Shuttle from Cancun Airport to Tulum
Mar 18th, 2011, 06:20 AM
#1
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Shuttle from Cancun Airport to Tulum
Can anybody recommend a reliable shuttle to take from the Cancun airpot to Tulum? We are staying at La Nueva Vida in Tulum and would prefer not to rent a car to get there. Also, how much do the shuttles cost?
Any recommendations while we are in Tulum? We are mainly going to relax on the beach but would also like to see some ruins and snorkel.
Any recommendations while we are in Tulum? We are mainly going to relax on the beach but would also like to see some ruins and snorkel.
Mar 18th, 2011, 06:56 AM
#2
You will love Tulum - the beaches are fantastic. You may want to reconsider the car rental option because you will want a car when you get there. There is so much to see and do outside of just lying around on the beach. Depending on taxis could be a PITA and the driving is easy. If you click on my name and go to trip reports and go back to '07, you will find a 3 part TR on Tulum that includes the drive down there. If you like, I can post a link to photos taken on that trip.
Mar 18th, 2011, 07:25 AM
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We took a nice ADO straight from the airport to Playa del Carmen and then on to Tulum. You could check out the blogs from my 2 recent visits to the area, linked on the main page of the photo collections below - fishing, ruins, good food, swimming, diving, and snorkeling with turtles and whale sharks, all good. We loved everyplace we stayed and everything we did. Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
Mar 18th, 2011, 11:12 AM
#5
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Check with La Nueva Vida and they will recommend someone they trust to transport their guests.
While I know you prefer not to rent a car, this trip is extremely easy straight south on a single road, one left turn and you are there. We do rent a car while in this area.
While I know you prefer not to rent a car, this trip is extremely easy straight south on a single road, one left turn and you are there. We do rent a car while in this area.
Mar 18th, 2011, 11:21 AM
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I have used USA Transfers - they are US$135 to Akumal, probabaly about $150 to Tulum. That is roundtrip and for the entire van up to about 7 people. However the hotels (with the exception of a few in Tulum pueblo) are out on the beach road and the town itself is about two miles or more away, really too long to walk and a taxi will cost you $5-8 each way to town depending on how far south you are staying. Bsnks, grocery store, shops and restaurants with cheaper food are all in town. You might look into renting a car at least for a day or two once you are down there, the driving is easy and almost everything is well marked.
coba ruins is good as you can still climb there, Tulum ruins are pretty and do not take too long to see. The best snorkeling close to where you are staying is probably Akumal, you can get there via collectivo or taxi (collectivos only run up and down the main highway, not the beach road so you have to get to town first). Or you can spend $55pp to visit the eco-park at Xel-Ha.
coba ruins is good as you can still climb there, Tulum ruins are pretty and do not take too long to see. The best snorkeling close to where you are staying is probably Akumal, you can get there via collectivo or taxi (collectivos only run up and down the main highway, not the beach road so you have to get to town first). Or you can spend $55pp to visit the eco-park at Xel-Ha.
Mar 18th, 2011, 11:27 AM
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Thank you for all the input! I have heard mixed opinions here and on trip advisor from people about whether renting a car in Tulum is necessary... I don't like going through the hassle of renting cars but if it's going to save me a lot of money I would definately consider it.
Mar 18th, 2011, 11:32 AM
#8
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Do I need to reserve a rental car in advance or can I just do it once I get to the airport? What about shuttles, are they available last minute? Any hidden fees I should know about?
I am going in April....
Thank You!!
I am going in April....
Thank You!!
Mar 18th, 2011, 11:59 AM
#9
If you want to see anything but your beach, then yes, a car rental is necessary unless you want to hassle with taxis each way. It would not be a problem going from your hotel to where ever, but getting back could be a very different story. One place worth visiting if you enjoy natural settings where a taxi could be prohibitive is the Biosphere. We found it very interesting and driving around the Biosphere was outstanding. It was a wonderful morning.
On the road from the beach area to the Mayan ruins you will see a restaurant on the beach - I believe it is called Charlie's. It is quite good and inexpensive. We also enjoyed Charlie's in the town of Tulum. If you are lucky, you would be there on a night when they have flamenco.
On the road from the beach area to the Mayan ruins you will see a restaurant on the beach - I believe it is called Charlie's. It is quite good and inexpensive. We also enjoyed Charlie's in the town of Tulum. If you are lucky, you would be there on a night when they have flamenco.
Mar 18th, 2011, 12:18 PM
#10
My mistake, the place on the beach on the way to the ruins is Don Cafeta, not Charlie's. The latter is in town.
Also, there is a large tourist attraction park near the turn off on the main road to Tulum called Xel-Ha. Almost directly across the road are the Xel-Ha ruins that are worth a visit. Unlike the touristy ruins in Tulum, these are in a natural, partially overgrown setting and you can walk right up to them and see the stone paintings first hand. Chance are you will be the only ones there.
Also, there is a large tourist attraction park near the turn off on the main road to Tulum called Xel-Ha. Almost directly across the road are the Xel-Ha ruins that are worth a visit. Unlike the touristy ruins in Tulum, these are in a natural, partially overgrown setting and you can walk right up to them and see the stone paintings first hand. Chance are you will be the only ones there.
Mar 18th, 2011, 02:13 PM
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ive just returned last week from Playa del carmen; we took the local collective to tulum....which you can do from the cancun airport. It is the cheapest way to go; comfortable as well. But its will take you about 2 hours from Cancun airport. its cheap too.
There isn't anything in Tulum; the one street town is nothing to see...we didn't get to any of the AI beaches tho; im sure they are lovely. the ruins are worth going to see as the view is spectacular from atop the cliff. take water in tho; its hot in there....
