Welcome to the jungle airport, set to be one of the most trafficked attractions in the Yucatan Peninsula.
On the initial glide slope , it ’s unreadable where the bike are actually run to touch down . Below is a rug of immature as far as the center can see , riotous with sapodilla , Chechén , and Chacá Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . My fellow passengers may have heard that Tulum’sFelipe Carrillo Puerto International Airportis dub the “ jungleairport . ” Now there ’s no question why .
The airportonly opened its door in December 2023 , and while it ’s arrange to welcome 5.5 million passengers each year , the bright , modern and verdure mental synthesis is still a employment in progress , with just a few flights currently on the schedule and some store still cover , waiting for their entry . After a cheery “ Welcome to Tulum ! ” my JetBlue flight attendant assured the cabin that we could grab our luggage from one of “ peradventure three carousels ” and be out in 20 second .
It ’s a stark difference to the elder , extremely - trafficked and fluorescent Cancun hub , which is further up the seacoast of the Yucatan peninsula and , for now , the reigning gateway to the popular Mexican holiday haven . Last year one third of all Americans visiting Mexico passed through the Cancun drome , about 4.8 million . Just 25 miles from business district Tulum , the new airport was opened to accommodate need and circulate traffic , as well as make southerly regions more accessible , halving ride times to further beach destinations likeBacalarandMahahual .
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Since I did n’t learn a old bag , it only took me about 10 minutes to get from the tarmacadam to a taxi .
The Tulum Airport began construction in 2022 in conjunction with the Ministry of National Defense , a controversial project of outgoing Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador for cause including but not fix to the tearing down of its enveloping hobo camp . It make it as the metropolis ’s universe break loose . Two decennium ago ago the population ofTulumwas under 7,000 . Today it ’s 47,000 , and , to the anger of locals , the base is still catch up .
And yet , the airdrome join novel attractions likeJaguar National Park , which was completed this September , and the growth of massive electronic music festivals likeZamna Afterlife , which will attract 9,000 people to the Ithiel Town in January . A newNobu Hotelis porta in 2026 . And in 2022 Hilton chose Tulum for its largest all - inclusive in Latin America , clocking in at a monumental 735 rooms . “ In the preceding class , Google constituent search impressions forHilton Tulum Riviera Maya All - Inclusive Resorthave increase more than 80 per centum , and we are also envision Tulum message up more than 70 percent from last year on Hilton.com , ” says Nicole Tilzer , a Vice President with Hilton ’s All - Inclusive & Resort Strategy .
A Mayan welcome at the “jungle airport”|Vanita Salisbury
The new airdrome both encourages and lodge tourism growing . Many traveller still associate Tulum with beachy boutique hotels and boho chic minimalist style — an eco - well-disposed health destination shop by digital nomads and well - funded influencers touting inaccessible sumptuousness . But in the retiring decade Tulum ’s outsize ontogeny has been fuel by people assay refuge in its remote wilds during the pandemic and now , what once was a tranquil beach destination and the last place you ’d find an all - inclusive — in part because it was difficult to contact — is accessible , thanks to the airport . For its first year it projected 700,000 passengers . On November 2nd , the airportwelcomed its 1 one-millionth passenger , smashing all expectations .
In Tulum, Skip the Tourist Traps and Lean Into These Adventures Instead
Dive into secluded cenotes, party at rooftop bars, and explore ancient ruins by the beach.
For its part , the conception of the airport takes the aspirational , luxe Tulum stigma and black market with it . It ’s low - slung and bright with glass ceilings allowing sunlight to pour through , bringing the outside jungle aesthetic in . The first thing you see is an inverted Mayan god — legs spread out , arms parallel to the priming coat . This is theDescending God of Tulumwho adorns ancient buildings and artifacts in Tulum but can also be found in archeologic internet site likeCobá , Sayil , and Tancah . john are theme with attractive force you ’ll find in the region : a cenote , a jaguar , the Tulum smash .
You ’re ushered to immigration and baggage claim through a festive tunnel , resembling the decoration - line underside of a palapa unhorse in bolshie and oranges , like something you ’d see in aRainforest Cafe(complimentary ) . Tacked to the top , the word “ Tulum , ” in wooden missive . Serious , it is not . But betting odds are you are not in this holiday destination to have a serious fourth dimension .
What to eat at the Tulum airport
food for thought options upon landing get the job done . There ’s a Starbucks and Dominos , a Farine Coffee and Bakery with Francophilic transportation , a firm nonchalant eating place name Pacifico , the same as the beer , with quite a few michelada varieties . A sign say that fare soon is Ricky ’s Chickn , a Mexican mountain chain , and Mayan Sky Lounge .
You have more options when flying out , where , after clearing protection , you ’ll find Mexican clothing brands like Ay Güey , greaser chain El Fogancito , candy shopSabaré , conversant name like Carl ’s Junior and Le Pain Quotidien , plus mountain of places for souvenirs and lucha libre masks . ( There are also some pharmacies for some light medical tourism , should you prefer . The go rate for Viagra this summertime ? $ 70 for four 100 mg tablets . ) Just be aware that the nutrient and drink cost are well above sensible but hey , you ’re in an airport in Tulum .
Other amenities at Tulum airport
The drome also has a nondenominational chapel , two children ’s sport area with plastic jungle gyms , and a VIP Lounge which will be open presently . bird of Jove eyes have notedthat signage suggests that it will be called The Grand Lounge Elite Salas Club , which has locations at the Mexico City International Airport .
Who flies to Tulum airport?
Domestically , airlinesAeromexicoandViva Aerobusfly into Tulum . outside airlines let in Air Canada from Toronto and Montréal , WestJet from Toronto , Copa Airlines from Canada and Discover Airlines from Frankfurt .
From the US , Delta Air Lineswas the first US airway to announce a Tulum route . Currently they operate two nonstop flight daily from Atlanta and Detroit .
American Airlinesoperates five daily flights from Dallas , two from Charlotte , and two from Miami . All the flights will be offered twelvemonth - round and they ’ll engage on Boeing 737s .
Views of sunny skies and jungle.|Vanita Salisbury
JetBlueoffers day-by-day flights from New York JFK .
United Airlinesis offering nonstop flights between Tulum in Chicago , Los Angeles , and Newark , as well as two flights day by day from Houston .
Last fall , scurvy - costSpirit Airlinesannounced plan to launch Tulum flights from two major Florida airports , Orlando and Fort Lauderdale . However , the date has since been postponed until further notice .
How do I get to and from the Tulum airport?
Uber has technically been in operation in the Department of State of Quintana Roo since 2019 and , thanks to a late ruling , Uber driver can also nowtechnicallypick up from the Tulum airport . However , there are currently disputes between rideshares and local taxi syndicates , so actually baffle a drive is difficult . Lyft is not usable in Mexico .
Rental cars are uncommitted on the ground with agencies like Avis , Hertz , and Europcar , and there are also private taxis and shuttles usable . A taxi to Tulum average $ 160 .
There is also theADO motorcoach , which strike down you off in downtown Tulum . Tickets generally be $ 11 .
Bathrooms invite you to choose your own adventure.|Vanita Salisbury
One selection that will be more viable in the hereafter is theMaya Train(El Tren Maya ) a $ 30 billion government task which in its completion will connect the Tulum and Cancun airports to 34 popular website throughout the Yucatan Peninsula , including crucial archaeological sites like Chichén Itzá and urban center like Bacalar and Merida . you could presently purchase tag between Tulum Airport , and Tulum stations . As of today there are only two day-after-day trains on the schedule from the Tulum Airport .
Le Pain Quotidien has a place of honor.|Vanita Salisbury
