What is the best form of transportation in Cancun?
Post by Kelly McLaughlin Nov 9, 2022.
The big day is here, your dream vacation in Cancun has begun, you’ve landed at the Cancun
airport, now what? How do you get to your Cancun hotel zone resort or downtown Airbnb? How do you move around in
Cancun to see all the incredible attractions and visit the best restaurants and bars? Vacationing with family to
play on the beach or flying solo to explore the jungle and Mayan ruins, Cancun is a city with transportation
options for all styles of travel.
Cancun airport transportation basics: Safety, convenience and price
The Cancun International Airport is located in the southeast of Mexico providing easy access to
the Yucatan Peninsula and all the magic of the Mexican Caribbean. It is considered the second busiest airport in
Mexico and the tenth busiest international airport in the world, welcoming millions of visitors each year. This
modern facility consists of four terminals with luxury boutiques, Duty Free shops and world-class restaurants.
Landing in Cancun International Airport you’ll find a bustling concourse as you navigate
through baggage, customs and immigration. Unlike other airports, you cannot walk outside and hail a taxi or use
ridesharing apps like Uber. The best form of transportation from the Cancun airport is a private shuttle,
pre-arranged and pre-paid to guarantee your price and your safety. This allows you to avoid the pushy timeshare
people hustling to get you in their vans or sketchy, illegal “taxis” that will likely overcharge and offer no
guarantee that you will get where you need to go.
You can take an ADO bus from the Cancun airport to the downtown bus terminals in destinations
throughout the Riviera Maya like Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Prices and travel times will vary
and you will need to find another form of transportation to get from the bus station to your accommodations once
you arrive in the city or town. Buses from the Cancun airport are not 24 hours so this may not be the most
convenient option for travelers seeking easy, stress-free transportation.
What is the best form of transportation in Cancun from the airport?
The simplest way to guarantee a safe, comfortable ride at a great price is to book your Cancun
airport transfers in advance with Happy Shuttle Cancun. We offer decades of experience welcoming visitors to our
Happy place with impeccable vehicles, certified drivers, and the best price Cancun airport transfers and private
transportation. We are a family-run business and we take great pride in the number of guests who return to us
year after year for our service with a smile. Just have a look at our reviews to see why we are the best form of
transportation in Cancun!
Getting around in Cancun: Hotel zone buses, car rentals, taxis and downtown transportation
Getting around in the hotel zone of Cancun is easy, the resorts are all on one 25 km long
street called Kukulcan Boulevard. The entrance to downtown Cancun is marked as “kilometer 0” and the addresses
of all major Cancun hotels, restaurants and attractions are marked at their respective kilometer. For instance,
the party center of Cancun with its lively bars and nightclubs is located at KM 8.5 and the most popular beach
in Cancun is Playa Delfines at KM 18.
Cancun city buses run 24/7 along Kukulcan Boulevard with frequent stops and cost 12 pesos (it
is recommended to bring exact change in pesos, no foreign currency). Please note that the buses only run along
the main road so you must be aware of the length of the walk from your resort lobby to the street, those with
mobility issues may find it difficult for some of the longer stretches.
The most expensive form of transportation in Cancun is definitely the taxis. From the “sitio”
or taxi stand at your hotel you will find a list of prices but you must state the price from the beginning of
the ride or risk being overcharged when you reach your destination. Ride-share apps like Lyft or Uber are not available in the hotel zone of
Cancun and are not recommended because of ongoing disputes with the taxi union. When you enter a taxi,
set the price, take note of the taxi number and driver name (you can even take a picture of their license for
added security) and be sure you have all your belongings with you when you exit the vehicle.
Renting a car in Cancun isn’t really necessary if you are staying in the hotel zone and don’t
plan on exploring outside of the city. Driving in Cancun is an adventure in itself!
Getting around in downtown Cancun: Basic geography for tourists
Downtown Cancun is fast becoming a popular option for guests seeking longer-term stays at
Cancun Airbnbs or a more economical way to visit the Mexican Caribbean. The city of Cancun is divided into
“supermanzanas” or “super apples”, identified by number with the smallest numbers being closest to the hotel
zone and the larger numbers reaching into the suburbs. For example, a Cancun Airbnb in SM 2 means you have easy
access to the nearby hotel zone while accommodations in SM 300 or 500 will put you further away from the main
tourist action.
Popular areas to stay in downtown Cancun include the Malecon Las Americas, Puerto Juarez,
Puerto Cancun and the Markets 23 and 28. Getting around in downtown Cancun is as easy as walking if you are
right in “centro” or you may choose to take a taxi (there is no guarantee your driver will speak English, be
prepared!). The ride sharing app Didi is a safe way to take a taxi in downtown Cancun, prices will vary
depending on your destination and you will need a little Spanish to navigate.
Getting to your downtown Cancun Airbnb from the airport is best with Happy Shuttle Cancun! Our
expert drivers can easily navigate the ins and outs of the “supermanzanas” and complicated streets of Cancun and
have you to your accommodation in no time at a guaranteed price, 24/7. Our private Cancun transportation is the
safest way to get around in downtown Cancun!
The best form of transportation in Cancun?: Happy Shuttle Cancun is your ride of choice!
Contact Happy Shuttle Cancun and let us
get you around in Cancun! Our Cancun airport transfers to the hotel zone or private transportation to downtown
Cancun offer you guaranteed service with a smile, 24/7 and the best prices with no surprise charges!
Still not sure to book your Cancun Airport Transportation? See what these Happy Shuttle Cancun customers
are saying... 4.8 stars of 5, based on 6716 reviews