Cancún.
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Overview

Cancún is a popular Caribbean tourist destination on the northeast tip of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, in Quintana Roo, which also is called the Mexican Caribbean. In addition to 22 km (14 miles) of beaches, you'll find a wide variety of resorts, spas, golf courses, night clubs, and shopping malls.

Understand

Resting on the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancún, now a city of almost 900,000 inhabitants (2020), did not exist before the 1970s. It was a tourist project started at that time by the Mexican government in a sparsely inhabited, pristine area. Since then it has grown to become a big city and one of the premier beach resort destinations in the world.

It is composed of of pristine white beaches shaped like a number "7", home to Mayan archaeological wonders, turquoise seas, a bountiful underwater world, and world-class vacation amenities. It is sometimes called the gateway to the Mayan World though the largest and most famous archaeological sites are not particularly close to Cancun and typically require a bus or train trip. Mayan temples and ritual sites are everywhere around Cancun (and the entire Yucatan Peninsula), some smothered by lush jungle, others easily accessible.

Given Cancun's lack of history before the 1970s, do not expect to see very much, if any, Mexican historical culture in Cancún. Instead, the center is very much an example of modern Mexico, with many restaurants, North American fast food chains, shopping centers, markets and clubs.

Downtown Cancun is urban and has no beach access. Due to this, Cancún is very much a tourist town, with tourists and the beautiful beaches completely separated from working Cancunians who make their homes here. If you find this setup unappealing, you should probably skip Cancún altogether and go to Playa del Carmen instead, where locals, tourists and the beaches exist in harmony.

Those mostly seeking beaches and scuba diving, or who are a bit adventurous, can easily find rooms on equally beautiful and less crowded beaches along the coast just an hour or two south of Cancún. The island of Cozumel is an ideal place for serious scuba divers. Some Spanish language skills may aid in finding better deals. You can rent a car, or take the bus to Puerto Morelos (about 20 min) or Tulum (1 hr). Buses and taxis are available.

Those looking for a base of operations who want good hotels and the advantages of urban life but prefer more local flavor may wish to stay in the Yucatan's capital city of Mérida.

Districts Cancun consists of two distinct and separated areas, both part of the city of Cancun:

Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera in Spanish) City Center (El Centro in Spanish)

Most tourists know Cancun primarily by their experience in the Hotel Zone and many on all-inclusive tours will never see anything else. Whereas nationals visiting from other parts of Mexico, those visiting family members, or visitors from abroad that are on a budget, may opt to stay downtown for a less opulent, more tranquil, far more "Mexican" experience.

Hotel Zone The Hotel Zone can be defined by looking at a map of Cancun and identifying the harp-shaped land mass protruding from the east side of town.

As a tourist, most of the things you are likely visiting Cancun for will be centered around the Hotel Zone.

The Hotel Zone is entirely built around the tourist industry and features resorts, all-inclusive mega hotels, and stunning Caribbean beaches. Stay here only if you do not mind spending your vacation with many other tourists, as well as being harassed by touts (pushy salesmen), sometimes even from across the street. This area is basically a Mexican clone of Florida, with not much of a difference, besides the water here being the Caribbean.

City center Downtown Cancún in contrast is a modern Mexican city, laid out around the idea of supermanzana (super block), characterized as roughly 400-meter by 400-meter blocks, with larger roads and businesses on the outsides of the blocks, and residential roads, footpaths, housing and parks on the insides of the blocks, leaving it very accessible both via car and on foot. Supermanzanas consist of normal-size city blocks called manzanas. The supermanzana scheme is common in cities of the Yucatan Peninsula, though it's not common in the rest of the country.

While the city center is referred to as 'El Centro', which translates literally to 'the center', there is no defined center of town. Visually, on the map, a useful reference for the center of town may be the popular shopping and dining location Mercado 28, which is noted below.

The climate in Cancún is tropical, with consistent hot and humid weather throughout the year, and very warm sea temperatures. You can expect a gentle breeze from the ocean to keep you comfortable. Temperatures reach their peak around May, and you may notice the extreme heat as you travel inland. Prepare for trips to archeological sites: wear light clothing, stay cool, and rest often. During the "rainy season" you will typically get clouds rolling in, then showers for 10 minutes, then the clouds roll out and you have beautiful sunshine the rest of the day. Rarely does Cancún have rainstorms that last long.

Peak season in Cancún tends to run from December to April. Airfare and hotel prices increase dramatically during these times, while dropping in the (northern hemisphere) summer and early autumn months. Late June is especially hot, so come prepared or just come in the peak season. Hurricanes can be a major threat in late (northern hemisphere) summer and in the autumn.

Get in

By plane Cancún International Airport is the large international airport serving Cancun and the Caribbean coast. The airport is located on federal highway MEX 307 at the southern end of Cancun, about 10 km from the hotel zone and about 15 km from downtown Cancun. See the airport article for more information.

Customs- Be sure to familiarize yourself with Mexico's Customs policies. Notably, you are only allowed one laptop duty-free.

Driving in the Yucatan Peninsula is generally easy and straightforward, though traffic can be slow in the city and hotel zone of Cancun.

The Carretera Cancun-Tulum/Av Tulum (Fed Hwy 307) is the main north-south highway which begins at the intersection with Av Lopez Portillo (Fed Hwy 180), north of downtown. From here this highway connects Cancún to the airport, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and eventually to Chetumal near the Belizean border. Fed Hwy 180/180D goes east and west as Av Lopez Portillo and goes across the Yucatan Peninsula to Merida and winds down towards Campeche and Villahermosa along the Gulf Coast. Fed Hwy 180D, west of town becomes a toll freeway between Cancún and Mérida with limited access while Fed Hwy 180 (the older two-lane highway or 'carretera libre') runs parallel to Hwy 180D, connecting various towns with the speed bumps (topes) to slow traffic going through the town. Cars rented in Mexico cannot be legally driven into Central America.

