Tulum >> Cancun

Getting from Tulum to Cancun is pretty straight forward, a straight shot north on the highway. You can catch a first or second class bus from Tulum’s main station. The bus will run somewhere around $8-10usd depending on class.

But you can also hop in a colectivo. The vans that stuff as many people as possible in them and drive as fast as possible to each location. You’ll likely stop in Playa del Carmen and have to make a change to the Cancun colectivo, but it should be pretty straight forward. The colectivos will likely run less than half the cost of the bus so it’s your best bet, even if it’s not the most comfortable one — it’s an easy ride.

NOTE: When negotiating prices in colectivos, its best to pay attention and see what others are being charged. It’s common to be charged a bit more if you have a backpack, since the extra luggage may cost them an extra fare. Just be alert and aware and you should have no problem getting a fair price.

Tulum >> Belize

San Pedro/Caye Caulker:

Whatever way you spin it, you’ll need to take a boat to Caye Caulker. It’s convenient and timely to catch the boat in Chetumal, Mexico which makes stops in both San Pedro and Caye Caulker. The bus from Tulum to Chetumal will cost about $11usd/$150pesos and takes four hours to arrive. All buses from Tulum leave overnight at either 12:30am, 2am or 3am.

Catching the boat to/from Caye Caulker to/from the port of Chetumal is costly, but the convenience is worth the price. The boat costs $45 and leaves Chetumal at 3pm. You will have to go through customs in San Pedro.

If you are leaving Belize to come to Mexico, there will be a $3.25usd/$7.50bze environmental tax. By leaving on boat you avoid paying the $15usd/$30bze departure fee.

If going to Chetumal from the Cayes, the boat leaves Caye Caulker at 7 am. Once you get through customs in Chetumal you can share a taxi with others to get to the bus station, that runs around $1.40usd (20pesos). From the Chetumal bus station you can get to your choice of Yucatan destinations — first or second class bus.

You can buy your water taxi tickets from the dock or on Center Street at their office; remember to inquire for discounts and special deals.

(NOTE: Check these sites for bus and water taxi rates and schedules: Mexico bus horarios // Water Taxi Mexico-Belize)

Belize City:

From Tulum there is an overnight bus to Belize City. It leaves the station at 12:15am and arrives to Belize City around 6 or 7 am — depending on customs at the border (remember the $23usd/$295peso departure fee to leave Mexico). The bus costs about $30usd/$402pesos. If going from Belize City to Tulum/Playa del Carmen/Cancun, the bus leaves the Belize City terminal at 8:15 pm nightly.

If leaving Belize by bus, you are subject to the $15usd/$30bze departure tax and the $3.25usd/$7.50bze environmental tax.

Once in Belize City you can catch buses to anywhere in the country or walk out of the station and head straight toward the water taxis that will take you to the cayes. There are two water taxis servicing Caye Caulker and San Pedro, the tickets should cost you no more that $7usd/$15bze one way or $12.50usd/$25bze round trip. You can bargain the prices down because there are two competing ferries.

Take me to SLEEPING: TULUM

Take me back to TULUM // Take me back to MEXICO // Take me to BELIZE