Guide To Cancun

About Cancun

The State of Quintana Roo, on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, hosts Mexico's most visited beachside resort: Cancún (pronounced "Kan-KOON").

In the mid 1970s, the Mexican Tourist Board needed to identify areas for tourist development to attract much needed foreign income into Mexico. A deserted island, disconnected from the Mexican mainland, with silky-soft, talcum-powder-like beach sand, was to be the setting for what was to become Mexico's largest, most popular and most successful tourist spot.

Over 2 million people flock to the shores of Cancún annually, and there is good reason for this. The local environment is stunning; the beaches are pristine and the sea here is perfect for swimming and water activities; added to this, within a short traveling distance visitors can find themselves at the heart of some of the most amazing and breathtaking archaeological wonders of the world.

Cancún is a traditional commercialized resort. The island is now connected on both sides with bridges and all along the main avenue (Avenida Kukulcan) you'll discover a plethora of hotels and resorts, shops, restaurants, bars and night spots - in essence - all of the ingredients you'll ever need for that no-hassle, chill-out and relax holiday in pleasant surroundings and fine weather.

Cancún is easy for foreigners to travel around. Everyone speaks English, you'll see names and brands that you are familiar with at home and everything is catered for. Cancún is the place to come if you're looking for a hassle-free holiday and that also offers the opportunity to discover some archaeological wonders left behind by the Mayas.

Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel are all nearby, and you can discover these places individually with Mexperience. The archaeological wonders at Tulum, Chichén Itzá and Cobá are three of the main historical attractions in the area. A little further away, but well worth the trip if you have the time and inclination is the colonial city of Mérida and nearby archaeological site of Uxmal - one of the most attractive of all ancient ruins in Mexico.

If you're planning a honeymoon in Mexico, then Isla Mujeres is quieter, less commercialized, and more exclusive. Some honeymooners spend a week in Cancún, and a week on the island of Isla Mujeres for variety of atmosphere.

The fact that so many people travel to Cancún - and keep going back - is a testimony to its magnetic appeal.    If you're looking for something quieter or more exclusive in a resort, then explore Punta de Mita, Costa Alegre, Huatulco and Puerto Escondido instead.

Cancún has a lot to offer every visitor, and if you're looking for some easy-to-arrange fun, coupled with wonderful beaches within easy reach of Mayan ruins - consider Cancún. Start your discovery here, with Mexperience.

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Key Attractions

Cancún's Beaches

Cancún has some of the most attractive beaches anywhere in Mexico. You'll discover that access to a lot of beaches in Cancún require you to walk through hotel lobbies. Under Mexican Law, you have the right to walk on every beach in the country, with exception of those reserved for military installations. Feel free to walk through any hotel lobby (whether or not you're resident there) if there is a beach you want to visit.

Important!  Read the information concerning state of tides for safe swimming in Cancún on the Beach Safety heading under Practical Information on this page, as some of the open sea beaches have a dangerous undertow.

Diving and Snorkeling

If want to SCUBA dive or just snorkel in the clear shallow waters and see the coral and fish, Cancún has ideal waters for both. The corals, shallow reefs and sheer diversity of marine life, make Cancún one of top resorts world-wide for divers and snorkeling. Of particular note, is the Gran Arrecife Maya, (Great Mesoamerican Reef) which is one of the largest reefs in the whole world!

If you want to learn how to SCUBA Dive, Cancún is an excellent place to learn, and there are plenty of operators who will help to get you started. If you've ever wondered what it's like to breathe under water... give SCUBA diving a try on your visit to Cancún... very few forget this wonderful 'Mexperience.'

For experienced SCUBA divers in particular, the Island of Cozumel offers better facilities and is THE place to dive in this region of Mexico.

Health Spas

Cancún is host to a number good Resort Spas. For more information about Health Spas, and how to benefit from a magnificent health spa experience in Mexico, connect to the Mexperience Section about Health Spas.

Water Sports

If you're looking for fun on the water, whether its pedal power, or motor-power, Cancún offers you choice, variety and substance in all things water-based. The Lagoon to the west of Cancún (Laguna Nichupe) offers sailboats, jet-skis, windsurfing and other water-sport equipment for rent by visitors. Deep-sea fishing is also a popular activity here.

Sports Fishing Experiences

Cancún is one of Mexico's top destinations for deep sea Sports Fishing - especially in the waters around nearby Cozumel. Read our Guide to Sports Fishing in Mexico and discover just what a fantastic day out a sports fishing experience can be on your next visit to Mexico.

'Jungle' Tour on Water

Ride through Cancún's mangrove estuaries on a small motorized boat, leading out into Mexico's Caribbean sea and reefs. You rent your own boat, and see the sights at your own pace (payment is by the hour).

