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Tulum to Valladolid | Tips & 2024 Prices

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Are you planning to travel from Tulum to Valladolid?

Whether it’s part of your Yucatan road trip itinerary or a Valladolid day trip from Tulum, this post will give you all the information you need. 

If you can, I highly recommend you stay a few days in Valladolid Mexico, which is a delightful colonial city with plenty of exciting things to do and places to see. Valladolid is not only the perfect base for visiting the magnificent Chichen Itza but also the city itself and the incredible cenotes near Valladolid warrant the trip to this part of Yucatan.    

Valladolid Mexico
Valladolid

Tulum to Valladolid Mexico Quick Summary

OptionWhy choose?CostHow to book?
Rent a carFlexibility$30+ groupBook with Discover Cars
Private transferMost comfortable$300+ groupBook your transfer
ADO BusCheapest$20+ per personUse BookaWay
Day tourMost time-effective$60+ per personBook with 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.  

Tulum to Valladolid Map

How to Get to Valladolid from Tulum?

#1 By Car – Tulum to Valladolid Drive & Renting a Car in Mexico

Tulum to Valladolid Mexico

Distance Tulum Valladolid – 102 km. 

Book via Discover Cars to avoid scams & hidden costs.

Best for flexibility & exploring more around Valladolid.

The best way of getting from Tulum to Valladolid is renting a car in Tulum 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. 

Why rent a car in Tulum?

Renting a car in Tulum or Cancun is very affordable, especially if you travel in a group; and can spread the cost and can give you a lot of flexibility to visit more places. The places I recommend visiting in addition to Valladolid and Chichen Itza are Coba, Izamal Mexico, Cenote Suytun and Cenote Oxman

Tulum Valladolid Tulum Route 

Tulum Valladolid route is 102 km long, which depending on the traffic, should take around 1 hour 30 minutes. The route is super simple and consists mostly of following the 109 highway towards Coba ruins, which in Chemax turns into road 180 to Valladolid. 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 Tulum 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.  

Book your rental car at the best rate here:

Mexico Car Rental Explained 

Valladolid Mexico

I usually 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. 

How much does it cost to rent a car in Mexico?

The cost of renting a car in Mexico will depend on the following factors:

Age of the driver (under the 30s, pay more)

Driver’s licence origin

Time of the year (higher prices during high season)

Rental duration (the longer the rental period, the lower the cost per day) 

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?

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 higher than 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 Tulum 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. 

If you give them your credit card details for the deposit, and they will freeze the deposit amount instead of taking it. But, if you use a 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.

Book your rental car at the best rate here:

More Tips for Renting a Car in Mexico

Tulum to Valladolid Mexico
Mexico car rental scams

If you decide to rent a car directly from the airport or any car rentals in Tulum, 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 it’s a scam, and you will end up paying a much higher price. 

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 or life insurance. Again, the way to avoid it is to book 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.   

Be aware of extra charges

Here are some common extra charges that a car rental company will apply.

Drop-off at a different location | this is normally the most costly addition to the base rate.

Empty tank fee | search for a gas station near the car drop-off point, and make sure you fuel up before returning your car.

Additional driver | all car rental companies charge for an extra driver, and the cost is normally relatively high.

Rental duration extension | be aware of the daily cost of the extension; some rentals can charge you double for extending the car rental agreement.  

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

You should also carry your passport with you when driving in Mexico.

International Driving Licence

US driving licence is valid in Mexico, and if your driver’s licence comes from another country, make sure you have your international driving licence on you at all times when driving. 

Pros
  • Flexibility
  • Excellent for those wanting to visit more places
  • Great for families or groups
Cons
  • Responsibility
  • Mexican car rental scams (avoid by booking via Discover Cars)

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

#2 Tulum Valladolid Private Transfer

Tulum to Valladolid

Best for | hassle-free, door-to-door experience.

Cost | $300+ up to 3 persons  

Book | Book 

Another excellent way of getting from Tulum to Valladolid is booking a Tulum private transportation service. 

This is an excellent option for those who prefer not to drive in Mexico and want a hassle-free experience. It’s also an excellent way to get from Tulum to Valladolid for families and larger groups.  

This private transfer is a door-to-door service, which means you get picked up at your Tulum hotel at your chosen time, and you get a lift to your hotel in Valladolid. 

Pros
  • Most hassle-free transport
  • Door-to-door service
  • Flexible pick-up time
  • Excellent for groups
Cons
  • Pricey

#3 ADO Bus Tulum Valladolid

ADO Valladolid bus
ADO Terminal in Valladolid.

Best for | travellers on a budget

Cost | $10+ one way

Duration | 1 hour 35 minutes

Book | BookaWay

Taking a bus from Tulum to Valladolid is the best option for all budget travellers. The Tulum to Valladolid ADO buses leave multiple times a day between 7:50 am and 9:30 pm from ADO Bus Terminal Tulum, situated in the city centre. The ticket costs around $10 depending on the current exchange rate, and the journey between Tulum & Valladolid takes 1 hour and 35 minutes. 

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

The only thing to be aware of is that the ADO Tulum to 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 Tulum ADO Terminal 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 website, but weirdly is super temperamental and doesn’t seem to work outside of Mexico. Also, you will need a Mexican credit card to purchase the ticket even if it loads for you. 

