Cancun’s airport is the gateway to the Yucatan Peninsula. But before arriving at the Caribbean resort, it’s important to familiarize yourself with his four terminals at Cancun International Airport and how to stay safe.
I have been in and out of Cancun a dozen times. We share the important things you need to know to ensure a smooth and safe experience.
About Cancun International Airport
Cancun International Airport debuted in Quintana Roo in 1974. first hotel Open. Cancun is now filled with hotels, as well as traffic around the airport, with travelers coming and going on vacation.
Cancun International Airport is the best airport for flights to beach destinations, unless you are staying in Cozumel. Below is an estimated travel time from Cancun Airport to popular beach towns in the Yucatan.
- Cancun Hotel Zone: 20-30 minutes
- Playa del Carmen: 50-60 minutes
- Akumal: 1 hour
- Tulum Hotel Zone: 1.5 hours
Please note that these times are for personal travel. Getting to your destination by bus takes longer, but saves you pesos.
Is Cancun Airport Safe?
Cancun Airport is a safe place to fly as the US Department of State (DOS) does not currently list any travel restrictions for Quintana Roo. Mexico travel advisories page. However, as at any airport, put your valuables in your carry-on and do not leave your luggage unattended.
It’s also wise to secure your checked bag with a TSA-approved lock. While this may help reduce petty theft, the bigger reason is that there are stories of drug smugglers using travelers’ luggage to move their products in Mexico.
Thankfully, I’ve never experienced this situation even though I unknowingly left my checked luggage unlocked. But as the saying goes, “Better to be safe than sorry.” This bag lock recommendation holds true if you travel by bus in Mexico as well.
Cancun International Airport Transfer
Cancun Airport has four terminals. Therefore, when booking transport in advance, it is important to know which terminal you will arrive at and depart from.
Not all terminals are available for general use. Here’s a breakdown of these terminals:
- Terminal 1: Private Flight Fixed Base Operator (FBO)
- Terminal 2: Domestic and some international flights (mainly from the US and Europe)
- Terminal 3: Main international terminal
- Terminal 4: State-of-the-art international terminal
If you arrive at the wrong terminal and have time to spare, you can technically walk between terminals. However, it is often faster and more comfortable to take the free airport shuttle. Shuttles run every 30 minutes.
Regardless of the terminal, once at Cancun International Airport, I found it easy to navigate. The airport has English translations on all signs. Many airport staff also speak fluent English.
Cancun Airport also has many of the accessible facilities you would expect from a U.S. airport for people with special needs.
Transportation at Cancun International Airport
I have experienced Cancun airport in both sleepy and zoo-like conditions. Based on my experience, it’s far more likely that the airport will be filled with tourists in palm tree button-up shirts and brightly colored tank tops than there will be enough space in the pickup area.
So what does that mean for you? You need a plan to go to your coveted beach resort.
Transportation at Cancun Airport
There are several options for traveling to and from Cancun Airport. They include:
- airport taxi
- Taxi outside the airport
- pre-arranged transfers
- car rental
- ADO bus
Let’s explore some of these transport methods in more detail.
Taxis inside and outside the airport
Upon arrival at the Cancun commercial airline terminal, you can book your private taxi transfer on the spot. However, if you want to take a taxi, please make a reservation inside the airport.
It is not safe to take a taxi outside of Cancun Airport. Worst case scenario, the cab is more likely a pirate cab. In low-threat scenarios, drivers can often charge more money, offer terrible exchange rates, or refuse to give change back when paying in cash.
It is also wise to book a taxi inside the airport for any other Mexican destinations you travel to. Safety in Cabo San Lucas Or in Mexico City, preventing vacation problems often comes down to making informed choices.
pre-arranged transfers
Arranging your airport transfer online in advance has several advantages. Prepay by avoiding the possibility of flagging your credit or debit card when your bank confirms the transaction in Mexico. And you won’t have to wait for a taxi, which is common during peak arrival times at Cancun International Airport.
It is common for hotels to include airport transfers in all-inclusive resort packages.
Regardless of how you arrange your pre-booked transfer, ask the company how they will identify you. I have.
However, on rare occasions, an impersonator will copy a billboard in hopes of seeing it first. Therefore, it is advisable to ask the driver to provide details about the booking that the scammers cannot know, such as their full name. Alternatively, you can ask the driver’s name in advance and ask them to share it with you before you get in the car.
Ado Bus
The ADO Bus is an economical way to travel from Cancun Airport to many destinations around the Yucatan Peninsula. Some of the places you can take ADO from the airport are:
- Downtown Cancun*
- Playa del Carmen
- Tulum
*ADO does not pass through Cancun’s hotel zone. If you are staying in the Hotel Zone, we recommend that you take a private transfer from the airport. The little money you make by taking the bus to downtown Cancun isn’t worth the time you spend changing transportation.
ADO operates from Terminals 2, 3 and 4. Although it is possible to book bus tickets in advance, it is not recommended. If your flight is delayed, you will not receive a refund for the missed flight.
The good news is that all three terminals have ADO kiosks where you can buy tickets for the next departing bus.
I have booked the ADO bus on the spot many times upon arrival at Cancun airport and have never had an issue with availability. Buses run frequently to popular destinations, so you rarely have to wait long for your next departure.
Does Uber work at Cancun Airport?
Uber does not operate at Cancun Airport. Rideshare apps like Uber made negative headlines internationally in January 2023 as a conventional taxi driver attacked his Uber, creating a dangerous situation for drivers and passengers .
The fact that travelers cannot safely use rideshare apps in the Cancun area is noteworthy Quintana Roo safety issues state.
That said, there’s little reason to hold back from using Uber in the rest of Mexico. Uber has a good reputation in the neighboring state of Yucatan, and I often use it when traveling around Merida.
Cancun safety tips
Cancun International Airport has a high level of security, similar to the security of airports in your country. You will have to go through a metal detector at check-in for your flight, and you may encounter police dogs sniffing your luggage for drugs and other illegal items.
Assuming you’re using TSA-approved locks for your checked luggage, security wise there’s little to worry about as long as you keep an eye on your valuables inside Cancun airport.
However, here are some best practice tips to help you start and end your trip on a positive note.
- Withdraw cash from ATMs at airports or banks
- lock your passport in a safe
- Carry a copy of your passport when exploring
- use money belt
Personally, I have never been stopped by the police for my passport while roaming the streets of Cancun. However, I encountered several police checks while traveling outside of Cancun where it was mandatory to show an actual passport or a copy of it.
As for using ATMs, like many destinations, some bad apples in Cancun install card readers in their ATMs. Using an ATM inside a secure building such as the Cancun airport or a bank greatly reduces this chance.If you are American and don’t already have travel schwab card, I suggest you take a look. $0 ATM fees in Cancun and over 200 countries.
Get packing!
Despite Mexico’s insecurity, Cancun remains a popular beach destination. With a little pre-planning for your arrival at your accommodation upon arrival from Cancun International Airport, you can expect your tropical vacation to begin safely.
This article is geek wealth.
Laura is a co-founder part of the trip, a blog that encourages self-guided travel, including for wheelchair users. She has spent most of her adult life abroad, beginning with her three years of Peace Corps service in Panama. When Laura isn’t writing her next article, you can find her befriending a stray dog while searching for her local vegetarian food.
