Cancun Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, so don’t let its size fool you! Welcome to the gateway to the Mayan world.
Throughout the year, millions of people pass through Cancun airport! Both the Riviera Maya as Cancun receive an increasing number of visitors each year, thanks to their beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, luxury 5-star resorts and all the paradisiacal experiences.
Almost all international airlines and charters have direct or connecting flights to Cancun every day of the year. Today, more than ever, Cancun airport is easily accessible to almost all nationalities in the world.
First-class shopping, top-notch restaurants, and elite services are found throughout the city! It is also one of the most convenient airports for flying to and from the country.
However, if you are planning a visit to this paradise, there are a few things you need to know before you book your flight and pack your bags.
Want to get straight to the point and start researching the best hotels in Cancun? Check out this quick selection I've put together to make your life easier.
Cancun Accommodations Rated Fantastic or Exceptional
Best All Inclusive Resorts in Cancun
5 Star Hotels in Cancun
4 star hotels in Cancun
3 Star Hotels in Cancun
Beachfront Hotels in Cancun
Hotels in Downtown Cancun
Apartments in Cancun
Quer Book tours in 12 installments without paying IOF? Take a look at this list of 5 activities best rated and recommended by Brazilians who travel to Cancun and Riviera Maya.
Chichen Itza and Chichi Kan Cenote Tour
Xcaret Park Entrance Ticket
Transfers in Playa del Carmen
Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour
Ferry to Cozumel
What can I take to Cancun?
Probably the most frequently asked question about Cancun airport: from breast milk to pets, medicine, or things like that… If you are visiting from any country in the world outside of Mexico, there are some limitations.
This also applies to anything you want to take out of Mexico, but this is a customs issue and they are constantly changing the pros and cons, so it is best to check this at the Mexican Consulate closest to your location. trip to Cancun. You can click here to check where the Mexican embassies and consulates in Brazil.
Cancun Airport Terminals
Cancun airport is made up of four terminals.
Terminal 1 was the first and is used primarily for private aircraft and freight.
Cancun Airport Terminal 2 is for domestic flights and some international flights as well.
Terminal 3 is only used for international flights, which means you'll arrive and depart either through Terminal 2 (if you have another flight to catch in, say, Mexico City, before flying back home or to Cancun) or Terminal 3 if your flight is directly from your home city to Cancun and vice versa.
Terminal 4 was opened in 2018 and has capacity to transport up to 9 million additional passengers. Currently, 14 airlines, both national and international, are already operating: Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Transat Air, Cóndor, Frontier Airlines, Interjet, Lufthansa, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Thomas Cook, Tomas Cook Scandinavia, Virgin Atlantic and West Jet.
Travel insurance for Mexico
Get a quote now for the best travel insurance and enjoy your vacation without worries. Insurance is not expensive and can save you in many situations, from hospitalizations to lost luggage.
Curiosities about Cancun Airport
The airport is about 19 miles from the city center. It takes less than 30 minutes to get to the hotel zone. Transportation to and from Cancun airport is also fairly easy to find.
It's very easy to change terminals, thanks to the short distances. They're also very clean and modern, with a very simple layout, so you won't get lost.
The airport’s control tower is over 315 feet tall and is actually on the list of the top 20 tallest control towers in the world! This allows for much better efficiency in the runway usage times that are allotted to each aircraft type.
Cancun Airport is the best in Latin America and although it is not as large as many other airports, it prides itself on being one of the top 5 airports in the world.
Over the past 8 years, the airport has invested over USD 316 million in all the different variables that make travel safe and simple for passengers from all over the world.
The airport used to have 170.000 square feet of terminal space, until its latest upgrade which saw it grow to over 385.000 square feet!
Arrive connected to Mexico with a 15% discount
With MY CHIP you can leave Brazil connected and land in Cancun with unlimited internet. Sign up now and enjoy your vacation in the Mexican Caribbean. To guarantee your discount, simply enter GUIAMEXICO at the time of purchase. Enjoy!!!
Free transfer between terminals
The distance between each terminal is not that great and you can even walk. On the other hand, depending on how many bags you are carrying, it can be more complicated. But don't worry, Cancun International Airport has shuttle services between each terminal, which are completely free, safe, comfortable and punctual.
With departures every 10 minutes, this is an excellent option for passengers who need to travel between terminals. Just ask any airport employee for directions and you will easily find out where to catch your transfer. Don't believe anyone who offers you a transfer and wants to charge you (unfortunately this happens a lot).
A recommendation for all passengers is that they should consider the time of their itineraries and the terminal number so that they can complete their documentation.
Find your hotel in Cancun
Find your hotel in Cancun with the best rates thanks to the partnership between Guia México and Booking.com. You won't pay anything extra for this and you'll also help us continue to give you incredible tips about Mexico. Thank you very much!
Shops at Cancun Airport
Cancun Airport has the best shops (the most famous brands that you find in the best airports in the world).
It is always worth researching prices to compare in Cancun's shopping malls, as you will probably find cheaper ones in the city. Take a look at this post to see where you can do this shopping in cancun.
Restaurants at Cancun airport
You will find a wide variety of restaurants before you leave or upon arrival in Cancun.
In Terminal 2, after passing through security, you will enter the free service and dining area with snack bars, shops and bars.
