Cancún

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 14 mi (23 km) of pristine white beaches shaped like a number "7", home of the Mayan archaeological wonders, turquoise seas, a bountiful underwater world, and world-class vacation amenities. It is still considered the gateway to the Mayan World ("El Mundo Maya"). Mayan temples and ritual sites are everywhere, some smothered by lush jungle, others easily accessible.

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), as referred to commonly by locals. 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 isolating solely 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 shop employees, tour salesmen, etc.), 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 pure 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 i

Getting there

By plane Cancún International Airport (CUN IATA) 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. Traveling with both a personal and work laptop, or more than one computer per person in your group, will likely subject you to a duty on arrival.

By car Driving in Mexico can be an experience. For more information and tips refer to driving in Mexico. 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 Cancun 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 Cancun and Merida 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 also 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 Cancun and Merida, driving is generally easy in the Yucatan Peninsula.

By bus Cancun's 1 bus station is in downtown Cancun, northwest of the roundabout at Av Uxmal and Av Tulum. The station is served by a taxi rank in front of the station along Pino. Local buses to the hotel zone pass regularly behind the station on the Tulum Avenue. To the station goes the first class bus ADO and second class buses like Mayab and Or

Getting 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.

By e-hailing 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. If you're in a hurry, use the 'Set Your Fare' option, and deselect the option to match with the first driver at your requested price, so that you can see 'offers' for drivers showing their distance from you and price. 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. You can think of using Didi as a way to call a taxi and see / agree on a set rate beforehand, whereas Uber and Cabify are standard rideshare services. 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 uber 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. They may otherwise get frustrated about this as they are not being compensated for the effect this has on them / their car when they take the fare. 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. If you're comfortable riding on the back of a motorcycle, these apps may have an option to request a motorcycle rideshare, often for a dramatically cheaper price. Consider whether you'll feel comfortable and safe with a stranger's driving when doing this, though.

By bus

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 stat

See

1 Interactive Aquarium, Blvd Kukulcan Km. 12.5 Hotel Zone (inside La Isla Village Mall in the Hotel Zone), ☏ +52 998 2063311. Daily 09:00-20:00; marine presentations 19:00. 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. US$15 basic admissions (2022), more to swim with dolphins and other activities. (updated Feb 2024) 2 El Rey Archaeological Zone, Blvd. Kukulkan, Punta Nizuc. Daily 08:00 - 16:00. 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. M$100. (updated Mar 2025) 3 Museo Maya de Cancún and Archaeological Zone of San Miguelito, Blvd. Kukulcan km 16.5, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 885 3844. Tu-Su 09:00 - 18:00, closed M. 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. M$100. (updated Mar 2025) 4 Yamil Lu'um, Blvd. Kukulcan 12.5, El Rey, Zona Hotelera. Ruins of a small Maya temple on the grounds of the Westin. Free (but may take effort to ignore touts from Westin). (updated Mar 2025) 5NOT EXISTING IMAGE Punta Cancun lighthouse, Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 9, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera. Classic red and white striped tubular lighthouse on the northern tip of the Hotel Zone. (updated Mar 2025) 6 El Meco Archaeological Site, Carretera Puerto Juarez, López Portillo (north of the Puerto Juarez ferry docks (toward Punta Sam)). Daily 08:00 - 16:30. 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. (updated Mar 2025) 7 Torre Escénica del Embarcadero de Cancún, Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 4.5, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera. Daily 09:00 - 21:00. 80-m tower with a rotating observation deck that takes about 30 minutes for a full revolution. Included with cost of Xcaret ferry (show bracelet). (updated Mar 2025) 8 Parque Urbano Kabah, Supermanzana 053 Manzana 1 L 1-01 Av. KABAH, Av. Nichupté. Daily 06:00 - 18:00. Urban ecologic

Do

Ocean and beaches Cancún is best known for its beautiful turquoise waters and powdery white beaches. To get from the center to a beach quickly, go to 1 Playa Las Perlas or 2 Playa Tortugas. Take the frequent bus line 1 from the main street Av Tulum north of Fuente del Ceviche for M$12 (Jan 2022), or a taxi/Uber.

