Best things to do in Cancun (México): a travel guide with everything you need to know

Being one of the main tourist destinations in the Mexican Caribbean and its most populated city, Cancun offers several possibilities to those who choose it as a vacation destination: days of sun at the beach, days of exploring the Mayan culture and the most biodiverse nature in its surroundings or a mix of both.

The truth is that despite the amount of buildings and resorts in its hotel zone and the succession of restaurants and multinational chain stores that sometimes make us doubt if we are in Mexico, the cleanliness, color, quality and free beaches of Cancun surprised us (especially considering the privatization of the beaches that is taking place in several parts of the Riviera Maya).

In this guide we try to show you all the things to see and do in Cancun with practical tips, itineraries from 1 to 4 days, what to see in the surroundings and how to get there, how to move around, where to stay and even where to eat (avoiding tourist traps) so you can make the most of your trip to the Mexican Caribbean.

Basic facts for traveling to Cancun

Language: Spanish

Currency: MXN ($) Mexican Peso (1$ equals 20 MXN approx.). Check the updated exchange rate here

Population: 888,797 (in 2020)

When to visit: you can go all year round although the ideal time to go is during the dry season (from November to April); you can also go during the rainy season (from May to October) since it does not rain every day or all day but you have to take into account that there is a higher probability of hurricanes between June and November. We detail more about when to visit Cancun in this section of the guide.

How long to stay: from one day to visit the beaches to several days using Cancun as a base to enjoy all that the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula have to offer. In this section we share specific itineraries for Cancun to help you organize your trip.

How to get there: There are many direct international flights to Cancun so we recommend you use flight comparators like Skyscanner and Kiwi and be flexible with dates to get the best possible price. More details in this section of the guide.

Visa: With a US, Canadian, European or UK passport it is not necessary to obtain a visa. Upon arrival in Mexico, it will be enough to show your valid passport, and depending on your departure date, you will be given up to a maximum of 180 days. Although Mexico does not require a passport with at least 6 months validity, some airlines do, so it’s better to comply.

Where to stay: ideally you should stay in Cancun (in the hotel zone) to go to the beach, although prices are cheaper in the city (but you will be further away from the beach). You can also use Cancun as a base to visit/take tours to different places in the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula. More details in the Where to Stay in Cancun section of the guide.

What to bring: A good travel insurance (in this link we give you a 5% discount on the one we always carry) and here is the list of what you must have in your backpack for this trip

How to get around: The best option is walking (in the hotel zone) or by Uber (for longer trips). To explore its surroundings you have the option of renting a car to move around freely or hiring tours. More info on how to get around Cancun in this section of the guide.

How much it costs: From 40$/day per person (approx.) depending on the type of accommodation, meals and how much you want to explore the surroundings, plus flights. More budget information in this section of the guide.

Internet connection: If you are visiting for a few days, your phone supports eSIM and you don’t want to complicate things, we recommend Holafly eSIM (unlimited data, 5% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP) or Airalo eSIM (limited data, but cheaper, 15% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP15). Otherwise, the cheapest way is to get a local SIM (we recommend Telcel). More info here

Vaccines: there are some recommended vaccines if you travel to Mexico, you can check them here

Time zone: UTC -5

Where is Cancun

The most populated city in the state of Quintana Roo is located in the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, in southern Mexico, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. Here you can see its location on a map:

And in this other map you can see Cancun and other places of interest in the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula such as Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Valladolid, Holbox, Cozumel, Merida…

When to visit Cancun

To choose the best time to visit Cancun you have to take into account 3 main factors: weather, tourist demand and sargasso. Here we detail when to visit Cancun based on them.

Weather in Cancun

The weather in Cancun, as in the entire Mexican Caribbean, is mainly divided into two seasons:

• Dry season (November to April): less chances of rain, milder temperatures (it is still hot). The winter months (December to March) usually have the best weather, although depending on the year this may vary, and during December and January it is common for “nortes” (north winds) to arrive with somewhat cooler temps and sporadic rains that can sometimes even cause port closures for boats, affecting tours.
• Rainy season (May to October): it rains more, it is hotter and there is a probability of hurricanes (the official hurricane season is from June to November).

The ideal time to visit Cancun is during the dry season, to have a better chance of good weather and less hurricanes, from December to April.

Here is a summary table of the weather in Cancun to give you an idea of what to expect:

Cancun weather, with temperatures and rainy days per month:

Month	Minimum temperature	Maximum temperature	Water temperature (average)	Amount of sargassum	Rainy days
January	20º	27º	26º	Under	6
February	20º	28º	26º	Under	5
March	21º	28º	26º	Medium	4
April	23º	30º	27º	High	4
May	24º	31º	27º	High	7
June	25º	31º	28º	High	11
July	25º	32º	29º	High	10
August	24º	32º	29º	Medium	11
September	24º	31º	29º	Medium	14
October	23º	30º	28º	Under	13
November	21º	29º	27º	Under	8
December	20º	28º	27º	Under	6
Month	Minimum temperature	Maximum temperature	Water temperature (average)	Amount of sargassum	Rainy days

Sargassum in Cancun

Another problem that affects several areas of the Mexican Caribbean is the famous sargassum that invades the shore of the beaches and changes the landscape from a postcard beach to a less appetizing one. Sargassum usually appears between April and October, although like everything else, it depends on the year.

Sargassum is a floating macroalgae that moves with the currents. It has its important function in the ocean (for example, it produces oxygen through photosynthesis and is a habitat for different species). On the other hand, an excessive amount of sargassum can generate problems in the ocean itself (for example, if it sinks it can suffocate corals).

In theory it has always existed in the Gulf of Mexico, but since 2011 it began to increase its area, and from then on large quantities of sargassum began to arrive on the shores of the Caribbean beaches, disfiguring them and producing a nauseating odor.

The amount of sargassum that arrives and the months during which it appears varies from year to year, being very difficult to predict: normally the sargassum season goes from April to August, but for example in 2023 it started to appear already in February.

The Mexican government and businesses/hotels have several initiatives to try to mitigate the effects of sargassum, such as cleaning the beaches or even installing anti-sargassum nets/barriers in the sea, but they are not 100% effective so the ideal is to avoid the months with more risk of sargassum if your goal is to travel to the Mexican Caribbean to enjoy its beaches.

If you want to check the updated status of the different beaches of the Mexican Caribbean, there is the Facebook page Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo, which frequently updates the data (although not always), in Viajefest or in Sargassum Monitoring. We also recommend searching for Instagram stories by location to see “real time” images of the beaches you plan to visit.

Tourism demand in Cancun

The times of highest tourist demand (and therefore, when we will find more people, more lines, more expensive prices and more complications to go to the most famous restaurants or places) are:

• Summer (June to October):in addition to being school holidays in many countries and increasing demand (and prices), it is the rainy season.
• Easter Week (March/April)
• National Holidays (November, December)
• Christmas and New Year’s Eve

So we recommend you to avoid those dates if you want to enjoy Cancun more calmly and with better accommodation prices.

Important festivities in Cancun

If you want to be in Cancun (or around) for the biggest parties of the year, don’t miss out:

• Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza (March and September): the length of day and night are equalized and an optical illusion is observed on the side wall of the pyramid, which in the shape of a snake descends to reach the head carved at the base of the temple. Every year thousands of tourists and locals come to see it because it is something spectacular.
• Summer Solstice (June): June 21, the longest day of the year, is the day the Mayas considered to bring abundance and fertility. Nowadays the Fire Ceremony is celebrated in different parts of the Mayan Riviera, also in Cancun.
• Independence of Mexico (September): September 15 is the celebration of the country’s independence and crowds of people gather in the plazas to give the “grito de la independencia“. Meanwhile, restaurants, bars and nightclubs once again take advantage of this occasion to organize activities and all-night parties in Cancun.
• Mayan New Year (July): the Mayan year begins on July 26 and ends on July 24, so July 25 is considered a day to be dedicated to reflection, meditation and purification of the spirit for which festivities are held that include the typical food of the country, dance and music.
• Christmas (the last 2 weeks of December)
• New Year’s Eve (December 31-December 31) and New Year’s Eve (January 1)

Summary: Best months to visit Cancun

Based on the above, if you are looking to visit Cancun with less people, good weather and reasonable prices (except in the weeks of high tourist demand), the best months are November, December, January and February, being that March to May is also a good time although hotter and with a higher probability of sargassum.

