Dealing with the ‘Shark Tank’: How to Survive Cancun Airport Without Getting Scammed
If you’re flying into Cancun Airport (CUN) for the first time, you need to be prepared for the 100-yard gauntlet between Customs and the exit. In the travel world, we call it the “Shark Tank,” and for good reason.
The second you clear baggage claim, you’re going to be swarmed by people in professional uniforms with official-looking lanyards. They’ll offer you “free” tequila, “discounted” tours, or tell you your shuttle driver already left. It’s all a lie.
Here is the cold, hard truth:
The people inside the terminal are timeshare salesmen and high-pressure solicitors. By Mexican federal law, legitimate, pre-booked drivers are not allowed inside the building. If someone approaches you before you’ve walked through the final sliding glass doors, they are not your driver.
The 3 Secrets to Getting Out Stress-Free
1. The “No Eye Contact” Rule The Shark Tank works on engagement. If you stop to be polite, they’ve got you. Put your headphones in, look straight ahead, and keep walking. Do not show your transportation voucher to anyone inside the building, no matter how much they look like “Airport Staff.”
2. Your Driver is Outside (Wait for the Heat) You haven’t reached the safe zone until you feel the humidity. Walk all the way out the sliding glass doors into the sun. This is the only place authorized companies like Lomas, USA Transfers, or Best Day are allowed to wait. Look for the sea of people holding signs—that’s where your ride is.
3. Check the Plates (The SCT Badge) Before you throw your luggage in a van, look at the license plates. Official tourist transportation in Mexico carries SCT Federal Plates (usually white with a blue/green/red stripe). If a car has standard state plates, it’s an “unauthorized” taxi. You’ll have zero insurance coverage if something goes wrong.
Why You Shouldn’t “Wing It” at CUN
Booking a ride on the spot is the fastest way to get ripped off. A taxi from a solicitor can cost $100+ USD for a 20-minute ride to the Hotel Zone. If you pre-book, you pay half that and your safety is guaranteed by a company with a paper trail.
The bottom line: Ignore the noise, ignore the “free” drinks, and don’t stop moving until you see your name on a sign outside.
