Quintana Roo by ADO bus: how to reach every top attraction
Tulum, Xcaret, Holbox, Bacalar, cenotes and more: the ADO stop closest to each one, how long it takes and what it costs from Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Why see Quintana Roo by bus
Most of the Mexican Caribbean sits along one road, Highway 307, and ADO runs up and down it all day, with dedicated stops at the Tulum ruins, Xcaret, the ferry docks for Isla Mujeres, Cozumel and Holbox, and towns like Bacalar.
- No car, no parking, no tolls: skip rental desks, fuel and parking fees at busy sites.
- Cheaper than transfers and tours: one-way fares on the coast start well under the price of a taxi.
- Comfortable: reclining seats, air conditioning and an onboard restroom on first-class ADO buses.
- Frequent: dozens of daily departures between Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
- Digital tickets: book in your language and currency and board with your phone.
Every attraction at a glance
Nearest ADO stop and the quickest bus from the main hubs. Tap a city to see today's departures.
Iconic archaeological sites
Three Maya cities you can reach without a tour, from the clifftop ruins of Tulum to the jungle causeways of Cobá.
Tulum Mayan Ruins
A walled Maya port city on limestone cliffs above the Caribbean, with the Castillo temple looking straight out to sea. It is one of the most photographed sites in Mexico.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún (downtown) → Tulum Ruins: about 2 a day, from around 2h 20min, fares from MX$280
- Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum Ruins: about 2 a day, from around 1h 00min, fares from MX$132
- Tulum (town) → Tulum Ruins: about one a day, from around 10 min, fares from MX$79
ADO has a dedicated "Tulum Ruins" stop on Highway 307 at the access road. From there it is a flat walk of about a kilometre to the entrance. If no direct bus fits your time, ride to the Tulum town terminal and take a short taxi or colectivo.
Why go by bus
The direct buses run in the morning, so you arrive close to opening time, before the heat and the tour groups.
Tip: Book the "Tulum Ruins" stop by name: a ticket to "Tulum" ends at the town terminal, a few kilometres away.
Cancún (downtown) → Tulum Ruins
From around 2h 20min · from MX$280
Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum Ruins
From around 1h 00min · from MX$132
Tulum (town) → Tulum Ruins
From around 10 min · from MX$79
El Rey and San Miguelito (Cancún Hotel Zone)
Two compact Maya archaeological zones right inside Cancún's Hotel Zone. San Miguelito sits in the grounds of the Museo Maya de Cancún, and El Rey is a short way further south along Boulevard Kukulcán.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún Airport T2 → Hotel Zone (Blvd Kukulcán): about 8 a day, from around 25 min, fares from MX$170
ADO's airport service drops you in the Hotel Zone on Boulevard Kukulcán; from there the R-1 and R-2 city buses run along the boulevard to the Museo Maya and El Rey. For the flight home, ADO picks up from Hotel Zone stops such as Museo Maya, Aquaworld and La Isla.
Why go by bus
Arriving by ADO from the airport takes you straight into the Hotel Zone without a taxi, and the city buses along Kukulcán cost very little.
Tip: Combine both sites with the Museo Maya in one morning; they are close together.
Cancún Airport T2 → Hotel Zone (Blvd Kukulcán)
From around 25 min · from MX$170
Cancún Airport T4 → Hotel Zone (Blvd Kukulcán)
From around 35 min · from MX$170
Cobá
A large Maya city deep in the jungle, about 45 km inland from Tulum, with long white sacbé causeways linking its groups of temples and the tall Nohoch Mul pyramid.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún (downtown) → Tulum (town): about 15 a day, from around 2h 30min, fares from MX$226
- Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town): about 14 a day, from around 1h 05min, fares from MX$76
- Playa del Carmen (Alterna) → Tulum (town): about 21 a day, from around 1h 10min, fares from MX$84
There is no ADO stop at Cobá in the current timetable. Take ADO to the Tulum terminal, then a colectivo or taxi inland to the site; many travellers rent a bike at the entrance to cover the long distances between temple groups.
Why go by bus
The bus gets you cheaply and comfortably to Tulum, the natural base for Cobá, and you can pair the ruins with Gran Cenote on the same road.
Tip: Start early: the site is spread out and the jungle gets hot by midday.
Cancún (downtown) → Tulum (town)
From around 2h 30min · from MX$226
Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town)
From around 1h 05min · from MX$76
Eco-parks and water attractions
Underground rivers, snorkelling lagoons and caves, all along the coast between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Xcaret
A huge eco-archaeological park just south of Playa del Carmen, with underground rivers, beaches, wildlife and the evening show Xcaret México Espectacular.
How to get there with ADO
- Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Xcaret: about 3 a day, from around 15 min, fares from MX$130
- Cancún (downtown) → Xcaret: about 3 a day, from around 1h 35min, fares from MX$244
ADO stops right at the park on its "Xcaret" stop, so you step off the bus at the entrance.
