Yes. You will need a passport to travel to Cancun in most cases. There are a few exceptions. If you’re flying to Cancun, you need a passport. If you’re driving from the U.S., you need a a passport book, passport card, or an enhanced driver’s license. It’s also possible to travel to Cancun on a closed loop cruise with just a photo ID and birth certificate. Kids under 16 can also travel to Cancun by land or sea with just a birth certificate. Even if you don’t need a passport to go to Cancun, it’s a good idea to bring one anyway.
Whether or not you need a passport to go to Cancun depends on where and how you’re entering Mexico, your nationality, and the length of your stay. In this guide, I’ll outline all of the travel documents you may need to go to Cancun including passport books, passport cards, trusted traveler cards, the FMM visitor’s permit, the temporary vehicle import permit, temporary and permanent residency visas, and more.
Whether you’re flying to Cancun, visiting on a cruise, or taking a road trip, hopefully, this guide will help you determine which travel documents you need. This guide focuses mostly on U.S. and Canadian travelers but most of the info also applies to travelers of other nationalities.
Table of Contents
- Do You Need a Passport to Go to Cancun?
- Traveling by Air
- Taking a Cruise
- Traveling by Land
- Do Children Need a Passport to Go to Cancun?
- What are Valid Travel Documents for Re-Entering the United States?
- What are the Entry Requirements for Cancun?
- Do You Need a Mexican Visa to Go to Cancun?
- Can a U.S. Citizen Take a Domestic Flight to Cancun Without a Passport?
- Info About Various Travel Documents: Passport Card, Trusted Traveler Card, Import Permit, FMM, Etc.
- What is the Best Way to Travel to Cancun?
- FAQ
Do You Need a Passport to Go to Cancun?
Yes. Most travelers need a passport to go to Cancun.
In the past, U.S. citizens could travel to Cancun without a passport. The only document required was a driver’s license. This changed when the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) passed on in June 2009. These days, most visitors need a valid passport or passport card.
There are a couple of exceptions. It is still possible to travel to Cancun without a passport if you’re driving or taking a cruise. In the following sections, I’ll outline the documents you’ll need to travel to Cancun by land, sea, or air.
Flying to Cancun
A passport is required to fly to Cancun. Everyone needs a passport to fly to Cancun, including children. There are no exceptions. Only passport books are accepted when flying to Mexico. Passport cards and other forms of identification are not accepted.
Your passport is the only document you need to fly to Cancun. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. It must also have at least one blank page for an entry stamp. In the past, every traveler also needed to complete an FMM form (Forma Migratoria Multiple) when flying into Cancun. This is no longer the case. These days, you will simply receive a stamp in your passport. Everything else is done electronically.
Immigration might also ask to see supporting documents. For example, they may ask to see a hotel reservation. They could ask to see proof of onward travel. You may need a return flight or a flight to a third country to board the plane.
Traveling to Cancun by Sea
One of the most common ways to travel to Cancun is on a cruise ship. Cancun is a popular destination for Caribbean cruises.
You don’t need a passport to travel to Cancun on a cruise as long as it is a closed-loop cruise that starts and ends in the U.S. and does not stop at any ports outside of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that starts and ends at the same port. For example, if your cruise starts in Miami, travels to Cancun, and then returns to Miami, it is a closed-loop cruise.
You can travel to Cancun on a closed-loop cruise with a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license) and your original birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or naturalization certificate. Alternatively, you could use an enhanced driver’s license or a passport card.
It’s important to note that, many cruise companies require you to have a passport, even if it is not legally required. You may need a passport, even if you’re taking a closed-loop cruise. Ask the cruise line about their passport policy so you have time to get a passport if you need one. If the cruise line requires a passport, usually a passport card is accepted.
If you’re entering Mexico on your own boat, you will need a passport or passport card. You will also need to get an FMM entry permit. You can get an FMM at the first port of call in Mexico. The process is the same as arriving by land. Before you travel, you should check to make sure the port where you plan to enter Mexico has immigration and customs. Some smaller ports do not. The port of Cancun is a major port. You can easily pass through immigration there.
If you’re bringing your own boat to Cancun, you also need to get a temporary boat importation permit. For more info on temporary boat importation, check out this guide.
