Direct Flights Now Available to This Mexican Coastal Paradise

It’s official: Traveling to Tulum has never been easier. What used to be a lengthy trek, typically involving a flight into Cancun followed by a two-hour drive south, has been significantly streamlined with the grand opening of Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, also known as Tulum Airport (TQO) in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

The airport project has been a long time coming. First announced in 2011, it faced numerous delays due to funding challenges and other obstacles. However, progress gained traction in 2022, and the airport celebrated its first domestic flights on December 1, 2023. This hub is set to transform travel to the area, as well as enhance accessibility to some of the more secluded beach spots further south that have often been out of reach for many travelers.

Which airlines service Tulum?

Currently, Tulum's airport is exclusively handling domestic flights with airlines like VivaAerobus and Aeromexico from Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Tijuana, and Toluca. However, starting March 28, 2024, it will begin accommodating international flights from a range of prominent U.S. carriers.

International airlines set to offer flights to Tulum in 2024 include:

• American Airlines: Operating twice daily from Dallas/Fort Worth and daily from Charlotte and Miami
• Delta Air Lines: Daily flights from Atlanta to Tulum will commence on March 28
• JetBlue: Daily service from New York’s JFK is expected to start in June
• Spirit Airlines: Spirit will provide daily flights from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando
• United Airlines: Daily routes to Tulum will be available from Newark, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, and Houston

As reported by CAPA – Centre for Aviation, an aviation analysis and data service provider, Tulum airport has the potential to accommodate up to 5.5 million passengers each year.

Where is the Tulum airport located?

The Tulum airport is situated approximately 20 miles southwest of Tulum town, though it may take up to an hour to travel from the airport to central Tulum. This travel time is expected to decrease once the connecting road to the main Highway 307 is completed, which is projected to be finished before international flights commence.

In comparison, Tulum lies 81 miles south of Cancun, requiring about a two-hour drive in the absence of traffic. Travelers can opt for local taxis, the ADO bus service, or private transport to reach Tulum and nearby attractions.

Rideshare services will be banned at Tulum airport due to conflicts between local taxi unions and rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, a situation common throughout the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

The airport is also projected to feature its own train station linked to the Maya Train—a government initiative that started partial service from Cancun to Campeche on December 15, which has faced criticism for its environmental and social implications, alongside a staggering cost of $30 billion. Once finished, the train will link Cancun and Tulum to other destinations across the Yucatan Peninsula, including Merida, Palenque, and Bacalar.

Tulum's development is booming

Nowadays, travelers have a multitude of accommodation choices in Tulum. While many of the original bungalows have disappeared, their bohemian, minimalist style laid the groundwork for more upscale, amenity-rich options that emerged, such as the 11-suite beachfront La Valise Tulum and the 26-villa, jungle-enshrouded Muaré. Tulum has also introduced several all-inclusive resorts, including Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya, Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, and the latest addition, Secrets Tulum Resort Beach Club.

This beachside getaway, famous for its 13th-century Mayan ruins with stunning ocean views, is set to welcome an MGallery Hotel in 2024 and a Nobu Hotel in 2026. In addition, 20 more hotels are planned in Tulum over the coming years, with each hotel offering between 50 and 500 rooms, as part of a collaboration between Asset Management Spain Gestmadrid and Apex Capital.

Exploring Beyond Tulum—Other Destinations Accessible via the New Airport

Tulum has firmly established itself alongside other tourism powerhouses like Cancun and Playa del Carmen. For those who cherish that laid-back, cash-only, off-the-grid experience, it might be worth exploring the areas further south.

Bacalar, although familiar to U.S. travelers, offers a more relaxed and secluded atmosphere due to its distance from Tulum. This lakeside pueblo mágico, located about three hours south of the Tulum airport, is nestled on the stunning freshwater lagoon, Laguna de Bacalar, and prides itself on being eco-friendly and low-key. Nonetheless, luxury developments are emerging, such as the wellness-focused Casa Hormiga, Habitas Bacalar, and a Banyan Tree set to debut in 2025.

Mahahual is another coastal gem that has managed to remain relatively undiscovered due to its distance from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. This stretch of pristine white sand features a narrow line of beachfront hotels and palapa-roofed eateries. Mahahual is a five-hour drive from Cancun and three hours from Tulum airport.

Also located three hours from the Tulum airport is the tranquil village of Punta Allen. With a population of fewer than 1,000 residents, this stretch of white sand at the end of a rough dirt road is the largest settlement within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Amenities are minimal, with only a few family-run restaurants and a small number of hotels. If you’re seeking that laid-back bungalow experience, Punta Allen could be your ideal destination.