Cozumel is one of the most popular day trips from the Riviera Maya, but also a dream location to relax for a few days amidst nature and take part in the water activities that the island offers.
Located off the coast of Playa del Carmen, Cozumel is primarily known for its picture-perfect beaches and fabulous diving opportunities, besides being a sought-after destination for honeymooners and families.
The astounding resorts, facilities, and adventures to be enjoyed are but one of the attractions on the island: the other is its sheer natural beauty. But first things first: how do you get from Tulum to Cozumel?
| METHOD | COST | |
|---|---|---|
| PRIVATE TRANSFER | $255 (up to 8 passengers) | BOOK IT HERE |
| ADO BUS | $9 one way | BOOK IT HERE |
| COLECTIVO | $3.5 one way | ON SITE |
| FERRY | $34 roundtrip | BOOK IT HERE |
| FLIGHT | $390 (up to 5 people) | BOOK IT HERE |
There are quite a few alternatives to make the journey, although you will need to make your way to Playa del Carmen first. Being an island, there are only two ways to reach Cozumel, and whether it’s by air or by sea, the point of departure is the bigger city of Playa del Carmen.
In this post you’ll find all the possible ways to make the journey. Start reading to find out!
HOW TO GET FROM TULUM TO COZUMEL
The trip to Cozumel will be split into 2 journeys, regardless of the transportation method you choose.
The ferry to reach Cozumel departs from Playa del Carmen port, located on Av. Benito Juárez 239, which is 40 miles (64.5 km) north of Tulum. If you choose the flight, you’ll also have to make your way to the airport in Playa del Carmen, so let’s cover how to reach the city from Tulum first.
Tulum to Cozumel by Private Transfer
The most convenient option to travel from Tulum to Playa del Carmen is by private transfer. You won’t have to go through the hassle of figuring out which is the right colectivo or haggling with taxi drivers, and will be driven comfortably straight from your hotel to the ferry terminal.
The company I’m mentioning in this article is the one I use every time I’m in Quintana Roo, and I’ve had nothing but great experiences traveling with them. The drivers are extremely professional and friendly – besides being bilingual – and they’re always on time to pick me up.
| Length: | 1 hour |
| Price: | 255 USD |
| Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
The vehicles are perfectly clean and have air conditioning, and I have no problem recommending them to anyone who asks me for options. Besides, it’s the most hassle-free transportation to get to Playa del Carmen, especially if you have bags!
▶️ The private transfer from Tulum will pick you up at your hotel at the time of your choice in a fully insured vehicle. The journey to Playa del Carmen takes around one hour.
The trip costs $255 one-way, or you can directly book a roundtrip transfer for $495. The vehicle can accommodate up to 8 people. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ An alternative is booking a luxury transfer to make the journey in style. You’ll travel in a Suburban-type vehicle which accommodates up to 6 passengers.
A one-way transfer in the luxury vehicle costs $450, whereas it’s $875 for a roundtrip service. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
If you’re traveling with even more people, you might benefit from checking out this other service offered by the company.
| Group transportation (up to 16 passengers) | BOOK IT HERE |
Book your private shuttle in the search box down below:
I don’t recommend a rental car for making the trip, because you’ll need to find parking near the port and pay for it for as long as you’re away in Cozumel. Unless you want to take your vehicle with you on the car ferry, it doesn’t really make sense to rent one in this case.
Pros and Cons of Private Transfer
✅ It’s comfortable, convenient, and very fast. Overall, I think it’s the very best transfer option for a hassle-free ride that will start at your accommodation’s front door and take you straight to the port in Playa del Carmen.
✅ You’ll have a bilingual driver, so even if you don’t speak Spanish you’re guaranteed to have a smooth conversation with them.
❌ The only downside might very well be the price. It’s the most expensive way to travel between the two cities, so it’s not the best option for those who are traveling on their own or on a tight budget.
Read what the reviews say:
“Gabriel Hernandez did fabulous job. Clean beautiful car, great driving. Thank you!!”
Amie Hussey – Check out other reviews
Bus from Tulum to Cozumel
A more affordable transportation option is taking the bus from Tulum to Playa del Carmen. ADO is the main bus company in Mexico, and it not only runs numerous routes but also offers comfortable buses equipped with AC and toilets. I’ve traveled with ADO plenty of times with no issues.
| Length: | 1 hour and 10 minutes |
| Price: | 9 USD |
| Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
▶️ The ADO bus departs from the bus station in Ave. Tulum between Calle Jupiter and Calle Alfa Nte. and it drops you off at Playa del Carmen’s bus station located on 5th Avenue. From here, the ferry terminal is only 3 blocks away.
The first bus leaves at 8.10 AM, and the next departures are at 12 PM, 1 PM, 4.30 PM, 5.35 PM, and 7.35 PM.
The current price for a one-way ticket is $9. The journey takes just over one hour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Pros and Cons of the ADO Bus
✅ It’s a very affordable option, while still being comfortable and making the journey in almost the same time as the private transfer.
❌ The ADO bus departs from the station in Downtown Tulum, so if you’re staying in the Hotel Zone you’ll need to take a taxi to get there.
❌ Currently, there are only six departures a day, so you can’t be very flexible with your schedule.
Take the Colectivo from Tulum to Cozumel
Colectivos are the most popular transportation option in the Riviera Maya, and certainly the cheapest way to travel. They’re essentially shared vans that connect most cities and towns along the Yucatan Peninsula, and they’re quite frequent. However, unlike the bus, Colectivos don’t have a fixed schedule.
| Length: | 1.5 hours |
| Price: | approx. 3.5 USD |
| Where to book it: | ON SITE |
They depart from near the ADO bus station in Tulum Downtown, and they do so whenever they’re full…which is usually every 10 – 20 minutes. You can also flag one in Avenida Tulum, they’ll stop if they have space.