There are car rental and travel agencies lined up along Blvd Kukulcan in the Hotel Zone and in other areas downtown. They are in free standing buildings and within the malls for travelers planning to take a day trip, shopping for tours and activities or for booking an onward journey to the next destination. The cars rented from the Hotel Zone or downtown may be less expensive than from the airport and can be had for a shorter period of time when the car is needed. See "By car" under "Get around" for links to specific car rental companies and in regards to getting around locally by car. Outside of the cities of Cancún and Mérida, driving is generally easy in the Yucatan Peninsula.

By bus Cancun's is in downtown Cancun, northwest of the roundabout at Av Uxmal and Av Tulum. The station is served by a taxi rank (called a sitio) in front of the station along Pino. Local buses to the hotel zone pass regularly behind the station on the Tulum Avenue.

The station is served by first class bus line ADO and second class bus lines like Mayab and Oriente, which often have around lower prices than ADO. Schedules of second class buses cannot be checked online. An employee in the station's ticket booth will show you the schedule on the computer monitor.

There are frequent buses to the bus terminal from: the Airport (30 min) Playa del Carmen (1 hr 20 min) Tulum Merida (4 hr) Valladolid (2 hr in ADO, 3 hr 20 min in Oriente bus) Campeche (6 hr 45 min) and Chetumal (5-6 hr) in the Yucatan Peninsula. Chichen Itza: Direct buses leave once or twice daily from Cancun; so to get there take a more frequent bus to Valladolid and transfer to another bus to Chichen Itza.

There are less frequent services (once or twice daily) from further-away places such as (see also Bus travel in Mexico): Palenque (13 hr) Tuxtla Gutierrez (18-20 hr) San Cristobal de las Casas (18-19 hr) Villahermosa (12-13 hr) Mexico City (26 hr) and elsewhere in the Republic.

The following bus lines offer services into and out of the Central Bus Terminal:

ADO. They operate the ADO, ADO GL, OCC (Ómnibus Cristóbal Colón), Riviera and Platino bus lines, and the ClickBus.com booking site.

Second class buses with AU, Oriente, Mayab and Noroeste (subsidiaries of Grupo ADO) are available for more localized travel to Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Polponah, Kantunilkin, Chiquila (location for Holbox ferry) and other nearby towns and villages in Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Campeche states. Second class buses typically takes longer to get across longer distances due to the multiple stops they make to pick up and drop off other passengers alongside the road.

By train A 1,500-km railway network follows a loop route through the Yucatán Peninsula with a major station at the Cancún International Airport. The Tren Maya provides fast, comfortable transportation to major cities like Mérida, Campeche, and Chetumal, popular beach resort areas like Cancún and Tulum, and several Maya archaeological sites including Chichen Itza, Palenque, Calakmul, Uxmal, and Xpujil. It opened in 2023. Schedules and tickets can be obtained via the official Tren Maya website.

Get around

Cancún is very easy to navigate. To the south is the airport, to the north is the city and in between on the stretch of land between the sea and the Nichupte lagoon are all the hotels, beaches and bars, referred to as the hotel zone or Zona Hotelera. Downtown is where most residents live and it stretches in on the mainland behind the lagoon.

Addresses in the city center (downtown) are organized by Super Manzanas (SM) or 'Super Blocks' which consists of several blocks called Manzanas (Mz). The SMs are separated by wider busier roads/boulevards (usually named) at all sides while the Manzanas (Mz) are separated by narrower, smaller side streets within a SM (can be numbered or named). On the maps the main roads form different unique shapes which are usually the Super Manzanas.

In the Zona Hotelera the addresses are based on how many Kilometers (Km) along Blvd Kukulkan from Km 0 at the intersection of Blvd Kukulkan and Av Bonampak. As you travel east from Av Bonampak towards Punta Cancun (Km 9), and south along Blvd Kukulkan the Km numbers increase culminating at Km 25.3 (Riviera Cancun Golf & Resorts) south of Punta Nizuc. Blvd Kulkakun becomes 'Carretera Punta Nizuc-Cancun' which goes east towards the airport on the mainland.

Coming from the airport the taxis and shuttles typically follow 'Carretera Punta Nizuc-Cancun' to reach the Hotel Zone via Punta Nizuc at Km 25 and work their way north. The main highways through town are Av Tulum (Hwy 307) that goes north-south and Av Portillo (Hwy 180) which goes diagonally southwest and northeast. The two main roads intersect at Parque Crucero towards the north end of town.

Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city.

Didi differs from Uber in that you can also request taxis, in addition to normal rideshare rides. You can sometimes get matched with someone far away. You can also increase the amount you're willing to pay, to potentially get a ride faster.

Pricing for Uber, Didi and Cabify can vary dramatically throughout the day for the same exact route. Consider whether you'll want to use a rideshare or taxi for some trips, as it's possible to save money in either direction, depending on how pricing changes for the rideshare apps based on available drivers and demand.

If you can't find a driver near you on one of these apps, it may be beneficial to try another.

If you're coming from the beach and are wet or covered in sand, you should message your driver to let them know beforehand, and preferably also that you will tip them, and do anything you can to reduce the amount of water or sand that will get on the seats. It is their decision to take the ride, but keeping this in mind will avoid any friction and result in a better experience for everyone.

Consider whether you'll feel comfortable and safe with a stranger's driving when doing this, though.

