Wondering how to get from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone? There are several options; check them all out to find the one that best suits your budget and preferences!
Cancun is the perfect destination in the Yucatan Peninsula to experience the magnificent natural wonders of Mexico and the bustle of a lively city that offers everything from shopping to partying, sightseeing and culture. It’s a great starting point if you plan on exploring Quintana Roo.
If you’re visiting from abroad, you’ll most likely fly into Cancun International Airport.
Cancun Airport is 14 miles (22.7 km) from the Hotel Zone and the drive takes a little over 20 minutes. There are several transfer options from Cancun Airport to your hotel that you can choose from, and below we’ll be exploring the best alternatives, suitable for all budgets.
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Book a Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone
The most convenient Cancun Airport transfer to Hotel Zone is booking a private transfer, especially if you want to travel hassle-free and be taken directly to your hotel.
➤ Booking a Private Transfer guarantees that you’ll get an English-speaking driver who will be waiting for you in the arrival area to help you with your bags and escort you to the air-conditioned vehicle.
The private transportation from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone for up to 3 people costs $39, or you could save some money booking a round-trip transfer for $65. If you are indeed 3 people, booking a private transfer will cost you a little less than taking the shared shuttle, so it’s actually more convenient. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ If you want to get fancier you can book the luxury service and travel in a Suburban vehicle. Your English-speaking driver will meet you in the arrival area and escort you to your private, insured vehicle. You’ll enjoy VIP service and be taken to your hotel directly.
The luxury CancunAirport transportation to hotel zone for up to 6 people costs $69 one-way, or $125 if you book a round trip. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ Are you traveling with a big group of people? There are private transfers to accommodate all of you as well. The group service offers transportation for up to 16 passengers in an air-conditioned, insured vehicle and with a bilingual driver.
The group service for 16 people costs $69 one-way, or you can save by booking a round-trip transfer for $125. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶ You could also take a transfer organized by your hotel, although bear in mind that hotels charge for this additional service, and you’ll probably end up paying way more than if you booked your own Cancun to hotel transportation.
⚠️ While taking a taxi is another option, it’s NOT one I’d recommend. Most taxis don’t have a meter (or don’t want to turn it on) and you’ll have to negotiate hard to get a fair price, as taxi scams are frequent. The cost of a taxi from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone at the time of writing is around 50 dollars, a higher price than pre-booking your transportation.
▶ As to Uber, since the app’s drivers face quite a few issues from taxi companies that are against the service, it’s very difficult to find a Uber driver in places where taxis work a lot, like bus or ferry stations. Ubers are not allowed to go to the airport, so it’s not an available transportation option from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone.
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.
One-way trip in the shared shuttle from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone costs $15. ▶ BOOK IT HERE
Take the ADO Bus from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone
If you want to get from the airport to Cancun Hotel Zone by bus, you can take the ADO bus to Cancun Downtown, and from there switch to the local bus R1 or R2 to the Hotel Zone.
If you want to take the bus from Cancun Airport to get to the Hotel Zone, the ADO bus leaves every 30 minutes until 1 AM, and it takes 1 hour to get to Cancun Downtown. The ticket costs 98 pesos ($4,60) at the time of writing, and you can take the bus outside any of the 4 terminals. BOOK IT HERE
Once you get to the ADO terminal in downtown, you have to walk a few steps to Tulum Ave. to take the R1 or R2 bus, which costs less than a dollar. Be sure to tell your driver the name of your hotel or its address, so they can tell you when to get off (and look at the GPS on your phone if you can).
While this option is not the most hassle-free, it’s certainly the best way to get from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone if you’re on a tight budget!
Rent a Car at Cancun Airport
Driving your own car is probably the best means of transport from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone, and you can rent a car directly at the airport upon your arrival, although I highly recommend booking your car in advance to get a better deal.
⚠️ Car rental scams, like overcharging you for scratches that were already in the vehicle or forcing you to buy insurance saying it’s mandatory (it’s not!) are sadly very common, and you can partially prevent them by booking your car online before you arrive.
➤ I generally use Rentalcars to compare rental prices and book the most convenient option. You can search for a car here below.
Before you decide to rent a car, however, find out if your hotel offers free parking, and check if your itinerary includes exploring the area beyond Cancun. If your plan is to stay at the hotel, enjoy its amenities and go to the beach, it’s unlikely you’ll be using your car much and it would be a waste of money to rent one.
However, if you plan on doing a road trip along the Yucatan Peninsula or going on day trips to Chichen Itza or Playa del Carmen, then having your own car to move around is very useful.
Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone FAQ
Depending on the transportation from Cancun Airport to your hotel that you choose, the ride could cost you from as little as 4 dollars if you travel by bus to around 35 dollars if you hire a private transfer for up to 3 people.
Going from Cancun Airport by taxi to Hotel Zone costs around 50 dollars at the time of writing.
While Uber is available in Cancun, it’s not always easy to get a car, as Uber drivers still face issues from the taxi union, making it hard for Uber clients to get a ride. The app works in Cancun, although bear in mind that you may not be able to get a car in areas where taxis usually work, like the ADO bus station. You can’t get an Uber from Cancun Airport to your hotel either.
