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Cancun Visitors Guide How to Get There, Things to Do & More IT IS A DREAM TO BE HERE Cancun is recognized throughout the world for its spectacular white sand beaches and its fascinating sea in turquoise blue tones. With […]

Cancun Visitors Guide

How to Get There, Things to Do & More

IT IS A DREAM TO BE HERE

Cancun is recognized throughout the world for its spectacular white sand beaches and its fascinating sea in turquoise blue tones. With unique natural places, Mayan culture, water activities and adventure. International cuisine, spectacular golf courses, sophisticated spa facilities, exclusive shopping centers, typical handicraft markets as well as shows, bars and nightclubs that give fame to its incomparable nightlife.

Welcome to Cancun

Cancun is one of Mexico’s largest and most popular resort destinations, hosting millions of visitors from around the world each year. The beaches, the water, the amenities, and the nightlife are just a few of the things that make Cancun the ultimate Mexican Caribbean destination. With proximity to nearby Mayan cultural centers and offshore islands, there’s a little something for everyone in Cancun.

Cancun At Sunset

A Bit Of History

Like all of the glittering beach towns in the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun was once a Mayan cultural center. This particular piece of land was essential for the Mayan fishing and maritime trades. After the Maya left the area and prior to the 1970’s, Cancun was all but forgotten. Surviving with just 100 residents.

Fast forward to the 1970’s, when the Mexican government deemed Cancun the best place to build the next tropical, tourist destination. It was a slow build. The Mexican government actually had to finance the first few resorts themselves because took a lot of convincing to get investors interested. Yet by the mid 1980’s, Cancun had achieved its goal. It was the IT destination in Mexico.

Cancun Today

Rich with history and irresistible nature, Cancun quickly became a mecca for local and foreign visitors. Since 1989 Cancun has been considered the most dynamic city in Mexico. Pillow soft sand, warm seas and dreams coming true keep patrons coming back year after year.

Below is our guide to making the best of your visit including many of the top things to do in Cancun. We hope you enjoy!

Where Is Cancun?

Cancun City and the adjacent L-shaped island area known as Isla Cancun, are located on the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean seashore. Located just north of the Riviera Maya coastal area, Cancun is one of Mexico’s easternmost points.

Adjacent to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (the second-longest coral reef system in the world), Cancun is in a perfect spot for turquoise Caribbean waters, white sand beaches, and world-class diving and snorkeling. This is DEFINITELY the island life!

When To Visit Cancun

The tropical climate in Cancun is quite predictable and easy to make plans around. Without much of a temperature difference throughout the year, (the average temperature lingers around 83 degrees F) it’s the rainy hurricane season that most travelers need to pay attention to.

January – April

Perfect weather-wise, but sees the highest influx of tourists. If you are not a people person, consider this.

May – October

The hottest and most rainy months of the year but still plenty of sunshine and fantastic warm water for snorkeling & diving. Also, the hurricane season peaks in September and October so keep an eye on the forecasts and definitely get travel insurance just in case. Fewer tourists mean you can typically expect lower rates at hotels, resorts and tour companies during this time.

November – December

The autumn-winter months are considered by many to be the best times to visit Cancun. The hurricane season has passed by this time and the humidity is low. Can be a little “chilly” in the evenings.

How To Get To Cancun

There are a few ways to get to Cancun. Note that many larger hotels in Cancun provide free transportation to town, so check ahead before planning alternative transportation.

By Air & Shuttle

Most people fly directly to Cancun as numerous international flights arrive in Cancun daily. The international airport is located in Cancun City (Centro) and is just 13 miles from the Zona Hotelera.

You can easily book ground transportation from the airport to your hotel here.

By Bus

The most affordable and slowly becoming one of the most popular forms of transport, busses go everywhere you want to go and most are airconditioned. From the airport there are frequent public busses available into the city. From Tulum and Playa del Carmen busses are also widely available. Consult your hotel for pickup locations.

By Taxi

Taxis are everywhere and will take you straight to your accommodation. Be sure to discuss the prices in advance of taking the ride so you don’t get overcharged. Taxi’s to Cancun from Playa del Carmen or Tulum are convenient but can be expensive.

By Car

Renting a vehicle may be the most convenient choice depending on how much exploring you plan to do on your own. It is an easy and affordable option. The roads between Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are very straightforward and safe. We recommend booking your car here for the best prices and service.

For more transportation information, check out our Getting Around The Yucatan Guide

Things To Do In Cancun

Cancun’s Top Highlights

There is so much to do in Cancun! From live shows to sailing cruises and more, it’s really easy to make each day in Cancun a special experience. Here are just some of the activities you can enjoy!

1. Take A Day Trip To Chichen Itza

If you’ve never been to a Mayan ruin, why not start with one of the best! Chichen Itza is an epic collection of temples and monuments that are worth the trip to get there. Around a two-hour drive from Cancun, many people combine the adventure with a swim at a cenote on the way back to cool off. You can rent a car and do the drive yourself, but most people book either a private tour guide or take a group tour for simplicity. This also allows you to zonk out in the van on the way back! Note that group tours typically do not include the park entrance fee of $30 USD adult or $5 child.

This top rated group tour to Chichen Itza includes buffet lunch, a trip to Valladolid, and swimming in a cenote on the way back. Here’s a great private tour.

Don’t mind getting up early? Check out this awesome sunrise tour to Chichen Itza!

2. Visit A Cenote

Talk about healing properties. The cenote choices in the Cancun area are vast and diverse as there are literally dozens of incredible locations nearby. You can swim, scuba dive, snorkel or just walk through one of these breathtaking and powerful forces of nature.

Check out this day tour that visits several cenotes in the Riviera Maya.

For more cenote info and great cenote recommendations.

3. Go Snorkeling or Scuba Diving

Hire a tour company to jet you around the lagoons or go with a dive shop and see what lies beneath. The Underwater Sculpture Museum at MUSA has become quite a popular attraction in recent years. Over 500 sculptures were built and installed in the blue shallow waters in an attempt to rebuild the reef system. But there are plenty of other diving and snorkeling options as well! Get in the water and explore, a true treasure awaits.

This is one of the more popular snorkeling tours that visits several reefs and a shipwreck not to far from Cancun.

4. Enjoy The Nightlife

You are in the Mexican Caribbean’s party center after all! The northern part of Zona Hotelera is called Punta Cancun and is the nightlife party area with plenty of clubs and tourist bars. Some say the best club to dance and drink the night away is Coco Bongo but don’t let us sway your decision, there are many places to party on offer, mostly in the Zona Hotelera.

5. Take A Sunset Sail

Feeling something a bit more relaxed and maybe even romantic? A sunset sailing cruise is guaranteed to set you at ease. Cancun is known for its incredible sunsets. What better way to wind down and fall softly into relaxation than this? Snacks, drinks, soothing waves, gorgeous sky…if you need anything else you are just being too greedy.

6. Go To A Lucha Libre Show!

Is there anything more uniquely Mexican than a luchador wrestling match?

No, is the answer. These fighters train for years and have mastered the art of entertainment. Go, enjoy, cheer and maybe have a cervesa or a coctel.

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