Why go by bus
No parking fees and no driving home after the late evening show: ride straight back to Playa del Carmen or Cancún.
Tip: Check the return times before the show ends, or plan the short taxi to Playa del Carmen for more evening departures.
Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Xcaret
From around 15 min · from MX$130
Cancún (downtown) → Xcaret
From around 1h 35min · from MX$244
Xel-Há
A natural aquatic park built around an inlet where the jungle meets the sea, famous for snorkelling, lagoons and a lazy river. It lies on Highway 307 a short way north of Tulum.
How to get there with ADO
- Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town): about 14 a day, from around 1h 05min, fares from MX$76
- Cancún (downtown) → Tulum (town): about 15 a day, from around 2h 30min, fares from MX$226
Take ADO to Tulum (or ride from Playa del Carmen), then a colectivo along Highway 307; they stop at the Xel-Há entrance on request. A taxi from Tulum town is short.
Why go by bus
Colectivos and ADO together cost a fraction of a private transfer, and you avoid parking at a busy park.
Tip: Bring cash for the colectivo and biodegradable sunscreen for the lagoons.
Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town)
From around 1h 05min · from MX$76
Cancún (downtown) → Tulum (town)
From around 2h 30min · from MX$226
Río Secreto
An underground river system near Playa del Carmen, explored on foot and by swimming through caves full of stalactites and stalagmites.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún (downtown) → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave): about 25 a day, from around 1h 20min, fares from MX$128
- Cancún Airport T2 → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave): about 35 a day, from around 1h 10min, fares from MX$270
Ride ADO to Playa del Carmen, then take a short taxi to the Río Secreto entrance off Highway 307, or check whether your tour includes pickup from Playa.
Why go by bus
Playa del Carmen has dozens of ADO arrivals a day from Cancún and the airport, so it is easy to fit around your tour time.
Tip: Tours run at set times; book the bus to arrive in Playa with time to spare.
Cancún (downtown) → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave)
From around 1h 20min · from MX$128
Cancún Airport T2 → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave)
From around 1h 10min · from MX$270
Beaches and islands
Ferries and beaches the bus takes you right to: Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Holbox and the turtles of Akumal.
Isla Mujeres
A small island a short ferry ride from Cancún, known for golf-cart touring, the calm water of Playa Norte and the MUSA underwater sculpture museum.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún (downtown) → Puerto Juárez ferry: about 2 a day, from around 30 min, fares from MX$75
- Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Puerto Juárez ferry: about 2 a day, from around 2h 00min, fares from MX$200
- Cancún Airport T2 → Puerto Juárez ferry: a few departures a week, from around 1h 25min, fares from MX$170
ADO stops at Puerto Juárez, where the passenger ferries to Isla Mujeres leave throughout the day.
Why go by bus
From Playa del Carmen or the airport you reach the ferry without changing to a taxi in Cancún.
Tip: Ferry and bus tickets are separate; buy the ferry at the dock.
Cancún (downtown) → Puerto Juárez ferry
From around 30 min · from MX$75
Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Puerto Juárez ferry
From around 2h 00min · from MX$200
Cozumel
Mexico's largest Caribbean island and a world-famous diving and snorkelling spot, with the reefs of Palancar off its west coast.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún Airport T2 → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave): about 35 a day, from around 1h 10min, fares from MX$270
- Cancún (downtown) → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave): about 25 a day, from around 1h 20min, fares from MX$128
- Tulum (town) → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave): about 15 a day, from around 50 min, fares from MX$76
Ride ADO to the Playa del Carmen terminal on 5th Avenue. The Cozumel ferry pier is a few minutes' walk away, and crossings run roughly every hour.
Why go by bus
Airport buses go straight to Playa del Carmen, so you can be on a Cozumel ferry the same afternoon you land.
Tip: Book the 5th Avenue terminal (Playa del Carmen ADO Bus Station), not Alterna, to be closest to the pier.
Cancún Airport T2 → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave)
From around 1h 10min · from MX$270
Cancún (downtown) → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave)
From around 1h 20min · from MX$128
Tulum (town) → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave)
From around 50 min · from MX$76
Isla Holbox
A car-free island off the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, with sandy streets, shallow turquoise water, flamingos and, in season, whale sharks.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún (downtown) → Chiquilá ferry: about 5 a day, from around 2h 35min, fares from MX$398
- Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Chiquilá ferry: about one a day, from around 2h 10min, fares from MX$408
- Tulum (town) → Chiquilá ferry: about one a day, from around 3h 20min, fares from MX$546
ADO goes to Chiquilá, the ferry port for Holbox; the bus stops a short walk from the docks, and the crossing takes under half an hour.
Why go by bus
There is no airport or road onto the island, so the bus plus ferry is the simplest way in.
Tip: Departures are limited; book your seat back in advance and check the last ferry time.
Cancún (downtown) → Chiquilá ferry
From around 2h 35min · from MX$398
Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Chiquilá ferry
From around 2h 10min · from MX$408
Akumal Beach
A calm bay between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, famous for the chance to swim alongside wild green sea turtles in the seagrass.
