The Cancun to Tulum distance of around 100 Km is one of the best road trips in Mexico. This close-to-two-hour journey includes Tortugranja, Dolphin Discovery Cancun, and many other attractions.
Further, Cancun, with its beaches and all-inclusive resorts, and Tulum. with its Mayan archaeological wonders are two important destinations in the country’s tourism landscape.
In fact, when Mexico managed to record a 6.24% growth in the first half of 2024, Cancun was the leader with a footfall of 5.46 million international tourists. Moreover, the Cancun International Airport was the busiest among all the international airports in the country.
On the other hand, the Tulum International Airport or the Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport just completed its one year of operations on 1st December 2024. Within 1 year, it had already welcomed 1.3 million visitors.
Tulum has also bagged the Mobility Commission’s approval for using 400 golf carts for public transport.
These major developments and data show why Cancun and Tulum are readier than ever for domestic and international tourists. Further, Cancun and Tulum are well-connected by road, railway and air.
So, you can explore Cancun and Tulum individually and enjoy the journey between the two cities. This Dream and Travel guide focuses on the Cancun to Tulum journey with a brief discussion of why these cities are great for tourism.
What Is So Special About Cancun And Tulum
With yacht charter tours and beautiful beaches, Cancun is the best tropical getaway for sunseekers. Tulum, on the other hand, is one of the last walled cities constructed by the Mayans. So, it is a hotspot for the history buffs.
Let’s know more about them.
Cancun | Mexico’s Most Popular Tourist Destination
Cancun is the land of non-stop adventure with zipline tours, adventure vehicle rides through caves, river rafting, snorkeling, and whatnot!
It is a tough task to describe Cancun. You have to be here to know Cancun and bring out your inner Indiana Jones. Nevertheless, here are my top seven reasons to visit Cancun.
‣ El Mirador, Playa Delfines, or Dolphin Beach! This is our first destination to enjoy stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. ‣ You cannot miss the Mesoamerican Reef when you are in Cancun. Dive and snorkel to experience fascinating wildlife at Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA). ‣ Visit Chichen Itza and Coba to explore Mayan ruins and have the best Mayan lunch. ‣ Go for a dolphin trek or swim with dolphins at places like Isla Mujeres or Xel-Há Park. ‣ Enjoy some serious adrenaline rush at Aah! Ventura, Wet’n Wild, Grand Prix, and other top waterparks in Cancun. Cancun also has some all-inclusive water parks like the All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Waterpark for the ultimate family fun. ‣ Try the zipline tour at Xplor Fuego and bring out the “Superhero” in you. ‣ Visit the Maya Museum of Cancun to see one of the most significant Mayan archaeological collections in the world. |
Tulum | A Tourist Destination With Increasing Interest
A swim in the magnificent cenotes or exploring the nooks and alleys of one of the last walled cities of Mayans! History and nature await you in Tulum with all the wonders you can expect.
Here are the reasons why I would love to visit Tulum.
‣ Enjoy swimming and scuba diving in Gran Cenote, Cenote Manati, and Cenote Calavera. ‣ Explore the Mayan ruins, including the three ramparts or walls, palaces, and civic-ceremonial buildings. ‣ Visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ‣ Explore a 5-million-year-old cave in Aktun-Chen Park. ‣ Meet the adorable spider monkeys at Punta Laguna Nature Reserve. |
Distance From Cancun To Tulum | How Long Is The Drive From Cancun To Tulum
So, how far is Cancun to Tulum? The distance between Cancun and Tulum is 131 Km via Mexico 307.
The average travel time to cover this distance is 2 hours. There are a total of 8 modes of transportation to reach Tulum from Cancun.
How To Get From Cancun To Tulum | Know The Modes Of Transportation
Are you ready for a fascinating Cancun to Tulum journey? It’s time for a wonderful ride by road or a journey by train. You can even opt for a helicopter ride for the ultimate luxury.
1. How To Get To Tulum From Cancun By Bus
A ride in an ADO bus will be the most relaxed option for Cancun to Tulum travel. You can book the buses from ADO Cancun Airport to get guaranteed seats and avoid luggage restrictions.
ADO bus offers around 70 services a day, and the bus will always drop you off at the main bus terminal. However, traveling on an ADO bus will take longer, and the travel time will be around 2 hours and 40 minutes.
If you are planning a Cancun to Tulum ride in an ADO bus, call +52 55 4386 4652 to know about the charges and reserve a seat. Otherwise, you can visit the ADO booths at the Cancun International Airport.
