ADO Bus Cancun Guide: How to Move Around on ADO Buses
Wondering how the ADO Bus Cancun works? Look no further! In this post, I will tell you all about it.
I live in Cancun I have used the ADO bus terminal in Cancun multiple times! I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you so that you “know before you go”! 😊
Taking the ADO bus in Cancun is a great way to explore the Yucatan Peninsula. There are many great destinations near Cancun to check out while on vacation, including the coastal towns of Playa del Carmen and Tulum and the colonial city of Merida.
Although I have always preferred renting a car in Cancun, I admit that the ADO buses in Mexico are an affordable and comfortable way to travel when I can afford it.
In fact, traveling by ADO can save you the hassle of worrying about driving and navigating to your location. Instead, you can just sit back and relax in the air conditioning.
In this post I will tell you all about it.
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ADO Bus in Cancun: overview
The ADO bus company is the largest in Mexico. ADO stands for Autobuses de Oriente, but everyone just calls them ADO.
There are also many smaller bus companies in Mexico. In Cancun, you will find other bus companies at the main bus station.
These companies often offer more local routes, with numerous stops to allow passengers to board and disembark.
For traveling around the Yucatan Peninsula, the ADO bus is your best option, as it is fast and efficient.
Buses leave on time and do not make extra stops at all the small pueblos in between your departure city and destination. This gets you to where you want to go faster.
The ADO is easy to use, even for those who are not accustomed to using public transportation. You can find the schedule online or at any bus station or ADO office. Buses depart from well-marked bus stations.
Some routes are served by the ADO low-end brand called Mayab, which can’t be booked online. If you want to book a route that Mayab serves, you can use the Chat service on the ADO site, and they will tell you when it’s scheduled to run.
If you are having a hard time with booking on ADO platform you can also use this one, it’s in English and very easy to use.
Why should you take the ADO Bus ride in Cancun?
Using the ADO buses is a great way to explore the Yucatan Peninsula. They have comfortable seats and air conditioning—in fact, sometimes they are too cold. If you get cold easily, pack a sweater for the ride!
ADO buses have comfortable, spacious seats and are not overcrowded. Each person is assigned a seat with their ticket price—it is not like movies with more and more people crowding in!
In addition to being comfortable, the ADO buses are affordable and convenient. You can move around without worrying about renting a car, getting lost, or finding parking at your destination.
Is it safe to take the ADO bus?
Yes, the ADO buses are safe. Locals and tourists use them, and you can confidently travel on them, even as a solo female traveler. If you have luggage, it will be ticketed and locked underneath the bus.
Then, when you arrive at your destination, you will need to show your ticket to take your suitcase.
Like any time you travel on public transportation, you should keep an eye on any valuables you have on board.
A few safety-related tips:
✔️ Never use the overhead compartment for personal belongings of value. That is not safe.
✔️ Keep the passport handy, first of all, because you don’t want to lose it, and second, because immigration officers would stop the buses and do random checks and they want to see your passport.
Where is the ADO Bus Station in Cancun located?
ADO Bus Cancun Map
The ADO station is conveniently located in downtown Cancun. Its address is Calle Pino, SM23, MZ56.
It’s close to Av. Tulum, and Av, Nader, my favorite area to hang out in, with cute bars and restaurants and lots of affordable Airbnb and Hotels.
How much is the ADO bus in Cancun?
The ADO bus is an affordable way to travel around Mexico, specifically in the area surrounding Cancun. The price of the bus depends on the distance traveled and the type of ticket purchased.
For some routes, ADO offers different class seats, allowing you to pay for additional comfort; however, for shorter distances, only one option is available.
BOOK YOUR ADO RIDE ON BOOKAWAY.COM
You can either book your ticket on the ADO site or on an external platform such as BOOKAWAY.COM, with an easy interface in English.
How do you pay for the ADO bus?
There are several ways to buy your ADO bus ticket. You can go to any ADO office or bus station and purchase tickets. You can also use the ADO website to buy tickets; however, the site is all in Spanish. If you prefer to use an English website, you can look for tickets on BookAway.com
How do I take the ADO bus in Cancun?
If you are on a tight schedule, purchasing your bus tickets in advance is a good idea. This guarantees that you will be able to depart at your desired time and don’t run the risk of the bus filling up.
Your ticket will indicate the gate number from which your bus will depart at the terminal. Wait for your bus to arrive, hand over your ticket to the driver, and enjoy your ride.
ADO bus from Cancun Airport
The ADO bus is a great, affordable way to get from the Cancun airport to downtown Cancun. After you clear customs and immigration and exit the airport, you will see an ADO kiosk.
