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Last year more than 30 million tourists arrived at Cancun International Airport to visit and vacation in the Mexican Caribbean.
The airport is less than 15 miles from the end of the Cancun Hotel Zone, and trips from the furthest hotel realistically shouldn’t take any more than half an hour, but infrastructure projects have caused some serious delays in the last year.
Now Cancun tourists should expect delays again, according to officials.
Reason For Current Delays
The current delays in getting to Cancun Airport that tourists are being warned about are being caused by the closure of an important road.
The main road running through the Cancun Hotel Zone, Kukulcan Boulevard, will be partially closed and will include a lane leading to the airport.
The main closure will be in front of the Luxury Avenue plaza, between the Ilios and Entre Fuegos restaurants.
@jxcobwhite I hope this translates to roadwork ahead #cancun ♬ Good Day – Nappy Roots
Timeframe For Which Delays Can Be Expected
The road closure delays on Kukulcan Boulevard began on September 22nd.
So far no information has been given regarding how long the delays will last.
Until more information is provided, tourists should expect these delays and prepare accordingly.
@travelwithmeredith Cancun highway construction is causing huge delays. Be prepared to leave your resort up to 6 hours early before your flight, maybe earlier! #holidaytravel #cancunairport #cancuntraffic #packyourpatience #christmastravel #travelsmarter #travelagent #mexicotravels #mexicotravel ♬ original sound – Travel With Meredith
When Tourists Should Leave For The Airport
National and international visitors have different recommended time frames for arriving at Cancun Airport.
For international tourists, many of which come from the U.S. and Canada, the recommendation is to get to the airport three hours early when there are no delays.
So, while the road closures are in place, visitors returning to their home country might want to plan on leaving for the airport about 4-4.5 hours before takeoff.
@3days3noches Now its time to depart from the Cancun Airport! We just uploaded a new video that tells you everything you need to know when departing from the Cancun Airport (terminal 3) so this video is just a few of those Cancun Airport Tips! Follow for more! #cancunairporttips #cancunairport🌴✌🏽✈️ #cancunairporttransfers #cancuntraveltips #cancuntravelguide #youtubetravelchannel #3days3noches ♬ original sound – 3days3noches
What To Do When Arriving At The Airport Early
Fortunately, if you arrive at Cancun Airport ahead of your flight, there’s plenty to do to occupy your time at this full-service airport.
Restaurants, duty-free shops, and airport lounges can make that time in between much more bearable.
Cancun Airport has all of the above, so the time can go by much more quickly than you would expect if you do happen to get to the airport quicker than expected.
A Warning About Tourists Missing Flights Due To New System
Along with leaving for the airport early so as not to miss your return flight from Cancun, there’s another issue causing some travelers anxiety.
In fact, a new system being used at Cancun Airport is even causing some tourists to miss their flights.
This new system displays flight times on a flight information board rather than announcing them over a speaker, so this is something to be aware of when departing from Cancun.
The Best Ways To Get To Cancun Airport From The Hotel Zone
There are many ways to get to Cancun Airport. Public buses, a taxi, Uber, and private transportation are all options, ranging in price from a couple of dollars up to $60+.
Your safest bet for traveling to the airport when there are already delays, though, is private transportation.
You can book in advance, be picked up right at your hotel, and avoid any disputes going on between taxi and Uber drivers.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $50-$100 for a private shuttle or vehicle.
What To Do If You Miss Your Flight Leaving Cancun
If the unfortunate event of missing your flight leaving Cancun becomes a reality, the first thing you need to do is immediately contact the airline.
Many airlines, particularly the larger ones, will schedule you on the next flight or, worst-case scenario, put you on standby.
Sometimes, there is a fee associated, but the important thing is getting home and having a successful end to your Cancun vacation.
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