This is how I have done the trip from Cancún airport to Belize…
From Cancún airport, ADO Riviera airport shuttle buses depart approximately hourly to Playa del Carmen. Tickets are sold at an ADO counter in the airport just after exiting Customs, or from the ticket seller where the bus is parked. To get to the bus, go out of the airport terminal, turn right and keep going to the other end of the terminal. The bus trip is about 1 hour and costs MX$120 (as at January 2013).
The airport shuttle buses terminate in Playa del Carmen at the bus terminal at the corner of Quinta Avenida and Avenida Juarez (5th Avenue and Juarez Avenue). If continuing to Chetumal, get a taxi or walk to the other bus terminal (Terminal Alterna) at Avenida 20 and Calle 12. Sometimes the airport shuttle bus stops at Terminal Alterna on the way to the 5th Av. terminal.
Here’s a link to a map of Playa del Carmen showing the location of the two bus terminals:
http://www.travelyucatan.com/playa_del_carmen_mexico_hotel_map-a.php
From Terminal Alterna in Playa del Carmen, ADO express buses depart every couple of hours to Chetumal. The trip takes about 4.5 hours and costs MX$252 (as at January 2013). The bus might make stops at Tulum and Felipe Carrillo Puerto before terminating at the ADO bus terminal in Chetumal.
The options for continuing to Belize from Chetumal are Belizean bus, taxi and water taxi — see the next section, TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN BELIZE AND MEXICO, for details.
Other options from Cancún airport to Belize or Chetumal
Instead of getting a bus to Playa del Carmen, some travellers prefer to get a bus from the airport to the bus terminal in Cancún City where they can get an express bus to Tulum, Chetumal or Belize City. Cancún airport is located about 18 km south of Cancún City and about 50 km north of Playa del Carmen, so this means first travelling north to Cancún, then getting a bus back south, but it avoids the bus terminal change in Playa. A popular choice is the daily overnight express bus from Cancún bus terminal to Belize City.
A transfer service or private shuttle is another option. Here are links to some services:
a) Belize VIP Transfer Service, http://www.belizetransfers.com
b) Moralez Travel Service, http://www.gettransfers.com
c) Cancún Shuttle: http://www.cancunshuttle.com/
d) Cancún Express: http://www.cancun-express.com/
e) Cancún Airport Transfers: http://www.tucankin.com/
Tropic Air will begin flights between Cancún airport and Belize City, but has not announced a date yet.
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This is how I do the trip from Belize to Cancún airport…
I get a bus to Chetumal, but there are other ways (taxi, transfer service, water taxi). From the Chetumal ADO terminal, express buses depart every couple of hours to Playa del Carmen. The trip takes about 4.5 hours and costs MX$252 (as at January 2013).
The bus arrives in Playa del Carmen at the bus terminal at Avenida 20 and Calle 12 (Terminal Alterna). If continuing to Cancún airport, get a taxi or walk to the other bus terminal at Quinta Avenida and Avenida Juarez and get the ADO Riviera airport shuttle bus to Cancún airport. The bus trip takes 1 hour and costs MX$120 (as at January 2013).
Other options for getting from Belize or Chetumal to Cancún airport
A popular choice is the daily overnight express bus from Belize City to Cancún City because this bus stops at the airport (see next section for details).
Another option is the ADO airport express bus from Chetumal. Buses depart daily from the ADO Chetumal bus terminal at 00:30. The trip takes 5.5 hours and costs MX$342 (as at January 2013).
Other options are transfer service and Tropic Air flight (whenever they commence flights).
Always check the ADO or ticketbus website for up to date schedules and fares. The ADO site is in Spanish, but the ticketbus site has an English language option.
http://www.ado.com.mx/ado/index.jsp
http://www.ticketbus.com.mx/wtbkd/I18n.tb?language=en®ion=US
Note 1: MX$ is Mexican pesos. On the Mexican bus websites, just the dollar sign is used to represent pesos.
Note 2: The ADO express buses have very good air-conditioning; dress warmly.
2010/01/30 at 21:46 |
Any recommendations on hotels in Playa del Carmen and Chetumal for those traveling on the bus? Particularly hotels that accept early check-ins and check-outs?
Our red-eye flights bring us to Playa in the early morning. After discussing your advice, the wife and I think it best to enjoy the beach and town for the day and catch the next day’s ADO GL to Chetumal.
I see that Cancun has several hotels near the ADO bus station, but the TripAdvisor reviews are pretty negative. So we’re not going that route!
2010/01/31 at 10:13 |
I usually don’t recommend hotels when I don’t know the person or the budget.
