Cancun

Travel Guide
Hotel Zone showing tropical scenes, a pool and general coastal views
Relax by the pool, dive through subaquatic caves and learn about the region’s fascinating past through museums and archeological sites.

Cancún is an intriguing city with three distinct faces. It is at once a world-renowned vacation resort, an adventure base for exploring lagoons and caves and an open-air museum showcasing the ruined temples of the Mayans. Draw up an action-packed itinerary for your vacation in this dynamic region.

Choose from the range of lodgings in the Hotel Zone. The area comprises a narrow strip between the Nichupté lagoon and the Caribbean Sea, made up of beaches and luxury hotels. Bring your kids to the Acuario Interactivo for interaction tanks and opportunities to swim with the fish.

Lay down a blanket for a picnic on Playa Delfines, a short taxi ride south from the aquarium. Snap photos of your family in front of the colorful Cancún sign and swim in the clear water. A little north is Playa Tortugas, which is fairly busy, with restaurants serving seafood and Mexican cuisine.

Remaining in the Hotel Zone, visit the Maya Cancun Museum for its captivating historic sights and exhibition spaces. Nearby is the El Rey Ruins, which consists of a small Maya village with a temple dating back to around A.D. 250. Take a trip to the El Meco Archaeological Site in the northern outskirts of the city.

The city is also an ideal base for excursions. Embark on a boat trip from the Gran Puerto Cancún to Isla Mujeres. The island contains the Garrafon Natural Reef Park, which has excellent water visibility for snorkeling. Go with tour operators to the cenote lagoons and underwater caves of Xcaret Park on the mainland.

Find the city on the Yucatán Peninsula in the southeastern part of Mexico. Fly to the Cancún International Airport and get a taxi or bus northeast for around 30 minutes to reach the heart of the Hotel Zone. The city is about 1 hour north of Playa del Carmen and about an hour and 45 minutes north of Tulum by car.

Cancún is the ultimate vacation destination, with a blend of serenity and entertainment.

Where to stay in Cancun

Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
4 out of 5
Boulevard Kukulkan, Km. 11.5, Cancun, QROO
The price is $338 per night from Jul 18 to Jul 19
$338
per night
Jul 18 - Jul 19
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,316 reviews)
"Staff was ultra friendly. Food was very good all restaurants. Very good place for kids and family"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023

Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive
4.5 out of 5
Blvd. Kukulcan km. 9.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, QROO
The price is $430 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
$430
per night
Jul 7 - Jul 8
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free valet parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,419 reviews)
"I have nothing to say because everything is good fore me, If have chan I’ll go there and stay there again, and bring my relative too. And recommend my friend too"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2023

Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All Inclusive
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Blvd. Kukulkan km 16.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, QROO
The price is $350 per night from Jul 26 to Jul 27
$350
per night
Jul 26 - Jul 27
Stay at this 4-star spa property in Cancun. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 10 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,773 reviews)
"The best family resort, we had a great time and the food was amazing."

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023

Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
4 out of 5
Boulevard Kukulkan, Km. 11.5, Cancun, QROO
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,316 reviews)
"Staff was ultra friendly. Food was very good all restaurants. Very good place for kids and family"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023

Wyndham Alltra Cancun All Inclusive Resort
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive
4.5 out of 5
Blvd. Kukulcan km. 9.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, QROO
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free valet parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,419 reviews)
"I have nothing to say because everything is good fore me, If have chan I’ll go there and stay there again, and bring my relative too. And recommend my friend too"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2023

Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive
Seadust Cancún All Inclusive Family Resort
Seadust Cancún All Inclusive Family Resort
3.5 out of 5
Cancun
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,227 reviews)
"The people were so nice ! And it was a beautiful resort"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023

Seadust Cancún All Inclusive Family Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Cancun

The main tourist areas of Cancún City are easy to explore on foot as they are relatively compact. If you do want to see other parts of the city or travel further afield, there are a few different options available. Travel by public bus for the most economical option. Alternatively, flag a taxi in the street or book one in advance. You can consider renting a car if you plan on doing a lot of travel. Visit the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation website. Browse Cancun rental cars.

Best time to visit

Peak season in Cancún runs between December and April. Although prices do climb during these months and accommodations fill up more quickly, it is still worth visiting at this time for the gorgeous sunny weather. Expect high temperatures of between 82 F (27 C) and 86 F (30 C). Try to avoid the hurricane season if you can. It runs from June into October, and can be very hot, rainy and unpredictable.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Read travel guides and advice on visiting Cancun

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