There you can purchase your bus tickets, then walk outside and wait for your bus. During the day, buses run about every twenty minutes from the airport to downtown Cancun, costing around $6.
This is one time when you probably do not want to buy your ticket online ahead of time. If your flight is delayed you will then lose your ticket.
Terminals and routes
The ADO bus will pass by every terminal in the Cancun airport to take people to downtown Cancun. You do not need to change terminals to catch the bus.
Once it leaves the airport, the bus will go directly to the downtown Cancun bus station or the other available destinations mentioned below.
Mind that the ADO doesn’t run from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone or make any stops at the hotel. For this destination, we recommend using Cancun Airport Transportation service.
It’s a little more expensive than the ADO, but it´s safer and more convenient than taxis, and it saves time and stress.
ADO bus to Downtown Cancun
Planning to use the ADO bus to get from the airport to downtown Cancun is a great option. Do not try to negotiate with taxi drivers who will try to overcharge you; just look for kiosks marked with the red ADO letters.
Bus ticket prices
It costs around 100 pesos to go from the airport to downtown Cancun. You can pay in dollars or pesos.
Travel Duration
It takes around 20 to 25 minutes to get downtown from the airport.
Bus schedules
Buses leave approximately every twenty minutes during the day and less frequently at night. You can check the schedule online to ensure that buses will be running around your arrival time, especially if you arrive in the middle of the night or very early in the morning.
ADO bus to Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a beach town renowned for its food, shopping, and vibrant atmosphere, located approximately 70 kilometers south of Cancun. Whether you plan to spend the day or a few nights there, the ADO bus is a great way to get there.
Bus ticket prices
The bus from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen costs a little over 100 pesos.
Travel Duration
With normal traffic, it takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to Playa del Carmen.
Bus schedules
Buses run from around 6:00 am to midnight from Cancún to Playa del Carmen, departing every 20 minutes.
ADO bus to Tulum
Tulum is located about 130 kilometers south of Cancun. It is known for its beautiful beaches, cenotes, Mayan ruins, and great food and music scene.
Bus ticket prices
Bus tickets from Cancun to Tulum cost around 240 pesos.
Travel Duration
It takes about one hour and forty minutes to get from Cancun to Tulum on the ADO bus.
Bus schedules
Buses run all day from Cancún Downtown to Tulum, starting around 6:00 am and continuing until 11:00 pm. Buses leave Cancun for Tulum about every forty minutes.
There are fewer buses leaving from Cancun airport. So in case you have missed your buss when you land, and have to wait more than 1 hour for the next one, you can take the ADO to Cancun Downtown and get the Bus to Tulum from there.
ADO bus to Merida
Merida is a beautiful, colonial town located on the Yucatan Peninsula a little over 300 kilometers from Cancun. Merida is known for its delicious food, rich history, and proximity to archaeological sites.
Bus ticket prices
Bus tickets from Cancun to Merida cost 610 pesos. There are some departure times that offer ADO Platino, which is a more comfortable ticket, for 908 pesos.
Travel Duration
It takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes to get to Merida from Cancun.
Bus Schedules
Buses from Cancun to Merida run all night. During the day, there are departures every half hour and at night every hour.
Also, for Merida, if the airport bus schedule doesn’t fit with your arrival time, you can always take an ADO bus to Cancun downtown and hop on the next one to Merida.
Taking the ADO bus back to the Cancun airport
At the end of your vacation, you can take the ADO bus back to the Cancun airport. Be sure to allow extra time, especially if you’re coming from Tulum, in case of heavy traffic on the road.
ADO bus terminals going to the airport
You will depart for the Cancun airport from the downtown bus station. The driver will stop at all the terminals in the Cancun airport. They will announce the terminal they are at, so just pay attention and note which terminal your flight will depart from.
Bus schedules
The first bus for the airport leaves downtown at 4:00 am. During the day there are departures every 25 minutes to the airport.
Types of ADO buses in Cancun
ADO offers three different classes. Some of the shorter routes only offer their standard class, which includes a comfortable seat, air conditioning, and shared entertainment.
ADO Platino
Platino is the most luxurious way to travel on the ADO. The seats are wide, comfortable, and recline almost flat. Each seat has its own entertainment, there is WIFI, you can charge your electronics, and they offer you snacks. There is also a separate male and female bathroom onboard.
I wouldn’t rely on the WIFI, though.
