The Ultimate Riviera Maya Transportation Guide: 7 Best Ways to Travel Through the Riviera Maya and Yucatan

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Riviera Maya Transportation is something that is used daily by tens of thousand of visitors and locals daily. Many are trying to get to find transportation in the Riviera Maya to get to and from their jobs, the grocery stores, or for picking up and dropping off their kids at school. Travelers rely on the different Riviera Maya transportation options to meet their vacation travel needs, some with a goal of inexpensive travel while others desire to be comfortable. Read on for a deep dive into the Riviera Maya transportation options and guidance on how to decide which is right for you.

One of the most frustrating issues when traveling is trying to decipher local transportation systems and figure out the best way to get from A to B.

You want to spend your vacation days having fun, not scouring outdated bus schedules, or just can’t seem to get a taxi to stop for you. You just want to figure out how to get to the local attractions!

In this article, we’ll cover all the different transportation methods available in the Riviera Maya. You’ll can even find cheap flights to the Riviera Maya using my link here and get yourself a decent discount that is worth your time.

You’ll discover what methods are best for long-distance travel, getting around town, airport transfers, and beyond. 

You’ll also learn all the factors you’ll need to keep in mind when determining which Riviera Maya transportation method best suits your travel plans.

Throughout my years living in the Riviera Maya, I had TONS of experience and experiments with every transportation method on this list and I’ve determined the most practical application for each of them. I’ve already made the mistakes for you when it comes to mobility and Riviera Maya Transportation options.

Buckle up and let’s get going!

Getting Around in the Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya Airport Transfers

Best for: Travelers who want to get from the airport to their accommodation swiftly and safely, regardless of price. This type of Riviera Maya Transportation option is called an airport transfer. Use my link on GetTransfer.com to book your airport transfer and save money.

Most visitors arrive in the Riviera Maya through the Cancun airport. So, your first order of business will be finding convenient transportation to your accommodation.

Airport transfers are one of the more costly options when it comes to airport transportation, but they are safe, comfortable, and convenient. GetTransfer.com provides so many options that instead of having to pay per person like the transport companies stationed inside the Cancun International Airport selling transportation services, GetTransfer.com has companies compete for your business. It’s the best deal by far the 30 to 35 times I’ve needed to use an Airport Transport.

You can book your airport shuttle online ahead of arrival or hire one once you’re on the ground, which is what I usually do when the plane lands.

If you opt for a private airport shuttle, it will be more costly but it’s the fastest way to get to your hotel from the airport. A shared shuttle is slightly less money but you may have to wait through multiple stops before arriving at your hotel. 

The great thing about airport shuttles is that the drivers are very professional, they are comfortable and roomy, the prices are fixed, and there is always plenty of room for your luggage. 

Because shuttles can be booked in advance and travel at all hours of the day and night, you never have to worry about scheduling conflicts. 

Organizing your ground transportation prior to arrival is a great way to ensure you reach your hotel safely and hassle-free. 

Click here to book your Cancun Airport shuttle. 

For more on Riviera Maya airport transportation, check out my guide to how to get from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

ADO Bus

Best for: Day trips; traveling between cities; budget travelers looking for safe and reliable transportation.

Mexico has an extensive bus system which makes it easy to travel anywhere within the country on a budget. 

ADO is a bus company that serves all of southern Mexico. You can even take an ADO bus from Cancun all the way to Mexico City if you wish.

Whether you’re hoping to visit a neighboring town or cross into the next state, the ADO bus is a great option for visitors in the Riviera Maya.

There are ADO bus stations near every town throughout the Riviera Maya. Whether you’re planning a day trip from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, want to head over to Merida for a few nights, or visit Chichen Itza, ADO will take you there.

The buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and have bathrooms onboard. There are no restrictions regarding luggage, so this is a convenient option even if you’re not traveling light. 

An ADO ticket from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen will cost about $200 MXN. A ticket from Playa del Carmen to Tulum will cost about $100 MXN. Click here to book your ticket.

ADO has a subsidiary bus line called AU, which is a cheaper and more basic version of ADO buses. AU buses are a great option for short trips, but since they don’t have bathrooms onboard they often stop frequently which inevitably prolongs your journey.

Further Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Mexico’s ADO Bus Company

Rental Car

Best for: Long-distance day trips; reaching off-the-beaten-path destinations; travelers who want complete control of their itinerary

Depending on your travel plans, a rental car can be a fantastic way to explore the Riviera Maya.

