New Tulum Airport: Transforming Access to Mexico’s Riviera Maya

Insider’s Guide to the Upcoming Tulum Airport

Have you heard about the new Tulum Airport project?

Tulum is a dream destination for many travelers, thanks to its stunning beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and hip restaurants. But currently, the nearest airport to Tulum is Cancun International Airport (CUN), which is about 1h30 away by car.

That’s about to change!

To help you understand why this is a big deal, I have created this comprehensive guide about the current and future situation of Tulum Airport.

In this guide, you will find all the available information about the new airport, such as its location, opening date, capacity, and design. You will also learn how it will impact the Riviera Maya region and its connection to another major project: the Mayan Train (Tren Maya).

So, how will the new Tulum Airport transform your travel experience?

Let’s find out!

1. The Current Situation (Cancun Airport)

Before we delve into the details about the new Tulum Airport, let’s take a look at the current scenario.

The Cancun International Airport (CUN) is currently the closest airport to Tulum.

Located about 1h30 north of Tulum, it serves as a gateway for most tourists heading to the Riviera Maya region. This airport is bustling, handling approximately 26 million passengers a year and ranks second in Mexico in terms of passenger traffic, after Mexico City.

Cancun Airport connects to several international destinations, including direct flights from major cities like New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto, Madrid, Paris, and London, among others.

Once you land at Cancun Airport, you have several options to reach Tulum: private transfers, shared shuttles, buses, taxis, and rental cars.

• Private transfers are the most comfortable and convenient to get to your hotel – Book your transfer here!
• Buses are economical but might take longer due to multiple stops – Check out the ADO bus website here!
• Taxis are available but negotiate the fare before starting the trip to avoid surprises
• Renting a car gives you the most freedom but remember to check Mexican driving rules and insurance requirements – Find your car here!

2. The Tulum International Airport Project

While the journey from Cancun to Tulum is beautiful, there’s good news for those looking for a more direct route.

To cater to the increasing number of visitors to Tulum and further develop the Riviera Maya region, a plan to build a new international airport in Tulum has been proposed.

Officially named Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Carrillo Puerto, this airport project is set to change the travel dynamics in the region.

The airport’s initial phase will have the capacity for about 5.5 million annual passengers and up to 32 000 air operations each year.

It will include 13 positions for both domestic and international commercial aircraft, and a platform for general and executive aviation with 28 positions. Moreover, there will be a hangar with 12 extra spaces for executive planes.

They also announced the construction of a 6.5 miles (10.5 km) commercial and service corridor that will connect Federal Highway 307 and the New Tulum International Airport.

When is the opening date of the airport?

It was inaugurated on December 1, 2023 but it is expected to be fully operational by 2024.

Where is the Tulum Airport located?

It is located in the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, 12 miles from the center of Tulum (1h20).

This location will make the airport easily accessible from Tulum, significantly reducing the travel time compared to Cancun Airport (3h15) for the tourists going to Tulum, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Xel-Há, Cobá, Bacalar, Mahahual and Chetumal.

How to get from Tulum airport to your hotel

Currently, the only transportation option from Tulum airport is the official shuttle service (taxis), which has a high cost. This is not surprising, considering that Cancun airport also charges a lot for taxis!

The ADO bus company has announced that it will also be offering routes to and from Tulum airport, but for the moment it is still awaiting permits.

These are the routes that have been planned so far:

• From downtown Tulum to the airport: 9h40 and 2h30 pm (290 pesos)
• From Tulum airport to the center: 12h (noon) and 5h30 pm (290 pesos)

3. Tulum Airport and the Mayan Train Project

One essential factor to consider with the establishment of the new Tulum Airport is its strategic relationship with the Mayan Train Project, expected for December 2023.

As you can see on the official map below, the Mayan Train, also known as “Tren Maya”, will traverse the states of Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Campeche, Chiapas, and Tabasco, connecting significant tourist destinations such as Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, and Palenque.

The combination of the Tulum Airport and the Mayan Train offers a promising scenario for tourism in the region. Tourists will have the option to fly directly into Tulum, enjoy its unique offerings, and then board the Maya Train to discover other parts of the Yucatan Peninsula.

• Check out my guide: How to Travel on the Maya Train: The Ultimate Guide + Tips

Conclusion: Challenges and Opportunities

Every new project of such scale comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. The Tulum International Airport is no exception.

One of the main challenges will likely be to manage the environmental impact, given the pristine natural beauty of the region. There will also be social implications to consider, with potential impacts on the local community.

