Introduction
This is a basic guide for the ADO bus line, it is one of the cheapest and most comfortable ways to move to at least the 3 main cities such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. ADO is a bus company, but there are other companies that have other routes and interconnect at the main stations.
Pros: Economic. Air-conditioning. You learn Spanish with movies. Comfortable seats. USB ports to recharge electronic devices.
Cons: Limited Trips. Limited Hours.
Extra comments: Before they had WIFI service, but in recent months I have not seen them have the service on the BUS, but there is free service at the ADO stations, sometimes it works well, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes there are no runs for the routes, during the pandemic the routes were limited and little by little they have been reactivated. Please check on the website what times are available. If you arrive early in the morning or late at night, it will not be possible to get a ride through ADO.
Terminals
Aeropuerto Cancún: T2, T3 and T4
Terminal Autobuses ADO Cancún Centro. Address: Pino Lote 1 y 2, Supermanzana 23, 77500 Cancún, Q.R.
Playa Del Carmen. Address: Centro, Quinta Avenida 141, Solidaridad, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Tulum. Address: Tulum Centro, 77780 Tulum, Quintana Roo
Where to buy tickets?
Tickets can be purchased at ado.com.mx or the box office at the above locations
Extra comments: You can choose your seat, it depends on availability in the window or aisle. I recommend selecting seats below the TV unless you are not interested in watching a movie in Spanish. There are notices that immigration authorities may do random checks to reduce illegal immigration. They ask for documents to passengers to check legal status as tourist with the dates assigned to their stay in the country or nationals.
If traveling with minors/children, official government ID/passport is required to prove relationship. Security may ask for documentation.
What are the costs?
Depends. Prices may change, but they are quite affordable. Prices are in MXN. And they are taken from their official website. These prices are for information only and may change without notice (2022.09.14)
Cancun T2 to T3 costs $18 MXN
Cancun T1/T2 to Downtown Cancun costs $105 MXN
Cancun T1/T2 to Playa Del Carmen costs $225 MXN
Cancun T1/T2 to Tulum costs $340 MXN
There are discount prices for Mexicans such as students, teachers and senior citizens with valid credentials. Require identification of the school and/or INAPAM
Extra comments: Preferably have change in MXN. They also accept credit/debit cards, although the terminal may fail. Dollars are always accepted, but there is no exchange for dollars. Have exact amount of preference.
Extra Tip: Sometimes there are temporary promotions of 50% OFF if you buy in advance and online. This through its official site or in its app via appstore or android. Applies to foreigners, residents and nationals.
What are the routes?
There are many routes, the most basic ones help you get around in the Riviera Maya. But they can also find other neighboring states of Quintana Roo such as Yucatán and Chiapas. To the south with Belize/Guatemala sometimes.
Destination Cities
CANCUN
PLAYA DEL CARMEN
TULUM
Extra comments: In terminals such as Cancún Centro, Playa del Carmen and Tulum they have a large map so you can see the routes.
Health, Precautions and Hygiene
The Quintana Roo government and the health secretary have regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ADO mentions that it disinfects and cleans its buses. However, this does not ensure that they are COVID-free. ADO requires safety masks to be worn during your ride. We recommend having a travel disinfectant gel for personal use.
Security
Like any bus terminal, there is a risk that your belongings can be stolen. Always check your seat before getting off the bus and at the top for your bags. ADO staff is always uniformed and identified. Most thefts are done on top of forgotten objects. If you have large luggage, do not forget that a ticket for your belongings is given to you so that your bags can be given to you in the lower part of the compartment.
Extra Comments: On the way from Cancun to Tulum there may be some checkpoints and they may stop the bus for random checks. This is to control and reduce illegal immigration. This can be done by the National Guard or the Quintana Roo State Police.
Tips are not mandatory but are always appreciated for the staff of the buses that move luggage.
Final comments
Traveling by bus in the Riviera Maya is a good economic option, comfortable to travel. Perhaps its disadvantage is the schedules. For example, if your destination is Tulum, there may not be a trip available at your desired time, but maybe you can take a bus to Playa del Carmen and take a combi or van that arrives in Tulum or you can wait for another bus that travels to Tulum. Small Shuttles departs from the Playa Del Carmen Station Bus.