Cheap flights to Cancún, Mexico

Cancun Travel Guide

A once marshy island in an almost forgotten region of the Caribbean, Cancun was a string of sand dunes in the shape of a number “7”. The coast along the Yucatan peninsula was a mix of marshes, jungle and beaches, but with the Cancun Project in the 1970’s, the area burst onto the radar and started attracting travelers to take flights to Cancun. Today, its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear seas and nightlife make it a popular destination for spring breakers as well as couples and families.

Cancun is perfectly located for ecotourism and adventure holidays. More than 20% of the land in Quintana Roo is protected making the area ideal for kayaking, hiking, snorkeling with whale sharks, zip lining, rappelling or diving. The resort area may not be all that old but there are traces of the once mighty Mayan civilization nearby. Ruins and archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba are all within easy reach.

Once you step off your cheap flight to Cancun, you’re in paradise. Teeny-weeny bikinis and buff beach boys fill the beaches of Cancun. Trips to Cancun are packed with Spring Break travelers ready to ditch their books for a day on the white sand beaches and a dip in the blue waters. The night scene in Cancun is so exciting, it’s barely talked about the next day. Cancun is the reason people travel to Mexico; just ask the three million people who visit here annually.

Cancun is so welcoming, even the apprehensive traveler will book a cheap flight to Cancun for vacation. English is spoken, U.S. dollars are accepted, malls are filled with dozens of duty-free shops, there are numerous restaurants and nightclubs, and it’s one of the easiest cities to get around. For the tamer traveler booking Cancun flights, downtown is the more “cultural region” of the city. There are Cuban-style restaurants and more locals hang out in this area (mainly because the Hotel Zone is pricey).

From snorkeling to jet-skiing, visiting ancient Maya ruins, or just lounging poolside at one of the five-star beach resorts after a wild night in “the Zone,” this Mexican city has something for everyone. Here are some tips to help you in planning your trip to this happening destination.

Getting to and around the city of Cancun

Unfortunately, there isn’t a train service from Cancun International Airport (CUN). However, there is a reliable bus service which runs between the center of Cancun and the airport throughout the day. You can also jump on a bus to Playa del Carmen too, so if you’re not staying in Cancun itself there’s a handy bus for a cheap price. Official taxis aren’t allowed to pick up passengers at the airport, so do not interact with any taxis as soon as you land in Cancun. There are authorized transportation services available which are permitted at the airport, but watch out for scams as you find your way. The best idea would be trying to get your hotel to provide a transfer for you to and from the airport.

Once you settled into your hotel and are ready to explore, it’s easy to walk around Cancun. And if your vacation has made you too relaxed to walk, you can always get a taxi. Be aware that prices are supposed to be set by zone. The reality is that locals pay far less than tourists, and guests at expensive hotels are always charged more. One popular way to get around the city is by bus. You can take them to nearby beaches and even to catch a ferry to Isla Mujeres. They run every day, from early morning to late at night. Watch out for private buses that go to the same places, but charge a higher fee. For a little more adventure, you can also rent a moped, but be safe and wear your helmet.

Tips for your stay in Cancun

• The bullfight is one of Mexico’s oldest traditions. Visit the Plaza de Toros for a Mexican folkloric show and bullfight. There’s also a Mexican rodeo at the plaza.
• Take a cruise while you dine: the pirate ship Captain Hook plies the waters of Cancun’s bay and the Columbus sails the Nichupte lagoon.
• The Continental Villas Plaza hotel is the venue for folkloric ballet. The Ballet Folklorico Nacional de Mexico-Aztlan performs authentic traditional dance in full costume.
• A couple of the best-known party tours are the Party Hopper Tour, which offers eight hours of open bar with national drinks in different nightclubs, and the seven-hour Señor Frog’s bar leaping tour.
• U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere in the main hotel zone of Cancun, but exchange rates vary widely. Also, as you venture further into Mexico, using dollars becomes more difficult. Exchange your currency for local tender and pay for everything in pesos.
• In Cancun you’ll find many familiar shops, restaurants, and services, and you don’t need to be unusually concerned about contracting tropical illnesses. However, outside Cancun, be careful with food and water.
• Be prepared to haggle, but do some price comparison first. Unless you are certain that the item is exclusive to a particular vendor, shop around and find the vendor with the best initial quote, and then haggle.
• The biggest event is Carnival, held in February just before Lent. In keeping with Mexico’s strong religious tradition, Inmaculada Concepcion is held on Isla Mujeres in December.
• For lovers of physical exercise, Cancun’s International Marathon takes place just before the Christmas tourist rush. If you’re planning on visiting Cancun during the holiday season, book your Cancun flight far in advance to ensure you get the best airfare prices available.

Finding Flights from Cancun

If you’re based in Cancun looking to venture to other destinations, Cheapflights has you covered. Alongside flights to major U.S. and other international destinations from major airlines, such as American Airlines and United, you also find flights with Aerocaribe, AeroMexico, Aircomet and other smaller airlines.

Getting to Cancun International Airport takes around twenty minutes by car or taxi from downtown Cancun, and buses from the Cancun Bus Station to the airport leave every thirty minutes during the day. Once you’re there, you can enjoy free shuttle service among the three terminals to get to your gate.

Check out the flight deals on these popular routes from Cancun:

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If you’re heading to the U.S., be sure to arrive at the airport early as increased security can cause some delays. For a shorter wait time, you may even consider checking your carry-on luggage.

For more detailed airport information, our Cancun airport guides include all the information you need to know before you go.

Cancún, Mexico airport overview

Just as sun-worshipping vacationers can’t get enough of Cancun, the airport never seems to stop growing. The close proximity of Cancun International Airport (CUN) to the most popular beach resorts in Mexico draws 12.4 million passengers through its gates each year, second only to the giant Mexico City International Airport in terms of traffic.

Flights to Cancun Airport are plentiful, and you’ll have no trouble finding them from nearly any major airport, including London, Paris, New York, Madrid, Chicago, Miami, Frankfurt, Santiago de Chile, Lisbon and Amsterdam.

Because of the massive popularity of the beach resorts in Cancun, the airport is almost constantly overrun with tourists, especially in the peak summer and spring break seasons. Facilities and service in the airport are geared toward this crowd, so the airport is clean and efficient with all the modern comforts of home.