Planning your vacation in Cancun? First of all, congratulations on coming to my city, a city surrounded by beautiful beaches, grand hotels, and fun for both kids and adults. And yes, I know why you’re here: You want to know everything about the Cancun airport to hotel transfer.
Well, I have great news for you: We’ve created this guide, this survival manual where we’ll tell you everything you need to know about ground transportation from Cancun airport to your hotel in the hotel zone.
Survival guide for Cancun airport transfer to the hotel zone
If you’re visiting the Riviera Maya and arriving by flight, your first stop, without a doubt, will be the Cancun International Airport. Why? Because this airport is the largest and closest (for now) to Cancun and, of course, the Riviera Maya.
Did we mention that the airport has 4 terminals? Out of these 4 terminals, only 3 are operational for commercial flights, and 1 is exclusively used for private flights.
So, your plane can arrive at terminal 1, terminal 2, or terminal 3 of Cancun Airport. And that’s it, right? Like in any airport, if you’re a resident of this country, you just have to walk until you find the area where you’ll pick up your luggage. If you’re not Mexican, you’ll first have to go through customs and then get your luggage. Simple, isn’t it?
But where does the complicated part of my travel adventure start? When it comes to figuring out how to get to your hotel. You’re probably wondering: Is the hotel zone close to the airport? Can a taxi take me to my hotel? Is there an airport bus to the hotel zone? What types of shared transfers are available from the airport? Are taxis safe? What’s the bus fare? Where is the hotel zone located?
Well, relax, my friend, relax and don’t stress. Remember that I’m here to help you, and right now, we’ll start exploring the transfers from Cancun airport to your hotel.
Hotel Zone of Cancun
First things first, let’s talk about the hotel zone of Cancun, okay? Remember that, in the end, your goal is to get here.
The hotel zone of Cancun is one of the most beautiful areas in the Riviera Maya and stretches over 22.5 km. Along this 22.5 km stretch, you’ll find beautiful and charming beaches—some with vast banks of very fine white sand, others calm and tranquil.
But it’s not just about the beaches, ladies and gentlemen. On the right-hand side, you can appreciate the beauty of Nichupte Lagoon, where you’ll find many lovely and romantic restaurants.
To stay on topic: In the hotel zone, you’ll find restaurants, bars, nightclubs, marinas, plazas, and a myriad of things. All good so far? As we said and emphasize: The hotel zone is 22.5 km long. So, where does the hotel zone begin? From km 0.
Km 0 is less than 50 meters from the center of Cancun and marks the start of the entrance to the hotel zone or beach area (as many know it). Yes, there is public transportation that costs 12.00 MXN (less than 1 USD) and covers the entire 22.5 km length.
And as a very interesting last piece of information: Starting from km 22.5, we encounter the federal highway to Punta NIZUC, which has a direct connection to CANCUN AIRPORT.
Now that we’ve talked a bit about the hotel zone, let’s discuss its distance, okay?
What is the distance from Cancun Airport to the hotel zone?
The socially accepted answer by numerous websites and blogs discussing Cancun or private transfer services, taxis, and buses in Cancun, is that the distance from Cancun Airport to the hotel zone is 25 km. However, this answer is highly debatable.
This “socially accepted” distance is also found on Google Maps, but in the case of Google Maps, it considers the distance from the airport to the heart of the hotel zone.
Is that where we’re headed? No, the answer is no. Remember that the hotel zone has two entrances: km 0 or km 22.5. The closest entrance from the airport, for obvious reasons, is through the Punta Nizuc road, which has a length of 11.5 km. Therefore, the question of what is the distance from Cancun Airport to the hotel zone is answered with 11.5 km.
BUT unfortunately, this route is only used by private transportation services, taxis, and private cars. So, what is the distance from Cancun Airport to the hotel zone if I plan to take a bus or ADO bus? The answer is 19.5 km.
As you can see, the distance from Cancun Airport to the hotel zone varies depending on “where you enter,” and in addition to this distance, you have to add the distance to where your hotel is located. And if that’s clear now, we’ll move on to talking about how to get from the airport to your hotel.
