Cancun to Valladolid: 4 BEST Ways To Go

There are quite a few reasons why you might be looking at how to get to Valladolid. Maybe you want to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza or Ek Balam. It could be that you plan on checking out the beautiful cenotes around Valladolid.

Or perhaps you simply want to explore Valladolid in itself, something I support 100%. This colonial city is incredibly charming and much less touristy than other destinations in the region. It’s one of my favorite places in Yucatan for its local atmosphere, history, and delicious cuisine.

If you are traveling from Cancun to Valladolid, Mexico you can do so via several transportation options, suitable for all budgets and comfort requirements. Here you’ll find all the information to make the journey.

Valladolid is approximately 2 hours away from Cancun. The two cities are separated by a distance of 157 km (98 miles), with Cancun located in the east and Valladolid right in the middle of Yucatan state.

Here below you’ll find the best ways to travel to Valladolid from Cancun or vice versa Valladolid – Cancun.

BOOK A PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM CANCUN TO VALLADOLID

Taking a private shuttle from Cancun to Valladolid is certainly the most convenient and comfortable, although more expensive, option.

I’ve personally traveled with Cancun Airport Transportation numerous times, both to get from the airport to my accommodation (or the other way around) and to visit other cities in the region. I’ve always had an exceptional experience, as the drivers are professional and friendly.

▶️ With the regular private transfer to Valladolid you’ll be greeted at the airport or your hotel by bilingual staff, so you won’t have any trouble finding your car. All vehicles are insured, new, and air-conditioned, and you’ll travel hassle-free to your final destination.

The trip for up to 3 people will cost you $359 one way from Cancun to Valladolid, and $700 if you decide to book round trip. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ You also have the option to book a luxury transfer in a Suburban type of vehicle, which adds extra comfort and style to your journey.

The cost of the private luxury transfer is $639 one way or $1,250 for a round-trip, and the vehicle can be shared by up to 6 people. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

If you’re traveling with a big group, need wheelchair-friendly transportation, or you’re celebrating a special occasion, you might want to take a look at these other interesting services.

You can get a quote for transportation from Cancun to Valladolid in the search box down here:

Pros and Cons of the Private Transfer

✅ A private transfer is the most comfortable way to travel to Valladolid. You’ll be picked up at the airport’s arrival area or your hotel’s lobby in an air-conditioned vehicle and brought straight to your accommodation in Valladolid.

✅ Since the transfer is private, you won’t have to make any unnecessary stops, making it the fastest transportation available.

✅ You’ll have a bilingual driver, saving you from any awkwardness or misunderstandings if you don’t speak Spanish.

❌ I can only think of one downside, and that’s the price. It’s considerably more expensive than other transfers, so not ideal if you’re traveling solo or on a budget.

Read what the reviews say:

”Ariel was such a kind, safe and a fun driver. I always use this service and will continue to do so.”

Desiree Rogers – Check out other reviews

TAKE THE ADO BUS FROM CANCUN TO VALLADOLID

Taking the ADO bus from Cancun to Valladolid is a great option. Buses in Mexico are reasonably priced and I swear, are a ton more comfortable and cleaner than buses in USA or Europe.

I always recommend choosing an ADO bus, as ADO is Mexico’s leading bus company, and their standard bus already offers pretty good amenities.

On top of the regular service (which is called Primera Class, or First Class), you can also find ADO Conecta and ADO Platino (this one offers more luxurious buses and additional amenities, but doesn’t seem to be available for this route).

The main bus terminal in Cancun is in ADO Downtown Cancun Terminal, located close to Mercado 23. This is the exact address: Pino Lote 1 y 2, Supermanzana 23, 77500 Cancún.

The Valladolid ADO terminal, where the bus will drop you off, is located at the corner between Road 180 and Calle 44, in the city center.

You won’t be able to book online on the ADO website unless you have a Mexican debit or credit card. Quite a pain! This is why I recommend buying your tickets on the third-party website GuateGo, the one I use for purchasing all my bus tickets in Mexico.