Getting on the bus Buses are cheap and come frequently. Most bus drivers are very courteous and some will stop for you even if you are not waiting at a bus stop, though officially, they are only supposed to pick up at the designated stops. Routes R1 and R2 head up and down the main thoroughfare, Blvd Kukulcan. R1 buses will go to the ADO bus station and some go to Puerto Juarez (where you can catch the ferry to Isla Mujeres. R2 buses go into Centro and are useful if you need to visit Walmart for some perverse reason. Buses pass constantly but be prepared for possibly cramped and rough ride.

When a bus is full, it will usually stay out of the right-most lane, and will skip bus stops unless someone asks to be let off. At busy times of the day, it's common to see buses blow right past your stop because they're simply too full to take anyone more. If it's not in the right lane, it will not stop for you.

Do not expect buses to have amenities such as air conditioning and seat cushions. Most bus drivers know enough English to understand you but may not always be fluent enough to speak back to you.

Getting off the bus When you are ready to get off, you can either push the button on top of the hand rail, or if you're not sure of your destination, tell the driver where you would like to get off or point to the destination using a bus map.

Be prepared for the bus not to stop immediately after your signal – the bus may have to travel a while before there's an appropriate place for the bus to stop; think ahead of time when you'd want to signal to be dropped.

If the bus is completely full, you may need to be assertive in maneuvering around people to get off the bus. If you're not comfortable with touching people, speaking up, or being seen as impolite by nudging past or through people, you may have a difficult time getting off the bus. For these reasons, it's preferable to remain near the exits on either side for an easier time getting off the bus.

Be careful when the bus is full as pick-pocketing is a concern.

Be very aware of where you are getting off the bus, and where you may need to go from there. Busses may state they go to a particular place, and the drop off point may be blocks away. Because of this, you should know about an active scam going on in downtown Cancun with Mercado 28. The R2 "Mercado 28" bus does not go all the way to Mercado 28. It stops a few blocks south, on Ave Coba. But when there are tourists on the bus, the driver is being paid off to drop people off in a different location than normal, to funnel tourists into a fake store pretending to be Mercado 28. Instead of stopping on Ave Coba like normal, the bus will turn into Ave Tankah, and then directly pull into a parking area for a store claiming to be "Market 28". People will run out of the store directly to the bus loudly saying "Market 28! Market 28! Right here!" to confuse tourists and lure them into the store. The real Mercado 28 area, which is many different shops, not just one, is located several blocks North. This issue preys on your confirmation bias and the large distance between the real bus dropoff point and the stated destination.

Additional information The following companies operate buses locally: Turicun (Transportacion Turistica y Urbana de Cancun) AutoCar S.A. de CV

The websites only provide lists of routes, showing them on the map as to where they go. No schedules as they run quite frequently. Another great resource for finding your way around Cancún are the Can-Do Cancún maps & Guides by Perry & Laura McFarlin.

Companies serving the station include all attractions and towns along the coast: Riviera Express and Mayab for the Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Xel-Ha, etc.) and ADO for the major national destinations. For some Riviera Maya destinations, it's possible to stop the buses on the Tulum Avenue without having to go all the way to the station, however if you are unsure about where to catch the bus (or have baggage) then it's best to go to the station.

Taxis are plentiful, a bit expensive for the hotel zone and airport, but cheap in the downtown area.

Not all taxi drivers will be able to give you a receipt if you request one; If they are, it will be a handwritten receipt.

The city taxis are white with a single green horizontal stripe across each side of the vehicle. They can give rides within the city and to the airport but they cannot pick up passengers at the airport. Taxis of different color combinations are usually from other municipalities that cannot transport passengers locally. They can only drop off passengers coming from another city or town (municipality).

Directions If you're not going to a well-known location (store, resort, part of town, etc), you may need to give the Taxi driver directions on how to get where you're going. Simply showing them an address (for an Airbnb, for example) most likely will not work. Be prepared to at least be able to show them on a map where you're going. If you're able to speak a little Spanish, being able to tell them the street you're going to, and saying it's between x and y (x and y being the larger streets on the surrounding edge of your destination supermanzana / roughly square city block) will usually be enough for them to know exactly where they're going if they're familiar with the side of town you're going to.

Taxi prices may increase due to various different factors, such as taking a taxi at night, via a taxi stand, as they must pay for usage of the stand, or if you're covered in sand or wet from the beach, as they may need to clean their car afterwards.

Be careful and clear with your taxista. A "service" is considered to be from start point to a requested stop point.

It is best to approach this situation as a mutually beneficial one, rather than an adversarial encounter.

It is very important that you are able to describe your destination accurately. For best results, in downtown locations, you should be ready to show them on the map. Most taxi drivers will be familiar with most hotel zone locations by name, but may not understand where you're going if you just give them the name of a small location downtown.

Payment Taxis generally expect payment in cash.

Some taxi stands may pass around a card reader, but do not expect every taxi to have one, and be very clear before beginning the ride that you need to pay by card.

If you only have 500 peso bills, such as from the ATM, it's important to recognize this and ask the driver, "Tienes cambio para quinentos (500)?" If they can't provide change, you need to figure this part out before you start the ride to avoid any awkward situations upon arrival where you can't properly pay.

Be very careful if you choose to drive in Cancún. Avoid renting a car at the airport car rental agencies; instead, find a local rental agency in town or via your hotel with good reviews. The airport rental agencies have become notorious for long lines, frustration, bad service, bait-and-switch scams, and deceptive practices (i.e., not honoring reservations, and overcharging of uninformed tourists with required extra insurance fees). Even well-known, franchised rental companies that are popular and trusted in the US or other countries, have terrible reviews locally in Cancún at the airport, as they are often franchises all owned by the same people locally.