Activities 3 Ventura Park. Amusement and water park with many attractions. 4 Captain Hook Cancun. Shows and dinner on a pirate boat. 5 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. 6 Columbus Romantic Dinner Cancun. Take a trip out on the calm lagoon on a beautiful boat with friends you have not met yet. The staff allow you to take part in the fun or settle back and watch the sunset. Steak and lobster is cooked on the boat and is extra tasty when eaten out on the high seas. 7 Cancún Yachts Club, boulevardo kukulkan km. 5.8 (zona hotelera), ☏ +52 998 8495317. Yacht rentals in Cancún. exclusives luxury yachts for rentals tours in all the Cancún areas, snorkeling, diving, swimming the most save water activities in yacht. 8 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. 9 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). 10 Off Road Games Cancun, ☏ +52 998 294 2742. Off-road ATV adventures.

Fishing Charter Fishing Cancun, Blvd. Kukulkan 6, Zona Hotelera Cancun (km 6 of Cancun hotel Zone), ☏ +525 9982003240, [email protected]. 06:00-17:00. Private and shared deep-sea fishing trips from Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Includes gear, drinks, licenses, and professional crew. Starting at US$610 for 4 hours. (updated Jun 2025) 11 Cancun Fishing By Kianah, Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 5.8, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 161 0007. Daily 06:00 - 19:30. Charter fishing trips starting at US$680 for 4 hours, including bait, tackle, snacks, drinks. (updated Mar 2025) Shared Fishing Cancun, Blvd. Kukulkan 6 (km 6 of Cancun Hotel Zone) (departures from Sunset Marina), ☏ +52 998 200 3240, [email protected]. 06:30–12:30. Shared deep-sea fishing trips (6 hours). Join other travelers and share the cost of the boat. Includes beers, soft drinks, ice, bait, fishing licenses, and professio

Buy

If there is no price tag, ask for the price first. 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 1 Banamex ATM inside the Selecto Super Chedraui. For buying groceries are Oxxo, 7-eleven and Circle K around. In the centro is the 2 big supermarket Chedraui and the 3 Soriana Super. 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. Great buys can be found, so stick to your price resolve. 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.

4 Market 28 (Mercado 28), Xel-ha m 2 13 SM 28, 28,. Daily 09:00-20:00. 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. (updated Jan 2024) 5 Market 23 (Mercado 23), Ciricote 15, SM 23. Daily 07:00-19:00. 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. 6 Plaza Las Americas, Dialogo Norte-Sur, 7 (southeast of the roundabout at Av Labna/Sayil and Carr Cancun-Tulum/Av Tulum (Fed Hwy 307)). Daily 10:00-22:00. 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. 7 La Isla Cancún Shopping Village (P

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

Street food

City center 1 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. Most places have a big sign showing the food on a picture and the according low price. Tacos as low as 30 MXN each, as of Jan 2025. (updated Apr 2022)

At the bus station 2 Food stall directly in front of the bus station. They have tasty tortas (sandwich) for M$25 and tacos. (updated Apr 2022) 3 Food stall "Tacos More". Here you get well tasting tacos with fish (e.g. shrimps) for M$25 or with meat. (updated Apr 2022)

Budget

City center 4 Restaurant Salus y Chemo's, C. Chaca 46. Their red pozole and tamales is very tasty. Excellent Guerrero style food. The restaurant looks quite old which is also it’s charme. (updated Sep 2022) 5 Taquería el Poblano, Av Tulum 65. Very good taqueria. Authentic Mexican food. Great portion. The waiters are very friendly. Nice atmosphere. (updated Sep 2022) 6 Restaurant Pipos (Bufette), Azucenas Rtno. 1 13. Very good buffet. The food with a homemade touch. Variety of dishes. The attention is very good. (updated Sep 2022) 7 El Cantón Toluqueño, Av Tulum 4239. There is a Comida Corrida including a soup, main dish, tortillas and drink for M$60-70. They also serves breakfast starting at M$50. (updated Jan 2022) 8 Fa Kee (Comida China), Av Tulum 49. You get a Chinese dish for M$65-80. (updated Jan 2022) 9 Quesadillas & sopes – Tradición Mexicana. As the name says, here you get quesadillas for M$18 and sopes for M$21. (updated Apr 2022) 10 Las Tortugas, Avenida Coba 51, Plaza Las Avenidas, ☏ +52 998 887 6209. Serving tortas, a kind of Mexican sandwich. (updated Sep 2022)

Near the city center in the Mercado 28 11 Atotonilco, Xel-ha 107 (right across from El Cejas). 08:00-18:09. An extremely good sampling of Mexican food from all around the country. Excellent value. Nothing fancy but a gastronomical delight. Try the "Huevos Motuleños". US$4-10. (updated Sep 2022)

Mid-range 12 Los de Pescados, Avenida

Drink & nightlife

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.

