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Flying To Tulum Instead Of Cancun? Watch Out For This Hidden Cost 

Every traveler knows that some of the most expensive costs associated with vacationing are flights, hotels, and eating out, but in some destinations, ground transportation can also be pretty pricey.   

Anybody who has ever been to Cancun knows that.   

Now, if you’re flying into Tulum instead of Cancun, you need to watch out for this hidden cost there as well, particularly when it comes to getting from the airport to your hotel.   

Cars Parked Outside of Tulum International Airport

Tulum Airport Transportation 

When you arrive at Tulum Airport you’ll have pretty much the same transportation options as you do flying into Cancun.   

Just like at Cancun Airport, there’s private transportation, ADO buses, shuttles, and of course taxis.   

Timeshare companies and travel agencies, if you plan your vacation through one of them, are also able to operate at Tulum Airport.   

Ado Bus Service

Cost Comparison Compared To Cancun 

If you’ve ever flown to Cancun, you’ve probably noticed how expensive it is to get from the airport to your hotel, and Tulum isn’t much different.   

The rates that drivers charge you are based on what they have to pay the airport to be able to operate there.   

Although rates at Tulum Airport were recently lowered, transportation is still pretty pricey.   

Transportation Providers with Sign Boards Standing Outside of Cancun International Airport

A taxi from Tulum Airport to your hotel is going to cost a minimum of around $50, and to get to some hotels in the Hotel Zone in Tulum, it can cost even more.   

In Cancun to get from the airport to the Hotel Zone you’re looking at spending $65 and up.   

Private transportation in both places is even more, and right around the same in each place.   

For this more luxurious option, you can expect to pay close to $100 or more to get to your hotel from Tulum Airport.   

Taxi Parked in the Hotel Zone in Cancun, Mexico

The ADO Bus At Tulum Airport  

The ADO bus service is one of the most affordable options for getting from the airport to Tulum itself.   

The airport is a bit outside of town, so the ride will take around 45 minutes to get to the in-town ADO bus station.   

Then you’ll have to get a taxi or other form of transportation to get to your hotel.   

The long trip and hassle might be worth it though, because a one-way ticket is only around $12 for the bus. 

ADO Bus at a Station in Cancun, Mexico

What You Can Expect To Pay To Fly To Tulum  

Tulum Airport opened in December last year, but you can already fly to the destination from 11 different U.S. airports.   

The cost of flights to Tulum varies depending on where you depart from, the time of year you visit, and the days of the week you fly.   

To give you an idea of what you’ll pay, the lowest available roundtrip flight in December from each airport is listed below: 

  • Atlanta to Tulum – $355 
  • Charlotte to Tulum – $375 
  • Chicago to Tulum – $235 
  • Dallas-Fort Worth – $355 
  • Detroit – Seasonal Starting in January  
  • Houston – $385 
  • Los Angeles – No Info. Available 
  • Miami – $355 
  • Minneapolis – No Info. Available 
  • New York (EWR) – $271 
  • New York City (JFK) – $251 
Green Lawn and Sign In Front of Tulum Internatinal Airport

Who Flies To Tulum Airport? 

Cancun Airport is and always has been the more popular airport for travelers vacationing in most Mexican Caribbean vacation destinations.   

It’s convenient because even for those traveling outside of Cancun there are several different transportation options, and connectivity is strong, particularly with U.S. airports.   

Those who would want to fly into Tulum Airport include those visiting Tulum, obviously, and those traveling further south of Tulum, to places like Bacalar or Chetumal.   

Tulum Sign

Tulum Airport And The Maya Train 

One of the great things about the Tulum airport is that it’s connected to the Maya Train now, and there’s also a station in Tulum.   

This means that you can take the train from the airport to the actual town, which you can book here.   

Tickets are just a little over $3, so it’s actually one of the most affordable options if you’re flying into Tulum.   

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