Cancun Holidays

Getting to/from

Cancun Holidays - Getting to and from Cancun / transport

Cancun Holidays - Getting to and from Cancun / transport

Getting to and from Cancun and around once there: Below is a comprehensive guide to transport to from and around Cancun covering the Buses, Taxis, Flights, Trains, Cycling, by Car and much more.

Don’t forget to check out our other sections for details on Cancun Holidays, Things to Do & Attractions in Cancun, plus candid traveler photos and reviews.

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Transport – Cancun:

Getting to / from Cancun and around once there:

Get in

By plane

Cancún International Airport (IATA: CUN) (ICAO: MMUN) is Mexico’s second busiest airport. It is about 10km (6 miles) from the hotel strip and 16km (9 miles) southwest of downtown.

One of Cancun’s best features is its transport links, as most major air carriers in North, Central, and South America, have service to Cancun. There are some extremely cheap charter flight deals available from the UK (from around £100) as well as commercial flight deals from several European carriers.

The hardest part of the journey to Cancun (aside from your initial airport check-in) is getting from the luggage carousel to your transportation. Make sure you know who your transport is and find them on the outside, as that is where they will be! Unless you are looking for a timeshare, free meal or looking to burn time and money on your vacation don’t stop to chit-chat about booking tours and such. There is plenty of time for that after you get settled in. After you clear the red or green light baggage inspection, do not give your bags to any locals offering to carry them. They will either demand money to carry them 15 meters or steal your luggage.

There are two companies officially licensed by Cancun Airport to provide the transfer service to the hotels in Cancun or the Riviera Maya. One is Gray Line and the other one is T.T.A. Both have a selling booth right after the Customs Service. Prices are fixed by the airport and are not negotiable. The two companies offer shuttle service and also private transfer. There are other transportation firms that provide service to and from the airport for a reasonable price as well. Beware of touts who will surround you when you come out of customs clearance. If you proceed straight, you will find the official information center where they can help you with the ground transportation options.

There is also a first class bus service from the airport to both the ADO bus station in Cancun and to the one in Playa del Carmen. If you are going to Puerto Morelos, you can arrange being dropped at the appropriate intersection on the way to Playa. Buses coming from Cancun stop at terminals 2 and 3, but tickets are sold only at the stop next to terminal 1. To get to the buses, go outside the main building (terminal 1) and turn right. Head up past the end of that building and find the appropriate bus for you. Taxis from the ADO bus station to the airport cost roughly 300 pesos ($30) whereas ADO bus service is 42 pesos.

Beware of leaving Mexico with enough money. The Mexican Government charges a travel tax of around 500 pesos ($46) to leave the country from the airport. Most major air carriers may already have the travel tax charged to the price of the ticket, though it is highly recommended that travelers check this before leaving to/from Cancun.

Also beware of going through security too early. Food and drink prices almost double and you can’t easily go back.

By car

Driving in Mexico can be an experience. For more information and tips refer to driving in Mexico

By bus

Cancun’s bus station is located downtown on the corner of Uxmal Avenue and Tulum Avenue. Destinations served by bus include most destinations up to Mexico City (26 hrs.).

The bus station is served by a taxi rank in front of the station. Local buses to the hotel zone pass regularly behind the station on the Tulum Avenue.

Get around

Cancun is very easy to navigate. To the South is the airport, to the North is the city and in between on the stretch of land between the sea and the Nichupte lagoon are all the hotels, beaches and bars, referred to as the hotel zone or Zona Hotelera. Downtown is where most residents live and it stretches in on the mainland behind the lagoon.

By bus

Bus is the preferred way of getting around. Buses are cheap and come frequently. Most bus drivers are very courteous and will stop for you even if you are not waiting at a bus stop. After paying the fare, which is on a per person basis, the driver will hand you a ticket/receipt which are usually printed with advertisements. Just so there are no surprises, do not expect buses to have amenities such as air conditioning and seat cushions. Also, most bus drivers speak enough English just to help visitors get around. A great resource for finding your way around Cancun are the Can-Do Cancun maps & Guides by Perry & Laura McFarlin.

Buses head up and down the main thoroughfare, Blvd Kukulcan, named after the feather serpent which is the main Mayan deity, from the Mayan words kukul (bird) and can (snake). Buses pass constantly but be prepared for a cramped and rough ride. The rules for the bus drivers seem to be “he who gets to the next passenger quickest, makes the most money”. Therefore, be prepared for a wild, but entertaining ride. Frequently, locals will get on with their instruments and “entertain”. Some are quite good.

When you are ready to get off, you can either push the button on top of the hand rail, or if you’re not sure of your destination, tell the driver where you would like to get off or point to the destination using a bus map. Most bus drivers speak enough English to understand non-Spanish speakers.

Be careful when the bus is full as pick-pocketing is a concern.

Companies serving the station include all attractions and towns along the coast: the Riviera Express for the Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Xel-Ha, etc.) and ADO for the major national destinations. For some Riviera Maya destinations, it’s possible to stop the buses on the Tulum Avenue without having to go all the way to the station, however if you are unsure about where to catch the bus then it’s best to go to the station.

By taxi

Taxis are plentiful, a bit expensive for the hotel zone and airport, but cheap in the downtown. Fares for the hotel zone depend on how far along the Blvd Kukulcan you want to go (fares available at hotel receptions and shopping centres), while within the downtown there is a general fixed fare of about 20 pesos per trip, it is best to just ask the driver upon boarding to avoid misunderstandings. By far, the best mode of transportation for the hotel zone is by bus. The bus fare is cheap and getting from Point A to Point B doesn’t take very long.

Be careful and clear with your taxista. They have set rates on paper for how much they should charge for the trip per kilometer (no meter). You can also obtain a discount about 10% if you ask. If you are splitting a cab with friends, be clear on the number of services, people, and price he will charge to your destination. If your friends get out before you he can charge you twice the amount you negotiated for just a few more kilometers. A “service” is considered to be from start point to a requested stop point. If your taxista is non-cooperative there are about 10 more taxis around every corner.

By car

Be very careful if you choose to drive in Cancun. The police seem to pull tourists over at the drop of a hat during spring break. When you pick up a rental, check that all the lights work! Also when you are pulled over for a light violation, do not be surprised if the police holds out an open palmed hand, while holding your driver’s license hostage in the other. Most police officers are underpaid and will for the most part demand a small bribe to let you off the hook.

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