2. Take A Private Car From Cancun To Tulum
Reserve a private car for a comfortable journey from Cancun to Tulum. Further, this is the most suitable mode of transportation when traveling with your family.
Based on the service and type of car you choose, a ride in a rented air-conditioned car will cost you between $150-470.
You can get in touch with Tulum Transportation at 1 855 577 9836 to reserve a car for your Cancun to Tulum journey.
3. Travel To Tulum From Cancun By Taxi
You can book a Taxi from the Cancun International Airport for a safe journey. The charges will be $64.63+ for a journey to Tulum if you reserve the taxi through the online form.
However, the regular taxi fare from Cancun Airport to Tulum is $124.00+. The taxi ride will take around 1 hour and 40 minutes to drop you at Tulum.
You can even book a taxi for a Cancun to Tulum journey from Taxi Riviera Maya. In a private Taxi, the cost will be around $129.00 (one-way trip). Call Riviera Maya Taxi at +52 (998) 387 0234 or +1 (323) 763-5379 if you want to book luxury taxis or group taxis.
4. Take A Rental Car From Cancun To Tulum
Do you want to enjoy the luxury of a car ride at a cheaper rate? Do you want to be in charge of your travel plans while exploring Riviera Maya?
Take a car on rent and drop by the best beaches and restaurants during your Cancun to Tulum journey.
Hertz is a popular car rental service for a road trip from Cancun to Tulum. Call them at 5591289000 to rent a car.
5. Reach Tulum From Cancun In A Colectivo (Shared Van)
A Colectivo or shared van is available from Playa Del Carmen to Cancun and Tulum. So, for a Cancun to Tulum tour in Colectivo, you will have to first reach Playa Del Carmen after a one-hour ride.
Tulum is another one-hour journey from Playa Del Carmen. However, these Colectivos are faster and more budget-friendly than ADO buses.
‣ Colectivo Prices for Playa Del Carmen to Cancun – 55 Pesos ‣ Colectivo Prices for Playa Del Carmen to Cancun – 50 Pesos |
Two separate companies, Playa Del Carmen to Cancun and Playa Del Carmen to Tulum, operate these Colectivo services.
6. Take A Train From Cancun To Tulum
With the Maya Train railroad all ready to get you on board, you are now all set to ditch the traffic on Cancun to Tulum by road.
Tren Maya plies between Cancun (Estación Tren Maya Cancún) and Tulum (Estación Tren Maya Tulum) once daily. Have a look at the table below to know all the details about this Mexican train ride from Cancun to Tulum.
Train Route | Estación Tren Maya Cancún to Estación Tren Maya Tulum |
Departure | 8 AM |
Arrival | 9:36 AM |
Total Time | 1 Hour 36 Minutes |
Stops | 2 |
Price | ‣ $153 – Special Tourist Price ‣ $102 – Local Tourist Place ‣ $244 – National Tourist Price ‣ $325 – International Tourist Price ‣ $391 – Premier National Price ‣ $520 – Premier International Price |
The Cancun to Tulum journey on the Maya Train is an excellent way to explore Riviera Maya. You will love the Mayan ruins, the never-ending Caribbean Coastline, and lush jungles.
7. Cancun To Tulum Helicopter Transfer
Are you looking for some adventure during the Cancun to Tulum travel? You can book a private flight from the Cancun International Airport to Tulum Airport.
The journey will take around 45 minutes. To know more about this helicopter ride, you can get in touch with Cancun Helicopter & Airplane at +52 998 197 4324 or email info@cancunairplane.com.
8. How To Get From Cancun Airport To Tulum
You can take a car rental from the Cancun Airport Transportation for a safe journey from Cancun to Tulum. Services are available 24/7, and you will receive a confirmed reservation.
Moreover, Europcar, Avis, and Alamo are some renowned names that offer car rental services from Cancun Airport To Tulum.
Cancun Airport Transportation Car and Shuttle Services ‣ Shared Ride with 2 Passengers (shareRIDE) ‣ Shared Ride with 3 Passengers (firstAVAILABLE) ‣ 6 Passengers Ride (taxiRIDE) ‣ 4 Passengers Ride (privateSUV), etc. |
Further, you can take a shuttle or shared rides from Cancun Airport for a budget-friendly trip to Tulum. It will cost you $24 for a single ride.
However, the shuttle stops in between the routes. It’s great that you get the chance to shop. Still, if you don’t have plans for shopping, the journey will be a time-consuming one for you.