There’s a brand-new airport for vacationers hoping to go to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Several U.S. carriers launched service throughout the previous week to Tulum’s brilliant and shiny Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO), and TPG was there to report because the inaugurals started.
About 20 miles from the middle of Tulum, the airport might be a extra handy option for vacationers visiting the area’s seashores, resorts and historic websites — lots of which sit nearer to Tulum than Cancun.
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Though it opened for home service in December, the airport welcomed its first worldwide flights from past Mexico on Thursday.
As a part of that worldwide “grand opening,” TPG was on board the first-arriving American Airlines flight — in addition to the first-departing Delta Air Lines flight. We aimed to get some perception into the new airport and the new dots and traces on these airways’ route maps. This method, we will help you resolve whether or not this is the precise airport for your subsequent journey to Mexico.
Initial response
From the entry street into the airport to the constructing to the terminal, taxiways and runways, every thing is new. It’s clear, recent and much less overwhelming than the older and better-known Cancun International Airport (CUN).
Overall, it is a attractive house with excessive ceilings, intelligent creative touches and loads of nods to the great thing about the encompassing Riviera Maya.
Natural gentle floods into the terminal with floor-to-ceiling home windows, illuminating the spacious ticketing space and permitting company loads of views of the ever-increasing variety of plane coming and going.
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Still, readers ought to be conscious it is missing some facilities proper now: The Wi-Fi and air-con have been lackluster on day considered one of worldwide flights, and it has little in the way in which of concessions in the mean time.
Overall, although, it is a formidable new option for vacationers.
Here’s what we discovered arriving and departing on the primary day of worldwide service at Tulum’s new airport.
What vacationers can count on on a journey to TQO
Tulum, the Riviera Maya, Cancun and all the Yucatan Peninsula are full of attractive resorts.
Historically, although, company hoping to get to Tulum have needed to fly into busy Cancun Airport earlier than getting a taxi or non-public shuttle to their resort; this may be a multihour trek and value $150 or extra every method. The new airport is designed, partly, to resolve that downside.
Unfortunately, it is nonetheless not the proper answer.
Since the airport is truly south of Tulum correct, the drive may nonetheless doubtlessly take near an hour (or extra) in the event you’re heading to the farther-north resorts of the Riviera Maya.
Still, there’s hope amongst some locals that splitting passengers throughout two airports may in the end assist relieve a number of the visitors issues the broader Cancun space has seen lately.
Where is the new Tulum airport?
Again, the new Tulum airport is not precisely in Tulum.
It’s about 20 miles from the middle of city — and it is a bit farther from lots of the in style resorts within the space.
One employee TPG spoke with at Tropical Elite Travel, a native transportation firm, was fast to notice the airport is greater than a “stone’s throw” from a number of the area’s better-known resorts north of Tulum. This is one thing for vacationers to bear in mind as they plan journeys.
For some extra context, the airport is near 100 miles south of Cancun. Playa del Carmen is proper in between these two locations alongside the coast.
Getting to and from the new Tulum airport
Following a keep on the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort, TPG managing editor Clint Henderson — who was on the first-departing Delta Air Lines flight Thursday — spent about an hour driving to the terminal.
On the plus facet, that is a lot sooner than the 1 1/2 hours it took to get to the resort after arriving on a flight from Cancun.
Still, even with that shorter distance, attending to TQO was pricier than you would possibly count on. The shuttle from the beforehand talked about Tropical Elite Travel charged riders the identical $120-plus for a switch to TQO.
Our crew discovered a taxi trip from the Tulum airport to the middle of city (about a 45-minute trip) was about $60. From the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, north of city, it was nearer to $100 for a taxi to the new airport.
There are additionally some cheaper methods to get to the airport, like taking an ADO bus.
Departing the new Tulum airport
Passengers enter the brand-new terminal via any of the 4 ground-level doorways.
Overall, it is a a lot quieter really feel as you enter the airport. If you may image the honking horns, police sirens and total bustle and chaos widespread at busy airports’ drop-off curbs, this is removed from that.
