Many times, when we think of vacationing in the Riviera Maya, the idea of visiting Xcaret comes to mind. This idea is not bad at all, because Xcaret is one of the main attractions of the Riviera Maya and a place where Mexican art and culture are mixed, combined with the natural landscapes of the Riviera, as well as the flora, fauna, subway rivers, beaches, gastronomy and of course, a night show full of dances, history and culture of Mexico.

Without a doubt, Xcaret has to be a place you have to go at least once in your life and if you still don’t know how to get there, don’t worry! Our Cancun Shuttle team will tell you right now all the possible ways on how to get to Xcaret.

How to get to Xcaret

First of all: To know how to get to Xcaret, we have to analyze “from where would be our starting point” or in other words: Where are you located? And of course, how many people are you with?

This is the reason why we are going to divide this article and right now we will tell you how to get there from Cancun, from Playa del Carmen and from Tulum.

How to get to Xcaret from Cancun

If you are in the city of Cancun to get to Xcaret from Cancun you and your family have the following options: Private transfer, ADO bus, Playa Express public transportation, cab and the Xcaret tour.

Private transportation

This is the most ideal option if you are traveling with your whole family and are looking for privacy, comfort and convenience. Our private transportation service has capacity for up to 8 people and if you are traveling with groups of more than 10 people we can also take you to Xcaret and of course, return you to the door of your hotel.

Cab

If you are in a hurry to get to Xcaret and you are traveling with 2 or 3 other people you can take a cab service. This service may cost a little more than the private transfer, but it is much faster. You just have to consider that it could not wait for you when you leave, therefore: You would have to find another way to get back to Cancun.

Xcaret Tour

Many tour providers offer the transfer as part of their package to Xcaret, so this could be for you. You just have to consider that it will not be a private transfer: It will be a shared transportation service with other travelers going to Xcaret.

Playa Express

Playa Express is a low-cost shared shuttle service that you can take from downtown Cancun. As such it would not drop you off at Xcaret: It would drop you off very close to the 5th avenue in Playa del Carmen.

But from here, just 2 minutes away you can find the Tulum transportation line, take this line and ask to be dropped off near Xcaret.

The process to return, at this point would be the same: That is, you have to leave Xcaret and take the bus back from Tulum transportation, where you would be dropped off near the fifth avenue and from here take the Playa Express bus to downtown Cancun.

ADO Bus

The ADO bus service also offers departures from Cancun to Xcaret, only it is usually “at specific times”. So if you want to take this means of transportation to Xcaret which is very economical, then do not hesitate to do so.

How to get to Xcaret from Playa del Carmen

Are you in Playa del Carmen? Well, now you are much closer to Xcaret and your transfer options are limited to cab service, foreign transportation from Tulum and tour to Xcaret.

Cab

No matter where you are from you can take a cab, remember that the cab has a maximum capacity of 4 passengers, so if you are only a few people you can use the transfer and get to Xcaret.

As a plus, you can tell the driver if he is kind enough to give you his phone number so you can call him and he can pick you up on the way back.

Due to the proximity between Playa del Carmen and Xcaret, cab drivers are much more open to “pick up” passengers from here.

Tulum’s foreign transportation

If you are looking to save a few pesos, you can take the Tulum shuttle service. This service is like playa express that runs along the route Cancun – Playa and Playa Cancun, but with the difference that its route is Playa del Carmen – Tulum, Tulum – Playa del Carmen.

Due to its route, let’s say that it has to pass by Xcaret, but don’t misunderstand: It passes by the entrance and not exactly at the park’s gate.

So you can ask to get off at Xcaret and from there walk about 20 minutes until you reach the park gate.

On the way back, you would only have to get out again where you got off at the entrance and wait for the bus to pass by again on its way back to Playa del Carmen.

Tours

Finally, you can also buy a tour to Xcaret from Playa del Carmen, which would include transportation. Although from here it would be much cheaper to include transportation than from Cancun.

How to get to Xcaret from Tulum

If you are in Tulum, your options are limited to the same options as in Playa del Carmen, i.e.: Transportation from Tulum, cab and Tour.

Just consider that the time now would be a little longer and in this case the cab would not wait for you or would pick you up.

