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Tulum International Airport Felipe Carrillo Puerto (IATA code: TQO, ICAO: MMTL) is located 20 km southwest of downtown Tulum, Quintana Roo. Opened on December 1, 2023, the airport operates domestic and international flights with airlines including Aeromexico, Viva Aerobus, Volaris, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Copa Airlines. In 2025, it handled approximately 1.2 million passengers. Transportation from the airport to downtown Tulum costs $300-500 MXN ($17-28 USD) by taxi and takes 20-30 minutes. Cancun Airport (CUN), 130 km to the north, remains the alternative with the highest volume of direct international flights.
Where Is Tulum Airport and What Does It Offer?#
Tulum International Airport Felipe Carrillo Puerto was built on a 1,572-hectare site southwest of Tulum, adjacent to Federal Highway 307 Cancun-Chetumal. The passenger terminal has a projected capacity of 5.5 million passengers per year and 32,000 annual flight operations once it reaches full capacity. The main runway is 3,600 meters long, capable of receiving wide-body aircraft.
The terminal features architecture inspired by Mayan culture, with open spaces, natural lighting, and regional materials. The Tren Maya station connects directly to the airport, enabling rail transfers to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Merida, and other peninsular destinations without additional ground transportation.
The airport is part of the southeastern Mexico infrastructure project that includes the Tren Maya, the Interoceanic Corridor, and the Dos Bocas refinery. Tulum is the first Mexican Caribbean tourist destination with its own airport outside of Cancun.
Which Airlines Fly to Tulum Airport?#
| Airline | Destinations from Tulum (TQO) | Type | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeromexico | Mexico City (MEX) | Domestic | Daily |
| Viva Aerobus | Mexico City (MEX), Guadalajara (GDL), Monterrey (MTY) | Domestic | 4-7 flights/week per route |
| Volaris | Mexico City (MEX), Guadalajara (GDL) | Domestic | 3-5 flights/week per route |
| American Airlines | Miami (MIA), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT) | International | 3-7 flights/week per route |
| JetBlue | Fort Lauderdale (FLL), New York JFK | International | 2-4 flights/week |
| Copa Airlines | Panama City (PTY) | International | 4 flights/week |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta (ATL) | International | 3-5 flights/week (seasonal) |
The international flight network has expanded gradually since the opening. Routes to Mexican cities have higher frequency; international flights focus on US and Panama connections. Route availability varies by season: during high season (December-March) additional frequencies and charter routes are added.
Should You Fly to Tulum or Cancun?#
| Factor | Tulum Airport (TQO) | Cancun Airport (CUN) |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to downtown Tulum | 20 km (20-30 min) | 130 km (90-120 min) |
| Direct international flights | 8-12 routes | 100+ routes |
| Airlines operating | 7-10 | 50+ |
| Average flight price (from US) | $250-500 USD | $200-450 USD |
| Transport to Tulum | $300-500 MXN taxi | $1,500-2,500 MXN taxi / $350 MXN ADO |
| Total cost (flight + transfer) | Comparable or lower | Cheaper flight but expensive transfer |
| Available schedules | Limited | Wide availability |
| Terminal services | Basic (expanding) | Full (4 terminals) |
| International connections | Few | Excellent (Caribbean hub) |
Practical recommendation: Fly into Tulum (TQO) if there is a direct flight from your city of origin with a convenient schedule and competitive price. The advantage of arriving 20 minutes from downtown Tulum (vs 90-120 from Cancun) saves time and $1,000-2,000 MXN in ground transportation. Fly into Cancun (CUN) if you need greater flight variety, international connections, or lower prices. Most international travelers outside the United States still use Cancun as the main gateway to the Riviera Maya.
How to Get from Tulum Airport to Downtown#
| Transportation | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authorized taxi | $300-500 MXN ($17-28 USD) | 20-30 min | Fixed rate at airport taxi booths |
| Shared shuttle | $150-300 MXN ($8-17 USD) | 30-45 min | Pre-book online, stops at multiple hotels |
| Tren Maya | ~$50-80 MXN ($3-5 USD) | 10-15 min | Station connected to airport, destination Tulum downtown station |
| Car rental | From $600 MXN/day ($34 USD) | 20-30 min | Airport agencies: Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, National |
| Private transfer | $500-800 MXN ($28-45 USD) | 20-25 min | Pre-book, exclusive vehicle, ideal for families |
Tip: Airport taxis operate at a fixed rate (no meter). Confirm the price at the taxi booth before boarding. Uber and DiDi services are not authorized at Tulum Airport.
What Services Does the Airport Have?#
The Tulum Airport terminal offers check-in services, security screening, immigration (international arrivals), duty-free shopping, convenience stores, restaurants and cafeterias, ATMs and currency exchange, pharmacy, device charging areas, free WiFi, and waiting lounges.
Services are progressively expanding. The commercial offering inside the terminal is more limited than Cancun (which has 4 terminals and hundreds of shops). It is recommended to arrive 2.5 hours early for international flights and 1.5 hours for domestic flights, as passenger flows during peak hours can create wait times at security and immigration.
Can You Get to Tulum by Tren Maya from the Airport?#
The Tren Maya station connects directly to Tulum Airport, enabling rail transfer to downtown Tulum (Tulum station) in approximately 10-15 minutes. The train also connects to Playa del Carmen (30-40 minutes) and Cancun (~1.5 hours) via Section 5. Tickets are purchased at the station counter or at trenmaya.gob.mx. For schedules, prices, and full routes, check the Tren Maya to Tulum guide.
Alternatives: Flights to Cancun + Ground Transportation#
For travelers without a direct flight to Tulum, Cancun Airport (CUN) remains the main gateway to the Riviera Maya, with over 100 direct international routes and 50+ operating airlines. From Cancun, transportation options from Cancun to Tulum include:
- ADO Bus: Terminal at the airport, $350-450 MXN, 2-2.5 hours, departures every 30-60 minutes.
- Tren Maya: Station at Cancun Airport, ~1.5 hours to Tulum, $305-649 MXN depending on class and nationality.
- Taxi/Private transfer: $1,500-2,500 MXN ($85-140 USD), 90-120 minutes depending on traffic.
- Rental car: From $500 MXN/day ($28 USD) at airport agencies. Highway 307 direct to Tulum.
The decision between the two airports depends on total cost (flight + transfer), availability of direct routes, and arrival time. Late-night flights landing after 10:00 PM are more practical to Tulum (20 min to hotel) than to Cancun (90+ min of nighttime highway driving).