Cheap Flights to Cancún

When to fly to Cancun

Peak Season:
Most travellers visit Cancun between mid-December and March.

Shoulder Season:
Early December and April are good times to seek flights and accommodations. There are usually fewer visitors and the weather is still good.

Off Season:
May to November is the low season.

Overview

A once marshy island in an almost forgotten region of the Caribbean, Cancun was a string of sand dunes in the shape of a number “7”. The coast along the Yucatan peninsula was a mix of marshes, jungle and beaches, but with the Cancun Project in the 1970s, the area burst onto the radar and started attracting travellers to take flights to Cancun.

Today, its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear seas and nightlife make it a popular destination for spring breakers as well as couples and families.

Cancun is perfectly located for ecotourism and adventure holidays. More than 20 per cent of the land in Quintana Roo is protected making the area ideal for kayaking, hiking, snorkelling with whale sharks, zip lining, rapelling or diving. The resort may be less than 40 years old but there are traces of the once mighty Mayan civilisation. Ruins and archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba are all within easy reach.

How long is the flight to Cancun, Mexico?

Flights from Toronto to Cancun, Mexico are around 4h, while flights from Ontario can often range from 7h-10h. Those flying from Quebec City, Canada, can fly to Cancun in 7h-16h. You can fly from Vancouver in 10h-16h, depending on the number of stops along the way.

Where can you get direct flights to Cancun from?

Cancun is a popular vacation destination and has plenty of direct flights from a couple of large Canadian cities. You can find direct flights from Toronto, as well as the occasional direct flight from Montreal. While there may not be direct flights available from other cities like Vancouver, Ontario, or Quebec City, you can still find plenty of flights from those cities with just one stop.

How do you get from Cancun Airport to the city centre?

Cancun is divided into two sectors: Downtown Cancun and the Hotel Zone. Most visitors who arrive at the Cancun Airport aim to get to the Hotel Zone, where all of the resorts, hotels, and clubs are located. Downtown is typically where the locals live, but there’s still plenty to do there.

Whether your destination is downtown or the Hotel Zone, your two main options for travel after arriving at Cancun Airport is either bus or taxi. The ADO bus system runs every 30 minutes from the airport to the city centre. At this city centre, you can easily catch a frequent bus to the Hotel Zone. The entire journey from airport to Hotel Zone takes around one hour.

The quicker option is taking a taxi. This option, while more expensive, will cut travel time in half. Be prepared to barter prices, not only for shopping, but for transit. Taxi drivers do not have standard rates and will likely be expecting to barter.

What are some things to do in Cancun?

The most obvious pastime in Cancun is visiting the beach. Pristine sands and crystal clear water are what draw so many tourists to this location each year. There are water activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, and boating. With so many resort hotels located right by the ocean, it’s easy to soak up some sun and relax on the sand during your stay.

If you venture into downtown Cancun, you’ll find activities to do there as well. Cancun’s main park and plaza, Parque Las Palapas, has an outdoor food court, complete with food trucks, local souvenirs, and a play area for kids. There’s also an outdoor stage.

The Malecon Americas Shopping Center is a large mall downtown that offers plenty of shopping. The contemporary design and open-air atmosphere are nice, and you’re sure to find plenty of souvenirs, fashion, jewelry, and more. There are also a variety of dining options.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Cancun?

A valid passport is required to enter Cancun, Mexico. If you’re staying for less than 180 days, then no visa is required.

Cancún climate

Cancun gets more than 250 sunny days per year. Summers in Cancun are hot and wet. The hottest weather is experienced between mid-May and August. Temperatures can hit 34 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit). Hurricane season starts in June and runs through November. Winters are balmy with temperatures between 22 and 32 degrees (71-89F). 

Getting around Cancún

It’s easy to walk around Cancun. And if your vacation has made you too relaxed to walk, you can always get a taxi. Be aware that prices are supposed to be set by zone. The reality is that locals pay far less than tourists, and guests at expensive hotels are always charged more. One popular way to get around the city is by bus. To get from the mainland to the beaches along Avenida Tulum you can take route 1 and 2. Route 8 buses are for Puerto Juarez/Punta Sam, where you can catch a ferry to Isla Mujeres. Pick up a route 8 bus on the east side of Avenida Tulum. They run between 6am and midnight every day. Watch out for private buses that go the same places, but charge a higher fee. For a little more adventure, you can rent a moped for around $30 each day, but be safe and wear your helmet.    

Cancún airport overview

Just as sun-worshipping vacationers can’t get enough of Cancun, the airport never seems to stop growing. The close proximity of Cancun International Airport (CUN) to the most popular beach resorts in Mexico draws 12.4 million passengers through its gates each year, second only to the giant Mexico City International Airport in terms of traffic.

Flights to Cancun Airport are plentiful, and you’ll have no trouble finding them from nearly any major airport, including London, Paris, New York, Madrid, Chicago, Miami, Frankfurt, Santiago de Chile, Lisbon and Amsterdam.

Because of the massive popularity of the beach resorts in Cancun, the airport is almost constantly overrun with tourists, especially in the peak summer and spring break seasons. Facilities and service in the airport are geared toward this crowd, so the airport is clean and efficient with all the modern comforts of home.