If you’re planning to stay mostly within your hotel and make one or two trips into the city nearby, a rental car won’t be necessary. You’ll end up spending more time and money organizing the rental and looking for parking than you would if you just took a taxi.

However, if you’re planning to take some day trips, poke around in the villages up and down the coast, or visit a few cenotes, a rental car is definitely the best way to go. 

With the car, you’ll have the freedom and flexibility to visit harder-to-reach places without having to rely on a tour or a bus schedule. You’ll also have a better chance of beating the crowds.  

Depending on your plans you may wish to rent a car just for a day so you can take an off-the-beaten-path outing, or for your whole trip!

Click here to check the rates for rental cars in Riviera Maya.

Here are a few handy tips if you choose to rent a car:

• Take toll roads (called cuotas in Spanish) when available, as they are safer and in better repair than the other routes
• Don’t be fooled by super cheap car rental rates that you see online, additional insurance coverage is mandatory and usually costs $15 – $20 USD per day
• For safety reasons, avoid driving at night
• If you are stopped by a police officer (unlikely, but it does happen) don’t attempt to bribe them

Colectivos

Best for: traveling to nearby towns, budget travelers

Colectivos are small passenger vans that travel between the different villages in the Riviera Maya. They are commonly used by locals to get to and from work at the hotels outside of town, but they’re a good option for travelers as well.

The main hub for colectivos is in Playa del Carmen on Calle 2 Norte and 25 Av Sur. There are two routes: north to Cancun or south to Tulum. 

Colectivos depart when they are full, and make stops anywhere there is someone waiting to get on or off. This makes them a great option for day trips to and from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Akumal, and any of the towns in between.

They are a super-economical transportation option. A run between Playa del Carmen and Tulum costs about $50 MXN. 

The main downside to colectivos is that they don’t offer much room luggage. If you have anything more than a daypack it may be tough to squeeze your belongings on board.

Since colectivos only stop to pick people up when they have space, you may find yourself watching them pass you by unless you board at the beginning of the route. But don’t worry, another will come along in a few minutes!  

Taxi

Best for: short trips within city limits

Uber is not available in the Riviera Maya, so a taxi is your best bet for getting around locally in the region.

You can hire taxis for longer trips like airport runs or day trips, but in most cases, there are more affordable and convenient transportation options for those trips.

Taxis have a bad reputation in the Riviera Maya for gouging tourists and charging far more than the standard fare. Because this issue is so common, always confirm the rate before you get in the taxi. 

Don’t be afraid to barter a little if the price seems exceptionally high. For your reference, short trips within a city should cost $40 to $100 MXN. 

There are often standard rates for popular destinations such as the airport, Tulum, or XCARET. A taxi from Playa del Carmen to Tulum usually costs around $600 MXN.

Click Here to take advantage of my discount from booking.com for XCARET hotel reservations.

If you wish to hire a taxi to shuttle you around for the day you’ll have to negotiate a rate that works for both of you. 

For safety reasons, always take taxis from taxi stands or have someone call a taxi for you. 

Bicycle

Best for: cruising short distances within the city

Bicycle is a promising transportation option for getting around locally in the city where you are staying. Many accommodations will offer bicycle rentals, or have bicycles that are free for guests to use. 

Playa del Carmen has a bike path along 10th Avenue which makes it easy to cruise through the city. On other streets, however, you will have to contend with traffic as there aren’t defined bike lanes.

The terrain in the Riviera Maya is flat, so cruising around on bikes is quite easy, as long as you can tolerate the heat and humidity. 

While bikes can be a fun way to poke around town, they have their downsides too. Namely, bike theft. Always lock your bike carefully, as theft is quite common. 

Walking

Best for: wandering the city streets

Most of the towns in the Riviera Maya are very pedestrian-friendly. If you can stay in a central location you’ll likely find that wandering from place to place is the best way to get around.

Taxis come in handy in places like Tulum and Playa del carmen when it comes to the most dependable Riviera Maya transportation. The hotel zone in Tulum a few miles outside of the main town. Once you’re within the downtown core of each Riviera Maya destination, you’ll be able to see the sights comfortably on foot. 

Tren Maya (2025 now open)

Best for: The newest train that connects all major cities and archaeological locations throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.

All cities as of February, 2025 the Tren Maya was finished after more than four years to build from Merida, all the way through Chichen Itza, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and is still being built west through the state of Chiapas.