On the other hand, the new airport presents numerous opportunities: it is expected to boost tourism, stimulate local economy, and create jobs.

Moreover, with more direct access to this beautiful area, it will significantly enhance the travel experience for international and domestic tourists alike. Actually, the new airport will not only make Tulum more accessible but also open up opportunities for the exploration of surrounding destinations.

With the Tulum Airport operational and the integration of the Mayan Train project, visitors will be able to plan more flexible and diverse itineraries.

Where to stay in Tulum?

• Mayan Monkey Tulum: an excellent value for money. Nice modern hostel with a good atmosphere, a pool, bar and garden. Including fast wifi, kitchen access, yoga classes, coworking spaces, and bike and motorcycle rentals. Dorms and private rooms starting at only 24 $usd per night.

• Casa Almendro: if you are looking for a little more comfort, you will like this small cheap hotel in the center of Tulum. It’s a green oasis with a rooftop terrace with chairs and hammocks. There are king size beds and breakfast is included, from only 50 $usd per night!

• Diamante K: is a high-end hotel but at a very fair price, which is exceptional in Tulum, especially for a hotel with direct access to the beach in the hotel zone! Bohemian chic atmosphere, including a restaurant, hammocks and beds on the private beach, and a massage service. Bungalows are 207 $usd per night.

• Habitas Tulum: this small eco-friendly hotel with a chic design is ideal for a romantic stay in Tulum. It is a true oasis of peace, hidden among the palm trees, with a magnificent swimming pool and a private beach. There are also yoga classes on the terrace at sunset. From 371 $usd per night!

• Kanan Tulum- Adults Only: this is the ultimate option for a luxury stay in Tulum. It is an ecological hotel for adults only, located on a beautiful private beach with hammocks and beds. With a fantastic rooftop terrace with a bar; the hotel also has an excellent restaurant, great rooms and a very friendly welcome. From 566 $usd per night!

Rent a Car in Tulum

Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Tulum and make the most of your stay!

While it’s not super useful to visit the city, having a car is a must to discover the rest of the country.

To rent a car, personnally, I always use Booking.com Cars, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Booking Cars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:

Find the best flight to Riviera Maya

Until recently, there was no airport in Tulum, and the nearest airport was Cancun. So you had to take a flight to Cancun (e.g. Iberia, Aeromexico, Interjet, KLM, etc.), then transfer from Cancun to Tulum (3h15).

Alternatively, Tulum’s brand-new airport Felipe Carrillo (TQO) is located at 40 min away from Tulum.

Before choosing an airport, compare the prices and stopovers from your original destination. Cancun might still be better than Tulum, since there are not many direct flights to Tulum right now.

To find a cheap flight to Tulum or Cancun, I recommend using our flight comparison service in partnership with Skyscanner. You’re guaranteed to pay the best price!

You’re traveling in Mexico? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Mexico: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Mexico are listed there.

• Tulum: 35 Best Things to Do + All My Best Tips!
• Where to Stay in Tulum? The best areas and places to stay
• 1 Day in Tulum – Top Spots in 24 Hours
• 2 Days in Tulum – Exploring Paradise in 48 Hours
• 3 Days in Tulum – The Ideal 72-Hour Itinerary
• Tulum Ruins: Everything you Need to Know for your Visit
• Tulum: the 15 Best Cenotes You Can’t Miss!
• Why You Should Visit Cenote Dos Ojos (Tulum)
• The Ultimate Guide to Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum’s Best-Kept Secret

• How to Travel on the Maya Train: The Ultimate Guide + Tips
• The 35 Best Things to Do in Mexico
• Yucatan Peninsula: Top 20 things to Do and See
• Cancun: the 35 Best Things to Discover
• Playa del Carmen: Top 30 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions

• Itinerary: 10 days in Mexico – Mexico City, Chiapas and Yucatan
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Mexico – Best itinerary to discover the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas!
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Mexico – Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán and Riviera Maya
• Itinerary: 1 month in Mexico – My Epic 30-31 Days Itinerary from Mexico City to Cancun
• Road trip in Mexico: The best itineraries for 10, 15, 21 days and a month

• Itinerary: 1 week in Yucatan – The Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary
• Itinerary: 10 days in Yucatan – Best Itinerary for 9, 10 or 11 Days in Yucatan
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Yucatan – Epic Itinerary + All my Best Tips!
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Yucatan – Best things to do in 20-21 days
• Itinerary: 1 month in Yucatan – Yucatan Peninsula in 29, 30 or 31 days from Cancun
• Road trip in Yucatan: The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15, 21 days and 1 month

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