Cancun Travel Tips: Must Read Before Booking Anything [Words from a Local]

If you are traveling to Cancun for the first time, this post will help you familiarize yourself with the destination and give you an overview of what to expect in this popular Mexican Caribbean town.

You may need to read this post even if you are not a first-timer to Cancun, as it will refresh your memory and remind you of the important things to consider.

I live in Cancun, and I created this site to offer local tips to newcomers, hoping to make planning less painful. Unfortunately, I didn’t think of writing it sooner, so I hope this article will fill in the gaps in this massive Cancun Travel Guide.

Once you finish reading this, you should go back to the homepage and click around to familiarize yourself with many other aspects of your Cancun Vacation. I am sharing many tips about hotels, transport, and other aspects of your vacation.

 Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of those links, I may earn a commission at zero cost for you. You can read my disclaimer policy and privacy policy.

Cancun travel tips: from a local

1. Best Time to Visit

Choosing the right time to travel to Cancun is essential, and it can make or break your vacation. Cancun has tropical weather, which means it’s always hot, but it has two main seasons: dry (winter) and wet (summer). Shoulder season is when you get the best or worst of the two worlds, depending on how lucky you are 🙂

If you cannot choose your travel date for any reason, at least you know what to expect, although the weather is always unpredictable. Yes, it can rain in the dry season, and it can be sunny in the wet season. Generally speaking, though, the dry season is less humid, and you have a better chance of blue, sunny skies.

So here is how I would categorize the seasons in Cancun. However, I wrote a whole post on the best time to travel to Cancun for a more detailed I would read that before anything else.

• December to April: Peak season, with the best weather but also the most tourists and higher prices.
• May to November: Rainy season, but fewer tourists and better deals on accommodations. Keep an eye on hurricane season (June to November). Also, July and August are when family travels, so prices rise a bit.
• Shoulder months (April (after Easter, May, October, November, and half-December): great for avoiding crowds, best prices, and still enjoying good weather. However, it can be very hot and humid until mid-November.

2. Getting to Cancun: Airport Tips

• Pre-arrange transportation: The Cancun International Airport is about 30 minutes from the Hotel Zone. My best recommendation is pre-booking a shuttle or private transfer to avoid high taxi prices.
• Avoid timeshare sellers: Those guys in elegant beige uniforms smiling at you when you get out of the airport before reaching your transport representative. Avoid them like the plague. They usually aggressively offer “free” transport or tours in the arrivals hall. These are not free, and they lure you into some scammy timeshare deals.

3. Currency and Payments

• Pesos over dollars: While USD is accepted in many places, you’ll get a better deal using Mexican pesos. ATMs usually offer the best exchange rate but not the one that says ATM in giant letters. Those will cost you US$ and require an expensive commission.
• Credit cards: These are widely accepted but carry cash for smaller vendors, markets, and street food and if you rent a car, sometimes the Gasoline Stations don’t accept cards.

4. Getting Around

• Buses: Cancun’s local buses (R-1 and R-2 run along the Hotel Zone to downtown) are super cheap and reliable for getting around the Hotel Zone and downtown (El Centro).
• Taxis: Negotiate or confirm the price before getting in since they don’t use meters. If you get a taxi in the Hotel Zone, it is way more expensive than downtown. sometimes even 4 times more expensive.
• Uber: Uber is now available in Cancun Downtown but at a certain conditions and it’s not available in the Airport and Hotel Zone. You can read my guide for further information about Uber in Cancun.
• Renting a car: I always recommend renting a car if you want to explore the Riviera Maya and Yucatan in total freedom. Roads are generally safe but beware of traffic police, who may pull over tourists for minor infractions. The Police trying to get a bribe is not a myth. It happens quite often, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. They try to intimidate you, and it can be outputting. This is why many Cancun travel blogs advise you against renting a car. I believe it’s not so bad, and I would do it, but it’s totally up to you. In this post on renting a car in Cancun, I will tell you more about it and share advice in more detail.

5. Hotel Zone vs. Downtown

• Hotel Zone: Known for its resorts, beaches, and nightlife. More touristy, but you’re right in the heart of the action.
• Downtown (El Centro): More local vibe, cheaper restaurants, and shops. Great for experiencing local culture.

