Cancun, Mexico: All You Must Know Before You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor
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Plan Your Trip to Cancun: Best of Cancun Tourism

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PLAN YOUR TRIP Cancun

Cancun’s a pretty well-known spot for spring breakers (and spring breakers at heart)—but its fun-loving spirit, miles of resorts, and nonstop nightlife is only one small part of the story. The city is one of Mexico’s all-around gems—literally made for vacationing. Its velvety beaches are some of the best the Caribbean has to offer, while scuba divers and snorkeling buffs will find plenty of action in the surf—including the Museo Subacuático de Arte, with its more than 500 underwater sculptures. On the outskirts of the city, sites like the pyramids of Chichen Itza give a deep-dive on the area’s sacred Maya heritage.

Travel Advice

Essential Cancun

3 days in Cancun

Postcard-perfect beaches, prime snorkeling and scuba diving, and incredible Mayan ruins.
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A family-friendly weekend in Cancun

Cancun has a reputation for being rowdy, but I also found it to be quite family friendly, with activities for all ages to enjoy. On a trip to the city with my in-laws, husband, and 11-month-old baby, we had no trouble getting around, and everyone had fun. It helped to plan in advance though, so here’s my cheatsheet for the perfect family weekend in Cancun.
Holly Kapherr, Winter Park, FL
  • Hyatt Ziva Cancun
    13,356
    The Hyatt Ziva is ideal for multigenerational travel because it’s basically two hotels in one—one side is for families, the other is adults only. There’s also the KidzClub with great activities like water volleyball, arts and crafts, and even video games; our baby was too young, but if your kids are ages 4–12, drop them there (for free!) and then enjoy some quiet pool time. We also loved the family-friendly live entertainment every night.
  • Chichen Itza
    26,400
    Most of the tour buses that go to Chichén Itza don’t have or allow car seats, so we rented a car from the Enterprise in downtown Cancun instead. From Cancun, it was about a two-hour drive, and then we hired a certified tour guide at the ruins (and it was well worth it). We loved shopping for souvenirs at the market, and were delighted to find the “secret” popsicle stand near the main entrance to cool down after our tour.
  • La Ruta de los Cenotes
    64
    For a break from the beach, I highly recommend Ruta de los Cenotes—a 21-mile-long road near Puerto Morelos with dozens of cenotes. We especially loved La Noria and Kin-Ha; at both, you could either jump in from a platform or climb down a ladder into the cool, calm water. Arrive early to avoid the crowds, and bring towels and flotation devices if your kids need them. Most cenotes have lockers to store your valuables.
  • Isla Mujeres
    For a fun day trip, we took the 15-minute Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres. The beautiful Playa Norte beach has peddlers selling snacks like grilled shrimp skewers and frozen mango slices, but we went straight to Lola Valentina restaurant and sat on the patio with a mountain of guacamole and chips to watch the street performers. Afterward, we went shopping on Miguel Hidalgo Avenue—a pedestrian-only street that turns into a lively party at sunset.
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  • Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya
    631
    If you’re visiting Cancun from May through September, don’t miss the chance to swim with whale sharks. We went out with Ocean Tours and the experience was amazing. They picked us up from our hotel (extra convenient!); the guides were bilingual and super friendly; and they provided everything we needed: life jackets, snorkeling equipment, snacks and cold beverages, and the confidence needed to swim alongside the world’s largest fish.
  • Interactive Aquarium
    1,843
    Our toddler-to-be loved touching the starfish and sea urchins in the tide pool area at this aquarium, but older kids will love the dolphin swim experience. We adults also did the underwater walking experience, which takes place in one of the aquarium’s vast tanks full of fish and invertebrates—it was fascinating!
  • Croco Cun
    2,198
    At this zoo-like spot, you actually get to interact with the animals, which was a really fun way to learn about Yucatan wildlife. We fed white-tailed deer, wore a boa constrictor, and even walked a boardwalk next to native crocodiles. The property is largely untouched, so it’s a really natural, comfortable place for the animals to live. And best of all: kids under five get in free.
  • Cancun Food Tours
    1,207
    For a fun night out with the family, book the Lucha Libre experience with Cancun Food Tours. We had the best time watching the wrestling match (from ringside seats!) and learning more about the sport (including whether Nacho Libre is real—he is, sort of). They even gave us masks to wear, plus we got to enjoy delicious tacos and a tequila tasting during the match and walk through a super cool night market afterward.
  • Captain Hook: Pirate Show and Dinner Cruise in Cancun
    1,686
    One of our favorite family-friendly things we did in Cancun was this immersive, pirate-themed adventure. Sailings depart every day at 6:30 p.m. and include a cannonfire send-off, live music, games, and a “battle” with an enemy ship. It sounds cheesy, and it is, but we had a blast. And kids eat free at the buffet with a paying adult; get the $55 surf and turf for yourself.
  • Lorenzillo's
    6,255
    The oldest and most celebrated restaurant in Cancun is also one of the most expensive, but it’s family friendly and lots of fun. The service is welcoming and attentive (a plus if you’ve got hangry little ones), and there’s nautical decor, live lobsters, and fish tanks to entertain the kids while you finish your wine. Oh—and there are crocodiles in the lagoon outside. Big ones!

