Best Airports For Easy Access To Cozumel, Mexico

Cozumel International Airport (CZM) is the closest airport to Cozumel, Mexico, located just 3km from the island's centre. The airport has a terminal area of 9,514 square metres, two runways, and eight departure and arrival gates. It handles both domestic and international flights, receiving more than 600,000 passengers annually from over 10 destinations in the US alone. The airport also serves as an Air Force Base for the Mexican Air Force. Cancún International Airport (CUN) is another option for travellers, but it is further away from Cozumel, at a distance of 85km.

Cozumel International Airport (CZM)

The airport is situated at an elevation of 5 metres (16 feet) above sea level and has a terminal area of 9,514 square metres (102,410 square feet). It has an ICAO classification of 4D and two runways. Runway 11/29 is 2,700 metres (8,900 feet) long, while runway 05/23 is 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) long. The airport can accommodate Boeing 767 aircraft and can conduct 22 operations per hour. The apron has six aircraft stands, which are a combination of type C and type D, used for aircraft disembarkation.

The passenger terminal at Cozumel International Airport features eight boarding gates, with six allocated for international flights and two for domestic flights. The terminal offers all the typical services of an international airport, including a VIP lounge. In 2023, the airport handled 677,503 passengers, which increased to 712,958 passengers in 2024.

In addition to its civilian functions, Cozumel Airport also serves as Air Force Base No. 4 (Base Aérea Militar No. 4 General Eduardo Aldasoro Suárez) of the Mexican Air Force. The air base uses runway 05/23 and has an aviation platform with five parking positions, two heliports, and a small hangar. Squadron 201, which participated in World War II, is based at this facility and currently operates T-6C+ aircraft.

Domestic and international flights

Cozumel International Airport (CZM) is located on the Caribbean island of Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico. The airport is around 3 km from the centre of Cozumel and handles both domestic and international flights. It is a relatively small airport with a single terminal and two runways. The terminal has a total area of 9,514 square metres, an ICAO classification of 4D, and eight departure and arrival gates. Of these eight gates, six are for international flights and the remaining two are for domestic flights. The airport has an elevation of 5 metres above mean sea level and can accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 767, with a capacity of 22 operations per hour.

Several airlines offer direct flights to Cozumel International Airport from destinations in North America and Mexico. Some of the airlines serving the airport include Aeromexico, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Interjet, Sun Country, United Airlines, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris. The airport offers various amenities, including ATMs, dining options, car rentals, and a VIP lounge.

When travelling to Cozumel, some people consider flying into Cancun International Airport (CUN) as an alternative. Cancun Airport is significantly larger than Cozumel Airport and offers a wider range of flight options. However, getting from Cancun Airport to Cozumel requires taking a ferry, which can add time and inconvenience to your journey. Therefore, flying directly into Cozumel Airport is often recommended for a smoother travel experience.

In addition to its role as a civilian airport, Cozumel Airport also functions as an air force base for the Mexican Air Force, known as Base Aérea Militar No. 4 General Eduardo Aldasoro Suárez. The air base is home to Squadron 201, which operated during World War II and currently uses T-6C+ aircraft.

Airlines that serve Cozumel Airport

Cozumel International Airport (CZM) is located on the Caribbean island of Cozumel, Mexico. The airport is about 3 km from the centre of Cozumel and is the best option for air travellers looking to access the island. Cozumel Airport is among the top 15 largest airports in Mexico for international passenger traffic. It has a terminal area of 9,514 square metres, two runways, and six aircraft stands.

Several airlines serve Cozumel Airport, including Aeromexico, which operates flights to/from Mexico City and the rest of the world. Aerus provides flights to/from Cancun with connections to Merida, Chetumal, and Villahermosa in Mexico. Air Canada offers flights to/from Toronto/Montreal and worldwide. Air Transat flies to/from Montreal and Toronto, and American Airlines offers flights to/from Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, and other destinations. Delta Airlines previously flew to/from Atlanta, Detroit, and Minneapolis-St. Paul but is not currently operating. Interjet provides flights to/from Mexico City, and Sun Country flies to/from Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and San Francisco. United Airlines offers flights to/from Chicago, Houston, and Newark. Viva Aerobus flies to/from Monterrey, and Volaris offers flights to/from Mexico City.

Transport from the airport

Cozumel International Airport (CZM) is located 3 km from the centre of Cozumel, Mexico. The airport is served by several airlines, including Aeromexico, Aerus, Air Canada, Air Transat, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Interjet, Sun Country, United Airlines, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris. These airlines offer flights to and from various destinations in Mexico, the US, and Canada.

Upon arriving at Cozumel Airport, you have several transport options to get to your destination:

Taxi

A taxi ride from the airport to the Cozumel Ferry Port takes approximately 7 minutes. The port is located 1.9 miles or 3.1 kilometres from the airport. From there, you can take a ferry to your desired location.

Private Minibus

Private minibuses are available for 4-10 passengers travelling to and from the airport. This option can be arranged for one-way or round-trip transport.

Rental Car

Car rentals are available at Cozumel Airport, with rates starting at $18 USD per day for weekly rentals with unlimited mileage. Pre-booking your rental car is recommended to ensure availability and allow for independent exploration of Cozumel.

Ferry

If you are coming from Cancun International Airport, you can take a ferry from the Cancun Ferry Port. The airport in Cancun is about an hour's drive from the ferry, and the ferry ride itself takes approximately 40 minutes. Once you arrive at the Cozumel Ferry Port, you can take a short taxi ride to your resort or hotel.

Cancun International Airport as an alternative

While Cozumel International Airport (CZM) is the closest airport to Cozumel, Cancun International Airport (CUN) is a viable alternative. It is located in mainland Quintana Roo, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) north of Cozumel. This airport is significantly larger than Cozumel Airport, which only has one terminal and two runways.

If you choose to fly into Cancun, you will then need to take a ferry to Cozumel. The ferry ride is approximately 30-40 minutes long. The ferry terminal is a 2-minute walk from the ADO bus station in Playa del Carmen, which can be reached by bus or taxi from the airport. The total travel time from Cancun Airport to Cozumel is approximately 1.5-2 hours, not including waiting times for the ferry.

Flights into Cancun International Airport are often cheaper than those into Cozumel, especially for travellers coming from the US. However, the extra transportation required to get to Cozumel may increase the overall cost. For example, the ADO bus fare from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen is around $12, and the ferry to Cozumel costs about $15. A private taxi from the airport to the ferry terminal will cost around $50.

Therefore, while Cancun International Airport is a good alternative to Cozumel International Airport in terms of flight prices, the convenience of flying directly to Cozumel may outweigh the cost savings for some travellers.

Frequently asked questions