There is a commonly reported issue of police pulling over rental cars, especially on their way towards the airport, and demanding money for a supposed infraction. There is a law in the state of Quintana Roo that requires police to give tourists a verbal warning of any non-serious driving infraction rather than ticketing them. Tourists are recommended to print out this law and carry it with them if they are driving, as this will stop you from receiving citations, and is an easy way to shut down a situation where someone is demanding money after pulling you over.

When you pick up a rental, check and document (photo/video) for any existing damage and that all equipment (spare tire, jack) and lights are present and working. Make sure both front and back car tag/license plates are present. (In Mexico, police will remove the front tag of illegally parked vehicles to be returned for a fine at the station.) Also, if you are pulled over for a light violation, do not be surprised if the police holds out an open palmed hand, while holding your driver’s license hostage in the other. Most police officers are underpaid and will for the most part demand a small bribe to let you off the hook.

See

Interactive Aquarium. In the middle of the La Isla Shopping Village in the hotel zone, this small, modern aquarium lets you get up close and personal with aquatic life. You can pet rays, nurse sharks, touch starfish, etc. You can pay to swim with captive dolphins in a large pool. There's a Mexican/seafood restaurant above the aquarium, where you can watch dolphin shows (or dolphins playing amongst themselves in between shows) while eating.

El Rey Archaeological Zone. Small Maya archaeological site on the south end of the hotel zone. The settlement was at its peak around 250-600 AD. There are 47 structures here as well as a small site museum. Bring mosquito repellant.

Museo Maya de Cancún and Archaeological Zone of San Miguelito. Museum about the Maya civilization and its many sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. Large number of artifacts from sites in and around Cancun. Next door is the San Miguelito ruins, which are partially restored and include a small pyramid.

Yamil Lu'um. Ruins of a small Maya temple on the grounds of the Westin.

Punta Cancun lighthouse. Classic red and white striped tubular lighthouse on the northern tip of the Hotel Zone.

El Meco Archaeological Site. Ruins of a Maya port from about 600 AD. El Castillo is the largest structure at the site, it is a five-level pyramid with a height of 12.5 meters and a temple at the top. A small site museum is available.

Torre Escénica del Embarcadero de Cancún. 80-m tower with a rotating observation deck that takes about 30 minutes for a full revolution.

Parque Urbano Kabah. Urban ecological park with lush junglescapes and roaming wildlife including lots of friendly coatis who will gladly take that leftover burger and fries off your hands. Lots of birds, iguanas and turtles. Playgrounds for kids. Exercise equipment for adults. Hiking trails for all.

Palacio Municipal. Modern 2-story public building in a broad pedestrian square with fountains, night lights & tall trees.

Cancun Wax Museum. Tourist trap wax museum that charges too much for admission then has the audacity to tell visitors they can't take pictures.

Museo del Automóvil Antiguo del Sureste. Private automobile collection with lots of well-restored muscle cars.

Skywheel Cancun. 3 turns in an air-conditioned gondola.

Do

Cancún is best known for its beautiful turquoise waters and powdery white beaches. To get from the center to a beach quickly, go to or .

Ventura Park. Amusement and water park with many attractions.

Captain Hook Cancun. Shows and dinner on a pirate boat.

Xoximilco. A theme park, which is built around the culture of Mexico, food, music and customs in the Mayan jungle. It's on the highway, so easily accessible with a second-class bus or colectivos.

Columbus Romantic Dinner Cancun. Take a trip out on the calm lagoon on a beautiful boat. Steak and lobster is cooked on the boat.

Cancún Yachts Club. Yacht rentals for rental tours in all areas of Cancún, snorkeling, diving, swimming the most save water activities in yacht.

Punta Este Marina. Drive your own boat through the lagoon in the Jungle Tour and snorkel on the reef. Diving lessons and dive trips to the best dive spots in Cancún such as underwater museum.

Marina Aquatours. Exciting water tour. Choose either a jet ski or two person jet boat for a trip through the lagoon out to snorkel on the reef. Popular tours are the Jungle Tour and the Sailing Quest (Catamarans).

Off Road Games Cancun. Off-road ATV adventures.

Charter Fishing Cancun. Private and shared deep-sea fishing trips from Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Includes gear, drinks, licenses, and professional crew.

Shared Fishing Cancun. Shared deep-sea fishing trips (6 hours). Includes beers, soft drinks, ice, bait, fishing licenses, and professional crew.

El Tinto Golf Course. 18-hole jungle course that's well maintained and one of the least expensive golf courses in the region. Rental equipment and carts are a bit worn and about due for an upgrade, but for most visitors, this is one of the best options since it requires no special membership or resort affiliation.

Riviera Cancun. Modern seaside 18-hole jungle course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Holes 14 and 15 are played next to the ocean. Putting green, club house and other amenities on-site.

Iberostar Cancun Golf Club. Resort course that's a bit older, but well maintained, though the rental clubs and carts show their age. The clubhouse serves a nice breakfast if you're getting an early start. There are a couple of crocodiles living along the course, but they have eaten very few golfers lately, so leave them alone and they'll return the favor.

Golf Puerto Cancun. Well kept course with a number of water and sand traps. Holes 13 and 14 are adjacent to the ocean and usually have quite a bit of wind to mess with your shots. The best time to golf is early morning when temperatures are still cool, but that's also the most popular time, so you might have to deal with crowds.

Playa Mujeres Golf Club. Resort golf course with beautiful fairways but some rough conditions on the greens. Course is designed by Greg Norman and has some very difficult holes. Expect to lose lots of balls if you slice into the rough, which is mostly swamp. Good food and drink and friendly service, which includes picking you up at your hotel, if requested.

Pok Ta Pok. Natural golf course that's not well manicured with older rental equipment.

