Cancun to Valladolid (4 Ways to Go in 2023 + Prices)
Looking to go from Cancun Valladolid?
This post will break down the pros and cons of the four main ways to go. First, this table summarizes the key points:
| Method | Length | Cost | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental Car | ~2 hrs | $20+ /day | Book here |
| ADO Bus | ~2 hrs | $8+ /person | Check times |
| Private Transfer | ~2 hrs | $180+ /group | Book here |
| Day Tour | All day | varies | More info |
Table of Contents
🚗 Renting a Car (my pick)
🚍 Taking the Bus (cheapest)
🚐 Private Transfer (safest)
🌴 Taking a Tour (for day trippers)
Bonuses:
🛏️ Where to Stay
🔥 Valladolid Mexico Guide (opens in new tab)
But first, if you’re going to Valladolid from Cancun, be sure to The town’s residents (and the Mayor!) even made a short video with on my last trip there. Watch here:
How to Go From Cancun to Valladolid
Option 1: Rent a Car and Drive from Cancun to Valladolid
I know, I know: driving in Mexico seems scary right?
Well, actually it’s not that bad. The road from Cancun to Valladolid is a straight shot along 180 D, which is a modern and wide road that’s probably not that different from driving in your home country.
The drive from Cancun to Valladolid is a little under 2 hours and is pretty easy:
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Pro Tip: avoid the common Mexico car rental scam where you are shown a super-low price online only to show up and find you have to pay lots of “mandatory” fees and insurance. That’s why I suggest renting through Discover Car Hire, a trusted site that searches reputable operators in Mexico, including many with cars at Cancun Airport.
STAYING OVERNIGHT IN VALLADOLID? Check out our list of the Best Hotels in Valladolid Mexico (I even visited them all to find the best ones for you!)
Option 2: Taking the ADO Bus from Cancun to Valladolid
The Mexican bus company ADO runs high-quality first class buses from Cancun to Valladolid multiple times per day from Cancun town to Valladolid.
From 8 am until 6 pm, there is a bus to Valladolid roughly every hour, with more sporadic service during the late hours. You can check the exact schedule on the ADO website here.
The journey lasts a little over 2 hours and tickets start at 190 pesos ($9) if bought in advance.
Note that most American credit cards will NOT work for purchases online on the ADO site (don’t get me started on that … sigh!). Instead, you’ll need to purchase at the ADO station itself (where, weirdly, those same credit cards are accepted).
That stinks because sometimes the buses book up, but the good news is that usually you’ll just have to wait an hour for the next bus in that worst-case-scenario. If leaving on a specific bus is important to you, I suggest going to the station a few days in advance to buy your tickets, or buying at the ADO stands outside baggage claim at Cancun airport.
The ADO station in Cancun is located on the southwest corner of the giant rotunda intersection of Av Uxmal and 307. Or any taxi driver will know where to take you if you just say “Ah-de-oh.”
Here’s a Google map to the Cancun ADO station:
The Valladolid ADO bus station is located conveniently right off the main square, making it easy to get to your hotel by foot. Taxis are also usually waiting in front of the bus station.
There is No Cancun Airport to Valladolid Bus
Unfortunately, there is no direct Cancun Airport to Valladolid bus (as of the time of this writing). Instead, you’ll need to take an ADO bus or taxi into Cancun town and then switch to take the bus.
Alternatively, if you’re in a rush to get from Cancun Airport to Valladolid, you could rent a car at the airport (remember: use Discover Car Hire to avoid scams). Or you could take our next option …
Option 3: Hiring a Private Transfer
Coming from Cancun airport to Valladolid and don’t want to deal with the hassle of driving yourself or cramming into a bus? A private transfer is an easy and safe way to make the journey – especially in times of covid!
I suggest pricing out a private transfer from the local, family-run business Cancun Airport Transportation. They’ll pick you up wherever you are in Cancun and whisk you to Valladolid on your schedule. See my review of Cancun Airport Transportation for more on why I love that service so much.
