Updated November 2026 · By Terry Barkhuizen, NOM-08 certified tour guide (credential N012608).
Getting around the Riviera Maya is easier and cheaper than most visitors expect – once you know which option suits which trip. This page brings together all our transport guides: airport transfers, ADO buses, colectivos, the Tren Maya, ferries and rental cars, with 2026 prices and practical tips.
Start here: which transport for which trip?
| Trip | Best option | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Cancun airport → Playa del Carmen | ADO bus or private transfer | Airport to Playa del Carmen |
| Cancun airport → Tulum | ADO bus, Tren Maya or private transfer | Airport to Tulum |
| Playa del Carmen ↔ Tulum, Akumal, cenotes | Colectivo or ADO bus | Colectivos guide |
| Playa del Carmen → Cozumel | Passenger ferry | Cozumel ferry guide |
| Cancun → Chichen Itza, Valladolid, Mérida, Bacalar | Tren Maya, ADO or car | Tren Maya guide |
| Cenote hopping, Coba, Sian Ka’an on your own | Rental car | Renting a car |
All transport guides
- Cancun to Isla Mujeres ferry – piers, prices and the last boat back.
- Taxis, Uber and ride-hailing – what works in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum in 2026.
- Cancun airport guide – arrivals, the “shark tank”, transport options and departures.
- Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen – ADO, shuttles, transfers, taxis, Tren Maya and car hire compared.
- Cancun Airport to Tulum – every option, plus the Tulum airport alternative.
- Colectivos in the Riviera Maya – how to ride the shared vans along Highway 307.
- Tren Maya guide for visitors – routes, 2026 fares, stations and when the bus is better.
- Playa del Carmen to Cozumel ferry – operators, prices, last boats and seasickness tips.
- Renting a car in Cancun and the Riviera Maya – mandatory insurance, real costs and driving tips.
Five rules that save most visitors time and money
- Walk straight out of the airport terminal – transport and “information” desks inside are often selling timeshare.
- Carry small pesos for colectivos, local taxis and tips.
- Agree taxi fares before getting in – most taxis on the coast are not metered.
- Travel by daylight when you’re new to the area, especially if driving.
- Check the last departure – ferries, trains, colectivos and direct buses all thin out in the evening.
Explore by topic
- Plan Your Trip – entry rules, Visitax, money, seasons and where to stay
- Destinations – 10 in-depth destination guides
- Cenotes – where to swim and the rules
- Wildlife & Nature – turtles, reefs and responsible encounters
- Safety – practical advice and emergency numbers
Explore the destinations
Playa del Carmen · Tulum · Cozumel · Akumal · Isla Mujeres · Coba · Chichen Itza · Bacalar · Sian Ka’an · Xcaret · All destination guides