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It’s additionally a far cry from Cancun’s a lot busier airport, which sees thousands and thousands of passengers yearly (almost 4.8 million from the U.S. alone in 2023) and plane arriving from all around the world.
Except for the occasional noise of a jet taking off, it sounds (and ultimately feels) extra like you are in a public park than outdoors a busy airport.
Ground flooring
Inside, on the bottom flooring (which is technically the arrivals degree), there are presently a few outlets, rental automotive firm workplaces, taxi stands and bus line workplaces.
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This is the place you will find yourself after baggage declare (extra on that in a bit).
All round, you might hear the sounds of development, making clear that elements of the airport (most notably the meals and drink institutions) stay a work in progress.
Ticketing space
Multiple escalators, elevators and stairs take you as much as the ticketing space, which is spacious and ethereal — and simply probably the most spectacular a part of the constructing.
Sunlight pours in via a translucent roof. There are two giant islands the place airways have arrange their check-in and bag drop stations.
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American, Delta and United every have a row of check-in counters with loads of house. On the opening day of U.S. flights, there have been balloons and treats to honor the inaugural flights.
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United added its personal check-in counters with some modest decor when it launched service Sunday.
JetBlue plans to launch service to Tulum within the coming months. So do Air Canada and Panama-based Copa Airlines.
Security
The safety space was properly staffed and took simply a jiffy to get via.
Since Tulum is a a lot smaller airport than Cancun, you may doubtless count on smaller crowds — significantly till airways absolutely scale up their flight schedules out of the airport.
For Clint’s departure on Delta’s inaugural flight, two officers checked his passport and boarding go earlier than he was allowed to scan his ticket at automated gates.
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At safety, officers requested passengers to take away belts and watches in order that they might be put via the X-ray machines. Other gadgets, like laptops and Kindles, needed to be eliminated and put into a separate bin for scanning.
Airside
The departures concourse is one straight hallway. If you go disregarded of safety, you will discover gates for home Mexico flights — no less than proper now.
If you go proper, you will discover the gates for flights departing to U.S. locations.
In all, the airport has 13 plane parking positions. There are solely 4 true gates within the concourse itself, however some gates result in a number of jet bridges. So, you might find yourself departing from a “D3A” or a “D3B.”
Aesthetically, the attractive ceilings had loads of lighting, with Mayan-inspired wooden sculptures creating a dramatic impression.
This airport’s floor-to-ceiling home windows will doubtless encourage AvGeeks with killer views of plane taking off and touchdown.
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Departing passengers will discover wide-open areas, loads of seating, and sporadic plugs and shops. Like most airport terminals, when flights begin boarding, passengers congregate within the concourse a bit. Still, typically talking, it is a pretty spacious concourse. That can be much more true as soon as development absolutely wraps up and there are extra locations to eat, drink and sit.
Marble flooring and excessive ceilings give the terminal a high-gloss look.
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Those gates quantity D1 via D4.
The gates gave the impression to be typically interchangeable, “common use” gates. So, you would possibly see a Delta jet depart from a gate at one level within the day and then an American aircraft at that gate later within the day.
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On day considered one of worldwide flight operations, American Airlines adorned its gates with balloons and signage to mark the event.
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Tulum makes use of automated gates that allow you to scan your boarding go, however proper now, gate brokers nonetheless appear to be checking passports previous to departure.
As it was the primary day of worldwide flights to Tulum, the flights have been much more packed arriving than departing, so the concourse was pretty empty. That will doubtless change within the coming months as U.S. and different worldwide airways add extra service.
On this present day, nevertheless, Delta’s inaugural outbound flight was flippantly booked, with one employee saying there have been 120 empty seats on the Boeing 737-800 — paying homage to how empty planes have been flying throughout the worst of the pandemic.
Amenities on the new Tulum airport
As talked about, though U.S. airways solely simply launched service to Tulum, the airport has technically been open for about 4 months.
Still, it is pretty bare-bones in the case of facilities — no less than proper now.
That’s very true concerning meals and drink choices.
Food and drink
Hard-hat areas make it clear that extra outlets and eating places — together with massive chains and native spots — are on the way in which.
