Cancun to Valladolid | Tips & Prices

Are you looking for ways to get from Cancun to Valladolid? If so, then you’re in the right place, my friend! In this post, you will find out all the best ways of getting to Valladolid and back from Valladolid to Cancun.

Valladolid Mexico, is one of the best day trips from Cancun, but also an amazing destination to add to your Yucatan itinerary for staying a few days. 

Here, you can marvel at the picturesque colonial architecture, visit quaint churches such as La Iglesia de San Servacio and delve into Mayan heritage and Mexican arts at the city museums. Valladolid also boasts an excellent dining scene attracting visitors with quality local cuisine from Yucatan as well as modern hipster cafes. 

🚗 ALSO READ ➡️ Renting A Car In Cancun: Ultimate Guide + Tips

Valladolid is also an excellent base for visiting the incredible Chichen Itza and having a fun time exploring Valladolid cenotes. 

Whether you’re a foodie, history and culture lover or a thrill-seeking traveller, Valladolid has something for everyone! 

Ok, enough about Valladolid. Let’s find out how you can get from Cancun to Valladolid! 

Cancun to Valladolid Mexico Quick Summary

Options	Why choose?	Cost	Book
Car Rental	Most flexible	$30+ per day	Check Discover Cars
Private Transfer	Most convenient	$240 2-8 persons	Book via Viator
ADO Bus	Cheapest	$11 per person	Use BookaWay
Day Tour	Most time-effective	$60+	Book via Viator

Where is Valladolid Mexico?

Valladolid is situated on the Yucatan Peninsula, tucked between the famous holiday resort – Cancun and up and coming tourist destination – Merida. Both cities can be reached within two hours from Valladolid. Valladolid is also only about a 45-minutes drive away from Chichen Itza, 1.5 hours from Tulum and about 2 hours from Playa del Carmen.  

How to Get from Cancun to Valladolid?

#1 By Car – Cancun to Valladolid Drive

The best way of getting from Cancun to Valladolid is renting a car in Cancun and making your own way to Valladolid. Driving in Mexico may seem a little intimidating at first glance, but really, it is super easy and very affordable. 

Cancun Valladolid Cancun Route 

The distance between Cancun and Valladolid is 156 km, which depending on the traffic, should take around 2 hours. The route is super simple and consists mostly of following the 180D highway. This highway is new, has a decent surface and the way to Valladolid is well marked and easy to follow. 

The only thing to be aware of is the speed bumps. I’ve been travelling in Yucatan for two months and was very surprised at how many speed bumps are there, even on the highways! When driving in Mexico, look out for speed bumps. Sometimes, they are not well marked and driving through them at speed can be dangerous. 

The Cancun to Valladolid road is safe to drive for foreigners, but if I were you, I’d make sure I don’t drive late at night.  

Mexico Car Rental Explained 

I normally only advise pre-booking car rental online during the high season, but in the case of Mexico, it is super important that you get your booking through a reputable car rental service such as Discover Cars and opt for full cover. 

What’s the cost to rent a car in Cancun?

Cancun car rental prices can vary a lot and will depend on the following factors:

The car rental price, including full coverage, which I recommend, can vary from $20 to $60 per day, depending on the above factors. I recommend entering your preferred dates on the Discover Cars website to find out the exact cost based on your preferences. 

What’s the age requirement for driving in Mexico?

If you’re using Discover Cars, the age requirement is 18 years old, but the car rental price for that age is at least three times more expensive compared to the main driver’s age of 21 years old. Some car rental companies may even charge a little more for drivers aged below 30 years old.  

Deposit 

Most car rentals in Cancun require a deposit even if you opt-in for full insurance. The deposit amount depends on the rental duration, but you can expect around $350 for a week of rental. This money is returned in full when you return the car. You can give them your credit card details for the deposit, and they will freeze the deposit amount instead of taking it. But, if you use your debit card, the money will be taken and refunded within 5-7 days after you return the car. Some rental companies require a credit card specifically to be entered into their system. 

