Are you looking for transportation from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone in Cancun? Here is our guide so you can have a smooth transfer for your vacation and not spend an arm and a leg. You have several options for airport transportation:
- ADO bus to the center of Cancun.
- Taxi service from the Cancun Airport
- Private transfer or shuttle to your hotel in Cancun.
So you are going to Cancun on vacation and you want to get to your hotel. You probably don’t want to be trying to figure this outat the airport and when you arrive you will see how confusing it can be with lots of people asking you if you need transportation. So here is the information you need to know. It is best to book in advance so when you land you have a driver waiting for you so you can start your vacation all the sooner!
How far is Cancun Airport from the Hotel Zone?
Cancun Airport is 7.5 miles from downtown Cancun or 12 kilometers. This is just south of Cancun on the 307 Highway. As you can see from the aerial photoof the Hotel Zone, it is long. In fact it is about 25 kilometers or 15 1/2 miles long. This means there are a lot of hotels and it takes a little bit of time to reach your hotel.
What are the transportation options fromCancun Airport to my hotel?
As mentioned above three are four transportation options you can consider and below we talk about them individually.
- Taking a taxi.
- Taking a private van or transfer.
- Public bus (ADO)
How much are taxis from the Cancun Airport to hotel?
You might be a little surprised how much taxis are from the Cancun Airport to hotels. Taxis can cost about $50-60 USD one way from the Cancun Airport. Sure you are on vacation and you want to get to your hotel a soon as possible but you can save a lot of money by planning ahead you can have everything set and you don’t have to waste money. Plus you can get there just as fast by private transfer.
The taxi prices are pretty set and are not open for negotiating. Although many taxi drivers will tell you prices higher and see what they can get. This is why van services and private transfersare so popular to take to your hotel.
Tip: Do not listen to “official” looking people at the exit of the terminals in Cancun. Often these are taxi people trying to get you in a taxi. They often give you wrong information. It is best to have your transfer booked so you can have a driver waiting for you at the airport and it all paid.
How much are transfer vans from Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone?
Prices for private car service or van service is as follows:
- $35 one way in either direction from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zonefor up to3 people. You do save $15 if you book a round trip! So we recommend doing this!
- $40 one way in either direction from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone for up to 7 people. You do save $15 if you book a round trip! Round trip price is the best price!
- $50 one way in either direction from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone for up to 9 people.You do save $20 if you book a round trip!
We have looked into the most reliable transportation companies and best prices and that is why we link to the above company. We have seriously has no negative comments yet! So this transportation company is doing a good job!
Luxury transportation from the Cancun Airport to your hotel
Would you like a little luxury on your vacation? For just a little more you can get picked up in a van like below. This transportation option is for 1-6 people.
To go to the Hotel Zone from the Cancun Airport it is $69 one way or $125 round trip. To save money you just need to book a round trip at time of booking. Click the reserve now button below for this option. This will take you to a recommended transportation company that our readers enjoy using.
Can I get public transportation from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone?
The short answer is yes, but the real answer is “why would you?” Here is how you can take public transportation to the Hotel Zone but we think after you see how long it will take you will opt for a van service.
At the exit of all three terminals of Cancun Airport there are stops of ADO bus company. Here is a link to the ADO website where you can see schedules and more info. This is a large bus that will connect you with the Cancun ADO bus terminal in the downtown. This bus cost 94 pesos for Cancun and there is frequent service to the center of Cancun (about every 30 minutes). This is the only stop they make. It takes about 25 minutes to get from the Cancun Airport to the downtown bus station.
For a more details explanation of how to take this bus including photos, see our article on how to get from the Cancun Airport by bus here.
The Cancun ADO Bus Station in downtown Cancun where you would need to transfer to aa local bus to the Hotel Zone.
Public transportation from the ADO Bus Station to the Hotel Zone
Once you arrive at the Cancun Bus Station you can take a local bus marked “Hoteles” (Spanish for Hotels) on the windshield. Also you can look for the R1, R 2, R15, and R27 buses that go to the Hotel Zone and will say “Hoteles“. See our guide to the Cancun Bus Station here that has a map. These buses are just a few pesos (and only take pesos, try to have small change)but often get very crowded with people going between the downtown and the Hotel Zone. Many locals, workers and tourist use these public busses. This bus will most likely be awkward with luggage.
This website has a good interactive bus map of the local bus routes in Cancun for you to look at.
Note: A taxi is possible from this bus station but will be expensive to the Hotel Zone. Depending on how far you go it can be about $10-25 USD. If you decide on this make sure you check the price before taking off.
Since the Hotel Zone is so long, it can take about 20-40 minutes on this public bus to your hotel. So you overall transportation time can be around one hour or more. In our opinion this is just not the way to go and a private transfer will get you easily to your hotel and save you a lot of hassle.