Hotel Zone 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. These clubs can charge large covers ranging from US$20–60 per person, though the cover can include an open bar. 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.

1 Señor Frogs, Blvd. Kukulkan km 9, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 883 3454. 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. As the evening progresses, Señor Frog's becomes less family friendly and more of a party establishment, waitresses will circulate, offering shots of tequila for a price. 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. 2 Dady'O, Blvd Kukulkan km 9.5, Zona Hotelera (across street from Coco Bongo), ☏ +52 998 883 3333. 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. 3 Coco Bongo, Blvd Kukulkan km 9.5 #30, Zona Hotelera (across street from Dady'O), ☏ +52 998 883 2373, toll-free: +1 800 841 4636. 22:30-05:00. A nightclub featurin

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. Several budget hotels can be found for M$400-650 (April 2022) on Google Maps with the according price and on booking.com. Just sort by price. 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.

City center 1 Hotel Rivemar, Av Tulum 51 (next to Farmacia Similares on Av Tulum & Andandor Claves, a block up from Chedraui on Av Tulum), ☏ +52 998 884 1199. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 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. When booking directly at the hotel it's M$650 for 1 person and M$750 for 2 persons. (April 2022) 2 Fiesta Party Hostel - Cancun, Alcatraces #43, SM:22 Mza:10, ☏ +52 998 892 7902. 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. M$282. (updated Apr 2022)

Hotel Zone 3 Hostel Natura. A dorm is about M$400 (April 2022).

Go next

On the Yucatan peninsula you find several camping places with a provided tent from M$150 per night (Feb 2022, including mattress, pillow and bed cover). They are available in the nature, near or inside towns. Otherwise private rooms and hostels are available.

To the south Playa del Carmen – 70 km. Cozumel – 110 km. A very pretty island and the most inhabited in all of Mexico, it is also an important Caribbean port of call. Chankanaab National Park is located here. Well known for its watersport activities such as diving, snorkeling, sailing, boating and fishing. Tulum – 130 km. The town has become a popular tourist destination. Nearby is the Tulum Archaeological Zone. Bacalar – 340 km. Mahahual (Costa Maya) – 350 km. Chetumal – 380 km.

To the west Valladolid – 160 km. It's a small city dating from the Spanish Colonial era with lots of period local charm, between Cancún and Chichen Itza. The selection of hotels and restaurants makes it a nice base for a night or two; it's a good deal closer to Chichen, and other impressive Maya ruins at Ek Balam are only about 15 minutes north of town. Mérida – 300 km.

By air There are direct low-cost flights from Cancún for example to Oaxaca, Mexico City, Puebla, Veracruz and Tuxtla in Chiapas. From the Tuxtla airport to San Cristobal de las Casas. For going to the Cancun airport by ADO bus: Book your bus ticket in advance on the ADO app or website. So you secure your desired departure time, don't need to queue for the ticket booth and may get some discounts for booking ahead. It works to pay with a foreign credit card.

Out of town trips 1 Chichén Itzá Archaeological Site – 200 km. The largest Maya archaeological site in Yucatan, Chichen Itza is often visited on a day trip from Cancún, but is rather distant and only a small portion of the site and attractions can be seen this way. If you find the ancient Maya of interest, spend a night at one of the hotels at Chichen so you can avoid having a rushed incomplete visit. You can take a public bus or a private vehicle, about 2½ hours from Cancún by car. Also, close to the site is a cenote, which is a fresh water sinkhole, where you can swim. The Kukulcán Pyramid, one of the most impressive Maya structures and voted one of the World's New Seven Wonders, is now closed off to climbing to preserve it from wear. 2 Isla Mujeres – 15 km. A great break from the Cancún tourist traps. This small island is a 20-minute ferry ride from the hotel zone or from Terminal Maritima Puerto Juárez, located 5 minutes from downtown Cancún. On the island rent a scooter to get around fas