Cancun Airport Wi-Fi: How to connect and alternatives for getting internet

How to connect to the airport Wi-Fi in Cancun

Connecting to the free Cancun International Airport Wi-Fi doesn’t require a password — you’ll just need to sign in or create an account. Here’s a step-by-step guide on connecting to the CUN airport Wi-Fi: 

1. Select the network “CUN Wi-Fi.”

2. Open your browser of choice, and you will be automatically directed to the Wi-Fi host’s page. 

3. Sign in or create an account following the instructions on the host’s page. 

4. Start browsing! You’ll have free internet access for 60 minutes. 

However, another option for accessing Wi-Fi at the Cancun airport that could guarantee you better network speed and security is by paying for premium Wi-Fi at the Mera Business Lounges, located in terminals 2, 3, and 4. Let’s take a look at what rates you can expect for lounge access. 

Wi-Fi in the Cancun Airport VIP lounges

If you have a long layover, or your flight has been delayed, what better way to pass the time than at an open bar or by resting in a massage chair? Not only do airport lounges offer some fancy-schmancy amenities, but many also have faster and more reliable Wi-Fi than the free Wi-Fi available at all terminals.

Unlike the 60-minute time limit you get from using the free CUN Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi offered at CUN’s VIP lounges will keep you online for an extra couple of hours. 

Here’s a breakdown of the four lounges at the Cancun International Airport:

Though chilling at a lounge is a comfortable way to pass time, it’s not exactly the most budget-friendly way of getting internet at the airport. However, if you’re keen on taking advantage of all that lounges have to offer, the complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is good bang for your buck.

Is the Cancun Airport Wi-Fi free? How fast is it?

The Wi-Fi at the Cancun International Airport is free for 60 minutes. Free Wi-Fi sponsored by Prodigy Mobile is available at all terminals. 

However, Cancun is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and its airport traffic is a great reflection of that. Just like you can expect traffic jams on the highway, you can expect Wi-Fi “traffic” from fellow passengers to impact your browsing speed. In other words, due to the high volume of people connecting to the CUN airport Wi-Fi, you might face painfully slow Wi-Fi speeds. 

What are people saying online about the Cancun Airport Wi-Fi?

Long story short, the Cancun Airport Wi-Fi hasn’t garnered the best reputation online. Multiple forums mention how slow the internet speed at the CUN airport is and that it’s likely due to the number of people connected to the Wi-Fi at once. The CUN airport gets a whopping 30+ million visitors per year, so it’s no surprise that getting a fast and reliable network speed is a challenge. 

Alternatives to the Cancun Airport Wi-Fi for getting high-speed internet 

Having a shaky Wi-Fi connection can be annoying (especially for those of us who forget to download our Spotify playlists), but it can also seriously throw a wrench in our travel logistics. What if you need to contact your hotel ASAP due to unforeseen circumstances? Or search up the cheapest way to get to your resort to avoid some wild taxi rates? The unreliability of airport Wi-Fi is why some people opt for more reliable means of getting internet. Here are some alternatives for getting high-speed internet in the Cancun Airport and during your stay in Mexico. 

Buy a local SIM card in Cancun

One of the most popular options for getting mobile data while traveling is by buying a local SIM card, which you can do at the Cancun airport. The three most popular SIM card packages are offered by Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T. Here’s a breakdown of SIM card packages from the three providers:

However, keep in mind that prepaid SIM cards come with some cons. First off, have you ever tried buying a bottle of water at the airport and had to do a double-take at the price? Well, just like those price-jacked bottles of water, SIM cards purchased at the airport can be more expensive.

Physical SIM cards also require you to take your “home” SIM out and insert a new one, which can already feel like a task made for surgeons. But on top of that, because SIM cards are smaller than a fingernail, they’re easy to lose, damage, or even have swiped by fraudsters looking to perform a SIM swap attack. Damaged SIM cards can lead to an annoying slew of issues like a weakened signal, the inability to make and receive calls, and no internet. A missing SIM card could have some more frightening outcomes such as identity theft and fraud as a result of your personal info being hacked. It’s best to do yourself a favor and avoid a situation where your bank notifies you about an unwanted shopping spree. 

On a lighter note, physical SIM cards aren’t ideal if you plan on switching your home and travel SIM, since it’ll require you to physically switch the SIMs each time … which can lead to the aforementioned cybersecurity risks. Sorry for saying this was going to be a lighter note!

All that being said, getting a physical SIM card in Mexico is a good idea if you plan on making phone calls (either domestic or international ones) since it’ll give you a temporary Mexican phone number. 

Turn on your international roaming

If you want an instant way to get mobile data while in Cancun, you may be able to turn on your data roaming, depending on your network provider and/or carrier. The most popular carrier in Mexico is Telcel, but if you’re coming from the US, you can continue to use AT&T or T-Mobile. 

