Duty Free

20 minutes before boarding, this Duty Free is your only alcohol stop

Duty Free sits airside in Terminal 1 after security, just past the main passport control line for international departures. It’s small, think 5–10 minutes to walk the shelves, so don’t bank on doing a full shopping run here. You’ll see standard liquor, perfume, tobacco, and a few cosmetics, all in one compact space right by the gates.

Hours roughly track flight banks, with the shop open for early morning departures around 06:00 and usually closing after the last evening international flights around 21:00–22:00. Because ACA traffic is lighter than Mexico City or Cancún, stock isn’t super deep. If you want a specific tequila brand or size, buy it in town first and treat this as backup, not your primary shopping stop.

Pricing on common bottles (1L tequila, whisky, rum) typically undercuts downtown tourist shops by a few US dollars, but don’t expect huge deals versus Mexican supermarket prices. Cigarettes and cigars are here, but cigar selection is basic. No luxury watch or high-end fashion counters; this is a straightforward duty free, not a mall. Expect to pay in pesos or card; USD notes may be taken but at a rough exchange rate.

Practical play: clear security in Terminal 1 at least 60 minutes before departure, buy any last-minute liquor or perfume here in 5–10 minutes, then head straight to your gate so you’re in line when boarding starts about 30–40 minutes before departure.