How To Get From Cozumel To Tulum: Backpacker Guide 2023

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How to get from Cozumel to Tulum (or the other way round) safely, easily and cheaply. This post explains the most common backpacker ways to travel between Cozumel and Tulum.

Looking at how to get from Cozumel to Tulum? You’re in the right place!

I know all of the information online may seem overwhelming. Do I need to fly? Is there a bus? Are the buses in Mexico safe? It takes how many hours?!

Don’t worry, I’ve been there. When backpacking, I find planning how to get to and from places the most tedious part of the trip. That’s why I’ve written this blog post to make it all plain sailing when travelling from Cozumel to Tulum.

So, let’s discuss the best ways to get from Cozumel to Tulum, so you can have the most stress-free trip possible!

Other Mexico posts you might like…

Note this post is written for budget backpackers, digital nomads and travellers wanting to easily and cheaply get around Mexico.

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How to get from Cozumel to Tulum: A Summary

Contents

There are a few different ways to get from Cozumel to Tulum, and the mode of transport you choose will depend on your budget and how much time you have. Both places are located in Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo, and are around 80km in distance from each other.

In summary, there are three ways backpackers get from Cozumel to Tulum. They are:

Ferry and ADO bus
Ferry and hire car
Ferry and private shuttle

It’s important to note that Cozumel is an island. Unless you’re chartering a helicopter, you’ll need to get the ferry back to mainland (Playa Del Carmen) before heading south to Tulum.

Most backpackers pick option one (ferry and ADO bus), because it’s the cheapest and easiest way to travel. ADO buses in Mexico are safe, modern and reliable, and we used them to travel all over the country.

However, another great option is hiring a car and driving yourself. It’s not a particularly long journey, and driving in Mexico is safe and cost-effective. If you’re worried about driving in Mexico, check out my driving guides here:

OUR RECOMMENDATION!

If you’re hiring a car in Mexico for the first time, we recommend using Discover Cars. They’re the cheapest, easiest and most reliable company for UK citizens renting a car in Mexico.

Cozumel Ferry Information

Ferries between Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen run regularly throughout the day. They start around 8am, with the latest ferry leaving at 9pm. Always be sure to check the timetable before making any plans – this may change!

There are two main ferry companies operating between Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen, Ultramar and Winjet. Both are similar, and you’re likely to board whatever ferry is leaving the soonest.

Expect to pay roughly £12 ($13) for a single journey, and £24 ($25) for a return trip. If you don’t want to book a set date and time for your return ferry, I recommend buying only a single ticket. You can easily buy tickets from both Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen port whenever needed (and they are highly unlikely to sell out).

The ferry journey is easy and takes around 45 minutes. It can be slightly choppy, but nothing to write home about (you can still walk around without falling over). There’s even a live band that performs on the crossings, so it doesn’t get too bad, I promise!

NOTE: The ferry does not go to Tulum, only Playa Del Carmen. From Playa Del Carmen, you will need to hire a car, catch a bus or order a private shuttle to get down to Tulum.

Booking hostels?

Choosing the right hostel as a backpacker is crucial to how successful your trip will be. Always use Hostelworld.com for the cheapest rates, widest availability and most importantly – honest reviews from other travellers!
Click here to view the best hostels for your trip.

1. Ferry and ADO bus

This is the most popular and easiest way to travel from Cozumel to Tulum as a backpacker in Mexico.

After arriving in Playa Del Carmen from the ferry, you will need to walk to the ADO bus terminal. It isn’t too far from the ferry dock (but if you’re carrying heavy bags, can be a killer!). You’ll find the ADO bus opposite Playa Del Carmen’s large Mcdonalds, so top up on fuel if you need it!

You can buy your ADO bus tickets at the bus terminal itself – but make sure you know basic Spanish if you’re going to try this. If you’d rather avoid awkwardly trying to explain what you need, pre-book your bus tickets on the Busbud website and have them sent to you in PDF form (without any hassle at the bus station!).

As I’ve previously mentioned, the ADO buses are safe, modern, clean and reliable. They will run on time (99% of the time), and won’t wait for anyone! There’s often Wifi on board, but it can be pretty sketchy, so I wouldn’t rely on it.

The journey between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum isn’t too long, and should only take around 1 hour and 10 minutes. They’ll always be a Spanish movie playing, so you can use this time to brush up on your Spanish skills!

When you arrive in Tulum via the ADO bus, you will be dropped off in Tulum town. Most hostels are based in this area, but if you’re staying at Tulum beach, you’ll need to jump in a taxi or walk for over an hour.

Taxis in Tulum are safe but expensive. Only use them if you really need to! At the time of writing this post, there is no Uber or Lyft in Tulum.

Backpacking Mexico? Use the ADO buses!

ADO buses are the safest, cheapest and most convenient way to backpack Mexico. They’re clean, modern and even have toilets onboard. However, you always need to pre-book, as seats sell out fast!
Click here to check prices, dates and availability!