You can stop your boat and dive into the shallow waters to snorkel around the reefs and local marine life there. The operators provide snorkeling equipment and refreshments for you to take with you, included in the price. It's a great way to see this magical part of the world!

Local Boat Cruises

Regular excursions are available to Isla Mujeres: Connect to Isla Mujeres with Mexperience for more information about the Island. You can get to the Island:

• By Shuttle Boat - from Playa Linda or Playa Tortuga
• By Water Taxi - (fast, but more expensive) from Xcaret Terminal
• Public Ferry - from Puerto Juarez
• Pleasure Boat - see below.

Pleasure Boat Cruises are a great and popular way to see Cancún from the sea and also to visit the surrounding islands, including Isla Mujeres. Some pleasure boats have glass bottomed hulls and travel slowly over the shallow reefs.

Swimming with Dolphins

You can swim with the Dolphins on Isla Mujeres. Connect to Isla Mujeres with Mexperience for details.

Bird's Eye View of Cancún... by Helicopter

You can buy your own "customized" air tour of Cancún and surrounds, with flights available days and evenings, weather conditions permitting. See the blues and greens of the spectacular sea here; the paradise beaches, the Mayan ruins and much more - from the air.

Horseback and ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) Riding

Experience the thrill of horseback riding and visit some of the most scenically pleasing areas around Cancún - including Mayan ruins, caves, natural springs and across stunning beaches! These packages last about 5 or 6 hours and provide an exhilarating way to experience the area around Cancún.

Health Spas

Good Health Spas are available in Cancún/Yucatan areas. For more information about Health Spas, and how to get access to a magnificent health experience in Mexico, connect to the Mexperience Section about Health Spas.

Xel-Ha National Park

Day-trips to Xel-Ha are readily available and very convenient from Cancún. Xel-Ha is a national park which has been converted into a water theme park built around a collection of natural lagoons and inlets. The park offers a range of water activities, primarily based around snorkeling, although you can also float down the river in a ring, dive under water without tanks (they connect hoses to a helmet) and swim with dolphins (this costs extra and space is limited, so arrive early if you want to do this). There are also five restaurants and a bar which you can eat and drink at free if you paid the all-inclusive price.
For further information about Xel-Ha and photographs of the water park, connect to the In Mexico Diary for Cancún & Surrounds.

Golfing in Cancún

Cancún has some spectacular golf courses - so if you're a golfer, be sure to pack your clubs.

Archaeology Day Trips and Eco-Tours

Cancún serves a plethora of Archaeology Parks and Eco-Parks. Discover these in detail with Mexperience, by connecting to our Archaeology and Eco Tourism Sections and remember that many of the places on the Southern Peninsula will be easily accessible from Cancún, Isla Mujeres, and Cozumel!

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Getting There & Around

Getting There

By Air - Direct flights are available from London to Cancún; British Airways have scheduled flights twice a week; various tour companies operate chartered flights into Cancún from Airports in the UK. From Mexico, you can fly to Cancún from Mexico City and you can also connect to Cancún from various hub airports in the USA.

Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for Airlines.

By Bus - You can travel to Cancún on a luxury bus from Mexico City - but the trip will take around 24 hours. Flying is the most sensible way to get to Cancún, unless you are on a budget, and don't mind the wait (and want to see the sights along the way). For local bus transportation within Cancún, see paragraph below.

Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for National Buses.

By Car - Driving to Cancún is recommended only if you have a good reason to go by road - for example, you want to stop and see places on the way. If you are going to drive, keeping to the toll roads will speed up your journey.

See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico's Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Getting Around

From the Airport - Taxi fares from the airport to the main hotel center are quite expensive in Cancún. If you want to save some money, you can ride one of the Airport Vans that carry around 10 passengers and their luggage comfortably, dropping each party off at their requested hotel in turn. If you're traveling independently and you are game for a 1 mile walk to the highway, you can flag down a local bus into town, which will cost you around 50 cents U.S.

Local Buses - Local buses run a 24 hour service up and down the main Avenida Kukulcan; they are regular, clean and very efficient - they are also very inexpensive. You can also ride executive style minibuses and vans to nearby places like Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Chichén Itzá; these work out considerably less than hiring a taxi to these areas.

Taxis - Cancún's taxis are not metered, they operate on a zone basis, and are quite expensive. It is best to use the local buses (see above) unless you have a lot of luggage.

Rent a Moped - Mopeds can zip you around Cancún, but beware - they can be dangerous too. You may want to consider an alternative (like an open air Jeep) which will be more expensive, but safer.

Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for details about hiring a Moped or Jeep in Cancún and general Car Rental.