How to get there with ADO
- Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town): about 14 a day, from around 1h 05min, fares from MX$76
- Cancún (downtown) → Tulum (town): about 15 a day, from around 2h 30min, fares from MX$226
Akumal has no ADO stop. Ride ADO to Playa del Carmen or Tulum, then a colectivo on Highway 307 to the Akumal turn-off, a short walk from the beach.
Why go by bus
Combining ADO with a colectivo is the low-cost way to the coast between the big towns.
Tip: Follow local rules for swimming with turtles; guides and life jackets may be required in protected areas.
Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town)
From around 1h 05min · from MX$76
Cancún (downtown) → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave)
From around 1h 20min · from MX$128
Cenotes and natural wonders
Freshwater sinkholes, the lagoon of seven colours and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Cenotes: Dos Ojos, Gran Cenote and Chaak Tun
Natural limestone sinkholes filled with clear fresh water, ideal for swimming, snorkelling and cave diving.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún (downtown) → Tulum (town): about 15 a day, from around 2h 30min, fares from MX$226
- Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town): about 14 a day, from around 1h 05min, fares from MX$76
- Cancún (downtown) → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave): about 25 a day, from around 1h 20min, fares from MX$128
Gran Cenote is a few kilometres from Tulum on the road to Cobá (taxi or bike from the ADO terminal). Dos Ojos is off Highway 307 between Akumal and Tulum (colectivo from Tulum). Chaak Tun is on the western side of Playa del Carmen (taxi from the ADO terminal).
Why go by bus
Base yourself in Tulum or Playa del Carmen by bus and hop to a different cenote each day.
Tip: Use biodegradable sunscreen or none at all, and bring cash for entry fees.
Cancún (downtown) → Tulum (town)
From around 2h 30min · from MX$226
Cancún (downtown) → Playa del Carmen (5th Ave)
From around 1h 20min · from MX$128
Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town)
From around 1h 05min · from MX$76
Lake Bacalar (Laguna de los Siete Colores)
A long freshwater lagoon famous for its bands of blue and turquoise, with the deep Cenote Azul at its southern end and the Fort of San Felipe above the water.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún (downtown) → Bacalar: about 15 a day, from around 5h 20min, fares from MX$588
- Playa del Carmen (Alterna) → Bacalar: about 15 a day, from around 3h 50min, fares from MX$488
- Tulum (town) → Bacalar: about 12 a day, from around 2h 50min, fares from MX$370
ADO's Bacalar terminal is on Highway 307 at the edge of town; a short taxi takes you to the lakeside hotels.
Why go by bus
Direct buses run all day from Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, with overnight options that save a hotel night.
Tip: From Playa del Carmen, Bacalar buses leave from the Alterna terminal.
Cancún (downtown) → Bacalar
From around 5h 20min · from MX$588
Playa del Carmen (Alterna) → Bacalar
From around 3h 50min · from MX$488
Tulum (town) → Bacalar
From around 2h 50min · from MX$370
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of lagoons, mangroves, jungle and reef just south of Tulum, explored by boat, kayak or on guided floats through ancient Maya canals.
How to get there with ADO
- Cancún (downtown) → Tulum (town): about 15 a day, from around 2h 30min, fares from MX$226
- Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town): about 14 a day, from around 1h 05min, fares from MX$76
Ride ADO to Tulum: most Sian Ka'an tours start there or pick up in town, and the Muyil entrance is a short ride south on Highway 307.
Why go by bus
Tulum is the gateway, and ADO connects it with Cancún, the airport and Playa del Carmen many times a day.
Tip: Book a licensed local guide; access to much of the reserve is by tour only.
Cancún (downtown) → Tulum (town)
From around 2h 30min · from MX$226
Playa del Carmen (5th Ave) → Tulum (town)
From around 1h 05min · from MX$76
Tips for touring Quintana Roo by bus
Pick the right stop
Tulum and Playa del Carmen each have more than one ADO stop. Your ticket shows which one.
Book ahead in high season
Christmas, Easter and July–August fill buses fast, especially to Holbox and Bacalar.
Combine bus and colectivo
Colectivo vans run along Highway 307 and stop on request at parks, cenotes and beaches.
Carry pesos
Ferries, colectivos and many cenotes take cash only.
Quintana Roo by bus: FAQ
Plan the rest of your trip
Cancún to Tulum
Times, fares, stations and tips.
Cancún to Playa del Carmen
Times, fares, stations and tips.
Cancún to Bacalar
Times, fares, stations and tips.
Chiquilá to Cancún
Times, fares, stations and tips.
Things to do in Playa del Carmen
Destination guide.
Quintana Roo bus stations
Every ADO terminal and stop, with maps.
Digital ticket
Directly to your email
Mobile Download
Compatible with your phone
Travel Safely
Certified Vehicles
Do you have questions?
Our customer service team can help with tickets, changes and luggage.