You can of course also book the tickets for the return trip Valladolid to Cancun Airport there.

An alternative would be getting your tickets in person at any ADO station or office, but if you buy them beforehand you can make sure that there will be availability – more than once I couldn’t get on a bus because it was full, or I was separated from my partner.

Let’s see in detail what are your options for a Cancun to Valladolid bus ride.

Regular ADO / Class: Primera, also called First Class

▶️ First Class buses have many departures scheduled throughout the day, from as early as 4.10 AM to 9.30 PM, and the average Cancun-Valladolid ADO bus trip duration is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

The ticket prices for the bus journey to Valladolid from Cancun cost 29 USD at the time of writing. If you’re planning a day trip, I’d suggest taking the earliest possible transfer to make the most of your time. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

ADO Conecta

ADO Conecta mainly serves routed connecting airports to airports, or airports to cities. Try and book a regular ADO bus for the Cancun Valladolid route instead of the ADO Conecta because, depending on the number of passengers who booked the trip, the ADO Conecta could be a shuttle van rather than a bus, which is a lot less comfortable.

Pros and Cons of the ADO Bus

✅ It’s the most affordable option, making it a great alternative for solo and budget travelers.

❌ Obviously, the bus won’t drop you off at your accommodation. You’ll have to arrange another transfer from the bus station to your hotel in Valladolid, and the same when returning to Cancun.

❌ The journey time is approximately 45 minutes longer than with the private transfer.

RENT A CAR IN CANCUN

You’ll find tons of car rental companies where to secure a vehicle if you want to drive from Cancun to Valladolid, Yucatan. Car rentals are available both in the city and at Cancun Airport.

Renting a car is a fantastic option for anyone who wants to go on a road trip, as you’ll have so much freedom to explore the region at your own pace. It will make visiting some other places in the Yucatan Peninsula such as the cenotes in Valladolid or Las Coloradas much easier!

Plus, a direct bus to get from Cancun Airport to Valladolid doesn’t exist at this time, so renting a car would definitely save you time and hassle.

You can drive from Cancun to Valladolid in just 2 hours for a total distance of 97.5 miles (157 km). It’s pretty straightforward, as you have to drive down the Mexico Highway 180D till you reach Valladolid.

This is a very modern and well-maintained road, but note that it’s a toll road. Here it’s a map with driving instructions.

Whenever I look for car rentals, I generally use Discover Cars to compare the prices of all the major rental car companies so I know I’m getting the best deal. ➥ COMPARE PRICES HERE

Discover Cars is an online booking service that allows you to find and compare a great selection of rental options from various agencies in Cancun. This makes it much easier to find a rental car that suits your budget and your needs.

I particularly like their cancelation policy, one of the main reasons I recommend it. Typically, with Discover Cars you can cancel your booking for free up to 48 hours before pickup time. In my opinion, it’s a more generous cancelation policy than the one offered by other platforms. It’s important, however, that you read the specific terms and conditions of your rental agreement, as policies can vary based on the rental company and the rate you choose.

Pros and Cons of Car Rental

✅ It gives you much more independence than the other options, and it’s fantastic to go on day trips from Valladolid and explore the region at your leisure.

❌ It’s a more expensive option than taking the bus, and since you also have to pay for gas and the toll road, it’s not very cost-efficient if you’re only one or two people.

❌ You’ll have to pay for parking in Valladolid, as parking for free in the city center is nearly impossible.

Tips for renting a car in Cancun (and Mexico)

If you choose to rent a vehicle for your trip, though, you’ll need to be on the lookout for potential tourist scams.

I don’t want to scare you off, I do think that renting a car in Yucatan is a great option, but tourist scams exist and are frequent in Yucatan, so you’ll have to be extra careful.

▶️ Some car rental companies in Mexico will tell you that you’re required to purchase insurance at all costs, but they’re lying. If you already have insurance through your credit card or another provider, you don’t need to purchase another.

If they insist they can’t let you rent the car without their insurance (which I repeat: it’s a lie), it’s time to leave and look for another company.

