Colectivos are shared minivans that operate on a fixed route and make stops to pick up and drop off passengers along the way. They are a cheap and convenient way to travel between Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum. To use a colectivo in Playa Del Carmen, simply look for one and flag it down when you see it.

Colectivos are cheaper and faster than ADO buses, but they are smaller and sometimes less comfortable.

Note: You cannot get to the airport by colectivo, if you are looking for a means of transport to Cancun airport, do not hesitate to read our article.

Take a Colectivo to Playa Del Carmen to get to Cancun

We recommend you to take the Playa Express which departs at the ADO base located at the intersection of the Federal Road and Benito Juarez Avenue.

They leave very regularly throughout the day and will leave even if they are not complete.

There is also a new pickup point at the ADO bus station on 20th Avenue and 12th Street. They are of Mercedes Sprinter type trucks equipped and very comfortable.

Also know that if it’s a long way for you to get to the points of departure mentioned above, you can take the Playa Express along the way on the federal road. For example, at the intersection of Avenue CTM and the Federal Road at the level of «la gas» (see map below), a small wave of the hand and it will stop for you ?

Advantages of Playa Express

Playa Express has beautiful Mercedes vans that are larger than the other Nissan/Toyota vans of the classic line from Colectivo to Playa Del Carmen. The air conditioning works perfectly. Also Playa Express does not make as many stops or pickups at the exit of the city, as they are mainly aimed at people who go all the way to Cancun.

The classic line of Colectivo Playa Del Carmen – Cancun

There are the smaller and more local colectivos that go from Playa Del Carmen to Cancun. These are the Nissan/Toyota vans.

The seats are closer together and the visibility is not as good as Playa Express. These vans have also changed their starting point, like Playa Express. Meet below the bridge at the intersection of Carretera Féderale and Avenue Juarez, just in front of the “Farmacia YZA”.

Colectivo Playa Del Carmen to Cancun rate

The price of a one-way ticket is 45 pesos from Playa Del Carmen to Cancun and proportional rates if you go up or down along the way. Once in Cancun and if you want to get off before the main terminal, you can get off at Plaza Las Americas, a busy place to shop in Cancun (you will have to ask the driver to drop you off). The arrival point of the line is right in front of the Cancun bus terminal, so know that you arrive at the same place as the ADO buses.

Back to Playa Del Carmen from Cancun

Opposite the entrance to Cancun ADO bus station is the place where you have to take the Playa Express to get back to Playa Del Carmen. It is very difficult to signal a shuttle once it has left the Cancun bus station as they almost always leave full of Cancun.

The arrival in Playa Del Carmen is also done at the main car park of the company Playa Express.

Take the colectivo in Playa Del Carmen to get to Tulum

Again, under the bridge at the intersection of Avenida Juarez and Carretera Fédérale is the place where you can take colectivos.

You’ll see a line of vans and a lot of people, go to the front of the vans and someone will ask you where you’re going or yell “Tulum, Tulum”. Unlike the colectivo line Playa Del Carmen – Cancun, here there is only one company, it operates with vans like Toyota/Nissan.

Hopefully the driver remembers, but in case they don’t remember, be prepared to yell “your stop name” “por favor” (e.g. “Akumal Por Favor”). These colectivos make as many stops as they want, so basically, wherever you want to go, they’ll drop you off. On these colectivos, you pay for the raid.

This line is very popular with tourists because there are many things to do between Playa Del Carmen and Cancun. For example, you can go to the Cenotes, Akumal or Caleta Yal Ku.