ADO Bus
The ADO bus is the cheapest option but not the most time-efficient one. Tickets can be purchased just outside the terminal. ADO Bus Website
Tulum Airport to Tulum:
- There are 4 departures and arrivals during the day starting at 9am
- Estimated travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Price: 175 MXN
Cancun Airport to Tulum:
- First bus departs at 10:15 am
- Last bus departs at 9:25 pm
- Estimated travel time: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Price: 400 MXN
Tulum to Cancun Airport:
- First bus departs at 7:20 am
- Last bus departs at 4:20 pm
- Estimated travel time: 2 hours
- Price: 400 MXN
Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen:
- First bus departs at 8 am
- Last bus departs at 11:25 pm
- Estimated travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Price: 240 MXN
Shuttle
Private transfer is available for one way or round-trip service. These are generally vans; they wait outside the terminal with your name on a placard to take you straight from the airport to your accommodations. Quick beer, liquor, and snack stops are generally available on request.
Common operators include CA Transport, MKT Shuttle and Viator
Car Rental
Rental cars are available. Common major US companies are available in the airport. Local companies like Easyway or American are also available. They wait with your name on a placard outside the terminal and transfer you to their offsite office to perform the paperwork and get you on your way. Common disclaimer: purchase all of the insurance they offer.
Taxis: Taxis are available, especially expensive from the airport, but readily available. It’s recommended to discuss the fare before getting in the taxi. Always agree on the price in advance.
Guided Tours and Activities
Chichen Itza / Cenotes / Sian Kaan / Scuba Diving / Airport shuttle > Please check out our Recommendations
Weather
Will it rain? Hurricane season on the Riviera Maya runs from June 1 through November 30. The highest risk of storm activity is historically between August and October. The good news is, hurricanes are fairly rare. However, daily showers are to be expected year-round. It is a tropical environment. Just because your weather forecast predicts rain doesn’t mean your day will be washed out. Always Google "Caribbean weather radar" to find major approaching weather patterns. In the Caribbean, even during rainfall, it remains pleasantly warm.
Exchange
Dollars or pesos? While US dollars are widely accepted in and around the Riviera Maya, using them opens you up to get the worst possible exchange rate. Therefore, using Mexican currency is highly recommended. So how do you get pesos? You can visit your home bank and allow them to make the conversion. You can visit any one of the numerous currency exchange booths or stores located all over the region, including the airport. But you generally get the best exchange if you simply use your ATM card at a trusted ATM machine. By “trusted”, we suggest inside a bank or major supermarket where surveillance is in place. Using a machine that is outside and not monitored opens you up to ATM “skimmers”. Also very important, some ATMs offer to do the conversion to pesos right there, at the machine. Always DECLINE this option. The ATM machine gives you a terrible exchange rate.
Scams
How to Avoid Scams at the Gas Pump (by QRoo Paul) Gas pumps are a common place where tourists get scammed in Mexico. Here's a video to help you avoid such scams. Rule #1 should just be never use a credit card. Same goes true with taxis. Credit cards are just a simple way for tourists to get ripped off. Always agree on the price in advance.
Jewelry makes you a target. You stand out and look ostentatious. There are numerous tales of robbery and they know the good stuff from the cheap stuff. Bring your Fitbit. Leave the Breitling at home. You are visiting the land of "the haves and have nots".
Safety
While it’s true Mexico has a significantly higher homicide rate (28 per 100,000 people) than the United States (7 per 100,000 people), data suggests violence against American citizens remains rare. In 2021, 75 U.S. citizens died by homicide in Mexico, according to the State Department. That represents a small fraction of the more than 28.8 million Americans who went to the country over the same time period. Using those figures, the murder rate of U.S. citizens in Mexico was around 0.26 per 100,000 visitors, significantly lower than the rate in the United States.
Reporting Police Misconduct
If you witness or experience inappropriate police behavior in Tulum, use this link to fill out a form and report the incident. Your input is crucial for promoting accountability and ensuring a safe community. Report Incident
Emergency 911
The main emergency number in Mexico is 911; they will answer in Spanish, they will probably have someone for English too. In Tulum, we also have a local number for the Local Police > Seguridad Pública > (+52 1) 984 871 2055
Help us in keeping this information up to date. If you notice any changes or inaccuracies, please let us know.
With love from Tulum 