How Will Be Tulum International Airport In 2023? Last News And Details

So excited that you are planning to tour Mexico and explore Yucatan state! Many daring adventures and luxurious getaways across Quintana Roo await you. If you plan to land at the International Tulum Airport, you might need to wait a few more years. It’s because the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, announced that the airport will start to operate in late 2023.

Don’t go just yet, take a look at the two best International Airports located close to Tulum and heck out our best tips to improve your vacation plan to Tulum!

If you want some help in organizing your trip – don’t hesitate contacting Virginia and Kelly to take advantage of their FREE concierge service! We really loved them and couldn’t recommend them more!

• The Tulum airport is expected to be completed ahead of schedule (April 2024), according to the President of Mexico. The possible opening date moves so to December 2023.
• ViVaAerobus will be the first airline to operate flights to and from the new Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport in Tulum.
• The Tulum airport will be located in the Felipe Carrillo Puerto municipality of Quintana Roo, approximately one hour from Tulum.
• The airport will be situated near a major highway that connects the area with Tulum.
• It will be connected to sections 5, 6, and 7 of the upcoming Maya Train.
• The airport will have a capacity of up to three million passengers per year.
• The project has faced opposition from environmental groups concerned about the impact on the area’s ecosystems.

This new International Airport is called Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Unfortunately, it won’t be located in Tulum City but closer to Muyil (Chunyaxche), a favorite tourist destination to visit the Muyil Archaeological site and the Lagoon. Moreover, it will take about 16 minutes by car to travel to Tulum City from this Airport.

It gets even better! Due to the growing number of tourists over the past few years, the president of Mexico plans to also launch the Maya Train Project. Let me tell you why this news is awesome!

The Maya Train travels 15,000km / 9,321 miles and aims to connect popular tourist destinations across the Yucatan Peninsula. There will be 21 stations and 17 stops, covering the state of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, which makes your adventures more convenient. So, say goodbye to the time consuming road trip and butt aches!

Additionally, the Maya Train passes through the new Felipe Carrillo Puerto airport, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and up to Cancun. If you are wondering, the train fares are announced to be competing against the regional transportation and services. While also offers different prices for tourists, nationals, foreigners and a preferential price for the locals. 

Fear not, don’t let this discourage you from traveling the enchanting Tulum City. There are still other airports located close to Tulum that you can travel to today!

The Cancun International Airport should be your first choice because it has a direct trip to Tulum! The time it will take for you to reach Tulum is around two hours and more if there is traffic (which happens rarely).

As you reach the Cancun terminal, you are offered plenty of transportation services to travel to Tulum, and here we list the most recommended:

This is the best option for your road trip because of its convenience, comfort and inexpensiveness. As you land at the airport, there is an ADO BUS counter by the exit to check for any availability (best to book the tickets online). It will cost you 340 pesos / 17 USD per person to travel, which includes storage for your luggage and several other amenities. Trust us, it’s the most valuable public transportation for your money, Eddy and I use it for long-distance trips!

Moving on, you can book a private shuttle or rent a car. This shuttle is best if you travel in groups of up to 16 people with a price starting at around 3,000 pesos /150 USD per trip. Furthermore, they will take you directly to your hotel. It is super convenient!

On the other hand, renting a car for a week or a few days is much better than taking taxis because you get more value for your money. This method is much faster because the shuttle or the car rental awaits you, and it doesn’t take much wait time, unlike the ADO bus.

Located across Playa del Carmen, Cozumel is an island of wonders, home to luxurious beachfront hotels and exciting attractions to try! Now, if you go from their airport or around Cozumel, let us show you a little guide to reach Tulum from Cozumel.

Firstly, you need to take the ferry to Playa del Carmen and then to Tulum, either with Ultramar or Winjet. Also, the ferry operates from 6 am to 10 pm and it takes about 30 minutes to an hour to get to the other pier. Additionally, it takes 9 minutes to get to the ferry from the airport, whether you go with a taxi, private shuttle or car rentals (yes, the ferries can carry vehicles too).

Highly recommended because it’s inexpensive and easy to match the time schedules. Once you arrive at the harbor, go to the Turistica BUS station (make sure it’s the Turistica station), located 5 minutes away. The fare is about 108 pesos / 5 USD per person, and it takes you to the main station in the center of Tulum City.

Visit the ADO bus website and check their time schedule to plan ahead. Plus, best to book online!

If you prefer a means of private transport, we recommend hiring a shuttle service or a car rental. Through this method, you can get most of your money, especially if you are traveling with a group of up to 16 people. Most of these services can take you from Cozumel Airport to the ferry and from playa del Carmen to your hotel in Tulum (these are two different services).

You can find many companies with great reviews offering excellent services and you can book with them through the website or WhatsApp. This method can be much faster, less than two hours, because of how the driver is awaiting your arrival.

To sum up, for those who plan to travel directly to Tulum with little hassle, you should book a flight to Cancun International Airport instead. But, before arriving in Cancun, it’s also best to book an ADO bus ticket or a private shuttle ahead of time. 

On the other hand, there is nothing wrong if you fly to Cozumel airport. Just be sure to enjoy the luxurious island of Cozumel and the city of Playa del Carmen first before exploring Tulum. Once you know both cities well, you can feel the eccentric vibe and atmosphere, but Tulum is still my favorite!

We hope you find this article informative and benefits your traveling plans for the upcoming winter. Don’t forget to comment below on any future article you want us to cover!