Arriving/Departing the Cozumel Airport

[Sue Sue]

After 10 years and 51,591 views, it was time for an update. Best Wishes and Safe Travels !

*BEFORE YOU GO Confirm that your passport EXPIRATION DATE is valid for AT LEAST 6 Months PAST the date of your return trip. If less than 6 months, you may be denied passage or re-entry. .

*ON YOUR WAY ! Two forms are required for entry to Mexico and should be provided to you on the plane. [TIP: Remember to pack a pen ]

EDIT: FMM no longer required
#1- Immigration form: One per passenger, also known as an FMM (Multiple Immigration Form) or "tourist visa". Required information includes, Name/DOB/Citizenship info, Passport info, Flight info, Hotel Name or address where you are staying. Online completion: Mexico Tourist Card
#2 -Customs Declaration: One given to each Head of Household. This form will be given to the agent at the Security screening after retrieving your luggage. Refer to the SAT website http://www.sat.gob.mx for more information on Duty Free allowance.

*ARRIVAL Passengers disembark the plane via passenger Ramp/Stairs moved out to the tarmac. Assistance is available. Agents will direct you to the Immigration Lobby where you will wait in line until called to the Immigration desk . The agent will process your Passport(s), FMM, and any other required travel documents and hand your Passport and an FMM RECEIPT back to you. DO NOT LOSE YOUR FMM RECEIPT, as you will need this form to exit the country. If lost, not only is there a fee to replace it, but it is also inconvenient to do so. [TIP: Restroom in this area.]

PLEASE !!... Complete the forms, Have your travel documents ready and all travelers included in your household together PRIOR to approaching the Immigration Desk.

*BAGGAGE En route to baggage claim be prepared for a visual and/or canine inspection of your carry on items. Also, the baggage area can be very congested, therefore, the best area to wait for arriving luggage is closer to the windows. Once you have collected your baggage, you will need to put all items through the baggage screening machine. There is no assistance provided.[TIP: Restroom in this area]

*RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT !-> Please have all family members included on your Customs declaration PRESENT and ACCOUNTED for. An agent will collect your Customs Declaration form and ask the Head of Household to press the Red Light/Green Light button. If you get a Green light, you/your group should be able to proceed through the sliding doors ahead of you. If you get a Red light, or if the security inspector merely questions an item or items, you may be required to stop for a luggage inspection. Do familiarize yourself with Custom regulations. There are many websites with this information such as: U.S. Department of State, (search Travel->Travel Information->Mexico); or just Google “Mexico Custom regulations”.

*THE MAGIC SLIDING DOOR AND TIMESHARE LAND After Customs, you will continue on to the last lobby area where you will purchase your shuttle ticket (if needed) and ultimately exit to the shuttle van area. The Shuttle Ticket counter is located to your FAR RIGHT. HOWEVER, as soon as you go through the sliding doors, YOU WILL BE APPROACHED BY TIMESHARE SALESPEOPLE !!!. If you are interested in a timeshare presentation, ”To each their own”, but if not, then you have the right to ignore the opportunity and Head Directly To The Ticket Booth. Be prepared with RESPECTFUL YET a FIRM “NO”! [TIP: If you need shuttle tickets and are traveling in a group, designate one person to buy the tickets for the group, and send everyone else DIRECTLY outside to the shuttle van area to wait with all of the luggage. Be sure to brief everyone in your group ahead of time regarding the Timeshare Offers.]

 

[Sue Sue]

*TICKETS PLEASE !!! There are TWO OFFICIAL METHODS of transportation for tourists OUT of the airport. Different rules apply for the return trip which will be noted later in this article.

#1 – Airport Shuttle --> Purchasing Shuttle Tickets
There are TWO Shuttle Services available-> COZUSHUTTLE and Flex shuttle Taxi

Immediately upon walking through the sliding glass door after customs , make A Beeline to the ticket booth which is located to your FAR RIGHT. Here, you will find an agent sitting inside the booth, behind a window. Tell the agent the name of your hotel/destination address and if you are paying in USD or Peso. The agent will tell you how much to pay and will give you a simple paper ticket(s). The ticket transaction is QUICK and SIMPLE !!!. There will not be any other business with you. You will not have to provide your name or travel plans.. No coupons, brochures or anything "Free" such as a car, jeep or tour will be offered. You will not sign any agreements. If this should happen, you are at a Timeshare booth!

