Yvette Brown Travelers to the Riviera Maya frequently inquire about the best way to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. There are numerous choices, and which one you pick will depend on your schedule and financial constraints. The travel time from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen is around a 50-60 minutes drive. Here is all the information you require regarding travel from Cancun to Playa del Carmen.
What Time Of Year Is Best To Visit Playa Del Carmen?
The best time to visit Playa del Carmen is during the shoulder months of August, September, August, and April. As long as we can trade a few days of rain for fewer crowds and cheaper prices, we love traveling to popular tourist destinations in the shoulder seasons.
Nov, Dec, and Jan are the busiest months. Although there is plenty of sunshine during these months, the beach may be congested and difficult to access.
If you travel along the Riviera Maya coast during the busiest travel seasons, you can bet that 5th Avenue will be a zoo to navigate and that you’ll encounter some traffic.
How Far Is Playa Del Carmen From Cancun?
The driving time from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is 1 hour and 7 minutes due to the distance of 68 kilometers.
How Can I Travel From Cancun To Playa Del Carmen?
When arriving at the Cancun Airport, you will find different ways to get from the Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen:
- Bus
- Taxi
- Shared shuttle
- Private transportation
- Car rental
Cancun To Playa Del Carmen Bus Service
Depending on where you’re going, the bus from Cancun to Playa del Carmen costs between 40 and 50 pesos.
Three different routes serve Playa del Carmen, Cancun’s downtown, and Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum on these buses, which operate continuously. You must leave the building if you want to take the bus to the airport.
About an hour and 20 minutes are needed for the trip. You can purchase your tickets at the airport or buy them in advance online.
Taxi Service To Playa Del Carmen
Although it might not be the cheapest option, taking a taxi is one of the quickest ways to travel from Cancun Airport (or the city) to Playa del Carmen. Additionally, because there can only be a maximum of 4 passengers and you must fit all of your luggage in the trunk of the car, we do not advise using this mode of transportation.
Another drawback of taking a taxi from Cancun to Playa del Camen is that there is no set fare (it can start at 60 USD), as the cab drivers set their own rates.
However, if you’re traveling alone or with three other people, this option might be useful, but you can find other options for the same price.
Shared Shuttles Cancun To Playa Del Carmen
If you want to visit Playa del Camen on a budget, a shared shuttle is a fantastic choice. You can book your Cancun to Playa del Carmen shuttle in advance online. The cost of the shuttle between Cancun and Playa del Carmen is about $20 USD per person.
This option entails being driven to Playa de Carmen in a passenger van, which typically takes 1.5 hours. You should also consider the possibility that you won’t be dropped off right at your hotel; in that case, you might need to walk a little.
If you’re traveling alone or with another person, this choice might come in handy. Our next Playa del Carmen transportation choice may be more suitable if you are traveling with more than two people.
Private Transportation From Cancun Airport To Playa Del Carmen
Since the cost is per vehicle rather than per person, this is the option that is most frequently suggested for those going to Playa del Carmen from Cancun.
The average price for this service is $50 USD, and the turnaround time is around 1 hour and 7 minutes. You can reserve your transportation in advance online.
Keep in mind that you can save some money by prepaying for your round-trip transfer from Cancun to Playa del Carmen.
Which Airport Do You Fly Into To Get To Playa Del Carmen?
The majority of international flights land at Cancun International Airport (CUN) if Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Tulum, or Puerto Morelos are your final destinations. Cozumel International Airport, which is 30 minutes by ferry from Playa del Carmen and is another airport close by, is situated on an island.
Numerous flights arrive at Cancun Airport directly from locations such as the United States and Europe, and we thought they did a fantastic job of accommodating all the different tourists.
Where Is The Airport In Cancun?
Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the closest sizable international airport if you’re traveling to Playa del Carmen. It is situated in Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo, more specifically on the Yucatan Peninsula. The Riviera Maya is another name for Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
Beautiful coastal communities like Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum can be reached from Cancun Airport.
The distance between the Cancun Airport and the city center may surprise you. The distance to downtown Cancun is actually 20–25 minutes, but it is strategically placed south, nearer to the main road leading to Riviera Maya.
Upon Arrival In Cancun, What Should You Expect?
Once You’ve Safely Landed
When it’s time to pick up your bags, you’ll exit the aircraft and head to the appropriate luggage carousel. As this generally occurs in a timely manner, before you know it you’ll have your luggage and be proceeding to your next stop through Cancun airport: immigration.
As passengers from several different flights congregate to receive their entry approval from the immigration officials, expect to see long lines winding out of the large hall.
You should receive your tourist visa without a hitch if you have your passport and ticket with you and can honestly respond to any questions they may have.
Customs
You’ll have to stand in line once more as motorist after motorist waits for a stoplight here. If it’s green, you can continue; if it’s red, you must stop so that customs agents can examine your luggage.
The Timeshare Jungle
Okay, so this is really the only uncomfortable part of the trip remaining before your driver, who is waiting to drive you to your hotel with a smile, arrives.
See, once you pass customs you step through a sliding glass door and into a short but intense area of the airport where everyone will call you, “My friend.”
Almost all of them are genuinely nice people trying to make a living by selling to people who walk by in a matter of seconds, unless you are looking to purchase something in which case there is no need to stop and chat. Some sell rental cars and transfers, for example, while not all sell timeshares.
Keep your eyes ahead focused on the next set of sliding glass doors ahead of you, smile and say “Thank you,” (people in Keep moving, avoid saying no (which is generally frowned upon in Mexico to avoid appearing impolite).
Exiting The Airport
You will now find yourself outside Cancun International Airport’s air-conditioned doors, where you will be met by the sweltering heat and a horde of transportation companies eagerly awaiting the safe exit of their customers from the timeshare-enclosed doors.
If you chose a private transfer rather than taking the public transportation, your driver should be waiting for you with either a sign bearing your name or at the very least one bearing the name of their business.
