times indoors. ADO buses come in different styles which are De Luxe, Executive and First Class.

Using a colectivo (Playa Express Bus)

A colectivo is the cheaper and faster way to get to Tulum from Cancun. Colectivo’s range in sizes from as little as a car to as big as amost a huge coach bus and typically do not have restrooms in them. I recommend taking the Playa Express line because it was recommended by Everything Playa del Carmen (Click Here). Playa Express is located directly across the ADO Bus Station. You will see a bunch of white Mercedes vans parked on the side of the roads and just ask for the bus to Playa (i.e. Playa del Carmen). The cost will be around 45pesos and you will pay after you arrive at Playa.

Please note, Playa Express does not have any direct trips from Cancun to Tulum.

The Playa Express buses are actually quite comfortable and have good air conditioning in them. You will take the bus all the way to the last bus stop in Playa and should be dropped off at Playa Express bus stops wihich is on Av. Benito Juárez. If you need to take a quick pee break, there is a bathroom in the Bus plaza just ask the driver where it is.

The next step is to hop onto another colectivo which will located under the Chetumal-Cancun bridge. There are loads of them there and wait to fill up before leaving which typically does not take that long. Hop on to the bus, take a seat, rest up and enjoy your 45min-ish ride to Tulum. The bus goes to Centro Tulum and stops in different spots along highway 307 (just remember to tell the driver where you are going to).

If you are in the Hotel Zone in Tulum you will need to take an additional taxi there. One thing to remember is to ALWAYS bargain the taxi price before taking it.

These are the different ways of how to get to Tulum from Cancun Hotel Zone on budget. If you have any questions or tips, please drop them down in the comments. Thank you.

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