What is the best way to get from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone?
As you can tell from above, we do recommend a private van service for you. Public transportation takes a long time and is hard to do with luggage and taxis are expensive. Booking ahead takes the worry about your arrival and will get you to your hotel to start your vacation quickly. When you have your flight booked, go ahead and book your transfer with the link below so you are all set for your trip! Happy vacations and a smooth arrival at your hotel.
Do you have questions about getting from the Cancun Airport to your hotel? Let us know in the comments below. We love to help out our readers.
Now that your are coming to the Cancun area, you might want to know what the weather will be like. You can see our Cancun weather guide here .
FAQs
What is the cheapest transportation from Cancun airport to Hotel Zone? ›
The cheaper option is to take the ADO bus which costs 4€ (86 MXN) to the city centre of Cancun, where you will then need to take a taxi to the Hotel Zone or a second bus. The total journey time will be around 60 minutes depending on traffic.
What is the safest transportation from Cancun airport to hotel? ›The safest transportation from Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone is to pre-book with a registered and reputable airport shuttle service like Cancun Airport Transportation, which is locally owned and has a 20 year history of serving the Cancun Airport.
How much do you tip an airport shuttle driver in Cancun? ›In general you should tip your Cancun shuttle driver 50 pesos per person on board. That's about $2.50 USD but please remember that it is best to use the local currency of pesos for tipping!
How much is airport shuttle Cancun? ›Shared Shuttle to hotels, Available 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Stops at all terminals. From $14.00 USD per vehicle. Private Service NO sharing, 24 hours, most economical private service. From $15.50 per vehicle.
Is Uber cheaper than taxi in Cancun? ›Taxis tend to be more expensive than Uber. Within the hotel zone, however, it can be as little as around $1–2 for a short ride. Twenty Mexican Pesos (MXN) are around $1, so expect to pay 20–40 pesos for a short ride within the hotel zone.
How long is the ride from Cancun airport to the Hotel Zone? ›The Hotels located in Cancun Hotel Zone and Cancun Downtown are about 20 to 30 minutes from the Cancun Airport. The Hotels located in Playa Mujeres are 30-40 minutes from the Cancun Airport.
How much should a taxi cost from Cancun airport to Hotel Zone? ›| Destination | Online From | Distance - Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cancun Hotel Zone | $24.85+ | 28 km - 30+ min |
| Cancun Downtown | $24.43+ | 17 km - 25+ min |
| Puerto Juarez | $24.64+ | 20 km - 27+ min |
| Puerto Morelos | $32.68+ | 26 km - 28+ min |
Currently there is still no Uber service from the Cancun airport (as of February 2023) which means you need to book private Cancun transportation with Happy Shuttle (you are in the right place!) .
How long does it take to get through airport security in Cancun? ›Passengers must arrive at least 2 hours prior for any international flight. All carry-on bags are being subjected to security screenings. All passengers regardless of age (including minors and unaccompanied minors) may be subject to additional screening if selected at random or if circumstances warrant.
Is $5 a good tip in Mexico? ›They depend upon those tips to live. If you're on a tour with a lot of people (20-100 people), each person should leave a tip of at least $5 U.S. (90 pesos). If you're on a tour with very few people (e.g., four people in your family), the group should leave a tip that is equivalent to 15-20% of the cost of the tour.
Is 20 pesos a good tip? ›
Restaurants: For good service, a 10% tip is standard. For really good service, anything between 15% and 20% is acceptable. Street food: Again, tipping is not required or expected, but it is appreciated (saying “keep the change” is sufficient). Taxis: If the driver helps with bags, 10–20 pesos is a good tip.
Is 50 pesos a good tip? ›The Bellhop: 25 – 50 pesos is a standard tip for helping you to your room and with your luggage. The Concierge: Tipping 50 to 150 pesos for helpful recommendations is always appreciated. Housekeeping: A tip of 25 to 50 pesos a day for keeping your room tidy is appropriate.
Can I get a shuttle in the Cancun airport? ›The Cancun Airport Private Shuttle service is provided with vans that have a capacity of up to 9 people, the prices vary depending on the number of people, from 1 to 3, 4 to 6 and 7 to 9 people.
Do taxis in Cancun accept US dollars? ›Taxi drivers will accept dollars, though at a less favorable rate than pesos. Within the downtown area, the cost is about 25 pesos per cab ride (not per person); within any other zone, it's 70 to 110 pesos. It'll cost about 180 pesos to travel between the Hotel Zone and downtown.
Should I book airport transfer Cancun? ›We recommend you to pre-book the Cancun Airport Transportation services on our website to avoid waiting for an available driver. We can take reservation for people that just arrived at the Cancun Airport however you might have to wait for a vehicle to be available. 28.
