Hi,

I'm doing this trip in late Februrary :
Cancun --> Valladolid --> Mérida --> Campeche --> Palenque --> Xpujil --> Cancun

I'm relying on ADO buses.
I'm fine for the most part of my trip, except for the Palenque --> Xpujil route.
From the ADO web site, only an AU bus is available from Palenque (18h00) to Xpjuil (23h55).
I have read many times to avoid travelling at night, especially on the route, so I'm looking for an alternative.

I found an ADO bus from Palenque (8h30) to Escárcega (12h10).
However the only ADO bus from Escárcega to Xpujil is leaving at 9h40, which is too early.
I could spend the night in Escárcega and take that bus the next morning, but from what I read, there is nothing of interest there, so that would mean losing a day.

Is a taxi from Escárcega to Xpujil a good idea?
How much would that cost (for one person)?
Are there easy to find when arriving in Escárcega?
Is Escárcega safe (I'm traveling solo)?

What I would like to do is take the ADO bus from Palenque to Escárcega (arrives in 12h10), then find a safe taxi from Escárcega to Xpujil, spend the night there. Visit Calakmul the next morning. Then spend another night in Xpujil. Then the next morning take the ADO bus from Xpujil to Cancun (at 12h15).

Is it doable?
Is it safe?

Thank you!

Disclaimer: I don't have any firsthand experience with that itinerary. Other than to comment that if a bus company is still doing that route, (Palenque a xpujil) it's likely very safe. Otherwise they wouldn't offer it. Generally, nighttime travel in Mexico is not recommended for tourists (with their personal vehicle, not by bus. Lots of overnight bus routes in Mexico between cities) primarily because of unfamiliarity with roads, livestock, pedestrians along the highway etc. But be aware that the ADO AU buses don't have bathrooms. Fwiw.
And yes, Escarcega is safe. We have numerous Mexican friends from Escarcega & La División that trek there back and forth regularly with no issues. Just use your spidey sense.

Thank you for reassuring me!
I am just trying to find a safe way to go from Palenque to Xpujil, without having to spend a whole day in Escarcega.
Hence why I was asking how much would a taxi cost from Escarcega to Xpujil?
Are there safe 2nd class buses doing that route? (I read that they are not shown online)
The journey is not that long, maybe a 2nd class bus on a convenient departure time would be alright for me.