Share the article
Last updated
Summer may be coming to an end, but Cancun is still full steam ahead.
As such, travelers can expect a stream of tourists whizzing through the airport at all opening hours.
Normally, airports are a forgettable memory on vacation, and that’s no different for the most popular international vacation destination for Americans.
Cancun International Airport is implementing some new changes aimed at easing traveler frustrations, but it sounds like it could backfire.
No one likes being herded like cattle on board a flight, so certainly no one will like it at the back.
However, local officials believe any subsequent changes are in the best interests of travelers.
Here are 3 things travelers need to know when arriving in Cancun:
1) Follow the one and only exit sign
Ever been to an escape room? Well, that might be how you feel after you leave Cancun.
No, you don’t have to solve a secret riddle to get out of the airport, but the increased anxiety is all the same.
Cancun sees an insane amount of tourists every year and every season. We’re talking millions and millions.
When you arrive for your dreamy beach vacation, there’s no such thing as avoiding the crowds before you leave the airport.
To potentially make matters worse, the airport has decided to close all but one exit, meaning holidaymakers are only routed through one section.
Why? An ongoing fiasco of various problems with transport distributors. You know, private shuttles, Ubers and taxis – the same thing, same thing, that’s been going on for years.
Can’t we all just get along?
2) Road Closures: Prepare Pickup hiccup
Remember the famous line in Back to the future“Where we’re going, we don’t need any roads!”?
Well, when you visit one of Latin America’s busiest airports, you do that, right?
Officials have closed the main road leading to the passenger pick-up area, causing problems for travelers and carriers (both legal and fraudulent).
The point of going to such an iconic paradise like Cancun is to leave your stress at home.
But in this case, it sounds like those tensions can last along for the ride, at least until you reach your hotel.
First a single exit where hordes of tourists get off at the same time, followed by who knows when you will be picked up – that doesn’t sound like the best start to a holiday.
And it must be frustrating for both parties. In the world of drivers, time is money, and in the world of vacationers, time is precious.
Every minute you take away is a stolen moment of relaxation on some of the most pristine beaches in the world.
Anyway, once you’ve checked into your all-inclusive resort, the rest will be taken care of.
3) New warning: use only authorized transport providers
This may sound like one of those “duh” moments, like who in their right mind would fly to another country and ride with an unverified stranger?
It does indeed happen. Sometimes a moment of poor judgment or sometimes just too reliable.
Warning signs have been placed on the airport grounds to remind travelers to only ride with authorized carriers.
This isn’t limited to any one mode of transportation – it applies across the board to shuttles, taxis, and yes, Ubers too. The ADO bus service is also a safe bet.
And that’s where things get even trickier, since Uber is one of Americans’ favorite modes of travel. They generally feel safer being tracked via an app than old-fashioned taxis.
What’s the deal with Uber?
There are many horror stories of taxi-Uber conflicts, especially in Mexico, where tourists intervene while they are just trying to enjoy a fun outing.
This actually happened to me, albeit many years ago…
The first time I traveled to Guanajuato, it happened to be Uber’s first launch in Leon, the most common gateway to where I was visiting.
I ordered an Uber; nothing was out of the ordinary until I closed the door. At that moment a man knocked on the window and had a quickly escalating conversation with my driver, and before I know it, I have hot coffee all over me.
Luckily that was the gist. Years later, taxis and Ubers are still at odds, even in mega-popular destinations like Cancun.
It seems that finding common ground between taxi commissions, government regulators and Uber’s headquarters is like pulling teeth.
Technically, the National Guard says Uber is not allowed for airport pick-ups in Cancun, so keep that in mind.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