How to get to Cancun

There are plenty of direct international flights to Cancun so we recommend you use flight comparators such as Skyscanner and Kiwi and be flexible with dates to get the best possible price.

Here is how to get to Cancun from different nearby points of the Yucatan Peninsula.

How to get from Cancun airport to Cancun

• By Bus: The ADO bus company connects Cancun airport with Cancun downtown (this is where the terminal is located). The ADO leaves from all airport terminals and takes you directly to downtown Cancun, leaves about every 30min between 7:00 and 23:00, and costs 130 MXN (you can buy tickets online here). If you are staying in the Hotel Zone, you will have to go from the ADO terminal there by another bus (the local bus R2 for example, although if you have a lot of luggage you may have problems), or by Uber/Taxi.
• By Taxi/Uber: at the airport you can only use official cabs, Uber is not allowed. Cabs to Cancun Centro or the Hotel Zone cost between 600 and 700 MXN.
• Private transfer: if you prefer, you can hire a private transfer from the airport to your accommodation, so that it will be waiting for you when you arrive at the airport. We hired this service upon our arrival in Cancun, and it worked perfectly. The 6-seater vehicle costs about 800 MXN, so it can be an economical option if you are a group of people.
• By rental car: if you are going to visit several places in the Riviera Maya or the Yucatan Peninsula, it can be a good option to rent a car so you don’t have to depend on public transportation or tours. Driving in the Yucatan Peninsula is generally easy and safe, although you should carefully read the rental conditions because in Mexico there is a lot of confusion with the different types of insurance and you may get a surprise when you arrive to pick up the car.

How to get to Cancun from other areas of the Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya

Being Cancun the tourist epicenter of the Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya, it will be very easy to get there from any other tourist spot. Most places (Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Chiquilá, Valladolid, Mérida…) have bus connection (ADO) with Cancun, which is the cheapest and most comfortable way to move around. You can check ADO schedules and prices here

If you rent a car, federal highway 307 connects Cancun with most of the points of interest in the Riviera Maya, so you won’t get lost.

Do I need a visa to travel to Mexico?

For people with USA, Canada, UK and European passports it is not necessary to obtain a visa. Upon arrival in Mexico, it will be enough to show your valid passport, and depending on your departure date, you will be given up to a maximum of 180 days.

Although Mexico does not require a passport with at least 6 months validity, some airlines do, so it’s better to comply.

Are there required vaccines to travel to Mexico?

There are some recommended vaccines if you travel to Mexico, you can check them here

How many days to stay in Cancun

At least one day to visit some of its beaches, although two days would be ideal to visit several and enjoy them. Cancun can be an excellent base to visit other parts of the Riviera Maya or even as a beach destination if you are looking for a vacation of doing nothing, so you can stay as many days as you want.

In this section we share specific Cancun itineraries to help you organize your trip.

Things to see and do in Cancun

To make it easier for you to plan your trip to Cancun, we have divided the places in three zones: the Hotel Zone (where the beaches are located), downtown Cancun and surroundings (Riviera Maya / Yucatan Peninsula) with nearby places where you can go on day trips in tours or with your rented car.

Map of Cancun

As we told you, we have divided the places in three zones (hotel zone, downtown Cancun and surroundings) and we have put each zone in a different color to make it easier for you to identify them. It’s all on a Google Maps map that you can take with you on your smartphone to use during your trip.

Here you can also see a small schematic map of Cancun (it is rotated to the left). Source: caribemexicano.travel’s official Cancun guide

What to see in Cancun’s Hotel Zone: best beaches in Cancun

Here is a list of the beaches you can enjoy in Cancun. These beaches are characterized by their electric turquoise color and fine white sand shore. Depending on the season and the beach, there may be waves. As in many areas of the Riviera Maya, although the beaches are public by law in Mexico, the access to them is not necessarily so, so it is not always easy to find how to enter the beach.

In the case of the Cancun Hotel Zone, we have the beaches of the northern zone (which joins the hotel zone with downtown Cancun), smaller and with very calm waters, and the beaches of the hotel zone itself, which is really all one beach that receives different names depending on the public entrances to it, and where the sea is usually a little less calm and with some waves (but which we liked the most).

At Randomtrip we spent a whole day touring this huge beach of the Hotel Zone on foot, entering through the first public entrance (Playa Forum) and walking along the sand to the rest, down to Playa Delfines, and another half day to visit the beaches of the northern zone. Here we detail all the beaches and where to enter each one, as well as some other places of interest that you will find in the area.

Playa Gaviota Azul and Playa Forum

Playa Forum is the closest beach to the hotel where we stayed at Randomtrip, the Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone, and is less than a 10-minute walk away for a morning dip.

Given its proximity to the core of the hotel zone and that its free access is just behind the famous nightclub Coco Bongo, Playa Forum and the neighboring Playa Gaviota Azul, are usually more crowded. In addition, in the afternoon they are characterized by their party atmosphere, so if you are looking for more relaxation and tranquility, keep reading about the neighboring beaches.

Both beaches do not have parking but do have public showers and restrooms.

Free access to Playa Gaviota Azul and Playa Forum here.

Playa Chacmool

Playa Chacmool is also very close to several nightlife venues so it also tends to be quite crowded and not exactly calm.

This beach does have free parking as well as showers, public toilets and lifeguards. In addition, the quality of the sea water is sampled and analyzed at this beach.

Free access to Playa Chacmool here

Yamil Lu’um Ruins

What if we told you that there is a Mayan archaeological site in the middle of Cancun’s Hotel Zone beyond San Miguelito and El Rey (which we will tell you more about later)? The Mayan ruins of Yamil Lu’um are wedged between hotels, swimming pools and beach bars (belonging to the same hotels) and go unnoticed by most of the people who pass by, but don’t miss the opportunity to get closer given their symbolic value.

The small archaeological zone of the late post-classic period (that is, between 1200-1550 A.D.) has two temples, being the Temple of Alarcan, whose name is due to the fact that the structure of an arachnid was found on one of its walls, the main monument.

To access the archaeological zone free of charge, just enter through the Westin Lagunamar hotel and, of course, take advantage of the opportunity to go to this beach area afterwards.

Playa Marlin

One of the most important beaches in the Hotel Zone, Playa Marlín is known for being one of the most beautiful.

It has some waves and, during the summer months, sea turtles visit it. It is also an ideal beach to see different types of birds such as pelicans and the ones we met for the first time, with a curious hairstyle of punk birds enjoying a day at the beach (or older birds appreciating some roadwork, you can choose the version of them you prefer), the terns.

Playa Marlín does not have free parking (although near the access you can park for free if you can find a spot), but it does have public showers and restrooms.

Free access to Playa Marlin here

Playa San Miguelito

San Miguelito has free parking, and perhaps that is why it is more crowded by local people. When we went there were quite a few groups with speakers, some with loud music so we would say that it would be a beach to avoid on holidays and weekends if you are looking for tranquility. Note that there are no toilets or any kind of service on this beach.

Free access (and free parking) to Playa San Miguelito here

Playa Ballenas

Just after San Miguelito beach is Playa Ballenas and this beach has free parking, lifeguards, tourist police, showers and public restrooms. In the sea it has a swimming area delimited by safety buoys due to the water sports offered by the nearby hotels for their guests.