Is it better to use cash or card in Cancun? ›Cash is a necessity in Cancun, given that many restaurants and gift shops don't accept credit cards. Like many other airports around the world, the Cancun airport is jam-packed with money exchange kiosks looking to convert your money into Mexican pesos.
Is it better to use pesos or dollars in Cancun? ›Most businesses will take U.S. dollars, but it's better to convert your currency to pesos. You'll get better deals and it is the currency of Mexico. Many people get pesos from their bank at home before travel. We normally use ATMs when we arrive at the Cancun airport.
What is the best currency to take to Cancun? ›There are two accepted currencies in Cancun, US Dollars and Mexican Pesos. If you have to choose one my advice is to choose Pesos.
What is the best way to transfer from Cancun airport to hotel? ›Take a Shared Shuttle from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone
Cheaper transportation from the airport to your hotel in Cancun is the shared shuttle. It's also an ideal option for those traveling solo, and while you'll be sharing the vehicle with other travelers, you'll still be taken to your hotel's front door.
Cancun is relatively easy to navigate and get around, as many of the best attractions and sightseeing spots are located in the Hotel Zone. The Hotel Zone is the main tourist area of Cancun and is very walkable. Aside from that, there are tons of taxis available and great public transportation options like the bus.
Is it better to stay in the Hotel Zone in Cancun? ›
The Hotel Zone comes with the greatest concentration of accommodation and amenities for tourists. Punta Cancun has some of the best nightlife in town and El Centro (downtown) is a popular choice for budget travelers and presents a more authentic local experience.
Should I tip my taxi driver in Cancun? ›Tips for Cancun shuttle bus drivers and taxi drivers
While shuttle bus drivers and taxi drivers do not always expect tips, it is advisable to tip them. If you plan to take a taxi, set a price first so that there will be no confusion when you get to your location. At this point, you can tip up to the agreed amount.
In Taxis. Here's one place where tipping customs in the U.S. and Mexico diverge. Cab drivers in Mexico don't expect a tip in most cases. If a driver helps with your luggage, though, it's polite to give 10 pesos per bag.
Can I trust taxis in Cancun? ›Are Cancun taxis safe? The answer is a definitive NO, especially Cancun airport taxis which are not regulated, have no record of your trip, can charge whatever they want and leave you in danger. There are “sharks” at the Cancun airport waiting to rip you off, don't take the risk!
Is it safe to take an Uber in Cancun? ›We reported last week that Uber is currently not able to operate in the busy Cancun Hotel Zone safely, which means that trying to book an Uber from your accommodation could be very risky. Earlier this month, a taxi driver was caught attacking an Uber driver who was transporting tourists from the Hotel Zone.
What can I use instead of Uber in Cancun? ›To get from Cancun Down Town area without UBER you will either have the option of getting an ADO bus or a “colectivo” (shared shuttle).
Do taxis at Cancun airport take credit cards? ›- Yes, you can pay with cash or credit card, when arrive to Cancun you can give your credit card to the driver and he will call the main office to process the charge.
Do you go through US customs in Cancun airport? ›GREAT NEWS: Since Thursday, August 18th, 2022, Cancun Airport travelers will no longer be required to fill out customs (FMM) forms upon arrival. This initiative is part of a project that will include all the major international airports in Mexico with the purpose to speed up the process of arriving in the country.
Do you go through customs when arriving in Cancun? ›Customs Procedures at Cancun Airport
During the inbound flight, you will receive and need to fill out a customs form (Hacienda). After passing through immigration, you collect your bags and proceed to the exit. You will hand the form to the customs agent and press the button on what looks like a traffic light.
Make a Smart Footwear Choice
As most airport security checkpoints require that you take off your shoes and place them in a bin to be scanned, help yourself out by wearing shoes that you can take off and put back on easily.
Is 10 pesos a good tip? ›
Waiters working at restaurants and bars should always be tipped for good service; a sum equivalent to 10-15% of the total bill is appropriate.
How much do you tip a maid at all-inclusive? ›Leaving two or three dollars every time a housekeeper cleans your room is an appreciated gesture that adds up. If you think daily tipping is too much to remember, you could always leave one big tip at the end of your stay – $10-15 for a week-long stay should suffice!
Do you tip at all-inclusive? ›Do I Need to Tip at an All-Inclusive Resort? While tipping is a discretionary and optional gesture, at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and others, it is certainly encouraged.
Is $100 a lot in pesos? ›But what can a handful of pesos get you in Mexico? Considering the fact that $100 USD equals over 2,000 MXN, you can get a whole heck of a lot!
