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Cancún Tulum

Flight time
About 30 minutes in the air, direct
Ground comparison
About 1h45–3h door-to-door by road
Aircraft and pricing
Airbus H130priced per mission, quoted on request
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Reviewed by SkyMatch; the operating company confirms aircraft, landing points and the final price.

Part of our Mexico helicopter charter coverage — pricing, landing sites and every other corridor in the market.

Flying the other way?Switch to Tulum CancúnSame corridor, same operators — we quote it in either direction.
Quick answer

How much does a helicopter from Cancún to Tulum cost, and how long does it take?

A private helicopter from Cancún to Tulum takes about 30 minutes in the air. The corridor is priced per mission rather than from a published rate, because the aircraft is positioned into it; the operating company confirms the figure for your date once we send the date, passenger count and baggage.

Flight time
About 30 minutes, direct
Typical aircraft
Airbus H130
Priced as
Per mission, quoted on request
What we need
Date, time, passengers, baggage, both landing points

SkyMatch is an independent helicopter charter sourcing and concierge platform. We do not operate aircraft; every flight is flown by a licensed operator and every price and landing permission is confirmed by that operator before departure.

Reviewed by the SkyMatch charter desk · last checked 2026-09-02

Quick facts

Cancún Tulum · private helicopter charter

Approx. flight time
30 min
Route type
Private charter — whole aircraft
Passengers
Up to 5 on the typical Airbus H130
One way / return
Both available on request
Current pricing
Request quote
Operated by
Independent licensed operators

SkyMatch coordinates your request with suitable licensed helicopter operators. Aircraft, price and availability are confirmed for each flight.

We do not publish an indicative figure for CancúnTulum. Each mission is quoted with the aircraft’s positioning, handling and landing fees and any permits for this sector included, and the operating company sets the final price for your date. Send the date, passengers and baggage and we come back with the real figure — subject to operator availability.

Estimate Cancún → Tulum yourself with the helicopter charter cost calculator, the helicopter flight time calculator and the helicopter vs car & ferry calculator. All tools sit together in the helicopter calculators hub.

Flight time tools

How long is the helicopter flight from Cancún → Tulum?

Open the flight-time calculator with this sector already filled in: it returns block time, sector distance and whether the leg is realistic for the aircraft classes that fly it.

Why CancúnTulum is not just a distance

Whether this helicopter journey can be flown on your date is decided by more than the kilometres between the two points. The factors below are what an operator actually assesses before confirming anything — SkyMatch collects them with you up front so the request reaches operators complete, instead of coming back with questions.

Operator location and aircraft positioning

The aircraft has to reach your departure point first. A route with no locally based aircraft on your date can still fly, but the positioning legs are part of the mission and part of the price.

Passenger count and actual weights

Seats are not the limit — weight is. Operators ask for real passenger weights because a six-seat helicopter does not always carry six adults plus baggage on a hot day or at altitude.

Baggage size and shape

Hard cases, golf bags, skis and camera equipment change which aircraft is suitable. Declaring baggage before the quote avoids an aircraft change after you have accepted.

Landing infrastructure and permission

Airports and licensed helipads are routine. Hotel, villa, marina and private sites need site suitability, landowner consent and operator approval for your aircraft and time — and approval can be refused or withdrawn.

Airspace, operating hours and curfews

Controlled airspace, slot coordination, night-flying limits and local noise curfews decide whether a departure or arrival time is workable at all.

Weather and daylight

Visibility, wind, mountain cloud and daylight windows govern the go/no-go call on the day. That call belongs to the operator and the pilot in command, not to SkyMatch.

Borders and permits where relevant

Cross-border sectors add customs, immigration and overflight or landing permits, which have their own lead times.

Commercial feasibility

A technically possible routing is not always a sensible one. Where positioning or waiting time dominates the cost, the honest answer is a different departure point, a different date or a ground leg.

Nothing on this page confirms availability, pricing or a landing permission. Flights are performed by qualified third-party operators, and each of these points is confirmed by the operating company for your specific date.

Before you ask about price: Cancún → Tulum

The most common questions on this corridor, answered straight — what a quote depends on, what moves it, and what we need from you to get an operator figure back.

Why isn't there a price shown for Cancún to Tulum?

