Cancun

Travel Guide
Hotel Zone showing tropical scenes, a pool and general coastal views
Relax by the pool, dive through subaquatic caves and learn about the region’s fascinating past through museums and archeological sites.

Cancún is an intriguing city with three distinct faces. It is at once a world-renowned vacation resort, an adventure base for exploring lagoons and caves and an open-air museum showcasing the ruined temples of the Mayans. Draw up an action-packed itinerary for your vacation in this dynamic region.

Choose from the range of lodgings in the Hotel Zone. The area comprises a narrow strip between the Nichupté lagoon and the Caribbean Sea, made up of beaches and luxury hotels. Bring your kids to the Acuario Interactivo for interaction tanks and opportunities to swim with the fish.

Lay down a blanket for a picnic on Playa Delfines, a short taxi ride south from the aquarium. Snap photos of your family in front of the colorful Cancún sign and swim in the clear water. A little north is Playa Tortugas, which is fairly busy, with restaurants serving seafood and Mexican cuisine.

Remaining in the Hotel Zone, visit the Maya Cancun Museum for its captivating historic sights and exhibition spaces. Nearby is the El Rey Ruins, which consists of a small Maya village with a temple dating back to around A.D. 250. Take a trip to the El Meco Archaeological Site in the northern outskirts of the city.

The city is also an ideal base for excursions. Embark on a boat trip from the Gran Puerto Cancún to Isla Mujeres. The island contains the Garrafon Natural Reef Park, which has excellent water visibility for snorkeling. Go with tour operators to the cenote lagoons and underwater caves of Xcaret Park on the mainland.

Find the city on the Yucatán Peninsula in the southeastern part of Mexico. Fly to the Cancún International Airport and get a taxi or bus northeast for around 30 minutes to reach the heart of the Hotel Zone. The city is about 1 hour north of Playa del Carmen and about an hour and 45 minutes north of Tulum by car.

Cancún is the ultimate vacation destination, with a blend of serenity and entertainment.

Where to stay in Cancun

Escenica Tower which includes a beach, a luxury hotel or resort and general coastal views

Zona Hotelera

4.5/5(19,550 area reviews)

The stunning beaches and fantastic nightlife are just a few highlights of Zona Hotelera. Make a stop by La Isla Shopping Mall or Forum Beach while you're exploring the area.

Zona Hotelera
Hotel Zone which includes a pool and a luxury hotel or resort as well as a small group of people

Punta Cancun

If you're spending some time in Punta Cancun, Forum Beach and Chac Mool Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Punta Cancun
Mexico and Central America which includes music, nightlife and night scenes

Downtown Cancun

4/5(767 area reviews)

Downtown Cancun is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Plaza 28 and Cancun Mall.

Downtown Cancun
La Isla shopping mall! Has some great attractions with a wide range of places to eat!

La Isla

If you're spending some time in La Isla, La Isla Shopping Mall and Isla Dorada are top sights worth seeing.

La Isla
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Avenida Tulum

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Avenida Tulum. A stop by Ceviche Square or Mercado Ki Huic might round out your trip.

Avenida Tulum
Loads of fun in diving in MUSA. Not common to find an underwater museum. Even if it has been sat up only in 2013, you can see that nature is already taking the space for itself and loads of corals are already growing on the statues.

Alfredo V. Bonfil

When in Alfredo V. Bonfil, you can plan a visit to Dubai Palace Casino and Ventura Park Cancun, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Alfredo V. Bonfil
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive
4.5 out of 5
Blvd. Kukulcan km. 9.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, QROO
The price is $438 per night from May 1 to May 2
$438
$534 total
includes taxes & fees
May 1 - May 2
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury property in Cancun. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free valet parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,882 reviews)
"A true 5 start hotel in every angle .clean place, excellent room service, great food and superior customer service."

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2024

Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All Inclusive
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Blvd. Kukulkan km 16.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, QROO
The price is $283 per night from May 18 to May 19
$283
$349 total
includes taxes & fees
May 18 - May 19
Stay at this beach property in Cancun. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 10 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,076 reviews)
"It has been our 3rd time back to this hotel. Pros: Friendly and helpful staff, great food choices, plenty activities for kids and teenagers. Cons: The rooms need update; they are somewhat worn out. Night time entertainment needs improvement. Would come back again; overall, it was a great stay."

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2024

Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All Inclusive
Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
4 out of 5
Boulevard Kukulkan, Km. 11.5, Cancun, QROO
The price is $321 per night from May 27 to May 28
$321
$326 total
includes taxes & fees
May 27 - May 28
Stay at this beach property in Cancun. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5,370 reviews)
"First timr in Cancun and glad i made a choice to Wyndham Alltra! Staff are so welcoming and very pleasant. I travelled with my 9 yr old girl and she enjoyed the whole 5 days of stay! Camp for kids were very accommodating. Food is tasty from taco to Italian and sushi! Place very clean and rooms were ..."

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2024

Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Beachscape Kin ha Villas & Suites
Beachscape Kin ha Villas & Suites
3.5 out of 5
Blvd. Kukulcan Km 8.5, Cancun, QROO
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,331 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2024

Beachscape Kin ha Villas & Suites
Extended Suites Cancún Cumbres
Extended Suites Cancún Cumbres
3 out of 5
Súper Manzana 311, MZ-26 LT. 18, Cancun, QROO
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free parking, a health club, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (544 reviews)
"Motel was easy to find, it was fairly clean, just starting to have quite a bit of wear. I would rate it as a two star."

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2024

Extended Suites Cancún Cumbres
All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park - All Inclusive
All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park - All Inclusive
3.5 out of 5
Km. 1.5 Carretera a Puerto Juarez, Punta Sam, Cancun, QROO
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
6.6/10 (1,233 reviews)
"We had great vocation with my kids at All Ritmo resort and water park . Nice beach, awesome view! Relax and quiet environment! Great hard worker, helpful staffs! Nice pool and water park that for kids and adults to enjoy! Different activities for kids and adults to enjoy during all day and every ..."

Reviewed on Apr 4, 2024

All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Cancun

The main tourist areas of Cancún City are easy to explore on foot as they are relatively compact. If you do want to see other parts of the city or travel further afield, there are a few different options available. Travel by public bus for the most economical option. Alternatively, flag a taxi in the street or book one in advance. You can consider renting a car if you plan on doing a lot of travel. Visit the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation website. Browse Cancun rental cars.

Best time to visit

Peak season in Cancún runs between December and April. Although prices do climb during these months and accommodations fill up more quickly, it is still worth visiting at this time for the gorgeous sunny weather. Expect high temperatures of between 82 F (27 C) and 86 F (30 C). Try to avoid the hurricane season if you can. It runs from June into October, and can be very hot, rainy and unpredictable.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Read travel guides and advice on visiting Cancun

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