Tulum is a gorgeous vacation destination, but it’s never been the easiest trip from California.
On my first trip for a bachelorette party, we decided to save money by flying into Cozumel and taking a ferry to Playa del Carmen, followed by a 40-minute shuttle to our Airbnb in Tulum. The trip, which included a layover in Miami, was exhausting — and not one I’d recommend to anyone.
When I went to Tulum the second time, I knew I wanted to fly nonstop to Cancún. My friends and I rented a car to drive two hours from there to Tulum. We took the ADO bus on the way back, which took two-and-a-half hours. It’s not the quickest journey before and after a five-hour flight!
The new Tulum airport — which began accepting international flights in April — is 20 miles from the city’s hub. It’s a quicker trip than Cancún, located about 80 miles away. However, you should still expect at least a 45-minute ride to and from your destination (depending on where you’re staying).
Round-trip ticket prices to Tulum and Cancún from LA were generally the same when I traveled there in May.