Where to kill 3 hours convenient to CUN before flight
 

We are checking out at 11:00 a.m. and will be dropping off a couple of friends with our rental car at/near CUN on our way to TQO (both our flights are at around 5:00 p.m.)

We may even leave sooner, although I hope 3 hours is plenty to get to TQO. Car will be from Mex Rent A Car, who are at the actual airport. We are flying Business.

I think there are restaurants landside at CUN T4 (long lunch?), but I would hate for them to have to spend a couple of hours there. They are flying PE to AMS on KLM, so I think they get priority check in.

Is there another place we can drop them off where 1) they won't be bored off their minds, and 2) getting to CUN would be cheap(er). If they have to pay something similar to a Hotel Zone transfer, they might as well hang out at the condo/resort for a couple of hours after checkout.

TIA, and I wouldn't mind comments on when we should leave Cancun to make our 5:00 p.m. flight from TQO, considering things like how long it takes to drop off a car, which I guess would be different than pulling up, handing the keys, and walking away like we're used to in Canada and the US.

First off, you can never know in advance how the traffic may be, since it seems there's always construction going on. I would leave 4 hours from your flight departure time to be safe. But that's just me. Especially if you have checked bags.

There's lounges in the airport that are relaxful, at least they were when I visited several times going through terminal 4 a few years ago.

It's better to be in the airport waiting and not the hotel/resort because at least you know you are there. There's no difference at sitting in a hotel lobby compared to an airport lounge, and again you would be in the airport ready to board.

Being bored while on vacation? I never experienced that to be honest. Can't help in that department.

Maybe someone else will stop by with additional information.

*Just to add, I purposely always book connecting flights for example with a 4 hour layover to enjoy my journey in a lounge. I have some upcoming flights that leave at 6:00 am which I hate because no lounge access. Like they say "it's the getting there which is the fun part".

Thanks. I was thinking 4 hours as well, actually. If we make good time, stop for some tacos al pastor in Tulum. There's no lounge at TQO, from what I gather.

The boredom I was referring to was spending two hours at departures airside, as their check-in wouldn't open until three hours before the flight. Plus, they don't have lounge access. If they have to pay, they might as well eat at one of the overpriced restaurants at the airport.

I just checked, and as of this date, as you indicated there's no lounges inside the airport, unfortunately.

Maybe the check-in counters will open early. It's happened to me several times at other airports around the world, even in Mexico.

I've never been to Tulum Airport though. Maybe post your experience here once you are back home, for future travelers. I would be interested to hear your outcome.

Regardless, enjoy your trip back home.