Private car transfer
from Cancun to Tulum

You’ll have the chance to travel, learn, and sightsee simultaneously and comfortably. Rides are easy to book. Customer support is 24/7. You’ll be picked up at your door and dropped off at your next location. Skip past public transportation options, like the airport bus & city bus.

Mexico is filled with hidden gems and historical charm. And the cross-country drive is overloaded with picturesque landscapes as you travel along the Caribbean Sea. Are you ready to see what’s along the way?

But from beach-bums and hippies, Tulum has evolved into an eco-luxury destination for globe trotters. The luxury hotels and swank restaurants and bars try to balance the natural beauty with its status as a premier destination. Mainstays like Papaya Playa Project define the “glamping” experience, with thatch-roofed bungalows overlooking the beach, private pools, luxury spas, and organic dining.

In Tulum you’ll find the perfect balance of natural beauty and creature comforts. Tulum has some of the best beaches in Mexico, and some of the most popular beaches in Tulum are Playa Paraiso, Playa Ruinas, Playa Akumal, and Papaya Playa. The white sand and sparkling waters remain as beautiful as ever, but now you can enjoy them with a cocktail at one of the beach bars. A cocktail on the beach definitely beats no cocktail on the beach!

Another popular attraction in the Yucatan are cenotes (water-filled sinkholes), and many are located near Tulum. The Mayans held the cenotes sacred, believing them gateways to the underworld - and it’s easy to see why, with some being connected to hundreds of miles of underground caverns. You can spend your days bouncing between the beach and swimming in enchanting caverns like Maya Blue, Naharon, Temple of Doom, Tortuga, Vacaha, Grand Cenote, Abejas, Nohoch Kiin, Calavera, and Zacil-Haare.

Tulum is filled with fantastic bars and restaurants where you can treat yourself after a day of enjoying its natural wonders. Sip carefully crafted cocktails and fill up on fresh seafood and local specialties like Cochinita pibil, a traditional Yucatec Mayan dish where pork is marinated in citrus juice, seasoned with annatto seed, and wrapped in banana leaf before being slow-roasted. The best traditional places will still cook it in a píib, a sort of underground oven!

But what sets Tulum apart from any beach destination in the world is the Tulum archaeological site. Not only is it one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, letting you explore centuries-old temples and castles, but it overlooks the beach! So you get amazing views of ruins and the ocean at every turn. And when you’re down in the sand, you get a one-of-a-kind backdrop of ancient ruins!

Landing in Mexico

If you’re coming in straight from the airport, be mindful that Cancún Airport is the second-busiest airport in Mexico and operates more than 500 flights a day. According to their website, they were the 10th busiest airport in 2021 on the list of top 10 busiest airports internationally.

This means you may want to avoid human traffic by packing lighter, traveling according to/against peak season, and sitting a little closer to the front of the plane to make a speedy exit.

Talk to your driver

Your mobile expedition gives you just enough time to watch a movie, view a couple of episodes, or fulfill your curiosities by conversing with your driver. Think ahead about what you’d like to learn about life in the Yucatán Peninsula and jot your questions down at home.

Stop along the way

As you soak up the tropical vibes and swap stories, you’ll have a bunch of sites to capture with your eyes & cameras. You can dive right into the natural beauty of the Yucatan by visiting the lush Jardin Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin, or taking a dip in the world-famous Two Eyes Cenote. And if you’re interested in history, there’s the Mayan archeological site of Coba - once one of the empire’s most important cities. Daytrip makes it easy to visit these sites and more!

Cancun to Tulum by bus

Traveling from Cancun to Tulum by bus is a great option if you’re on a budget. Several bus companies operate from Cancun to Tulum, so on average, you’ll be able to find something every 15 minutes. Buses depart from Terminal de Autobuses ADO Cancún and arrive at Terminal de Autobuses ADO Tulum. Services depart every 15 minutes and operate every day. The journey takes between 2-3 hours depending on which bus you take. Unfortunately, the low cost comes at a price: buses are often very crowded, and can sell out.

Cancun to Tulum with Daytrip

Hiring one of Daytrip’s private drivers is the best way to get from Cancun to Tulum if you care about comfort, convenience, and service. Taking 1 hour and 40 minutes, this is also the fastest way to get from Cancun to Tulum. Your English-speaking driver will meet you in Cancun and take care of loading your luggage into your private car and drop you off at your accommodation in Tulum. Along the way, they’ll be happy to talk with you about local culture and things to do. Best of all, you can start your Yucatan adventures right away by adding sightseeing stops at beautiful cenotes, Mayan ruins, or lush nature reserves.

Cancun to Tulum by shared shuttle

A shared shuttle with a day trip from Cancun to Tulum offers the perfect balance of affordability and comfort. You meet your driver in downtown Cancun (or can request pick-up at your accommodation) and will be brought to downtown Tulum. Daytrip’s shared shuttles only carry 7 people max, so you can still talk with your driver to get their local insights, plus, you can connect with like-minded travelers. It’s always nice to make friends on holiday!

Chill out around town

Just inland lies Tulum's laid back beach town. Unwind at one of the many bars and restaurants. Gorge yourself on some of the tastiest, fresh-focused food Mexico has to offer. Be sure to try Cochinita Pibil, or just "Pibil", one of the local delicacies. This culinary gem of the Yucatan is a seemingly simple roasted pork, but it’s meticulously prepared to create a unique, tender dish that will keep you coming back for more.

Dive into the Yucatan cenotes

The cuisine is not the only distinctive experience in Tulum, that you’ll want to dive right into. The Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its sprawling network of underground caves and cenotes. These seemingly magical pools are naturally formed and one of the most remarkable can be found just a stone’s throw from Tulum - The Two Eyes Cenote. Part of a larger cave system, this natural phenomenon is filled with stunning blue water connected by a subterranean passageway. Using the stairs and platforms makes getting in for a dip easy, and local providers offer snorkeling tours, which can be booked through them directly.

Explore Tulum’s Mayan origins

If you’re visiting Tulum, then you’re probably aware of Chichen Itza, the crown jewel of Mexico’s archeological wonders. The ancient Mayans left a significant legacy behind for us to marvel at, and the Tulum Ruins are part of that legacy. Known by the Mayans as Zama, ‘the Place of the Dawning Sun’, what was once a simple trading post for other nearby cities grew to become one of the empire’s powerhouses in the 13th and 14th centuries. Step into Mayan temples, walk along ancient walls, and stand at the foot of the mighty castle, all with a view of the sparkling Caribbean Sea. This beachside piece of history is undoubtedly the highlight of Tulum!