Option 4: Taking a Tour from Cancun to Valladolid
Sometimes you just want someone else to take care of all the details right?
Well, in that case, consider taking a tour from Cancun to Valladolid. You’ll get to see and do some of the best activities around Cancun on the way to boot!
Most tour companies will pick you up at your hotel in Cancun, drive you to Valladolid, and take care of all the details so that you don’t have to worry about how to get from Cancun to Valladolid on your own.
In case you are interested in nerding out on details, we wrote a mega guide to the best Chichen Itza tours from Cancun, but here are our three top picks in case you are short on time:
- Day Tour Plus Cenote – If you’re really looking to focus your trip to Valladolid on exploring this magical town (beyond just the main square), then this tour is for you! You’ll dive deep into this awesome and under-touristed town.
- Valladolid, Chichen Itza, and Temezacal – This tour will take in Chichen Itza, the most popular tourist site in Mexico and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the town of Valladolid, and will include a bonus visit to a Temezacal – a traditional sweat lodge!
- Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and a Cenote – This jam-packed tour not only takes you from Cancun to Valladolid and Chichen Itza, but it also covers the must less touristed Mayan site of Ek Balam and will take you swimming in a cenote!
Where to Stay Overnight (And Why You Should!)
Valladolid is one of my favorite places in the Yucatan and it really deserves more than a day trip from Cancun. So, if you have the time, opt to stay at least one night in town. But where should you stay?
I personally visited 18 different hotels in town to create my epic ranking of Valladolid Mexico hotels. Click that link to see the full list, or book one of our top three picks on Booking here:
- Hotel Zentik Project (best luxury hotel) – This Tulum-style luxury hotel is relatively newer to town. The big draw is the incredible private saltwater pool is a subterranean cave. It’s really something unique!
- Le Muuch Hotel (best boutique hotel) – This may be one of the most stylish boutique hotels I’ve ever seen in my five years of travel around the world. Be sure to book quickly, as it does fill up.
El Meson de Marques (best for families) – A locally famous hotel north of the main square, and probably the popular place to stay in Valladolid. You’ll love the rooftop views of the cathedral.
***
That’s it for this guide for how to get from Cancun to Valladolid.
But, before you go, be sure to check out my totally free and amazingly-detailed monster Ultimate Guide to Valladolid, Mexico. It’s filled with insider tips about what to eat, where to drink (including a free drink for Travel Lemming readers at one of my favorite bars!), what to do, and more!
And if you’re traveling Mexico, be sure to also read these helpful articles:
- How to Go from Tulum to Valladolid
- 18 Travel Tip for Mexico (That You Need to Know)
- Playa del Carmen Mexico Guide
- Tulum Beach Guide
- How to Go from Cancun Airport to Tulum
Enjoy Valladolid!
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I’m planning a family trip, approx 10-20 people. I’m wondering if there’s a reputable company for hire for private transportation from Cancun to Valladolid and then from there to Merida and lastly returning to Cancun. Recommendations are appreciated.
You can check out Cancun Airport Transportation – they are a great option for large groups or families looking for a private transfer from Cancun to Valladolid.
Hi, great information. Do you know if there is a clinic, pharmacy that gives Covid tests for travel? It’s my first trip. Thanks.
many hotels are offering the test either for a cost ($200+) or free with three nights’ stay. There are also several clinics and sites set up to give the test ranging from $35-$133. I’m sure now that there are more testing sites, it will drive the cost down.
Hello would the same tips apply if coming from Valladolid into Cancun? .
I want to know how to transport from there into Cancun and how early should
I book my Bus ride for my depart flight out Of Cancun (at 1:47pm)
To my knowledge, there is no direct bus from Valladolid to Cancun Airport. You’ll need to go into Cancun town and switch buses or take a taxi. The switch could take some time, depending on the day, the timing, and traffic. Honestly, I’d plan to take the earliest bus I could in that situation.