National Guard Begins Operation At Cancun Airport Combatting Transportation Problems

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If you arrived in Cancun this week, you may have noticed something almost spooky… quiet.

The curbside chaos of hawkers, “pirate” taxis, and clipboard–wielding “halcones” (spotters who funnel arrivals toward sketchy vans) has all but vanished.

That’s because Mexico’s National Guard has kicked off a major, open-ended crackdown aimed at rooting out illegal transportation at Cancun International Airport (CUN).

What’s happening—and why now?

On June 3, National Guard units, backed by federal mobility inspectors from the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), began round-the-clock patrols across all three active terminals.

The mission: identify, ticket, and when necessary tow or impound any vehicle or driver operating without the proper airport permits. Officials say the operation is indefinite—there’s no sunset clause penciled in—as authorities try to break the cycle that has marred CUN’s reputation.

The launch follows a string of ugly incidents this spring in which tourists were surrounded, verbally threatened, or even shoved for choosing rideshare platforms such as Uber.

Local tour operators and legitimate shuttle companies have also complained about “pirate” vans swooping in to poach customers who thought they were booking official transfers.

What does the crackdown look like on the ground?

By day two, the difference was dramatic. Terminals 2, 3, and 4 felt eerily calm—no freelance solicitors shouting “Taxi! Taxi!” as you exit customs, no flocks of uniformed hawkers shadowing passengers to the ATM line.

Instead, small clusters of camouflaged National Guard officers stood at each doorway while mobile squads roved the pick-up lanes, scanning license plates and requesting paperwork. SICT inspectors double-checked insurance papers and tourist-transport permits, sending unregistered drivers packing.

For arriving travelers, that emptiness translates to shorter walks, fewer touts, and (for the meme collectors among us) far fewer unsolicited “amigo!” shout-outs.

How will this affect your ride?

Official shuttles and pre-booked transfers:

• If you’ve reserved through your hotel or a reputable DMC, you’re golden. Drivers holding placards in the designated welcome zones continue operating as usual, though they’ll now pass random document checks.

Taxis:

• The long-running taxi union continues to serve the arrivals area under a set rate chart.

Rideshares (Uber, DiDi, etc.):

• Technically legal in Quintana Roo, rideshares still cannot pick up inside the terminal loop. Under the new operation, officers are monitoring curb space more aggressively, so attempting a stealth pick-up could earn both you and the driver an awkward conversation. Until a formal agreement is reached, rideshare users should meet their car in the public parking lot or at the highway bus stop outside the airport perimeter.

DIY walkers:

• Some travelers have started walking 10–15 minutes to the outer road to order a cheaper ride. The National Guard isn’t stopping you, but remember: Cancún’s midday heat routinely hits 90°F (32 °C) and there’s minimal shade. Hydrate or risk turning your vacation’s first selfie into a heat-stroke cautionary tale. (Yes, Mom voice, but you’ll thank us later.)

Will the calm last?

Authorities are playing this by ear. Officials told local media the deployment will remain “hasta nuevo aviso” (until further notice).

Success will be measured not only by citations issued but by reductions in tourist complaints and airport scuffles.

If numbers trend the right way, expect the Guard to scale patrols down to spot-checks; if pirate taxis simply retreat a few hundred meters and regroup, expect the mission to drag on.

Tips from The Cancun Sun newsroom

1. Book in advance, print the proof. A pre-paid confirmation (digital or paper) is the best way to know you’re all set.
2. Know the rate card. Airport-authorized taxis display an official fee chart. If the driver “forgets” to show it, ask—politely but firmly.
3. Spot the uniform. Legitimate airport transport staff wear color-coded polo shirts with company logos and ID badges; random guys in plain tees promising “super cheap shuttle” are exactly why the National Guard is here.
4. Keep an eye on updates. We’re tracking the operation daily. Sign up for our travel alerts at the bottom of this post, and we’ll ping your inbox the minute regulations shift (or the hawkers attempt a comeback tour).

Bottom line for travelers

For now, the National Guard’s presence is making arrivals at Cancún International feel more relaxed and—dare we say—pleasant.

You’ll still need to arrange a ride, but you’ll do so without a swarm of unsolicited offers in your face. Think of it as trading a noisy street market for a mildly awkward middle-school dance: the chaperones are everywhere, but at least nobody’s trying to pick your pocket.

We at The Cancun Sun will keep pacing those terminals, collecting intel, and maybe clocking some extra steps on our fitness trackers in the process.

Until then, travel smart, screenshot those confirmations, and enjoy the quieter welcome to the Mexican Caribbean. After all, the real adventure begins once you’ve cleared that curb.

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