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Local Events Calendar

Cancún is host to a wide variety of conferences and exhibitions - many (but not exclusively) in relation to the travel and tourism industry.

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Practical Information

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico Page on Mexperience for full information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Most of Cancún's Banks with ATM machines are found on Avenida Tulum.  During business hours, they and the Casas de Cambio will buy traveler's cheques and cash from you as well. Read about currency exchange in Mexperience's Money Section.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical cover and/or travel assistance cover when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes are commonplace in Mexico - new ones open and old ones close all the time - but you won't have to look too hard to find one downtown and in the main tourist areas.

Safety in Cancún: Cancún is a very safe place; at all hours. There is very little crime in Cancún, although petty theft on beaches is as common as in any other tourist spot - so don't leave your gold watch on the beach for others to check the time with while you're not looking! Car Break-ins are becoming more common; once again, common sense (not leaving valuables in the car / in view) will minimize the already small risk of this happening to you.

Beach Safety:  Some of Cancún's beaches are exposed to the open sea, making some of the undercurrents particularly strong.  Cancún's hotels and beaches run a consistent flag color system to advise tourists of sea conditions.  Observe the flags, act accordingly and you'll be fine:

• White Flag - Excellent Sea Conditions - go and have fun!
• Green - Normal Sea Conditions - safe to swim!
• Yellow - Changeable sea conditions - practice caution!
• Black or Red - Unsafe / Danger - head for the pool!

Remember that sea conditions can change while you're out in it, so keep and eye on the flag colors back on the beach.

Local Tourist Office: Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for details of the nearest Tourist Information office.

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Accommodation

• Find a Hotel in Cancún

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Restaurants

Thai Lounge: Thai food. Plaza La Isla, Blvd. Kukulcán. Tel: (998) 8831401

Hard Rock Cafe. Fast food, hamburgers. Centro Comercial "Forum by the Sea" A-20. Blvd Kukulcán. Tel: (998) 8818120

La Habichuela. Mexican, International food. Margaritas 25,Cancún Centro. Tel: (998) 8843158

La Dolce Vita. Italian. Blvd. Kukulcán Zona Hotelera Km. 14.6. Tel: (998) 8850161

Los Almendros. Yucatecan food. Av Bonampak and Sayil, opposite the bullring. (999) 9227844

Hacienda el Mortero. Mexican food. Boulevard Kukulcán Km 9.5. Tel: (998) 8831133.

My Place. Located in Cancun's party zone, My Place has become one of Cancun's premier spots on the waterfront. Dine while enjoying the breathtaking sunset from the lagoon.
Av Kukulcan Km 9 Hotel Zone, Plaza el Zocalo, Tel: (998) 883-1300

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When Night Falls

Locally Hosted Parties - Many of the Hotels host their own parties which include dinner, dancing, a show and all drinks for a fixed fee. Ask at your hotel to find out what is happening locally.

Nightclub Scene - Acapulco, Mazatlán and Cancún are three of the biggest night-club (discothèque) centers in Mexico, although Acapulco and Mazatlán are the busiest of the three. Night Clubs are a big part of the holiday scene in Cancún, and like their Acapulco and Mazatlán counterparts, they don't stop till the sun comes up. Some night clubs charge an all inclusive cover fee; some a smaller cover and drinks on top. Drinks are served all night - don't even consider going to a nightclub until about 11pm. Nightclubs keep going all morning and people will start to leave at around 5 am or 6 am.

Beach Clubs - A lot of hotels provide night-club facilities in areas that lead out onto the beach... along with the music, dancing and drinks.

Night Bars / Restaurants - All over Cancún there is a selection of local, national and international names in Late Night Entertainment. Check the Mexperience Travel Center for details.

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What to Buy in Cancún

Shopping is a major pastime in Cancún - a man-made contribution to the natural beauty and wonder of the resort and surrounding areas.

There is an advantage to shopping in Cancún - especially for people living in Europe. Quintana Roo, Cancún's state, is a duty-free zone in Mexico. This means that bargains can be obtained on luxury items like expensive perfumes, jewelry, cosmetics and the like. Large value items should be declared on your return to your home country - see Customs Allowances in the Travel Essentials Section

There are lots of shopping centers, malls, open air markets, crafts centers, clothes and fashion stores and more in Cancún; you can literally shop until you drop... or shop until you get too tired and need to get back to your sun lounge on the beach.

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Local Climate

Cancún is Hot - and humid, but the humidity is not as drenching as it can be in some other places in Mexico. August through October is hurricane season in this part of the world and the weather becomes more changeable and less predictable during these months. The rainy season is May through October. November through February is the high season in Cancún, and quite hot, although evenings can be cooler, so a wool pullover may be a useful item to pack with you during these times.

Live Weather Report:

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