👉 Jump to:How to Rent a Car | ADO Bus from Tulum | Taking a Taxi | Tours to Valladolid | Where to Stay in Valladolid | Tulum Beach Guide
So you want to go from Tulum to Valladolid? Great choice! Valladolid is my favorite town in Mexico. You can visit as part of a day trip from Tulum, but I highly recommend staying overnight to check out the many things to do in Valladolid Mexico.
Now let’s talk about how to get to Valladolid from Tulum. You have four options, all with their pros and cons.
Use the above links to jump around this article, or reference this handy chart for quick info:
| Method | Length | Cost | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent a Car | 90 mins | $20+ /day | Reserve a Car |
| ADO Bus | ~2 hrs | $13 /person | Book bus |
| Taxi | 90 mins | $200+ | Book a car |
| Tours | All Day | From $38 | See Top Tours |
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Table of Contents
Option 1: Rent a Car & Drive from Tulum to Valladolid
Driving to Valladolid is my top suggestion if you can swing it. Driving in Mexico isn’t as scary as you might think – and the road from Tulum to Valladolid is a well-paved straight 1.5 hour shot through the jungle.
Having a car will give you the flexibility to explore the many lesser-known sites and beautiful cenotes around Valladolid. It also affords you the flexibility to more easily visit Valladolid as part of a day excursion from Tulum, if you don’t have time to stay overnight.
Length: 90 minutes
How to Rent: There are lots of rental car agencies in Tulum town, but some have been know to scare tourists. That’s why I always recommend using Discover Cars to search multiple agencies not only for the best prices but also to filter based on reviews of each agency. Be sure to read my full guide to renting cars for a Mexican vacation!
Option 2: Take the ADO Bus from Tulum to Valladolid
If you’re planning to stay overnight in Valladolid (and you really should!), the ADO bus is a great option to get between your hotel in Tulum and Valladolid.
The downside of taking the bus from Tulum is that you will still need to sort your way to Chichen Itza or Ek Balam. It’s not hard, but it is something to consider.
- Times: Varies. Confirm times on the ADO bus website.
- How Long: ADO claims 90 minutes, but I’ve never done this ride in fewer than 2 hours.
- Cost: ~100-200 MXN ($5-10 USD) based on demand.
- Where to Buy Tickets: You’ll need to go in person to the Tulum ADO station ( see on Google Maps) because ADO’s very annoying website won’t accept USA credit cards. Alternatively, you can pre-book your trip online via BusBud.
- Arriving in Valladolid: The Valladolid bus station is located just one block off the main square ( see on Google Maps). Most of my recommended Valladolid hotels are within an easy walk.
Oh, and FYI – there is plenty of space for your luggage on the ADO buses (they check it below the bus).
Option 3: Taxi to Valladolid
Don’t want to drive between Tulum and Valladolid, but also not eager to put up with the hassle of a bus ride on your vacation?
I totally get it, but you better be prepared to pay up for a taxi to take you from Tulum to Valladolid. You’ll need to find a driver in Tulum town and haggle. Even then, a taxi to Valladolid is likely to cost in the range of 2,000 pesos ($100 USD).
Unless you’re in a group, it might be more cost effective to check out our next option instead …
Option 4: Tours to Valladolid from Tulum
Just heading to Valladolid for a day trip? The easiest way to make the trip is via a tour. Here are some of our favorites:
👉 Best Tour from Tulum to Valladolid: Full-day combo tour of the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum – With hundreds of five star reviews, this “World Wonder Discovery” tour takes in a dizzying amount of sites in one day – including the town of Valladolid, Chichen Itza, a cenote, and more.
👉 Budget Tour from Tulum to Valladolid: Tulum to Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Cenote Tour – If you want to see it all and you only have a day, this highly rated tour from Tulum would be our top choice.
Want a different tour? Check out the entire article we did rounding up the best Chichen Itza Tours from Tulum.
👉 Read Next: Is Tulum safe for tourists?
FAQs About Going to Valladolid from Tulum
How do you get from Tulum to Coba?
The Coba Mayan ruins are located halfway between Tulum and Valladolid. You can get to Coba from Tulum via ADO bus, taxi, tour, or by driving yourself.
How far is Valladolid from Tulum?
102 km. The drive to Valladolid from Tulum is a single straight shot.
Which is better for a day trip – Chichen Itza or Ek Balam?
Chichen Itza is more popular, but the Mayan ruins at Ek Balam are equally beautiful and there are far fewer crowds.
Which is better: Coba or Chichen Itza?
Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and so is generally a more popular Mayan ruin to visit versus Coba. With that said, Coba has a lot going for it, including the facts that you can bike around the jungle area surrounding the ruins. See our complete guide to Chichen Itza vs Coba for helping deciding which is better for you.
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I hope this guide to how to get from Tulum to Valladolid has been helpful! If you’re headed elsewhere in the Yucatan peninsula, be sure to check out our epic travel guides:
- How to Go from Cancun to Tulum
- How to Go from Cancun to Valladolid
- Travel Tips for Mexico
- Playa del Carmen Travel Guide
Safe travels from Tulum to Valladolid!
