Is Public Transportation in Cancun Reliable?

When moving around in a new city by public transportation I feel like a local, you can get closer to the culture, you have another perspective, it’s a different experience. People in Cancun always try to help, and that makes it more interesting when you travel by bus.

So, Is public transportation in Cancun reliable? The public transportation in Cancun is reliable, safe, comfortable, convenient and relatively inexpensive, the best way of getting around Cancun if you decide not to rent a vehicle. Buses and taxis run up and down all day, frequently and 24/7. You will not be disappointed.

Public Bus in Cancun all-day service

The buses are reliable, some does not have air conditioning, and the newer, have internet. The city buses run very often 24 hours every day including Sundays. The coaches go from Cancun Downtown to the hotel zone through one road. It´s easy to get to downtown from the hotel zone and to sites of interests.

When arriving in downtown can be a bit confusing because there are many routes from there to all different areas of the city. Here is a guide with all of the route maps of Cancun city. Route Bus Map

What is the best time of the day to take the bus?

The rush hour in the morning going into the hotel zone from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM. (Hotels staff going to work) The afternoon rush hour heading downtown runs from about 4:30-PM to 7:00-PM. Workers are going back home.

Which bus should I take?

There are buses with routes that can connect you between the Hotel Zone, Boulevard Kukulcán (downtown) and Avenida Tulum, you can get around everywhere by bus. The most popular routes are R1 and R2. Either of these routes will take you back and forth between downtown and the Hotel Zone. All bus-route numbers are displayed on the front windshield.

Most Popular Public buses routes in Cancun

Ruta R1 Parque Rehoyada: Av. López Portillo, Crucero, Av. Tulum, Zona Hotelera, Plaza Kukulcán.
Ruta R2 – 94 Villas Otoch: Villas Otoch, Av. Miguel Hidalgo, Av. Kabah, Wall – Mart, Av. Coba, Zona Hotelera, Plaza Kukulcán, Westin Regina
Ruta R1 Corales: Universidad del Caribe, Corales, Av. 20 de Noviembre, Av. Revolución, Av. Bonampak, Av. Tulum, Zona Hotelera, Westin Regina
Ruta R15 95-96: Reg. 95-96, Av. Andrés Quintana Roo, Av. Kohunlich, Av. La Luna, Wall – Mart, Av. Coba, Zona Hotelera, Westin Regina
Ruta R27 Villas del Caribe: Villas del Caribe, Av. Politécnico, Panaquirre, Residencial Santa Fe,Av. Cancún, Av. La Luna, Av. Nichupté, Av. Tulum, Plaza las Américas, Zona Hotelera, Westin Regina.
Ruta R1 Rancho Viejo: Av. Rancho Viejo, Av. Prolongación Tulum, Av. Tulum, Zona Hotelera, Westin Regina.

More Routes check out the following page: Direct Route Map.

How much is the Bus fare? One way fare typically costs 10.50 Pesos which is roughly 50 cents in USD., When planning to use the public buses in Cancun, make sure you always carry pesos in cash in small denominations and coins (Mexican currency). The coaches do not accept American coins, and it is often hard for drivers to break big bills.

Where is the Bus Stop? There are bus stops along the main avenues in downtown, and at the hotel zone they are well marked, make sure to go to one to get on the bus. When you get on the bus tell the driver where you are going if you are unsure of your destination and sit near the front if possible so you can hear the driver call out your stop.

The buses that run along the lagoon-side of the road goes south towards the Hotel Zone and the buses heading north towards downtown goes on the ocean-side of the road.

If you plan to visit any of these locations, try to hop up on the bus early to avoid traffic and rush hours.

Buses from Cancun to other destinations.

Some buses depart from downtown Cancun every hour to Puerto Morelos and other favorite tourist cities and towns of the Riviera Maya like Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Tulum as well as the site of interest like Chichen Itza and cities like Merida. These buses are a little more expensive but offer Air conditioning on every bus, a movie on board, toilets, these are modern buses they travel direct, there are no stops along the way, which make your trip faster and comfortable.

