Trip Information
Pick-up
- Door-to-door service
- Help with your luggage
Trip
- Optional sight-seeing
- Clean, comfortable car
- Professional driver
- Bottled water
- Child seats
- Prepared for handicapped
- Smoke-free
- Pet friendly
Drop-off
- Door-to-door service
- Help with your luggage
Overview: transportation from Cancun Airport to Cancun
The last thing to do before you can truly relax on your vacation to Mexico is to book your transfer from the Cancun Airport to Cancun. This quick, 20-minute-long journey is best booked ahead of time, as the airport’s arrivals hall is often overwhelmed with taxi drivers trying to get the best price out of newcomers to Cancun. With Daytrip, your private driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. Easy peasy!
If you want to explore right away, or your flight lands too early for you to immediately check in to your hotel or resort, Daytrip has you covered with easy-to-book sightseeing stops to local cenotes, or natural swimming holes carved out over thousands of years. Welcome to Cancun!
About Cancun
The Mayan Empire had cities in the Cancun area from 2000 BCE until the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors arrived on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. The Yucatan Peninsula is full of evidence of Mayan cities and temples which give us an idea of the lifestyle and beliefs of people in this area. You’ve likely heard of famous sites like Chichen Itza, but smaller sites like the El Rey ruins are also notable and easy to reach during your transfer from the Cancun Airport to Cancun.
The Mayans were skilled architects, astronomers, stone masons, and fishermen. However, Spanish colonialism brought violence and disease, so the Mayan population in the Cancun area sharply declined. For hundreds of years, the Yucatan Peninsula was relatively uninhabited save for small fishing villages along the coast and on the islands.
In the 1960s, the Mexican government broke ground on ambitious plans to transform the Cancun area into a series of world-class private resorts, luxury hotels, and family-friendly vacation spots to increase tourism. With the Caribbean Sea’s pristine waters and stretches of white-sand beaches, all they needed to do was garner investments to build the hotels, resorts, and transportation infrastructure.
After a decade of work, Cancun’s first hotel, Playa Blanca, opened in 1970. The Hotel Zone, or the strip of coastline with the most hotels in downtown Cancun, developed into the vacation hub we know today. In the decades that have followed, Cancun has risen in popularity and is now among the most popular vacation destinations worldwide.
From Cancun Airport to Cancun: travel tips
Follow these simple tips for the best transfer experience from the Cancun Airport to Cancun.
Book your transportation to the city center ahead of time
Arriving at a foreign country’s airport is already stressful, so don’t leave your transfer to downtown Cancun’s Hotel Zone to chance. Book your transportation with Daytrip before you take your flight to ensure that a private driver will meet you in the arrivals hall. It’s all about those small details that add a touch of luxury to your vacation.
Inform your accommodation of your estimated arrival time
Sometimes hotel rooms are prepared early, so don’t be afraid to give your hotel or resort a call and let them know your estimated arrival time. If you have a few hours to kill before your check-in time, let Daytrip handle the logistics of taking you around to local _cenotes _or the El Rey ruins.
Leave the sunscreen at home
Cancun is home to many endangered species of animals found only in the Great Mayan Reef. Due to the ecological impact of traditional sunscreens and insect repellent when they enter the waterways, you can only buy and use reef-safe products in Cancun. These reef-safe creams are the only ones available in Cancun’s stores, but may not be on your local supermarket shelves back home. It's easier to buy the approved sunscreen when you get there.
How to get from Cancun Airport to Cancun
The best way to reach your hotel from the Cancun Airport is with private transportation. This can either be a private driver or a shuttle bus.
No matter which mode of transportation you choose for your transfer from the Cancun Airport to Cancun’s city center, make sure you arrange it ahead of time to avoid any mishaps. Cancun taxis are notorious for high fees and bait and switch pricing, so it’s better to go with a reliable, prepaid service with a service guarantee.
Daytrip private car service from the Cancun Airport to Cancun
Private drivers provide the flexibility and direct transportation that is missing from shuttle bus services. Your Daytrip driver will meet you in the arrivals hall, help with your bags, and take you to your hotel.