Cancun Travel Guide

Travelers' pro tips or experiencing Cancun

justaguyincancun

Do not forget your sunglasses and biodegradable sunscreen. Studies show that some chemicals contained in regular sunscreen can be harmful to coral reefs!

BinMcKin

Chain restaurants are expensive, opt for the cantina with authentic Mexican food. You will not be disappointed.

CancunCanuck

While U.S. dollars are accepted at most places (buses won't take U.S. coins), it is better to use pesos. Prices are in pesos, your change will be in pesos and your service staff will appreciate tips in pesos.

Jon W

I tell them to picture the most beautiful beach, the kindest people, and the most amazing selection of resorts to choose from. There is something for everybody across all interests and price points.

Joan S

Cancun offers cuisine to satisfy every taste. Whether you're looking for gourmet restaurants as part of your all-inclusive or just simple food there's sure to be a resort that offers what you're looking for. Want to dine outside your resort? No problem. Cancun has everything from the finest steakhouse and seafood restaurants to small places to just grab a quesadilla.

SeeSea99

The hotel zone in Cancun has one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. The hotels along here have amazing oceanfront views available and many of the hotels have pools right along the beach.

What is the best way to get there?

flying

Cancun is served by the Cancún International Airport.

Do I need a visa?

Mexico has a visa exemption agreement with several countries, which means travelers coming from nations within this agreement (including the United States) don’t need a tourist visa for stays of up to 180 days — as long as they hold a passport valid at least six months beyond the period of intended stay, with one blank visa page.

For more information about visas and which countries are exempt, see here.

When is the best time to visit?

Late April through May: The Spring Breakers have left it is before the thick of Summer when the humidity rises and tropical storms can bring rainfall. There are also good deals on offer at this time of year. The average daytime temperatures reach highs of 87 Fahrenheit (31°Celcius) and lows of 73 Fahrenheit (23° Celcius).

Get around

bus

Three private bus lines connect Cancun’s downtown area and the "hotel zone" as well as more distant destinations such as Playa del Carmen and Tulum. For more information about fares and schedules, see here.

taxi and rideshare

Public taxis hailed from the street do not have meters, so always agree on a price before you get in. Site taxis, or taxis that belong to a company that are called or booked, have standard prices — negotiation is not welcome. Ridesharing companies like Uber are also available.

For more information about Cancun taxis, see here.

On the ground

What is the timezone?

Eastern Standard Time

What are the voltage/plug types?

The standard voltage in Cancun is 127V and the standard frequency is 60Hz. The plug has two flat parallel pins.

What is the currency?

The Mexican peso is the main currency, however, U.S. dollars are widely accepted throughout the Cancun Hotel Zone.

Are ATMs readily accessible?

Yes.

Are credit cards widely accepted?

Yes.

Is it easy to find a bank?

Yes.

How much do I tip?

In Mexico, tipping in either U.S. dollars (bills only) or pesos is acceptable, although pesos are more practical for the recipient.

How much do I tip?

Bartender

20 pesos per drink

Restaurant

10-20%

Bellhop

20-50 pesos

Housekeeper

50 pesos per night

Taxis/rideshare

Only if a taxi driver helps with luggage, 10 pesos per bag

Tour guide

10-20%

Spas

15-20%

Are there local customs I should know?

Drinking:

The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old.

Slow it down:

Arriving 30 minutes to two hours late to a social function at someone’s house is acceptable. In fact, it is actually polite to arrive late as the host won’t be ready if you arrive on time. The same goes for dining out — don’t be in a hurry. The waiter won’t bring you the bill when you’ve finished eating as it is considered too forceful and rude. You’ll have to ask for the bill but in the meantime, sit back and relax.

Greetings:

Mexicans are very friendly and personable people. When meeting a group, take the time to greet each individual personally and shake their hand.

Learn the language:

Learning a few basic Spanish phrases is a sign of respect and courtesy and will be appreciated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cancun

We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Cancun, which include:


Cancun is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:


If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Cancun between March and May, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between June and August.

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