How to get from Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone?
Leaving Cancun Airport and reaching your hotel in the Hotel Zone is not complicated. You can book a private transfer service, take a taxi, hop on an ADO bus, or even rent a car. As we saw a bit earlier, you can also reach your hotel in the Hotel Zone using the shared shuttle service offered by some hotels. At this point, it’s just a matter of calling them and asking: Does my reservation include a taxi from the airport to the hotel?
But remember, I said “some hotels.” Not all of them! So, for us mere mortals, when our hotel doesn’t provide the transfer, we have to read this article, where everything you need to know about transfer options from the airport to your hotel will be explained in detail.
Private Transfer: The Best Option
Private transfer or a private taxi is a favorite option for hundreds of travelers to leave the airport and get to the door of their hotel. As the name suggests, it’s a private service that allows you to book it online and customize it.
But what can I customize? You can choose the type of transfer, which can be private, luxury, for groups, in a limousine, and even in a Mercedes-Benz.
And of course, you might be wondering, how much does the transfer from Cancun Airport to my hotel in the Hotel Zone cost? The current cost (2023) of the transfer service with Cancun Airport Transportation, one of the best tourist transport agencies in the area, is $44 for a one-way trip for 1 to 8 passengers and $85 for a round trip for 1 to 8 passengers.
Remember that this price may vary depending on the type of transfer. For example, if you want to indulge yourself more, you can choose the “luxury” service, which costs $79 for a one-way trip and $150 for a round trip.
Why should I choose a taxi or private transport service?
This type of transport from the airport to the hotel is entirely private, comfortable, safe, spacious, and equipped, unlike other options for leaving the airport. In addition, the driver is professional and bilingual, travel insurance is provided, and above all, you won’t have to pay a single peso more than what you’ve already paid online.
Another advantage is that you no longer have to wait a single second. When you book online, you fill out a form with all your details, which helps to know what time your flight would arrive, where you’re staying, how many people you’re traveling with, if you need baby seats, wheelchair ramps, or if you’re traveling with pets. Really, all the information that helps prepare your service on the day of your flight. As soon as you exit terminal 1, terminal 2, or terminal 3 of the airport, they will be waiting for you to board! So you won’t have to wait a minute longer.
[php snippet=1]Ready to secure your transportation? Make your reservation right now and experience the exceptional service of Cancun Airport Transportation. But, don’t just take our word for it. Take a look at the reviews from some of our hundreds of satisfied customers to get a real perspective of what awaits you.
| Tripadvisor Comments | |
| Author | Jorge Alcala |
| Date | Oct 2023 • Couples |
| Comment | Excellent service from Gabriel Hernández – very attentive – recommended it, and I’ll use the same service when I come back, very helpful. |
| Author | Yesica D |
| Date | Oct 2023 • Family |
| Comment | Very punctual and a pleasant journey chatting with the driver, very attentive service overall. 100% recommended. |
| Author | Ariana A |
| Date | Oct 2023 • Family |
| Comment | Excellent punctuality from operator Andrés VIllegas, attentive and safe service for families to and from the airport. |
| Author | Medina F |
| Date | Oct 2023 • Family |
| Comment | The view was incredible, a very beautiful place, excellent treatment, and very safe thanks to driver Manuel Pech. We enjoyed the transfer. |
| Author | Prix Romero R |
| Date | Oct 2023 • Family |
| Comment | Excellent service from Jerry, a pleasant transfer, the van was exclusive to our destination in Playa del Carmen, 1000% recommended, punctual and clean. |
ADO Bus: The Most Affordable Option
If you were wondering, ‘How to get from Cancun Airport to the ADO terminal?’ The answer is through the ADO vans or buses from the airport.
First of all, it’s necessary to clarify that the ADO bus is neither a private nor a direct means of transportation to the hotel zone.
WTF? Yes, that’s right: This land transport service is based in downtown Cancun, or more specifically, at the ADO terminal, which is located in the center of Cancun.
