The BEST Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer for a Stress-Free Trip

Best Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer: Cancun Airport Transportation

My answer to the How do I get from Cancun to Tulum? question is always this: Book with Cancun Airport Transportation Services! This is the private car from Cancun to Tulum Mexico I always use myself.

They have an impressive 4.7 out of 5-Star rating, and 4,700+ reviews on TripAdvisor. With these numbers, they are the highest-rated and best private transfer Cancun to Tulum service available.

⚠️ BONUS: You’ll SAVE $11 by booking the round trip shuttle! Then, you can kick back and relax knowing your Tulum to Cancun Airport shuttle is handled — and so is your transportation to Tulum from Cancun.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

As always, the convenience of a Cancun to Tulum private car comes with a higher price tag — but it’s not as steep as many people think.

Private transfers from Cancun Airport to Tulum cost $299 USD. This price is for 1-8 passengers, and your round-trip shuttle service.

This is the total price you’d be splitting between all people, so for couples and groups, a private shuttle from Cancun to Tulum really is the way to go.

Whether you’re traveling solo to Tulum, in a group or couple, or just want private transport from Cancun to Tulum for safety reasons — check out the reviews below, and the eight reasons why the private shuttle is best.

8 Reasons to Use the Cancun to Tulum Private Shuttle

1. You get to leave on your schedule

With this private transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum, you set the departure time.

That means as soon as you’re ready to leave CUN Airport, you jump in your private shuttle, kick back, relax, and enjoy the drive to Tulum Mexico.

Imagine getting to Cancun Airport after your flight, going through the Customs line, getting your luggage, and then having to wait another two hours to even get on the bus to Tulum.

…and even after all that, you’ll then still need to make the two-hour drive to Tulum 🤬 Yeah, no.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

2. You get a bilingual driver

With the Cancun Airport Transportation private shuttle service, you’re guaranteed an English-speaking driver from Cancun to Tulum.

For those who aren’t confident in their Spanish, having a bilingual guide who will guide you through the airport is a nice perk — especially after a long day of traveling!

3. It doesn’t matter if your flight’s late

If your flight arrives late, or if you have any issues clearing Customs, or if there’s any delay or issues with your luggage (we’ve all been there), your private shuttle will still be available for you.

With a shared shuttle, you’d have to be rebooked, and with the bus, you’d have to buy a new ticket.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

4. They have nice cars, SUVs and vans

Cancun Airport Transportation guarantees you’re in a new, insured and comfortable vehicle that has air conditioning.

While many shared shuttles from Cancun to Tulum do have AC, it’s not always a guarantee — and on a two-hour drive in the tropics after a flight, it’s not a good start to your Tulum trip.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

5. They also have luxury Tulum shuttles

If you’re looking for upgraded service, and the regular private shuttle from Cancun Airport to Tulum won’t do, Cancun Airport Transportation also has more options for you.

💎 Want a luxury car service for Tulum?

Cancun Airport Transportation has options for luxury SUV transportation in a Yukon, Suburban, Expedition, or similar luxury vehicle.

💎 Want to take a limo from cancun to Tulum?

Looking for limo service from Cancun to Tulum? They have both private car Cancun to Tulum limo options, as well as limo SUVs.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

6. You’ll enjoy door to door service

With the Cancun Airport to Tulum shuttle, your driver meets you right outside the airport exit doors. They walk you and your luggage outside to the car or SUV, and drive you straight to your Tulum accommodation.

Keep in mind that if you take a shared shuttle or the bus, you’ll then have to use a taxi service to get to your accommodation. Depending on where you’re staying, plan for $100-300 MXN pesos (about $5-15 USD).

🚫 Note: There’s no Uber in Tulum but there is Uber in Cancun — though they can’t pick up at Cancun Airport. Also, there’s no Lyft in Tulum and no Lyft Cancun either.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

7. This is the fastest way to get from Cancun to Tulum

As time is always the most precious commodity while on vacation — and no one seems to have enough of it — you may want to spend a bit more money, as long as you’re saving a good chunk of time.

With the private shuttle Cancun service, you will!

Shared shuttles from Cancun Airport to Tulum will have to make stops at the ALL four airport terminals to pick up other passengers — and then drop people off all along the road to Tulum.

Many shared shuttles also stop in four other cities in the Yucatan Peninsula, including Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras, while en route on the drive to Tulum Mexico.

In short, with your private shuttle, getting from Cancun to Tulum is usually a simple 1.5 hour trip. When going by shared shuttle, plan for at least 2.5 to 3 hours.

