All major airlines fly to Cancún, Mexico's International Airport and many have non-stop flights. 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) >>

Bus:   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.

From the Tulum 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.

Private Driver:   Instituto Chac-Mool can set this up for you, airport transfers to Tulum from Cancun are $100usd each way and include up to 4 in the transport.

Rental Car:   You can reserve a rental car in advance and pick it up at the Cancun airport, but you won't need a car as public transportation is available for a small fee. The drive from Cancun to Tulum is scenic, a nice drive along the coastline Highway #307.

School location in Tulum pueblo

Instituto Chac-Mool is on Calle Palenque located a block and a half from Avenida Tulum, Tulum pueblo's main street. A good landmark on Av. Tulum is Aguachiles Restaurant which is on the corner of Calle Palenque. Aguachiles is one block down from the popular El Camello Jr. restaurant also on Av. Tulum.

The school is located in Casa 8 in the gated Villas de la Hacienda condominium community. The building easily stands out on the street, it is large, white and three stories tall. A staff member will be expecting you and will meet you at the gate.

The phone number of the school in Tulum is (984) 160 00 63. We expect a move to a neaby location in the next few months so we will confirm arriving details shortly before your trip.

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:     Bicycles can be rented very near the school by the day or week as bicycles are a very popular and safe mode of travel, especially in Tulum town. For further safety there is a now bicycle and walking path between the pueblo and the beach.

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 Island: from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel take the ferry (1 hour)
...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