Mérida is a cultural destination of contrasts: from Maya ruins to European-influenced architecture to exquisite gastronomic heritage, Mérida is a quiet and unique paradise. You ask, “What is the nearest airport to Mérida, Mexico?” About 20 minutes by car, you’ll find the Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport. It is located inside the city limits on the southern edge of the city, approximately 6 miles from the city center. A small but modern airport, Manuel Crescencio Rejón International, or MID, is considered one of the medium-sized airports in Mexico. Large airplanes such as the Boeing 747 and 777 fly in and out, along with smaller aircraft like Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, both domestic and international.
This article was updated in September of 2023.
Did you know you can fly directly into Mérida International Airport?
Most people think they have to fly into Cancun and then take the bus or a small aircraft into Mérida. However, that’s not the case. MID has approximately 2.5M passengers per year (incoming, outgoing, and transit). The beauty of the parks, colorful colonial houses, and cobblestone streets lend a sense of quaint charm attracting numerous visitors. But here’s something really interesting. Not only does Merida have an international airport, but it is also one of four airports in Mexico with an Area Control Center. The other control centers exist in Mexico City International Airport, Monterrey International Airport, and Mazatlán International Airport. Mérida controls air traffic over the southeast part of the country, from Central and South America and the Caribbean to the United States and Canada.
What Is The Airport Layout Like?
Recently, the Mérida International Airport has undergone a huge transformation. Now, it is more modern with restaurants, kiosks, shopping, and more. You’ll find waiting for your flight enjoyable with all the natural light and plenty of seats at each gate.
In this article, you will see the terms “landside” and “airside”. The Landside is the public area of the terminal located before security. Airside is the terminal’s secure area that you reach by going through security.
Airport Hotels Nearby
- Hotel Hacienda Inn Aeropuerto
Location: 2km from the airport, but no airport shuttle - Holiday Inn Express Merida Centro
Location: 4.5km from the airport, but no airport shuttle
Services, facilities & things to do on a layover
Airport Hours
The airport is closed from 12:30 am to 3:30 am.
ATMs / Cash Machines
Need cash? An ATM on the ground floor operated by Santander is available. Fees may apply, so be sure to have details when traveling internationally. You may also want to let your bank know about your travel plans.
Currency Exchange
Globo currency exchange is on the ground floor at the nearest airport to Mérida, Mexico.
Duty-Free & Shopping
Several shops sell everything from souvenirs to shoes to sunglasses and luggage. Convenience stores are located on both floors.
Food & Drink
Food concessions throughout the airport operate on varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options, so if you are having difficulties in the airport overnight, you should purchase water and snacks early.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Not available
Luggage Wrapping
Secure Wrap is located on the ground floor. As you enter the airport, turn right. It is located just a few steps away from the main terminal entrance.
Electronics Charging
This can be found in the main gate area.
Rest Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones.
Showers
Not available.
Airlines
- Aeromexico
- American Airlines
- Tag Airlines
- United Airlines
- VivaAerobus
- Volaris
- WestJet
Transportation to and from the airport
Car Rentals
Car rentals are available at the nearest airport to Mérida, Mexico, through the following three companies, who all have offices on the ground floor.
Companies include:
- Europcar
- Executive
- Hertz
- National
Shuttle Buses
ADO Bus provides a comfortable shuttle bus service. For fares, routes, and schedules, visit the ADO website.
Taxis
Taxis are available on the ground level of the airport. Remember, Uber is NOT available at the nearest airport to Mérida, Mexico.
I like to fly directly into Mérida. I take into account these important considerations:
- Savings on the cost of airfare
- Time spent transferring to the ADO station
- Waiting for the bus
- The time it takes to get from Cancun to Mérida
When I add up the extra time, it is worth the slight increase in airfare to save time, effort, and energy.
Cancun International Airport is a popular choice for visitors to Mérida
If you cannot fly directly into Mérida, Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the most popular option.
Take note . . .
Cancun is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean and the point of entry to the “Mundo Maya.”
Every year, millions of people visit Cancun and the Riviera Maya, and the number of visitors is likely to increase rapidly thanks to the new mega-resorts already in construction all over the area.
Major international airlines and charter airlines have direct or connecting flights to Cancun every day. Now more than ever, Cancun Airport International is easily accessible from almost every major city in the world.
With first-class shops, restaurants, and services, Cancun Airport is one of the most accessible, most convenient airports to fly to and from Mexico.
Cancun is a tourist resort that receives the most visitors in Mexico.
Cancun Airport is constantly growing and expanding
The fact is that since its construction back in the early 70’s, the increasing number of visitors each year makes it almost impossible to keep pace and to accommodate everybody all the time.
Therefore, the airport keeps growing and adding new services to accommodate new travelers.
In addition, Cancun International Airport has many of the facilities you only find in major airports worldwide.
Cancun International Airport works hard to provide the best services possible, from an easy and smooth arrival to an efficient and quick departure.
Few places on earth cause as much amazement as the Riviera Maya.
Where is Cancun International Airport?
Cancun International International (CUN) is located outside Cancun at kilometers 22 of the Cancun-Chetumal highway.
Most of the airports in Mexico are located outside the main cities except for the airports where the cities have expanded around the airports.
CUN is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean, averaging about 800,000 passengers per month in high season.
It has all the facilities of a major international airport, with signs in various languages. There are two buildings, the MAIN terminal and the FBO terminal.
Most of all, both terminals have arrival and departure concourses.
The MAIN terminal is used for domestic and international scheduled flights from major airlines such as American Airlines, AeroMexico, Iberia, etc.
The FBO terminal is used mainly for chartered airlines/flights and private planes.
But that’s not all. Facilities and services at the MAIN terminal include:
- Banks
- Duty-free shops
- Convenience stores
- A beauty parlor
- VIP lounges
- Business center
- Food court, restaurants, and bars
- Video arcade
- Tourist information booths
- Lockers
- Medical services
- Car rental agencies
- Money exchange facilities
Unfortunately, the FBO terminal is limited to only essential services compared to the MAIN terminal.
Finally, in both terminals, there are airport representatives with information about the airport and the location of all the facilities.
Other airports close to Mérida International Airport
Campeche International Airport
The Ing. Alberto Acuña Ongay International Airport is located in Campeche.
In 2017, the airport handled 178,675 passengers; in 2018, it handled 165,185 passengers.
This airport handles national and international air traffic of the city of Campeche. Airports and Auxiliary Services operate it, a federal government-owned corporation.
Cozumel International Airport
This international airport is on the island of Cozumel in Quintana Roo, located close to Playa del Carmen.
It handles national and international with hundreds of thousands of tourists year-round.
See also, A Massive List of Free Things to Do in Mérida.
Final thoughts on the nearest airport to Mérida, Mexico
The city of Mérida is located in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Founded in 1542 by Spanish conquistadors.
Many visitors every year come to see this gorgeous location built with stones from Mayan temples and pyramids on the site of the Mayan city of T’ho.
But the bottom line is this –
Mérida International Airport is most definitely the nearest airport to Mérida, Mexico!
