Cancún International Airport is the main terminal of the Riviera Maya, Mexico's second busiest airport, located approximately 20-24 km from the Hotel Zone.
It is an access point to Caribbean beaches, Mayan ruins at Tulum and Chichén Itzá, and the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula.
How to get to Cancún International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to CUN
Parking near Cancún International Airport
A multi-story parking lot is adjacent to the terminal.
Rates are in line with standards of a major tourist destination.
How to get to Cancún from CUN
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Cancun Airport: One-Way or Roundtrip Private Transfer
Cancun: One-Way or Roundtrip Private Luxury Transfer
Cancun Airport to Holbox Ferry Shared Shuttle
Cancun Airport: Private Transfers: From/to Playa del Carmen
Car rental at Cancún International Airport
Major international car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, widely used to explore the Riviera Maya independently.
Bringing your driver's license, passport, and credit card is standard; an IDP is usually required as well.
Hotels near Cancún International Airport
Airport
Both hotels are a few minutes by shuttle from the terminals; by car it usually takes 5-10 minutes, compared with the 20-30 minutes needed to reach the Zona Hotelera or downtown.
Best for: Layovers of a few hours and departures before dawn, when you want to stay a step from the terminal without facing the traffic towards the Zona Hotelera.
- A direct shuttle to the terminals, handy for early-morning flights or layovers between two flights
- Rooms designed for a quick rest, without the price or the distances of the Zona Hotelera resorts
- Only industrial and commercial area around: no beach or evening life within walking distance
- For a trip into the city or along the coast you still need a taxi or a rental car
Recommended hotels
- Hilton Garden Inn Cancun Airport A few minutes from the terminals with a dedicated shuttle, outdoor pool and gym for those with a long layover; an international-standard option for those arriving or departing without wanting to reach the Zona Hotelera. View availability
- Avani Cancun Airport A 140-room hotel a few minutes from the airport, created in 2023 by converting the former NH Cancun Airport into the Avani lifestyle brand of the Minor Hotels group; outdoor pool and gym. View availability
Zona Hotelera
About 20-30 minutes by car from the airport (15-22 km depending on the stretch of the strip), longer during rush hour; the R-1 public bus connects the airport to the Zona Hotelera and Centro with frequent stops along boulevard Kukulcán.
Best for: Those who want a beach resort with pools, in-house restaurants and nightlife reachable on foot or with the R-1 bus along boulevard Kukulcán.
- The resort's beach, pools and restaurants reachable without moving by car
- The R-1 bus and taxis available along the whole boulevard Kukulcán for moving between different resorts
- Higher rates and transfer cost than Centro or the airport area
- The strip is about 22 km long: without a car, leaving your own resort to change area takes time
Recommended hotels
- Hyatt Ziva Cancun All-Inclusive All-inclusive resort on the Zona Hotelera beach with multiple pools and themed restaurants; among the best reviewed on the strip for the balance between service and food quality. View availability
- JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa Among the most appreciated high-end resorts in the Zona Hotelera, with a lagoon pool, a pool with an artificial reef for snorkelling fans and a Maya-themed spa. View availability
Centro
About 20-30 minutes by car from the airport (16 km); the R-1 public bus and taxis connect Centro to both the airport and the Zona Hotelera.
Best for: Those who want lower prices than the Zona Hotelera, the ADO buses to the Riviera Maya or Chichén Itzá and a more local feel, accepting not having the beach within walking distance.
- Room and restaurant prices noticeably lower than the Zona Hotelera
- The ADO terminal for buses to Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Chichén Itzá reachable on foot or with a short taxi ride
- No beach within walking distance: for the sea you still need the R-1 bus or a taxi to the Zona Hotelera
- A commercial, busy neighbourhood, less geared towards beach tourism
Recommended hotels
- Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro In the business district of Centro, a few minutes on foot from Plaza Nichupté; outdoor pool, hot tubs and a panoramic terrace for those staying in town before or after the beach. View availability
- Ibis Cancun Centro A budget hotel in the commercial district of Centro, about 10 minutes by car from the airport, with a supermarket on the ground floor and an excursions desk in the lobby; a practical option for those arriving late or leaving early without aiming for the beach. View availability
Costa Mujeres
About 30-40 minutes by car from the airport (27-36 km depending on the resort), north of the Zona Hotelera along the coast beyond Punta Sam.
Best for: Those who want a more recent, less crowded all-inclusive resort than the Zona Hotelera, accepting a longer transfer from the airport.
- Wider beaches with fewer resorts than the classic Zona Hotelera
- Recently opened resorts, with pools and water parks among the newest in the Cancún area
- The longest transfer from the airport of any area in this guide
- An area still under development: few services outside the resorts themselves
Recommended hotels
- Riu Palace Costa Mujeres - All Inclusive All-inclusive resort on Costa Mujeres beach with five outdoor pools and a free water park; among the best-reviewed Riu Palace properties in the area. View availability
- Riu Dunamar - All Inclusive 700 rooms overlooking Costa Mujeres beach, with an 18-hole golf course and a free water park; a more accessible price range than the nearby Riu Palace. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
Four terminals, among Mexico's busiest, handle an intense tourist season year-round.
The recommended safety margin before boarding for international flights is 3 hours.
Map of Cancún International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do you need to fill out an entry form for Mexico when arriving in Cancún?
Yes, the FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple), often handed out on board or fillable online before departure: keep your copy, as it may be requested again when leaving the country.
Q. Is it worth exchanging dollars or euros for pesos at Cancún airport?
It's better to avoid the currency exchange counters in the terminal, which have unfavorable rates and high fees: it's better to withdraw pesos from a bank ATM or pay directly by card, widely accepted in the Hotel Zone.
Q. Is Cancún a good starting point for Tulum and Chichén Itzá?
Yes, it's the main air gateway to the Riviera Maya and the Yucatán, with Mayan ruins, cenotes and Caribbean beaches all reachable within a few hours.
Q. Is it better to stay in the Hotel Zone or downtown Cancún?
The Hotel Zone offers resorts right on the Caribbean seafront; downtown offers cheaper, more authentic options, about 20 minutes from the airport.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