Therefore: We highly recommend you to include the transfer in your tour and this way you will have nothing to worry about to get to Xcaret from Tulum and of course return to it.

Conclusion

Obviously it is much easier and cheaper to get to Xcaret from Playa del Carmen than from Cancun or Tulum. However, now you know what your options are from any of those points, do you know any other way to get to Xcaret? We’ll read you in the comments.

 

The state of Quintana Roo has 3 airports: Cancun International Airport, Cozumel Airport and Chetumal Airport. As such, the closest to Cancun and the many attractions, sites and places of the Riviera Maya is the Cancun airport. So if you are coming from other cities or countries to visit the Mexican Caribbean, it is very likely that your flight will arrive at Cancun airport.

Now, it is necessary to know that from here there are several transfer options to get to the door of your hotel or as close as possible to it. It all depends on the type of transportation you choose.

Generally, there is a private transfer service, cabs, shared service (ADO bus) and of course, car rentals. It is necessary to emphasize that here we are only talking about the transfer options from Cancun airport.

Now then: Are you staying in Playa del Carmen? Then it won’t be really complicated to get to this city and now we will tell you why.

How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport?

Playa del Carmen is Cancun’s sister city and is the heart of the Riviera Maya: A city close to most of the great attractions that have made the Riviera Maya a very popular place.

Playa del Carmen does not have an airport but it does have the advantage that you can reach this cosmopolitan city via a road trip. As your starting point is the Cancun airport, then your transfer options are the private transportation service, the ADO shared transportation service, cabs and car rentals. Now let’s get to know a little more about each of them.

Private transfer to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport

If you are looking for privacy, tranquility and not paying one peso more than necessary: Then the private transportation service is the one you are looking for. This service can be booked online and even customized.

For example: You can choose if you want a standard unit, a luxury unit or a limousine, if you want the service to be only for 2 people or for 8 people. Alcoholic beverages? Of course you can.

Also, being private this type of service is only and only for you, your companions and your family and does not take anyone “outside your circle”.  Did we mention that Playa del Carmen is 68 km away from Cancun?  With the Private Shuttle service you will be able to comfortably travel those 68 km enjoying air conditioning, WIFI and charging your cell phone.

Check the rates right now and book your private transfer to Playa del Carmen.

Cabs from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen

When we talk about cabs we are not referring to vans like in other countries. Here in Mexico cabs are small units that can be a versa, tsuro or nissan.

These units can be found outside the Cancun airport and in order to take one, you will first have to wait in line. Well, just like you, other people also want to take it.

But it is necessary to mention that it is a much faster means of transportation than the usual private transfer, but with a minimum capacity of 4 passengers and very, very little luggage.

On the other hand, not being able to “book online” the costs are not regularized and therefore: It can cost you much more than a private transfer. So it is best that you first ask the price before boarding.

ADO bus to Playa del Carmen

Our next option is the Shared shuttle service or as many know it: Shared transportation. The only company from Cancun airport that can provide this service is ADO.

To take this means of transportation, you have to find the ADO module which is just before the airport exit. At the module you buy your ticket and then you just have to wait about 30 minutes or 1 hour for the bus to arrive, board it and get to the center of Playa del Carmen.

It is worth mentioning that the cost of this means of transportation is approximately 200.00 MXN (10 USD) per person.

Car Rental

We will be honest, we have heard a lot about car rentals and it is not a safe option: Very expensive costs, they “build mandatory fees into the contract”, they overcharge you for everything and so on ….. But well, we have to list it in this post.

Conclusion

The safest option is the private transportation service, because when you book and pay online you don’t have to worry about anything, waiting in line or waiting. And of course, the worst option is renting a car. As we told you: We have heard a lot of bad reviews from different car rental companies.

The cheapest one? The ADO bus service and the one that is a “Moneda al Aire” is the cab service. So as they say over there: Choose well the door you are going to open little padawan.

 

Playa del Carmen is a coastal area of Mexico that is capable of making anyone who visits it fall in love, it is located on the coast of the Mayan Riviera and belongs to the state of Quintana Roo, it is a sister city to the city of Cancun and Puerto Morelos, but at the same time a totally different city from the others. So if you are thinking of visiting this paradisiacal place, keep reading because now we will tell you what to do in Playa del Carmen.

