There are basically two ways to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. Since Cancun is often the gateway to the Riviera Maya, here’s how to easily get between these two destinations.
Colectivo
Taking the colectivo (minivans) is a fast and cheap way to travel between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Unlike the bus, the colectivo makes stops all along the route, which is useful if your final destination is somewhere in between.
The Playa Express colectivos are right in front of the ADO Cancun bus station and another colectivo company is located next to the same terminal (across Tulum Avenue).
The price is about $2 USD ($40 MXN), and they leave once they’re full (usually takes 10 to 30 minutes).
Location of colectivos from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
They can stop at any point in between, for example:
- Puerto Morelos.
- Xoximilco Cancun.
- Punta Maroma.
The arrival points in Playa del Carmen are Calle 2 with Av 20 and Calle 2 with Av 25, respectively.
They’re both pretty close to downtown Playa del Carmen, just 3 or 4 blocks from the fifth avenue.
Location of colectivos from Playa del Carmen to Cancun.
By Bus
Bus is a comfortable and fast option to get from Cancun city to Playa del Carmen.
The ADO terminal in Cancun is located at the following address:
ADO Cancun.
Address: Calle Pino, Super manzana 23, MZ56, Lote t 1 y 2, Colonia Centro.
Phone number: 01 998 887 1149
From ADO Cancun, you can buy tickets to ADO Playa del Carmen, which is on 5th Avenue (5th Avenue with Juarez Avenue), or to ADO Terminal Alterna, which is near downtown Playa del Carmen (20th Avenue with 12th Street).
Buses to ADO on 5th Avenue are much more frequent than those to ADO Terminal Alterna. The ticket price is around $3 USD ($60 MXN) at the counter.
Playa del Carmen’s ADO terminal
Before you head out, it’s a good idea to check the official ADO website for schedules, fares, and promotions.
The distance between Cancun and Playa is 68 kilometers (42 miles), and the trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with a stop at Puerto Morelos.
From Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen
If you arrive at Cancun airport and want to go to Playa del Carmen, you don’t have to go to Cancun downtown. You can take an ADO bus to Playa del Carmen right from the airport.
Just keep in mind that the bus service doesn’t operate at night. But don’t worry, at that time, you’ll find colectivos to both Playa del Carmen and downtown Cancun.
The bus terminal is inside the airport, just after the baggage claim area, and the fare is about $8 USD ($160 MXN).
From Playa del Carmen to Cancun
To get back from Playa del Carmen to Cancun, you can take the same route. You can take the bus at ADO Quinta Avenida or ADO Alterna, or the colectivo at Calle 2 with Avenida 20 or at Calle 2 between Avenida 20 and 25.