Because a published figure would be wrong for most dates. The Cancún to Tulum sector is quoted per mission for the whole aircraft, and the number depends on where the helicopter has to position from, the aircraft category, landing and handling at each end, crew waiting time and how busy your date is. The operating company sets the final price, so we send your exact mission to the operators who cover this lane and come back with their real figure rather than an estimate you would have to renegotiate.

What information do you need before you can quote Cancún to Tulum?

Four things: the date and rough departure time, the number of passengers, the amount of baggage, and whether you need a return or a one-way. With those we can request firm operator pricing; without them any figure is guesswork. Adding your preferred pickup point — airport, hotel, villa, marina or event site — lets operators price the landing permissions at the same time.

Does the quote change if we travel with fewer than 5 passengers?

Not by much. The Airbus H130 typical on this corridor seats about 5, and you charter the aircraft as a whole rather than by seat, so the mission price is broadly the same whether the cabin is half or fully occupied. What does move it is going up a category for extra seats, luggage or range — that changes the aircraft, and the aircraft is the biggest single driver of the number.

What makes the Cancún to Tulum price go up or down?

Up: peak season and weekend dates, an aircraft that has to fly in empty from another base, long crew waiting time on the ground at Tulum, night or restricted-hours operations, and premium handling at private terminals. Down: flexible timing, a helicopter already based near Cancún, a same-day return the operator can plan around, and empty-leg repositioning that happens to match your direction.

Is chartering a helicopter on this route worth it versus the ground option?

Car / taxi (door to door) takes about ≈ 2h 43m on this corridor, against roughly 30 min in the air. The honest test is what those saved hours are worth on your particular day — a same-day meeting, a yacht or flight connection, or an event arrival window. When the schedule is flexible, ground usually wins on cost; when it is not, the mission price buys back the day.

How fast do I get a real number for Cancún to Tulum?

Normally within the hour during operating hours, and faster on WhatsApp. Quiet dates come back quickest; peak dates take a little longer because several operators are checking aircraft positioning before they commit. There is no charge and no obligation to review the operator offers.

Are there extra fees on top of the quote?

The operator quote for Cancún to Tulum is built to include the flight, crew, positioning, and the landing and handling fees known at the time of quoting. SkyMatch adds no customer service fee. Things that can be added afterwards are changes you request — extra waiting time, a diversion, an added sector, catering or ground transfers — and any charge a third party levies on the day, such as an airport slot or parking extension.

Helicopter vs. the alternative

Cancún to Tulum is roughly 110 km direct — about 30 min block time, or 1 hr door to door once loading and handling are counted. Against the road transfer, that is around 3 hr back in your day, each way.

OptionDoor to doorWhat it really means
Helicopter1 hrDirect sector, subject to operator availability, landing permission and weather.
road transfer4 hrMexico City traffic makes cross-city road times almost impossible to plan around a meeting.
drive2 hr 20 minResort corridors such as Los Cabos and the Riviera Maya are drivable but long in the heat and at peak season.

Planning estimates for comparison only, based on typical door-to-door conditions on this sector. Mexico has two distinct flows: executive movement inside and around Mexico City, and resort transfers on the Baja and Caribbean coasts.

How long is the helicopter flight from Cancún to Tulum?

The sector is roughly 110 km direct, flown in about 30 min block time. Allow around 1 hr door to door once you include arrival at the landing point, loading and handling.

Is flying Cancún to Tulum actually faster than the road transfer?

Yes. The road transfer takes roughly 4 hr door to door on this sector, so flying saves in the region of 3 hr each way. Mexico City traffic makes cross-city road times almost impossible to plan around a meeting.

What decides whether this Cancún to Tulum flight can operate?

Aircraft availability on the date, the landing permission at both ends, passenger and baggage weight, and weather. Flight time is the easy part; the landing point and the load are what an operator actually confirms.

Corporate travel desks, EAs and family offices

Recurring executive movements on this corridor are cheaper and far more reliable with pre-cleared landing sites and a named point of contact.

Set up an executive brief

About this route

Cancún International Airport to Tulum by road runs down Federal Highway 307, the single main artery serving every resort town on the Riviera Maya. In light traffic it is a 2-hour drive; with the roadworks, toll-booth queues and heavy tourist-shuttle volume that build through the day, particularly around Playa del Carmen, two and a half to three hours is common. The helicopter covers the corridor in about 30 minutes, flown along the coastline with the reef visible for most of the leg.