What is the cost of this service? The official cost from the ADO website is 120 Mexican pesos per person, which is approximately 6 USD.
However, it’s important to mention that this service is only available from 5 am to 11 pm. Therefore, if your flight arrives in the early morning, you’ll have to wait a few hours to transfer to downtown Cancun.
Another thing I haven’t mentioned yet: at 5 am it starts its operations, however the ADO bus or van (It really can be one or the other) leaves every half hour. In short, the first departure from the airport is at 5 am and the second at 5:30 am, the third at 6 am and so on.
| ADO Airport Bus Schedule | |||
| Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | Terminal 4 |
| 05:00 a. m. | 05:00 a. m. | 05:00 a. m. | 05:00 a. m. |
| 05:30 a. m. | 05:30 a. m. | 05:30 a. m. | 05:30 a. m. |
| 06:00 a. m. | 06:00 a. m. | 06:00 a. m. | 06:00 a. m. |
| 06:30 a. m. | 06:30 a. m. | 06:30 a. m. | 06:30 a. m. |
| 07:00 a. m. | 07:00 a. m. | 07:00 a. m. | 07:00 a. m. |
| 07:30 a. m. | 07:30 a. m. | 07:30 a. m. | 07:30 a. m. |
| 08:00 a. m. | 08:00 a. m. | 08:00 a. m. | 08:00 a. m. |
| 08:30 a. m. | 08:30 a. m. | 08:30 a. m. | 08:30 a. m. |
| 09:00 a. m. | 09:00 a. m. | 09:00 a. m. | 09:00 a. m. |
| 09:30 a. m. | 09:30 a. m. | 09:30 a. m. | 09:30 a. m. |
| 10:00 a. m. | 10:00 a. m. | 10:00 a. m. | 10:00 a. m. |
| 10:30 a. m. | 10:30 a. m. | 10:30 a. m. | 10:30 a. m. |
| 11:00 a. m. | 11:00 a. m. | 11:00 a. m. | 11:00 a. m. |
| 11:30 a. m. | 11:30 a. m. | 11:30 a. m. | 11:30 a. m. |
| 12:00 p. m. | 12:00 p. m. | 12:00 p. m. | 12:00 p. m. |
| 12:30 p. m. | 12:30 p. m. | 12:30 p. m. | 12:30 p. m. |
| 01:00 p. m. | 01:00 p. m. | 01:00 p. m. | 01:00 p. m. |
| 01:30 p. m. | 01:30 p. m. | 01:30 p. m. | 01:30 p. m. |
| 02:00 p. m. | 02:00 p. m. | 02:00 p. m. | 02:00 p. m. |
| 02:30 p. m. | 02:30 p. m. | 02:30 p. m. | 02:30 p. m. |
| 03:00 p. m. | 03:00 p. m. | 03:00 p. m. | 03:00 p. m. |
| 03:30 p. m. | 03:30 p. m. | 03:30 p. m. | 03:30 p. m. |
| 04:00 p. m. | 04:00 p. m. | 04:00 p. m. | 04:00 p. m. |
| 04:30 p. m. | 04:30 p. m. | 04:30 p. m. | 04:30 p. m. |
| 05:00 p. m. | 05:00 p. m. | 05:00 p. m. | 05:00 p. m. |
| 05:30 p. m. | 05:30 p. m. | 05:30 p. m. | 05:30 p. m. |
| 06:00 p. m. | 06:00 p. m. | 06:00 p. m. | 06:00 p. m. |
| 06:30 p. m. | 06:30 p. m. | 06:30 p. m. | 06:30 p. m. |
| 07:00 p. m. | 07:00 p. m. | 07:00 p. m. | 07:00 p. m. |
| 07:30 p. m. | 07:30 p. m. | 07:30 p. m. | 07:30 p. m. |
| 08:00 p. m. | 08:00 p. m. | 08:00 p. m. | 08:00 p. m. |
| 08:30 p. m. | 08:30 p. m. | 08:30 p. m. | 08:30 p. m. |
| 09:00 p. m. | 09:00 p. m. | 09:00 p. m. | 09:00 p. m. |
| 09:30 p. m. | 09:30 p. m. | 09:30 p. m. | 09:30 p. m. |
| 10:00 p. m. | 10:00 p. m. | 10:00 p. m. | 10:00 p. m. |
| 10:30 p. m. | 10:30 p. m. | 10:30 p. m. | 10:30 p. m. |
| 11:00 p. m. | 11:00 p. m. | 11:00 p. m. | 11:00 p. m. |
BUT WAIT, COWBOY! Getting to downtown Cancun is just the first part of the journey to your hotel in the Hotel Zone.