It’s a good idea to bring a passport book, even though you may not need one. It will come in handy in an emergency situation. For example, if you have some kind of family emergency and you need to fly home immediately, you’ll need a passport. If the ship has some kind of mechanical issue, you may need to fly home. Remember, you can only fly with a passport book.
Driving to Cancun
You need a passport to travel to Cancun by land. Both passport books and passport cards are accepted. There are a few additional documents you’ll need to drive to Cancun.
First, you and everyone in your car will need to get FMM tourist permits. You can get these at immigration at land border crossings or online before your trip.
The driver will also need to bring their driver’s license. An international driving license is not required to drive to Cancun. Your regular U.S. or Canadian license works fine.
You’ll also need a temporary vehicle importation permit (TIP) for your vehicle. The temporary import permit allows you to drive a foreign-plated vehicle anywhere in Mexico as long as your immigration permit is valid. You can apply for a temporary import permit online in advance or at Banjercito locations near the border.
In addition, you’ll also need Mexican auto insurance for your vehicle. Foreign auto insurance is not accepted in Mexico. Insurance will protect you if you’re involved in an accident in Mexico.
I always use Baja Bound Mexican Insurance when I drive to Mexico. Click the link to get a free quote in just a couple of minutes.
You will also need a passport to travel to Cancun if you rent a car. To rent a car in Mexico, you’ll need a driver’s license and a credit card. Most rental agencies also require a copy of your passport when renting to foreigners. It’s also possible to cross the border on foot and take the bus to Cancun. Mexico has a large network of long-distance buses. A passport is required for non-resident visitors to buy bus tickets in Mexico.
It’s important to remember that this is a long road trip. Cancun is located at the southeastern end of Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s a long drive from the U.S. For example, the driving distance from Houston to Cancun is 1700 miles. This is around 33 hours on the road. The drive from San Diego to Cancun is 2700 miles. This drive will take you at least 48 hours.
For more in-depth info, check out my guide: Driving to Mexico.
Do Children Need a Passport to go to Cancun?
Whether or not children need a passport to go to Cancun depends on the mode of travel and their age. When flying to Cancun, children of all ages need a passport book. Even babies. There are no exceptions.
Children under the age of 16 can travel to Cancun by land or sea with just a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or naturalization certificate.
17 and 18 year olds can also travel to Mexico and re-enter the United States with a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or a naturalization certificate as long as they are traveling with an adult-chaperoned organization such as a school group, sports team, religious organization, or a social or cultural organization.
In all other cases, the child needs a passport to travel to Cancun. Even if a passport is not required, it’s always a good idea for the child to have one in case there is an emergency. With a passport, the child can easily fly home if necessary.
If a single parent plans to travel to Cancun with their child, they must carry an original notarized consent letter from the other parent. This document will be required when re-entering the United States. This rule is in place to prevent a parent from abducting their own child.
Minors under the age of 16 can travel to Cancun alone. In this case, they will need a notarized letter of consent from both parents. This is necessary if the minor is traveling with an adult who is not their parent or guardian.
If the child is a temporary resident, permanent resident, or temporary student resident of Mexico, one parent needs to complete a SAM form (Formato de Salida de Menores). This is a requirement of Mexico’s immigration authority (INM). It serves the same purpose as the consent letter.
Can Canadian Citizens go to Cancun Without a passport?
In most cases, Canadian citizens need a passport to travel to Cancun. They can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days.
What are Valid Travel Documents for Re-Entering the US?
The documents required to enter Mexico and re-enter the U.S. may be different depending on your mode of travel and your nationality.
If you’re flying to the U.S., you will need a passport book. A passport is required for international air travel.
If you’re entering the U.S. by land or sea, you’ll need one of the following documents:
- A Passport book or card
- A trusted traveler program card (SENTRI card, NEXUS card, or Global Entry card)
- An enhanced driver’s license or enhanced identification card
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
If you’re traveling on a closed-loop cruise, you can re-enter the United States with your original birth certificate and driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID.
In all other cases, you’ll need a passport.