Free access (and free parking) to Playa Ballenas here

Cancun Mayan Museum and San Miguelito Archaeological Zone

And then we arrive to Cancun’s most important archaeological site, the San Miguelito Archaeological Zone. Also from the late post-classic period, here the Chaac Palace was found, along with almost 50 burials and a great variety of artifacts, both local and foreign (obsidian, quartz, ceramic, coral and snail), testimony of its commercial importance. In fact, it is believed that the archaeological zones of San Miguelito and El Rey (which we will talk about later) must have been one and the same area with a well-consolidated commercial activity.

Opening hours Z. A. San Miguelito: Monday to Sunday from 9:00h to 16:30h.

Price Z. A. San Miguelito: 80 MXN (free admission for teachers, students, children under 13 and INAPAM). Sunday free admission for nationals.

The archaeological zone is accessed through the Mayan Museum of Cancun, which houses one of the most significant archaeological collections of the Mayan culture not only of the state of Quintana Roo, but also a selection of emblematic objects from the Mayan sites of Palenque, Chichén Itzá and Comalcalco, among others.

Opening hours Mayan Museum of Cancun: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, last admission 4:30 pm.

Price Cancun Mayan Museum: 95 MXN (free admission for teachers, students, children under 13 and INAPAM). Sunday free admission for nationals.

It has a ticket office, restrooms, parking and rest area (in the facilities of the Mayan Museum of Cancun, attached to the archaeological site).

Playa Delfines (or Playa Mirador)

Also known as Playa Mirador because of the panoramic views (up the stairs) of the Cancun Hotel Zone coastline, at Playa Delfines you will find several palapas with local people enjoying their food, drinks and music.

It is also on this beach that you will find the famous colored letters of Cancun, which are located precisely on the “viewpoint” of the beach, offering a photogenic perspective (note, when we went there was a line to take a picture with the letters…).

The beach has free parking, showers and public restrooms.

Free access to Playa Delfines here (you can get there, or leave, by Uber easily).

RandomTip: In all this strip of beaches (or this huge beach) from Playa Gaviota Azul/Playa Forum to Playa Delfines, all the beach bars we saw to have a drink on the beach were reserved for the guests of the respective hotels to which those beach bars belonged. Therefore, it is important that you bring enough water (in one of these reusable bottles to avoid single-use plastic) and, in case you want a soft drink or a beer, you can buy it at a nearby Oxxo (for example this Oxxo near Playa Chacmool or this other Oxxo in Playa Marlín) to enjoy on the beach. In this case, you’d better buy the drink in a can since glass containers are not allowed in many of the beaches.

El Rey Archaeological Zone

Also in the Hotel Zone of Cancun, this archaeological zone called El Rey (whose name comes from an anthropomorphic sculpture of the head of a noble character present in the Mayan Museum of Cancun, the “Head of El Rey”) was, like San Miguelito, one of the main ports in the coastal trade network of the Caribbean. It has two plazas and numerous structures, some of which preserve remains of mural paintings with representations of gods.

Opening hours Z. A. El Rey: Monday to Sunday from 8:00h to 17:00h, last access 16:30h.

Price Z. A. El Rey: 65 MXN

The archaeological site has certified guides who offer their services during visiting hours and also has parking and restrooms.

Playa Coral (or Playa Mirador II)

Also known as Playa Mirador II, Playa Coral is a beach with little waves and famous for its particularity: it is a pet-friendly beach, that is, all pets are allowed on the beach (preferably on a leash). Of course, don’t forget to bring cleaning accessories, mainly bags for their waste. Leave the beach the same or better as you found it.

The beach has free parking, lifeguards and access for people with functional diversity.

Free access to Playa Coral here.

Playa Caracol

Playa Caracol is quite busy and is home to one of Cancun’s most famous all-inclusive resorts, the Riu Palace Las Americas. Also, Playa Caracol is where you will find one of the ferry docks for the ferry to Isla Mujeres (you can buy your ferry ticket from Playa Caracol here).

It is, along with Playa Forum (on the other side of the road), one of the closest beaches to the hotel where we stayed at Randomtrip, the Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone, so we went to Playa Caracol for a couple of days for a last dip before returning to the hotel.

There is an Oxxo store and a huge Chedraui supermarket one block from the beach in case you want to buy something.

Parking is available for a fee.

Free access to Playa Caracol here

Playa Ancha

Less crowded than the previous one, Playa Ancha is ideal if you are looking for more tranquility.

It does not have its own direct and free access, so to get to Playa Ancha you have to walk from Playa Caracol. Free access to Playa Caracol here

Playa Tortugas

Playa Tortugas is located at the northern end of Cancun’s Hotel Zone and it is also on this beach that you will find one of the ferry docks that goes to Isla Mujeres (you can buy your ferry ticket from Playa Tortugas here).

There is an Oxxo store right at the entrance to the beach if you want to buy a drink to take away (ideally canned because some beaches prohibit glass bottles).

Free access to Playa Tortugas here

Playa Langosta

When you get to Playa Langosta you will also find some colorful letters with the word “Cancun” in case you want to take a souvenir picture. It is a small beach with very calm waters (when we went there was a lot of seaweed) and more crowded by local people since it is closer to downtown Cancun than the ones we talked about initially.

The beach has public access and free parking but you can only park your car for a maximum of 3 hours.

Free access to Playa Langosta here

Playa Linda

Playa Linda is indeed a beautiful beach, lined with palm trees. Accessing this beach is not intuitive but we tell you how we did it at Randomtrip. You must enter through the souvenir store at the Xcaret pier (La Tienda del Puerto); you simply enter the store and continue straight ahead towards the exit door that leads you to the sea, then continue a little bit and you will see the beach. It is a small beach where a large part of the sandy area is occupied by the hammocks of the hotel that is located there.

Free access to Playa Linda here

Playa Las Perlas

Playa Las Perlas, with calm waters like its neighbors, has the particularity of having a gym made of wood (Ecogym). In addition, it also offers the possibility of enjoying amphibious chairs, paddle surfing or kayaking as it has a swimming area delimited by buoys.

This beach has parking and restrooms.

Free access to Playa Las Perlas here

Laguna Nichupté

With more than three thousand hectares, the natural paradise of the Nichupté Lagoon, connected to the Caribbean Sea through the Sigfrido and Nizuc canals, is located in the heart of Cancun. It is composed of seven lakes (including Laguna del Amor, Laguna Bojórquez, Laguna San José and Laguna Ciega) and represents a large natural reserve area for the mangrove ecosystem inhabited by different types of flora and fauna. One of the species that inhabit and that you can see in this lagoon is the crocodiles. In fact, sometimes they leave the lagoon towards the beach in search of food but do not worry because, in case there is a sighting on any of the beaches, the Civil Protection staff warns any swimmers who may be on the beach.

At Randomtrip we enjoyed some incredible sunsets over the Nichupte lagoon from the hotel we stayed at, the Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone, as the hotel enjoys privileged views of the lagoon.

You can practice different activities in the lagoon (such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling) and there are tours that allow you to enjoy the environment and visit the mangroves of the Nichupté Lagoon:

• Boat tour + snorkeling. Book here
• Kayak tour in the lagoon, at sunrise or sunset. Reserve here
• Galleon cruise on the lagoon at sunset + dinner on board with open bar and live music. Book here

Snorkeling and Diving in Cancun

Snorkeling in Cancun

Do you dare to explore Cancun underwater? You will be able to see fish of a thousand colors and even swim with a sea turtle. If you want to snorkel in Cancun, don’t miss this tour that will take you to four different spots: El Meco coral reef (5 minutes from the shore); a quiet area further away where sea turtles are usually spotted; a gallery of underwater statues, called “Las bendiciones” and “Acuario Familiar” and, of course, explore an underwater cenote, something unique in the Yucatan Peninsula. Book your snorkeling tour in Cancun here.

Diving in Cancun

If you have never dived before and would like to try it, why not do it on your trip to Cancun with all its biodiversity? In this link you can book 2 dives for beginners: the first one in an incredible underwater museum MUSA and the second dive in the Manchones reef.