Should I take pesos or dollars to Mexico? ›The best currency to bring to Mexico is a mix of pesos and US dollars. Use the dollars to pay for tours, entrance fees, accommodation, and travel. For everything else use pesos.
How many pesos to bring to Mexico all-inclusive? ›If you're staying at an all inclusive resort, you will only need about 100 pesos per day per person for tips (I'd say this is minimum). If you're staying at a hotel in Puerto Vallarta, for example, and eating out for each meal and throwing in a couple happy hours, you might want to budget 500 pesos per person.
Is 500 pesos a good tip in Mexico? ›In Mexico, a good rule of thumb for tips is to leave 10-15% of the bill. 50 pesos would be a standard tip for a bill that was around 500 pesos. For example, if you go out for dinner and get drinks, you should expect to spend around 400 MXN.
Is 5 dollars too little to tip? ›"Three to five dollars is a sufficient tip," Swann says. "It doesn't necessarily need to be a percentage of the food you ordered."
How much do you tip a maid at a hotel? ›The standard tip for hotel housekeeping in the U.S. is $2 to $5 per day, says Cohorst. Now, with all the additional work housekeeping must accomplish, it's only fair to tip a consistent $5 per day—even more, if you're feeling exceptionally benevolent.
How do I get pesos at Cancun airport? ›Cancun Airport Money Exchange
In terminals three and four, in addition to ATMS, there is a currency exchange service operated by a bank named CIBanco, where you can convert your Mexican pesos to the currency of your choice and vice-versa.
Can you Uber from Cancun airport to hotel zone? ›
Can I Uber from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone? No, Uber is not available at the Cancun Airport and has been blocked from operating in the region by the local taxi unions. Your best option for airport transportation is to arrange a private transfer or take a shared shuttle service.
Should I exchange money before Cancun? ›MONEY EXCHANGE
The short answer is ABSOLUTELY YES, you need Mexican Pesos. You will need pesos for tips, souvenirs shopping, transportation like taxi/buses, tours, bar/restaurants, etc.
Cancun airport: The truth is that it is very easy to obtain local currency, the first option will always be the international airport of Cancun, look for the best rate and change a generous amount that will last you at least the first three days of your stay.
How much do you tip a Cancun airport shuttle driver? ›Any tip is gratefully received, so what is the tipping etiquette for drivers in Cancun and the Riviera Maya? In general you should tip your Cancun shuttle driver 50 pesos per person on board. That's about $2.50 USD but please remember that it is best to use the local currency of pesos for tipping!
How much should I tip shuttle in Cancun? ›Airport transfers and shuttle bus drivers often work for the resorts but also rely on tips. These individuals are generally very helpful while getting you to your final destination. The suggested tip is about 50 pesos, or $2.50.
How much is a taxi from airport to Hotel Zone in Cancun? ›| Destination | Online From | Distance - Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cancun Hotel Zone | $24.85+ | 28 km - 30+ min |
| Cancun Downtown | $24.43+ | 17 km - 25+ min |
| Puerto Juarez | $24.64+ | 20 km - 27+ min |
| Puerto Morelos | $32.68+ | 26 km - 28+ min |
Rates to nearby destinations are as follows: Cancun Hotel Zone: $15 USD one way. Playa del Carmen: $29 USD one way. Tulum: $37 USD one way.
Is it better to use dollars or pesos in Cancun? ›It's best to use pesos in Cancun. You can use USD almost anywhere, but you'll typically get a better exchange rate in Cancun if you pay in pesos.
How much should you tip taxi in Cancun? ›In most cases if you tip more they make your drink stronger. It's not customary to tip a Taxi driver unless they help you with your luggage. We recommend from 10 Pesos per suitcase. In Mexican Grocery stores its common to see workers (Grocery Baggers) who will bag your purchases.
Is it hard to get an Uber in Cancun? ›There IS Uber in Cancun – and the rest of Mexico – and it's entirely possible to hail an Uber using the app. However, it's not always straightforward, as Uber drivers still face a lot of issues from the local taxi companies.
Does Uber service Cancun airport? ›
Officially Uber has been available in Cancun since 2019, but it's better to avoid using it for safety reasons. So instead, most travelers prefer to use taxi services or book Cancun Transfers to reach their destination.
Can you walk the Hotel Zone in Cancun? ›Cancun is relatively easy to navigate and get around, as many of the best attractions and sightseeing spots are located in the Hotel Zone. The Hotel Zone is the main tourist area of Cancun and is very walkable. Aside from that, there are tons of taxis available and great public transportation options like the bus.
Can I pay Uber with cash in Mexico? ›Paying in Cash with Uber in Mexico City
Once you go to “Payments” you can see that “Cash” is available as an option. If the option is not available, select “Add Payment Method.” What is this? You can then add cash to your preferred payment method.