About the ride from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Situated on the Yucatan Peninsula on the eastern coast of Mexico, Cancun and Playa del Carmen are two of the most popular beach destinations. It’s no surprise you want to visit them both.
Both offer similar (but different) vibes — luxury resorts, white-sand beaches, paradise water, parties and a lot of energy. Despite initially seeming similar, each one has its unique charm and experiences. And Cancun is much bigger.
Getting from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is one of Mexico's quickest and simplest journeys. Isn’t that music to your ears?
They’re two of the best-connected cities, so you’ll find departures by bus, minivan and private car all day and night. Keep your swimsuit and towel on hand because it won’t be long before you exchange the beaches of Cancun for just as idyllic ones in Playa del Carmen.
Incredible things to do in Playa del Carmen
Some people fly to Mexico and only visit Playa del Carmen. That might give you an idea of how many things there are to do here.
To get you started, here are our top 5 things to do:
Cenote hopping: Cenotes are natural sinkholes with magical underground pools of turquoise water. Some of the best in the area include Cenote Azul, Cenote Dos Ojos and Cenote Carwash.
Relax on the beach: In between activities, relax on one of the city's many beaches. You’ll also find plenty of beach clubs if you want to enjoy some tasty food and drinks in the sun.
Day trip to Cozumel: Hop on a boat for 30 minutes to the second-largest reef in the world for some incredible snorkeling and diving. If you prefer being above the water, Cozumel’s more relaxed beaches are perfect.
Xcaret Park: It’s one of Mexico’s largest theme parks, home to over 50 activities. That’s enough to keep you entertained for days! Spend your time swimming in underground rivers, visiting Mayan towns or exploring a butterfly farm.
Coba Ruins: If you’ve already visited Chichen Itza and haven’t satisfied your Mayan ruin cravings, Coba Ruins are a great choice. It’s much less visited than other ruins, which adds to the charm and experience of this place.
Pro tip: If you haven’t already visited Chichen Itza from Cancun, Playa del Carmen is also a convenient gateway to the ancient city. It takes just over two hours to get there and can be done as a DIY day trip or with a tour. |
How to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
There are three ways to cover the 50 km (31.3 miles) between Cancun and Playa del Carmen: bus, minivan, and private car.
By bus
The bus is the cheapest way to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, starting from $5. No doubt you’ll find a bus that fits your schedule with the high number of departures every day.
ADO, Mexico’s largest bus company, serves this route, offering a few classes and levels of comfort to choose from:
Economy bus: | standard seats, air conditioning, no toilet on board
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First-class bus: | reclining seats, air conditioning, charging ports, toilet
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Conecta class bus: | these are still first-class buses; they’re just smaller
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Considering that this journey is 1-1.5 hours long, the class you pick doesn’t matter too much. However, the extra dollar or two for more comfortable seats is well worth it for longer trips.
All the buses leave from either ADO Centro or the bus stop at Cancun Airport.
There are several arrival locations available in Playa del Carmen, so make sure to pick the bus stopping closest to your accommodation.
By minivan
Shared minivans mainly leave from the Cancun Airport, getting you to Playa del Carmen in under an hour.
Some include a meet-and-greet, where the driver waits in the airport arrivals hall holding a sign with your name on it.
Once in Playa del Carmen, most companies offer hotel drop-off. It couldn’t be easier!
The minivans are comfortable and spacious. Prices start at $7, and each person is allowed one piece of luggage plus a small backpack or handbag.
If there’s a big group of you, consider hiring a private minivan and spreading the cost. It’s more private and convenient.
By car
The easiest but most expensive option is to hire a private car with a driver. This includes a door-to-door service, so you don’t have to think about a thing.
Private cars accommodate groups of up to three to five people, making them ideal for families or small groups. Prices start around $58 for the car, not per person.
What to expect from the journey from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Being one of the shortest trips you’ll likely tackle in your Mexico adventures, not too much can go wrong (hopefully).
The transport is comfortable, and the drivers are usually very helpful and friendly. Journeys can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on traffic and your pick-up/drop-off location.
Most of the bigger, upper-class buses have toilets onboard. If you’re on a minivan or bus without a bathroom, it’s unlikely the driver will stop because it is such a short trip.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
For the best weather, visit Playa del Carmen between November and March. This is when the sun will be shining in all its glory, and the temperatures are perfect — 24-29°C (75-84°F).
Hurricane season occurs between June and November, so if possible, try to avoid these months.
If you’re an advanced diver and up for some adrenaline, visit between November and March. It’s bull shark season just off the coast of Playa del Carmen. Don’t worry; it’s not as dangerous as it sounds and is a trip highlight for many people.
How many days should you spend in Playa del Carmen?
Some people visit Playa del Carmen for a vacation, spending one to two weeks relaxing at their hotel, eating their body weight in food, and sleeping it off on the beach.
If you’re traveling around Mexico, two to three days should be enough, especially if you’ve already spent a few days in Cancun. It gives you enough time to splash about in the cenotes, explore the East Coast's underwater world and party once, twice or three times.
Where to visit after Playa del Carmen?
After Playa del Carmen, most people head an hour south to Tulum, only a few miles down the coast. It’s another beach town that has rocketed into people’s radars over the past couple of years.
Famous for its idyllic beaches, beach clubs and parties, Tulum attracts people from all around the world who want to experience its vibrant bohemian vibes. Just know that Tulum is one of the more expensive places in Mexico.