A rental car will also take about 1.5 hours for the drive itself, but will also take about one hour for the entire rental process. In other words: The private shuttle is the fastest way to get to Tulum from Cancun Mexico. 

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

8. They offer accessible transport to Tulum

Need accessible transport from Cancun to Tulum?

Cancun Airport Transportation has vans with a wheelchair ramp available. In fact, this is the only private car service Cancun to Tulum I’m aware of that offers accessible transport in Cancun.

They can transport one person in a wheelchair plus five companions, or upon request, they can also accommodate two people in wheelchairs and up to three companions.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer: FAQ

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

Tulum Private Shuttle vs Tulum Shared Shuttle: Which is better?

⏰ The Private Shuttle is Faster

With the shared shuttle, you’ll have to pick up passengers in all four airport terminals before you drive from Cancun Airport to Tulum — which can add up to 45 minutes to the trip.

⚠️ Note: If you’re arriving on the weekend or during the busy season in Tulum (December to March), expect a full shuttle and even longer drive times.

You’ll also make several off-highway stops along the way to other popular destinations like Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, and more.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

If you do want to take an Uber from Cancun Airport to Tulum, you can — though it’s not a straightforward experience.

Here’s how to use the Uber from Cancun Airport to Tulum transportation service, and some things to keep in mind when you do:

✈️ Step #1: Leave the Cancun Airport Grounds

You have to completely exit airport property to call an Uber Cancun driver. Depending on which terminal you’re at, this can be a 5-20 minute walk — while schlepping all your luggage in the Cancun humidity 🥵

📲 Step #2: Call Uber from the road

Once you exit the airport and get onto the main street, you can call the Uber from there. Of course, you’ll need to have WiFi, so don’t forget to buy a Mexico SIM card before you go.

🚗 Step #3: Wait for your Uber to Tulum

Now, not all drivers will take this trip because it’s usually about four hours round-trip for them, so not everyone’s schedule can accommodate a spur-of-the-moment drive from Cancun to Tulum.

However, some can, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get one of them. If not, you might have to wait a long time (about 10-30 minutes in very hot weather) for Uber rides from Cancun to Tulum.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

While there is Uber in much of Mexico, there’s (basically) no Uber in the state of Quintana Roo — where Tulum is located.

Once in Tulum, you’ll have to get around by taxi, renting a bike, moped or quad (4X4), or driving your rental car.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

🗺️ Cancun to Tulum Map

As there’s no airport for Tulum, you’re going to have to first get to Cancun, then head to Tulum.

Here are the exact Cancun Tulum distances and drive times you can expect — and of course, this will answer the How far is Tulum from Cancun? question for you as well:

• Cancun Airport to Tulum: The distance is 73 miles (118 km), and about 1.5 hours of drive time. 
• Downtown Cancun to Tulum: The distance is 81 miles (131 km), which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Cancun Hotel Zone to Tulum: The distance from the Zona Hotelera on Cancun Beach to Tulum is 85 miles (137 km), and about 2 hours of drive time.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

Cancun is ideal for travelers who just want to relax, swim, eat and drink. In fact, Cancun has some of the best all inclusive resorts in Mexico where you can do just that.

While there are also all inclusive Tulum Resorts, Tulum wins in the culture department and the cool department. In general, there are more things to do in Tulum, as most Cancun travelers just stay at their resorts.

Though possibly on its way to becoming over-crowded, Tulum still has a lot to offer. With so much to see, it’s a good option for all kinds of travelers, from families and couples to solo travelers and backpackers.

There’s the Tulum Ruins right on the beach, Tulum cenotes (natural jungle pools) to swim in, great day trips from Tulum if you’re doing a Yucatan road trip, and the overall bohemian vibe.

On the other hand, Cancun is more established, with a more solid tourism infrastructure.

Still, they’re both two of the best Mexico resort towns, and you can’t go wrong with either choice. Located in one of the best areas of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, this whole area is worth checking out.

Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer

Final Thoughts: Cancun to Tulum Private Transfer Shuttle

As mentioned throughout this article, I always say that the best, safest and easiest way to get to Tulum Mexico is to book this private transportation from Cancun to Tulum.

I always recommend Cancun Airport Transportation (linked above), the best transfer company and highest-rated Cancun shuttle service I know of. This is the company I always use when getting to Tulum from Cancun.

While there are cheaper ways to get to Tulum, they often take triple the amount of time — and who wants to deal with that after getting off a flight, going through the Customs line, waiting for luggage, etc. 🤬

For those who have the budget, private Cancun Airport transfers are the way to go. If you need other options, head to this article — Cancun to Tulum: The Best (and Worst) Transport Options.