Tulum’s New Airport Has a Long Way to Go, But It Sure Is a Looker

Tulum’s international airport began operations on Dec. 1 but only has domestic flights. 

But this will change in the spring, as Delta, Spirit Airlines, and Air Canada have announced they will begin operating international flights starting in the spring. 

It is important to remember that passengers heading to their resorts will have to travel another nearly 30 miles, which, given the incomplete state of the roads, means that the journey currently takes about one hour. 

Then there are the airport taxi fares. A one-way trip to downtown Tulum costs US$93.50, or MX$1,496.

The new airport does not yet have any bus or shuttle connectivity, but this is likely to change soon.

Earlier: We Took the Tren Maya from Mérida to Cancún, and Here is What We Learned

The new airport has quite a unique aesthetic, which uses a lot of green, as well as earthy tones and uses materials that simulate the look of thatch roofs and bamboo. 

The airport also incorporates several tropical plants into its ornamentation to give it a more natural feel.

However, during a recent visit, the central air conditioning system was still not working — which has necessitated the use of large industrial-size fans to help passengers keep cool. 

Spanning 1,200 hectares, Tulum International has a 750,000-square-foot terminal featuring 13 gates with direct aircraft access, allowing passengers to board their flights by walking directly onto the aircraft. 

Officially called Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Tulum International is operated by Grupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica, a holding company owned by the Mexican military.