However, I frequently stay in Chetumal, and have prepared a list of places of a range of budgets near the centre of the city. Have a look at this thread on the Lonely Planet forum (my post is #2):
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1868984&messageID=16691286#16691286
A couple of higher budget places in the same area that I didn’t really highlight on that post are the Holiday Inn and Hotel Los Cocos.
In Playa, I have looked at (but never stayed at) a place called the Maya Bric. It’s on the main street next to the beach, and about MX$400 or 500.
http://www.mayabric.com/
2011/05/26 at 08:21
How safe is the travel on the ADO bus from Cancun Airport to Belize by night (going) and by day (returning)? Thank you. – Steve
2011/05/26 at 09:27
The ADO buses that operate from the airport to Cancun City and Playa del Carmen are generally safe at all times. I haven’t heard of any incidents.
ADO does not operate into Belize — all the buses terminate at Chetumal. These are almost always safe, but I heard about one bus hold-up last year — happened at night.
From Chetumal to Belize, you have to get one of the Belizean buses. They operate from dawn until about 6pm, and are safe. Watch your luggage on the Belizean buses.
2010/05/29 at 23:12 |
Thanks! I found this section on Cancun-Belize travel extremely helpful.
2010/05/30 at 11:09 |
Glad to help. Thanks for your comment.
2010/12/30 at 19:49 |
we are landing in cancun 6;30 Jan 9.Need to meet friends in corosal.What would you recomend?
2010/12/30 at 20:17 |
Hi Ray,
Depends on how much you want to spend, how fast you want to get there and how much comfort you want.
Your options are bus, taxi, transfer service, car rental. The information on my site should give you some assistance.
2011/02/07 at 13:54 |
Just to say that I love you and your website. Ta!
Just a quick question.. do the OCC buses use the same bus stations (Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Chetumal) as the ADO buses?
(And just for reference, as I know people have issues with the ticketbus website.. I managed to book with my UK-based Virgin mastercard without problems.)
2011/02/07 at 15:17 |
Thanks Melanie,
I think the OCC buses use the same terminals as ADO buses, but there are 2 terminals in Playa and Chetumal.
2011/04/17 at 18:51 |
Your site has been really helpful – thanks so much!
I just had a question about night travel – I’m thinking of taking the Cancun airport – Cancun – Chetumal ADO route, but it will all be in the late night/early morning hours. Is the region safe enough that traveling alone/waiting at a bus stop alone isn’t a problem?
Thank you for your help!
2011/04/17 at 19:41 |
I haven’t done that trip late at night.
The airport should be safe, and so should the bus or taxi trip to the Cancun bus terminal. Cancun bus terminal should be OK.
If you get an express bus from Cancun, it will probably stop in Playa del Carmen and maybe Tulum. I find Chetumal very safe, and the bus terminal should be OK. I haven’t heard of anyone having safety problems with Chetumal taxis.
2011/05/03 at 12:09 |
A group of us are wanting to travel from Cancun to Belize City in the next couple weeks. It’s about 20 of us, 11 being children. What can we take, that’s private and express for a reasonable amount. Not looking to spend over $75US per person. Also looking for discount on children tickets.
Was also considering driving down from Cancun to Belize City our selves in our vehicle. Is it safe, considering all the violence happening in Mexico? Have you heard of anything that would be on hindrance traveling along that route? We don’t speak very much Spanish, do you think we could navigate ourselves?
I appreciate your help.
2011/05/03 at 14:55 |
Hi,
There is a list of transfer services on my site. You will have to contact them for prices and discounts.
The highway from Cancun to Chetumal is in very good condition and I have not heard of any violence aimed at tourists in this region. The trip should be safe and navigation should be easy, but I probably would not drive at night.
The highway from the border to Belize City is paved but not as a good as the highway in Mexico. Drive with caution — there are many pedestrians & bicycles on the highway. Take extreme care at night.
2011/05/11 at 19:03 |
Hello,
Just stumbled upon this website and had a few questions! We are travelling to Cancun from Belize City and back making stops starting at Cancun, then going to Playa del Carmen, then to Tulum, then to Chetumal, then back to Belize City. What can you tell me about the best possible way of doing this, and if it is possible to make all these stops on the same bus line. And if you have any idea what would be the cost? Hotel recs would be equally as appreciated!!!
Thanks!!
-Delaney and Kate
2011/05/11 at 20:00 |
All the bus information you need is on this site. Read it thoroughly — to answer this message, I’d only be repeating it.
In Mexico, ADO express buses operate frequently between Cancun & Chetumal. You can get off at all the places you mentioned.
Use the “ticketbus” site for schedule & fares for the ADO buses — the link is on this site.