Moon Palace Club Golf. Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course with 27 holes featuring jungle and beach settings. Drinks available every 2-3 holes. Manicured fairways and greens.

Bird watching at the airport, It may sound odd, but because the airport is basically carved out of a large block of forest, there are all kinds of birds and animals around, especially early in the morning. Look for the Mexican agoutis (large forest rodents) grazing on the lawns next to the forest.

Swim with Dolphins. Wet'n'Wild also offers dolphin experiences. (Beware: no cameras are allowed, they charge for the first photo and a bit less for each subsequent one). Other great places to swim with captive dolphins are Delphinus Dreams and Dolphin Discovery. Some operators offer it in the interactive aquarium of Cancún, others include a trip to Isla Mujeres, where the facilities are.

Always Diving. Scuba dive with a wide catalog of diving programs.

Marina Chac Chi. Professional PADI certified scuba diving company provides PADI Diving certifications.

Scuba Diving Cancun. PADI certified scuba instructors. Equipment rentals. Day trips to reefs, sunken ships, and cave diving (cenotes).

Cancun Scuba Center. PADI certified dive instructors offering a variety of courses including Advanced Open Water and Divemaster as well as day trips to popular dive sites along the Great Mesoamerican Reef, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Cenotes and underwater rivers, etc. Offers snorkeling excursions including snorkeling with whale sharks.

Seatizen Divers. PADI and SDI diving instruction. Reef trips, cenote trips, dive trips to Undersea Museum (MUSE).

Manta Divers. Full service dive shop. PADI certified instructors and courses. Trips to MUSA (undersea museum), reefs, etc. Cenote diving available. Equipment included.

Scuba Total Cancun. A family-owned scuba diving center operating since the early 2000s. PADI-certified instructors lead small groups (maximum 4 divers).

Estadio Olímpico Andrés Quintana Roo. Since 2020, Cancún Fútbol Club, a team in the Expansion League has played professional soccer in this small, 18,800-seat stadium in downtown. The stadium is seldom crowded.

Estadio Beto Avila. The stadium was named after former MLB and LMB player Beto Avila (known as Bobby Avila in Cleveland, where he played 10 seasons for the Indians). Cancun has had several professional baseball teams over the years, first the Marlins, then the Langosteros, and now the Tigres, who play in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol. The Tigres play a 114-game schedule each year from late April until early September. With just under 10,000 seats and clean sight lines, there's really not a bad seat in the house. With low gate prices and tasty concessions, it's a fun way to spend a summer afternoon or evening.

Buy

The simple question is "¿Cuánto cuesta?" and is easily understood by Mexicans.

These ATMs have low withdrawal fees in the centro: BanCoppel, Banjercito, (city)banamex and Santander. In the Hotel Zone is a inside the Selecto Super Chedraui.

For buying groceries are Oxxo, 7-eleven and Circle K around. In the centro is the and the .

Spending the day on the beaches of Cancún is not only an opportunity to relax, but to shop as well. Many of the native people of Cancún make a living by selling different items to the tourists on the beach. There are a variety of items to be purchased from these vendors, items such as sarongs, jewelry, sea shells and more. However, as in the markets, you have to be willing to bargain to get the right prices.

When shopping in Cancún, you can either go into the downtown area or the hotel zone. Downtown is much cheaper, but the Hotel Zone has brand-name goods.

Markets: bring your haggling skills and get ready for a vast shopping experience in any of the city markets in downtown Cancun. The prices are fixed in the (American style) malls and in the shops selling the brand-name goods which are comparable to those in the U.S. and Europe for the similar products.

Market 28. This is a tourist-centered market in downtown Cancún, with very many souvenir shops, a central food court, and some larger Mexican restaurants. Cheaper than the hotel zone, but still considered to have 'tourist' prices, and many touts pushing for your attention. A great place if you are interested in shopping downtown and are short on time, but due to its popular and central location, prices have become more expensive than other small independent shops in non-tourist locations. Don't forget to bargain.

Market 23. This is more of a 'locals' market as most products offered are like groceries, flowers, supplies, etc. Doesn't have the same range as Market 28, but is worth a visit.

Plaza Las Americas. The Plaza de las Americas offers Cinepolis (movie) Theaters, Sears, Chedraui, Liverpool and numerous smaller shops and restaurants in the mall itself and in the immediate surrounding areas not part of the mall.

La Isla Cancún Shopping Village. In the hotel zone. Features hundreds of stores ranging from American brands like Under Armour to Mexican brands like Senor Frogs. There are numerous restaurants including Chili's and McDonald's along with more local Mexican foods.

Kukulcan Plaza. Another mall down the street from 'La Isla' mall in the hotel zone featuring American and Mexican brand names such as Forever 21, GNC and Señor Frog's among other stores and restaurants.

Lapis Jewelry Factory. You are likely to be offered a coupon for free jewelry at this store. Their website also offers a free gift for individuals who book a shuttle through their website. However, if you do not have any evidence of this, the offer will not be honored. A free shuttle service is offered to take you to the store from your hotel. Be sure to investigate other vendors first to get an idea of how much you should pay. The salespeople will insist that it's worth much more, but stand your ground. If a salesperson agrees to your offer too quickly, you're probably paying too much. In addition, a number of people have reported difficulty obtaining refunds.

Ave Tulum Markets. There is a very large set of formal shops as well as unofficial booths that have opened up on Ave Tulum, covering a large section of the sidewalk on the west side of the road for many blocks. Souvenirs can be found for extremely cheap, and there are no aggressive shop owners hounding you to enter their store or pressuring you into buying something quickly. It would be convenient to bundle a trip here after visiting Parque Las Palapas, as part of these shops are adjacent to the park. There are restaurants and normal types of stores mixed in alongside souvenir shops and all sorts of other stores.