There isn't anything in Tulum; the one street town is nothing to see...we didn't get to any of the AI beaches tho; im sure they are lovely. the ruins are worth going to see as the view is spectacular from atop the cliff. take water in tho; its hot in there....
Mar 18th, 2011, 05:50 PM
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We ate at both Charlie's and Don Cafeto's in Tulúm Pueblo last summer, both in town and just a few blocks apart on opposite sides of the road - don't think either have separate restaurants on the beach. El Camello's, further south on the east side of the road, is a terrific, inexpensive local's place, loved their shrimp tacos.
Mar 19th, 2011, 09:27 AM
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Basingstoke,
Unfortunately unless it has reopened very recently, Don Cafeto's on the beach road is closed, had drinks at El Mariachi next to Zazil-Kin hotel last May and there was nothing there, it got caught up in one of those interminable land disputes that seem to go up on the north end of the beach road. The restaurant in the pueblo is still open though.
OP,
If you do not want to rent a car at the airport, there are about 3 places in Tulum where you can rent for a day or two, or for the whole week.
If you want to take a private transfer, yes you need to make arrangements ahead of time, an email to USA Transers a week to 2-3 days before you leave should be enough, they will confirm back to you and wait for you outside the airport with your name on a sign and you pay them when you get to your hotel.
Unfortunately unless it has reopened very recently, Don Cafeto's on the beach road is closed, had drinks at El Mariachi next to Zazil-Kin hotel last May and there was nothing there, it got caught up in one of those interminable land disputes that seem to go up on the north end of the beach road. The restaurant in the pueblo is still open though.
OP,
If you do not want to rent a car at the airport, there are about 3 places in Tulum where you can rent for a day or two, or for the whole week.
If you want to take a private transfer, yes you need to make arrangements ahead of time, an email to USA Transers a week to 2-3 days before you leave should be enough, they will confirm back to you and wait for you outside the airport with your name on a sign and you pay them when you get to your hotel.
Mar 19th, 2011, 09:28 AM
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It is best to rent before you get there for a better price. Try www.mexexperience.com. They use Hertz.
There is no colectivo from the airport. It is a shared van. The colectivos run up and down the highway and only stop on the highway or at the colectivo stand in Playa del Carmen on 2nd street between 15th and 20th ave. It is best not to take luggage on them as they are very crowded with workers. The shared van from the airport will take you right to your door. You can arrange for that shared van right as you exit the airport doors and straight ahead. Or you can arrange for one inside. The ADO bus will stop in Puerto Morelos on the highway, and in Playa del Carmen at Juarez and 5th Avenue. You can then transfer to another bus to go to Tulum. There is a luggage storage area under the bus. They are air conditioned and very comfortable. Leave hourly. Depending on how many are in your party it can be less expensive to share a van. The bus is cheaper for me since I'm solo.Taxis cannot come in to the airport to pick up passengers unless they are called first from inside.
There is no colectivo from the airport. It is a shared van. The colectivos run up and down the highway and only stop on the highway or at the colectivo stand in Playa del Carmen on 2nd street between 15th and 20th ave. It is best not to take luggage on them as they are very crowded with workers. The shared van from the airport will take you right to your door. You can arrange for that shared van right as you exit the airport doors and straight ahead. Or you can arrange for one inside. The ADO bus will stop in Puerto Morelos on the highway, and in Playa del Carmen at Juarez and 5th Avenue. You can then transfer to another bus to go to Tulum. There is a luggage storage area under the bus. They are air conditioned and very comfortable. Leave hourly. Depending on how many are in your party it can be less expensive to share a van. The bus is cheaper for me since I'm solo.Taxis cannot come in to the airport to pick up passengers unless they are called first from inside.
Mar 20th, 2011, 08:36 AM
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Basingstoke,
Yes me too, had some of the best ceviche mixto (mixed) I had in a long time, good size serving for 75 pesos for the medium size and they did not skimp on the shrimp. Going to try and eat at the one in town this trip. Love those marinated veggies, do not make the mistake I did, be sure and have whatever you are drinking in front of you before biting into a piece, spicy!
Yes me too, had some of the best ceviche mixto (mixed) I had in a long time, good size serving for 75 pesos for the medium size and they did not skimp on the shrimp. Going to try and eat at the one in town this trip. Love those marinated veggies, do not make the mistake I did, be sure and have whatever you are drinking in front of you before biting into a piece, spicy!
Mar 21st, 2011, 07:04 AM
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Definitely consider renting a car - you will wish you did once you get there. There are many car rentals at the airport, and a few cheaper ones that will pick you up at the airport and shuttle you to their rental office. The 'big name' rentals at the airportare quite inexpensive until they tack on the insurances which are more than the actual rental. Full insurance coverage is strongly recommended in Mexico. The small local rental companies (like America), will give you an all inclusive rate that is much cheaper than the big guys, but the cars are not brand new.
Downtown Tulum is lots of fun - funky shops, interesting restaurants, lots of Mexican flavor. The BEST restaurant we've been to on the entire coast is on a little side street in downtown Tulum - Xcatik. In addition to the ruins at Tulum, Coba is worth seeing. There are lots of cenotes along the road to Coba. Again you'll need a car to really explore the area. Driving is quite easy.
Downtown Tulum is lots of fun - funky shops, interesting restaurants, lots of Mexican flavor. The BEST restaurant we've been to on the entire coast is on a little side street in downtown Tulum - Xcatik. In addition to the ruins at Tulum, Coba is worth seeing. There are lots of cenotes along the road to Coba. Again you'll need a car to really explore the area. Driving is quite easy.
Mar 21st, 2011, 12:06 PM
#20
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Thank you for all the suggestions on restaurants and places to see. I think we will rent a car, just deciding between whether to do it at the airport or take a shuttle to our hotel and rent a car for the day to see the ruins.