The second part involves taking a public transport bus to the Hotel Zone. Indeed, within 50 meters of the ADO terminal, you can find a bus stop and wait for buses with the labels R 1, R 2, Hotel Zone, Cancun Downtown written on their windshields. These buses are part of the public transport service and cost 12 Mexican pesos, or well, less than a dollar for our foreign friends.
Finally, when you board the bus, preferably tell the driver to let you know when they are close to the hotel where you plan to stay. This way, they will drop you off at the nearest stop. You just need to walk a few meters to reach the door of your accommodation, and now, it’s time to check in and start enjoying your dream vacation.
NOTE: As such, this method of getting from the airport to your hotel in the Hotel Zone tends to be a bit “cumbersome,” especially if you have a lot of luggage or children. Also, considering that the cost per person using these two means of transportation is 132 MXN (approximately 7 USD), and if there are 5 people with you, the total cost would be 792 MXN (which is almost 45 USD). It’s almost the same as if you had chosen private transportation.
Taxis públicos: Red Flag
No es que queramos hablar mal de los servicios de taxis en Cancún porque “no todos son tan malos”, pero sí la mayoría de ellos. Es más, te reto a que busques en Google “noticias taxis en Cancún” y encontrarás muchas malas reseñas y noticias sobre ellos. ¡Sobre advertencia no existe engaño!
¿Pero cuál es la diferencia entre un taxi privado y los “taxis públicos” del aeropuerto de Cancún? Llamamos taxis públicos a los “otros servicios” de traslado en Cancún, y estos no se “reservan en línea“. Más bien, son aquellos donde tendremos que hacer fila y abordar.
As you could see in the previous image, these are taxis with small vehicles, such as Volkswagen, Tsuru, or similar models.
However, being small units, you can imagine that the journey might be uncomfortable, right? Moreover, if you’re traveling with a baby, children, or pets, things become a bit more complicated (and costs too).
Let’s talk about the costs. You’re probably wondering, what is the price of a taxi from Cancun to the Hotel Zone? The cost of the taxi, according to the 2023 rate, is 800.00 MXN or approximately 40 USD.
BUT, they usually don’t adhere to this rate (This is the warning sign we should pay attention to). This means they will charge you what “they want” and not what it should really be.
But keep in mind that NOT ALL TAXIS ARE LIKE THIS. Despite their bad reputation, some taxi drivers are honest, respectful, and polite, offering an excellent taxi transfer service from the airport to the Hotel Zone.
So, it all comes down to choosing the one that gives you more confidence and not the one that “wants you to choose them by force”. Just remember that you’ll have to wait in line to board.
How to get to Cancun airport from the Hotel Zone?
So far we have only talked about how to get from the airport to the hotel zone of Cancun, but how do we get to the airport from the hotel zone?
If you booked a round trip transfer service with us, you have nothing to worry about. But if you didn’t, you can still do it. You can book with us your transfer from your hotel to the Cancun airport.
[php snippet=1]But, is that the only way? No, of course not. You can take a bus from the hotel zone, a bus to downtown Cancun. Once in downtown Cancun, just find the ADO terminal and buy your ticket to board the bus to the airport.
Normally the cost of the bus from the hotel zone to downtown is 12.00 MXN and the cost of the ADO ticket to the airport is 100.00 MXN. Therefore, this is a very economical option.
However, consider the time of the public bus, the luggage you are carrying and the departure time of the ADO bus. Therefore, you have to balance your time well or you will miss the plane.