In terminal 3, after passing through security filters, there are also several options for you to eat without any problems.
Additionally, you can find restaurants located in the main area that are open to the public. Most are open from 6am to midnight.
Exchange houses at Cancun airport
Terminal 3 open until 21pm
Telefone: 998-8-86-04-53
Terminal 2 open until 22pm
Telefone: 998-8-86-08-42
The official currency is the Mexican peso. One US dollar is worth between 18 and 20 pesos, depending on stock market fluctuations.
Useful tips for your arrival at Cancun airport
You’ve heard horror stories from a friend’s vacation, you’ve read horror stories on blogs and forums, but I’m here to set the record straight. Getting to Cancun International Airport is a lot easier than you might think.
I'll share some tips to make this landing smooth and get you to your vacation spot as quickly as possible.
customs
During your flight, you will be given a customs form that you need to fill out before you land. After you have cleared immigration and collected your bags, you will proceed to exit.
Have your customs form and passport ready to present to customs officials. A member of your group will press a button on what looks like a traffic light.
A green light means you're good to go, red means an officer will do a quick, routine inspection.
Passing by taxi and timeshare representatives
Dealing with taxi representatives and timeshare salespeople can be quite unpleasant. They will try everything they can to get you.
I recommend you book a transfer while still in Brazil, so you arrive with the certainty that a reliable company will be waiting for you to take you to the door of your airport. I always use Travel Ahead, an agency by Brazilians for Brazilians.
In addition to taking you to your hotel, you will be able to receive several tips about the destination and also find out which are the best tours in Cancun and Riviera Maya.
How to get from Cancun airport to the hotel zone
Booking a transfer from Cancun airport to the hotel zone is an excellent idea, as it is cheaper than a regular taxi (they charge an absurd amount) and unlike ADO buses, the transfer leaves you at the door of your hotel with all the amenities.
How to get from Cancun airport to downtown
ADO buses run from the airport to the terminal. downtown Cancun without stops. The journey takes around 25 minutes and costs approximately 15 reais.
The first departure is at 08:20 and the last at 00:30. The only drawback is that from downtown Cancun to the Hotel Zone you will have to take a taxi or city bus. It is worth remembering that there is no Uber in Cancun or Riviera Maya.
How to get from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen
There are several options to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun airport. However, I would recommend only 3.
You can take a bus with ADO and arrive at the Quinta Avenida terminal in Playa. It is very close to the hotels, but you will probably have to take a taxi to get to your destination.
Another option is to hire a transfer with Travel Ahead, which will drop you off at the door of your hotel. The last option is to rent a car with rental cars to explore all the wonders of the Riviera Maya. Avoid taxis, as you will end up paying a lot. Run away!
How to get from Cancun airport to Tulum
Buses run from Cancun Airport to Tulum city (it is approximately a 12 minute drive from the city to the entrance to the Tulum hotel zone). There are usually 5 schedules per day for each route. The trip takes around 2 hours. For schedules visit ADO website.
Where to rent a car at Cancun airport?
When you arrive at the baggage claim hall, you will see several rental companies, but I recommend that you rent the car while still in Brazil through rental cars, so you will pay in reais and will not have the problem with IOF.
Most rental companies have a shuttle service to the location (the rental companies are located a bit far from the terminals). If you arrive very late, you will probably not find this service available and will have to walk approximately 10 minutes to the rental company area.
Consultancy with personalized itinerary in Cancun and Riviera Maya
An important tip is about creating a personalized itinerary for your trip. There are several places that sell tours and we always do a lot of research before buying. On the last trip, we discovered a sensational agency, which is Brazilian and all tours are available upon request.
It is worth remembering that the agency does not only sell tours, the service includes specialized advice where tours are tailored to your profile; It is ideal for those who want to create a personalized trip with exclusive itineraries. and constant monitoring at the destination.
Are ideal for those who want to choose the best tour options, the best suppliers and the best way to get to know a place, It can be for tours or even for those who are going to rent a car. With them, we make much better use of our time!
You can check their references: they are the number 1 agency on TripAdvisor in Cancun, they have won the seal for years in a row and are among the best in the world!
Your optimized trip to Cancun and Riviera Maya
Specializing exclusively in Cancun and the surrounding area, They assist you in planning and throughout your trip. From tips on what to visit, which tour is ideal for your profile, even hotel advice, if you haven't yet chosen where to stay. All of this based on the same itinerary, as well as financial planning so you can enjoy your trip without worries and no negative surprises.
The service is really excellent, personalized, in Portuguese, and they help with everything. They pick you up at the airport (depending on the package purchased) to welcome you, accompany you to the hotel, and are available for any unforeseen circumstances. Whether it's a medical emergency, missing a ride, anything at all, you can call them!
All the tours we took were excellent, with a great structure and everything was trustworthy. It was much better than buying from foreign websites or in Cancun. If you want to live a unique, personalized experience, with support and everything organized without worrying about the details, just access their website. They provide services via video call, which is very personalized! When registering on the website, fill out all the steps until you schedule your appointment. It's quick and I guarantee it will be worth it.
If you liked the Cancun tips and want to know more about Mexico, leave your comment here or write directly to Mexico Guide Instagram.
Find the best accommodation deals!