Departures are from the general-aviation ramp at Cancún International (CUN), separate from the commercial terminals, with private operators handling ground transfers to the aircraft. Arrivals work into a landing site near the Tulum hotel zone or the area close to Tulum's regional airport (still ramping up scheduled service), with a short car or golf-cart transfer into the beach-road hotels or the town center.

Demand is steady year-round given the resort's international clientele, but peaks around Christmas–New Year and Easter week (Semana Santa), when 307 traffic is at its worst and hotel rates in Tulum are highest. Rainy season runs roughly June through October, with afternoon convective storms that can affect timing but rarely cancel a well-planned morning departure.

WhatsApp concierge · +44 7840 128034

CancúnTulum in 30 minutes — ask for today's price

No forms, no account. Set date and party size and we open WhatsApp with your route brief ready to send.Pricing on this corridor is quoted per mission — we come back with the operator's figure.

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Planning this transfer

Flight time
About 30 minutes along the coast from Cancún to Tulum.
Departure points
Cancún International Airport (CUN) general-aviation ramp; hotel-zone pads by arrangement.
Arrival points
Landing site near the Tulum hotel zone; short transfer to beach-road hotels or downtown Tulum.
Typical aircraft
Airbus H130 for the standard group size; larger aircraft available on request.
Luggage
One case plus a cabin bag per passenger; beach and dive gear should be declared in advance.
Best booking window
3–5 days ahead; 2–3 weeks around Christmas–New Year and Easter week.

Helicopter vs the alternatives

Helicopter
~30 minutes direct, bypassing Highway 307 and the Playa del Carmen bottleneck entirely.
Car
2–3 hours depending on time of day and roadworks along the 307 corridor.
Shared shuttle
Similar time to a private car but with multiple hotel stops, often 3+ hours in practice.

Typically arranged

  • Private terminal access
  • Discreet ground handling
  • Catering on request
  • Pilot & co-pilot
  • Insurance & permits
  • WhatsApp coordination

Arranged with the independent operator performing the flight; final inclusions are confirmed in that operator's quote.

How much does a private helicopter from Cancún to Tulum cost?

There is no fixed fare on this route. The Cancún to Tulum sector is priced per mission for the whole aircraft, and the operating company sets the figure once it knows your date. We do not publish an indicative number because the variables below move it far more than the distance does.

  • Aircraft category. a light single, light twin and medium twin are different price levels.
  • Positioning. where the helicopter has to fly from to reach you, and back afterwards.
  • Date and season. peak weekends, event dates and holiday changeovers price differently.
  • Passengers and baggage. weight decides the aircraft, and the aircraft decides the price.
  • Return flight. crew waiting on the ground versus releasing the aircraft between legs.
  • Local fees. landing, handling, permits and any airport slot costs on the sector.
Request current pricing

After you land

Beach resort. Tulum's airport area and authorised resort landing points serve the hotel zone; jungle and beach-road transfers are handled by the property.

Ground transfer requirements can be coordinated separately where available. Landing points and permissions belong to the operating company and the receiving property, and are confirmed for your date.

How SkyMatch works

  1. 1
    Enter your route

    Tell us where and when you need to fly, and how many passengers.

  2. 2
    SkyMatch checks suitable operators

    We coordinate the request with relevant licensed helicopter operators based on route and availability.

  3. 3
    Receive current options & quote

    Review the available aircraft and pricing before confirming anything.

SkyMatch coordinates your request with suitable licensed helicopter operators. Aircraft, price and availability are confirmed for each flight.

Luxury resort & private island transfer

The resort is booked, the flights are booked, and the last 40 kilometres — the part that decides whether the first day is spent travelling or on the water — is still unsolved.

You have the villa, the suite or the private island. What is missing is the transfer that turns a long boat or road connection into a short flight, with luggage handled and the resort expecting you. SkyMatch takes your arrival details to licensed operators who already fly into that landing area and comes back with what is genuinely available.

Send arrival flight, date, passenger count and luggage. SkyMatch checks suitable operators and comes back with real options — not a brochure.

