Do you have a flight with a layover in Cancun? If you have at least three hours, on top of the check-in and boarding time, you may want to escape and visit these top places near the Cancun Airport. Here's a list of five places you can visit quickly in Cancun while you wait for your next flight!
Hotel Zone Tour
If your stopover is short in Cancun, maybe you just want to go for a walk through the hotel zone. The best idea for this option is to rent a car or take a taxi, whichever suits you. Without stopping, this tour can be done in approximately two hours. You can take the tour throughout the hotel zone entering Punta Nizuc and returning at kilometer 3 of the hotel zone to avoid the city's traffic. And for you to keep in mind, the time of most traffic in the hotel zone of Cancun, the famous peak hours are between 8 am, and 10 am and between 5 pm and 7 pm.
Dolphin Beach Viewpoint
It's about a 30-minute drive from Cancun Airport; this is where the famous CANCUN sign in big letters is located with the stunning Mexican Caribbean Sea in the background. It is one of the best-known and most-visited public beaches; you can simply take the photo as a lovely souvenir or walk on the beach and your feet in the seawater. It's located at Kilometer 18 of the Hotel Zone.
Ventura Park
If you have time to rest and enjoy a Water Park, Ventura Park is only 20 minutes by car from the Airport. Like other water parks, they have slides, a pool with waves, zip lines, bungee jumping, suspension bridges, and dolphin interaction programs. Some packages include entrance with food and drinks. For more information, you can visit their website.
Plaza Malecon Americas Cancun
If you have a more extended stopover of about 5 or 6 hours, you can take advantage of your stopover in Cancun to make some purchases at Plaza Malecon Americas, where you'll find better prices than the Airport. Located 30 minutes from the Airport, it's a shopping center in the city, with parking, restaurants, a food court, department stores, and jewelry stores to buy clothing, watches, perfumes, etc. Plaza Malecon Americas, is located on Avenida Tulum, in downtown Cancun.
Playa del Carmen
And if your stay is more prolonged, you can escape to Playa del Carmen. It's located about 45 minutes south of Cancun airport. If you arrive early, you can spend the day enjoying one of its beach clubs, where you can enjoy a drink (or two!) and lie on the sand. If you arrive in Playa del Carmen in the afternoon, walk along its 5th Avenue. After 5 pm, this Avenue begins to come alive, and at night it has a vibrant vibe. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, pizzerias, and cafés to hang out on this corner by the sea. Don't forget to set the alarm; it's very easy to lose track of time when you're having such a good time.
Transportation From the Airport
There's Uber in Cancun, but unfortunately, they don't enter the Airport. You can probably use it to return if you can request the service. However, you can always try this as your first option.
As in any airport, taxis are more expensive than those in urban areas. Usually, a private transfer from the Airport to the hotel zone costs you approximately 30 USD. But you can always share the cost with other travelers, for around 10 USD per person, and they'll make multiple stops during the journey to drop them in their respective hotels. This could be a good option if you go to the hotel zone and visit Delfines Beach. For your return, you can take a taxi or UBER. Just keep in mind that it may take longer than you have scheduled.
Renting a car is also an option, and if you can find someone to share the cost with, even better. It's convenient if you're traveling as a family and have more than six free hours, which could give you enough time to go to Playa del Carmen or visit Cancun's hotel zone.
We hope these tips are helpful next time you're in Cancun for a short time and want to get a quick taste of this beautiful Caribbean destination.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
MizCricket
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
Would this article’s suggestions include flights coming from outside Mexico (international) making a stop/plane change in CUN? If so, a minimum 3-hour layover is quite wishful thinking IMO.
One would need a LOT more layover time: going through Mexican Customs & Immigration to leave the airport (legally entering their country), drive-time to the chosen destination, possible parking fees (if renting a car), drive time back to the airport, back through Mexican security checkpoints, & checking in at the ticket counter/gate.
Wishing those brave souls who attempt this the very best time, and hope they make their next flight connection!