Eventually, extra eating places can be out there, together with some that can be acquainted to Americans. TPG noticed “proximamente” (“soon”) indicators for every thing from Starbucks to Firehouse Subs to Le Pain Quotidien to Burger King to Applebee’s.
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It’s a comparable story landside, the place we noticed indicators for well-known shops like Starbucks and Domino’s, together with some extra regionally impressed meals and drink institutions.
Right now, although, be warned: Food choices are sparse, with simply a few small concession stands — suppose snack bars, not eating places.
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Until extra locations open, vacationers can count on little greater than bodega-like institutions promoting chilly water, sodas and bagged snacks like potato chips.
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This ought to get a lot higher within the coming months. In truth, there are already tables in place for what seems to be a budding meals court docket.
At the second, a key piece of recommendation in the event you’re headed to the airport: Don’t arrive hungry.
Shopping
Ironically, regardless of the concourse being devoid of sustenance, there’s already a duty-free store up and working instantly post-security. Vendors wasted no time promoting merchandise like cologne, make-up and booze to vacationers heading house from trip.
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Is there a lounge on the new Tulum airport?
Among the “coming soon” areas is a Sala VIP membership. A employee there mentioned it might be opening in a few weeks.
The indicators close to the boarding space the place American Airlines had arrange festivities for its first flight out of Tulum recommended the lounge can be referred to as The Grand Lounge Elite Salas Club; it has a number of shops at Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and accepts Priority Pass.
Other facilities
A small nondenominational chapel with a big lighted cross on the altar may present a good respite for those that need a non secular second on the airport.
There have been additionally a number of giant restrooms in a number of spots all through the terminal. The loos have been spotless, and every thing labored completely, as one would possibly count on at a new airport.
Inside was a giant restroom as properly.
Finally, there have been two kids’s play areas. One was close to the home gates, and there was one other close to the worldwide departure gates (D3 and D4).
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Arriving on the new Tulum airport
The arrival at Tulum was seamless for TPG aviation reporter Sean Cudahy, who was on the first-ever industrial flight from outdoors Mexico to the touch down on the new airport.
After lovely views of the Mexican shoreline on the ultimate descent, it was a fast taxi to the gate; passengers have been off the plane in minutes.
With a a lot smaller footprint than the Cancun airport, it was a very quick stroll to customs — not more than a minute or two down a ramp.
Getting via customs
Along the way in which, it grew to become clear that this is a extra visually interesting airport than the one in Cancun.
There have been loads of nods to the Mayan aesthetic and pure fantastic thing about the Riviera Maya. One instance is this tunnel main into the customs space.
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Passport management was a breeze. Since we have been the primary worldwide arrival (and a number of the first vacationers off the plane), the customs brokers have been ready for passengers — not the opposite method round.
Still, with 18 lanes and a comparatively modest variety of worldwide flights deliberate to the new airport this yr, it appears like a facility that ought to be properly geared up to deal with the deliberate passenger visitors at the same time as issues get busier.
But, as at all times, will probably be price watching how that unfolds within the coming months.
Baggage declare
Sean waited not more than 5 minutes for his bag at baggage declare, the place there are three carousels for worldwide carriers.
Notably, baggage declare is mere steps from the place floor crew members unload luggage from the plane. This ought to be a main assist in getting luggage again to passengers expeditiously.
This is an space the place Tulum has the prospect to excel over Cancun. Lately, TPG has heard stories of multihour waits for luggage on some peak days in Cancun.
Once you could have your bag in hand, head to at least one final customs station, the place your entire belongings (even carry-on luggage) should undergo one further scanner. Numerous vacationers have been stopped randomly by Mexican officers to have their luggage opened and inspected.
TPG crew members have skilled this in Cancun as properly, so it is pretty in line with the arrival expertise there.
This may flip into a spot the place bottlenecks might be a downside within the coming months, so simply be ready that after you have your bag in hand, your wait is probably not over. As one of many first worldwide passengers to proceed via this checkpoint, although, the wait was virtually nonexistent.
Ground transportation
Travelers who’ve flown into Cancun know it may be a bit chaotic when you emerge from baggage declare; there are taxi firms, shuttle providers, timeshares and tour operators all attempting to get your consideration.
