How to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Tulum is one of the most popular beach destinations to visit in Southern Mexico, full of awesome things to do and see. The town is located 65km south of Playa del Carmen, which takes around 50 minutes if driving.
Tulum Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Southern Mexico
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Very Easy
- ⏱ Time needed: 4+ days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: January/February
- 🍴 Top Food/Drink: Fried Shrimp Tacos, Tepache
- 🔥 Our Favourite Gem: Dos Ojos Cenote
One popular thing to do in Tulum is to visit the Mayan Ruins, which are perched on top of a cliff overlooking the deep blue hues of the Caribbean Ocean.
Other awesome activities include a visit to the nearby Dos Ojos Cenote, as well as relaxing on its abundance of beautiful beaches.
Playa del Carmen to Tulum
In this guide, we’ll explore 5 different options for getting from Playa del Carmen to Tulum so you can choose the best option for you based on your budget.
We’ll also cover other important topics like safety and when is best to visit, as well as how to choose the right travel option for you.
Having made the trip ourselves and compared all possible routes, we’ve decided that the bus is the best way to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.
Whilst not the cheapest for those backpacking Mexico on a budget, it’s still affordable and much safer than going by colectivo (especially with luggage). It only costs 70-90MXP ($ 3.50-4.50 USD), and there are dozens of journeys daily.
Tulum from Playa del Carmen: What you need to know BEFORE arriving
We have identified some important things to know before arriving to Tulum.
If you’re visiting Tulum for the first time then read what we have to say below:
Is Tulum Safe? How to Stay Safe
Tulum is one of the safest destinations in Mexico, and in many cases, the safest you can visit in The Riviera Maya. When coming from Playa del Carmen (and Cancún even more so), you’ll be able to relax a lot more here.
There’s much less violence and incidents toward tourists in Tulum, even within the less popular areas of town.
Of course, pickpocketing is still an unfortunate risk, especially in the busier tourist areas around the main strip along the 307 highway.
As always, when heading out be sure to lock away all valuables somewhere safe within your accommodation to lower your risk. These TSA-approved cable luggage locks are perfect for that.
Getting Money Out in Tulum
Like Playa del Carmen, Tulum has several ATMs meaning you’re spoilt for choice when taking money out. The most popular providers include Scotiabank, BBVA and Santander.
Each charge a small fee for withdrawal, which depends on what your bank charges back home for international transactions.
When it comes to travel insurance for Tulum we suggest SafetyWing so you can reap the benefits of an insurance policy that is tailored to suit you.
Taking out insurance before you travel to Mexico is extremely important. That way, you’re covered in the case of any accidents.
Best Time to Visit Tulum?
Tulum has a dry and wet season, each with its own pros and cons as we’ll explore below.
The dry season runs from December until April, where average temperatures range from 72-78°F. Highs can reach up to 90°F, whilst lows can dip to around 62°F. Rainfall is at its lowest this time of the year, with between 1-1.5 inches falling throughout each of these months.
This season is perfect for beach weather since there’s little rain, and also as the temperatures are more moderate compared to the hotter wet season. The only downside is that this season tends to be more popular and therefore expensive.
The wet season kicks on from May up until November. Average temperatures during this period are hotter, hovering between 74-80°F. Highs can reach up to a sultry 92°F, with even lows increasing to a more desirable 65°F.
Rainfall is much heavier during this time of year, ranging from between 3-6.5 inches throughout each month. Whilst the wet season puts travelers off, it’s still a good time to visit as prices are much cheaper.
You’ll also find the rain isn’t that much of a deal-breaker anyway (very quick and actually refreshing too), as well as the hotter highs better for those who want good toasting.
Regardless of when you visit, you’ll want to bring a high quality pair of hiking boots for when exploring the jungle and ruins. We recommend this pair for guys, as well as this pair for the ladies.
Transportation to Tulum from Playa del Carmen: How to Pre-book
Once already in Mexico, booking transport in advance is a much more straightforward ordeal. Getting from Playa del Carmen to Tulum is easily one of the most popular and common routes within Southern Mexico.
Heading to the ADO bus station in Playa del Carmen prior to your departure date is recommended, so you can buy tickets in advance and then relax.
