Wondering about transportation from Cancun to Valladolid, Mexico? Check all the transportation options in this post and decide how to travel from Cancun to Valladolid, or viceversa Valladolid-Cancun.
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. Or maybe you’re going to the pink lakes of Las Coloradas, or to check out the beautiful cenotes around Valladolid such as Cenote Zaci and Cenote Xkeken.
Or again, maybe you just want to check out Valladolid in itself, which is quite charming and much less touristy than other destinations in Yucatan. In my opinion, everyone should include it in their Yucatan road trip itinerary, as it boasts a very local atmosphere, and it’s nearby plenty of natural wonders.
If you are traveling from Cancun to Valladolid, you can do so via a number of transportation options, suitable for all budgets and comfort requirements.
Valladolid is approximately two 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.
➤ MOST CONVENIENT OPTION: Private transfer
➤ BEST BUDGET ALTERNATIVE: ADO bus
➤ IF YOU JUST WANT TO GO ON A DAY TRIP: Tour from Cancun
Here below you’ll find the best ways to travel to Valladolid from Cancun or viceversa Valladolid Cancun.
Table of Contents
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 to get to your destination.
➤ With the regular private transfer to Valladolid you’ll be greeted at the airport 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 hotel.
The trip for up to 8 people will cost you $205 one way from Cancun to Valladolid, and $399 if you decide to book round trip. The cost is the same if you’re 2 or 8 people, which makes it a particularly great deal if you’re with the family or traveling with a small group of friends. ➥ 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 $305 one way or $555 for a round-trip, and the vehicle can be shared by up to 6 people. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ If you’re traveling with a large group of friends or family, you can still make the trip on the same vehicle by booking the group service. You’ll also be greeted at the airport by your bilingual driver and enjoy a private transfer to your destination.
The cost of the group service for up to 16 passengers is $305 one way, or $555 if you book round trip. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
You can get a quote for transportation from Cancun to Valladolid in the search box down here.
TAKE THE ADO BUS FROM CANCUN TO VALLADOLID
Taking the ADO bus from Cancun to Valladolid or viceversa, 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. ADO is Mexico’s leading bus company, and the standard ADO bus already offers a pretty good service.
On top of the regular ADO bus (which is called Primera Class, or First Class), you can also find ADO Conecta and ADO Platino buses (which are more luxurious and come with additional amenities, but don’t seem to be available for this route).
The ticket prices for the bus journey to Valladolid from Cancun start at 250 MXN (12 USD at the time of writing) and go up to 470 MXN (23 USD). The average Cancun-Valladolid ADO bus trip duration is 2 hours 15 minutes.
The main bus terminal in Cancun is in ADO Downtown Cancun Terminal. It’s located close to Mercado 23. This is the exact address: Pino Lote 1 y 2, Supermanzana 23, 77500 Cancún.
You won’t be able to book online on the ADO website unless you have a Mexican debit or credit card. Quite a pain!
But then, how can you book your ticket? You’ve got two options:
- You can book your tickets in person at any ADO station or office.
- You can book your bus ticket online. I use GuateGo to book tickets and the prices for the Cancun to Valladolid bus are pretty much the same as on the official website.
This way you can make sure that there will be availability if you buy them beforehand – 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 from Cancun to Valladolid have many departures scheduled throughout the day. The first ADO bus departs at 4 AM and the last one at 9.30 PM. The schedule changes on different days, but expect to find one bus departing every 2 to 3 hours (in some moments of the day every hour) in the morning and afternoon.
ADO Conecta
ADO Conecta are buses that usually link 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.
RENT A CAR IN CANCUN
You’ll find tons of car rental companies from whom you can rent a car to get from Cancun to Valladolid, Yucatan. Car rentals are available both in the city and at Cancun airport.
This is a fantastic option for anyone who wants to go on a Yucatan road trip, as you’ll have so much more freedom to explore the region at your own pace. It will make visiting some other fantastic areas, like Playa del Carmen or Tulum, 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 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.
The average rental cost per day in Cancun is anywhere from 10 to 25 dollars a day for an average car (four-door sedan), to 40 dollars for an SUV.
Whenever I look for car rentals, I generally use Rentalcars.com to compare the prices of all the major rental car companies.
Check out here below rates and availability for rental cars from Cancun:
This also works if you need a car for the way back Valladolid Cancun. There are a few rental companies in Valladolid, and I suggest comparing prices online in the widget above, or directly here.
⚠️ 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 absolutely 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 much time arguing.
➤ BOOK YOUR RENTAL CAR IN ADVANCE
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 won’t have to worry about transportation at all. You’ll also benefit from having a guide to enlighten you as you explore the site! 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, Valladolid, and Cenote 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 Cenote and Valladolid Private Tour 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 Colonial Adventure is a full-day private tour to Valladolid. You’ll get to explore the town and its main landmarks with a knowledgeable guide, and also visit a nearby cenote. The tour includes a traditional lunch at a local restaurant and the transfers from Cancun. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
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 it’s likely you’ll arrive here. The most stress-free way to go straight from the airport in Cancun to Valladolid 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 directly 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.
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, just you’ll need to change bus in Cancun city terminal.
There are ADO buses departing Cancun International Airport to Cancun Downtown ADO Terminal 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 it’s time for you to go 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 transfer 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
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, which can be stressful, especially after a long flight. You’re better off booking a private transfer before getting to Mexico, so your vehicle is already waiting for you when you arrive.
HOW TO GET FROM CANCUN TO VALLADOLID FAQ
The distance from Cancun to Valladolid, Mexico is 98 miles (157 kilometres). Driving from Cancun to Valladolid takes about 2 hours with no stops.
100 miles (161 km). It takes about 2 hours to travel between Valladolid and Cancun airport.
The Valladolid ADO terminal is located right in the city center, at the corner between road 180 and calle 44.
No, there are no flights to Valladolid, Mexico. The closest international airport to Valladolid is the Cancun airport, to which many airlines fly. You can also check out flights to Merida in Yucatan, but most likely it’ll be cheaper to fly to Cancun.
Sure you can, and it’s a great option for getting from Valladolid to Cancun, or visiting other locations in the peninsula like Playa del Carmen or Puerto Morelos. There are multiple car rental companies that operate in Valladolid. You can also compare prices online here.
The best way to travel from the airport in Cancun to Valladolid is by private transfer. There is no direct bus from Cancun airport to the city, so getting there by public transfer is a bit of a hassle.
Yes, the Cancun to Valladolid bus makes the journey several times throughout the day, and it takes a little over 2 hours.
The easiest and most comfortable way to get there is by private transfer, but you could also take the bus or rent a car. If you’re coming back from Valladolid Yucatan to Cancun, bus transfers are pretty frequent, although you could also book a roundtrip private transfer to avoid the hassle, especially if you have large bags or are headed for the airport.
I think this is all you need! Hopefully this info is useful for you to get from Cancun to Valladolid. For any questions, please let me know in the comments below. I have written plenty of other articles about Yucatan and Mexico, make sure to check them out!
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