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There have additionally been reports of scams and unscrupulous pricing from taxi and Uber drivers on the Cancun airport for years, with guests generally caught within the center.
Snap response at Tulum: There is a few of that, nevertheless it’s on a a lot smaller scale at a smaller airport.
Sean organized on-site for a taxi to his central Tulum resort for $60, and the driving force was attentive and pleasant.
Overall, although, Tulum’s floor transportation nonetheless appears dearer than what you’d count on within the area. You might be anyplace from $100 to $120 in the event you go to any of the bigger resorts.
If you’re headed to Tulum correct, there are taxis for much less; our trip to get there was “just” $60. Most guests, nevertheless, will doubtless be headed farther afield.
The airport additionally provides rental automobiles, nevertheless it’s price checking opening and closing hours. Rental automotive workplaces are already open on the airport, together with Hertz and Europcar, and that might be price it in the event you do not thoughts driving. Just take into accout most resorts may even cost you for parking.
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You would possibly wish to examine a bus service referred to as ADO, which is able to drop you at spots near main resort areas beginning at $20 one-way. It was already taking bookings on the Tulum airport. You’ll nonetheless must take a taxi to your last vacation spot, however this might assist cost-conscious guests.
Transportation on this a part of Mexico is not terribly organized, and the new airport will not resolve these points.
Eventually, the new (and controversial) Tren Maya (Mayan Train) will open a station on the Tulum airport. There was signage and development for the practice on my journey into the airport, nevertheless it does not look like it is opening anytime quickly.
The practice began service in December, however up to now, it solely goes between Cancun International Airport and town of Campeche. Eventually, it is going to come to Tulum and to the airport, however that is a great distance off, judging by the development websites on the airport.
If you are planning a journey to Tulum, we might advise checking upfront along with your resort to see what kind of transportation you would possibly be capable of ebook upfront.
How costly is it to fly to Tulum?
For the foreseeable future, U.S. airways will function far fewer flights to Tulum than Cancun. That’s partly as a result of airways are simply getting operations off the bottom. Also, Tulum is, fairly merely, a a lot smaller airport.
Thanks to the forces of provide and demand, that may make for dearer airfare to the newer Yucatan Peninsula airport.
Between now and the tip of September, the common round-trip airfare to Cancun is round $364 (or $433 if you wish to ebook a nonstop flight), in response to reserving app Hopper.
For Tulum, round-trip costs sit round $437 — about 20% greater — or $455 for a nonstop flight.
What US airways fly to Tulum?
From the outset, the “Big Three” legacy U.S. airways are providing service to Tulum. A fourth provider is coming quickly.
| Airline | Airports |
|---|---|
| American | Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Miami International Airport (MIA) |
| Delta | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) |
| United | Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — launches May 23 Newark Liberty International Airport (IAH) |
| JetBlue | New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) — launches June 13 |
Spirit Airlines had initially deliberate Tulum service from Orlando and Fort Lauderdale however needed to temporarily postpone those flights amid fleet constraints. In February, the airline informed TPG it hoped to reestablish plans to launch Tulum service sooner or later.
Bottom line
The brand-new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport is a lovely airport that is price contemplating in your subsequent journey to the Yucatan Peninsula.
The airport is not as shut as company visiting Tulum, Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen resorts would possibly hope.
However, it could actually nonetheless be a extra handy option than Cancun International Airport for guests to some resort cities within the space.
It’s additionally a lot much less crowded and chaotic than the Cancun airport and does not have (up to now) as lots of the aggressive salespeople attempting to get you to hire a automotive, purchase a timeshare or hail a cab.
Unless you are touring to a resort in Cancun itself, or in any other case visiting the northern reaches of Mexico’s Caribbean coast, it might be price contemplating TQO over Cancun — even when it’s a must to pay a bit extra to fly in and out of this airport.
That mentioned, the airport has rising pains. The air-con is spotty, the Wi-Fi is not presently working, and there are only a few outlets and eating places proper now. Oh, and there is no lounge as of writing.
Stay tuned as TPG displays how the airport performs as crowds and flight choices develop within the coming months.
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