What to include in the brief

  • · Resort, villa or island name
  • · Arrival flight number and landing time
  • · Passengers (adults / children)
  • · Luggage: number of bags plus anything oversized
  • · Return leg date, if known

How pricing works

Any figure shown on this page is indicative planning guidance only. The final quote depends on aircraft type, routing, landing permissions, timing, weather and operator availability, and is confirmed by the operator flying the mission.

How availability works

Availability is never assumed. SkyMatch asks suitable licensed operators what is genuinely open for your date and time, and tells you plainly when a request is not realistic rather than holding you on a maybe.

SkyMatch is an independent helicopter sourcing and coordination platform. We are not tied to one operator, so the aircraft suggested is the one that suits your landing area, load and timing — not the one someone needs to fill.

Cancún to Tulum by helicopter — the short answer

The direct track from Cancún to Tulum measures approximately 110 km (60 nm). A light twin helicopter typically needs 29–33 minutes airborne, before allowing for start-up, approach and ground transfers at each end. Quotes are sourced from independent licensed operators. The selected operator confirms the departure and landing points, permissions, availability and the final price.

Key facts

Planning facts for the Cancún to Tulum helicopter route
OriginCancún
DestinationTulum
Direct distance110 km · 60 nm
Estimated airborne time29–33 min
Estimated chocks-to-chocks35–40 min
Estimated door-to-door55–75 min
Likely aircraft categorylight twin (planning cruise 130 kt)
Typical capacityup to 5–6 passengers
LuggageSoft bags preferred; total weight and bulk are confirmed by the operator against weight and balance.
Domestic or internationalRequires confirmation for the selected departure and landing points
Possible fuel or technical stopNot expected on this sector length
Indicative pricing statusPlanning estimate only — the operator issues the binding quote
Last fact-checked2026-08-21

How this estimate was calculated

Distance is the great-circle distance between the published reference points for Cancún and Tulum. Airborne time applies a 130 kt planning cruise for a light twin helicopter, plus a 5–20% routing allowance for airspace, terrain and approach tracks, and a fixed start-up, hover-taxi and approach allowance. Door-to-door adds ground transfer and boarding time at each end. Model route-model-2026.08, reviewed 2026-08-21. Full methodology, sources and limitations.

What can change the time and the price

  • Where the aircraft is based before your flight: a positioning leg to the departure point is billable and is often the single largest price variable.
  • Whether the operator has to return the aircraft to base after drop-off, which can make a one-way sector price like a return.
  • The operator's minimum charge, which sets a floor on short sectors regardless of airborne time.
  • Date and season — peak weekends, events and holiday periods reduce availability and raise price.
  • Landing point: an airport or licensed heliport is straightforward; a private site needs the landowner's permission and, where applicable, regulatory approval.
  • Passengers and luggage: total weight and bulk can move the mission to a larger category.
  • Weather and daylight, which can delay, re-route or cancel a flight at the operator's discretion.

Who operates the flight

The flight is performed by an independent licensed third-party operator, not by SkyMatch. That operator holds the Air Operator Certificate and is responsible for the aircraft, crew, insurance, permits, landing approvals, flight planning, weather decisions and operational safety. SkyMatch Group is an independent global helicopter sourcing and coordination platform and is not an air carrier.

How to get a confirmed quote

  1. Send the route, date, time window, passenger count and luggage so the request can be priced accurately.
  2. SkyMatch approaches independent licensed operators able to cover the sector and collects their options.
  3. You receive the operator options with the aircraft, timings and price each operator is offering.
  4. The chosen operator confirms landing permission, availability and the final contracted price. Nothing is booked until that confirmation is issued.

Limitations

These figures are planning estimates, not an offer and not an operator quote. Weather, airspace and air traffic control can change the routing or the timing. Landing at any point requires the appropriate permission. Availability is never guaranteed, and the selected operator confirms feasibility and the final price. Last reviewed 2026-08-21.