I don’t spend too much time on this topic because I wrote two extensive guides, which you can read. You can also download PDFs of some articles from my shop.

6. Cancun Beach

Cancun has a 20 km long stretch of beach but only a few beach access lanes in between hotels and condos that lead to a specific beach. You can get to each of them by the public bus that runs along the Hotel Zone from Downtown. In my post on the best beaches in Cancun I will tell you about all of them. Here for the scope of this post I am going to share the most popular.

Playa Langosta

Located at km 5 in the Avenida Kukulcan, Playa Langosta is known for its calm, shallow waters, making it an excellent spot for families with young children. It’s perfect for swimming and offers a relaxed atmosphere with scenic views of Isla Mujeres.

Playa Linda

Playa Linda is a hub of activity, as it is the departure point for many boat tours and ferries to Isla Mujeres. The beach itself is a bit narrower, but its lively vibe and proximity to the iconic Cancun Scenic Tower make it a popular stop for tourists.

Playa Punta Nizuc

This beach, located at the southern tip of the Hotel Zone, where the Club Med is located (you can go there on a day pass) is a more tranquil and secluded spot. Known for its clear waters and rich marine life, it’s a great location for snorkeling and those seeking a peaceful beach experience away from the crowds.

Playa Gaviota Azul

Right next to the bustling Forum Beach area, Playa Gaviota Azul is a vibrant and lively beach favored by locals and tourists alike. With crystal-clear waters and beach clubs nearby, it’s ideal for swimming, sunbathing and partying.

Playa Chac Mool

Known for its strong waves, Playa Chac Mool is a favorite among water sports enthusiasts, especially surfers and parasailers. It has a more laid-back vibe and is a great spot for a day of fun and adventure in the sun.

Playa Caracol

Playa Caracol is one of the smaller beaches in Cancun, but its shallow, calm waters make it perfect for families with kids. It’s close to several amenities and hotels, providing an easy-going beach experience right in the heart of the Hotel Zone.

Sargasso issues

During summer months you may find a lot of sargasso. Although it’s impossible to predict it ahead of time there are spots in Cancun and nearby that are never affected. These are Isla Mujeres, Playa Blanca and some other spots that I talk about in the related article on the Seaweed season in Cancun.

Watersport activities

There are tons of waterport options available in Cancun, from paddleboarding to jet skiing, parasailing, diving, and snorkeling, besides surfing and kitesurfing. It’s best if you book your favorite activity in advance, though, so the operator can tell you where to meet and give you more details. You can find all of those activities either at the reception of your hotel or on Viator if you want to prebook them before getting to Cancun, which is also a great idea.

7. Day Trips

Cancun can be a great base for day trips. I would alternate days chilling in a spectacular luxury hotel in the hotel zone with days of exploring and you can do it by renting a car or joining guided tours. Everything works, depending on what you are more comfortable doing.

Here are a few examples of destinations that you can reach on a day trip from Cancun.

• Isla Mujeres: Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Cancun. Rent a golf cart to explore the island, visit Playa Norte, and snorkel with whale sharks (in season).
• Tulum: Famous for its beachside Mayan ruins and trendy eco-friendly resorts.
• Chichen Itza: One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, best visited early to avoid the crowds and heat. You can plan a two-day trip, rent a car, spend the first day exploring Valladolid and book one of the cute boutique hotels there, and visit Chicken Itza the following day at 8 am to avoid the excessive heat and crowd. Or you can book a one-day tour.
• Cenotes: Visiting a cenote is a must. The sacred sinkholes are in fact some of he most popular natural attractions, and you can find many of them not far away from Cancun on the Ruta de los cenotes near Puerto Morelos or if you are going on a road trip to Tulum, you will find a lot of them along the way, my favorite are Cenote Azul and Dos Ojos but there are so many, you can spend a month visiting them all. Make sure you bring your camera with you for great Instagram captions

8. Food and Drink

I wrote a long post about my favorite restaurants in Cancun. Here are some of the local dishes and drinks.

