What to Expect at the Cancun International Airport

The Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the main gateway to the Riviera Maya, as well as, the second busiest airport in Mexico, next to Mexico City, but its the busiest for international travelers. All US and Canadian airlines and most of the European carriers use Use Terminal 3 for arrivals and departures and it offers shops (including duty free), cafés and restaurants, as well as migration/customs services. If your flight is connecting through one of Mexico’s other main domestic hubs, such as Mexico City, Tijuana or Guadalajara, then you will likely arrive at Terminal 2.

International Arrivals:

After arriving and once you are checked-in by immigration, proceed to the luggage claim area to pick up your luggage. At the baggage claim there will be screens available telling you on which conveyor you can pick up your luggage or you can ask any of the airport representatives for the appropriate location. Once you have your luggage, continue to customs. Your luggage will pass through a scanner and a customs officer will ask you for your customs declaration form. Once you cleared customs, you can proceed to exit the arrival gate.

Domestic Arrivals:

Upon your arrival, to Terminal 2, proceed to the baggage claim area where screens will be available help you determine from which conveyor to claim your luggage. After retrieving your luggage continue to exit the terminal.

The immigration, customs and baggage processes are very similar to what is found in most airports in the U.S. and should not be difficult to maneuver. However, the swarm of vendors just outside the arrival gate area and leading to the outside shuttle bus area can be a bit overwhelming if you are not prepared for it. The airport is filled with vendors looking to sell you excursion trips and time-share opportunities and they can be quite boisterous and demanding at times. There will also be those who walk up to you and want to take your luggage and help you to where you are going… which can be fine if you are willing to pay them for their service. The key is to simply, yet firmly, say,”No Thanks” and to keep walking or just ignore them and press on towards the doors to the shuttle transportation area. If you have taken the good advice from one of the other blog posts on this site and hired a private shuttle when booking your trip, then you will find them waiting for you outside the door of the terminal building with proper signage indicating who they are.