If you are not a certified diver and would like to become one or if you are already certified (Open Water) but you would like to go further (improve your technique or go down to 40 meters), in Cancun you can get your Advanced Open Water or even Rescue. In this link you can book your course in Cancun of various levels, from Open Water to Rescue.

And if you have never tried night diving, take advantage of your trip to Cancun to do it! Here you can book your night dive at Manchones Reef, don’t miss it.

Things to do in downtown Cancun

To get to know the local soul of Cancun you have to leave the Hotel Zone and go downtown. Here we tell you about the most popular places you should not miss:

Las Palapas Park

In Las Palapas park you will find a fair that hosts everything from craft stalls, food stalls to theater plays. It is a good place to try traditional Mexican dishes such as tamales and Yucatan specialties like marquesitas.

Mercado 28

In this market you can buy handicrafts and souvenirs of your trip at a better price than you will find in the Hotel Zone and, in addition, supporting local businesses.

It has several textile handicraft, jewelry and decoration stores inspired by the Mayan culture and even temporary tattoo and hair braiding studios (something you will be especially interested in if you are traveling with children).

If you get hungry, you can try one of the local restaurants nearby, which we recommend in the section Where to Eat in Cancun.

The market is open daily from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and can be reached by Uber or the R2 bus from the Hotel Zone.

Mercado 23

Contrary to mercado 28 which is dedicated to handicrafts, Mercado 23 is the fresh produce market so if you are staying in an apartment, a visit to this market is ideal to buy local fruits and vegetables at a good price. In addition, this market is the place to try good street food, with lots of choice and variety in their stalls.

Ka’Yok’ Planetario de Cancun (Cancun Planetarium)

Another ideal plan in downtown Cancun, especially if you are traveling with kids, is to go to Ka ‘Yok, the Cancun Planetarium. A modern space with a Digital Dome, a room with astronomical and scientific projections that tell the story of the universe. Sessions start at 11 am and there are many hours available.

The same space also houses the Water Museum, an auditorium and an observatory.

The entrance fee to the Astronomical Observatory is 85 MXN for children under 12 years old and 120 MXN for adults (30 MXN for children and 35 MXN for national adults; and 50 MXN for children and 70 MXN for resident adults).

To check schedules for screenings, workshops and guided tours, consult the Cancun Planetarium’s website.

Glorieta del Ceviche (Ceviche Roundabout)

In this roundabout is a monument of different marine species (starfish, shells and conches) by the New York artist Lorraine Pinto, a Cancun lover. Although its real and original name is “Caracoles y Estrellas” (Snails and Stars), the monument began to be known locally as “El Ceviche”, a typical dish of the country, and to become also more and more emblematic of downtown Cancun. In fact, it is often a starting point for demonstrations and parades.

Malecon Tajamar

The Tajamar boardwalk is located right in front of the Nichupté lagoon and is an ideal place to take a stroll. From the boardwalk you not only have beautiful views of the lagoon but also of some of the buildings in the hotel zone. It has free public parking.

Things to see and do in the Riviera Maya from Cancun

Some people choose to use Cancun as a base to explore the area, and go on tours from there. If this is your case, here are some of the most typical ones.

Taking into account that you are in one of the most touristic destinations in the country, we recommend you, especially if you are traveling during peak tourist seasons, to book the tours in advance when planning your trip. To see what each tour includes, just click on the corresponding link for each of the tours mentioned.

Tour to Chichen Itza from Cancun

How can you go to Cancun and not visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World? Contemplate the imposing pyramid of Kukulkan and all that the archaeological site has to offer, getting closer to the Mayan cosmology and learning about this rich civilization.

The archaeological site of Chichen Itza is located almost 3 hours from Cancun’s hotel zone, so if you get up early you can take a day trip and take advantage of the trip to visit more places.

Buy your tour to Chichen Itza with a guide at this link which also includes entrance to the Chichi Kan cenote.

In addition to Chichen Itzá, from Cancun you can visit other archaeological sites (some with even greater historical importance) less known than the Wonder of the World, such as Ek Balam or Coba.

How to get to Chichen Itzá from Cancun:

• By Taxi: this is probably the least economical option, although if you are a group of 3 or 4, it can be worthwhile since it takes you directly from your lodging to the archaeological site without stops.
• In a rental car: renting a car is an excellent option to avoid depending on transportation. Driving in the Yucatan Peninsula is generally easy and safe, although you should read the rental conditions carefully because in Mexico there is a lot of confusion with the different types of insurance and you may be surprised when you arrive to pick up the car.
• Booking a Tour
  • This tour includes a visit to Chichen Itzá, entrance to the Chichi Kan cenote and a tour of the beautiful city of Valladolid, one of our favorite cities in the Yucatan.
  • If in addition to Chichen Itza, you want to explore another less known or visited archaeological site like Coba or Ek Balam, this tour includes a visit to Chichen Itza and Ek Balam (one of our favorite archaeological sites in Yucatan) or this other tour that includes a visit to Chichen Itza, Coba ruins and Ik-kil cenote.

Cenotes of Yucatan

There are an estimated 8000 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula so wherever you are, there will be one nearby to explore. Cenotes are water-filled caverns found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. They are all connected by subway rivers and can be open, semi-open or subterranean. For the Maya people, cenotes were considered sources of life and an entrance to the underworld.

Depending on the cenote you choose to visit, you can go from Cancun:

• By Taxi: this is probably the least economical option, although if you are a group of 3 or 4, it can be worthwhile since it takes you directly from your lodging to the cenote of your choice without stops.
• By rental car: if you are going to visit several cenotes in the Riviera Maya or the Yucatan Peninsula, it can be a good option to rent a car so you don’t have to depend on transportation. Driving around the Yucatan Peninsula is generally easy and safe, although you should carefully read the rental conditions because in Mexico there is a lot of confusion with the different types of insurance and you may get a surprise when you arrive to pick up the car. At Randomtrip we rented it directly at the Cancun airport and everything went great, we tell you about it in the Transportation section.
• In a tour
  • This tour includes a visit to Chichen Itza and entrance to the Chichi Kan cenote.
  • An ideal tour to enjoy two cenotes and also to visit the impressive Kaan Luum lagoon.

Isla Mujeres

Just 20 minutes from Cancun by ferry, Isla Mujeres boasts of being the island with the first rays of sunshine in Mexico, which is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mexican Caribbean, Playa Norte, and that gives away dips between fish and turtles. Of course, its proximity to Cancun has turned Isla Mujeres into a small paradise that has been, like so many others in the Mexican Caribbean, partly privatized and exploited to the maximum for the large influx of tourists it receives every day. Even so, it is possible to enjoy its attractions and incredible beaches escaping from the crowds and without suffering too much economic prejudice, if you know how and where.

In our complete guide to Isla Mujeres we tell you what to see and do in Isla Mujeres, the best options where to stay, how to get around and practical tips on what to do to avoid falling into tourist traps in this beautiful Mexican Caribbean island.

Best things to do in Isla Mujeres (México): a travel guide with everything you need to know to visit this island from Cancun

How to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun:

The ferry ride to Isla Mujeres from Cancun takes approximately 20 minutes (depending on the swell on the day of the trip, it may take a little longer) and the company that operates this route and with which we went on Randomtrip is Ultramar. Ticket prices range from 270 pesos each way (about 16$) for adults (200 pesos each way for minors) and there are discounts for Quintana Roo residents (from 100 pesos each way for adults and 66 pesos each way for minors).