2011/06/26 at 06:49 |
Great website. Thanks a lot for the info and the time you put into this.
We are about to fly into cancun next week, arriving around 1820 and take the bus down to belize city.
Something I didn’t quite understand is the Playa del Carmen Bus Stop and “Alternate” Bus stop.
You write above that the ADO buses depart from the other bus terminal (Terminal Alterna) at Avenida 20 and Calle 12.
If I check the ticketbus website, it has an ADO departure at 7:20 am from Playa del Carmen, but no departure from the Terminal Alterna. Did they change their departure points?
Thanks for any hints and for this awesome website!
2011/06/26 at 08:54 |
Hi Holger,
Yes, that is confusing, and I think the ticketbus site is not accurate regarding the terminals.
You can’t get a bus to Chetumal from the airport — you have to go to the bus terminal in either Cancun city or Playa. Going north to Cancun is heading in the opposite direction to Chetumal, but it’s sometimes better because I think the buses are more frequent(?) and you don’t have to change bus terminals.
If you go to Playa, the airport express buses arrive at the terminal on 5th Ave, near the beach. There are south bound buses departing from this terminal, for example to Tulum, but the ADO EXPRESS buses depart fro the other terminal on 12th & 20th. Whenever I’ve bought a Playa to Chetumal ticket, the ticket has always stated that the departure terminal is the “Alterna” terminal at 12th & 20th. But if you use “Alterna” on the ticketbus site, you don’t get the schedules — you have to enter “Playa del Carmen” as the terminal. Don’t ask me why they do this.
In the past couple of years, I’ve been on the airport express bus, and it has stopped at the Alterna terminal on the way to and from the airport. If you get the airport shuttle bus, ask if it will stop at the Alterna terminal. It will save you a taxi fare.
Let me know if you need more information.
2011/09/29 at 14:34 |
Hi,
thank you very much for all the information you give….I am trying to purchase tickets from Cancun to Chetumal or directly to Belize..is there a website with stricktly schedules? ( because it is all in spanish..)
2011/09/29 at 17:32 |
I use the ticketbus website because the information can be viewed in English, but I’ve never tried to buy tickets from that site (don’t know if it’s possible).
When you open the site, Spanish will appear, but there should be a link to click (at the top of the page in very small text) to get English.
On the ADO site, I don’t know if the Cancun – Belize City schedules have been updated yet. I’ve never tried to buy a ticket from that site either.
2012/01/04 at 19:13 |
hi going from cancun to corozal belize 01/14/12 in 1day need quickest way 1st class
2012/01/06 at 14:21 |
Any ADO bus from Cancun to Chetumal. From Chetumal, there is no first class bus service to Corozal, but you could get a Mexican taxi to the border (70 pesos) then a Belizean taxi to Corozal (BZ$25). Or arrange to be picked up by one of the transfer services.
The ADO express bus from Cancun to Belize City stops at Corozal. It’s first class but there is only one per day and it departs Cancun late at night.
2012/01/09 at 14:06 |
Hi…we are making this trip at the end of January and are wondering how expensive it would be to just take a taxi from Playa del Carmen to Chetumal? We already have tickets for the water taxi from Chetumal to Ambergris Caye. I read on one website that the taxi’s take about an hour less in travel time. The bus takes 4.5 hours and a taxi takes 3.5. Is this true?
Thanks!
2012/01/09 at 17:02 |
The ADO express bus takes about 4.5 hours, and these buses are excellent — a/c, comfortable seats, toilet, video. It stops only once or twice on the trip to Chetumal, so I would guess that a taxi would be about an hour quicker (I’ve never done the trip in a car).
I don’t know what a taxi would cost; you might have to negotiate a bit. There are transfer services (some links are on the BelizeBus site) — contact them for prices.
2012/03/10 at 14:51 |
Plese give us any info on watertaxis fromChetumal to Ambergris Cay. Rates, times and contact numbers or addresses would be much appreciated.
2012/03/10 at 15:02 |
This is copied from Section 7…
There are two water taxi companies providing service between San Pedro and Chetumal (see websites for schedules, fares & contact details):
a) San Pedro Water Jets International:
http://www.sanpedrowatertaxi.com/index.html
b) San Pedro – Belize Express:
http://www.belizewatertaxi.com/
Trip time: 90 minutes.
Both services have same day connecting water taxis between San Pedro and Caye Caulker.
2012/04/14 at 02:13 |
Thanks for the great website, really useful tips.
I’m doing this exact trip (Cancun to Belize) next week. When you say ‘watch your luggage’ on Belize buses, would you recommend taking a normal suitcase or buying a large rucksack. I’m guessing if you take the suitcase there is nowhere to put it, except out of sight under the coach where it could be stolen, or do most buses have overhead compartments etc?