If you are not a U.S. citizen or resident, you will need a passport as well as a visa (I-94 or multi entry visa) or a visa waiver (ESTA) to enter the United States. For more info, check out this guide. Canadians usually don’t need a visa to enter the U.S. for tourism purposes.
What Are the Entry Requirements?
For most travelers, all you’ll need is a valid passport with one blank page for a visa stamp. Your passport needs to remain valid for the duration of your trip. It’s a good idea to always have at least six months of validity remaining on your passport when traveling. This is an entry requirement for most countries. Mexico doesn’t have this rule.
If you’re flying to Cancun on a one-way ticket, you could be asked to show a return ticket home or an onward ticket to a 3rd country.
You should also have a hotel booking confirmation for at least your first night. This is important because immigration may ask you where you’re staying. You need a name and address to give them.
If you’re planning on staying in Cancun long term, like several months, you may be asked to show proof of sufficient funds. A bank statement will work.
Do You Need a Mexican Visa to go to Cancun?
No. Most travelers do not need to arrange a visa in advance to go to Cancun. Instead, immigration will simply stamp your passport on arrival.
Check this list to see if you’re eligible to travel to Mexico without a visa. Citizens of most countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, European Schengen Area countries, Japan, and Korea, do not need a visa.
There are a couple of situations where you will need to arrange a visa in advance to go to Cancun. For example, if you plan to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days, you’ll need to apply for a temporary resident visa. This visa allows you to stay in Mexico for up to 1 year. It can be renewed. You will also need to apply for a work permit if you plan to work and earn money in Cancun. You will need to apply for the visa at your nearest Mexican consulate. To apply for the visa, you will need a passport.
Depending on your nationality, you will also need to apply for a visa in advance. If your passport was issued by one of the countries on this list, you’ll need to apply for a visa at your nearest Mexican consulate or embassy in order to visit Cancun. To do this, you will need a passport.
Can You Take a Domestic Flight to Cancun Without a Passport?
No. You need a passport to take a domestic flight to Cancun. To board a domestic flight in Mexico, you need to present some form of ID as well as your boarding pass. If you are not a Mexican citizen or resident, most airlines will only accept a passport as ID.
If you are a Mexican citizen or resident, you can fly domestically without a passport. You just need a government-issued ID or residence card.
It may be possible to board a domestic flight in Mexico with just an ID. Travelers have done it. It’s really not worth taking the risk. The airline could decide not to allow you to board. If you plan to fly to Cancun, bring your passport.
Do I Need a Temporary Import Permit to Drive to Cancun?
If you’re driving your own vehicle to Cancun, you will need to get a temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) before you cross into Mexico. This document allows you to temporarily bring your foreign-plated car into Mexico.
A TIP is not required in the state of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located. You will cross through several states where a TIP is required. If you don’t have this document, your car could be impounded by the police if you’re caught.
For more info, check out my guide to the temporary import permit.
Info About Various Travel Documents You May Need to Go to Cancun
The Passport Card
A passport card is a small, wallet-friendly version of a passport. It proves your citizenship. A passport card allows you to travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean and re-enter the U.S. It contains the same information as a passport book. Passport books are only valid if you’re traveling by land or sea.
The main advantage of a passport card over a passport book is the size. It fits in your wallet with your credit cards. A passport card is also cheaper than a passport book. A U.S. passport card costs $65 and a passport book costs $165.
Passport cards also feature a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that contains your information. The RFID chip is scanned when you pass through immigration. This allows you to use the ‘Ready Lane’ when crossing the border from Mexico to the U.S. Ready Lanes are special lanes that allow travelers to cross back into the U.S. faster.
What is an Enhanced Driver’s License?
An enhanced driver’s license (EDL) is a type of driver’s license that allows you to cross into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean without a passport. Enhanced driver’s licenses can be renewed like regular driver’s licenses. They are valid for 4-8 years depending on the state where they were issued. An EDL typically costs around $30-$40 more than a regular license.
EDLs are available to U.S. citizens who live in Washington state, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont. If you don’t have a driver’s license, you can also get an enhanced ID card that doesn’t allow you to drive.
What is a Trusted Traveler Card (SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and Global Entry)?