Full cover and why you should get it 

Whenever I rent a car abroad, I always go for full coverage to protect myself from extra costs, and I strongly advise you to do the same. The basic cover only protects you from accidents caused by a third party, which is not much protection. 

The full cover protects your deposit from the deduction for any damages to the car that occurs from your fault, theft, or loss of key, towing fees, damages to wheels and windows and any other admin fees that the rental company may want to charge you.   

The full cover costs between $5-$12 extra per day but gives you peace of mind, which is priceless. 

Airport pick-up or delivery to your Cancun hotel

Depending on your plans, you can either pick up your rental car at Cancun Aiport or get it delivered to your Cancun hotel. 

More Tips for Renting a Car in Mexico

Mexico car rental scams

If you decide to rent a car directly from the airport or any car rentals in Cancun town, be aware of the common Mexico car rental scams! The most common is the low price advertised online and the hidden costs you get to pay when you show up at the car rental. If you see car rental prices advertised as $5 per day, you should know straight away it’s a scam, and you will end up paying a much higher rate. 

This is why I recommend booking your car in advance through Discover Cars, which is a reputable car rental comparison website.  

Car rental insurance in Mexico

Another common scam is requiring Mexican car insurance in addition to the insurance you may already have back home through your credit card insurance. Again, the way to avoid it is booking your car online through a reputable provider such as Discover Cars, which can look after you even if you run into a dispute with the local car rental in Cancun. 

Record the condition of the car

Before you drive away from the rental car shop, take photos of all dents & scratches and, go around the car and record a video. This is a good practice whenever you rent a car abroad, which will protect you from unjust claims against you. Also, make sure you drop off your rented car with plenty of time to spare before your flight in case there was a dispute.   

Print your car rental agreement & full insurance cover certificate

Make sure you’ve got all documents printed with you, including your car rental agreement showing the total price and how much you’ve already paid, a full cover certificate and some important customer service phone numbers. 

#2 Cancun Private Transportation to Valladolid

Another excellent way of getting from Cancun to Valladolid is booking a Cancun airport private transportation service. This is a great option for those that, for whatever reasons, prefer not to drive in Mexico and want a hassle-free experience. You can get this Cancun private transfer either from Cancun airport or your Cancun hotel. The time is fully flexible, and you get a lift all the way to your hotel in Valladolid. 

Booking a private transfer is the best option if your flight arrives late in the evening, outside of the working hours of Cancun public buses. Cancun airport is particularly bad at scamming tourists, and if you don’t organise your transport in advance, you will be charged ‘an arm and a leg’ for a lift to your hotel, whether it’s in Valladolid or Cancun. I can tell you that from my own experience!

#3 By Bus – ADO Cancun Valladolid Route

Taking a bus from Cancun to Valladolid Mexico, is the best option for all travellers on a budget. The buses from Cancun to Valladolid leave multiple times a day between 4 am and 9:30 pm from ADO Bus Terminal Cancun, situated in the city centre. The ticket costs around $11 depending on the current exchange rate, and the journey between Cancun Valladolid takes 2 hours and 25 minutes. 

Although there are more companies that serve this route, the ADO bus Cancun to Valladolid is by far the best option. ADO buses are super modern and comfortable. They come with decent air-conditioning and an onboard toilet. Also, the ADO bus Cancun Valladolid is the fastest local bus you can take, with hardly any stops in between the two cities. 

The only thing to be aware of is that the Cancun Valladolid bus fills up quickly due to its popularity, so you may need to book it in advance. You can either show up at the ADO Bus Station Cancun to buy your ticket or book it online. 

The best way for foreigners to book a bus ticket for Mexico is the BookaWay site. ADO has its one website, but weirdly is super temperamental, and even if it loads for you, you will need a Mexican credit card to purchase the ticket. 

ADO bus Cancun airport to Valladolid

Please note that there is NO direct bus from Cancun airport to Valladolid. 

STEP ONE | You will first need to catch an ADO bus from Cancun airport to the ADO bus station. 

STEP TWO | From the Cancun bus station, take the Cancun Valladolid ADO bus. ADO Valladolid Bus Terminal is located within a 5-minutes walk from the city’s main square. 