Eat

For a big variety of local food, the Mercado 28 and the Parque de las Palapas are the right address.

These US fast food (and casual dining) chains are less common worldwide, but have restaurants in Cancun: • in the city center: Carl's Jr and Church’s Chicken • near the city center: Little Caesars (pizza) and Dairy Queen (ice cream and cakes) • in the Hotel Zone: Johnny Rockets and Hooters • in the Plaza Las Americas mall: Johnny Rockets, Hooters and Chili's • in the airport: Johnny Rockets • on the way to the airport: Papa John's Pizza

Parque de las Palapas. There is a good variety. The eateries are open from 10:00 and the food stalls from the evening on. All of them close around 00:00. Tacos as low as 30 MXN each, as of Jan 2025.

Food stall directly in front of the bus station.

Food stall "Tacos More". Here you get well tasting tacos with fish (e.g.

Restaurant Salus y Chemo's. Their red pozole and tamales is very tasty. Excellent Guerrero style food. The restaurant looks quite old which is also it’s charme.

Taquería el Poblano. Very good taqueria. Authentic Mexican food. Great portion. The waiters are very friendly. Nice atmosphere.

Restaurant Pipos (Bufette). Very good buffet. The food with a homemade touch. Variety of dishes. The attention is very good.

Quesadillas & sopes – Tradición Mexicana.

Las Tortugas. Serving tortas, a kind of Mexican sandwich.

Near the city center in the Mercado 28

Atotonilco. An extremely good sampling of Mexican food from all around the country. Excellent value. Nothing fancy but a gastronomical delight. Try the "Huevos Motuleños".

Los de Pescados. Taco restaurant specializing in seafood. You put your own sauces and condiments.

Pescaditos. Really nice and laid back seafood restaurant where everything's deep fried. Try the chiles rellenos, possibly the best ones in Cancún.

La Habichuela. La Habichuela is a must-visit with its Mexican cuisine, Mayan setting and Caribbean seafood. This restaurant has been open since 1977 and is a legend in Cancún. The romantic, outside garden is a popular place to dine with the decoration of various native trees and plants that create a beautiful illusion of the Mayan ruins under the night sky. La Habicheula received the National Best Restaurant Award and has been a part of the Distinguished Restaurants of North America Organization since 2001.

Café trova El Pabilo. Art exhibitions every 15 days. Good baguettes and wine.

Los Tarascos. Classic Mexican taqueria specializing in tacos al pastor.

Cambalache. This Argentine steakhouse serves up one of the best menus in Cancún. The atmosphere inside the restaurant makes you feel you have travelled an extra . The staff's attention to detail and desire to please make you feel like you're the only one they are serving that night. Great place to have a dinner with the one you love or enjoy the company of friends. The food alone could give this place a 4-star rating, the rest is just an added bonus.

Mikado. Japanese and Thai cuisine featuring teppanyaki tables.

Champions Sports Bar. Stepped up bar food with all the games on over 40 screens.

Gustino. Gustino has authentic Italian cuisine using the freshest Mediterranean ingredients.

Drink

Cancún's nightlife is unlike any other destination on Earth. For some, a day in Cancún doesn't start until tasks like an 11:00 breakfast, nap on the beach, and siesta are arduously completed. This is your place to shine.

The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18, but it is not strongly enforced. Stores are not permitted to sell alcohol after 5pm on Sundays.

The Hotel Zone is a huge venue and gets top entertainers and DJs. Don't be surprised to see Vegas like shows spontaneously erupt while you are sipping your piña colada.

You may find yourself dancing in a conga line, laughing your cares away and speaking whatever Español you managed to pickup. A must for the first timers, and always good fun for returners also. Coco Bongo's entertainment includes a show, complete with women swinging from the ceilings.

Most of the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) venues listed below are in Punta Cancun, between km 9 and 10, in the area surrounding Hotel Krystal, Cancun Convention Center and the Grand Fiesta Americana.

Señor Frogs. Señor Frog's is a restaurant by day and a dance club by night, and is one of the most popular spots for vacationers to visit. The restaurant opens up for lunch and serves international types of food such as pasta, chicken and pizza as well as Mexican cuisine all day until midnight. A cover charge of five dollars will get you into the party after 20:00 and includes a souvenir yard glass which you can then pay to get filled with your drink of choice. One of Señor Frog's famous attractions is the water slide that leads from the club out into the lagoon, just for a little bit of fun. Waiters are also very "hands on", if you are not traveling in a family group, expect them to try to touch, hug, or kiss the female members of the party.

Dady'O. Dady'O has been known to host some of the world's top DJs, including Red Foo (LMFAO), Apl.De.App and Tiësto, features a casual atmosphere, laser shows, pole dancing go go girls and flashing dance floor opening shows.

Coco Bongo. A nightclub featuring a show that has been compared with Las Vegas. More than 50 professionals in scenery.

La Vaquita. Loud, open front party bar in the heart of the Hotel Zone. You can't miss the cow print decor or the booming bass of the non-stop party. Known for innovative drinks and a lively crowd.

Surfin' Burrito. Liter-size margaritas, buckets of beer, and spicy micheladas. The house favorite is the Coco Loco, coconut juice and rum served in a coconut shell. Food options include shrimp tacos and coconut shrimp.

Also try the clubs in the north of Av Yaxchilan, located in downtown Cancún, where all the locals hang out.

Los 4 Elementos. Try the live music bar Los 4 Elementos. They open and play live music from 23:00 until the last customer leaves. The music is great and prices are significantly lower than those found in the hotel zone clubs.

