Cancun

Travel Guide
Cancun which includes a sandy beach, landscape views 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
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
Hotel Zone which includes general coastal views, tropical scenes and a pool

Punta Cancun

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

Punta 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 Royal Yak Casino and Sports Book or Ceviche Square might round out your trip.

Avenida Tulum
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Puerto Juarez

While visiting Puerto Juarez, you might make a stop by sights like Ultramar Ferry Puerto Juárez and El Niño Beach.

Puerto Juarez
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
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! (3,220 reviews)
"The maintenance status of playground equipment in the kids' area should be improved"

Reviewed on 27 Oct, 2024

Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach 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
Book a stay at this beach property in Cancun. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5,698 reviews)
"We went to the Wyndham Alltra for our anniversary this past September. It is a beautiful and truly authentic resort. The staff was lovely as well as the food, drinks and everything else. I would recommend shooting for a level 6 room if possible as it included the VIP bar with the best alcohol and ..."

Reviewed on 29 Oct, 2024

Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
Hotel Riu Palace Peninsula - All Inclusive
Hotel Riu Palace Peninsula - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Blvd Kukulkan, Km 5.5 Lote 6-C, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, QROO
Stay at this 4-star beach property in Cancun. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,223 reviews)
"Great property to stay at. Will definitely be back. Room service menu was limited but there were plenty of food options downstairs."

Reviewed on 29 Oct, 2024

Hotel Riu Palace Peninsula - 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.
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 a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,491 reviews)
"Older Mexican resort that is clean, convenient with great location. Staff is great. Poolsnd beach are great. We go here every year."

Reviewed on 28 Oct, 2024

Beachscape Kin ha Villas & Suites
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
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
6.6/10 (1,275 reviews)
"Una buena experiencia ."

Reviewed on 17 Aug, 2024

All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park - All Inclusive
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 in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (723 reviews)
"Primera vez en esta cadena y realmente encantado del valor por dinero que ofrecen! Su personal de lo mejor. Muy cómodo y accesible todo. Quizás renovar toallas y sabanas no seria malo! Y poner deshumidificadores en las habitaciones, es increíble que el piso se mantenga húmedo! Pero se que lidiar ..."

Reviewed on 8 Oct, 2024

Extended Suites Cancún Cumbres
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

Cities near Cancun