▶️ Take plenty of pictures of the rental car before you use it and after you return the car, especially of scratches and other defects, so they won’t be able to charge you later for damages that you didn’t do.

There are plenty of stories of companies that want to charge exorbitant fees for tiny scratches, so be careful. Also, return the car with plenty of time before your flight/bus, as they usually try to scam people who are pressed for time and can’t spend too long arguing.

TAKE A TOUR TO VALLADOLID & CHICHEN ITZA

If you just want to visit Valladolid (and Chichen Itza) on a day trip, the easiest way is to join a tour so you don’t have to worry about transportation at all. You’ll also benefit from having a guide to enlighten you as you explore the sites.

It is possible to visit on your own of course, but if you prefer a tour, these below are the best options (I’ve analyzed tens of tours and these stood out!)

▶️ The Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour is a full-day excursion that includes a very informative visit to the Mayan ruins, as you’ll be taken around the site by a knowledgeable guide. You’ll also get to swim in a fresh-water cenote, and wander around the colonial town of Valladolid. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ This Chichen Itza Private Tour plus Cenote and Valladolid Visit offers a personalized experience to your group. You’ll choose your desired pickup time and explore the site with your own guide, before visiting the town of Valladolid, indulging in a buffet lunch, and swimming in a cenote. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ The Cultural Tour: Ek Balam, Hubiku Swim & Valladolid from Cancun is a full-day excursion (which doesn’t include Chichen Itza). Start the trip with a visit to the Ek Balam ruins, and then swim in the magical  Hubiku cenote. Finally, explore Valladolid and its main landmarks with a guide, and relish local cuisine at a restaurant. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Pros and Cons of a Tour

✅ No need to worry about transportation, buying entrance tickets, or organizing your trip. Everything will be planned for you, and there will be a knowledgeable guide to escort you.

❌ Tours are more expensive than traveling on your own, and if you’re a group of people or a family it adds up.

❌ You won’t have the possibility of staying in Valladolid to explore other locations or have a say in what you want to do. Unless you book a private tour (the priciest option) you’ll have to follow a fixed schedule.

HOW TO GET FROM CANCUN AIRPORT TO VALLADOLID

Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Valladolid

Cancun Airport is the closest international airport to Valladolid, so if you’re flying into Mexico, you’ll likely arrive here. The most stress-free way to go straight from the airport is the private transfer, and it’s also the only one that will take you directly from one place to the other.

Your bilingual driver will be waiting for you at the airport’s arrival area and will drive you straight to your hotel (or your final destination in Valladolid, whichever that may be). You’ll make the journey in a comfortable, air-conditioned, and insured vehicle, exclusive for you and your party. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

There’s NO Cancun Airport to Valladolid Bus

Unfortunately, at this time a direct ADO bus to get from Cancun airport to Valladolid isn’t available, and no other company services this route. I know, it’d make things a lot easier for some of you!

But don’t stress, you can still take the bus, you’ll just need to change bus at the Cancun city terminal.

There are ADO buses departing Cancun International Airport to Cancun Downtown approximately every 30 minutes.

If you’re booking your ticket at the ADO office in the airport, tell the employee that you’re going to Valladolid so you can get a full ticket without having to queue again in the Cancun terminal.

If instead, you’re going back from Valladolid, Mexico to Cancun Airport (sigh), I suggest booking your ADO bus ticket at least one day in advance to make sure there is room.

Leave with plenty of time as you’ll have to change buses at the Cancun terminal. If your flight is in the morning, I suggest you spend the last night in Cancun.

Taxi from Cancun Airport to Valladolid (Not Recommended)

Otherwise, you could potentially try and take a taxi to get from Cancun airport to Valladolid, but I don’t recommend this option. Taxi drivers at the airport will ask for over 200 USD, and you’ll have to haggle hard to get a fair price.

This can be stressful, especially after a long flight and even more so if you don’t speak the language. You’re better off booking a private transfer before getting to Mexico, so your vehicle is already waiting for you when you arrive.

I think this is all you need! Hopefully, this info is useful for you to get from Cancun to Valladolid.