You can catch the ferry to Isla Mujeres from Puerto Juarez or from various points in the Cancun Hotel Zone, whichever is closest to your accommodation:

• Playa Tortugas: It is located here at km 6.5 of Blvd Kukulcan. You can buy your round trip ticket to and from Isla Mujeres from Playa Tortugas, in advance, at this link. Ferries depart from 9:30h to 18:00h from Playa Tortugas to Isla Mujeres and from 10:30h to 19:00h from Isla Mujeres to Playa Tortugas.
• Playa Caracol: It is located here at km 9.5 of Blvd Kukulcan. You can buy your round trip ticket to Isla Mujeres from Playa Caracol in advance at this link. Ferries depart from 9:45 am to 6:15 pm from Playa Caracol to Isla Mujeres and from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm from Isla Mujeres to Playa Caracol.
• Puerto Juarez: It is located here at km 4 of Kukulcan Blvd. You can buy your round trip ticket to Isla Mujeres from Puerto Juarez in advance at this link. It is the most used option by local islanders and Cancun locals. Ferries depart from 5:30 am to 11:00 pm from Puerto Juarez to Isla Mujeres and from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm the next day from Isla Mujeres to Puerto Juarez.

You can buy your tickets in advance for Ultramar with Getyourguide (confirm on the Getyourguide page as it may vary):

• Roundtrip ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

Contoy Island

Isla Contoy is a small island north of the famous Isla Mujeres that is home not only to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mexican Caribbean but also its last unspoiled paradise. Getting to this paradise involves going on an organized tour from Cancun or Isla Mujeres (it is not possible to go on your own) as the island is included in the Isla Contoy National Park, created precisely to protect the island and its surroundings.

At Randomtrip we did a combined tour with Kaankun Tours that included Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres from Cancun and we highly recommend it. You will find all the information you need about the best time to go to Isla Contoy, prices, national park rules to make your experience very special in our Isla Contoy specific guide.

How to get to Isla Contoy (Mexico) from Cancun: a guide to visit the last paradise in the Mexican Caribbean

How to get to Isla Contoy from Cancun:

To get to Isla Contoy you must go on an organized tour from Cancun or Isla Mujeres. You cannot go to Isla Contoy on your own or directly from Cancun. At Randomtrip we went with Kaankun Tours and we highly recommend it. Isla Mujeres is about 20 minutes from Cancun and Isla Contoy is 1:30h from Isla Mujeres.

Holbox

Although it is not in the Caribbean Sea but in the Gulf of Mexico and is not part of the Riviera Maya, we had to include the small island of Holbox in the plans to visit from Cancun. With some of the most beautiful beaches we enjoyed in the Yucatan Peninsula, waters that glow at night thanks to their bioluminescence and the possibility of meeting the world’s largest fish in the wild, the whale shark, Holbox has plenty of reasons to understand why it attracts more and more tourists. It invites you to stroll along the fine sand, among waves and mangroves, and let sunsets turn into sunrises in one of its beach bars. In our complete guide to Holbox we tell you what to see and do on the island in the Gulf of Mexico, when to go, where to sleep, which restaurants to go to and we tell you what we wish we had read before setting foot on the island about its lesser-known B side (and avoid being disappointed at times).

Best things to do in Holbox (México): a travel guide with everything you need to know

How to get to Holbox from Cancun:

You will have to go to Chiquilá (the port from where the ferries to Holbox depart) from Cancun, by bus with ADO, by private transport or by car(here you can find the best price to rent a car in Cancun or from anywhere in Mexico). The trip from Cancun to Chiquilá takes about 2h30 hours. If you go by car, in Chiquilá there are several parking lots on the main street and they cost 12h/50 pesos and 24h/100 pesos with 24h security. The ADO from Cancun to Chiquilá takes a little more than 2h30.

If you don’t have a car and prefer something more comfortable, you can simply hire a shared shuttle from Cancun to Holbox (and here from Holbox to Cancun). If you don’t want a shared shuttle, here is a direct private transfer from Cancun to Holbox (and here from Holbox to Cancun).

When you get to Chiquilá, you will see that there are two ferry companies to Holbox , one every half hour: 9 Hermanos and Holbox Express. The journey takes between 30 to 45 minutes, as it depends on the tides and wind.

• If you only have one day to visit the island, this tour to Holbox Island from Cancun takes you to and from your hotel in Cancun on the same day.

Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is a small fishing village where you can snorkel and with an incredible beach in a more relaxed atmosphere. The reef is just a few meters from the shore, so you can explore part of the seabed on your own, although if you want to see the best parts, inside the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, you will have to go on a guided tour (like this one).

If you have never dived before and would like to, Puerto Morelos has ideal conditions for a first time. Book your scuba diving baptism in Puerto Morelos here.

How to get to Puerto Morelos from Cancun:

Puerto Morelos is only 40-50 minutes from Cancun, so getting there is easy and is an excellent day trip option from Cancun.

• By Taxi: this is probably the least economical option, although if you are a group of 3 or 4, it may be worth it since it takes you directly from your lodging to the beach of Puerto Morelos.
• In a rental car: renting a car is an excellent option to avoid depending on transportation. Driving in the Yucatan Peninsula is generally easy and safe, although you should read the rental conditions carefully because in Mexico there is a lot of confusion with the different types of insurance and you may be surprised when you arrive to pick up the car.
• By bus: any of the ADO buses that run along federal highway 307 connecting Cancun with Tulum can drop you off in Puerto Morelos. The bus will drop you off in the town area next to the highway, and from there you can pay for a cab or take a colectivo to the beach (it costs only 10 pesos per person and they leave every few minutes).
• On a Tour
  • This tour picks you up at your accommodation and takes you to Puerto Morelos to snorkel for an hour, enjoy the beach and have lunch on the beach.

Playa del Carmen

After Cancun, Playa del Carmen is the next tourist epicenter of the Mexican Caribbean, with plenty of beaches, restaurants, shopping and partying. Like Cancun and unlike Tulum, most of Playa del Carmen’s beaches have some form of free access, and being just over 1 hour from Cancun, it is an easy and accessible option for a day out from Cancun.

How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun:

Playa del Carmen is just over 1 hour from Cancun, so it is easy to get there:

• By Taxi: this is probably the least economical option, although if you are a group of 3 or 4, it may be worthwhile as it will take you directly from your accommodation to Playa del Carmen.
• By rental car: renting a car is an excellent option to avoid depending on transportation. Driving around the Yucatan Peninsula is generally easy and safe, although you should carefully read the rental conditions because in Mexico there is a lot of confusion with the different types of insurance and you can get a surprise when you arrive to pick up the car. At Randomtrip we rented it directly at the Cancun airport and everything went great, we tell you about it in the Transportation section.
• By bus: any of the ADO buses that run along federal highway 307 connecting Cancun with Tulum can drop you off in Playa del Carmen. There are two ADO terminals in Playa del Carmen (the alternate and the tourist terminal, the tourist terminal being the closest to the beach), and there are buses from Cancun to both.

Qué ver en Playa del Carmen (México): la guía completa de uno de los principales destinos turísticos de la Riviera Maya

Cozumel

On the island of Cozumel we dived in the second largest barrier reef in the world among underwater caves lined with a thousand colors, we saw huge starfish alongside elegant eagle rays and turtles (from a distance and without touching), we swam on sandy beaches and turquoise waters (although in most cases after paying at a beach club), we saw crocodiles and flamingos in an area of the island that bears little resemblance to the tourist bubble dedicated to cruises that we felt upon arrival. In our complete guide to Cozumel we give you practical tips on where to go, what to do in Cozumel, what to avoid so as not to fall into tourist traps and even where to eat.

Best things to do in Cozumel (México): a travel guide with everything you need to know to visit this Caribbean island

How to get to Cozumel from Cancun:

Cozumel has an international airport with direct flights from Cancun but if you prefer to arrive by sea, you will have to go by bus or car to Playa del Carmen and from there a 30-minute ferry ride.

