Cancun is more than beaches and nightlife. Explore Mayan ruins, swim in hidden cenotes, stroll through local markets, and experience its cultural highlights.
The best time to visit Cancún is between December and April for sunny days and calm seas, though it is also the busiest and most expensive season. May and November offer good weather with fewer crowds, while June to October is wetter but quieter with lower rates.
Cancún is divided mainly between the Hotel Zone and downtown, each offering a different pace and experience. The Hotel Zone curves along the coast in the shape of a number seven, with most resorts, beaches, and nightlife in easy reach. Downtown is more local, with authentic markets, restaurants, and budget friendly stays, and is only a short bus ride from the beach.
The heart of Cancún’s tourism, lined with all inclusive resorts, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Ideal for first time visitors and beach lovers.
Hotel Zone, Cancún
Offers a local atmosphere with markets, street food, and budget hotels, while still providing easy transport to the beach.
Over six million tourists visit Cancún every year with the vast majority enjoying their trip without problems. Tourist areas like the Hotel Zone are well patrolled and incidents are rare, though petty theft can happen if you are careless. Stick to reputable transport, watch your belongings on busy beaches, and pay attention to beach safety flags when swimming.
Most visits to Cancún are trouble free, but it is wise to keep an eye on your belongings.
Cancún is more than just beautiful beaches. From underwater wonders to ancient ruins, there are experiences here that can make your trip unforgettable. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting.
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is a must see for history lovers. Just a couple of hours from Cancún, this ancient Mayan city features the towering El Castillo pyramid, sacred cenotes, and intricate stone carvings. Many visitors pair the trip with a swim at nearby Cenote Ik Kil, a striking sinkhole surrounded by hanging vines and clear blue water. Arrive early to enjoy cooler weather and fewer crowds.
A short ferry ride from Cancún, Isla Mujeres offers a slower pace with charming streets, local restaurants, and beautiful beaches like Playa Norte. It’s also a top spot for snorkeling with colorful fish and swimming alongside whale sharks for an unforgettable experience.
This unique attraction features more than 500 life size sculptures placed on the sea floor to encourage coral growth and marine life. You can explore the museum by snorkeling, scuba diving, or viewing it from a glass bottom boat, each offering a different perspective of this fascinating underwater gallery.
Cancún is known for its wide sandy beaches with turquoise waters. Public and private beaches alike offer opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing under the sun. Playa Delfines is a public favorite with sweeping sea views and the famous Cancún sign. Playa Tortugas offers calm waters, beachside dining, and a pier for ferries to Isla Mujeres. Playa Chac Mool is lively and close to nightlife, with soft sand and plenty of water sports to try.
Playa Delfines, Cancún
Cancún’s nightlife is as famous as its beaches, offering everything from high energy clubs to relaxed beach bars. Most of the action happens in the Hotel Zone, where venues stay open until the early morning and international DJs mix with local live bands.
This is where you’ll find the big names and lively crowds, with venues right by the beach or overlooking the lagoon.
More local in style, downtown offers casual cantinas, salsa bars, and live music spots.
Cancún is on the northeast coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, facing the Caribbean Sea. It sits at the gateway to the Riviera Maya and is about a two hour flight from many US cities. Cuba lies just across the water to the north, making Cancún one of the most accessible tropical destinations in the region.
Cancún was a tiny fishing village until the 1970s.
The sand here stays cool because it’s made of crushed coral.
Cancún averages 240 days of sunshine a year.
You can visit an underwater museum with over 500 sculptures.
It’s a gateway to ancient Mayan ruins like El Rey and Chichen Itza.
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