The Cancun international airport is considered the second most important
airport in Mexico. It is located on the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula
serving an average of more than ten million passengers per year. The
airport is located around 12 miles from the hotel zone, approximately
20 minutes trip by car. From this airport you can reach the famous Mayan
Riviera (Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal,
Tulum) and Isla Mujeres.
There are three terminal buildings at the Cancun airport. The terminal 1 is for
private flights only, and the terminals 2 & 3 are for charters and commercial
flights. The terminal 3 was open last May 17, 2007 and it has an area of 42,000
square meters, 84 check-in counters, 11 boarding bridges, 42 immigration counters,
6 security filters, 6 custom filters and an impressive and sophisticated security
equipment that uses CT scanners, the only one of its kind in Mexico.
Immigration
NOTICE: The immigration department at the airport
does not answer questions
nor can be contacted. If you have an immigration question, you must contact
your nearest Mexican Consulate prior to your arrival to Cancun.
There you will be able to get answers to your question and, if necessary, obtain
the proper documentation to enter the country. Cancun International Airport is
an international port of entry to Mexico and as such it is regulated by Mexican
and international laws and treaties. What this means is that every country in
the world has a treaty with Mexico detailing on what is necessary for the citizens
of that county to enter into Mexican territory. Please check with your travel
agent or with the Mexican Embassy in your country about the documentation and
visas you need to enter Mexico. There are several countries that do not need
a visa to enter Mexico. We cannot list all of them but they include The United
States, Canada and some countries members of the European Union.
Everybody needs a passport to enter Mexico. As mentioned before, citizens
from some countries might require an entry visa. If you are not sure please check
with your travel agent and/or the Mexican Embassy in your country.
When you reach the arriving terminal after landing in Cancun you will be guided
to the immigration hall where you will form a line and wait for your turn with
a Mexican Immigration officer. This officer will ask you for your passport, entry
visa, if you are from a county which requires it, and your tourist card, which
will be given to you aboard the plane. The immigration officer may ask you a
few questions as of the purpose of your trip, how long you will be staying and
if this is your first time in Mexico.
The “tourist card” is a form that the airline will give you at the
counter when you check in or aboard the plane. It is one per person, meaning
that each member of your party must have one with his/her individual information.
Questions in this form include: Names, country of origin, passport number (if
you carry one), place where you staying in Mexico, arrival and departure dates
and so forth. After the immigration officer has stamped this card you Must keep
it in a safe place and do not lose it. You will be asked for this documents
when leaving the country. Although very rare, you might be held in Mexico
if you lose your tourist card, so please make sure you do not lose it, keep it
in a safe place and have it ready at your departure.
You do not have to carry these documents with you while in Mexico. We recommend
you to leave them at your hotel in a safe place.
This information is very general and can change at any time. If you have any
questions we recommend you talk to your travel agent or the nearest Mexican Consulate
in your country.
Customs
During the arrival flight, you will receive and need to fill out a customs
form (Hacienda). After passing through immigration, you collect your bags and
proceed to the exit. You will hand the form to the customs agent and press
the button on what looks like a traffic light.
A green light means “go” and red means “inspection” in
which case, officials perform a quick inspection.
As a rule of thumb you are allowed to bring into Mexico whatever you need for
the time period you will be staying in Mexico. You are not allowed to bring food,
fruits and/or products that are not "company" packed and sealed. And
if you are bringing food or products they are allowed only if you need them because
of a special diet or for medical reasons.
The same rule applies to medicine. You are allowed to bring enough medicine for
the time period you will be in Mexico. If you are bringing an unusual quantity
of medicine please bring a doctor's prescription just in case you need to prove
the medicine is for your own consumption.
We strongly recommend you contact your nearest Mexican Consulate. There you can
get more specific information about anything that has to do with "allowances" and
what products are prohibited in Mexico.
Money and communications: There is a bank in Terminal two, ATMs are
located throughout the terminal buildings and there are bureau de change in both
terminal buildings. Post boxes are located at Terminal 1 in the FBO building
and in Terminal 2 by the main entrance.
Eating and drinking: The airport has a variety of fast-food outlets
and restaurants in both terminals.
Shopping: There are a several gift shops at the airport. Duty-free and
a convenience store are available in Terminal 2.
Luggage: Porters are available in all terminals and willing to help
with luggage for a tip.
Airport hotel: There is no hotel at the airport or near the airport
for overnight, the closest option is in downtown Cancun where you can find all
type of hotels from 5 stars to economic guest houses.
Lockers
There is an INDEPENDENT locker station located in the main departure terminal,
service available from 8:00 am to 8:00pm
They do not provide local contact number.
Cost: $65.00 pesos per day per locker.
Lockers are for pieces of luggage small enough to bring with you INSIDE the plane
like carry on and small back packs. Not suitable for LARGE pieces of luggage.
box measures 27.6" x 19.7" and 31.5" deep.
Parking at Cancun airport
The parking lot is located right at the main entrance to the airport.
Cost: $20.00 pesos per hour
Cost: $120.00 pesos per day
Cost: $840.00 pesos per week
Lost & Found
The Lost & Found Department is operated by the Security Office. Although
this office is part of the airport, it operates independently from the airport
and have its own policies and procedures. Due to new and more strict security
regulations the Security Office is a very tight and stern department.
The Security Airport receives and process items found within the airport premises.
These items are usually turned in by passengers, airport personnel or by security
officers. Not all items are reported. Many times people find items and they keep
them. All airport personnel are searched and screened for items before they leave
the airport's premises after a day's work. This is done to ensure that they do
not take items that they might have found.
The Security Office is not responsible for luggage and items forgotten inside
the airplane. Luggage is handled strictly by the airline's personnel and not
by the airport's personnel or security. If you are missing a piece of luggage
or your luggage was damage in some way, please contact your airline directly
and file a complaint with them. The airport can not assist you with this type
of claims.
Only owners of items can claim them with the Security Office. This has to be
done by phone or in person. You can not claim a lost item by e-mailL. If you
want to claim a lost item please call the Security Office at the airport at (01152)
998 848 7200. This is an international long distance call. The reason why you
have to call or claim your items in person is because the security office will
ask you specific questions about the items to ensure they are yours.
The Security Office is open 24 hrs. a day but it is open for claims from 9:00AM
to 5:00PM Daily