To turn on your international roaming on your iOS or Android devices:

1. Go to “Settings” and then either “Mobile service” or “Cellular data” (depending on your device’s language settings). 

2. Under “SIMs,” tap the one with your phone number under it and flip the “Data roaming” switch.

Turning on your international roaming is technically the most convenient option for getting access to the internet since all you need to do is flip a switch. However, the ease of using roaming is a double-edged sword — before you know it, you could incur some astronomical charges. Many network providers/carriers have a pay-per-day flat fee for roaming. In other words, it doesn’t matter whether you're posting one Instagram story of the playa or watching a two-hour documentary on Mayan civilization — you’re paying the same amount. 

Thankfully, cheaper options for getting internet access in Mexico are abundant. But if you just want something beyond the 60-minute time limit at the airport, you could bite the bullet and switch on your roaming (though we still don’t recommend doing so). 

Carry around a pocket Wi-Fi router

Another option for getting internet in Cancun is by carrying around a Wi-Fi router in your pocket. Yes, you read that right — you can rent a pocket Wi-Fi router with a plan of your choice, which gives you varying amounts of GB and a range of connectable devices. The two most common pocket Wi-Fi providers in Mexico are Pocket Wifi Mexico and MIOWIFI. Pocket Wifi Mexico says someone will be waiting at the airport holding a sign with your name or will ship the router to your hotel reception a couple days before you arrive. 

Here’s a quick overview of Pocket Wifi Mexico and MIOWIFI’s offerings:

However, pocket Wi-Fi routers aren’t the most convenient way to get internet while abroad. For starters, if you have to carry something around in your pocket, there’s a chance you could lose it, damage it, or have it stolen, which may leave you with a hefty fine from the rental company. 

Pocket Wi-Fi routers also tend to die quickly — some as quick as four hours. If you want to keep the router up and running for longer, you’ll need to invest in a powerbank, which can cost an extra $100 USD (according to Pocket Wifi Mexico’s website). Think of all the extra chips and guac you could buy with that money!

Overall, pocket Wi-Fi isn’t ideal unless you’re traveling in a big group and plan on connecting multiple devices. Instead, a different option for getting mobile data on your trip to Mexico is #1 in our books. 

Best overall option: An eSIM for Mexico

If you’re looking for the most affordable and convenient option to get mobile data in Mexico, an eSIM is the way to go. Even if you just want internet for more than one hour at the Cancun Airport, it’s cheaper to buy an eSIM for Mexico than paying for lounge access, purchasing pocket Wi-Fi, or turning on your international roaming. 

What makes eSIMs such a breeze is that you don’t have an extra physical item to carry around — no SIM card and no Wi-Fi router. That means you also won’t have to go through the hassle of finding where to purchase, pick up, and return a card or router. All you need to do is download an eSIM app, choose a mobile data plan that works for you, and install it all from the comfort of your phone. You’ll get a reminder when 80% of your data is used up and if you run out, you can easily top up in the app. The whole process from start to finish takes a couple of minutes.

All in all, eSIMs and travel go together like tequila and lime. So lay out the mobile data gameplan early and download an eSIM app for your trip!

Getting online at the Cancun International Airport: What’s the verdict?

The question you came here for: does the Cancun Airport have free Wi-Fi? Yes, free Wi-Fi is available at all terminals at the Cancun International Airport. However, many past travelers have reported that the connection speed is slow due to the volume of people at the CUN airport. If you’re really counting on quick internet speeds, you could pay for lounge access, which may be a good option if you’re stuck at the airport for a while and plan on getting some work done on your laptop. 

If you don’t want to rely on the free Wi-Fi at the Cancun Airport or are looking to get a more reliable internet connection during your stay in Cancun, you could buy a local SIM card, turn on your international roaming, or purchase a pocket Wi-Fi router. The best option for getting internet access in Cancun is to download an eSIM app, where you can choose a mobile data plan that suits all your vacation needs. 

Enjoy the salt in your hair and sand between your toes. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

FAQ

What is the Cancun Airport Wi-Fi name?

As of right now, the free Cancun Airport Wi-Fi is called “CUN Wi-Fi.”

How long can I use the Cancun Airport Wi-Fi for free?

You can use the free Cancun International Airport Wi-Fi for 60 minutes. If you want to use it for longer, you can pay for lounge access to use Wi-Fi for an additional few hours. 

Is the Cancun Airport Wi-Fi reliable?

Due to the high volume of travelers going through the Cancun International Airport each year, many people report the CUN Airport Wi-Fi to be slow and unreliable. However, you can get faster and more stable Wi-Fi by paying for lounge access in terminals 2, 3, or 4. 

Do terminals 3 and 4 have Wi-Fi at the Cancun Airport?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available at every terminal at the Cancun Airport for 60 minutes. If you want faster Wi-Fi for longer than one hour and don’t mind paying, you can use Wi-Fi at one of the MERA VIP lounges in terminal 3 or 4.