The major airlines fly to Cancún, Mexico's International Airport and many have non-stop flights. Airline directory (between Mexico destinations: viva aerobus and Volaris) >>

The town of Tulum is located in Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo. It is 80 miles south of Cancun, or 39 miles south of Playa del Carmen. Located in the Yucatan's Riviera Maya, the coastline stretching from about 100 miles south of Tulum to Belize is called the Costa Maya.

Cancun Airport Info (airport code CUN) >>

Shuttle Service:   Usually around $35usd one way a Shuttle Service requires an advance reservation which can be done online. You'll give arriving flight information and your Tulum hotel. If staying with a host family Instituto Chac-Mool can tell you the closest hotel for a convenient drop off point and upon request the family can meet you there. Most shuttle services state: Our vehicles are always available at the airport and you will never have to wait longer then 15 minutes until your van departs. Many of these companies also offer private cars with drivers that will take you all the way to your housing, however the cost usually starts around $80-90usd one way.

Buses to Tulum:   Take an hourly red ADO bus from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen (~$110 pesos, one hour). Transfer to an ADO bus to Tulum pueblo, buses run every hour (~60 pesos, one hour). Note: when you arrive in Playa del Carmen you'll purchase your next bus ticket at the "taquilla" which is in the same place you get off the Cancun airport bus. Your Tulum bus will first stop at the ruins, do not get off the bus, take it all the way to the Tulum pueblo. YouTube - Finding the Bus at Cancun Airport (includes good written instructions) >>

From the Tulum town bus station back to Cancun: Most buses first go to Playa del Carmen where you transfer to a Cancun International Airport bus. There is also a direct airport express but with limited departure times. Currently the direct buses depart at 3:50am, 9:00am and 11:00am. It is best to purchase your ticket a day or two in advance at the bus station to be sure you get on the bus you need.

Rental Car:   Public transportation is very good but if you want the convenience of a rental car, you can reserve on in advance and pick it up at the Cancun airport. The drive from Cancun to Tulum is a scenic, easy drive along the coastline Highway #307. Car rental agencies are also available with pick up and drop off in Tulum.

School location in Tulum pueblo

Instituto Chac-Mool is a block off Avenida Tulum, Tulum pueblo's main street; about a 3 minute walk to downtown. View our school location map >>

Getting around the Riviera Maya:

Mini Bus (Colectivo, Combi):     This is a simple and cheap way to get around. The colectivoe has a set pick up location in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, but you can also catch a colectivo anywhere on Hwy 307 from Cancun to Tulum. When a colectivo van approaches the headlights will flash if he has space available, just wave your arms to stop the van to pick you up. The colectivos run every 5 to 15 minutes between Cancun and Playa del Carmen and between Playa del Carmen and Tulum every day of the year during hours beginning at 5:00 am and ending at 10:00 pm.
What is a Colectivo? >>

Bicycles:     Bikes can be rented very near the school by the day or week as bicycles are a very popular mode of travel, especially in Tulum town. A bicycle and walking path between the pueblo and the beach has recently been completed. For those planning to ride at night, pack a bike headlight for seeing and begin seen. The school has two bikes for rent at half price of most rental rates.

Taxis:     Most taxis have set rates, the staff at the school can quote the current rate depending on where you plan to go. Go with a few friends and split the taxi fee or save money and take a 'combi'.

Driving distances - Yucatan and the Riviera Maya

Tulum to...
...Cancun: 80 miles - 132 km
...Puerto Morelos: 59 miles - 95 km
...Cozumel: from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel 1 hr by ferry
......Playa del Carmen: 39 miles - 63 km
...Xcaret: 36 miles - 59 km
...Puerto Aventuras: 20 miles - 33 km
...Solomon Bay: 11 miles - 18 km
...Akumal: 16 miles - 26 km
...Dos Ojos Cenote: 10 miles - 16 km
...Xel-Há Park: 5 miles - 9 km
...Punta Allen: 50 miles - 80 km
...Cobá (largest of all Mayan cities): 28 miles - 45 km
...Valladolid: 56 miles - 91 km
...Chichen-itza: 96 miles - 154 km
...Mérida in the state of Yucatán: 199 miles - 320 km
...Belize border: 220 miles - 606 km
...Palenque in the state of Chiapas: 459 miles - 738 km


Why go all the way to Costa Rica when you can easily visit both jungles and beaches in the Tulum area?