Cancun

Cancun is said to be the center of the Mexican Caribbean. This stunning location boasts breathtaking white-sand beaches, a turquoise sea, and a thriving nightlife that draws millions of travelers each year. Cancun is divided into two separate areas: the more local downtown district, El Centro, and Zona Hotelera, a lengthy coastal strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, boutiques, and restaurants.

Unfortunately, most tourists do not travel outside of the famous Hotel Zone. This is a pity because there are so many exciting things to do in and near Cancun. In this travel guide, we cover everything you need to know about visiting Cancun, including where to stay, what to do in the city, and the best day excursions from Cancun in Mexico.

Where is Cancun, and how can I get there?

Cancun is located in the northeast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, bordering the Caribbean Sea. The best method to get to Cancun is to fly into Cancun International Airport and then take a shuttle bus or ADO public bus to the city center, which takes around 30 minutes. We regularly book our flights with Skyscanner to obtain the best deals.

Important Things to Know Before You Visit Cancun, Mexico

The greatest time to visit Cancun is from December to May. The weather is typically pleasant, with neither excessive heat nor extreme cold. You will enjoy many sunny days with little humidity. Be advised that this is the busiest season in Cancun.

If you want to stay in the hotel area and not venture outside, English will suffice. However, when you leave that zone, it may be helpful to acquire a rudimentary understanding of Spanish, Mexico's official language. Mexico's currency is the Mexican peso.

Cancun has substantially lower crime rates than the rest of Mexico, thanks to the large number of visitors and police presence. So Cancun, Mexico is typically safe. Simply use your common judgment and avoid buying drugs on the street, as there is a lot of cartel violence.

Where to Stay in Cancun?

Cancun offers two extremes when it comes to accommodations. There are both inexpensive and luxury lodging options available. It's so severe that finding a middle ground is difficult. The hotel zone, in particular, is full with pricey lodging options, although the city area is relatively inexpensive. We propose a few locations to stay in and near Cancun. Click the links below to see them for yourself.

Budget lodgings in Cancun include Jasmine House, Nomads Enigmatic Hotel, Hostel & Restaurant Bar, and Hotel Hacienda Cancun.

Medium-priced lodgings in Cancun include Studios
Downtown Cancun (low to medium).

We enjoyed our stay at Viento Suites Cancún, which was rated low to medium.

Adhara Hacienda Cancun (High Medium)

The Quetzal (High Medium)

Best Things to Do in Cancun

In this post, we will highlight the greatest things to do in Cancun, as well as reveal some of our favorite lesser-known spots, so you can make the most of your stay in this lovely city.

Enjoy the view from the Cancun Scenic Tower

The Cancun Scenic Tower is the tallest attraction in the Riviera Maya. You may ride up to an altitude of 262 feet, or 80 meters. You may shoot photographs while the deck revolves, providing 360-degree views of the whole Hotel Zone and the Caribbean shoreline.

Visit downtown

The ninth greatest thing to do in Cancun is to explore the downtown area. Downtown Cancun provides a true experience of local culture, with amazing street cuisine, modest stores, and charming parks. This is where the residents live, and the costs reflect that.

We propose the following affordable/cheap restaurants:

La Habichuela

Sirena Morena is vegetarian.

Tacos de poblano

La Fonda de Tulum at Burger

Swim in adjacent cenotes

At number 8, we have a wonderfully refreshing and unique experience: swimming in the nearby cenotes. The Yucatan Peninsula is well-known for its cenotes, which number up to 6,000 and may be found across the area. Cenotes around Cancun include 7 Bocas, Verde Lucero, Las Mojarras, Zapote, La Noria, and Kin-Ha. If you rent a car, you may also explore additional famous cenotes, such as Suy Tun near Valladolid and Cenote Azul near Playa del Carmen.

Relax in the Hotel Zone

The Hotel Zone is the main tourist destination, featuring high-rise hotels, shops, bars, and restaurants. It is a 15-mile (24-kilometer) stretch of stunning white sand beaches and deep blue ocean, and hence where most people choose to stay. However, this is the most costly region, and we found the price-quality to be on the lower end. If you decide to stay here, you should visit the stunning beaches of Playa Chacmool and Playa Delfines. The waves are rather forceful here, but the color of the sea is stunning!

Party in Cancun

Cancún, known as Mexico's party capital, is synonymous with its vibrant nightlife. The majority of nightclubs are located in the Hotel Zone and may get very rowdy. Coco Bongo is Cancun's most popular club, with acrobats, cover bands, and DJs. However, Señor Frogs, Mandala, and La Vaquita are all popular.

Explore "local" Playa Tortugas

Playa Tortugas is our favorite beach in the Hotel Zone, as it is located in a quieter area. It has public access and provides a more local experience, with a laid-back environment and pristine beaches. It's also ideal for swimming because the sea is calm and there's less breeze. It's the best spot to rent water sports equipment, such as jet skis. Aside from that, you may snorkel and dive here. There are a few food sellers and eateries along the beach, but most only accept cash.