Route 666 Biker Bar. Lively club serving beer in buckets (cubetas) with casual food like wings, fries and burgers. Live music with a lot of rock and metal bands played at loud volumes. Fun place.

11:11 Club. Lively atmosphere, drag performers, live music and DJs, plus great mixed drinks.

Laser Hot Beer & Queer. Fun atmosphere, drag queen cabaret with live music or DJs, beers and large mixed drinks.

Puerto Juarez Brewery. Super small craft brewery with a range of ales from a light golden ale, a Belgian strong, a brown ale flavored with chilis, and of course, the always ubiquitous IPA. Light food includes seafood, tacos and a nice charcuterie board with sliced sausages and cheese.

Sleep

Cancún has a large selection of 3- to 5-star hotels in the Hotel Zone and some more economical hotels in the city center.

Several aging resorts on and around Punta Cancún are relying upon heavily discounted vacation packages or all-inclusive deals to fill rooms. They market themselves heavily as a great bargain to a wider audience. The result is that Punta Cancún is jam-packed with the revelers who can get rowdy and obnoxious. If you prefer to spend your vacations in a quieter and calmer setting, it may be worth it to splurge on a newer resort in the central or southern part of the Hotel Zone and further away from the "partying" crowds. Then you can save Punta for a brief day (or evening) trip for shopping, dining or entertainment.

Budget Most of the budget and some of the mid-range category hotels are in and around downtown on the mainland. Many are also within a reasonable walking distance or short taxi ride to the bus station on Av Uxmal and Av Tulum (Hwy 307) for those arriving late and/or leaving early. The area is reasonably safe at night.

Keep in mind when staying at cheap hotels in Mexico, some rooms may not have air conditioning (rare), but almost all cheaper hotel rooms will not have a fridge. If this is an issue for you, you may need to get ice from a store and use a cooler or insulated bag (commonly sold at many larger stores or Oxxo's) and use that.

Hotel Rivemar. In the downtown area near the bus station. Front desk help is very friendly. You can keep your bags at the hotel even after checking out. You can take the Rt. 1 bus to the hotel/beaches district. (April 2022)

Fiesta Party Hostel - Cancun. This hostel does not fail to live up to its name, and if you are looking to hang out with your fellow party people, you shouldn't be disappointed here, where drinks and revelry flow freely. If you don't like noise, on the other hand, this might not be the most ideal accommodation. But the establishment does provide free breakfast and dinner plus bus trips to the beach and a happy hour every evening.

Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone & Cowork.

Mid-range The economical way to stay in the hotels and resorts in some of the "mid range" and in the "splurge" categories is to consider an "all inclusive" on BookIt.com or another similar company which typically would include airfare (on chartered or regularly scheduled flights), airport transfers and hotel stay. Some of these all inclusive packages may also include two or three daily meals and/or an escorted tour or some other organized activity in the area. Checking in at the front desk without prebooking for a room or a pre-purchased all inclusive or packaged tour is the most expensive way to check in.

The Yellow Capsule. If you missed the chance to stay at a capsule hotel in Japan, you can do it right here in Cancun. The spaceship-like compartments and interiors are clean, and the complimentary breakfast includes an egg sandwich. Plus, the lodging has airport shuttles and organized tours to places such as Isla Mujeres.

Temptation Resort and Spa. 2-3 star with 3 restaurants. Reservations to be made from 10:00-11:00 the previous day. Beach front is calm mainly for boat use.

Parador Hotel. A/C, cableTV, and internet connection. Swimming pool, fitness room/gym, and a restaurant, bar, and café.

Crown Paradise Club. Features a water park for the kids with a pirate ship and 8 water slides, à la carte and buffet dining, adult only areas, mini golf, disco, nightly entertainment.

Grand Oasis Cancún. Resort with a college-aged crowd. The pool is generally crowded during peak times but is large and features several swim-up bars. The bad part is that since the Oasis is all-inclusive you basically get what you pay for, the food and drinks are not the best quality. The buffet-style restaurants are bland and the food can get quite repetitive. An exception is the sushi restaurant. All bars also stop serving alcohol at midnight, which is unfortunate, but there is a 24 hr liquor store right across from the resort with prices somewhat expensive for Mexico. They also sell absinthe.

RIU Cancún. Resort with views of the Caribbean Sea. Several restaurants and bars. Choice of activities and entertainment options, including a sports bar, night club and theatre with theme shows.

RIU Caribe. All inclusive resort with Mayan-style architecture overlooking the Caribbean. 506 sea view rooms with mini-bar and liquor dispenser. Several restaurants, bars and facilities including 24-hr snacks and beverages. Fun and relaxing atmosphere created by the large swimming pool and spectacular beach.

The Royal Resorts. The Royal Resorts have been around since 1974 and include a string of 4 hotels all in close vicinity of each other. The Royal Mayan, The Royal Caribbean and The Royal Islander are side by side whereas the newest hotel, The Royal Sands, is no more than a five minute ride by bus. The Royal Resorts offer beautiful villas that overlook the Gulf of Mexico. Each villa is equipped with a kitchen, two bathrooms, two bedrooms, one with two double beds, one with a queen-sized bed, a living room with two murphy beds, three televisions, one in each room, and a terrace that overlooks the other two hotels as well as the Caribbean Sea. These hotels include free activities such as snorkeling and sailing in the ocean, tennis, and free beach towels. Also on the premises are a number of different restaurants and bars at which the vacationers may dine.

Sandos Cancun. The Sandos Cancun is called the jewel of the Sandos Resort chain. They are a 4-diamond AAA rated all inclusive resort. The resort is themed and offers unique entertainment called the Rhythm Experience. Sandos has a vacation club called Royal Elite that sells a timeshare-like membership. Membership affords special amenities like private access to bars including top shelf liquors, first access to restaurants and access to the private area on the beach.

