How to avoid transportation scams at the Cancun airport

Are you planning to land at Cancun International Airport (CUN) for a dreamy Mexican getaway?

Unfortunately, before your relaxing vacation can truly begin, you must make your way through the busy (and typically chaotic) international airport and find a means of transportation to your hotel. With people yelling at you from all directions and crowds of tourists shuffling through the area, it can be overwhelming and, well, not relaxing.

Not having a designated transportation plan arranged before landing made me almost fall victim to getting scammed at the airport, and I nearly overpaid for a taxi.

But getting transportation from the Cancun airport to your hotel doesn’t have to become an expensive nightmare.

Keep reading to learn our go-to tips on booking transportation from CUN to your hotel.

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What is the best way to get from Cancun International Airport to a hotel?

I’ve traveled to the Quintana Roo area several times, and though there will be several choices of transportation available to you at the airport, in my experience, having a plan before you arrive in Mexico is the most efficient option.

Can you book an Uber or Lyft at the Cancun airport?

While many of us rely on ride-hailing apps such as Uber or Lyft when traveling, don’t count on using your smartphone to book a car service when you step off the tarmac at CUN. Though I have heard that Uber operates in Cancun, according to several websites, Uber drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers at the airport. When I first visited Cancun in 2021, I tried to book an Uber at the airport and no cars were available.

Therefore, it’s best not to rely on ride-hailing apps and figure out other means of transportation prior to your arrival in Mexico.

Should you take a taxi from the Cancun airport to your hotel?

If you are staying in Cancun’s popular Hotel Zone, it is approximately a 15-minute to 30-minute ride from the airport to this touristy area, depending on the location of your accommodations (and traffic). When you exit the security area inside Cancun International Airport, you’ll immediately be bombarded with people trying to get your attention. These workers promote everything from guided excursion tours to transportation options, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lost in the chaos. At least, that’s how I felt during my first trip to Cancun.

If you want to take a taxi to your Cancun hotel, expect to pay between $30 and $40 per person. Since taxis don’t charge a flat rate, you could pay more or less than the average price. Plus, if you’re traveling to other regions in the Quintana Roo area, such as Tulum, Puerto Morelos or Playa del Carmen, expect to pay more per person.

Since the taxis don’t charge you a flat rate and you could be stuck haggling the price with the taxi driver, I don’t recommend relying on a taxi to get to your hotel when traveling in Cancun. Instead, I prefer to prebook a transportation service before arriving in Mexico.

Related: Tulum’s new airport is a fresh, intriguing and imperfect option for travelers. Here’s what it’s like

Book a car or shared ride from the Cancun airport to your hotel

If you are staying at an all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya, check with your hotel to see if it provides a complimentary transportation service or if it recommends a certain provider. For example, I have stayed at several Hyatt all-inclusive properties in Mexico and was advised to book with Amstar DMC, which offers guided tours and airport transportation services to and from your hotel.

You can book a private transfer, shuttle service or even a deluxe private transfer, which can pick you up and drop you off in a Cadillac Escalade. The prices vary depending on which hotel you’re traveling to, how many guests are requesting the ride and which service you pick.

Plus, if you’re traveling with a group of people, you could save money on a private transfer and pay less than the shuttle.

For example, if you book a private transfer from CUN to Iberostar Selection Cancun, it will cost you $103 (including taxes and fees). That is about $25 per person for a group of four for a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. If you book the shuttle, it will cost $116 (including taxes and fees). Therefore, it’s actually cheaper to book the private transport.

Related: The best Hyatt all-inclusive resorts in the world

Additionally, you don’t have to worry about your flight being delayed and missing your transportation service. Amstar DMC tracks your flight to ensure a seamless pickup and departure. When you exit the airport, you will need to look for someone wearing an Amstar DMC shirt, and they will show you where you will be picked up.

If you are traveling solo or with a companion, it may be cheaper to book the shuttle service. This is a van service shared with guests at nearby hotels.

With not having to worry about booking and paying at the airport, I find that prebooking airport transport is the best option when staying in the area.

There are plenty of airport transportation services offered in the Cancun area, aside from Amstar DMC, so it’s best to check with your hotel on the services it recommends and compare prices. Note that if you want to prebook airport transport, it’s best to do so well in advance, as some companies fill up on busy travel days.

Cancun International Airport scams

While traveling, especially internationally, it’s easy for tourists to fall victim to local scams. Therefore, it’s always best to be a bit wary when people seem overly eager to “help” you.

As I mentioned earlier, there is no flat fee for taxi rides; therefore, pricing fluctuates, and you could be charged exponentially more during a busy season or if you have a large group. If you are taking a taxi, always travel with Mexican pesos on you, as several people have claimed their credit cards were overcharged hundreds of dollars.

One Reddit user claimed that a taxi driver’s swipe machine kept showing the card was “declined.” When the person arrived at their hotel and had access to Wi-Fi, they realized two transactions were made on the card, one for $249.99 and another for $499.98.

Unfortunately, taxi scams are not uncommon throughout the world. Mexico is no different. Therefore, if you are going to take a taxi, we suggest paying in the country’s currency and confirming the price before getting into the car. If you don’t have cash and are in a bind, use a credit card and not your debit card. With a credit card, you can immediately alert your bank of fraud activity on the card and the money is not taken directly from your personal checking account.

Though I was not scammed out of money during my vacation to Cancun, it’s a good idea to watch out for people inside the airport trying to redirect your attention and encouraging you to buy other excursions, transportation and services.

Related: The most common travel scams in Europe — and how to avoid them

During my initial visit to Cancun, I didn’t realize transportation services wait outside the airport for prebooked guests. However, you’ll walk through a sea of people trying to ask if you need help or have already booked a service. I responded to someone that I had already booked a car service and asked where I could locate the company. A man pulled me over to a desk, telling me he was with the company, and then gave me a pitch on booking a guided excursion to cenotes. Eventually, I had to walk away after he would not take “no, thank you” as my answer and kept trying to push a sale.

Overall, the Quintana Roo area is a great place to unwind and explore during a tropical beach getaway. However, overpaying for transportation to your hotel or being scammed at the airport can totally kill the vacation vibe. Therefore, we recommend prebooking transportation before your arrival or preparing to pay with Mexican pesos if you want to use a taxi at the airport.

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