Cancun: How to Get Smoothly & on Budget from the Airport to the Hotel Zone

February 13, 2025

Okay, let’s be real. Before we even set foot in Cancun, I was stressed. I’d spent hours scrolling through travel forums, reading horror stories about aggressive taxi drivers, inflated fares, and even scams at the Cancun International Airport. I was picturing myself stranded, broke, and possibly kidnapped (okay, maybe a little dramatic, but the anxiety was real!). So, if you’re feeling the same pre-Cancun jitters, I get it. But I’m here to tell you… our arrival was surprisingly smooth.

All those terrifying tales had me prepping for battle. I meticulously planned my escape route (okay, not really, but I was prepared), and continuously practiced my assertive “No, gracias!” in Spanish.

Stepping off the plane, I braced myself. We walked through the customs and there they were – the infamous taxi drivers. And… they were… definitely more in our face than taxi drivers would be in any US city, but far less aggressive than we experienced in other airports like Kathmandu. Maybe we just caught them on a good day, but the experience was nothing like the nightmares I read about online.

Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone – Step by Step

Exit your plane
Follow signs to the customs. If you are a traveler 18 years or older with a biometric symbol on your passport and you are from one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom; you can use the electronic kiosk at Cancun Airport. Using the electronic kiosk is very easy. You will scan your passport and have your photo taken (if you wear glasses, you will have to remove them for the photo), and the system will print a receipt with a QR code for you to take. Keep this receipt safe. This is your Mexico Tourist Card. You must return it when leaving the country. If you do not satisfy the conditions above, you will have to go through a traditional kiosk and talk to a customs officer.
Baggage Claim is located after customs so if you have checked-in luggage, head there next.
Follow exit signs.
We landed at terminal 3 so the following directions are for this terminal, but since ADO buses stop at all terminals, I believe even if you land at a different terminal, you will be able to locate your bus easily. At terminal 3, shortly after customs, you will walk into a hall where car rental companies reside. This is also where you will meet the first group of taxi drivers or their representatives. They look very official here, dressed nicely, and they will ask if you need a ride. Politely say No Gracias and keep walking through the hall.
Once you exit the hall, look to your left. There are a few small stores lined up. One of them is ADO. This is where you will get your bus ticket. ADO buses are a clean, comfortable, and cost-effective way to travel along the Yucatan Peninsula. They have air conditioning and chargers (USB A and USB C). There is a bus going to the Hotel Zone. However, it does not go as often as the buses to the city center. If you are lucky to get there when it goes, good for you. If not, take the bus that goes to Cancun City Center Terminal. It’s the first stop after leaving the airport terminals. The journey is approximately 40 minutes long. We paid $8.50 per person. The price is slightly better if you pay in pesos. Cash only. They do not take credit cards.
Cross to the bus terminal. At Terminal 3, it will be just a few steps across the plaza. This is where the rest of the taxi drivers will be waiting. Again, say No, Gracias to their offers and walk to the buses. Your bus number will be printed on your ticket. So will be your assigned seat. There will be ADO personnel assisting visitors. If you are unsure which bus to take, they will help you.
Once you arrive at Cancun City Center, you have a couple of options. There are taxis at the bus terminal, which are said to be much more reasonably priced than those at the airport. You can also walk across the taxi area to the next street, which is a good spot to order an Uber. Our hotel was on kilometer 4.5 in the Hotel Zone, and we paid $6.22 for an Uber ride. If you are traveling light, you can also catch one of the city buses. They leave from a stop nearby (Rome to Rio is a good app to locate bus stops or Moovit. Don’t use Google, it does not work well for public transportation in this area). City buses leave every few minutes, and the ride will cost you 12 pesos, no matter how far along the hotel zone you go. They have numerous stops along the way, however, they do not stop automatically at every stop. Be prepared to press the Request Stop button when nearing your destination.