We recently packed our bags and headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor for a red-eye flight to kick off our Mexico vacation, with a layover in Atlanta, then Cancun. Here is our honest look at navigating the airport lounges on the way, how to avoid common Cancun rental car scams that catch a lot of first-time visitors off guard, and our first taste test of a Mexico-exclusive Starbucks drink.
Travel days like this one, the kind with overnight flights, multiple stops, and a lot of coffee, have their own rhythm. We have gotten reasonably good at making them work. Here is everything we did.
Lounge Hopping: Delta Sky Club and The Centurion Lounge
Phoenix β Delta Sky Club: We kicked off the night here before our red-eye. A solid pre-flight spot to relax and fuel up before a long travel day. The Phoenix Sky Club is one of the better ones we have used. It has enough space that it rarely feels genuinely crowded, the food is consistent, and the bar setup is good for a late evening drink before an overnight flight. We grabbed food and settled in until boarding.
Atlanta β Amex Centurion Lounge: Our layover stop, and our second time visiting this specific lounge, the one with the massive real tree in the middle of the space. It is a gorgeous room. The Atlanta Centurion Lounge is one of the most photogenic in the network for exactly that reason. The tree is not a decoration, it is a statement.
Honest note: the breakfast sausage was incredibly salty. We grabbed a quick bite, caffeinated, and boarded our final flight. Layover lounges during a multi-leg travel day are for recovering and refueling, not lingering. The Centurion Lounge does both fine, even if breakfast was a bit much.
The Atlanta Centurion Lounge can get busy during peak morning departure times, so if you are planning a longer stop, arrive as early as your itinerary allows.
Arriving in Cancun: What to Expect
The second you walk out of Cancun International Airport, the heat and humidity hit instantly. Even at the arrivals hall, you can feel the pressure change as soon as the doors open. Vincent immediately said it felt exactly like stepping outside in Malaysia, which is a useful calibration if you have been to Southeast Asia. Hot, humid, and serious. Pack light clothing and stay hydrated from the moment you land.
Travel Tip: When you exit the terminal, vendors and taxi drivers will approach you from every direction offering rides and tours. The volume of soliciting at Cancun airport is genuinely intense compared to most international airports. If you already have transportation arranged, keep your head down, say a polite no, and walk straight to the shuttle or pickup area. Do not stop to engage, even briefly. Once you stop, the conversation is harder to exit.
If you do not have transportation pre-arranged, the official taxi counter inside the terminal is the safest option. Negotiate the price before you get into any vehicle.
Cancun Rental Car Guide: Why We Skipped Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise
On our previous Mexico trip we used a standard shuttle service. This time, we were planning to drive down to Tulum, and shuttle costs add up fast. A one-way shuttle for two people to Tulum runs at least $160 USD. Roundtrip, that is $320 for a service that runs on someone else's schedule and drops you wherever the driver decides is convenient. Instead, we rented a car for $250 USD total for 5 full days. The math was not complicated.
Why we avoided US brand names: A quick search on Reddit and travel forums turns up countless horror stories about American rental car companies in Mexico. Most of them are local franchises operating under borrowed US brand names, and they are notorious for hitting tourists with unexpected hidden fees at the counter: mandatory insurance add-ons, extra charges for existing damage that was never noted at pickup, fuel policies that are enforced differently than stated. The stories are consistent enough and specific enough that we decided to avoid that risk entirely.
What we used instead: Avant. A highly-rated local Mexican rental company with a reputation for transparent pricing and no hidden fees. We took their free shuttle directly from the airport to the lot (a short drive), checked in with no surprises, reviewed the vehicle condition together with the staff, signed the paperwork, and drove off without any issues. No bait and switch at the counter, no unexpected charges, no drama.
Credit card insurance: We paid with a credit card that includes rental car coverage to avoid purchasing the rental company's collision damage waiver. If your card includes this benefit, confirm whether it applies to Mexico before your trip, as coverage policies vary. Some cards exclude Mexico; others cover it fully.
License tip: We got an International Driving Permit from AAA just in case, since some sources recommend it for Mexico. Avant confirmed that a standard US driver's license is perfectly valid throughout Mexico. Save yourself the AAA trip. The IDP is not required.
Driving notes: The highway from Cancun to Tulum (Highway 307) is a toll road, and the tolls are paid in cash in pesos. There are also speed bumps (topes) throughout the region, including on the highway approach roads. They are not always well-signed, so watch for them. Driving in the Yucatan Peninsula is manageable and the roads are generally well-maintained. The main thing to watch for is the transition from highway to local roads, where the speed changes and topes become more frequent.
Taste Test: Mexico-Exclusive Starbucks Drinks
After picking up the rental car, we needed a coffee pick-me-up before heading straight to our first excursion. We found a Starbucks drive-thru (with Tesla chargers in the lot, which was unexpected) and tried two drinks you can only get in Mexico.
Chocolate Mexicano (iced): The barista warned us it would be very sweet. We actually did not find it overly sugary at all. Rich, chocolatey, and with a spice undertone from the Mexican chocolate that gives it depth. A flavor you genuinely cannot get at a US Starbucks because it is built around a regional chocolate profile. We liked it more than expected.
Shaken Espresso with Oat Milk: Our usual go-to, ordered for comparison. The Mexican version tasted noticeably more bitter than back home, likely from different espresso beans or a different roast profile. Still good, just a much stronger, darker bite than we are used to. If you are used to the US version and order this expecting the same result, you will notice the difference immediately.
The Starbucks stop was a fun addition to the travel day, a small reminder that even chains vary meaningfully across borders. Mexico's Starbucks menu has regional items that are genuinely worth trying if you end up at one.
What We Did Next
By the time we had coffee in hand it was almost noon, and even after a red-eye flight, we pushed through and drove straight to Xavage Park by Xcaret, which closes at 5:00 PM. Read our full Xavage Park review for what to book, what to pack, and which rides are actually worth your time.
Practical Tips: Cancun Travel Day
Red-eye logistics: If you are flying a red-eye into Cancun, arrive with your hotel check-in situation figured out in advance. Most properties will not have your room ready until the afternoon. Have a plan for the morning hours, whether that is an early excursion, leaving luggage with the hotel, or booking a late checkout at your departure hotel.
Rental car booking: Book in advance through a site that aggregates local and international providers, then read the reviews specifically for Mexico experience. Avant consistently rates well. Book early in your trip planning because the best rates go fast, especially during peak travel periods.
Airport exits: The international arrivals area at Cancun has multiple exits and the layout can be confusing the first time. If you are meeting a shuttle or private driver, confirm the specific exit point before you land, since "outside arrivals" covers a lot of ground.
Cash in pesos: Bring pesos or plan to get them at a bank ATM inside the airport before you exit. You will need them for tolls, tips, and small purchases throughout the trip. The exchange rates at airport currency exchange kiosks are not in your favor.
More from Our Mexico Trip
- Xavage Park: Is It Worth It?
- Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla Review
- Conrad Tulum Review: Ceiba Club Suite
- Conrad Tulum Food Guide: Ceiba Club & Autor Restaurant
- Secrets The Vine Review: Is the Preferred Club Worth It?
- Secrets The Vine Food Review: Best & Worst All-Inclusive Dining
- Royalton CHIC Cancun Review: Is Diamond Club Worth It?
- Royalton CHIC Cancun Food Guide
- Cambalache: Birthday Dinner at an Argentinian Steakhouse
- VIP Lounge by Mera β Cancun Airport Terminal 4
- Hello Kitty Cafe Cancun Review
