Cancun Travel & Vacation Guide

What better way to enjoy water sports than in the warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters of Cancún? Whether you choose to go swimming, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, kite sailing, jet-skiing, parasailing, diving, or snorkeling along the second-largest reef in the world, you'll not be disappointed. Maybe you prefer to stay on the surface and experience the thrill of deep-sea fishing or just relax on a sunset cruise — there is literally no water sport imaginable that you won’t find here. Aspiring and advanced divers should not miss a dive in the famous diving paradise of Cozumel. Another must is the popular jungle tour through the nature reserve of the Nichupte Lagoon where you can be a captain of your own boat.

Discover one of Cancún’s little treasures, the Mexican Folk Art Museum brimming with excellent examples of Mexican folk art and crafts. You can also experience the traditions and culture of Mexico at Xcaret Park, which offers an incredible show with advanced technology, amazing costumes, and an impeccable set design.

Cenotes (sinkholes) are deep wells with crystal clear water that can be accessed when the roof of a cave collapses. Fed by underground rivers, the cenotes were the main source of freshwater for the Mayans and therefore are considered sacred. They are unique to the Yucatán peninsula, and still to this day, the underground cave system connecting all the cenotes remains largely unexplored. Witnessing the breathtaking beauty of the large clusters of stalactites and stalagmites being mirrored in the crystal clear cool waters is a unique experience. Every cenote has its own particular beauty, and putting on a swimsuit and snorkeling in the pool is an absolutely unforgettable experience. Some tour operators also offer cave diving excursions for very experienced divers.

Is swimming with dolphins a dream for you? Then make it a reality at the Dolphinaris Cancún. Here, you get to interact with these beautiful and smart creatures, become a trainer for a day, and follow the daily routines of a dolphin's life. An unforgettable experience for both the kids and the grownups.

Downtown (El Centro) is the actual backbone of Cancún. What it lacks in history, it makes up for being a true melting pot — an exciting mix of the old traditional Mexico and an ultra-modern urban sprawl. Avenida Tulum, the main street, passing through the heart of the city, is easy to reach by public transport. The street is lined with shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants. Be sure to stop by Parque de las Palapas, on the market square, where locals come to chat and watch the entertainment provided by various local groups. The lively atmosphere and the sound of Mexican music are infectious, and any worries will quickly be postponed to "mañana." Browse around the artisan stalls and try some of the local sweet delicacies or visit the "Hippie Market" around the corner. In the evenings, the place to be is Avenida Yaxchillan with its lively restaurants and bars, popular with locals and tourists alike.

If you're looking for a great family day out, don’t forget to visit the eco-parks of Xel Há and Xcarét. With shows and adventures set in stunning lush tropical vegetation with exotic wildlife, these parks offer an entertaining, educational, and fun day out for the young and old alike. For the slightly more energetic and adventurous, try one of the exciting eco-tours which will make you feel like a true explorer.

Most hotels in the Hotel Zone or Zona Hotelera are located directly on Cancún's beautiful beach. The Hotel Zone itself is divided into kilometer-long sections, which make it easy to navigate. The heart of the area is undoubtedly Cancún's famous buzzing party zone (km 8), where the bars and nightclubs draw both young and old crowds until the early morning hours. The party also attracts performing and visiting celebrities so you'll never know who you might be rubbing shoulders with.

Unlike most aquariums, at the Interactive Aquarium of Cancún, you'll get a chance to get up close to sea creatures and even interact with some of them. Here, you can touch starfish and sea urchins, swim with dolphins, or watch them put on a show. There are over 140 species on display here and the Aquarium is open 365 days a year.

Picturesque bar and restaurant serving authentic Mexican dishes from around the country, especially the Maya area, as well as an expansive assortment of tequilas and Mexican craft beers. Plus, a mariachi band brings the entire experience together.

Coco Bongo is not your typical nightclub. Instead of a dance floor and DJ acts, the venue, which is “a combination of Cirque du Soleil, a concert, a theater, and a disco,” hosts musical performances by local artists impersonating famous singers and actors. Plus, dancers, trapeze artists, and gymnasts, all work to create an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment that audiences will remember for the rest of their lives.

Lively, multi-level venue playing all sorts of music and offering live DJs, lots of dancing, and drinks at reasonable prices. Join the conga line and get ready to socialize with tourists and locals alike.

Let some experienced guides take you to the hippest Cancún bars and nightclubs and enjoy yourself with an open bar tab — you'll have the chance to meet new people and discover new places from the viewpoint of a local.

D'Cave's experienced DJs spin a mash-up of 80s, 90s, hip-hop, and dance tunes, paying homage to all styles and tastes. Boasting trendy interiors and showcasing laser effects, the nightclub is a major draw for tourists in Cancún.

Upscale spot for nightlife in Cancún, Mandala features great music (mostly electronic), bottle service, and an open-air, vibrant atmosphere, which is enhanced by a young and cosmopolitan crowd that fills the dance floor till the early hours.