Cancun to Oaxaca — *ADO buses in Mexico are red and look similar to this!*

2. Ferry and rental car

Another great way to travel from Cozumel to Tulum is by taking the ferry, and then renting a car yourself. The drive between Cozumel and Tulum is straightforward (most of the journey is on one main road), so it can save you time in the long run.

When driving between Cozumel and Tulum, it’s 65km and will take about 55 minutes (without stopping). If you have the time, you could plan in some trips to the nearby cenotes and ruins before arriving at your accommodation in Tulum.,

Worried about driving in Mexico? Don’t be! We hired cars all over Mexico and got used to driving on the other side of the road pretty quickly. If you’re looking to hire a car in Mexico, check out my driving guides for tips first:

Renting a car in Central America?

If you’re hiring a car in Central America, I recommend using this company. We’ve used them all over the world as they’re reliable, cheap and easy to use.

3. Ferry and private shuttle

If you’re travelling in a small group, or don’t want to get the bus or drive yourself, there is the option to travel in a shared shuttle bus from Cozumel to Tulum.

This is a smaller minibus with around 12 seats, which can be shared with either people you know, or other people at the airport who are travelling from Cozumel to Tulum.

Book your ferry from Cozumel to Playa Del Carmen in the morning. This means you can board the shared shuttle in the afternoon, and still arrive in Tulum whilst it’s daytime.

Pre-booking a private shuttle means you can skip the hassle of the ADO bus (still for a backpacker-friendly price). This specific service runs 24 hours a day and greets you at the airport to take you directly to your Tulum accommodation. If needed, you can even book a return trip back to Cancun Airport.

Book your private shuttle easily here!

Need a safe way to travel from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum?

Book a private shuttle! This is way cheaper than it sounds, and you can even do a shared private shuttle to keep costs down. It’s a lot less stressful than finding a taxi with your bags, and it will take you right to your door. You can check out rates and availability here!

How long is the ferry from Cozumel to Tulum?

About 45 minutes. It’s a fairly calm journey with a live band playing en route.

Is there a direct ferry from Cozumel to Tulum?

No. You will need to board the ferry to Playa Del Carmen, and then jump on a bus, hire a car or board a private shuttle to reach Tulum.

Is it easier to get to Tulum from Cancun or Cozumel?

Cancun, because it’s a much simpler journey. Travelling from Cozumel Airport to Tulum requires two modes of transport (ferry and bus/car/shuttle), whereas Cancun to Tulum is a straightforward journey on road.

Where to stay in Tulum as a backpacker

HEADS UP! If you want an in-depth guide about the best hostels in Tulum, check out my post: BEST Hostels in Tulum for Backpackers! (2023 Guide).

If you’re going to be in Tulum as a backpacker, I recommend the following places to stay:

Lum: the overall best backpacker hostel in Tulum for its atmosphere, location and amenities.
Mayan Monkey: for solo backpackers and digital nomads wanting to be close to Tulum town
Straw Hat: for backpackers who want to party!

It’s important to know that Tulum is split into two main areas; Tulum town (aka downtown), and Tulum beach (aka hotel zone). Most hostels in Tulum are situated in Tulum town. You can find out more about Tulum and its specific areas here.

Is Tulum worth visiting?

This depends. Tulum is perfect for tourists who enjoy long, lazy beach days, dining in beach clubs and high-end restaurants. If you’re on a tight backpacker budget, Tulum might not be the best place to visit.

We preferred Tulum town over Tulum beach, as it was more reasonable priced, and had more of an authentic Mexican feel to it. Most of the beach has been gentrified, and is full of modern, high-end beach clubs with expensive food and drink.

In my opinion, there are much nicer and more authentic places in Mexico to visit than Tulum, but everyone has their preferences.

How many days in Tulum is enough?

If you’re visiting Tulum as a backpacker, 2-3 days is enough. This gives you enough time to see Tulum beach and Tulum town, as well as head out to swim in some cenotes and lagoons.

I highly recommend visiting Sian Ka’an after staying in Tulum (especially if you want a break from the crowds). It’s a 3-hour drive south, but it’s one of the most beautiful and untouched locations we visited in the whole of Mexico. You can read more about it here: How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2023)

Looking for an epic Tulum day trip? We loved the Kaan Luum Lagoon, be sure to check it out!

Best travel insurance for backpackers in Mexico

If you’re visiting Mexico as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Mexico, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Mexico. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

How to get from Mexico City to Tulum: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about how to get from Cozumel to Tulum. Hopefully, this helps you to plan your epic backpacking trip around Mexico!

When you’re planning a trip to Mexico, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Mexico posts:

MEET THE AUTHOR!

Jennie

TRAVEL BLOGGER

Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.

If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).

How To Get From Cozumel To Tulum: Backpacker Guide 2023

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