There are two companies that operate this ferry route between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, Ultramar and Winjet (at Randomtrip we did the trip with Ultramar), and they alternate departing one boat of each company from hour to hour, and ticket prices range from 290 pesos each way (about 16€) for adults (230 pesos each way for minors) and discounts for Quintana Roo residents (from 170 pesos each way for adults and 110 pesos each way for minors). Here you can buy your tickets in advance for Ultramar with Civitatis (confirm on the Civitatis page as it may vary, and also confirm if you have to exchange the voucher for the tickets when you arrive at the port, as well as the schedules that change according to the day or month):

• Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
• Ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen

Tulum

Tulum boasts one of the most visited archaeological sites in the country, the Mayan Ruins of Tulum on the shores of the Caribbean Sea and offers other attractions that invite travelers to stay a few days longer as a succession of fine white sand beaches lined with palm trees and a turquoise sea that make up the idea we have of Caribbean paradise. However, enjoying this paradise comes at a price (and sometimes too high). In our complete guide to Tulum we tell you what you can visit in Tulum with specific itineraries for one, two or three days, with practical suggestions, where to sleep and even where to eat on your trip to the area.

Best things to do in Tulum (México): a travel guide with everything you need to know

How to get to Tulum from Cancun:

Tulum is about 120km (2h) from Cancun and the best options to get there are:

• By bus: the ADO bus company connects directly from the airport to Tulum. It has several frequencies per day (check them on the official website, where you can also buy tickets online), takes about 2h30 and costs 420 pesos per person. The ADO will drop you off at the ADO terminal in Tulum, and from there you will have to walk or take other transportation to your accommodation. A cab from here to our accommodation in Tulum town cost us 100 pesos, to the hotel zone more (probably between 300 and 500 pesos).
• By Taxi: there is also cab service, although it will probably be much more expensive (we were told that from 1200 to 3000 pesos, although we do not have official information), although if you are a group of 3 or 4 people it can be worth it you since it takes you directly to your accommodation and without stops. If you are several people, you can also hire a private transfer that will wait for you at the Cancun airport (from 2400 pesos – about 120$ – for 6 people) – at Randomtrip we used this service to go from Cancun airport to Puerto Morelos and it worked perfectly.
• By rental car: if you are going to visit several places in the Riviera Maya or the Yucatan Peninsula, it can be a good option to rent a car so you don’t have to depend on transportation. Driving in the Yucatan Peninsula is generally easy and safe, although you should carefully read the rental conditions because in Mexico there is a lot of confusion with the different types of insurance and you may get a surprise when you arrive to pick up the car.
• On a tour
  • This tour takes you to the Tulum Archaeological Zone, to the beach (where you can snorkel) and to a couple of cenotes.
  • An ideal tour if, in addition to visiting the Mayan ruins of Tulum, you also want to visit the Mayan ruins of Coba, as it takes you to both Tulum and Coba.

Siam Ka’nn Reserve

Very close to Tulum is the Siam Ka’nn reserve, a protected natural area with a lot of biodiversity (among the species that live there are turtles, dolphins and manatees). You can visit (and enter) the reserve in two ways: from Muyil or from Punta Allen, which are quite far from each other. Muyil is next to federal highway 307, while Punta Allen is at the end of the road in Tulum’s Hotel Zone. The latter area is, we were told, very little visited and wilder, an ideal plan if you want to “get away from the World”,

How to get to Siam Ka’an Reserve from Cancun:

• If you want to know this pearl of nature, Siam Ka’nn reserve, from Cancun, this tour takes you to know the reserve with a boat ride on the Muyil lagoon, through the ancient canals built by the Mayas that connect the lagoons of Chunyaxche and Capelchen where you can see manatees and crocodiles in their natural habitat and finally the beautiful beach of Boca Paila. Book here your tour to Sian Ka’an + Muyil.

How to get to Siam Ka’an Reserve from Tulum:

• Both entering from Muyil and Punta Allen, both sides offer boat tours (either through the mangroves or out to sea), which tend to be expensive. If you are interested, check out this half-day or full-day tour.

You can read more about the reserve in the section we dedicate to it in the Complete Guide to Tulum.

Kaan Luum Lagoon

Kaan Luum Lagoon is a large freshwater lagoon with crystal clear waters, where the plan is to go to spend the day (or at least a few hours). In the center it has a deeper cenote (85 meters deep and 25m in diameter), which is easily detected because the color changes from emerald green to darker blue.

How to get to Kaan Luum Lagoon from Cancun:

• If you want to visit this impressive lagoon, from Cancun, this tour takes you not only to the lagoon but also to the Mariposa and Chen-Ha cenotes. Book here your tour to Kaan Luum + Cenotes from Cancun.

How to get to Kaan Luum Lagoon from Tulum:

• Just follow federal highway 307 south from Tulum, the Kaan Luum lagoon is about 15 min drive. If you don’t have your own/rented car, you can stop any colectivo (shared vans) on the main road heading south.

Bacalar

Although it is 4:30 hours away from Cancun and doesn’t belong to the Riviera Maya, Bacalar ended up becoming our favorite place in this part of Mexico so we had to include it as a must-see. Beyond the impressive freshwater lagoon that conquered two sea lovers like us at Randomtrip, in Bacalar the slow-paced village where tourism has not yet stepped too hard caught our attention. We explored the lagoon of the seven colors by sailboat, by pontoon at sunset, by kayak and swimming, getting to know its points of interest, its bathing areas (free and paid) and, above all, enjoying its calm turquoise waters. In our complete guide to Bacalar we tell you what to do in Bacalar with practical suggestions, specific itineraries for a day, a weekend or even 3 days with activities to explore the lagoon, where to sleep and even where to eat so that your trip to Bacalar is as special as ours has been.

Best things to do in Bacalar (México): a travel guide with everything you need to know

How to get to Bacalar from Cancun:

• Go by private cab (we imagine quite expensive).
• Rent a car for the 4:30 hours from Cancun to Bacalar.
• Go by bus (ADO): there are several frequencies per day so you could go and come back in the same day getting up early.
• Go on an tour like this one to visit Bacalar (round trip to Cancun).

Get inspired by the stories of our visit to Cancun

You can see the featured Instagram stories about our visit to Cancun here.

Where to stay in Cancun

There are 2 main areas to stay in Cancun:

• Hotel Zone (on the beach)
• Downtown Cancun (cheaper)

Contrary to what we usually recommend (and where we usually stay in our trips like, for example, in Tulum), in Cancun we have to recognize that the ideal place to stay is in the Hotel Zone. Although it is more expensive than downtown Cancun, it is where you can easily access the beautiful beaches of the area (free of charge), restaurants and nightlife areas.

Where to stay in Cancun’s Hotel Zone

At Randomtrip we stayed at the Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone both times we visited Cancun and we still find it to be one of the best value for money options for both facilities and location. Prices range from 18$/night for a bed in a shared room and from 81$/night for a double room with private bathroom, depending on the season. The Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone is less than 10 minutes walk from the beach (Forum beach is the closest one).

The hotel‘s rooms, of various types, have views of the Nichupté lagoon , which gains a special splendor at sunset when several species of birds return to the lagoon’s bird island.

The Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone also has several common areas such as swimming pool, bar and restaurant, kitchen for guests who want to use it, bicycle rental (350 pesos/day) and, very important for people like Randomtrip who work while traveling, an excellent and ergonomic coworking space.

More accommodations in Cancun’s Hotel Zone near the beach, close to where we stayed and that we recommend:

• Mayan Monkey Cancun (from 53$/night depending on the type of room, there are shared rooms and double rooms): it has a swimming pool, restaurant, bar and bicycle rental.
• La Palma Beachfront Hotel Boutique (from 106$/night): rooms and suites a few steps from Caracol beach, the street with the most nightlife and the ferry dock to Isla Mujeres.
• Salvia Cancun Aparts (from 132$/night): if you are looking for a place where you can cook, these apartments are a good option, there are from 2 to 6 people, they have an excellent location and views to the sea or the lagoon.
• Stunning! 2 BDRM Beach/Oceanfront Condo on Cancun Beach (from 419$/night for up to 8 people, i.e. from 52$/person/night): if you are traveling in a group and want to be close to the nightlife, this apartment for up to 8 people has everything you need and has an amazing terrace.