Eventually, the government of Mexico plans to build it to meet the larger beach cities in on the western coast of Mexico with the master plan of having it compete and be more efficient than the Panama Canal for Tourism growth, adding efficient mobility for people in states like Chiapas to come work in the hospitality and construction industries within places like Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

This is THE largest investment the the Government of Mexico has ever made and constructed for the purposes of Riviera Maya Transportation! There are major train stations in each of the cities listed above, and more cities that I’m not remembering at the moment as well. The Tren Maya is THE way to capitalize on Riviera Maya Transportation while going through the middle of the jungle, seeing glimpses of jaguars, a variety of monkeys, and other animals. I took the Tren Maya through a tour group and I purchased the tickets here for the Tren Maya all day tour.

11 Essential Items: Questions to Ask Yourself When Packing for Your Mexico Trip

🏨 What’s the best way to find accommodation in Mexico?

Expedia.com is awesome specifically for reserving high-end luxury hotels, resorts, and is by far the best for reserving flights. Booking.com is awesome for affordable hotels in Mexico. VRBO specializes in apartment and house rentals, making it a great place to find long-term stays.

✈️ What’s the best way to find affordable flights?

In my experience travelling to Mexico and within Mexico, I LOVE Expedia.com because they simplify rate comparisons from different airlines. I’ve always come back to Expedia.com because of how wide the selection is of airlines to choose from that go to Mexico. Great pricing is another reason too!

💸 How should I exchange money in Mexico?

Have you ever heard of the company named WISE? It’s an app and also website to facilitate interbank currency exchanges, electronic bank to bank money transfers, and they also provide you a debit card if you would like. WISE has the most solutions for individuals and for businesses that spend time travelling internationally and seek the fastest and least expensive way to transfer money into another country’s local currency. I use this app frequently.

📱 Where can I buy a local SIM card in Mexico?

Purchase an Airalo eSIM online. Easy to setup, you won’t eat through your data plan internationally and best of all it saves you big bucks. Buy an Airalo eSIM so you’re connected as soon as you land. 

🚖 How do I find a safe airport transfer?

I recommend GetYourGuide.com for airport transfers anywhere in Mexico. 

🚗 What’s the best way to find rental cars in Mexico?

I recommend Booking.com because it’s the best. What I’ve found is that their price comparison tool is updated multiple times daily across rental car companies, making it easy to find and prepare to snag the best deal possible because of the inclusion of fire sale type of discounts which they will include.

Other companies don’t include these short-lived discounts into their price comparison because they sync once a day (typically overnight) with each rental car company. Booking.com is the website I always use to book a car rental. I’ve yet to have complaints about them.

🚐 How do I book bus tickets online in Mexico?

Book your tickets with Busbud — the site is in English and takes foreign credit cards.

🤿 How do I find cool activities and tours in Mexico?

Booking.com is the usual website and service I use for finding fun things to do has great options and it’s much faster to book with them since they organize their personalized recommendations to you if you’re signed in.

🇲🇽 How can I experience Mexico like a local?

Travelers can hire a local guide through GetyourGuide.com. You’ll be able to tailor tours based on your interests— it’s basically like experiencing a destination with a local bestie!

🧳 What’s the best luggage for Mexico?

Unless you’re staying at a resort, a travel pack is recommended. I’ve used this one from Osprey for the last 8+ years. 

👯‍♀️ How do I connect with fellow travelers in Mexico?

Join my Female Travelers in Mexico Facebook group, a supportive community of fellow Mexico travel enthusiasts, where you can find answers to all your travel questions!

✈️ Janine, How can I make a website like JanineintheWorld.com?
BigScoots.com is who I use for managing my WordPress website (which they help you make changes and teach you as part of their service. Use the Coupon Code JANINE2025 for a 15% discount on any product or service that they have.

I absolutely LOVE BigScoots. They are always available to help me with the Free WordPress site that they set me up with and even setup my email for me too! Its the best website hosting provider with the best prices. I assure you that you’ll love them too! What can I say, we are a company Powered by WordPress.

Learning more about Wordpress and WordPress Plugins that basically do the work for you, especially now-a-days with AI at your side. If I can do it and make it a living then you can too! Purchase the WordPress entry level plan if you want the best WordPress Support that has ever existed. I mean, it’s the same as getting a Louis Vuitton purse directly custom made for you and picking it up at the factory where they made it.


Join my Female Travelers in Mexico Facebook group, a supportive community of fellow Mexico travel enthusiasts, where you can find answers to all your travel questions!

Still have questions about transportation logistics within the Riviera Maya? Contact me if you need a hand!