Cheap Car Rentals at Cancun Airport

Tips when renting a car at Cancún International Airport (CUN)

• Note that prices rise during peak travel times, such as winter snowbird season, spring break (when many U.S. schools go on break), and various large events and corporate retreats. Book early!
• In the state of Quintana Roo, you will need a valid passport, an official Mexico entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple, or FMM), a valid driver’s license, Mexican Personal Liability Insurance, a driver who’s at least age 25, and a valid credit card to obtain a rental car. Though it’s not always required, you may also want to obtain an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to keep alongside your license. 
• You will find many rental car offices at and around the airport, particularly on site near the passenger terminals, and just off site by Federal Highway 307. 
• While you can find many more rental car offices across the region, make sure you know where you’re going if you plan to pick up a rental car farther away from the airport. If in doubt, you can save yourself time and peace of mind by picking it up at the airport.
• Planning to drive out of state and/or use any toll roads? Ask your rental agency how they handle fees.
• Pick the right car for your journey. Smaller cars will be more efficient on Cancún’s city streets, while SUVs or all-wheel-drive vehicles are more suitable for trips beyond the Riviera Maya resort corridor.
• Inspect the car and take photos at pickup and drop-off.
• While Cancún is generally safe, foreign embassies typically recommend against driving at night on highways out of town as a general safety precaution. 

Why Rent a Car at Cancún International Airport (CUN)

Once off the plane (and past Mexican Customs), visitors will find designated passenger pick-up areas outside (for hotel shuttles, local buses, and private cars), a nearby cluster of rental car offices by Terminal 2, and another cluster of rental car offices by Highway 307. (If you opt to rent a car from a company with an office out this way, check to see if they offer a shuttle from the airport’s main campus to their office.)

Since the airport connects pretty seamlessly to Federal Highway 307, you can store your luggage in the trunk and start driving wherever you want to go. It’s ideal for travellers with children, on a tight schedule, or planning to visit multiple destinations. Though the Tren Maya has recently opened, there are still parts of the Yucatán Peninsula that may be hard to reach by train or bus. Having your own car lets you reach more places with ease and on your own schedule.

Driving from Cancún International Airport (CUN) – Getting Started

As noted earlier, CUN sits by Federal Highway 307, making for an easier drive to central Cancún or to points south on the Riviera Maya. Depending on traffic, you should be able to reach the Zona Hotelera in about 20-40 minutes, Cancún Centro in about 30-60 minutes, Isla Mujeres in about 1.5-2.5 hours, and Puerto Morelos in about 25-45 minutes. 

Whichever route you take, budget yourself plenty of time to get there, as Cancún and Riviera Maya traffic can get heavy at times. 

Common routes include:

• Cancún Centro – About 30-60 minutes via Federal Highway 307 north 
• Zona Hotelera – About 20-40 minutes via Boulevard Kukulcan (Punta Nizuc-Cancún)
• Isla Mujeres – About 1.5-2.5 hours via Highway 307 north and the Cancún (Punta Sam)-Isla Mujeres ferry
• Isla Holbox – 2-3 hours via Federal Highway 180/180D west, Route 5 north, and the Chiquilá-Isla Holbox ferry
• Mérida – 3-5 hours via Highway 180/180D west
• Chichén Itzá – 2-3 hours via Highway 180/180D west
• Puerto Morelos – 25-45 minutes via Highway 307 south and local city streets
• Playa del Carmen & Cozumel – 60-90 minutes via Highway 307 south
• Tulum – 1.5-2.5 hours via Highway 307 south and Route 15 south

Inclement weather and heavy traffic can affect travel times, so use GPS or your favorite navigation app for real-time updates and road conditions. If you’re driving into rural areas, cell service can be limited, so save and download directions before you start driving. And, as noted earlier, you may want to stick to daylight hours when driving long distances, especially if you’re heading out to less touristy areas far from the city. 

Explore Cancún and More of the Yucatán from CUN

The Cancún area can keep you very booked and busy on its own, thanks to its expansive resorts, beautiful beaches, and hopping nightlife. Yet beyond the city, there’s plenty more of the Yucatán Peninsula to discover, including the Mayan archaeological treasures of Chichén Itzá, the underrated charm of Mérida, and the unique scene at Tulum.

In and around Cancún:

• Cancún Centro – While most tourists tend to stay at the coast, Cancún’s downtown area works great for affordable dining and shopping, and it’s where you can catch the ferry to Isla Mujeres
• Isla Mujeres – Speaking of Isla Mujeres, this island is perfect for idyllic beach days, spectacular diving and snorkeling excursions, and special sites like the Museo Subacuático de Arte (yes, it’s really underwater!) and the Royal Garrafon Reef Park
• Zona Hotelera – This may be the busiest part of Cancún, but that’s because this has the city’s main cluster of all-inclusive and luxury resorts, along with great white sand beaches, and even ancient Mayan ruins
• Isla Blanca/Costa Mujeres – Though this area has experienced some resort development in recent years, it’s still easy to venture north and catch a glimpse of what Cancún was like before its contemporary resort area with its pristine beaches and easygoing vibes
• Puerto Morelos – Heading south of town, this is a solid option for low-key beach resorts, beaches that open up to the barrier reef at Parque Nacional Arrecife de Puerto Morelos, and the refreshingly clear waters of local cenotes

Recommended day trips and scenic routes:

• Isla Holbox – This island requires a longer drive and a special ferry ride to reach, but the journey is worth it for anyone who prefers quiet white sand beaches, idyllic sea water for snorkeling and diving, and a simple break from the hustle and bustle of Cancún
• Mérida – What this city lacks in Caribbean beaches it absolutely abounds in fascinating Mayan history, lovely Spanish Colonial design, expansive jungles with deep cenotes, and delectable local cuisine (like cochinita pibil, or Yucatán-style slow-roasted pork)
• Chichén Itzá – Yes, it may be Mexico’s most famous archeological site, and it’s quite the drive away from Cancún, but the journey is worth it to experience the majestic treasures of this Mayan-Toltec city 
• Playa del Carmen & Cozumel – This beach town is a favorite amongst international tourists for its welcoming brand-name resorts, lively downtown, and fun-filled Xcaret eco-theme park, plus it’s a short ferry ride away from the gorgeous beaches of Cozumel
• Tulum – This once uber-trendy party town may have settled down in recent years, but it’s still a great place to go for striking Mayan ruins by the Caribbean Sea, ethereal and sugar-soft white sand beaches, amazing wilderness parks like the Reserva de la Biósfera de Sian Ka’an, and a (still) lively nightlife scene