Straight answers

Can I charter a private helicopter from Cancún to Tulum?
Yes. The Cancún to Tulum sector is flown as a private charter of the whole aircraft, arranged through SkyMatch’s network of independent licensed operators. Availability is confirmed per date rather than sold from a timetable.
Is the Cancún to Tulum helicopter flight private?
Yes — the aircraft is chartered for your party alone. There is no seat sharing and no other passengers on board.
Where does the Cancún to Tulum helicopter depart from?
Departures use an authorised heliport or landing point in the Cancún area. The exact point is confirmed by the operating company with the landing permissions it holds for your date.
Can I book a return flight from Tulum back to Cancún?
Yes. A return can be quoted as two sectors on the same mission, with the crew waiting at Tulum, or as two separate flights if the aircraft is released in between. Both are priced per mission.
How is the Cancún to Tulum helicopter price calculated?
Per mission for the whole aircraft, not per seat. The figure depends on aircraft category, where the helicopter has to position from, the date and season, passenger and baggage weight, landing and handling fees and any waiting time. The operating company sets the final price.
Is a same-day helicopter charter possible on this route?
Sometimes. Same-day departures depend on an aircraft and crew being free within duty limits, on daylight and weather, and on the landing permissions at both ends. Send the request and we will tell you quickly whether it is realistic for that day.
What luggage can I take on the Cancún to Tulum flight?
Baggage is limited by hold volume and total take-off weight rather than a fixed piece count, and soft bags travel far better than hard cases. Send passenger numbers and bag sizes with the request so the operator can confirm what the aircraft will lift on your date.
Does SkyMatch operate the helicopter?
No. SkyMatch is a global helicopter operator network and charter coordination platform, not an air operator. Every flight is performed by an independent licensed operating company that holds the aircraft, the crew and the operating certificate.
How does SkyMatch arrange the Cancún to Tulum flight?
You send the route, date and passenger details. SkyMatch coordinates the request with suitable licensed operators for that corridor, then returns the available aircraft and current pricing for you to review before anything is confirmed.
How long is the Cancún to Tulum helicopter flight?
Approximately 30 minutes of flight time on a direct routing, before boarding, briefing and any air-traffic holding at either end.

Safety and operator responsibility

Who operates and is responsible for safety on the Cancún to Tulum helicopter flight?
The Cancún to Tulum sector is flown by an independent licensed helicopter operator holding its own Air Operator Certificate. That operator is responsible for the aircraft, the crew, the flight plan and the final go or no-go decision. SkyMatch Group sources and coordinates the mission and is not an air carrier or operator.
What safety documentation can I request before flying Cancún to Tulum?
Before contracting you can ask the selected operator for its Air Operator Certificate, hull and passenger liability insurance certificate, aircraft registration and maintenance status, and pilot experience on type. Additional requirements — twin-engine, two-crew, night or overwater capability — should be stated in the mission brief so the operator can confirm them in writing.

Full detail: Safety & operator responsibility · How we check facts

Season, weather and timing — Cancún to Tulum

Weather rarely changes whether a helicopter can fly, but it does change when it flies best and how long the sector takes. These are the seasonal and meteorological factors operators plan around.

What is the best time of year and time of day to fly?
Early morning is almost always the smoothest window: the air is stable, thermals and sea breezes have not built up, and the day's delays have not yet accumulated. Late afternoon and evening flights are perfectly normal but bumpier in summer, and daylight is the limiting factor in winter. Shoulder seasons generally offer the calmest air and the widest choice of aircraft, while peak summer weekends, public holidays and major events tighten availability first.
How much can weather change the flight duration?
Plan on ±10–20% around the still-air figure. A 25-knot headwind on a one-hour sector adds roughly 8–12 minutes, a tailwind takes a similar amount off, and a routing around weather, terrain or controlled airspace adds a few more. Operators build this margin into the schedule, so book a connection with an hour of slack rather than minutes.
What weather or seasonal constraints can delay or stop the flight?
Low cloud and poor visibility, strong or gusting crosswind at a confined landing site, thunderstorms, icing conditions and — for most single-engine charter — darkness are the real limits. Availability, not weather, is the other constraint: peak weekends and event dates sell out first, and the operator makes the final go/no-go call on the day.

Frequently asked: Cancún to Tulum

How long is the helicopter from Cancún to Tulum?

About 30 minutes of flight time from CUN's general-aviation ramp to a landing site near the Tulum hotel zone.

How much does a Cancún to Tulum helicopter cost?

Pricing is quoted per mission for the whole aircraft, not per seat. The final figure depends on aircraft type, group size and season, confirmed when an independent operator quotes your date.

