Cancun may not be a sprawling urban destination, but its airport sees excessive traffic. Because of the region’s famed turquoise waters and warm weather, visitors flock to the area year-round for sun-soaked getaways on the beach. Cancun International Airport (CUN) has long been among the world’s top ten busiest airports for international arrivals, and continues to operate more than 500 daily flights. Next time you’re headed to this Mexican vacation hotspot, these expert tips will help you fly through CUN with ease.
Getting to and from CUN
By public transportation
ADO buses connect CUN to downtown Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and they’re conveniently located just outside of terminals two, three and four. They’re inexpensive and run fairly frequently, making them a popular option for those looking to save on transfers. However, they’re so popular that I’ve seen many people turned away because they sell out in advance, so book ahead online if you’re interested.
These buses are large and comfortable, but keep in mind that they don’t stop at hotels, so you’ll need to make your own way onward from downtown (“El Centro”) by taxi or rideshare. If your hotel isn’t close to here, your total fare will begin to add up and the bus may not offer significant savings after all, especially if there are a few of you traveling in your group.
By car, shuttle, or rideshare
On exiting the airport, you’ll be surrounded by a multitude of people holding signs and waiting to connect passengers with their hotel shuttles or other transfers. Only accept rides from a representative for a company you prearranged transfer with. They’ll hold branded signs and most will inform you of their uniform colors in advance.
Almost all the hotels and resorts in Cancun offer transportation and I always choose this option. It may seem tempting to book cheaper transfers in advance from the airport website, but nearly all seemingly official airport transfer websites are spoof sites, and none of these transfers are real. Likewise, trying to get a taxi at the airport occasionally results in some level of scam, so it should be avoided.
There are some reputable transfer services, like Amstar, who do offer airport service, and you should feel free to shop around if you know you’re looking at legitimate companies. But even so, your hotel shuttle service is likely cheaper or similar in price, and you’ll always know you’re making a legitimate, secure transaction. This is one case where I don’t advocate for bargain hunting.
I recommend using the rideshare service Uber over taxis in Cancun, thanks to their prearranged fares, automated payment, and GPS tracking for safety, but Uber is not allowed to offer pickups from the airport.
Arriving at CUN
Immigration at Cancun Airport typically takes just seven minutes for eligible tourists using the automated migration filters (E-gates), though it can extend to 30 minutes during peak times. These automated passport checks are available for U.S. citizens who hold a valid electronic passport (with chip), are 18 years or older, are traveling for tourism and are not traveling with minors. The implementation of these E-gates has eliminated the hours-long waits you might have heard about, dramatically reducing wait times from peak times of over two hours. Getting off the plane early helps you clear immigration even faster.
Once you have your luggage, you may undergo a customs search, though the process has changed significantly. The quirky “red light/green light” button system has been eliminated at Cancun International Airport. Now, customs review is conducted using imperceptible mobile X-ray equipment and risk-based selection. No more pressing buttons to see if you’ll be randomly searched.
Security and check-in
Security lines move quickly at Cancun International Airport (I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes), and there are a couple tricks to keep your wait short.
Security is one level up from check-in (at least in Terminal 3, where security filters are confirmed to be on the upper level), where most people make the mistake of joining the first line after the escalator.
I always go directly toward the back of the room, as far from the escalator as possible. All agents serve all passengers, so you can choose the shortest line. Here’s the second secret: after clearing the ID check, you can use any x-ray screening line, not just the one directly in front of you.
Airline check-in lines are another story. Because of the large number of visitors here, your airline may have a lengthy line for baggage drop, and this is why you might still want to arrive at the airport early. Official airline guidance for Cancun International Airport recommends arriving three hours before departure for international flights and two hours for domestic flights. If you have priority lane access from airline status or premium cabin tickets, you can ignore this, but others may need to wait for a while to check in and drop bags.
Airport amenities and services
Free Wi-Fi at Cancun Airport
Cancun International Airport advertises free Wi-Fi and the network does exist, but it’s not the most reliable. In more than a dozen visits, I’ve connected successfully only once. While most US phone carriers offer free service in Mexico, the signal within the terminals is similarly spotty.
I rely on digital boarding passes whenever possible, but I take extra precaution at CUN. Since I’m never sure if my airline app will receive cell signal or Wi-Fi in the terminal, I always screenshot my boarding pass ahead of time so I can access it from my photo gallery without service. Make sure the full pass is visible when screenshotting, not just the QR code.
Souvenir shopping
If you want to buy meaningful gifts for loved ones back home, it’s best to do your shopping while exploring Cancun during your time here. You’ll find some legitimate jewelry and art in the terminals, but you can score better deals in town. But if you’re looking for trinkets and other fun souvenirs for kids or friends, the airport is a great place to shop.
The terminals at CUN are filled with shops brimming with colorful souvenirs, much like the ones you’ll find throughout Cancun. While the prices may be marked up for convenience, it’s a good way to pass the time here and you won’t have to count them against your luggage allowance since you’re scoring them after check-in and security.
Lounges at CUN
Cancun International Airport has several lounges throughout its terminals and they’re all private. In other words, airline status or airline lounge membership will not get you in, though flying in premium cabins on select airlines will. These are posted outside each lounge, and US airlines are generally not among these. Each lounge can be accessed through membership programs like Priority Pass though, and all sell day passes for walk-ins, barring capacity restrictions.
Day pass rates at Cancun International Airport lounges are significantly cheaper than most US and international locations, making it a more desirable option than usual. There’s enough food and comfortable seating to make this worthwhile, especially if you have a long wait. Some premium cards from American Express and MasterCard will gain you entry to certain lounges too.
Service animal relief areas at CUN
The only opportunity for service animal or pet relief at CUN is outside. I always encourage my dog to find relief before we enter the airport, to avoid having to come back outside for a second trip. If this is the case, it’s necessary to pass through security again before heading back to the gate or lounge, so factor this time before heading out.
This also means there’s no opportunity for pet relief on landing until after you’ve cleared immigration and customs, and have exited the airport. If your flight to Cancun is long and you’re worried about your dog needing a potty break, this is the time to pack portable relief items like training pads, so your dog can safely go on the plane or on landing.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
