Nobody wants to miss their return flight home after a long vacation, no matter how amazing a vacation destination it is.
Unforeseen circumstances can, and often do happen, though, that can interfere with getting to the airport on time.
In Cancun, it’s suggested that travelers get to the airport about three hours before takeoff, but in the coming months, Cancun tourists should prepare for airport delays amid protests and road closures.
Let’s look at both of these situations and how you can prepare for them if you’ll be visiting Cancun soon.
Protests Against Uber Near The Airport
Protests against Uber operating at the airport might affect how long it takes to get to the airport in the near future.
Taxi drivers have announced that they will be protesting on August 31st and that the protests will be near the airport.
While Amatur, the Mexican Association of Receptive Tourism Agencies, is calling on transportation providers not to go through with the protest, travelers should prepare to leave early for the airport just in case.
Why Protests Are Happening Now And Why There Could Be More
There has always been some disagreement between taxi drivers and Uber drivers since Uber entered the market.
A recent announcement that Uber could begin offering rides to and from the airport for the first time has added fuel to that fire.
Taxi drivers don’t believe that they can legally operate at the airport because it is under federal jurisdiction, so they’re protesting against Uber.
Should You Be Worried?
Protests over Uber operating in Cancun in the past have not grown violent towards tourists.
Furthermore, security is everywhere in the busy Cancun tourist areas.
That being said, while there isn’t much risk of physical danger resulting from these protests, there is the concern of getting around the protests to get to the airport on time.
Looking To The Past To Prepare For The Future
During previous protests, there have been issues with travelers racing to get to the airport on time.
In one case tourists had to get out of their transport vehicles and start walking to the airport in order to get there before their flights departed.
With this upcoming protest taking place near the airport, there’s always the possibility of something like this happening again.
The Road Closure Issue
Additionally, there is currently an important road closure in Cancun that could have an effect on airport transportation times as well.
The closure, which started on August 20th and is expected to last until sometime in October, is on Kukulkan Boulevard.
It starts in the Hotel Zone and continues towards the airport.
How The Road Closure Affects Travelers
During the road closure, transportation drivers will have to use an alternate route to get to the Hotel Zone and the airport.
Additionally, traffic is expected to increase in the Hotel Zone and in the area where the detour is located.
Traffic conditions and drive times can, to say the least, be unpredictable, so planning ahead is highly advised.
Here’s How The To Get To The Airport And When To Leave
You might be better off avoiding taxis and Uber to get to the airport right now and opt for private transportation that can be booked well in advance and be waiting for you when you’re ready to head to the airport.
Although there is no official announcement on when you should leave for the airport, booking another hour ahead might give you peace of mind. So you’d leave about four hours before your flight.
Waiting longer at the airport may be annoying, but missing your flight home is even worse, so why take that risk?
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