ADO Bus Valladolid to Cancun 

On the way back to Cancun, you can also purchase your ticket directly from the ADO bus stop Valladolid or online through BookaWay. Valladolid Cancun Mexico journey time is similar and takes almost 2.5 hours. 

Valladolid Cancun ADO bus schedule | multiple times a day between 5 am and 11 pm. Check BookaWay for exact times. 

#4 Best Valladolid Tours from Cancun

Booking a tour is another way of getting from Cancun to Valladolid. This is the best option for those that don’t have enough time to stay in Valladolid for a few days, which would be ideal but don’t want to miss out on visiting this incredible town.  

Taking one of the tours from Cancun can be a time-effective way of combining some of the best attractions near Valladolid, such as Chichen Itza, swimming in the cenotes and, of course, the magical town of Valladolid (in Spanish Pueblo Magico) itself. Booking a tour is also an excellent alternative to renting a car, especially for solo travellers. 

The tour will normally offer a hotel pick-up and drop-off, so you don’t need to worry about any of the logistics, as well as an English-speaking guide that can explain a little more about what you see.   

#5 Cancun to Valladolid Taxi – Worst Option 

The last way of getting from Cancun to Valladolid is taking a taxi either from Cancun city or Cancun airport. This is the least effective option out of all the options you have, which leaves you at the mercy of the taxi driver. 

The taxi from Cancun airport to Valladolid will cost at least $250 – $300. However, if you decide on this option, make sure you agree on the price prior to the start of the trip and check the condition of the car.

Where to stay in Valladolid Mexico?

Cancun to Valladolid FAQ

What’s the Cancun Valladolid distance?

The distance between Cancun and Valladolid is 153 km, which should take around 2 hours by car and up to 2.5 hours by bus. 

Is Valladolid safe for driving?

Yes. The road between Cancun and Valladolid cannot be more straightforward, and driving it is very safe. You will mostly be driving on highway 180D, which is a new road with similar standards to roads you know from driving in the United States or Europe. 

In terms of the city itself, Valladolid is one of the safest cities to travel to in Mexico, including for solo female travellers. The city has a relaxed vibe, and I personally felt safe walking within the centre during the day and at night. This, however, doesn’t mean you should forget about all common sense precautions starting with good travel insurance, keeping an eye on your belongings and getting a taxi back to your hotel when you go out drinking at night. 

Is there a car rental Valladolid based?

At the time of writing this post, there were no Valladolid Mexico car rental shops available. If you’re heading to Valladolid, and want a car, make sure you rent it in Cancun. You can browse for the best car rental deals on Discover Cars.  

Can you fly to Valladolid Mexico Airport?

No. The closest airport that you can fly to is located in Merida or Cancun. 

What’s the experience like travelling on a Cancun to Valladolid ADO bus?

I had a very pleasant experience travelling on a Cancun Valladolid ADO bus. ADO buses are modern and come equipped with excellent air-conditioning, TV, USB plugs for charging your phone and an onboard toilet. Also, all your luggage is given a tag when put in the bus hold, and they don’t charge extra for it. The only critique is that the drivers don’t speak any English, which with the number of foreigners using ADO buses is a big surprise. 

Is there Uber in Cancun?

Kind of. Officially, there are Uber services available in Cancun, but Uber drivers are frowned upon in Cancun, and in many places, they are not allowed to pick up customers. 

You won’t be able to order an Uber at Cancun airport because Uber drivers are not permitted to enter the airport. The airport at Cancun seems like a huge money-making business controlled by a few companies that offer outrageous prices compared with the rest of Mexico, so no surprise here that they do everything to keep the monopoly of this highly lucrative business.  

It’s a different story in Cancun city, where you can easily order a ride using the Uber app, while some hotels in Zona Hotelaria will also make it difficult for Uber drivers to operate.   

Is Valladolid worth visiting?

Totally! Valladolid is not only the ideal base for exploring Chichen Itza and many super cool cenotes that are located near the city boundaries, but also it is a destination worth visiting for its charming colonial architecture, excellent dining scene and authentic Mexican town vibe.