With sparkling blue waters, incredible weather, a fantastic nightlife scene, and magnificent beaches, Cancun is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Mexico. Its closeness to the United States makes it the most accessible and affordable island to visit in the Caribbean. Another advantage is the fact that Cancun has something for everyone.
There are several accommodation options, luxury, and budget – plus lots of activities to choose from. Whether one is looking for a relaxing or adventurous kind of vacation, Cancun can never disappoint. Here is an ultimate travel guide to Cancun.
When To Visit Cancun
Cancun has splendid weather year-round, but the best time to explore it is between December and Match. During this time, vacationers will enjoy incredible weather, with temperatures ranging between 75 and 90s.
The climate conditions are perfect for visiting the island’s most impressive beaches and exploring the gorgeous jungles and ruins. The waters get warmer and cooler than summer months, making winter an excellent time to go swimming.
The only downside of visiting Cancun in winter is the crowds. This is the time when many travelers, especially from North America, who mostly escape the harsh winters, make trips to the Caribbean. Because of the high demand, hotel and flight rates are at their highest.
Tourists can avoid paying higher rates by booking at least three months in advance.
Between March and April, vacationers from the U.S. go on spring break with their families. The high school and college students are all out of school. Beaches and pools are brimming with vacationers, and some of the most popular DJs are invited to get the party going.
If looking to explore the island’s wildlife, consider visiting in May. This is when the sea turtles nest, so travelers will find it easy to spot them. It is also when the whale sharks are most visible.
For better deals, visit in July through October. The cheapest months to visit Cancun are September October and November. Because the hotels, airfares, and excursions are extremely cheap at this time, this is when to travel to this island on a budget.
If planning to explore Cancun with family, including children, visit between April and June and in November because these are the months when plenty of fun is guaranteed for kids to enjoy.
The cost of accommodation, hotels, and excursions might be as affordable as in July through October, but it is way cheaper than the peak tourist season.
- Best time for good weather: Winter
- Best time for good deals: July through October, November
- Best time for wildlife: May
- Best time for families: April through June, November
Things To Know Before Visiting Cancun
The most affordable option to get to a destination upon landing at Cancun International Airport is taking a bus to the city, then hopping into a taxi or another bus to the hotel.
ADO is a bus company, the largest, operating from the airport to the city center, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and other cities located in Yucatán.
The official currency used in Cancun is the Mexican peso, but American Dollars are also accepted. Travelers with British Pounds and Euros must have them exchanged into Mexican pesos the minute they arrive at the airport or other ATMs in the city.
Withdrawing US Dollars from ATMs is a possibility, but the exchange rate and commission are high.
Drinking tap water in Cancun can get travelers sick because there are too many contaminants. Instead, purchase a bottle of water or use the ones given to guests at the hotels and resorts.
Note that tipping is a culture in Cancun. The locals rely on the money they receive from serving tourists to earn a living. This means people working in the hospitality and tourism sectors, including housekeepers, waiters, and drivers always expect tips whenever they deliver services to guests.
The rate is usually somewhere between 10{6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667} to 15{6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667} of the total bill, or 20{6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667} of the services are perfect.
Where To Stay In Cancun
Travelers will find all types of accommodations in Cancun. While most of the options available are luxury and all-inclusive resorts, travelers will find a good number of luxury, midrange, and budget hotels to choose from.
Most of the hotels and resorts are located in the Hotel Zone, also known as the Zona Hotelera, considered the best neighborhood to stay in, in the city. The area is buzzing with activities through the day and night and is among the most accessible places in Cancun.
Since it’s specifically tailored for visitors, vacationers will have the best experience in this neighborhood. The best hotels to stay in this neighborhood include:
- Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun (All Inclusive): this hotel is located just a few strolls away from Forum Beach, Gaviota Azul Beach, and Caracol Beach, making it an excellent choice for a beach vacation. Travelers will also find incredible amenities, including a private beach, indoor pool, outdoor pool, snorkeling, fitness center, restaurant, and bar.
- The Royal Sands Resort & Spa (Luxury): Located about a 5-minute drive away from Aquaworld La Isla Shopping Mall, this hotel offers visitors incredible shopping opportunities. Plus, it has world-class amenities, including a child pool, parking, laundry services, laundry facilities, free toiletries, a hairdryer, free Wi-Fi, and a coffee machine.
- Hyatt Ziva Cancun (mid-range): This hotel gives incredible access to the beach, nightlife scene, and museum. It also comes with fantastic amenities, including a private beach, snorkeling, water sports facilities, an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, an infinity pool, and a fitness center.
- Mayan Monkey Cancun: This an adult-only hotel offering access to Chac Mool Beach and La Isla Shopping Mall, located just five minutes away. Amenities, restaurants, snorkeling, free Wi-Fi, a bar, a coffee shop, and free parking.
Downtown Cancun is the best place to stay on a budget. It also gives access to some of the most popular beaches in the city and plenty of shopping opportunities.
Some of the best hotels to opt for in Downtown Cancun include:
- Oh! Cancun – The Urban Oasis: This hotel offers an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a fitness center, restaurant free Wi-Fi, free parking, and a bar, but it is adult-only.
- Suites Malecon Cancun: the hotel’s featured amenities include an outdoor pool, restaurant, free Wi-Fi, free parking, fitness center, business center, and a flat-screen TV.
- One Cancun Centro: This is a perfect choice for vacationers visiting Cancun for business reasons or pleasure. From this place, travelers have access to the main attractions in the resort town which is about 15 minutes from Cancun International Airport.
