Cancún International Airport is Mexico’s second busiest airport. It is about 10km (6 miles) from the hotel strip and 16km (9 miles) southwest of downtown.

One of Cancun’s best features is its transport links, as most major air carriers in North, Central, and South America, have service to Cancun. There are some extremely cheap charter flight deals available from the UK (from around £100) as well as commercial flight deals from several European carriers.

The hardest part of the journey to Cancun (aside from your initial airport check-in) is getting from the luggage carousel to your transportation. Make sure you know who your transport is and find them on the outside, as that is where they will be! Unless you are looking for a timeshare, free meal or looking to burn time and money on your vacation do not stop to chit-chat about booking tours and such. There is plenty of time for that after you get settled in.

There are two companies officially licensed by Cancun Airport to provide the transfer service to the hotels in Cancun or the Riviera Maya. One is Gray Line and the other one is T.T.A. Both have a selling booth right after the Customs Service. Prices are fixed by the airport and are non negotiable. The two companies offer shuttle service and also private transfer. There are other transportation firms that provide service to and from the airport for a reasonable price as well. Beware of touts who will surround you when you come out of customs clearance. If you proceed straight, you will find the official information center where they can help you with the ground transportation options.

Here you will find some private transportation options to Cancun Center, Cancun, Hotel Zone, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya

* Cancun Shuttle. The official transportation company for Cancun-Airport.com.
* Lomas Travel. The Funjet Vacation tour operator in Quintana Roo.
* Get a Ride Cancun

There is also a first class bus service from the airport to both the ADO bus station in Cancun and to the one in Playa del Carmen. If you are going to Puerto Morelos, you can arrange being dropped at the appropriate intersection on the way to Playa. To get to the buses, go outside the main building and turn right. Head up past the end of that building and find the appropriate bus for you. Taxis from the ADO bus station to the airport cost roughly 300 pesos ($30).

Beware of leaving Mexico with enough money. The Mexican Government charges a travel tax of around 500 pesos ($46) to leave the country from the airport. Most major air carriers may already have the travel tax charged to the price of the ticket, though it is highly recommended that travelers check this before leaving to/from Cancun.

Also beware of going through security too early. Food and drink prices almost double and you can’t easily go back.