Cheap getaways from Mérida by ADO bus
Mérida is one of Mexico's best-value bases. By ADO bus, Chichén Itzá is from about US$16, Valladolid from US$21 and the walled city of Campeche from US$22. Six budget escapadas with real fares and free things to do.
Mérida getaways at a glance
Budget trips by ADO bus from Mérida:
About 40 buses a day to Campeche and 19 to Valladolid
Mérida bus terminals
→
2 to 5h 40min away
Bus fares from about US$16 one way
Budget getaways from Mérida: the essentials
Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, is safe, walkable and cheaper than the Caribbean coast. Use it as a base for Maya ruins, cenotes and colonial towns. ADO buses leave from several terminals, including the main CAME terminal in the centre and Terminal Paseo 60. Check your ticket for the station.
Sample fares from Mérida
- Chichén Itzá: from US$16, about 2h–2h 30min, morning buses only.
- Valladolid: from US$21, about 2h 25min–3h 30min, 19 buses a day.
- Campeche: from US$22, about 2h 25min, about 40 buses a day.
- Bacalar: from US$42, about 4h 50min–5h 40min, 10 buses a day.
- Cancún: from US$42, about 3h 30min–5h 40min, over 40 buses a day.
How to keep your bus fare low
- Compare departure times. ADO fares change with the date, the hour and how full the bus is. Early-morning, midday and late-night departures are often cheaper than Friday evening or Sunday afternoon.
- Book ahead for holidays. Christmas, Easter week (Semana Santa) and long weekends sell out and cost more. Buying online a few days early usually gets you a better fare and the seat you want.
- Choose the service class. ADO and OCC buses are the standard options; ADO GL and Platino add more legroom at a higher price. For short trips, the standard bus is the budget choice.
- Let the night bus be your hotel. On longer routes, an overnight bus saves you a night of accommodation.
- Travel light. Your ticket includes checked luggage within ADO's limits, so there is no bag fee.
Bus times, travel times and fares on this page come from the ADO booking flow for Saturday, December 5, 2026, and can change. Fares vary by date, time and seat availability, so search your own dates for live prices. Entry fees, ferry fares and local transport are set by each site and operator; the figures here are approximate 2026 prices, so confirm them locally.
Six cheap escapadas from Mérida
Where to go, what it costs to get there, and what to do once you arrive:
Chichén Itzá
Bus: from US$16, about 2h–2h 30min
How often: 5 morning buses
One of the New Seven Wonders. Foreign visitors paid about MXN 676 in 2026 (federal plus state fee). Add a swim at a nearby cenote. How to get to Cenote Ik Kil.
Valladolid
Bus: from US$21, about 2h 25min–3h 30min
How often: 19 buses a day
Colourful streets, a cenote in the middle of town (Zací, about MXN 60) and cheap market food. How to get to Cenote Suytun.
Campeche
Bus: from US$22, about 2h 25min
How often: about 40 buses a day
A UNESCO-listed walled port with pastel streets, bastions and a seafront malecón, all free to explore on foot. Quieter and cheaper than the Yucatán hotspots.
Edzná
Bus: from US$22 to Campeche, then about 1 hour by colectivo or tour
How often: colectivos from Campeche
A large Maya city 55 km from Campeche, often almost empty. The INAH fee was about MXN 210 for foreign visitors in 2026. Ask in Campeche where colectivos leave from.
Bacalar
Bus: from US$42, about 4h 50min–5h 40min
How often: 10 buses a day
Swim in the lagoon of seven colours from public piers. Take a night bus to save a hotel night. How to get to Cenote Azul.
In and around Mérida
Bus: from free to a few dollars, walk or local bus
How often: every day
Mérida en Domingo turns the main square into a free street fair every Sunday. Progreso beach and the yellow town of Izamal are reached by local, non-ADO buses; ask at your hotel.
Sample day trip: Chichén Itzá and Valladolid on a budget
- Early morning: ADO bus from Mérida to Chichén Itzá (from about US$16). Buses ran from 7:00 to 11:00 AM on our sample date; take the first one to beat the heat and the crowds.
- Morning: visit the ruins (about MXN 676 for foreign visitors in 2026). Bring water, a hat and cash.
- Afternoon: ADO bus on to Valladolid (about 50 minutes, from about US$10), with buses at about 11:10 AM, 1:10 PM and 4:00 PM.
- Evening: swim at Cenote Zací, eat at the market, then take an ADO bus back to Mérida (from about US$21) or stay the night; Valladolid rooms are good value.
Eat well for less in Yucatán
Morning cochinita pibil tacos, panuchos and salbutes at markets cost a fraction of restaurant prices. Where to eat in Mérida.
More budget getaways by ADO bus
Photos via Wikimedia Commons. Top: Bernard DUPONT, CC BY-SA 2.0; Side: amanderson2, CC BY 2.0.
Why take a getaway from Mérida with ADO
Book online in English, pay in your own currency and travel further for less:
Ruins, cenotes and cities
ADO links Mérida with Chichén Itzá, Valladolid, Campeche and the Caribbean coast.
Ultra comfort Seats
Your seat guaranteed — spacious, comfortable, and adjustable.
Bulky luggage included
Your ticket includes 25 kg of checked luggage at no extra cost. Buy extra space at the counter if needed.
Entertainment & Wi-Fi
Selected services offer onboard screens and Wi-Fi. Amenities vary by service class.
Book Online in Advance
Climate Control
Onboard Bathrooms
USB Ports & Power Outlets
Certified Safety Standards
Digital ticket
Directly to your email
Mobile Download
Compatible with your phone
Travel Safely
Certified Vehicles
Budget getaways from Mérida: frequently asked questions
Fares, day trips and money-saving tips
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