Soberanis Hotel. The rooms are all air-conditioned. They have cable television, a private toilet and bath, and safe. Non-smoking rooms are available.

Sotavento Hotel and Yacht Club. In front of Nichupte Laguna and is within walking distance to sandy beaches and downtown area. Internet and cable TV. Non-smoking rooms can be requested.

GR Solaris Caribe. Adults-Only All Inclusive Resort.

CasaMagna Marriott Cancún Resort. 418 rooms and 34 suites. Each room has a private balcony with a table and chairs. 3 restaurants on-site, including a steakhouse, a Japanese restaurant and a sports bar. The hotel tends to be priced on the higher side for Cancún, but that also tends to weed out the younger crowd. This resort is adjacent to the JW Marriott Cancún and is directly connected to it through a pathway. There are up-charges for almost everything here, and they will try to sell you timeshares.

Casa Turquesa Boutique Hotel. 29-suite boutique hotel has amenities including an infinity pool with swim up bar, spa, two restaurants and an onsite art gallery. Suites have 32” flat screen satellite TV, minibar and full bathrooms with separate bathtub and shower. Jacuzzi on the terrace/balcony. Airport transportation can be arranged.

ClubMed. An all inclusive resort. A short distance outside the town, at the tip of the bay. The Caribbean Sea is on one side and on the other is a lagoon. Club Med was the first to establish itself here around 30 years ago. Traditional central square, bungalow-haciendas and speciality restaurants.

Hyatt Ziva Cancún. Surrounded by the sea on 3 sides. All-inclusive resort catering to families. All rooms have private balcony views of the ocean, beaches, lagoon or gardens. Marble floors, dining area, mini-bar, satellite TV and 24 hr room service. Several have private whirlpools. A pod of 6 dolphins is held in the resorts lagoon. Swims with the captive dolphins programs are available for guests and the general public.

All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Waterpark. Family hotel offers activities for children and events for adults.

Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancún Resort & Spa. AAA 5-diamond resort has 602 rooms. The hotel is outwardly hostile toward same-sex couples. 5 restaurants, one of which is the Le Basilic restaurant is one of only three 5-diamond restaurants found in Mexico. 4 bars, a spa, fitness and business center, a very long swimming pool, and a sun deck.

Paradisus Cancún. Well known for its white sandy beach overlooking the Caribbean Sea. 4 pools, specialized à la carte restaurants, and activities program for children and adults. 9 hole, par three golf course, a tennis court, 2 paddle tennis courts and has received an award from The Leading Hotels of the World as a Leading Spa of the World.

Iberostar Selection Cancún. The only golf & spa resort on the island is an Iberostar all-inclusive. 426 ocean-view rooms, including 82 villas with a private lounge and executive services; 5 restaurants, including a gourmet-dining beachside grill and swim up bar; 7 infinity pools and the largest beach in Cancún. If you are having trouble with the local food, try the hotel's club sandwich.

Grand Park Royal Cancún. 5-star hotel with 296 rooms and views of the Caribbean.

Krystal Grand Cancun. 5-star hotel with a seafront location. 295 rooms.

JW Marriott Cancún Resort. Adjacent to the CasaMagna Marriott Cancún Resort and has a connected pathway. 448 rooms with private balconies and views of the Caribbean. Mayan-inspired spa, 4 world-class restaurants and over of meeting space. Caters to Mexican weddings, events and conferences.

Live Aqua Cancún. 371 deluxe rooms, including 36 suites. The modern design is stunning. The service is a close second but the rooms are small. 3 restaurants, including one by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, 1 by chef Franco Maddalozzo, and a Mexican restaurant. There is also a wine and mescal bar. 8 pools which vary in temperature and 12 spa treatment rooms. The hotel is reserved for adults.

Marriott Amar House. Rooms offer views, custom art and furnishings by artist Yuri Zatarain, monsoon showers and Aveda bath amenities.

Omni Cancún Hotel & Villas. 5-star resort between the Caribbean and Nichupte Lagoon on Cancún Island. 341 guest rooms and villas with full service spa.

Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun. All-inclusive resort stretches along a lush tropical mangrove preserve on a long Caribbean coastline.

Kempinski Hotel Cancun. 5-star beachfront resort hotel with luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, a large beachfront outdoor swimming pool with available cabanas, 4 on-site restaurants and 2 bars. Spa services available.

Riu Palace Las Americas. 372 suites, ocean views, and all-inclusive dining, beverages and entertainment.

Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya. 90 suites, all have balcony or deck with ocean views, daily serving of champagne and fresh fruit, complimentary unlimited calls worldwide, welcome bottle of tequila and handmade beach bag. Hydrothalasoo pool and aqua gym, spa with private massage cabins and jacuzzi, and chauffeured airport transfer. This property is located in Puerto Morelos, 32-48 km (20-30) miles south of Cancun.

Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort. Resort features villas with washer/dryer, dishwasher, full kitchen, living room, dining room, jetted tub. The property has two infinity pools.

Royal Solaris Cancun. Family All Inclusive Resort

Moon Palace Cancun. Family all-inclusive resort.

You could also try out the growing vacation rental market as well. It's a chance to experience Cancún without having to share close spaces with thousands of tourists. They are an alternative if you are willing to go without the frills of room service or resort commodities.

Most resorts in the hotel zone have a travel agent on site during the daytime to assist you with making reservations around Cancún, including the Mayan ruins. It is often better to book activities through these travel agents as they are employed by the hotel and cannot easily cheat you. Activities are also sold at booths found in the busier areas. Prices for the same activities are cheaper in Cancún town than in the hotel zone.