Cancun Airport to Cozumel by ADO (formerly Riviera) Bus

(Also Cozumel to Cancun)

Last update: July, 2008. Expect some picture updates soon

There are two main terminals at the Cancun airport. Terminal 3 is typically for international aircraft. If you are on a USA carrier odds are good that you will go into Terminal 3

Terminal 2 is the domestic terminal. This is where I was dropped off by the ADO bus from Playa del Carmen. It was near door 6 of Terminal 2. You can get a ticket at the bus.

At the bottom are departure times from Playa del Carmen (PDC) to Cancun airport ... and Cancun airport to Playa. Travel time is about 45 minutes. Also included are ferry times. Note that there are two ferries and almost every daylight hour has a ferry.

Cancun Airport to Cozumel Details

Here are views of Terminal 2. From left to right are Terminal 2 looking left (with an ADO bus visible), and Terminal 2 looking right. Note that the ADO bus paint colors may have changed and it may be farther to the left (hidden by the trees) if you face Terminal 2 or far right as you come out of the terminal.

Cancun Terminal 2 LeftTerminal 2 Right

Below left is the streetside ADO bus at terminal 3. It is located just past the Coconuts building to your right as you leave the building. pic. Below right is the shuttle that goes between the two terminals. Transit time to Playa del Carmen is about 45 minutes.




Cancun Terminal 1Terminal 1

The bathroom at the PDC bus terminal is upstairs. If you face the four side-by-side ticket counters, the stairs are to your right. Entry fee is 2 pesos so have some coins. If you need toilet paper, get it from the wall dispenser before you are "committed."

Leave from the corner door and you will see McDonalds and a Diamond store to your left. Walk straight forward about 20 yards then veer left and walk down the slight slope with McDonalds to your left. Walk towards the water one block and when you get to the wall that ends at the beach turn right. The next two pics are (left to right) the Diamond store and looking east to the ocean as you start walking down the hill.

Diamond StoreEast to ocean

The two pics below are from the path past McDonalds near the ocean wall (left). The right picture is looking south towards the entrance to the ferry pier. You can see the pier in the left picture.




To PDC PierTowards Ferry

As you get near the palapa, to the right you will see one ticket counter to your right on the corner (left pic below). A bit further past the palapa on the left are two others (right pic). Ultramar is the yellow/blue colored booth and the Mexico ferry is the other one. Both are fine. Just take the next one to go and do not buy roundtrip tickets.

Ticket CounterTicket Counter

The next two pics show the smaller ticket counter and the arch over the entrance to the ferry pier (left below) and the view just outside the pier entrance facing towards the pier (Right below). Senor Frogs is to the right and there is a McDonalds to the left just after you pass the arch. That McDonalds may have been gone as of Feb 2008. There are two tickets booths. One for Ultramar and the other for Mexico ferries.

PDC ArchPDC Ferry Pier

Just proceed under the arch and you will see the lines forming for the next ferry. Enjoy the trip over. You can get refreshments on the ferry.

Cozumel to Cancun Details

The view from the square towards the Cozumel ferry pier is the next leftmost picture. The ticket Mexico ferry counter is at the left end of the right building. You can also buy your bus ticket at another counter in that building. The Ultramar ferry counter is in the left building. Ferry time to PDC about 35 minutes. The right picture is on the Playa Del Carmen pier.

Coz Ferry pierLeaving PDC Pier

The next left picture is leaving the pier. Note Senor Frogs to the left and McDonalds (now gone?) is to the right. The next pic on the right is looking to the west as you leave the pier. Rental car companies are located just ahead.

PDC Off PierWest from PDC Pier

You could go one block to the top of the hill then right two blocks to get to the bus station. We will go right after leaving the pier/arch (Next left pic). The next rightmost picture is almost at the palapa with a large banner. We can either turn left, go one block then right one block...or, we can continue straight ahead. But for now we will go straight along the beach. Of course you can cut diagonally through the plaza area.

Right from PDC PierPDC Palapa

Before we continue straight, look a bit left at the plaza. Since the construction is done you can also walk diagonally through the courtyard area (next pic on left). Go straight (next right pic) then turn left after one block (before you hit the building!).

PDC PlazaPDC Straight

After you turn left and go one block west, look back for one last look at the ocean (next left pic). A few more yards and you are at the bus station (next right pic).

PDC OceanPDC Bus Station

Bus times verified via their website

ADO Bus Schedule

Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen: 1030 AM, 1145 AM, 1245 PM, 145 PM, 245 PM, 345 PM, 445 PM, 545 PM, 745 PM, 845 PM

Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport: 800 AM, 900 AM, 1000 AM, 1100 AM, 1200 PM, 100 PM, 200 PM, 300 PM, 400 PM, 500 PM, 615 PM

Ferry Schedule (Times verified Jan 2007 - Always confirm times since it can and does change)

Playa del Carmen to Cozumel: 600 AM, 800 AM, 900 AM, 1000 AM, 1100 AM, 100 PM, 300 PM, 500 PM, 600 PM, 700 PM, 900 PM, 1100 PM

Cozumel to Playa del Carmen: 500 AM, 700 AM, 800 AM, 900 AM, 1000 AM, 1200 PM, 200 PM, 400 PM, 500 PM, 600 PM, 800 PM, 1000 PM

 

Websites:

1) Mexico ferry: http://www.crucerosmaritimos.com.mx/inicio.htm

Look under "Servicios" then "Horarios"

2) Ultramar ferry: http://mexicancaribbean.com/Transportation/Ferrie/Ultramar/default.htm

3) Bus system: https://www.ticketbus.com.mx/ticketbus/eng/index.jsp