Mexico › Tulum › Cancun to Tulum
Updated: April 6, 2026
How to get from the Cancun International Airport to Tulum?
The Cancun Airport Transportation Company is the best way to get to Tulum from the Cancun airport. Drivers will meet you at the arrivals area of the airport with a sign. They’ll offer you free water and drinks for the 90-minute drive to Tulum (I’ve even been given beer – though this will depend on the driver). It’s a well-run service and the only way to go. They’ll drop you at any hotel on the Tulum beach or in the town center.
Cancun To Tulum Map
Cancun Airport to Tulum
Buying bus tickets to Tulum in Cancun airport. Buses depart a short walk from the arrivals area.
Rental Car Companies at Cancun Airport – located in arrivals as you leave immigration.
Taxis, shuttle, and transfer pick up area at the Cancun airport. Just keep walking as you leave immigration and you’ll go straight outside to the pickup area for hotel transfers and taxis.
Meeting point at Cancun airport for hotel pick up. (Most hotels will do airport pick up for a fee but it will be more expensive than booking through Cancun Airport Transportation.)
If you book a private transfer with the Cancun Airport Transportation company (link below) they’ll have signs and meet you just out the main Arrivals door by the Grab And Go snack shop. You can’t miss it.
Private transfer van from Cancun to Tulum. Seat belts will always work and there’s plenty of room for a baby seat.
The vans are large with lots of seating and room for luggage.
- Recommended: Cancun Airport Transportation Company
More Tips for Getting Around Cancun
- Uber is officially legal in Cancun, and you can now even hail a traditional taxi through the Uber app (listed as Uber Taxi). While it is by far the cheapest way to move around, the conflict between private Uber drivers and the local taxi union is ongoing. I recommend using the app for trips within the Hotel Zone or into Downtown, but avoid using it for airport pickups. While technically allowed, airport security and taxi drivers often make pickups nearly impossible or unsafe; stick to a pre-booked shuttle for your arrival. To keep your driver safe, don’t stand right next to a taxi rank when calling your ride. Once your car is close, put your phone away. I find it best for one person to sit in the front seat and greet the driver like a friend to avoid drawing attention from nearby taxi drivers. If you tip, do so discreetly inside the car.
- Taxis are everywhere in the Hotel Zone, waiting outside every resort and mall. They still do not use meters, and rates are based on a zone system that favors the driver. I always settle on a price before getting into the car, and I never hesitate to haggle, as the initial quote is almost always inflated. The Hotel Zone is the most expensive place in Mexico for taxis. To save money, take the R1 or R2 bus from the Hotel Zone into Downtown for about 12 pesos, then catch a much cheaper taxi from there to your final destination. Always pay in pesos. While drivers accept US dollars, they use a poor exchange rate that adds a significant premium to your fare. Tipping is only expected if the driver assists with heavy luggage.
- Renting a car is a great way to explore the Yucatan, and the main roads are generally well-maintained. However, you must be alert for topes (speed bumps). These are often unmarked, very steep, and can damage a rental car if hit at speed. Use GPS for navigation, but watch for retornos when you need to turn left on a highway. You will usually have to drive past your destination, take a U-turn overpass or exit on the right, and then double back. I also suggest being prepared for potential police stops. If an officer pulls you over for a minor infraction and suggests you pay a “fine” in cash on the spot, politely refuse. Ask for a written ticket and offer to go to the police station to pay it. This usually ends the interaction, as legitimate fines are never paid directly to officers.