Best Attractions To Explore In Cancun
Visit the Mayan Ruins In Tulum
Tulum is 136 kilometers from Cancun and is best known for its iconic Mayan Ruins, overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
The ruins are a major draw to the town, but there are things to explore in Tulum, including beautiful markets, gorgeous beaches, and some of the best restaurants serving authentic Mexican cuisine.
- Mayan Ruins hours of operation: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Admission fee: $4.03 USD
Visit Cancun Beaches
Cancun has some of the most impressive beaches in the Caribbean. The beaches feature sparkling waters, beautiful shorelines, and the most spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea.
While vacationers may have certain preferences when it comes to beaches, it’s almost impossible to go wrong in Cancun.
All the beaches are incredible and have something for everyone. Some of the most popular ones to check out are Caracol, Tortugas, Langosta, and Chac-Mool.
Spend Some Time At The Maya Museum (Museo Maya De Cancún)
Maya Museum is a perfect destination for vacationers looking to learn a bit about the area’s incredible history. The museum gives vacationers an incredible chance of learning about the Mayan culture, including the first settlers.
The museum houses 350 artifacts, which include some fossil remains discovered in Tulum, dating back to 14,000 years ago. Travelers will also explore some of the most impressive Mayan art, including sculptures from Chichen Itza.
Explore The Cancun Underwater Museum
Cancun Underwater Museum is one of the most iconic attractions around and is always on travelers’ bucket lists. The museum features 500 sculptures displaying human figures placed in different poses.
The sculptures were built to help preserve the area’s coral reefs. Getting it is only possible on snorkeling, diving, or boating tours.
Where To Eat In Cancun
Cooking over open fires in ceramic pots is a Mayan culture, and travelers will see it more often in Cancun. Cancun’s food scene is incredible, and vacationers will find several cuisines, giving something for travelers of all tastes.
One can go for street food, the best choice if on a budget. Panuchos, cochinita pibil and marquesitas are some of the most common street foods. For breakfast, head to Café Antoinette, El Oasis Mariscos for lunch, and try Mamazzita Cancun for dinner.
Money Saving Tips For Your Trip To Cancun
- Opt for street food. If visiting Cancun on a budget, it is better to go for street food, the most affordable and delicious food. It would be a bad idea to go for the finest restaurants in town because they are pricey. If one prefers a restaurant, then a local one is the best way to go.
- Visit during the off-season, June through November. This is when vacationers can land great deals on accommodations, restaurants, and flights.
- Stay in a hostel. Hostels are way cheaper than hotels and resorts.
- Share rides via Uber Pool. If travelers do not want to wait on buses or pay a lot of money for taxis. Travelers can rideshare on Uber Pool and share costs with other visitors.
Cancun is an amazing destination with a lot to offer. From incredible beaches to world-class attractions to top-notch hotels and resorts to a dining scene to die for, Cancun has something for everyone, including historians, beach lovers, food buffs, and adventurers, among others.
Visiting the Caribbean island is definitely worth it!
FAQ
Q: When should you visit Mexico?
The best time to explore it is between December and March. During this time, vacationers will enjoy incredible weather, with temperatures ranging between 75 and 90s.
The climate conditions are perfect for visiting the island’s most impressive beaches and exploring the gorgeous jungles and ruins. The waters get warmer and cooler than summer months, making winter an excellent time to go swimming.
Q: Where should you stay in Cancun?
Zona Hotelera is the best place to stay when visiting Cancun.The area is buzzing with activities through the day and night and is among the most accessible places in Cancun.
Being specifically tailored for visitors, vacationers will have the best experience in this neighborhood. The most impressive hotels in this neighborhood include:
- Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun (All Inclusive): this hotel is located just a few strolls away from Forum Beach, Gaviota Azul Beach, and Caracol Beach, making it an excellent choice for a beach vacation. Travelers will also find incredible amenities, including a private beach, indoor pool, outdoor pool, snorkeling, fitness center, restaurant, and bar.
- The Royal Sands Resort & Spa (Luxury): Located about a 5-minute drive away from Aquaworld La Isla Shopping Mall, this hotel offers visitors incredible shopping opportunities. Plus, it has world-class amenities, including a child pool, parking, laundry services, laundry facilities, free toiletries, a hairdryer, free Wi-Fi, and a coffee machine.
- Hyatt Ziva Cancun (mid-range): This hotel gives incredible access to the beach, nightlife scene, and museum. It also comes with fantastic amenities, including a private beach, snorkeling, water sports facilities, an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, an infinity pool, and a fitness center.
Q: Where can you find cheap hotels in Cancun?
Downtown Cancun is the best place to stay on a budget. It also gives access to some of the most popular beaches in the city (though there is plenty more to do than visit beaches) and plenty of shopping opportunities.
Some of the best hotels to opt for in Downtown Cancun include Oh! Cancun – The Urban Oasis, Suites Malecon Cancun, and One Cancun Centro.
Q: Where to eat in Cancun?
Street food or low-cost local restaurants is the best option for travelers on a budget. Panuchos, cochinita pibil, and marquesitas are some of the most common street foods one can find in Cancun.
Travelers will find several dining options in some of the best restaurants. For breakfast, head to Café Antoinette, El Oasis Mariscos for lunch, and try Mamazzita Cancun for dinner.
Q: What are the best attractions in Cancun?
Cancun is brimming with world-class attractions that would suit travelers of all interests. Some of its most iconic attractions include The Maya Museum (Museo Maya De Cancún), Cancun Underwater Museum, and its magnificent beaches with sparkling blue waters.
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