What to do in Playa del Carmen?

Totally known and famous for its spectacular beaches and beautiful views, besides the warmth of the locals that will make you feel at home with their kindness, Playa del Carmen has not only endless natural beauties but also has some nightclubs, restaurants and stores that will make you enjoy your stay, stay reading because we will tell you what to do in Playa del Carmen to spend some incredible days and nights.

Here are 20 things or places you must do or visit in the wonderful Playa del Carmen:

La Quinta Avenida

Definitely La Quinta Avenida is one of the most recognized and striking places in the whole area and we count it as one of the most important activities in Playa del Carmen because did you really go to Playa del Carmen if you didn’t go to La Quinta Avenida?

A 4 kilometers long street full of life and good atmosphere, this busy avenue is occupied by world renowned stores, restaurants, bars and even resorts that offer their best prices to give you tours around the area so you can get more familiar with it.

Here the nightlife does not stop for anything, since the sun goes down the street begins to fill with locals and tourists who want to share and know, from its entertaining bars and nightclubs to its 5 star restaurants in the middle of the avenue, an avenue to have fun and live with the rest, that is why we believe it is something to do at night in Playa del Carmen.

Cenotes

As in the rest of the Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen has spectacular cenotes that will make you never forget having visited them, throughout the Mayan Riviera there are about 6,000 cenotes where you can snorkel, dive or just enjoy the rocky depths and marine life, something you can not and will not want to forget, these certainly enter the list of places to visit in Playa del Carmen, some well known are Garden of Eden, Azul Cenote and Chikin Ha.

Fundadores Park

It is a very well known and very visited park because of its structure and its cultural history, it is the place where musical events, theatrical events and also street events of voladores de Papantla have taken place.

The park is characterized by its arch-shaped sculpture of two intertwined giants, this is known as the Mayan Portal, this square is ideal for the plan of what to do with kids in Playa del Carmen or even what to do for free in Playa del Carmen because all the street shows you will see in the park are totally free and for the enjoyment of all present.

The Beaches

Playa del Carmen has some of the most spectacular beaches in the entire region and the Caribbean, and it has white sand and water with different shades, from crystal clear to turquoise, and its beaches are not only natural wonders but are also surrounded by beautiful restaurants and hotels where you can eat or stay enjoying the view. Some of the best known beaches could be Playa Mamitas, which is public and well known in the urban center of the area, also Playa Publica 88 and Punta Esmeralda, then in Playacar we can find beaches like Playa Maroma, Playa del Secreto and Playa Paraiso, these are some of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen.

Xcaret Park

One of the best activities in Playa del Carmen, is the incredible Xcaret Park.  This is a thematic water park with more than 50 natural and cultural attractions where you can enjoy an unforgettable connection with the most representative flora and fauna of Playa del Carmen.

With a privileged location where we will be among subway rivers, cenotes and the great Caribbean Sea in the background, we can enjoy some amazing scenery thanks to the wide variety of activities that can be performed in the park. An experience that fits your budget and certainly can not miss on your visit to Playa del Carmen.

Golf

Golf is one of the most important sports in the region, because Playa del Carmen plays an important role in national and international tournaments, such as the PGA Tour. You should visit the Playacar Golf Club or the Manglar Golf Club to enjoy a great day with your family or just to relax playing golf in such internationally important places.

Aviario Xaman-ha

This complex is located within the town of Playacar, here you could enjoy knowing and being surrounded by about 50 species of birds, which are protected by their caretakers, this is a wonderful place to learn more about the species of the region with your family, mostly with children and thus spend a memorable time so we consider it one of those locations that you should visit in Playa del Carmen.

Water Sports

Being a coastal area is surrounded by water, therefore water sports are the most practiced and most common in the area, some of the best known are diving, jet skis, snorkeling, and even the banana towed by a boat.

Dolphin Discovery Playa del Carmen

Probably one of the best experiences you can have visiting Playa del Carmen, not only for the majestic view of Maroma beach where this place is located, but also for the situation of swimming so naturally and safely with dolphins, something you won’t want to miss, this experience is also on the list of things to do with kids in Playa del Carmen.