Informal bar and restaurant in the middle of the Hotel Zone offering a great selection of drinks, burgers, and quesadillas, as well as live music and shisha. Great spot to drop by before hitting Cancún's nightclubs.

Señor Frog's is both a restaurant and an upbeat bar, combining a family-friendly atmosphere with events and parties that fear no rivals. Gratify your taste buds with delicious Mexican specialties or pop in at night, when the dance floor fills up with people, Señor Frog's is an unbeatable component of Cancún's nightlife.

Kukulcan Plaza is a beautiful and modern mall right on the main street of the Hotel Zone. It is renowned for its assortment of luxury shops and international names. Here you'll also find some souvenir shops, local brands, and a few eateries. The mall boasts stunning architecture, including an elaborate Mayan stained-glass dome. It's here where the Luxury Avenue Boutique Mall is located, offering the most famous — and expensive — brands.

La Isla is a lively, open-air shopping complex featuring shady alleys and pretty canals, showcasing a wide array of shops, restaurants, and attractions, including a Ferris wheel. Take a stroll down the quaint streets, browse at the shops renowned worldwide, or grab a bite to eat — La Isla is a pleasant shopper's paradise.

Located 12 km from the Hotel Zone, Las Plazas Outlet is a partly outdoor and indoor shopping mall housing a cinema, lots of eateries, as well as several shops of internationally famous brands, such as Puma, Nike, Adidas, Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Guess, Calvin Klein, among others.

With its touch of luxury shopping, Cancún turned into a most coveted holiday resort. The Luxury Avenue Mall boasts the most prestigious brands in beauty, fashion, jewelry, and watches in a luxurious environment and exclusive service.

Mercado 28 is the perfect destination to browse the colorful stalls and get a glimpse of Mexican souvenirs and handicrafts. Vendors tend to be pushy, but with good haggling skills, you can find a comprehensive variety of products at reasonable prices, including pottery, clothes, and knickknacks.

Plaza Las Americas is a huge shopping center in downtown Cancún, boasting a diverse assortment of shops, eateries, and cafés. Connected to another big shopping mall, the whole complex features both large international brands as well as small shops owned by locals. Plus, a casino, a pharmacy, a cinema, and a few hotels.

If you want to avoid holiday crowds and high prices, the best time to visit Cancún is from May to November, particularly in September and October. However, these two are also the rainiest months. If you prefer escaping the cold winter to relax in the sun, book your trip in December or January, the high season in Cancún.

Visa exemption applies to citizens of all EU countries, most countries in the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and more. Both tourists and business visitors from these countries may stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. For Russian, Turkish, and Ukrainian passport holders, electronic authorization (SAE) is required, which then grants travelers from these countries the right of a single entry followed by a stay of up to 30 days. Please consult an official source/consulate in your home country for the latest information on visa requirements.

Cancún Airport International (CUN) offers travelers two distinct transfer options to reach the Hotel Zone. Opting for an airport taxi shuttle is the quickest and most convenient choice, ensuring a swift 30-minute journey directly to your hotel. For budget-conscious travelers, the ADO bus to Cancún's city center provides a more economical option. However, from the city center, you'll still need to take a taxi to the Hotel Zone or switch to the local R-1 or R-2 public bus, which runs to the Hotel Zone every few minutes. The total journey time will be around 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on traffic.

Cancún's central bus station is located at the corner of Avenidas Tulum and Uxmal, offering excellent and regular connections to most touristic destinations. A regular shuttle transfer to Playa del Carmen leaves every 15-30 minutes. The frequent local bus service between the Hotel Zone and downtown Cancún (R-1 or R-2 buses) is quite efficient, although old, and runs around the clock. Buses stop on hand signal and will often leave before everyone is seated; bus stops are marked with a blue and black sign with a picture of a bus. You can buy tickets on board but don't forget to check your change before taking your seat.

Taxis are a common mode of transport in Cancún. Despite warnings to agree on a price before getting in, one should know that all taxi drivers belong to a syndicate, and there is an official fixed price list split into various zones that all taxi drivers must carry (also available in all hotels). Taxis in the Hotel Zone are more expensive than downtown, and a standing taxi always costs slightly more than one flagged down from the curb. A couple of alternatives are the Taxi Cancun taxi service that serves all over Cancún and runs around the clock, and reserving a ride with Uber.

110 Volt. Hotels usually offer voltage converters for 220 Volt devices.

There are two types of pharmacies in Mexico, the regular Farmacia and the Farmacia Similares. The former sells well-known brand medications whilst the latter sells cheaper non-branded medicines. You can find a Farmacia on almost every corner within Cancún's downtown, with several located in the Hotel Zone. Many Farmacias are open 24 hours and offer a delivery service for a small surcharge.

The postal service in Mexico is very slow and often not very reliable. Sending anything of importance or value is usually safer by courier service. Cancún’s main post office is located in the city center where stamps or postcards can be found; mailboxes are red and easy to recognize.