If none of these accommodations in the Hotel Zone convince you, find more accommodations in the Cancun Hotel Zone in this link.

If you prefer another type of accommodation such as an all-inclusive resort , you have the best beachfront accommodations in this selection.

Remember that the prices we mention are approximate and change according to the type of room and the season.

Where to stay in downtown Cancun

In downtown Cancun you will find cheaper options but also farther away from the beach (although within a short distance by bus, Uber or even some hotels have free shuttle). Here we include the following ones with good value for money:

• Studios Downtown Cancun (from 42$/night for two people): studios with a kitchenette in a building with a terrace and rooftop pool
• Hotel Los Girasoles (from 47$/night per room): studios in a simple and comfortable hotel in downtown Cancun, close to several restaurants and a supermarket.
• Mezcal Hostel (from 49$/night): double and shared rooms in hostel with pool in the heart of Cancun, 10 minutes drive from the beach.
• Bed and Breakfast Pecari (from 55$/night): comfortable and simple rooms in accommodation with a small pool, 20 minutes walk from the ADO bus station from where you can explore various points of the Riviera Maya and only 5 minutes drive from the beginning of the hotel zone and the beach.
• Casa Neem (from 79$/night): modern and comfortable studios in downtown Cancun, close to the well-known Mercado 28 and 3 blocks from the bus that takes 20 minutes to get to the hotel zone.
• Nomads Hotel, Hostel & Rooftop Pool Cancun (from 82$/night): double rooms and beds in shared rooms in this hostel with pool and modern rooms in downtown Cancun.
• Stay Tropical (from 81$/night): studios and apartments with a kitchenette, some with terrace,
• Adhara Express (from 82$/night): double rooms in comfortable 3-star hotel with swimming pool and restaurant
• Viento Suites Cancun (from 87$/night): comfortable rooms and apartments in downtown Cancun
• Whyndham Garden Cancun Downtown (from 93$/night): rooms and suites in 4-star hotel with pool and fitness center, 8 minutes drive from the beach
• Adhara Hacienda Cancun (from 98$/night): rooms and suites in 4 star hotel with several restaurants, swimming pool and free transfer to the beach

Find more accommodations in downtown Cancun in this link and remember that the prices we mention are approximate and change according to the type of room and season.

Where to eat in Cancun

Our days in Cancun were not, by far, where we ate the best in the Yucatan Peninsula. Being a very touristy area, this is reflected in the decline of quality and authenticity of the gastronomy (where multinational chains prevail) and the high prices. Nevertheless, here are some recommendations that we tried and liked, some very close to the Selina hotel where we stayed and others, in search of more local food, in downtown Cancun:

• Tacos Rigo: a good option for tacos in the hotel zone
• Hanaichi: it is rare that we recommend a Japanese restaurant in Cancun but, given the craving we had, we tried it and it was a great surprise. Impeccable sushi and some of the best gyozas we tried outside of Japan. We repeated.

• Mextreme: typical Mexican food. It is touristy but not bad.
• Casa Rolandi: we didn’t get to go but this Italian restaurant was recommended to us.
• La Tia Juana: within the hotel zone where it is very difficult to eat and drink without being a guest at a resort, we found these tacos near Marlín beach (across the street) quite tasty and at decent prices (compared to the area).

• El Fish Fritanga: we didn’t get to go but it was recommended for fish and seafood tacos.
• Pescaditos: in downtown Cancun, known for its fish dishes such as ceviche.
• Qué Gorditas: good, nice and cheap, here you will find, as the name indicates, gorditas, quesadilllas and burritos with different fillings.
• BaoVegan: a vegan and local restaurant with delicious dishes and good prices, in downtown Cancun.

Cancun Itineraries

Things to see and do in Cancun in 1 day

If you only have one day in Cancun, we would spend it visiting some of the beaches in the Hotel Zone. If you feel like walking, you can start at Playa Delfines (or Playa Forum) and walk along all of them, stopping for a dip in some of them.

Things to see and do in Cancun in 2 days

With 2 days in Cancun you have several options:

Option 1 – beaches:

• Day 1: beaches of the hotel zone – east (from Playa Forum to Playa Delfines)
• Day 2: beaches of the hotel zone – north (Playa Caracol, Playa Ancha, Playa Tortugas…)

Option 2 – beaches and a tour:

• Day 1: beaches of the hotel zone (east or north)
• Day 2: a tour (it can be Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Puerto Morelos, Tulum…)

Things to see and do in Cancun in 3 days

With 3 days in Cancun you have several options:

Option 1:

• Day 1: beaches of the hotel zone – east (from Playa Forum to Playa Delfines)
• Day 2: beaches of the hotel zone – north (Playa Caracol, Playa Ancha, Playa Tortugas…)
• Day 3: a tour (can be Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Puerto Morelos, Tulum…)

Option 2:

• Day 1: beaches of the hotel zone (east or north)
• Day 2: a tour (can be Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Puerto Morelos, Tulum…)
• Day 3: a tour (can be Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Puerto Morelos, Tulum…)

Things to see and do in Cancun in 4 days

With 4 days in Cancun you have several options:

Option 1:

• Day 1: beaches of the hotel zone – east (from Playa Forum to Playa Delfines)
• Day 2: beaches of the hotel zone – north (Playa Caracol, Playa Ancha, Playa Tortugas…)
• Day 3: a tour (can be Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Puerto Morelos, Tulum…)
• Day 4: a tour (can be Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Puerto Morelos, Tulum…)

Option 2:

• Day 1: beaches of the hotel zone (east or north)
• Day 2: a tour (can be Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Puerto Morelos, Tulum…)
• Day 3: a tour (can be Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Puerto Morelos, Tulum…)
• Day 4: Downtown Cancun and more hotel zone beaches

Transportation: How to get around Cancun

There are several ways to get around Cancun, the most common if you are staying in the Hotel Zone is walking:

• Uber: yes, in Cancun the Uber app works well and fast. To give you an idea of prices, for example, from Cancun airport to the hotel zone the Uber costs between 300 and 400 pesos; and from Playa Delfines to Playa Caracol about 200 pesos. Note: When we went from the ADO terminal in Cancun to the port (Puerto Juarez) to go to Isla Mujeres, there was no Uber from the terminal to the port and we had to pay a cab that cost 200 pesos (an abusive price for the short distance, watch out for cabs that are usually abusive).
• Bicycle (at our hotel Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone the bike rental was 350 pesos/day to give you an idea of how much the daily prices can be. From the Selina area (near Playa Caracol) to the beginning of the hotel zone (near Playa Chacmool) there is a bike lane so you can do it by bike and it is a nice ride.
• Rented car: If you dare to drive in Mexico, having your own vehicle to explore the area is an excellent option with which you will gain a lot of freedom, especially if you are not only visiting Cancun and want to explore its surroundings as well. In our case we rented the car at Cancun airport with Premier Car Rental (420 pesos/day, deposit from 5000 pesos – depending on the type of car, excess of 10% of the value of the vehicle, approximately 20,000 pesos) and everything was perfect. Find the car at the best price on DiscoverCars.

How to have internet in Cancun

To always have internet on your smartphone, the easiest and most convenient way (if your phone supports eSIM) is to buy an eSIM from Holafly, which has unlimited data (you get a 5% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP), or to buy an eSIM from Airalo, cheaper but with limited data (15% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP15)

The other option, cheaper but more cumbersome, is to buy a local SIM, which we recommend is from Telcel (the main telecom company in Mexico, with more coverage).

Safety: Is it safe to travel to Cancun?

Cancun is a tourist bubble so it is totally safe. Honestly, the assaults that we experienced in the area are totally legalized, that is, we felt robbed and cheated in the price of accommodation and restaurants compared to other places in Mexico, which did not correspond, neither in one case nor in the other, at all with what we paid, but the truth is that the area is safe from any kind of theft.

