One of the most common questions we get about visiting Tulum for your boudoir session is how to get to Tulum.
The first thing to consider is how do you want to travel from the airport to Tulum…
Do you want ease? Affordability? The quickest option? We’ve laid them out for you below…
Tulum is located about an hour and a half south of Cancun International Airport. Once at the airport, there are plenty of options to pick from like bus services, airport taxis, and car rentals.
If you are interested in taking the bus, our most affordable option, I recommend looking into the ADO bus.
ADO runs every 2 hours from the airport and makes a stop in Playa del Carmen before heading to Tulum. It takes approximately 2 hours to get to Tulum, is comfortable and safe. You can make your reservation online HERE.
Serendipity Experiences is one of many companies that offer private van service to Tulum from the airport. It’s a more personalized experience that you can expect to pay more for, but they will take you door to door. If you’re looking for ease, this is it.
Renting a car at the airport is another popular way to get around and can be used throughout your entire trip to make things more convenient.
Because taxis in Tulum can be rather pricy, renting a car of your own will likely end up being a more cost-effective choice, especially if you want to visit cenotes or anything outside of Tulum like Valladolid, Chichen Itza (view our recommendations for day trips from Tulum).
How to get around Tulum…
Luckily, getting around in Tulum is much more simple than most first-time travelers expect, especially if you know what your options are ahead of time.
The freer you feel to move around during your time in Tulum, the more adventurous you will be…which is what your trip is all about 😉
The most common ways to get around once you’ve arrived in Tulum are by scooter, bike, rental car, taxi, and shared vans (colectivos).
Although Tulum is a relatively small town, it’s broken up into two central areas: the town and the beach (learn more about these zones and our accommodation recommendations for both). These two zones are located about 3 kilometers apart from one another which means you’ll need some form of transportation to move between them.
Many hotels have bike rentals that you can use or there are bike and scooter rental shops around town such as IBike Tulum, Ola Bike Tulum, and Electric Bike Rental Barbel.
Using a scooter is a convenient way to get around town, BUT due to an increase in traffic in Tulum, I no longer recommend it as a safe option.
Bikes are also an easy, affordable option, however, the roads in Tulum can be dangerous for bikers, especially in the height of tourist season.
Taxis are perhaps the easiest way to get around Tulum and if you prefer the convenience or are in a pinch it’s a great option to have on hand. The taxi rates can be quite expensive so make sure you ask your driver the rate before driving off. Many taxis are cash only (though more and more are accepting credit cards these days) and charge anywhere from $20-50 USD just to get from town center to the beach (3km!) depending on the season.
Please note: Uber is not available in Tulum nor in the Riviera Maya.
The shared vans (colectivos) are favored by the locals and can be seen moving around town with their route names written on the front or side. They are easy to spot and depart from Tulum’s Main Avenue. These vans can be crowded, but they are inexpensive (anywhere from 15-45 MXN pesos) and are an immersive experience into the local culture. Note though, that colectivos are mostly reserved for local employees in the hotel zone and are not going to be a viable option to get to and from the beach if you are staying in town. You can however, take colectivos to Tulum’s ruins and nearby cenotes.
If you plan to be in Tulum for more than 3 or 4 days and would like to visit places like Chichen Itza, Coba, or even Bacalar, I definitely recommend renting a car.
Or, even if you are going to be staying in an Airbnb in the center of town, a car rental will likely be a more affordable option than relying on taxis to the beach every day. You can drive yourself to the beach and park in a paid or free parking lot depending on which beach club you’re going to.
Still have questions? Drop yours in the comments…we’re always happy to answer any concerns you may have about your trip to Tulum.
And if doing a boudoir session in Tulum is calling your name, the next step is to book a phone consultation with the studio to learn more about what we offer and what your individualized experience will look like.
During our phone call, I’ll walk you through the details, we’ll get to know one another, and we’ll select your date if you’re ready:
Much Love,
Lindsay