3 BEST Ways To Get from Cancun to Merida

Looking for info to plan a trip to Merida? That’s fantastic! Merida is the capital city of the state of Yucatan in Mexico, and in my opinion, it’s quite an underrated gem.

This enchanting city has a strong Mayan cultural presence, which appeals to visitors interested in culture and history. Plus, Merida is the safest city in all of Mexico.

From its colonial architecture, Caribbean atmosphere, and tropical climate, Merida has everything you could look for in a Mexican city, and it makes for a fantastic stop on your Yucatan road trip (’cause you’re planning one, are you not?!).

Not only is this the perfect city to be based to explore the surrounding region, but there’s plenty to do in Merida itself. I’ve personally spent 3 weeks in Merida as a digital nomad, and loved the experience.

But let’s cut to the chase. I know you are here to learn about transportation. If you are traveling from Cancun to Merida, Mexico there are a few transportation options to consider.

Merida, Yucatan is approximately 3.5 hours away from Cancun, located 192 miles (309 km) west of the popular Riviera Maya city.

The closest airport to Merida is the Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport, on the southern edge of the city. However, it’s cheaper to fly to Cancun Airport, located just a mile closer to Merida than Cancun City.

Getting to Merida from Cancun (or vice-versa Merida Cancun) is pretty straightforward. I’m laying all the information so you can choose the means of transport that best suits your needs. Read on to find out which one it will be!

TAKE A PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM CANCUN TO MERIDA

Taking a private shuttle from Cancun to Merida is certainly the most convenient option to get to your destination, although it’s one of the most expensive.

The private transfers you’ll see here are run by Cancun Airport Transportation, a company I have been using for a few years now on my trips to Mexico. They’ve always picked us up on time, and the vehicles have been comfortable and spotless every time.

More importantly, the drivers were very friendly and drove safely, something I value enormously. I contact them whenever I need a ride in the Yucatan or Quintana Roo regions, and I have no problem recommending them to you.

▶️ A regular private transfer to Merida accommodates up to 8 passengers, and you’ll be welcomed at the airport or picked up from your hotel by your bilingual driver, so you won’t have trouble finding your car. All vehicles are insured and air-conditioned so you enjoy a pleasant ride.

The cost is $609 one way from Cancun, and $1,185 if you decide to book roundtrip. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ You also have the option to book a luxury transfer in a Suburban type of vehicle, which accommodates up to 6 people.

The cost of the private luxury transfer is $1,079 one way or $2,120 roundtrip. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Traveling with more people? Check out the group transportation service they offer.

Book your private transfer in the search box down below:

Pros and Cons of Private Transfer

✅ A private transfer is the fastest and most comfortable option, offering hotel-to-hotel transportation in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle that’s reserved for your party.

✅ Your driver is guaranteed to be bilingual, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers being an issue.

❌ The only downside I can think of is the price, as it’s the most expensive transfer available. If you’re traveling on a budget, or are on your own, you might prefer to look for other alternatives.

Read what the reviews say:

“Drivers were on time and exactly where they said. Drivers were also friendly and helpful. Vehicle was clean and well-kept. Would definitely trust them again.”

Cassandra Brown – Check out other reviews

TAKE THE ADO BUS FROM CANCUN TO MERIDA

Taking the ADO bus from Cancun to Merida is one of the best options. Buses in Mexico are reasonably priced and often a lot more comfortable than buses in Europe or the United States.

I recommend choosing ADO buses rather than from other companies. ADO is Mexico’s leading bus company, and the standard ADO buses already offer a great service. In addition to those (called Primera Class, or First Class), you can also find ADO Conecta and ADO Platino buses.

The ADO Bus from Cancun to Merida departs almost every hour from as early as 4 AM (the next one is at 6.15 AM) to 10.30 PM, either from Central Bus Station in Cancun or from the airport.

The average bus trip duration can be anywhere from 3 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours and 15 minutes (depending on how many stops a bus takes).

You can consult the ADO website for schedules, but be warned: the website is only in Spanish. Furthermore, you can’t book online on the ADO website unless you have a Mexican debit or credit card.

That’s why I recommend purchasing your ticket online on a third-party website like GuateGo, which I’ve used several times when traveling in Mexico with zero issues.

Let’s see in detail what options you have for a Cancun to Merida bus ride.

▶️ Regular ADO / Class: Primera, also called First Class

Regular ADO buses from Cancun to Merida have many departures scheduled throughout the day, starting at 4 AM and running until 10.30 PM, with two extra services at 1 AM and 2 AM.

The bus ticket price for the regular ADO to Merida from Cancun is $42 one way. ➥ BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE

▶️ ADO Platino / Class: Lujo, also called Executive Bus

The most luxurious ADO bus option is the ADO Platino (Executive Bus), which starts at 970 MXN (56 USD) at the time of writing.