Daytrip’s fleet of vehicles is insured and has professional drivers behind the wheel who have been background checked and drive for a living. And since you can pay in advance online, there’s no surprises!
With this level of attention to detail and care, it is no surprise Daytrip has won Tripadvisor’s Travelers' Choice Award for the last 8 consecutive years. This route starts at $9 per seat, so book your airport transfer today!
Shuttle buses from the Cancun Airport to Cancun
There are a variety of shuttle bus options based on your price point, schedule, and hotel package. Each shuttle bus company operates differently, so carefully review their procedures to avoid any surprises. Shuttle buses range in price from $8 to $20 per passenger.
Some hotels and resorts arrange their own shuttle bus transportation straight to their premises, but you may have to wait for other arriving passengers at the airport.
The cheapest shuttle buses will take you to a single drop-off point in the Hotel Zone for all passengers. Calculate the cost of a taxi or the walking distance to your resort from the drop-off point before agreeing to this option. The cheapest transfer can suddenly double in price when factoring in a taxi ride as well.
Things to do when you get to Cancun
Cancun has nearly endless possibilities for relaxation, exploration, and sport! Once your plane touches down at Cancun Airport, head to Cancun for these fun activities.
Visit the colorful underwater world of the Caribbean Sea
The Great Mayan Reef is the world’s second-largest coral reef system, right behind Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It stretches for 620 miles (1,000 km) down the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, along the coast of Belize and Guatemala to Honduras’ northern shores. It is home to a diverse variety of marine life, including manatees, 500 species of fish, and 65 species of coral.
Your Cancun vacation is the perfect opportunity to snorkel, dive, and scuba dive in this unique and important ecosystem. Snorkel along the shores at one of Cancun’s many beaches, or hire an instructor to guide you step-by-step through the more complex steps of scuba diving. You can even get your SCUBA license!
Cool off in the cenotes
Cenotes are naturally formed sinkholes filled with fresh water from underground aquifers that have been carved out over thousands of years. They are a unique landform to this region of Mexico and held sacred religious roles for the Mayans.
If you are using Daytrip for your transfer from the Cancun Airport to Cancun, you can go directly to Cenote Chaak Tun and Cenote Las Mojarras after your flight. Don’t miss out on this unique experience!
Work on your tan on Cancun’s white sand beaches
The white sand beaches in Cancun are the perfect place to forget all of your stress while you’re far from home and work. Grab a pina colada, set up your umbrella, and spend the day listening to the ocean or catching up on your reading goals.
What is the best time to visit Cancun
Cancun is located in the tropics and has two seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the wet season (May to October). The best time to visit Cancun is the dry season, as it has long, warm days with sunny skies and little rain.
Cancun is by no means off-limits during the wet season, however, activities and flights from the Cancun Airport may be canceled due to tropical storms. If you choose to travel to Cancun between May and October, monitor the hurricane maps and be prepared for a quick exit or alternative vacation plans.
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Cancun Airport to Cancun
Visit these sights on the way
Jardin Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin
One of the largest nature reserves in Mexico, this lush patch of jungle is home to the last troop of spider monkeys on the coast. The Jungle Troop
Cenote Chaak Tun
Sunlight and trees pour into a small hole in the heart of this stunning underground cenote ornamented by beautiful cave formations. Light in the Dark
Cenotes Kin-Ha
A small hole in the ground opens up into a beautifully illuminated cave where you can swim and dive. Sun and Water
Playa Delfines
Playa Delfines is popular with local surfers and is located right in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Surf like the dolphins
Why people love Daytrip
- 2,053 travelers took this route with us
Reasonably Priced and Safe Transportation
“Gonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.”
Daytrip never disappoints
“We were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.”
Great driver in Egypt
“Used the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.”
Comfortable and Safe Rides in Mexico
“Used Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.”
Good to know
Children
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
- Big luggage
- 29x21x11 inches
- 74x53x28 cm
- Small luggage
- 22x14x9 inches
- 56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 14,300+ cities around the world.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
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