As the most highly visited tourist destination in all of Mexico, Cancun continues to grow with public demand, welcoming over three million visitors each year. The citys international airport is testament to this growth, undergoing continual expansion, including the addition of a new terminal and second runway in 1999.

Flights are available and regularly scheduled from most major cities within the U.S. on a number of principal carriers:

• Aeromexico (800) 237-6639 U.S., 884-1186 local, www.aeromexico.com
• Air Canada (888) 247-2262 U.S., 01-800-719-2827 local, www.aircanada.ca
• American Airlines (800) 443-7300 U.S., 01-800-904-6000 local, www.aa.com
• Continental Airlines (800) 231-0856 U.S., 01-800-900-5000 or 886-0006 local, www.continental.com
• Delta (800) 241-4141 U.S., 01-800-902-2100 local, www.delta.com
• Northwest (800) 225-2525 U.S., 01-800-900-0800 local, www.nwa.com
• Mexicana (800) 531-7921 U.S, 881-9090 local, www.mexicana.com.mx
• U.S. Airways (800) 428-4322 U.S., 01-800-007-8800 or 886-0549 local, www.usairways.com

An airport tax is charged for all flights, both domestic and international, though the fee is generally included in the price of your ticket.

If you purchased a hotel and air package, transportation from the Cancun airport located 6.5 miles south of the hotel strip will most likely be pre-arranged. Upon arrival, look for a representative from your tour company as you leave the terminal (there is only one way to exit). If you are on your own, the most economical way to reach the Zona Hotelera, or Hotel Zone, is via colectivos, which are group taxis that leave the airport regularly. Tickets cost $9, and transportation companies, such as Green Line, have booths set up on your right as you leave the terminal. A taxi may be worth the money (around $38) if you are traveling in a group, because you can easily wait an hour for the shuttle to fill up and drop other travelers at their hotels. Keep in mind that on your way back to the airport from your hotel, the taxi fare is only about $15.