Xel Ha Locations and Directions

Xel Ha is 75 miles south of Cancun. If you prefer to be independent and make your own way there it's not difficult. For those that decide not to rely on their own steam and take advantage of a tour then please check out our Xel Ha Tours.

If you have a hire car then you need to head towards highway 307 which is the main North South road from Cancun right down to the Belizean border. If you're starting from the Hotel Zone it's probably easiest to join the 307 at the airport junction, so head away from downtown. You can join the 307 at the downtown end but it's a little more complicated if you're not familiar with downtown Cancun.

Head south and you'll pass by Puerto Morelos, Playa Del Carmen and Xcaret. Xel Ha is 35 miles south of Playa del Carmen and before you reach Tulum.

Signposts are very clear and it is hard to miss.

Highway 307 is nicknamed the 'highway of death', as there are frequent accidents, so drive carefully. The standards of driving in Mexico are poor at best and there are plenty of idiots on the roads.

If you prefer to travel by bus then the downtown Cancun bus station provides frequent daily buses to Xel Ha, the bus ride takes approximately 2 hours and costs around $10 per person.

The bus stops at several points on the way, and has a 10 minute or so layover in Playa Del Carmen, before recommencing the journey.

Buses are clean, air conditioned and usually equipped with a TV, although the programs aired tend to leave a lot to be desired!

Make sure you tell the driver you're going to Xel Ha (it's pronounced "shell ha") and maybe remind him 20 minutes or so after leaving Playa del Carmen. More than likely he'll probably call out anyway but no harm in reminding him in any case.

Try to sit near the front of the bus so that you can hear the driver call the names of the various places and be ready for the Xel Ha stop with your bags and possessions.

He wont drop you right by the entrance gate, he'll stop on the main highway so there will be a short walk involved.

However, there is some free transport that will take you right to the Xel Ha entrance.

On the way back make sure you have some mosquito repellent with you if it's after dark. Be careful of the road and keep your eyes peeled for the bus as they travel fast and are not easy to pick out from other traffic when all you can see are headlights.

Do not be shy at trying to get on the bus first, everyone else wont be and if the bus fills up you'll be left standing at the side of the road for the next bus, while yet more mosquitoes nibble on your exposed flesh!

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