In any case, we always have our Iati travel insurance (which also covers our belongings) as in all our trips and gives us more peace of mind. If you contract your travel insurance in this Randomtrip link, you will get it with a 5% discount.

Money in Cancun: cards, save on fees and tips

To pay and withdraw money in Mexico while minimizing fees, we recommend the 2 cards we use in our case:

• Revolut: with the standard version up to 1000$ without commission on card payments (remember to always pay in local currency – Mexican pesos). Up to 400$ of withdrawals at ATMs without commission, from then on commission of 1%.
• N26: with the free version you can pay with your card without commissions in an unlimited way. For ATM withdrawals, you pay 1.7% commission, which you can eliminate by paying for the monthly plans You (the one we use) or Metal. If you use the code N26Summer24 with this link, you get 3 months completely free.

It is important to keep in mind that although your card does not charge a fee for ATM withdrawals, ATMs in Mexico do charge a fee for their use. The ones that charge the least are Banamex (31 pesos, 1.7$), Banco Santander (34 pesos, 1.8$) or Banco Azteca (34 pesos, 1.8$), so when withdrawing money try to withdraw as much as possible to save money.

Another important issue when withdrawing money at an ATM in Mexico: many times the ATM will ask you if you want the transaction to be done in local currency (Mexican pesos) or in your own currency (in our case, it was euros): always choose the local currency option, otherwise, it will apply an unfavorable exchange rate and you will be overpaying (as a hidden commission).

The above also applies to card payments (although the option almost never appears, on several occasions also when paying with a card in establishments we were shown an amount in euros instead of pesos). In our case it almost always happened to us with the orange CLIP terminals. If this happens to you, ask the person to charge you in Mexican pesos.

A bad practice in Mexico is that in any business where you want to pay with a card, they have the habit of asking you for your card and do the whole process themselves, passing you the terminal only to enter the PIN (in Mexico they call it “firma” or NIP). This means that sometimes, depending on the type of terminal, you do not see the amount and/or you are charged in the original currency of your card instead of in Mexican pesos – making you lose money because an unfavorable conversion is applied. Always ask nicely to be allowed to see the process to make sure you are charged the correct amount and in local currency.

Finally, some establishments charge an extra commission for payment by card (the times it happened to us, it was 5%), they always tell you before and if you do not see it when confirming the amount. In those cases, it is better to pay with cash.

Tipping: The tipping culture is very well established in Mexico, and although it is not and cannot be obligatory by law, it is in practice, since it is frowned upon not to leave a tip. It is recommended to leave a minimum of 10% (usually you will be asked at the time of payment, and if you pay by credit card, the terminal usually gives you the option of adding 10, 15 or 20% as a tip).

How much does a trip to Cancun cost?

Making a budget is complex as it depends greatly on your type of trip: how many plans you want to include in your trip, if you are going to go to restaurants or cook to save money, the type of accommodation you are going to use… In any case, so you can get an idea, we leave below what we consider as average price per day (we reiterate that these are ORIENTATIVE prices and may vary at any time):

• Flights/transportation within Mexico: from 1200 pesos (60$) for a round-trip domestic flight from other areas of Mexico. Use flight comparators like Skyscanner and Kiwi to find the best price.
• Transportation: R2 bus 12 pesos/trip (0.6$), Uber from 80 pesos/trip (4$), car rental from 400 pesos/day (20$).
• Accommodation: from 80$/night for a room with private bathroom or small apartment with kitchen in Hotel Zone, from 60$/night in downtown Cancun. Find accommodation of all types and prices on Booking, with up to 15% discount.
• Restaurants: many options between 10$ and 30$ per person, for all tastes.

In total, a weekend trip (2 nights) to Cancun can cost you between 40$ and 60$ per person per day, with the cheapest accommodation options, eating out in cheap restaurants and trying to get around on foot or by Uber (not counting flights from abroad or from within Mexico).

Useful Apps to get around Cancun

• Google Maps (Android / iOS): is the one we use to save/classify all the places we want to go/we have been and as GPS both to orient ourselves on foot and if we rent a car. It also includes public transport information if there is any. You can see other people’s opinions of the places, photos, restaurant menus, telephone numbers to contact them, etc. You can also open our map with all the places included in this guide.
• Maps.me (Android / iOS): application similar to Google Maps but works offline (although Google Maps can also work offline, it works better) and in many cases has information that Google Maps does not have.
• Uber: app to order taxi/VTC.
• Windy (Android / iOS / Web): essential app for our trips. It allows you to see forecasts of rain, clouds, wind, etc. to help you plan your days based on the weather (as there are places that lose a lot depending on the weather). Obviously the forecasts are not 100% reliable.

Tips for traveling to Cancun as a responsible tourist

• Be responsible when visiting a place: a large influx of people to a certain site can have a negative impact so respect the rules, do not climb the tree/monument you are visiting, do not paint on its walls, avoid touching and, out of respect for the rest of the people visiting the place, do not make noise or “monopolize” the place with your photos.
• Take care of natural and archaeological monuments and respect existing rules.
• If you rent a car, respect the speed limits on highways.
• Avoid the use of plastic and do not throw garbage away
• Do not be an accomplice to animal abuse, i.e. any attraction where animals are in captivity and/or used for human entertainment.
• Respect other people: don’t play your music loud; pick up your trash; don’t throw cigarette butts, etc. Leave the place better than you found it.
• Always travel with travel insurance: medical expenses, theft or problems with your plane on a trip can cost you a lot of money, so the ideal thing is to take out travel insurance. At Randomtrip we always use IATI and we recommend it. If you purchase your insurance through this link you have a 5% discount.

Checklist: what to bring in your backpack/suitcase to Cancun

Here is a list of must-haves you can’t forget to take with you on your trip to Cancun:

• International plug adapter such as these as they use type A plugs (those with two flat parallel pins).
• A  reusable water bottle like one of these to carry water with you all the time and void single-use plastic.
• Water Shoes as these ideal to carry always with you to avoid hurting your feet when entering the water or not touching the ground.
• Snorkel kit (mask and snorkel) like this, a must to bring on this trip and contemplate the seabed. Besides being more hygienic because you do not share your snorkel with anyone, in several places they do not rent the equipment and, even if they do rent, with a couple of times you already amortize the price of your own kit.
• Water proof dry bag like this one, very useful to keep your photographic equipment, cell phone and wallet safe from getting wet on the boat (whales sometimes blow near the boat or even hit the water with their fin or tail near the boat, and water can reach the boat).
• UV protection T-shirt like this because in some parts of the Mexican Caribbean it is forbidden or not recommended to use sunscreen / sunblock because its composition damages the marine ecosystem.
• Quick-drying towel such as one of these, which, in addition, does not take up much space in the backpack/suitcase.
• A hat or a cap (like this one) and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun
• A good camera to register your adventures. At Randomtrip we carry a Sony ZV-E10 and a Gopro Hero12 Black (for underwater pictures)
• A Power bank: taking so many pictures will drain your batteries, so it’s always a good idea to carry a good powerbank. At Randomtrip we travel with these 2 (Anker 20000 mAh and  Anker 10000 mAh), which allow us to charge both our phones and our cameras.
• Sun screen: the sun is strong in Baja California Sur so it is a must to take care of your skin. Always look for a Coral Friendly Sunscreen, i.e. one that protects your skin without harming marine ecosystems by avoiding ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are harmful to corals. Nor that it has been tested on animals.
• Mosquito repellent: like this one, it should have at least 15% deet
• First aid kit: In our first-aid kit there is always a medicine against seasickness (such as biodramine for seasickness on boats), antibiotics, anti-diarrhea medication (and a probiotic to recover more quickly), antihistamines, painkillers and antipyretics and, of course, travel insurance. If you hire your travel insurance with IATI using this link you will get a 5% discount

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As you can see, a trip to Cancun can mean not only a few days relaxing on the beach but also a beach base to explore various points of the Riviera Maya. You decide! Do you have any questions? Leave them in the comments!