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Sleeping in Airports

Cancun Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Cancun Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

I was tricked by a very convincing man that it was new policy no one was to sleep in the terminal. He said the airport had hired him because of this and to help people late at night like myself to find accommodation and a cheaper taxi.  – a traveller

We have received multiple reports of airport sleepers being approached by scammers advising them that it is not possible to stay in the airport overnight and then directed to hotels.  One traveller writes “So you can sleep in the airport even though it is average and the food is expensive. It can be done and security are really nice.  Just watch out for scum like this man and his associates.”

CUN Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Cancun International Airport.

What to Expect

Cancun Airport (Code: CUN) is comprised of four terminals connected by shuttle bus. Terminal 1 handles charter flights; Terminal 2 serves domestic and all Central and South American flights; Terminal 3 takes care of U.S., Canadian and some European flights; and the new Terminal 4 handles domestic and international flights. Travellers report that Terminals 3 and 4 provide the most amenities, though most restaurants, shops and services reportedly close down by 10:00PM – 11:00PM. WiFi is available, but many travellers have reported difficulties accessing it. As a major tourist destination, the airport can get quite crowded with resultant long lines for check-in and security. Economy class passengers can find comfort in one of the lounges with the purchase of a lounge pass or membership. See Airport Lounges below for locations and rates.

Sleeping in Cancun Airport

cancun airport guideSome travellers report that comfortable seating is scarce throughout the airport. Terminal 1 has virtually nowhere to sleep. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 have padded seats with armrests. Terminal 2 has a few double seats where you can stretch out if you aren’t too tall. Keep an eye on your luggage while sleeping in Cancun Airport or use one of the lockers, which aren’t very expensive. With the reports of noise, lighting and cold temperatures, earplugs, eyeshades and a sweater and/or travel blanket are recommended. For uninterrupted sleep there are a few hotels within easy shuttle distance. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller reviews for more tips.

Good to Know

  • Distances between terminals are too far to walk, but transit can be made by overpriced taxi or by the free shuttle, which reportedly operates on a 30 minute schedule.
  • Be prepared to encounter some aggressive porters. Hold your ground and ignore them if you do not require their services.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Cancun Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

Terminal 2
Terminal 3
  • Mera Business Lounge – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
  • The Lounge – Location: Landside.  Lounge Access: Diners Club
Terminal 4

Related Pages: Cancun Airport Lounges

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Cancun Airport that provide free airport shuttles:

  • Coming Soon – A new hotel attached to Terminal 4 is scheduled to open, but we do not have any additional details at the time of this update.
  • Hilton Garden Inn Cancun Airport – No information available.  » Check Rates
  • Courtyard By Marriott Cancun Airport –  Free airport shuttle is available.  » Check Rates
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites Cancun Airport  – Free airport shuttle is available upon request.  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Cancun Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Cancun Airport.  Internet terminals can be in T3. Rates: unknown.

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Location: Available in all 4 terminals, exact location is unknown.

Baggage Trolley – Trolleys are available free of charge.

Currency Exchange – Services are available in T2 (closes at 10:00PM) and T3 (closes at 9:00PM). At the time of this update, it appears that T4 does not offer currency exchange services.

Duty Free and Shopping – Duty Free shopping is available in T3 and T4. In addition, there is a small variety of shops available. 14 convenience shops can be found scattered throughout both terminals, for any last minute items.

Food & Drinks – At the time of this update it is unknown whether there are any 24-hour food concessions. Most restaurants are open 6:00AM – 12:00AM.

  • Terminal 2 offers 11 options, including: Burger King • Corona Beach Bar• Guacamole Grill • Domino’s Pizza • Grab and Goe • TGIFriday’s.
  • Terminal 3 offers 10 options, including: Bubba Gump • Grab ‘n Go • Guacamole Grill • Haagen Daz • Starbucks.
  • Terminal 4 offer 2 options: Sushi Tequilla by Mera • Hacienda Montejo.

Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit one of the information desks for assistance. Available in T3 and T4. Hours: unknown.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Temporarily Unavailable – Location: Main terminal. Rate: $100 pesos for 24 hours. Lockers are only available for small luggage. Off-site there are larger lockers, with rates ranging from USD$6 – $19 / day, depending on the size. For more information, visit one of the information desks.

Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic. Services are available in all 3 terminals. Rates: unknown.

Medical Services – Services are available 24 hours a day in T2. At the time of this update, it is not known if T3 and T4 offer medical services.

Mobile Charging – In January 2019, the reader let us know that there is a mobile charging spot in Terminal 2, Airside, near the boutiques and Sunglass Hut.

Pharmacy – If you need any last minute medication, be sure to stop by one of the airport Farmacias. Locations: Terminal 2, Airside, A2 • Terminal 3, Airside, C14 • Terminal 3, Airside, C11.

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Airlines

Cancun airport is served by the following airlines: Aerofloat • Aerolíneas Argentinas • Aeromar • Aeroméxico • Aeroméxico Connect • Aerotucan • Air Canada t • Air Europa • Air France • Air Transat • Alaska Airlines • Allegiant • American Airlines • Amerijet • Austrian Airlines • Azur Airlines • Blue Panorama Airlines • British Airways • Condor • Conviasa • Copa Airlines • Corsairfly • Cubana Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Edelweiss • Eurowings • EuroAtlantic Airways • Frontier Airlines • GOL • Iberia • Iberojet • Jetblue • KLM • LATAM • LOT • Lufthansa • Magnicharter • Martinair • Neos • Nordwind • Royal flight Airlines • Rutaca Airlines • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • Sun Country Airlines • Sunwing Airlines • Swiftair • Swoop • TAG • Thomson • Tropic Air • TUIFly • Turkish Airlines • United Airlines • VivaAerobus • Volaris • Wamos Air • WestJet • Wingo.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

The airport is connected to the bus; however, the buses only leave every 35 – 45 minutes (from each terminal) and if the 1st bus is full, you must wait until the next scheduled bus arrives. The bus delivers you to the central station in Cancun or Playa del Carmen from where you will most likely need to take another local bus or use the services of a taxi to reach your final destination. Rate: From Terminal 2,3 and 4 to Downtown Cancun ($6.80).

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Comfort Inn Cancun Aeropuerto   •   Courtyard Cancun Airport   •   Fairfield Inn & Suites Cancun Airport.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Inter- Terminal Transportation

There is a free inter-terminal shuttle. Shuttles run approximately every 10 minutes.

Taxis

Prepaid taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. Stop at the Prepaid Taxi booth in the Arrivals hall to pay for your ride. You will receive a ticket to give to your taxi driver before boarding the taxi. Note: Taxis are only available from Terminal 2 from 7:00AM – 11:30PM; it is possible to get a taxi from Terminal 3 24 hours a day.

Last updated: 2023-03-22

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.