Does the helicopter land right at my hotel in Tulum?

It lands at an approved site near the hotel zone; a short car or golf-cart transfer covers the last stretch to the beach-road hotels, since most properties do not hold their own landing permission.

Is this route affected by rainy season?

June through October brings afternoon storms typical of the Yucatán; morning departures generally avoid the worst of it, and operators will adjust timing around active weather.

How long is the Cancún to Tulum helicopter flight?

The Cancún to Tulum sector is approximately 30 min of flight time, typically aboard a Airbus H130, over roughly 110 km direct. Allow about 1h 00m door to door once arrival, briefing and boarding at each end are counted.

How much does a helicopter from Cancún to Tulum cost?

There is no fixed published price for Cancún to Tulum: the sector is quoted per mission for the whole aircraft, one way, not per seat. Five things move the figure — aircraft category (the Airbus H130 is typical here), positioning of the aircraft to Cancún, landing and handling fees at each end, crew waiting time, and how busy the date is. The binding number comes from the independent operator that flies you. Send the date, passenger count and bags and you get operator pricing back for that exact mission.

What does the Cancún to Tulum helicopter cost per passenger?

A Airbus H130 typically seats 5 passengers, and the mission price is divided across the cabin rather than sold per seat. The aircraft is chartered as a whole, so the per-seat figure falls as you fill the cabin, and rises if fewer people travel.

How much is a same-day return from Cancún to Tulum?

A same-day return is quoted as one mission: two sectors plus crew waiting time on the ground at Tulum. Where the aircraft can be released and re-tasked between legs, or an empty-leg repositioning matches your timing, the total can come down.

Is a helicopter faster than the ground alternative on this route?

Car / taxi (door to door) on this corridor takes about ≈ 2h 43m, against roughly 30 min in the air and about 1h 00m door to door by helicopter. Indicative driving estimate for the same corridor in good conditions, including airport pick-up and local roads. Peak season traffic, road closures and border or island crossings add time.

Which helicopter is used from Cancún to Tulum?

A Airbus H130 is the typical aircraft on this sector, seating around 5 passengers. Larger groups, heavy baggage, night operations or specific performance requirements can move the flight to a bigger twin, which changes the quoted price.

How many passengers and how much luggage can fly on the Cancún to Tulum leg?

Around 5 passengers on the usual Airbus H130, with baggage limited by hold volume and total take-off weight rather than by a fixed count — soft bags travel far better than hard cases. Send passenger numbers and bag sizes with your request and the operator confirms exactly what the aircraft can lift on your date.

When is the best time to book this helicopter transfer?

Summer weekends, public holidays, major events and short-notice requests are the periods where availability tightens and quotes land in the upper part of the range. Booking a few days ahead of a peak date usually keeps the mission price well below short-notice peak levels.

Can the Cancún to Tulum helicopter be arranged at short notice?

Yes — same-day and next-day requests on this corridor are handled where aircraft, crew, weather, slots and permits allow. Availability is never guaranteed in advance; it is confirmed by the independent operator performing the flight, and short-notice dates price at the top of the market.

Can a helicopter land at the resort itself?

Sometimes. Some resorts hold their own approved helipad, others use a nearby airfield or public landing area with a short ground transfer. SkyMatch checks the landing option with the operator and the property before anything is confirmed, so you know exactly where you step out.

How much luggage can we bring on a resort transfer?

Luggage is a weight and volume question, not a bag count. Golf bags, dive gear, pushchairs and hard cases change the aircraft choice. Declare everything in the brief and the operator sizes the helicopter to the real load rather than reshuffling it at the pad.

Should the transfer be booked before or after the resort?

Send the request as soon as your arrival flight is fixed. Landing slots and suitable aircraft in resort markets are finite in high season, and early briefs get the better options.

Also see

Places on this route

Cancún · Tulum · Riviera Maya · Quintana Roo · Yucatán Peninsula

Other routes nearby

Book this corridor: Cancún → Tulum

Where to go next when you are ready to price and book, rather than research.

Plan this trip: country hub, cost tools and guides

The country hub behind this page, the calculator for indicative budgets, and the guides buyers read before they request availability.

Most requested by our clients

The pages travellers use most before contacting us — pricing, block times and landing options already worked out.

More helicopter charters around Cancún and Tulum