Secret River

This is a natural expedition that we recommend to do since you will get to know subway rivers and caves of the ecological system of Quintana Roo, specifically Playa del Carmen. This is a plan or a tour that you can not miss for anything in the world, you will be amazed and it will be super fun to learn and know much more of all these areas and magical places of Playa del Carmen.

12th Street

Very similar to La Quinta Avenida, this street that runs parallel to the busiest avenue is full of life and music, people always gather in the food and nightclubs of Calle 12 to enjoy the music that is fashionable and also some good mariachis on the shore of the beach with the sound of nature in Playa del Carmen, this area unlike La Quinta Avenida is much smaller and does not run 6 kilometers, it really is a popular street that occupies little territory but still very iconic!

Akumal

Bay of crystalline waters, beautiful in all its extension, perfect for those looking for a relaxing place away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with its clear waters, giant palm trees, and the fascination of people for water sports, this is where you can put in place plans to do new things in a beautiful place, put into practice the activities that we recommend above because it is the perfect area! From scuba diving to sport fishing, a perfect plan to learn things out of your comfort zone.

Puerto Aventuras

This beautiful and Caribbean place is quite close to downtown, that’s why it is well known and also very touristic, most of the top rated or luxury hotels are located in this location.

Puerto Aventuras is also known for its marine wonders, where you can swim with dolphins and sea lions, enjoy the sport of scuba diving or a good morning of fishing, and if you are more laid back you can visit the local restaurants that specialize in lobsters.

3D Museum of Wonders

This museum is a marvel, it is a museum inspired by three-dimensional art, which will make you feel that you are part of all the wonderful works inside the place;

What makes this location much more interesting is that it is the first one in all America and besides that all the works were created by the same artist, thus being a unique and unforgettable experience, not only for what this art implies but it is also the largest in the world, the suggested duration of this visit to the museum is between one or two hours, which will make you enjoy enough to appreciate its beauty in Playa del Carmen.

Nuestra Señora del Carmen

This is one of the most iconic and recognized churches or chapels of the region, you can visit it just to learn a little more about the region or also to feel a unique energy of union and love for the same feeling, this is a welcoming place not only for what it means to the inhabitants but also for its beautiful architectural structure that makes you feel welcome.

Xcacel Xcacelito Sea Turtle Sanctuary

In the bay of Xcacel you can find this beautiful sanctuary for turtles, with its diversity of species and its great majesty, and is that Playa del Carmen is an idyllic area, ideal to enjoy its beautiful views and the nature of the place, and it is in charge of the sea turtle sanctuary xcacel xcacelito, there annually are born about 200,000 species of sea turtles and preserve them to conserve these species and these beaches.

Playacar Plaza

This plaza is one of the best you can find in Playa del Carmen, just off the beach you can find stores of all kinds to meet your needs without having to move to another area, you will not have the need to go to Fifth Avenue as the stores here are well distributed and quite well thought out, besides being the perfect way to get in and out of the beaches located nearby.

Chaaktun Caverns

These caverns or these grottos are something you could visit to connect more with nature and know a little more about how is the wildlife in these areas of Playa del Carmen, these landscapes are very wide and very cool because of the amount of water that is not in contact with sunlight; in order to visit in a more professional and informative way you should go with a tour to visit the caverns.

Jungala Aqua Experience

This water amusement park is one of the best things you can visit and enjoy in Playa del Carmen, with its fantastic family slides and also its adrenaline slides for you to have a fun day and where you can not get bored with your favorite people, a perfect plan in Playa del Carmen to go with children or friends.

Punta Venado Bike Park

Punta Venado Bike Park is the first mountain bike park in the entire Yucatan peninsula, it has the perfect contact with nature and well guarded so it is not dangerous either, there are different levels of difficulty, among them Green, the easiest, blue a little more complicated and black which is the most complicated of all, all these are single track trails with a limit of 35 kilometers.

Conclusion

To conclude we must remind you that in order to arrive more quickly and safely to your destination it is recommended to use a private transportation service and thus avoid the congestion or the heat of the area of Playa del Carmen.