ADO Tulum Valladolid bus Schedule

Here is the Tulum to Valladolid bus schedule | 01:50 am | 7:50 am | 8:57 am | 9:37 am | 10:47 am | 10:50 am | 02:37 pm | 02:50 pm | 4:50 pm | 06:57 pm | 08:17 pm | 09:27 pm

ADO Bus Valladolid to Tulum 

On the way back to Cancun, you can purchase your ticket directly from the ADO Bus Stop Valladolid or online through BookaWay. Valladolid to Tulum trip time is similar and takes almost 1.5 hours. 

ADO Valladolid Tulum bus schedule | 08:00 am | 09:05 | 10:20 am | 11:30 am | 02:30 pm | 05:00 pm | 06:40 | 07:30 pm | 09:30 pm

Pros
  • Cheap
  • Regular service
Cons
  • ADO website doesn’t work (use BookaWay)

#4 Valladolid Tour from Tulum

Valladolid Mexico
Valladolid Mexico.
Chichen Itza Valladolid
Chichen Itza.

Best for | travellers on a tight schedule & solo travellers

Tour cost | $60+

Booking a tour is another way of getting from Tulum to Valladolid. A tour 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 wonderful town.  

Taking one of the tours from Tulum 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 logistics, as well as an English-speaking guide that gives you interesting facts and a local take on what you see.   

Cenote Suytun Valladolid
Cenote Suytun
Chichen Itza Valladolid
Chichen Itza.
Santa Ana Valladolid
Valladolid.

The Best Chichen Itza Valladolid Cenote Tour that includes a visit to Cenote Ik Kil and Cenote Oxman:

The Best Chichen Itza Tour from Tulum that includes a proper guided tour of Valladolid and Cenote Xux Ha: 

The Best Suytun Cenote Tour from Tulum:

Private tour with local expert: Chichen Itza + Valladolid + Suytun & Samula Cenote 

Pros
  • Excellent for those with tight travel schedules
  • Hassle-free
  • Able to see multiple attractions in one day
Cons
  • Not flexible

#5 Tulum to Valladolid Colectivo

Tulum to Valladolid Colectivo

Another way of getting to Valladolid from Tulum is taking a colectivo. Colectivos are a form of local transport in Mexico, which is privately owned and typically serve local short routes. 

The colectivo buses or vans usually are small, fitting about 14 people and often a little tired and aged. There is no set time schedule, and the driver usually waits to get enough passengers before he leaves to make sure the trip is worthwhile for him. 

I highly recommend going on at least one colectivo during your Mexico vacation to experience the local vibe! But, I wouldn’t recommend you do it on a long route like Valladolid Tulum. ADO buses are super cheap and comfortable, and there is really no need to take a colectivo. 

What’s the Best Place to Stay in Valladolid Mexico?

Hotel Zentik Project & Saline Cave – Unique Adults-Only Hotel with Cave Pool

Valladolid Hotels, where to stay valladolid mexico
Hotel Zentik Project via Booking.com

Situated 1.8 km (22 minutes walk) from the main square in Valladolid, Hotel Zentik Project features a unique cave with hot and salty water and another outdoor pool surrounder my loungers and hammocks. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary American breakfast, free parking, a spa centre, an onsite restaurant, and a bar. 

Le Muuch Hotel Boutique – Boutique Hotel, 6 min walk to centre

valladolid hotels
Le Muuch Hotel via Booking.com

Le Muuch Hotel is situated right in the heart of Valladolid, a 6-minute walk to the main square. The hotel features two pools – one indoor and one outdoor, a complimentary a la carte breakfast and free parking. All rooms are equipped with a coffee machine and fridge, while some come with a kitchen. The hotel also boasts a restaurant and a bar. 

Hotel Fundadores – Value Hotel with kitchenette 

valladolid mexico hotel
Hotel Fundadores via Booking.com

Located a 5-minute walk from Valladolid’s main square, Hotel Fundadores is set in a picturesque hacienda featuring a courtyard with a pool and rooms with kitchenette and balcony. 

Tulum to Valladolid FAQ

What’s the Tulum to Valladolid distance?

The distance between Tulum and Valladolid is 102 km or just over 63 miles, which takes just over 90 minutes. 

How far is Tulum from Cancun airport? 

There is 118 km (or 73 miles) from Cancun to Tulum, and the most convenient way of getting from the Cancun airport to your Tulum hotel is by booking a private transfer

How to fly into Tulum Mexico?

Does Tulum have an airport? The answer is no. Tulum does not have an airport; the nearest airport to fly to is the Cancun International Airport

Can you rent a car in Tulum?

Yes, you can. Car rental shops in Tulum are very common, and the rates generally affordable. The only thing to be aware of is many car rental scams, which I discussed earlier in this post. The best way to protect yourself from scammers is to book your car online through a car comparison website such as Discover Cars.  

Is it safe to drive from Tulum to Chichen Itza?

Yes. The road between Tulum and Chichen Itza is well-marked, modern and safe. 

What are the best cenotes in Valladolid?

Some fo the best Valladolid cenotes include Cenote Suytun, Cenote Oxman, Cenote Samal & Cenote Xkeken, Cenote Samula and Cenote Hubiku. 

Check out this post for more inspiration – 15 Epic Valladolid Cenotes

How to get from Cancun to Valladolid?

There are multiple ways available, and for the complete guide, check out the below post: Cancun to Valladolid | Tips & Prices

What’s the must-see in Tulum?

There are so many things to do in Tulum, including its incredible cenotes, chic beach clubs, beautiful beaches and epic Tulum Instagram spots

You may also like: How To Get To Bacalar Mexico – Cancun to Bacalar & Tulum to Bacalar

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