How Far Is Playa Del Carmen From Cancun

Is Playa Del Carmen Really That Close To Cancun? Here’s What Google Maps Doesn’t Show

If you are currently in Cancun and are looking up at the ceiling fan in your hotel room, maybe right now, thinking: Should I head out for a day trip to play in Playa Del Carmen? You are not alone. The same question from many of the people in the audience, “How far is it?” and just think of it as a quick zip down the road. And while, sure, it really isn’t all that far, there’s more to a journey than a few miles. The fact of the matter is, when it comes to how far is Playa Del Carmen is from Cancun, there are a ton of factors that make the answer not just a matter of distance.

The Exact Distance Between Playa Del Carmen And Cancun In Miles And Kilometers

Speaking of the basic math to begin with. Playa Del Carmen is about 42 miles, or 68 kilometers, from Cancún. That’s the distance from the center of Cancun (not the hotel zone) to the middle of Playa Del Carmen.

If you are in the hotel zone of Cancun, what most tourists see of the city, add 10 to 15 more miles, depending on where you are. Hotel Zone pretty much snakes along the coast, so pickups there can even take a bit longer before you’re out onto the main highway.

The way leads a straight true south along Highway 307, a beach-fringed road in fine condition that runs parallel to the Caribbean Sea. Sounds simple enough, right? But what does that distance look like in action?

How Long It Really Takes To Travel From Cancun To Playa Del Carmen Based On Transportation Type

This is the part where things start to get a little bit fun. You can’t change the distance, you’ve gotta plod out five miles, but your travel time? Not so much. Here’s a comparison of how long it takes based on your mode of travel:

• Rental car or private vehicle:

If you rent a car, or have a car to borrow, you can generally make it there in an hour, give or take 50 minutes if there’s no traffic. But don’t let that fool you. A stalled car, a police checkpoint, a rainstorm can just as easily add on 20 to 30 extra minutes.

• Take an ADO bus (from downtown or airport):

ADO is the Mexican national bus company, and their comfortable, air-conditioned buses will carry you to and from Cancun multiple times a day. It should take 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there if you catch them at the Cancun Airport. It usually costs between $12 and $15 (USD), and you can reserve online or at the station.

• Colectivo (shared van):

This is the cheaper, neighborhood alternative. Colectivos are vans that pick up and drop off passengers on the side of the highway. They are definitely not glamorous, but they do get the job done. You can just catch one from the downtown Cancun colectivo terminal they cost about $3 to $4 U.S. The ride is typically an hour and 30 minutes, depending on how many stops the driver makes.

• Taxi or private shuttle service:

Fastest and most comfortable is private transportation, also most expensive. Most taxis or private shuttles will take you there within an hour, but you’re likely to pay between $60-90 USD, especially if you’re coming from the hotel zone.

Is Playa Del Carmen Close Enough To Cancun For A Day Trip, Or Do You Need To Stay Overnight?

This, you have to note, is where you have to think past the clock. Yes, it's about an hour away. But that doesn’t mean that it’s always best as a same-day turnaround. Playa Del Carmen is a whole different scene from Cancun, a bit cooler, less all-inclusive resort corporate, a bit more barefoot tacos and boutique cafe.

If you’re only heading over for a couple of hours, you’ll spend more time getting there and back than actually chilling on the frontline. A full-day trip would see you already in Playa at around 9 or 10 a.m. after setting out from Cancun nice and early, say, 8 or 9 a.m. You’ll have a good 6 to 8 hours to stroll around Playa, hang out by the ocean, have some lunch on Quinta Avenida and maybe even fit in a visit to a cenote or the ferry to Cozumel.

Intending to rush back before dinner if you hurry down in the afternoon? You’ll probably feel like you hardly saw a thing. 

Factors That Can Make Playa Del Carmen Feel Further Away Than It Is

Reality check: On a map, 42 miles sounds like a little hop. But on the ground, some things can make that feel like a lot longer. Here’s what to watch for:

• Traffic

• Rain

• Time of day

• Impromptu delays

• Police checkpoints, vehicle inspections or colectivos waiting to fill with passengers can make the trip last longer than usual.

Understanding The True Gap Between Cancun And Playa Del Carmen, Beyond The Map Numbers

So, what is the distance between Playa Del Carmen and Cancun? Give or take, 42 miles or 68 kilometers. But emotionally, logistically, and practically? It depends.

Time it right and choose the right mode of transportation, and it’s an easy hour south to a completely different beach town with its own persona. If you’re pressed for time or patience, it can feel much further.

Either way, it’s near enough to make a day trip, though only if you give yourself that much space to savor it.

And once you’re there, chances are you’ll be wanting a bit more time.