HOW TO GET FROM CANCUN AIRPORT TO COZUMEL
(Fares and schedules can change — please verify prior to scheduling your travel)
Cancun to Playa del Carmen
At the international Cancun terminal, pick up your baggage from the carousel and go through customs (green/red button). Outside of the terminal you can:
- Take a taxi or shuttle van from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. A taxi is about $50, but be sure to ask the driver before you get in. I think the shuttle is between $80 – 90 total for the van (depending on the number of people up to 10 people). If there are other people around that want to go this can be a pretty good deal.
- A much less expensive way is to take the ADO (previously Riviera) bus from the airport or from downtown. This bus takes about 1 hour and costs about 140 pesos or $12 per person each way. The buses are very comfortable and air conditioned and have luggage storage beneath the bus. The buses run every 45 minutes throughout the day. Flights originating in the United States arrive at Terminal 3. Walk out of the airport and veer right towards the large buses. You can buy your ticket inside at the ADO bus desk, or outside right at the bus. Only speak with employees wearing an ADO logo on their shirt. Once you leave Terminal 3, the bus may stop at Terminal 2 and then most rides are direct to PDC. There is a chance of a brief stop on the highway in Puerto Morelos. The ADO bus website does not currently have an English translation, but you can check schedules and maybe even get a discount ticket on BusBusters.
Once you get to the Playa bus terminal, there are always a lot of porters who are willing to take your bags to the ferry terminal for you. We usually do this and give them $5. Worth it not to get hot and sweaty! It is a 2-3 block walk and you just follow them to the ferry. You will be able to see the ferry docks. Before the pier, there will be an information booth on the left, as well as a booth to purchase tickets.
Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel (40-45 minutes traveling time)
Then from Playa Del Carmen, take the ferry to Cozumel Island. The ferry boat ride is about 45 minutes. It
docks right at the heart of the city, San Miguel in Cozumel. Current cost is about $160 pesos, or $14 US
dollars.
Daily Ferry Schedule (Central Standard Time)
(Subject to change, check schedules with Ultramar ferries and Mexican Waterjets)
From Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
6AM, 8AM, 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, 5PM, 6PM, 7PM, 9PM and 11PM
From Cozumel to Playa del Carmen
5AM, 7AM, 8AM, 9AM, 10AM, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM, 5PM, 6PM, 8PM and 10PM
Once you arrive on Cozumel, you will take a taxi to Casa Martillo. This is a five minute taxi ride and costs
approximately $7 US dollars.