Trusted Traveler cards are ID cards that are available to low-risk travelers. They allow the cardholder to use special lanes at the border when returning home from Mexico. This makes the crossing much faster. With a SENTRI card, you can cross through immigration in minutes. This can save you hours of waiting at the border.
There are different Trusted Traveler Program cards for different purposes. The SENTRI card is designed for overland travel between the U.S. and Mexico. To apply for a SENTRI card, you need to complete an online application and undergo a background check. You can also use a Global Entry card.
What is an FMM Tourist Permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple)?
The FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple) is a travel document that allows citizens of most countries to travel to Mexico without having to apply for a visa in advance. Check this list to see if you’re eligible for an FMM. If you’re not eligible, you’ll have to apply for a visa in advance.
The FMM Visitor’s Permit allows you to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days for tourism, business, volunteering, or studying. If you’re staying in Mexico for less than 7 days, the FMM is free. If you’re staying for more than 7 days, it costs 595 pesos (about $30). You can get an FMM tourist permit on arrival at the port of entry or online in advance.
In the past, you would fill out a paper FMM form. Cancun airport no longer issues a physical FMM. Instead, immigration just stamps your passport. If you enter Mexico somewhere other than Cancun airport, you may be asked to fill out a paper FMM form.
For more info, check out my guide to the FMM Tourist Permit.
What is the Best Way To Travel to Cancun?
For most visitors, the best way to get to Cancun is to fly. From most of the U.S., you can fly to Cancun in just 3-5 hours. Direct flights are available from most large American and Canadian cities. Budget flights are commonly available as well. It’s possible to buy a round-trip ticket to Cancun for under $200 if you shop around. You can also find deals during the off-season.
Cruises are also a great option. Most cruises to Cancun depart from South Florida. From Miami, a cruise to Cancun takes about 2 days. Many cruises also make additional stops in Mexico or the Caribbean. It’s important to note that most cruises don’t actually dock in Cancun. Instead, they dock in Cozumel or Playa del Carmen. You can travel to Cancun from these cities in just an hour or two.
Driving to Cancun is also an option but it’s a long haul. Cancun is far away. From the U.S. border, it will take at least a day and a half to two days of driving to get there. You should only take the drive if you want to take a road trip through Mexico.
It’s also possible to take the bus to Cancun. Mexico’s long-haul buses can take you anywhere in the country. For this trip, the bus isn’t recommended because the distance is so far. Taking the bus would also be more expensive than flying.
Can You Take a Ferry to Cancun?
No. There is no ferry service to Cancun from the United States. The only way to get there by boat is to take a cruise.
For years, there have been talks of a ferry service opening up between Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula but it hasn’t happened yet. Maybe in the future.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not you need a passport to go to Cancun depends on your mode of travel and nationality. If you’re planning on flying to Cancun, you will need a passport book. If you’re traveling by land, you will also need a passport in most cases. Alternatively, you can use a passport card or an enhanced driver’s license. If you’re traveling on a closed-loop cruise, a passport isn’t required. You can cruise to Cancun with your birth certificate and driver’s license.
It is recommended to always have a passport when visiting Mexico. If you need to fly home unexpectedly, you will need a passport to board the plane.
If you want to pass through immigration quickly and avoid long lines when coming home, look into getting a Trusted Traveler Card such as a SENTRI card or Global Entry card. These are great for those who travel to Mexico frequently.
It’s also important to note that immigration rules can change quickly and without notice. Before your trip, it’s always a good idea to double-check which travel documents you need so you don’t end up getting denied entry at the border.
Have you traveled to Cancun lately? Share your experience crossing the border into Mexico!
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Zachary Friedman is an accomplished travel writer and professional blogger. Since 2011, he has traveled to 66 countries and 6 continents. He founded ‘Where The Road Forks’ in 2017 to provide readers with information and insights based on his travel and outdoor recreation experience and expertise. Zachary is also an avid cyclist and hiker. Living as a digital nomad, Zachary balances his professional life with his passions for hiking, camping, cycling, and worldwide exploration. For a deeper dive into his journey and background, visit the About page. For inquiries and collaborations, please reach out through the Contact page. You can also follow him on Facebook.