Although we recommend booking beforehand using Discover Cars for the competitive prices. There are many Car Rental companies such as Enterprise and Alamo you can easily sort things within Playa del Carmen (we’ll explore this later on in this article).
The other popular option to book in advance is Private Transportation. This is easy as getting in touch with the reception desk of your hotel or speaking to a company that makes the trip much more simple and relaxing.
Getting from Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Playa del Carmen to Tulum By Colectivo
This is by far the most economical and popular option, however, is less known about since it is not a mode of transport you can book online or in advance.
A colectivo is more or less a small minibus that you can hop on around the bridge underneath the 307 highway in Playa del Carmen. We recommend taking a taxi to the stop as it’s not the safest of areas in town.
The trip costs around 45MXP ($2.20USD), and they leave every 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day (although there’s no official schedule).
As well as being the cheapest way, it’s also the most memorable as you’ll ride with friendly locals on their way to work!
Playa del Carmen to Tulum ADO Bus
The ADO Bus is another strong contender for the most popular way of getting from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.
Whilst slightly more expensive than the colectivo at 70-90MXP ($3.50-4.50USD), it’s still pretty affordable compared to most other options.
The major benefit of this option compared to the colectivos is safety and comfort, where you’ll have a more spacious seat along with air conditioning.
There are actually 2 different ADO terminals in Playa del Carmen, although the better option is the one along the Quinta Avenida, in the heart of town.
As well as ADO, there are also other bus providers you can use such as AU, with many hourly departures throughout the day. All in all, the ado bus to Tulum is perfect for solo travelers.
Uber from Playa del Carmen to Tulum (or Taxi)
Now we head into the private options, which are both more comfortable as well as expensive. Using Taxis is a pretty efficient way of getting from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.
The safest ones to take are from the Ultramar Port at the west end of the Quinta Avenida. The cost will usually be around 600MXP ($ 30 USD), however, if traveling with others you can of course split the cost.
Also if your Spanish is good, then it’s possible to negotiate the fee for less.
As always our advice is to agree on the fee before you set off, as sometimes taxi drivers will look for many extra quick bucks off unsuspecting tourists (not always the case but always better to be safe than sorry!).
If you prefer to do an uber from Playa del Carmen to Tulum that is also a great option that means you don’t have to negotiate prices.
Playa del Carmen to Tulum by Car Rental
Is it safe to drive from Playa del Carmen to Tulum?
Of course, renting a car is perfect as it allows the most freedom and independence on your trip (and vacation in general).
Dotted throughout Playa del Carmen are numerous Car Rental Companies, with the most popular including Enterprise, City Car Rental as well as Alamo.
You can compare all the prices here for the best deal. It’ll take a bit longer as you’re comparing the advantages of each company, as well as filling out the paperwork, but once you’re done it’s total freedom from there on out!
Costs can be as little as 300MXP ($ 15 USD) per day depending on which company you go with. We recommend driving during the day as roads can be less safe at night, and it’ll be less likely for you to get lost.
Private transport From Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Organizing a private ride from Playa del Carmen to Tulum is by far the most comfortable way to travel. It’ll be much quicker than most of the other options since they’ll pick you up from your accommodation and drop you off exactly where you need to be.
Private Transfers start from around 800MXP ($40USD), and there are also types of vehicles to choose from including shuttles and luxury cars.
Again whilst not the cheapest, this is the best option for those who want a no-fuss, easy ride into Tulum.
Those traveling in bigger parties can split for this private transport service, where you can also have various stops for different destinations (such as cenotes and ancient ruins) included along the way
How to Get From Playa del Carmen to Tulum
And that’s all for our guide on how to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.
Situated along the popular Mexican Caribbean, Tulum is a great destination for those looking for some beautiful beaches, as well as a mix of ruins and day trips.
In this guide, we’ve explored the 5 ways you can get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, the pros and cons of each, as well as our overall recommended option.
We’ve also covered important tips and info that you’ll need to know before heading to Tulum, which includes staying safe on your travels.
If you will be arriving soon, why not give our backpacking Tulum travel guide a read to get even more insight on exactly what to expect once you arrive?
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