ADO GL
GL is not quite as luxurious as Platino, but it’s still a great way to travel. The seats recline, have individual entertainment, snacks, and separate male and female bathrooms.
ADO
The standard class is the most common, especially for shorter routes, and is still very comfortable. All buses have air conditioning and shared entertainment- they show movies in Spanish, and very loud music, and bathrooms.
MAYAB
It’s the cheapest and least comfortable bus fleet of the ADO, but it still works when you need to reach a destination that is not covered by the other buses. It has Air Conditioning, too, but the buses may be a little older.
Facilities and Amenities inside the ADO bus
As mentioned above, ADO buses are a nice way to travel. The seats are comfortable, the buses all have air conditioning, and there are bathrooms on board. The buses show popular movies too.
Seating & luggage
Your ticket will come with an assigned seat. You can store large pieces of luggage underneath the bus. The driver will give you a ticket, and you will need to turn it in at the end to retrieve your suitcase. You can take any small bags on board with you.
Tips before taking the ADO Bus in Cancun
Taking the ADO buses around the Cancun area helps you avoid the stress of driving yourself and lets you relax and enjoy the journey. The buses are safe, but make sure to keep an eye on the bag that you have on board with you.
Additionally, if you decide not to purchase tickets in advance, please check the departure schedule before planning your trip. Bus schedules can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do ADO buses leave from in Cancun?
ADO buses depart from the main bus terminal in downtown Cancun.
Which terminal is the ADO bus in Cancun?
ADO buses depart from every terminal at Cancun Airport.
Can you bring luggage to the ADO bus?
Yes. ADO buses have compartments underneath them to store your luggage safely.
Do you need to print ADO bus tickets?
No. If you buy your ticket online, you will get an e-ticket. You will need to present that to the driver, but you do not need to print it.
Can I take a bus from Cancun Airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone?
No. Buses from the Cancun airport run to downtown Cancun. From there, you will need to either take an R1 or R2 local bus or taxi to your hotel.
Do buses in Cancun run all night?
It depends on the route. You can check specific schedules on the ADO website.
Final Thoughts: ADO Bus Cancun Guide
ADO buses are a great way to move around the Yucatan Peninsula. There are so many great destinations near Cancun, and the ADO site lets you get wherever you want to go without any stress. The ADO service is convenient, comfortable, and affordable and popular with locals and visitors.
Hi!
Do you have any informations if the over night bus from Belize to Cancun is driving again? If so, do you have the schedule ?
Thanks a lot for your help !
Kind regards, Nena
Hi Isabella, I’ll be visiting Playa del Carmen for the last 2 weeks in December, 2023. Can you recommend any restaurant or bars with US or Canadian expats to speak to ?
Hello Dave,
thanks for your message, unfortunately I am not aware of any specific restaurants with Canadian or US clients. But maybe some other readers will pitch in! Have fun!
Any word on the new train?
Hey Jean, here is the article on the Mayan Train. I hope you find it useful. https://letstraveltomexico.com/mayan-train-route/ Safe travels Isabella
Hello! Do you know if the Ado bus will be going between Cancun airport and Playa del Carmen in March? It’s impossible to buy tickets online, find the information online or contact the Ado itself. Thanks !
Hello John, I chatted with ADO customer service and they confirmed that they don’t have the schedule for March yet. You should try closer to the date. Also to speak with them, they have a very efficient chat service and they also speak English. Just go on the website and look at the bottom right, there should be a chat icon. If not you can click on the menu for AYUDA – ATENCION AL CLIENTE and at the bottom you have the option of contacting them on WhatsApp or Chat, among others. I hope it helps. Happy Travels
Where can I store my luggage, from airport terminal or downtown terminal?
Hello, thanks for reaching out. I am not sure if there is a lugguage store in Cancun, but I use Bounce to find safe place to store lugguage. I hope it helps.
Y a-t-il un autobus ADO qui part de l’aéroport de Cancun à destination de Puerto Morelos, si oui, à quel endroit on débarque.
Hello Maryse, I have double-checked with ADO and no, there is no bus to Puerto Morelos from Cancun airport. You would need to go to Cancun and then get the bus from Cancun downtown. They stop by the gas station on the caretera federal which is between the town and the beach area. Sometimes you can find taxi stationed there to take you wherever you need to go in puerto morelos. I hope it helps. Happy travels
Nous sommes arrivées à Puerto Morelos début novembre 2025. Nous avions réservé un transport privé qui nous a couté 900 pesos de l’aéroport à Puerto Morelos. 2 adultes 4 bagages enregistrés, un vélo et 2 bagages de cabine.