Updated November 2026 · By Terry Barkhuizen, NOM-08 certified tour guide (credential N012608). Fares are approximate and rise in high season; always confirm with the driver before you board.
Part of our Getting Around the Riviera Maya guide.
Colectivos are the white shared vans that run up and down Highway 307 all day. They are how most local people get to work, and they are by far the cheapest way to travel between Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Akumal and Tulum. They also stop almost anywhere along the highway, which makes them the easiest public transport to cenotes, beaches and eco-parks that the big buses pass by. This guide explains how they work, what they cost and how to use them confidently.
Quick answer
- What they are: shared 15–20 seat vans on fixed routes, leaving when full or every few minutes.
- Typical fares: roughly 45–80 MXN Cancun ↔ Playa del Carmen and 50–100 MXN Playa del Carmen ↔ Tulum, paid in cash.
- No direct Cancun ↔ Tulum colectivo: you change vans in Playa del Carmen.
- Best for: day trips with light bags, cenotes and beaches along Highway 307.
- Take the ADO bus instead: to the airport, with big luggage, or late at night.
Main routes and typical fares (2026)
| Route | Typical fare | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancun (downtown) ↔ Playa del Carmen | about 45–80 MXN | 45–70 min | Stops at Puerto Morelos junction |
| Playa del Carmen ↔ Tulum | about 50–100 MXN | 1–1.5 h | Stops at Xpu-Ha, Akumal, Chemuyil, Xel-Há and cenote entrances on request |
| Cancun ↔ Tulum | about 100–180 MXN total | 2.5–3.5 h | Two vans, change in Playa del Carmen |
| Tulum ↔ Coba | varies | about 1 h | Fewer departures; check the return time |
Prices go up during the peak season and holidays. The fare depends on how far you ride, so a stop at Akumal costs less than going all the way to Tulum.
Where to board
- Cancun: downtown, along Avenida Tulum near the ADO bus station area. Colectivos to the coast don’t serve the Hotel Zone or the airport.
- Playa del Carmen: the colectivo terminal on Calle 2 Norte between 15th and 20th Avenues. Vans south to Tulum and north to Cancun leave from the same area – check the sign in the windscreen.
- Tulum: along Avenida Tulum (the main road through town), near the ADO station. Look for “Playa del Carmen” or “Playa” on the windscreen.
- Anywhere on Highway 307: stand on the correct side of the highway near a safe pull-in and wave the van down.
How to ride a colectivo, step by step
- Check the destination painted or posted on the windscreen, or ask the driver: “¿Va a Tulum?”
- Tell the driver where you’re going as you board, especially if it’s a cenote or beach entrance (“Akumal, por favor”).
- Pay in pesos, in cash, usually as you board or as you get off. Small notes and coins help; drivers may not have change for 500-peso notes.
- Put large bags at your feet or where the driver indicates. Space is tight.
- To get off, say “¡Bajan!” or “aquí, por favor” a little before your stop. Have your things ready – stops are quick.
- Getting off on the highway: wait until the van has left before crossing, and only cross where you have clear visibility in both directions.
Useful stops between Playa del Carmen and Tulum
This is where colectivos really shine. Ask the driver to drop you at the entrance to:
- Xpu-Ha beach and the cenotes around it
- Akumal (turtle bay – read the turtle rules before you go)
- Chemuyil and Xcacel beaches
- Xel-Há park and the cenotes along the highway near Tulum – see the best cenotes near Tulum
Many cenote entrances are a short walk from the highway, but some are a kilometre or more down a dirt road. Check the distance before you go, and carry water. For more on choosing cenotes, see Cenotes 101.
Getting back
Stand on the opposite side of the highway and wave down a van heading your way. In the late afternoon vans can be full, so allow extra time and don’t leave your return to the last minute. Colectivos become hard to find after around 9–10 pm.
Are colectivos safe?
For town-by-town advice, see Is Playa del Carmen safe? and Is Tulum safe?.
Colectivos are used by thousands of local workers and visitors every day, and they are generally a safe, normal way to travel. The main risks are on the road rather than from other passengers:
- Drivers can be fast. If you’re uncomfortable, it’s fine to take the ADO bus instead.
- Keep phones and wallets in a front pocket or bag on your lap.
- Avoid crossing Highway 307 at night or in places with poor visibility.
- Prefer daytime travel when you’re new to the area.
Colectivo or ADO bus?
| Situation | Choose |
|---|---|
| Day trip to a cenote or beach on Highway 307 | Colectivo |
| Cheapest ride Playa ↔ Tulum with a daypack | Colectivo |
| Going to or from Cancun airport | ADO bus |
| Travelling with suitcases or children | ADO bus |
| Late evening travel | ADO bus or taxi |
Common mistakes
- Waiting on the wrong side of the highway. Southbound (towards Tulum) and northbound (towards Playa/Cancun) vans use opposite sides.
- Not saying where you’re going. Drivers won’t stop at a cenote unless you ask.
- Carrying only big notes. Bring small change in pesos.
- Planning airport transfers by colectivo. They don’t serve Cancun airport. Use ADO or a transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Tulum?
Roughly 50–100 pesos per person in 2026, depending on season. Ask the driver before you board.
Is there a colectivo from Cancun to Tulum?
Not a direct one. Take a colectivo from downtown Cancun to Playa del Carmen, then a second one to Tulum.
Can I pay by card or in dollars?
Plan on paying cash in Mexican pesos. Dollars may not be accepted, and if they are, the rate won’t be good.
Do colectivos run at night?
Service thins out in the evening and becomes hard to find after about 9–10 pm. Use ADO or a taxi for late trips.
Related guides
- Tren Maya guide for visitors
- Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen · Cancun airport to Tulum
- Playa del Carmen guide · Tulum guide