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What Tourists Should Know As Tulum International Airport Is Ready For Grand Opening

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The time draws ever nearer for the inauguration of one of the most highly anticipated projects in all of Quintana Roo, Tulum International Airport ( Felipe Carrillo Puerto), which is set to begin operations on December 1st. 

The airport will become one of only four airports (Cancun, Cozumel, Chetumal, and now Tulum) in the state that has national and international operations and is expected to become a hugely popular choice for travelers throughout next year and beyond.

tulum beach with Mayan ruins above

With Cancun International as the reigning champion for the most popular airport in the Mexican Caribbean, it has started to feel the pressure from the successful tourism boom that the destination is experiencing, with over 500 flight operations a day and almost full capacity with passengers during some peak times. 

It seems as though Tulum International is arriving just in time to save the day, expecting to take off some of the heat from its neighbor, and with it, enabling greater connectivity to the region, meaning even more vacation options for you!

Confirmed Opening Date

If there were any major hiccups happening in regards to the grand opening of the airport, we are pretty sure it would be public knowledge by now, and the date would have already been pushed back. 

However, it seems that by all accounts, December 1st is the confirmed opening date for the billion-dollar infrastructure project, meaning that tourists already booked and ready for their vacation in the sun this winter have nothing to worry about!

@ahoyvacations The brand new Tulum Airport is happening and almost here! #tulum #cancun #allinclusiveresort #springbreak2024 #destinationwedding #ahoyvacations ♬ original sound – Bianca | Destination Weddings

Busier Than Cancun?

Though the airport has a long way to go before it can be likened to its ever-popular neighbor, Cancun International, Tulum Airport will have a capacity of a staggering 5.5 million passengers annually, as well as 32,000 operations.

According to National Defence statistics, it is predicted that 75% of all passengers will be of foreign origin, indicating that Tulum Airport could become the second-best option for many tourists in search of their perfect vacation, and with the destination’s popularity on the rise, that is not out of the realm of possibility. 

@trendytraveler Share this with the person you want to visit TULUM with!! ✈️🌴 #travel #travelbucketlist #tulum #mexico #tulummexico #cenote #kintoh #traveltiktok #traveltips ♬ Paradise – TELL YOUR STORY music by Ikson™

Confirmed Airlines To Tulum

American Airlines has just recently announced that it will be the third U.S. carrier to begin operations to Tulum in late March, from Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte and Miami. 

They join the low-cost budget airline Spirit, which plans to fly to Tulum from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, as well as Delta, which will have a route from Atlanta. 

iconic american airlines symbol

Other notable airlines are Aeromexico, which will have direct flights from Toronto, San Fransisco and Chicago, as well as Viva Aerobus, which has launched routes from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Tijuana, meaning just one thing; the Mexican Caribbean is becoming more connected than ever before!

With Tulum continuing to grow in popularity among tourists, offering them a slightly different take on the Riviera Maya, more airlines will be keen to make sure they are the premier company to take travelers to this state-of-the-art airport, which will even mean competitive pricing and in turn…cheaper tickets for you!

Why Is Tulum So Special?

Some may say that Tulum is becoming the trendiest Mexican Caribbean destination just now, offering something completely unique and different to the Cancun we all know and love. 

What was once a humble beach town has now turned into a thriving cultural and eco-friendly scene, with a far more relaxed vibe than the more popular tourist hotspots. 

art sculpture entrance in Tulum of a person opening their heart as the doorway

It has everything!

Tulum is home to ancient Mayan ruins (the only of its kind to be situated by the sea) that sit upon the cliffside overlooking the coastline, dating back to the Ancient Mayan Period over 1,500 years ago. 

There is endless natural beauty to behold everywhere you turn in Tulum, with luscious jungle mangroves, breathtaking cenotes, and nature reserves, all capturing the essence of this beautiful place. 

aeriel view of cenote in Tulum

It was also recognized by Forbes as the “World Capital Of Yoga”, and is a leading destination for any wellness enthusiast looking to unwind and disconnect. 

Hotel options are constantly being updated, with eco-boutique resorts being a popular favorite among tourists, creating an even stronger emphasis on just how seriously they are taking their sustainability cause.

With the mixing pot of history, culture, nature and everything in between, Tulum seems to be one of those places that are on everyone’s lips, and as the airport begins operations next month, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes just as busy as…you know where!

beach in Tulum underneath the Mayan ruins

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Gary Martin

Wednesday 22nd of November 2023

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Thursday 23rd of November 2023

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