New Tulum Airport (TQO) — Everything You Need to Know

The Riviera Maya has a second international airport.

Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport — airport code TQO — is located near Tulum, about 90 miles south of Cancún International Airport (CUN). It’s designed to serve the booming southern Riviera Maya, including Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and the coast between them.

For Sandos Playacar and Sandos Caracol guests, TQO could mean a shorter drive to your resort — depending on your airline and route.

Where Is It?

TQO is located near the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, south of Tulum along the coast. It’s positioned to serve destinations that have historically required a 60–90 minute drive from CUN:

• Tulum — approximately 20–30 minutes from TQO
• Playa del Carmen — approximately 45–60 minutes from TQO
• Akumal — approximately 30–40 minutes from TQO

For comparison, the same destinations from CUN airport:

• Tulum — approximately 90–110 minutes from CUN
• Playa del Carmen — approximately 50–65 minutes from CUN
• Akumal — approximately 70–80 minutes from CUN

If you’re staying in Playa del Carmen, the drive from TQO is roughly similar to CUN. The real time savings come if your destination is Tulum or south.

Should You Fly Into TQO or CUN?

Fly into TQO if:

• Your airline offers direct flights to TQO from your home city
• You’re staying in Tulum or south of Playa del Carmen
• You want to avoid the busy CUN terminal experience
• Flights to TQO are price-competitive with CUN on your dates

Fly into CUN if:

• Your airline doesn’t fly to TQO (most carriers still primarily serve CUN)
• You’re staying in the Cancún Hotel Zone (Sandos Cancún)
• You want maximum flight schedule flexibility
• Transfer pricing from CUN is lower for your destination

Current reality: CUN remains the primary airport for the region with far more flight options, more airlines, and more competitive airfare. TQO is growing but has limited routes. Check your airline’s schedule before building travel plans around TQO.

Transfers from TQO

Seek & Go already operates private transfer routes from the new Tulum airport.

TQO to Playa del Carmen (Sandos Playacar / Sandos Caracol)

How TQO Transfer Pricing Compares to CUN

TQO transfers are currently priced higher than equivalent CUN routes:

The premium reflects the newer route and current demand patterns. As TQO matures and more carriers add service, transfer pricing is likely to become more competitive.

For groups: The per-person math still works. A $285 TQO transfer split among 6 people is under $48 each — reasonable for door-to-door private service from a less hectic airport.

What to Expect at TQO

TQO is a modern, purpose-built airport — smaller and less chaotic than CUN’s sprawling terminal complex. The arrival experience is simpler: fewer crowds, shorter walks, faster customs processing.

If you’ve booked a Seek & Go transfer, your driver will meet you in the arrivals area with a name sign, same as at CUN.

For Sandos Guests: Which Airport?

Sandos Cancún guests: Fly into CUN. TQO doesn’t make geographic sense — you’d be driving north past CUN to get to the Cancún Hotel Zone.

Sandos Playacar and Sandos Caracol guests: Check if TQO has direct flights from your city. If yes and the airfare is competitive, it’s a viable alternative to CUN. If not, CUN remains the standard choice with more transfer options and lower transfer pricing.

Sandos Finisterra guests: Neither CUN nor TQO — you’re flying into SJD (San José del Cabo). See Los Cabos airport transfer guide →

Book Your Transfer

Whether you’re flying into CUN or TQO, book your airport transfer through Seek & Go:

WhatsApp: +52 984 152 4671 Website: seekandgo.mx

Send them your flight number, arrival time, number of passengers, and destination. They’ll confirm pickup details.

Prices shown are reference rates and may vary by season or availability. Confirm pricing directly with Seek & Go when booking.

Related:

• Full Cancún & Riviera Maya Transfer Routes →
• Cancún Airport Transfer Guide — Private vs Bus vs Taxi →
• Best Excursions from Sandos Playacar and Caracol →