• Street food: Try tacos al pastor, empanadas, and marquesitas (crispy crepes). The downtown area and Parque Las Palapas are great spots to try those.
• Seafood: Cancun is known for its ceviche and fresh seafood. For more local, inexpensive seafood restaurants, head to Puerto Juarez. Mar Bella Restaurant is the place to be, but it’s best to book in advance, and it’s open only for lunch.
• Micheladas: A refreshing beer-based drink with lime, spices, and sometimes clamato. Perfect for a hot day! I don’t like it, but most people love it. So..

9. Safety Tips

• Tourist areas are generally safe: But it’s best to stay aware of your surroundings and avoid poorly lit areas at night.
• Beware of scams: Some taxi drivers or street vendors may try to overcharge tourists.
• Drink bottled water: Avoid tap water and ice from unknown sources. Most resorts use filtered water, but always double-check. Or you can get a water-to-go filter bottle and you can drink any water.

10. Nightlife and Entertainment

Here is something I should warn you about. When you hear about dangers in Cancun, you should know that almost all the bad things that happened in Cancun in the past are drug-related.

And most of the time, drugs are in night-clubs. So you can go out and have fun, but stay away from drugs, and you will stay away from trouble.

I am not a night howl and when I go out I just go to dinner with friends. However, for the sake of information, here are the most popular clubs and areas where people usually hang out.

Coco Bongo

The legendary nightclub with live performances, aerial shows, and a great atmosphere. The artists are really good and worth watching.

Playa Forum area

The hub of Cancun’s nightlife, with famous clubs like Mandala and The City.

11. Shopping

For shopping you can find a lot of souvenir shops all along the Hotel Zone but also in Downtown around the ADO station on the Avenida Tulum.

Cancun is also the city of shopping malls, where you can find fine dining, luxury brands clothing stores and a fancy atmosphere, to hang out and spend some time out of the sun.

Mercado 28

A popular open-air market for souvenirs like Mexican crafts, jewelry, and hammocks. Bargain for the best prices!

La Isla Shopping Village

A modern shopping center with international brands located in the Hotel Zone. It’s also one of the best spot for watching sunset in Cancun. I recommend going to sunset time and then check out on of the fancy restaurants for dinner. I love Thai and Elephant.

Puerto Cancun Mall

Puerto Cancun Mall is relatively new and it’s also a great place to go for a walk and window shopping. There you can also find great restaurants and beautiful views over the canals. Great shops of all kinds as well.

12. Adventure Activities

The activities available in Cancun are endless. Adventurous and adrenaline seekers will find their jam in Cancun. My article on the adventurous things to do will help you find the best activities for you.

Water Sports

Water sports: Cancun is a haven for scuba diving, snorkeling, and kiteboarding. The MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art) is a must-see for divers.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere

A UNESCO World Heritage site offering guided eco-tours through mangroves, lagoons, and ancient Mayan canals. There are different ways to visit Sian Ka’an, but my favorite is doing a full day boat tour from Muyil. They take you through the canals all the way to Sian Kaan, and once you get there, you take a boat tour in the sea to see the dolphins in their natural habitat. Right in front of the Muyl archeological site, there are shops where you can purchase their tour from the local community.

13. Cultural Experiences

As I mentioned before, there are different Mayan ruins in Cancun, and one of them is right inside the Mayan Museum, which is worth a visit to learn about the history of the Mayan Civilization.

14. Health and Wellness

There are many all-inclusive resorts that offer the best spa experience in Cancun. A great one is the Spa at NIZUC Resort and Spa or the Fiesta Americana Condesa also has a great renowned Spa.

If you are more into Yoga and Wellness retreats you will find a lot of them in Mexico especially in Tulum. I use Book Yoga Retreat site to find the best offers.

15. Connectivity

Free Wi-Fi is common in resorts and cafes, but coverage can be spotty in more remote areas. Also, if you are planning on renting a car or exploring in general, staying connected is definitely one of the first things you should think about. You can get a SIM Card online before traveling, so you don’t have to worry about going out to look for one when you arrive, and you can start enjoying your trip worry-free.

Cancun travel tips: Final Thoughts

I hope this post was useful as an overview on traveling to Cancun. However, I suggest you click on the links provided and learn more about what you consider the most important aspects of your trip. This site, Let’s Travel to Cancun, is a gold mine of information. I hope it will help you have a great time in Cancun.