To answer your question directly there are two official transportation ways of getting out of the airport for tourists. One, use the airport shuttles or two, rent a car at the airport.
Since you mention you are flying into CZM for the first time I will add the following information. Upon arriving to CZM, make it through customs, pick up your luggage, put it in the screening machines, play red light green light, then all you have left is to pass through the magic sliding glass doors and get transportation out of the airport. This is where it can get tricky.
#1 Once you pass through the magic sliding glass doors, you will find timeshare people there in full force. They are more than happy to get you to their desks after asking if you "Need transportation". If you really want to use precious vacation time immediatly upon your arrival then by all means go for it ! Unsuspecting tourists will say "Yes, I do need transportation" and then follow the salesmen to the timeshare desks.
OR...
#2 As soon as you pass through the magic sliding doors after playing red light/green light, IGNORE the timeshare folks and their offers and make a direct FAR Right DIAGONAL beeline to the TICKET booth. Do not say to the salespeople "Yes, I do need transportation" and follow them. Just put your hand up as say "NO" keep walking. You may have to say it more than once, just be firm. Once you are at the ticket booth, there you will find a very nice young lady sitting behind the window who will issue your taxi ticket. Just tell her where you are going , she tells you how much and gives you your ticket. If there is more dialogue than this, then you are most likely at a timeshare desk. Then, once you have paid your ticket walk outside to the waiting shuttle vans. You most likely will be walking back through the timeshare gauntlet, just put your hand up with firm "No's" and you will be OK. You do not need any help from the timeshare people. Once you get to the folks outside they will ask you where you are going. Tell them the hotel/address and they will direct you to the van. It usually does not take very long to fill up a van. The most I have ever waited is about 10 min's. The shuttle will usually make a few stops on the way, but no worries, it goes quickly. Just watch your luggage as it is taken off the van. Not that anything shady is happening, but on occasion the luggage gets mixed up and another passenger takes it along with them. The fare to Corpus Christie area should be approx. $5.00 USD. The ticket counter takes USD or Peso.
OR....
#3 Walk off the airport and find a cab. Yes, this can be done, technically not suppose to be, but it can be done never the less. But it is a gamble of getting a taxi. I have seen folks walking off the airport grounds and pick up a cab immediately and then again I have also seen folks wait the entire time we are loading up our shuttle and then are still standing there as we drive away down the street. If you are traveling alone you will save around $2.00 If you have 2 or 4 people then the savings is more as you won't be paying the approximate $4 - $5.00 each but maybe $3.00 per cab. This way is OK..however, think about how much luggage there is, what the climate is like and if it is something you don't mind starting your vacation off with. Overall, whatever floats your boat !!! Have a Great Time !!
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