The colectivo ride to Playa del Carmen costs $3.5 at the time of writing, and you have to pay in cash in Mexican Pesos, which will be around 60 MXN (have some more change with you just in case and take small bills).
The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours, and it makes stops along the way to pick up or drop off other passengers. Colectivos run from early in the morning to as late as 11 PM, so you can show up at the station whenever you’re ready and wait for the next departure.
If you need to be in Playa for the ferry, plan to leave a few hours in advance not to miss it!
Pros and Cons of the Colectivo
✅ It’s by far the cheapest alternative, costing less than $4 for a 1.5-hour ride.
❌ It takes longer than the other options, and it’s not as comfortable to travel in as the ADO Bus, which has spacious and reclining seats, or the private transfer. If a lot of people are making the journey, it can feel a little packed.
❌ Big suitcases might not be allowed aboard the colectivo, especially if it’s already quite full. While I’ve seen people travel with big luggage, you’d be taking the risk of being told no.
Ferry to Cozumel
Once you arrive at the ferry terminal from Tulum, you’ll take the ferry to Cozumel. There are two different companies you can choose from, Ultramar and Winjet. The first one has the yellow ferries, the latter the orange ones, and both have pretty similar schedules.
| Length: | 40 minutes |
| Price: | 34 USD roundtrip |
| Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
Depending on your arrival time from Tulum, the Cozumel ferry will depart a few minutes or an hour later; it’s a good thing to check the schedule beforehand so you know how long your waiting time will be.
The first ferry from both companies departs at 9 AM; Winjet then offers a service at 10.30 AM, and both sail again at 11 AM and every two hours until 5 PM, followed by a departure by Winjet at 6.30 PM. Both companies then offer a ride at 7 PM and another one at 9 PM.
The first ferry from Winjet departs at 9 AM. The next one is at 10.30 AM, and after 11 AM it runs a service every 2 hours until 5 PM. From then on, there’s one ferry at 6.30 PM, another one at 7 PM, and the last one at 9 PM.
Ultramar’s first ferry departs at 9 AM. The other ferries run with a frequency of 2 hours throughout the day until 9 PM.
The ferry ticket costs 580 MXN (USD 31) roundtrip with Ultramar, and 540 MXN (USD 29) with Winjet at the time of writing. The ride takes 40 minutes with either company.
PRO TIP: If you get easily seasick, consider taking Dramamine before embarking to prevent feeling ill, as the journey can be a little rough, especially mid-way between Playa and Cozumel or on windy days.
▶️ You can buy your tickets in advance to avoid the lines at the ticket counters. You can even save up to 20% if you buy roundtrip tickets online. ➥ BUY YOUR TICKET HERE
How to Get to Your Hotel in Cozumel
When you arrive at the Cozumel ferry station, you have two transportation options to get to your hotel. The first one is taking a taxi; prices vary depending on which zone your hotel is in, and you’ll find the taxi stand three blocks from the terminal, in Calle 2 Nte and 10 Ave. Nte.
The second option is booking a Private Transfer that will be waiting for you when you arrive, and take you to your hotel in air-conditioned, insured vehicles. The service offers roundtrip transportation, so they’ll also pick you up from the hotel when you’re ready to leave the island. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Fly from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
Wondering how to get to Cozumel faster? You can fly there!
| Length: | 10 minutes |
| Price: | approx. 390 USD |
| Where to book it: | BOOK IT HERE |
While there are no direct flights to Cozumel Airport from Tulum, you can head to Playa del Carmen Airport and be on the island in only 10 minutes.
To get to the airport you can book a private transfer, which is the most convenient option, as you’ll be taken directly to the airport and forget about the hassle of multiple transportation options.
If you’re traveling on a budget, however, you can check out the other options detailed above to make the trip from Tulum to Playa del Carmen, and then take a taxi from Playa del Carmen to the airport.
Pros and Cons of Flights
✅ It’s the fastest way to reach Cozumel – it takes only 10 minutes! Plus the experience is reserved for you and your party.
❌ While the flight takes only 10 minutes, you’ll need to first make your way to Playa del Carmen, be there before the flight, and then travel from Cozumel airport to your hotel, so overall you won’t be saving any time.
❌ It’s not eco-friendly, so I highly advise you against booking this transportation option.
❌ It’s the most expensive way to make the trip, and even if you’re a group of five it’s not very cost-efficient.
HOW TO GET FROM COZUMEL TO TULUM
Getting to Tulum from Cozumel instead? Your options are the same, only in the opposite direction. You’ll first need to catch the ferry to Playa del Carmen, and from there you can pre-book a private transfer, take the ADO bus, or a colectivo to return to Tulum.
Fly from Cozumel to Tulum
If the ferry is not your ideal option, there’s yet another one for getting to Tulum from Cozumel. There are charter flights departing from the airport in Cozumel to Playa del Carmen Airport that will make the journey in only 10 minutes. After your flight, you’ll travel to Tulum by either transfer, bus, or colectivo.
Tulum Tour from Cozumel
If you only want to go on a Tulum day trip from Cozumel, you can join the Cozumel Shore Excursion: Small Group Mayan Ruins of Tulum Tour.
You’ll get to visit the beautiful Tulum Ruins and its scenic views while learning the history and mythology of the Mayan civilization from your guide. Snacks and bottled water, as well as roundtrip transportation from Cozumel, are included ➥ BOOK IT HERE
