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Cancun International Airport welcomed the arrival of more international tourists than any other airport in the country last year.
More than 12 million international travelers arrived at the airport during the year, which is a total of just over 36 percent of all international arrivals in Mexico in 2023.
It probably won’t come as a surprise, then, that the airport is always busy, and there are 5 things that travelers should know about Cancun Airport as it becomes the busiest international hub in Mexico.
Getting Through The Airport When You Arrive In Cancun
Arriving at any international airport for the first time can be both daunting and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be.
At Cancun Airport millions of tourists walk through the gates every year and are easily able to get through the airport pretty effortlessly.
When you arrive, you’ll be directed to baggage claim and immigration before you’ll be able to start making your way through the rest of the airport, which is a little bit different than airports in the U.S., so there are a couple of things to avoid.
@dianaedwards02 Cancun Terminal 4 arrival. Southwest and a few other airlines arrive at this terminal. #alwaysworkingonyournextvacation #igosoyouknow #airport #travelwithdee #dianaedwardsmmv #traveling #travelwithme #cancun ♬ original sound – MississippiMMVTravels
Things To Avoid At Cancun Airport
One of the biggest differences between Cancun Airport and most U.S. airports is what is known as the “shark tank,” which isn’t quite as scary as it sounds but should be avoided.
This is an area filled with timeshare salespeople who will do everything they can, including lie, to get you to a boring presentation that will take up way too much of your precious vacation time.
Another thing to avoid at Cancun Airport is exchanging money, as the rates are typically not as fair as what you’ll get at a bank in town.
@traveloffpath Don’t fall for this airport scam! . #travel #mexico #mexico🇲🇽 #traveloffpath #fyp #foryoupage #cancun #airport #scam ♬ Primal Fear – Drama Effect – Dave James
How To Get From The Airport To Your Hotel
Getting to your hotel from the airport is probably one of your biggest concerns when arriving in Cancun, but you can make it hassle-free by pre-booking transportation.
Sure, there are taxis available at the airport, but they can cost more than $65 for a one-way trip, and Cancun taxi drivers don’t have the best reputation.
You can pay around the same, or maybe a little bit more, to be more comfortable and have your driver waiting for you when you arrive at the airport.
@shannatravels AIRPORT TRANSFER ARE A MUST! #fyp #traveltipsforbeginners #travelhacks2023 #airporttransfers #traveladvisorsgetyouthere ♬ original sound – Shannatravels
Arriving At Cancun Airport For Your Departure
International travelers are advised to arrive at Cancun Airport three hours ahead of departure.
Depending on the time of year and any infrastructure projects going on, it can take from as little as a half hour to as much as an hour and a half to get there.
Staying informed as to what’s going on in the destination when you visit will help you to determine when to leave for the airport to arrive on time.
@dianaedwards02 Cancun Terminal 4 departure. #alwaysworkingonyournextvacation #igosoyouknow #airport #travelwithdee #dianaedwardsmmv #traveling #travelwithme ♬ original sound – MississippiMMVTravels
Cancun Airport Amenities To Make Your Wait More Comfortable
We’ve all arrived at the airport early before, as suggested, only to get there and find everything moving along quickly and having some extra time to wait.
Since you’re better safe than sorry, all you can really do is find a way to make the best of your waiting time.
At Cancun Airport, you can spend that time dining at one of many restaurants in the airport, doing a little duty-free shopping, or relaxing in one of the airport’s VIP lounges, which will only set you back about $30-$40, unless you hold certain credit cards that provide free access like this one.
@spreadyourwingstravel Airport lounges for the win! #cancunairport #cancun #mexico #traveltiktok #traveltok #travelagent #traveladvisor #allinclusive ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
Cancun Airport Connectivity
One of the reasons Cancun Airport is so busy is because of its massive connectivity with other areas of the world, especially the United States.
American travelers can currently fly to Cancun from 41 different airports in the country.
With such great connectivity, it’s no wonder that the Airport serves hundreds of flights every day.
Busiest Times At Cancun Airport
As with any vacation destination, some times are busier than others.
If you’d like to avoid the crowds then the best time to visit is the summer or fall.
Winter and spring are the busiest because of spring break and because travelers who want to escape the cold know that Cancun is the perfect destination.
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