There are around 10 ADO Platino buses scheduled every day starting at 7.37 AM. Obviously, the Cancun to Merida bus price for the ADO Platino is higher, but you’ll get a leather seat, entertainment, beverages… it’s comparable to a first-class flight seat.

You can check out the ClickBus website for the exact schedule as the departure times could change seasonally.

▶️ ADO Conecta

ADO Conecta are buses that usually link airports to airports, or airports to cities. At the time of writing, there are 4 ADO Conecta buses a day, two from the city of Cancun and two from the airport.

I’d recommend booking a regular ADO bus instead, as depending on the number of passengers, the ADO Conecta could be a shuttle van rather than a bus, which is a lot less comfortable.

Bus From Cancun Airport to Merida

Are you going from Cancun Airport to Merida? No worries, you don’t need to go through the city of Cancun. There are several buses going directly from the airport to your final destination.

At the time of writing, there appear to be 4 direct buses a day. However, the first ADO bus Cancun Airport to Merida is at 2.05 PM, so if you’re arriving in the morning, you’ll need to depart from the Central Bus Station in Cancun.

I recommend you to check in any case the Cancun Airport to Merida bus schedule before your trip.

Pros and Cons of the ADO Bus

✅ It’s the most budget-friendly way to get from Cancun to Merida, and perfect for solo travelers.

❌ The bus doesn’t drop you off at your hotel, so upon arrival you’ll have to manage your transfer from the bus terminal to your accommodation in Merida. If you’re leaving from the Cancun Hotel Zone, you’ll have to take a bus/taxi to reach the Cancun station as well.

❌ The trip takes longer than traveling by car or private transfer.

RENT A CAR IN CANCUN

In Cancun, you can find a large number of car rental companies if you prefer to drive to Merida, Mexico. Car rentals are available both in the city and at Cancun Airport.

This is a great option for anyone who wants to travel at their own leisurely pace, or those planning to explore more of the region. Not far from Merida, you can find Chichen Itza, Valladolid, and the pink lakes of Las Coloradas, if you need any inspiration.

You can drive from Cancun to Merida in 4 to 5 hours with a couple of stops (or 3.5 hours on a non-stop drive). The distance between the cities is 303 km (188 miles). You must traverse the Mexico Highway 180D to reach Merida.

I usually use Discover Cars to book a car in advance. This search engine compares all the major rental car companies, so you know you’re getting the best deal possible. ➥ COMPARE PRICES HERE

Discover Cars is a rental booking service offering a wide range of options from various car rental agencies in the area. This makes it way easier to find a rental car that suits your needs and your budget.

They also have an incredible cancelation policy. Typically, with Discover Cars you can cancel your booking for free up to 48 hours before the pickup time – a much more generous policy than other platforms. It’s always important, however, to read the specific terms and conditions of your rental agreement. This is because policies can vary based on the rental company and the rate you choose.

Pros and Cons of Rental Cars

✅ It will give you the freedom to choose your travel times and explore the area as you please. It’s also cost-efficient if you’re a group of people sharing the cost.

❌ Merida city center is very walkable, so if you’re planning on only exploring the city you won’t need your car much.

❌ It’s very hard to find parking on the street in Merida Centro (which is free) so you’ll have to pay for parking at one of the several parking lots in the city.

Tips for Renting a Car in Cancun (and Mexico)

If you choose to rent a car, be on the lookout for potential tourist scams as they’re unfortunately pretty common in Yucatan and the most touristy areas of Mexico.

▶️ A common scam some car rental companies in Mexico will do is tell you that you’re required to purchase insurance at all costs, but it’s not true. If you already have insurance through your credit card or other provider, you don’t need to purchase another. If they insist, go to another rental car company.

▶️ Make sure you take pictures of the rental car before you use it and after you return the car, so they can’t charge you for damages that you didn’t do.

There are many stories of car rentals that want to charge exorbitant fees for tiny scratches, so it’s something to pay attention to. Also, return the car with plenty of time before your flight/bus, so if anything happens you don’t risk missing it.

▶️ Here are some additional tips for renting a car in Mexico:

• Bring your valid driver’s license with you at all times, and either your passport or a copy of it.
• Have a copy of your insurance handy.
• Carry your car rental agreement with you (it’s a good idea to leave it in the vehicle).
• Stay within the speed limit. If you’re going too fast, your chances of being pulled over by cops are extremely high, as tourists are an easy target for speed tickets.

FLIGHTS FROM CANCUN TO MERIDA

There used to be an airline, MayAir, connecting Cancun to Merida with a direct flight. The service doesn’t exist anymore, so it doesn’t make sense to fly from Cancun to Merida, as you’d have a layover in Mexico City.

And it’s a wrap. Hopefully, this info is useful for you to get from Cancun to Merida.