After purchasing your Shuttle tickets,your main goal is to GET OUTSIDE to the shuttle van area ! HEAD TO THE CLOSEST EXIT DOOR. However you may be approached by a people offering additional transportation “assistance” or questioned as to where you are staying...IGNORE IT ! These are ploys and practices are timeshare last ditch efforts and sound very official, just be on your toes and provide a courteous yet firm "NO" !. TIP: [Restroom near ticket booth]


#2 Car Rental - Car rental booths are located in the departure lobby. Note: If you rent a car, whether at the airport or in town, it is in general highly recommended that you have full insurance. Keep in mind that your credit card or home auto policy may/may not give you this coverage. Check with your insurance or credit card company before renting.

In addition, there are travelers who do walk off airport property and hail a cab as it is leaving or passing by the airport, however, taxi drivers, per taxi union policy, are technically prohibited to do so. Some people have no problem, however, there is a chance, and it does happen, where people will be unsuccessful. The only choice is to walk well out of the airport taxi boundaries or return to the airport to buy a shuttle ticket.

Also, note, travelers with pre-arranged transportation from the airport need only to walk directly outside to the shuttle van area after passing through the Magic Sliding glass door. No need to go the ticket booth or stop in the lobby. The only assistance you will require is from the tour or hotel representative standing OUTSIDE THE EXIT DOOR holding the card with your name or touring company logo. You will be directed you to your shuttle van.[ TIP: A Refreshment stand is located in the area.]

*YOUR CHARIOT AWAITS !->Once outside to the airport portico, you will see several diagonally parked white shuttle vans for COZUSHUTTLE or other vehicles for Flex shuttle Taxi. The drivers will ask you your destination, assign you a van, take your ticket and load your luggage. If it is busy, the shuttle van will most likely be loaded to capacity. Hang in there, make the best of the situation and you will be on your way. However, before you board the shuttle, double check that your luggage has been loaded. [TIP: Before leaving each stop, watch what pieces of luggage are being removed and carted away as drivers and passengers alike don’t always pay attention and occasionally there is a mix up.]

[TIP: Make sure you have ID on your luggage ->Name and Lodging ->Take note of the vehicle ID number and the drivers name so if something is left behind you may be able to track down your items ]

*LEAVING PARADISE If you do not have pre-arranged transportation back to the airport, just get a taxi for transport. NOTE !!! Shuttle Vans/Rental cars are the only official transportation out of the airport, HOWEVER, taxis take you BACK to the airport. As usual, taxi fare is one price, per cab, not per person. Confirm in advance what the fare should be to the airport. Your taxi will take you directly to the airport departure curb. Of course, double check that you have all of your luggage and personal items with you.

-LOOK AT THE PROHIBITED CARRY ON ITEM SIGN THAT IS POSTED AT CHECK IN. BE AWARE that some common items you were able to transport in carry on luggage with you TO Cozumel, may not be allowed in carry on luggage FROM Cozumel..


-REGARDING BATTERIES (Loose, used or new, packaged or stored in travel containers, Standard AND/OR Lithium batteries could perhaps NOT be allowed in your carry on bags . However, Batteries installed in cameras, phones, laptops, and other electronic devices are USUALLY allowed, however, not guaranteed.

->REGARDING 311 LIQUIDS-->Only ONE - 1 quart plastic bag per person and no larger than 3.4 ounce containers are allowed for your 3 oz carry-on allowance. A larger plastic bag may not be accepted.

*DEPARTURE GATE Here you will find restrooms, Food and Beverage service and stores, including a duty free shop. If you purchase any DUTY FREE liquids/liquor, you will pick up the item (s) at the gate exit door as you leave to board the plane. You then will walk out onto the tarmac and up the stairway/ramp. OPTION:There is also a Private Waiting Lounge located in the Departure Gate Area that offers Food, Beverage and Luxury Amenities . Admission can be purchased at the Private Lounge entrance. NOTE: Before exiting the gate area to board the plane, you and your luggage may be chosen for additional security screening.

Other Cozumel Airport Travel Tips: NO SMOKING in the Cozumel Airport. Passengers may leave the building to smoke outside, however, you will need your Passport , boarding pass and another security screening for re-entry.

If anyone has additional information, corrections or questions, please do not hesitate to PM me.

Best Wishes, Sue

 

[Sue Sue]

ATTENTION: For those arriving to Cozumel via the CANCUN AIRPORT, commonly known as the “Bag Drag”. After baggage claim, locate a Taxi/Shuttle/Bus to Play del Carmen. Let the agent/driver know you are needing to get to the ferry pier for transport to Cozumel. Once there, you can purchase your ticket to Cozumel. Upon arrival to Cozumel, if your destination is close by you could perhaps walk or if needed you will find taxi's waiting to take you where you want to go. TIP: At times, more than one ferry company may be in operation or the companies may alternate days of service. Therefore, it is generally advised to purchase a one way ticket in order to have the flexibility to book your passage on whatever ferry is available at the time of your travel. More “Bag Drag” information can be found in a search of the Cozumel Forum Posts.