Direct Flights to Tulum Start This Week
TULUM, Mexico – The Riviera Maya, a cherished jewel along Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, is now more accessible than ever to travelers from the United States, thanks to the opening of Tulum International Airport. This new gateway is set to revolutionize the travel experience to this picturesque locale, offering direct flights from the U.S. and significantly reducing the travel time and congestion previously associated with trips to this destination.
Starting this Wednesday, direct flights to Tulum will be available, marking a pivotal change in how tourists journey to the Riviera Maya. Major U.S. airlines such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines will inaugurate their services on March 28, with United Airlines joining the list on March 31. These flights will connect Tulum with several major American cities, including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, and Newark. The expansion does not stop here; Air Canada is set to introduce flights in May, followed by JetBlue Airways and Panama’s Copa Airlines in June, enhancing Tulum’s global accessibility.
Laura Diver, a marketing executive at Colibri Boutique Hotels, expressed her excitement over the new airport’s convenience. She imagined travelers sipping margaritas on Tulum’s breathtaking beaches by noon after a flight from the United States. The Tulum airport project, part of a series of ambitious infrastructure initiatives championed by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is still under development, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of such large-scale endeavors.
The airport has been operational for domestic flights since December, but final touches on the terminal and access roads are ongoing. Karla Cayetano, a reservations manager at Kanan Tulum resort, noted that despite the airport’s unfinished aspects, guests have already begun to prefer it over Cancún for their travel needs, indicating a swift shift in visitor preferences.
The introduction of the new airport, however, has presented challenges, particularly in terms of ground transportation. With limited options available and prices on the higher side, David Ortiz Mena, president of the Tulum Hotel Association, highlighted concerns over the cost of ground travel in December. As of mid-March, negotiations with the airport and governmental authorities to lower these taxes were still underway, aiming to make travel to and from the airport more affordable for tourists.
The new Tulum International Airport represents a significant advancement in making the Mayan Riviera more accessible to international travelers, promising a boost in tourism and the local economy. Yet, as with any important development, it brings challenges and opportunities for improvement. The ongoing negotiations and developments will be crucial in ensuring that the airport fully serves its purpose of enhancing the visitor experience to Tulum while supporting sustainable tourism practices in the region.
