Cancun travel guide

Highlights: Beautiful white sand and deep blue water beaches. Multiple resorts and lodging options. A party atmosphere in places. A family atmosphere in other places. The calmest tropical blue water beach is Playa Gaviota Azul. Playa Chacmool has some waves. A very wide variety of restaurant, daytime activities & tours. Cancun has both a beach hotel zone and a city zone to visit. The busiest tourist destination in Mexico. Easy access flights from the US and Canada. Images. YouTube.

Location: Caribbean side of the Yucatan Peninsula. Our GEM map: Google Maps - Web-based map. How to use the map. Cancun - Wiki page.

When to visit: weather guide. Winter season (December - April) is high season with clear sunny days. Rainy season is May - October. The beaches have a sargassum grass problem at times. There is no sea grass from November - January. June to November is hurricane season. Christmas season and Spring Break (March & April) are the busiest times. Cancun is busy year round with travel deals in the summer. August is cheaper than July. Both months have sea grass and hurricane issues however. Best month to visit = January. Webcam view.

How to get to: Cancun International Airport (CUN) has direct flights from major hubs. 4 terminals. Terminal 2,3,4 serve international & domestic flights. Terminal 1 is FBO for private flights and some charter flights. Airline directory. An airport exit tax exists (Visitax), but is not enforced at all. Go Experience Mexico - air travel guide.

Check flights: Booking.com

Lodging transfers: Viator - Get Your Guide .

Airport taxis are available at each terminal. Happy Shuttle connects to most destinations.

ADO bus to the downtown ADO station or direct to other destinations are available at each terminal: Merida (2 stations - centro historico & altabrisa), Playa del Carmen (2 stations - turistica/ferry & alterna/20th), Cozumel (turistica ADO station in PDC) + Ultramar ferry, Chiquilá + Holbox ferry, and Tulum. See the GEM map for all the ADO station info.

Collectivos are available at the downtown bus station to local destinations south - Playa Express, Transporte Cancun. It’s a very long walk, but possible to walk to the hiway to pickup up a collectivo or local taxi.

Cell service: use your lodging WiFi or read our communications page.

Money $: USD cash is accepted, but you can buy more with pesos. Credit cards are accepted in many places. Our Money $ guide.

Lodging: Booking.com - Cancun search. Go Experience Mexico - lodging guide.

Recommended Top-Rated Restaurants: Agua Marina - Between Buns (downtown) - BaoVegan (downtown) - Cambalache - Casa Rolandi - Cenacolo (Puerto Cancún) - Doña Yola - El Café Mexicano - El Fish Fritanga - El Pescado Ciego (downtown) - El Socio Naiz Taquería (downtown) - Fantino - Fred's - Harry's - La Buena Barra - La Parrilla (downtown) - La Probadita - L'Escargot (downtown) - Ilios Greek - Lorenzillo's - Los Tarascos (downtown) - Mono - Montemar (Puerto Cancun) - Navíos - Omakkami (downtown) - Picnic a la Playa - Peter's Restaurante (downtown) - Porfirio's - Puerto Madero - Puerto Santo (Puerto Juarez) - Que Gorditas (downtown) - Restaurante Mextreme - RosaNegra - Taboo - Taqueria Coapeñitos (downtown) - Trattoria Limoncello - Yamamoto (downtown)

What to do: View the GEM map - How to use the map.

The beach and pool - Nightlife & Clubs - Day trip to Isla Mujeres (tours) - Visit Cenotes (tours) - Visit Isla Contoy (tours) - Sunset cruise - Snorkling - Golf (tours) - Visit Xcaret (tours) - ATV/Jungle tours - Rio Secreto (tours) - Experience new restaurants - Visit Chichen Itza (tours) - Visit a museum - See a movie - Shopping adventures galore - Downtown Cancun.

Downsides:

The beaches have a sargassum grass problem at times. There is often no sea grass from November - January, but this can change. Sargassum grass info: A Taste for Travel - Sargassum Monitor - Facebook Red de Monitoreo. Christmas and Spring Break are high-season, so book early for availability. Summer rains and humidity, so book beachfront, swim often, use A/C. June to November is hurricane season, so purchase travel insurance. Overcharged/rip-off prices compared to other coastal resort cities. Petty theft has been a problem at hotels. Secure and hide your personal belongings. Taxis often over charge, so always ask how much before you get in.

We love visiting Cancun and hopefully you will too.

Thanks, Bill