Private car transfer
from Merida to Tulum

One of the best parts of this section of the car trip is the locals selling fresh fruits and handmade artifacts by the roadside; don’t skip stopping by some of their stands and picking a piece of Yucatan home with you. After enjoying your midway stop at Valladolid and exploring its historic buildings in the town square, you continue deep into the dense jungles.

Keep an eye out for traditional Mayan homes with thatched roofs, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of exotic birds, iguanas, or even a howler monkey! This 160-mile-long (259-km) journey is nothing but amazing. The views get even better once you approach Tulum, and with Daytrip those three and a half hours spent in the car are guaranteed to be worth your while.

The most attractive feature that Tulum offers people is most likely its location; who wouldn’t be down for spending days by the Caribbean Sea, though? But actually, Tulum preserves a precious history in its borders. It was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Mayans.

Having stood out as a major port for the nearby city of Coba, it played a crucial role in maritime and land trade routes. The Caribbean Sea mesmerized Tulum’s Mayan founders as well, so much that they named the site originally “Zama,” meaning “City of Dawn.” This name obviously referred to the sunrise views over the Caribbean Sea that stunned the city’s dwellers.

Apart from its integrated history throughout the city, visiting Tulum will also be like an open exhibition of some of Mexico’s most noteworthy natural wonders. For example, Tulum sits atop a wide network of underground rivers and cenotes. A cenote is a limestone sinkhole holding cold and clear water.

Though natural, it looks like it was made just for everyone to dive right in! Cenote Dos Ojos, for example, is one of the most famous ones in the region. You’ll understand why once you see the inviting blue-green water hidden under the cave that covers it!

Keep your energy high with snacks and water

There are roadside eateries, and stopping by one for lunch is almost necessary (explore the local cuisine on the way!), but having your own snacks and plenty of water makes sure you're not reliant on finding a stop when hunger strikes. Go for local fruits like mangoes or papayas that you can buy at the locals’ stands.

Cash is king

Many small towns and roadside vendors only accept cash. Make sure to carry small banknotes and coins of Mexican Peso for easy paying.

Be eco-friendly-supplied

Bring eco-friendly supplies such as reusable water bottles, utensils, and shopping bags to minimize your environmental impact and support Tulum’s eco-conscious ethos.

Mérida to Tulum by car

Driving from Mérida to Tulum means approximately a four-hour car trip that goes through the most direct route of Highway 180D and Highway 109. The roads are well-maintained, and toll roads (cuotas) are faster but come with a fee. You can take a free road as an alternative for more views but it would take longer to arrive at Tulum. You’ll be free to explore on the way, but renting a car comes with fuel costs, foreign traffic rules, and finding parking in Tulum.

Mérida to Tulum shuttle

Private companies offer shuttle services, which can be booked in advance. These shuttles provide door-to-door service and are a convenient option for groups or families. Shared shuttles are also available and are more economical than private shuttles. However, they will most likely have multiple stops along the way, which might take your time. Travel time is the same as driving yourself, around four hours, but it changes according to the number of stops.

Mérida to Tulum by bus

Three bus services operate between Mérida and Tulum: Autobuses Oriente, ADO, and Autobuses Mayab. While Mayab buses travel the distance between the two cities every hour a day, it takes the longest time to get to Tulum because of the route they take, which can be up to seven and a half hours.

Traveling with other services takes as much time as driving, but keep in mind that they offer no flexibility to get to know the route you are passing. Expect bus tickets to cost around $29.

Mérida to Tulum by plane

Since Tulum doesn’t have an international airport, you need to fly to Cancun if you’d like to integrate flying into your travel. You’d take one of the flights from Mérida to Cancun that lasts around an hour and 20 minutes. After your flight to Cancun, a bus or a car ride would take you to Tulum in one and a half hours.

Taking a flight and combining it with ground transportation is more expensive and less convenient since there are easier, direct overland travel options.

Mérida to Tulum by private car service

A door-to-door private car service like Daytrip is the simplest way to get from Mérida to Tulum because it’s more than just a direct car trip. Traveling with Daytrip looks like this: your local driver picks you up at your exact location, and you set off on a journey tailored just for you.

You add the stops you’d like to see when you are booking your trip, and when you’re on the way, your driver knows where to take you and waits for you while you’re busy exploring. Once you arrive at Tulum, you are not exhausted but satisfied and full of sights of new places. So why not try? Secure a seat for just $95.

Swim in the Kaan Luum Lagoon

Within a short distance from Tulum lies the Kaan Luum Lagoon, a swimming experience like no other. Everyone knows this lagoon for its bright turquoise waters and deep cenote at its center.

The waters of these two stark contrast in color. What really gets to its visitors is its relatively quiet and peaceful environment, so you’ll be able to relax and inhale the natural beauty in your own time. Plus, these pristine waters are enclosed by the greenery of mangroves, making you feel deep inside nature.

Explore the Muyil Ruins and Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

After getting to know Tulum’s main ruins, try the nearby Muyil Ruins for a more intimate exploration of Mayan history. It sits amidst the dense jungle within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, so walking through the thick green to find this archaeological site is like discovering it yourself as you wander through the ancient city.

Definitely climb the El Castillo pyramid before taking a boat tour through the lagoons of Sian Ka’an. You can float down ancient Mayan canals and drift gently through the bright blue waters.

Participate in a Temazcal Ceremony

A Temazcal ceremony is a traditional Mayan sweat lodge ritual that offers a profound spiritual and physical cleansing experience. These ceremonies are led by experienced shamans and involve entering a small, dome-shaped structure where hot stones are used to create steam. You sit in the dark, steamy environment while the shaman chants, plays instruments, and uses aromatic herbs to cleanse you.

The ceremony purifies the body, mind, and spirit, helping everyone who joins to release stress, detoxify, and connect with ancient traditions. Many wellness centers and eco-resorts in Tulum offer Temazcal ceremonies, so if you are interested in diving deeper into the culture, this is a very achievable way to do so.

The shoulder season, July to August, is hot and humid (around 83°F/28°C), and it attracts travelers for nightlife, beach parties, and bar hopping. Despite occasional rain showers, hotel rates rise, and Tulum is bustling.

If you’re a budget traveler, you should visit during the low season (May, June, and September to November). Though heat and rain reduce crowds, this period has great hotel deals. However, be mindful of poor ocean visibility and hurricane warnings. November stands out as a perfect month to visit since it combines good weather with lower prices.