These buses are operated by the company ADO, you can get your tickets in advance online on their website: ADO Bus They provide services to the whole country, very reliable.

Tips Using Public Transportation

Always go to the nearest Bus stop to get on a bus
Pay in pesos in small bills and coins.
Do not pay with large bills or dollars coins.
When boarding tells the driver the name of your destination, speak clear and straightforward many drivers do not speak another language than Spanish.
Sit near the front if possible so you can hear the driver call out your stop.
As you get in the bus, sit down quickly or hang on tight. The driver will take off fast.
Watch for landmarks in case the driver doesn’t stop at your location, he has a bus full of people, he may not remember, or he may not have understood you when you got on the bus.
Good to have an idea where you are going and what to watch for.
When getting off the bus, make sure you have all your belongings with you

Another method of public transportation in Cancun is the Colectivos

These white vans provide services to Puerto Juarez where the ferry to Isla Mujeres. Also, Colectivos run along HWY 307 from Cancun to Tulum. Drivers will drop off and pick up passengers at any point along the highway providing transportation to day excursions and theme parks like Xel Ha, Xcaret, Xplor, Xenses, Akumal, Rancho Baaxal, Tulum Mayan site, and Playa del Carmen. It will take you a while to get to your destination, but it is the most economical way of transportation and is the one that locals use.

Where Can I find a Colectivo station? There are two companies Colectivos Playa Express and Colectivos del Servicio Foraneo. Both stations are very close to each other. In Cancun, they are near the ADO station in the heart of the city, and in Playa del Carmen they are located about 500m from Fifth Avenue, downtown Playa del Carmen C

Colectivos Playa Express

Location in Cancun: In front of the ADO bus terminal you will see the minibusses parked on the street. They have some vinyl on the outside of the van with the Playa Express logo.
Location in Playa del Carmen: The station is on Street 2 with Av. 20.

Colectivos del Servicio Foraneo

Location in Cancun: On Avenida Tulum, next to the commercial center La Comercial Mexicana. The vans have a blue skyline on the sides, and on the back, it says “Servicios Foraneos.”
Location in Playa del Carmen: The station is on the st. 2 with Av 25.

Where can I get Taxis in Cancun?

Taxis are everywhere in Cancun, you do not need to worry about getting a taxi, they just pop up like popcorn. Taxis are usually a white small vehicle or minivans with green strips on each side and four large digit number in the back door and on the back of the cars as identification. It’s essential to check for the taxi drivers permit, which they are required to display with their name, driver license, and photo.

Find out with your hotel the taxis fares, because taxis in Cancun has no meter rates, so be sure to discuss your price before your trip. The ride cost anything from 150 pesos to 500 pesos. Depending on how far you’re going and if you want them to wait for you, that will be extra. Have cash in pesos before, the drivers never have small bills, and for sure not money to break a dollar bill.

Tips to Ride on a Taxi.

If you order a taxi from the front desk at your hotel. Make sure that is the vehicle that was called for you. Each cab has a 4 digit number on the door.
Inside the vehicle locate the license-card with the name and photo of the driver and verify that it is the same person who is providing the service.
The Taxi identification number of the company must be visible
Make sure your belongings are with you.
Do not engage in conversations or provide details of personal movements for your own peace of mind. Taxi drivers are professionals who will know how to accompany you to your destination, and that is their sole purpose
Check that the taxi has a safety belt and buckle it
Verify that the doors work
If you perceive that the unit is more than 12 years old, do not get in, the law protects that all vehicle older than 12 years must leave the circulation as soon as possible.
That has back-head support a safety measure in case of an accident.
The vehicle must not have tinted windows

Telephone numbers for taxis in Cancun :
(998) 689-1150 or (998) 689-1151

Uber in Cancun:
Uber is not available in Cancun due to the conflicts with the large Taxis Union and laws that chase them away and prevent them from growing. Well, many hope they do not give up because they do provide an excellent service as well.