Cheers
2012/04/14 at 10:08 |
Hi Andy,
The Mexican ADO express buses have a proper luggage compartment under the seating area, and I try to pick a seat where I can look out the window and see the luggage being loaded and unloaded. I’ve never had a problem in Mexico. They also use luggage tags on most buses.
The Belizean buses are old school buses, and large luggage items get stacked at the back of the bus or behind the driver (space permitting) or wherever. I always like to sit as close as possible to my luggage. Most buses (not all) have an open rack (not compartments) above the seats — it runs the length of the bus. There’s enough room for a small pack, not a large suitcase.
If the bus is full, a large suitcase or a large backpack would be put at the back of the bus, but the buses from Chetumal to Belize are seldom full so it would be OK to put your luggage beside you on your seat.
2012/04/24 at 20:02 |
thanks so much for all the helpful info! i was wondering if you have any tips on traveling from the cancun airport to sarteneja? can the trip be done in one day or should i overnight somewhere?
2012/04/24 at 20:42 |
Hi Keriann,
I can’t be very specific because I don’t know what time you arrive at Cancun, or if you plan to spend any time in Mexico.
In Mexico, use ADO express buses to get as a far as Chetumal, then use Belizean buses to get to Corozal or Orange Walk.
I like to stay at Hotel Ucum in Chetumal.
You might want to stay in Corozal and check out the ways to get to Sarteneja — there are 2 daily buses from Corozal to Sartenja (see Section 3), and the Thunderbolt water taxi from Corozal will stop at Sarteneja on request (Section 4).
The other buses depart from Belize City and make a stop in Orange Walk on the way to Sarteneja (Section 5.5).
2012/07/01 at 23:41 |
Hi, I am Kenyan visiting Belize and I need to travel to Cancun for a 6 day vacation. I know I need a visa. Any thoughts on the Mexican Embassy visa requirements, how hard it is to get and any other complications that might arise ? Thanks.
2012/07/02 at 07:08 |
I don’t know the Mexican entry requirements for Kenyans.
2012/08/31 at 06:39 |
Hi
thank you so much for sharing this all!We are flying into Cancun at 6pm and plan on getting the ADO overnight to BC to arr at 7.30 am. I have read conflicting comments on where to catch the ADO bus from.. is this the Airport in Cancun or the town bus terminal… sorry if a dense question but i have been mightily confused!
I do hope it will be running on september 22!!
Ta!
2012/08/31 at 07:04 |
Hi,
Cancun airport is about 15 km south of Cancun City, and the bus does not stop at the airport on the Cancun to Belize City run, so you’ll have to get a bus or taxi from the airport to the bus terminal in Cancun City (should take about 20 minutes). There are LOTS of red-shirted ADO staff at the airport.
2013/01/15 at 12:26 |
Does the ADO have bus service between Belize City and Cancun Airport (or Cancun)? I no longer see this service listed on the ADO website.
2013/01/15 at 12:45 |
That bus is still running in accordance with the schedule I have posted (it stops at Cancun airport on the BC to Cancun run, but NOT on the Cancun to BC run). I don’t know why ADO has not updated their site.
2013/03/10 at 21:52 |
The station names are wrong on here for Playa del Carmen (and on many websites.) The “alterna” station is at 5th Avenue and Juarez, and has no buses to Chetumal. The regular station is at 20th Avenue and 12th. Just refer to the ADO website to see that no buses run from Alterna to Chetumal, nor to most long-distance destinations (and I just took one from the 20th Avenue station to Chetumal last week.) Any idea why this is wrong on so many websites?
2013/03/11 at 10:15 |
Hi Jordan,
Thanks for your message and raising this issue because I agree there is a lot of confusion even within ADO.
Up until a few years ago, I wasn’t sure which terminal was called Alterna. In various websites, I had seen both terminals referred to as Alterna, and I had noticed the discrepancy on the ADO website.
So, a few years ago, I went to the ADO terminal on 5th Ave. and bought a ticket to Chetumal. I already knew that the Chetumal bus departs from the other terminal (20th & 12th) terminal, but I asked anyway. I was told the bus departs from Terminal Alterna, and the ticket seller raised an arm to point in the general direction. On the ticket, she wrote, “Av. 20 C. 12 ADO Alterna”. Then I got in a taxi and simply said, “ADO Alterna”. I ended up at the terminal on 20th & 12th.
I still have some old printed tickets and noticed that the same terminal code, PYQ, is used for both terminals.
For these reasons, I’ll continue to refer to the terminal at 20th & 12th as Alterna, but I’ll always add the addresses to make it clear.