Cancún
Cancún at a Glance
Located in the southeast of Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo, Cancun is bathed by the blue waters of the Mexican Caribbean. The city is divided into two parts: Downtown, which is where the locals live and where you can find places that are more authentic. And the Hotel Zone; a walk of several kilometers (approximately 22 km) on Kukulcán avenue, which stretches between a protected mangrove nature reserve called “Laguna Nichupté” and the beach directly on the open sea.
Paseo Kukulkan, Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Brief overview of the area's history
Cancún is a relatively recent destination located south of the Yucatan peninsula, in the State of Quintana Roo. Bordering the Mexican Caribbean, its design, construction and promotion was done by INFRATUR (a government instrument for tourism growth) prior to the creation of FONATUR (National Fund for the Promotion of Tourism) more than 50 years ago, creating one of the most recognized tourist destinations in Mexico, Latin America and the world.
Many centuries before the conquest of Mexico by the Spanish, this part of Quintana Roo was practically uninhabited, it was basically made up of swamps and mangroves but with spectacular beaches, the area at that time was just a series of dunes, some of them of no more than 20 meters wide separated from the mainland by two narrow channels. Due to the characteristics of the area, the preclassic Maya who lived around the area, left traces of their presence in the area a few kilometers away in cities such as Chichén Itzá, Cobá or Tulum.
A work of engineering on a colossal scale was what this development achieved, which today has more than one million inhabitants and continues to set the pace of tourism in Mexico.
Cancún Higlights
Museo Maya
Cancun’s first archaeological museum, located on the anex section of the city’s convention center, opened its doors in 1982. Read More
Due to hurricanes, this facility closed its doors in 2004, and development on the new building began in 2010 and was completed in 2012.
It is one of the most recent and significant museums established by the INAH, the National Institute of Antropology and History.
It houses one of the world’s most important Maya collections, with items from well-known sites such as Palenque, Chichen Itza, and Comalcalco.
The museum contains three display halls and access to the archaeological site of San Miguelito. It also offers the following amenities: a souvenir shop and bookshop, a café, toilets, classrooms, and medical services.
Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The entrance fee is $85.00 pesos.
Email: museomayacancun@inah.gob.mx
Phone: (998) 8-85-3842
MUSA
The subacuatic contemporary art museum encourages marine life and environmental protection while also highlighting the relationship between science and art. Read More
It is situated in the Western Coast Marine Park on Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun, and Punta Nizuc.
Between the three locations, there are 16 underwater galleries with various sculptures that can only be accessed by divers.
Blvd. Kukulcán, km 10.3, Punta Cancún y Punta Nizuc Zona Hotelera
CP 77500
Cancún, Quintana Roo
Phone: 998-848-8312
El Rey
Whereas the El Rey Ruins lack the wow element of Chichén Itzá, they do offer one advantage: convenience. Read More
However, for many previous visitors, the remains were not the main attraction: tourists travel to El Rey to interact with the hundreds of iguanas that have infested the old Mayan settlement, its a greta Photo opportunity !!
The following facilities are available on-site: a ticket desk, restrooms, and a rest space.
Monday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The entrance price is $65.00 pesos.
Ferries to Isla Mujeres
There are several ways to visit the Islands near Cancun, “Isla Mujeres” can be reached by taking the ferry that leaves from Puerto Juárez, which is ten minutes from Read More
Another option is the hotel zone ferry, which costs $ 31 USD round trip for adults and $ 27 USD round trip for minors. The ship departs from three locations: Playa Tortugas, Playa Caracol and from El Embarcadero
Ferry to Cozumel
There are several ways to move from Cancun to Cozumel, you can take a bus to Playa del Carmen and from there take the ferry that connects to the island Read More
Different options for different budgets, all arriving at the diving and snorkeling paradise that is the island of Cozumel.
Aquarium
If your idea is to entertain and at the same time that your children get to know, learn and interact with marine species then the Cancun interactive aquarium is the option for you. Read More
With its excellent facilities, this aquarium teaches how the different marine ecosystems work, it has a tank where they can touch different species such as rays, sea stars and urchins. It is located within the commercial plaza “La Isla” and has both salt and freshwater ponds where more than 1195 different species of fish are housed. You can also carry out activities such as the aquarium trek in which using specialized equipment you will walk at the bottom of a tank with a feeling similar to walking on the moon. A day of excitement and fun.
Av. Kukulcán
Even if you don’t go looking for Avenida Kukulkan, you’ll most certainly come across it at some point during your Cancun trip. Read More
Recent visitors rated Avenida Kukulkan as a secure, well-kept, and well-lit area for walking or jogging. Nonetheless, other tourists warn of the crocodiles that hide on the lagoon side of the road, advising them to stay on the route or, better yet, to walk on the oceansideof the avenue.
Av. Tulum
While Avenida Kukulkan is the major road in Cancún’s Hotel Zone, Avenida Tulum is the main thoroughfare across the mainland area of Cancún. Read More
Previous visitors liked browsing through Palacio Municipal and the adjacent streets, which provide a unique experience.
ALL ABOUT CANCÚN
From December to March the climate varies between 26.5 and 28 ° C, being an excellent climate for the beach area. April and May have slightly higher temperatures from 27 to 30 ° C. Read More
From September to November temperatures between 32 and 24 ° C accompanied by wind are recorded on average.
The official hurricane season begins in Mexico in mid-May, although in this region it increases at the end of July and ends at the beginning of October, there will generally be stronger winds in those months.
Check this app to follow the status of sargassum in Cancun
Cancun is the main city in the region and the most developed since the 80’s, there you will find all kinds of activities from shopping for products from big recognized brands, as well as a wide range of tours and activities, sport fishing, golf, diving, snorkeling. by sea or snorkeling and walks in the wonderful cenotes, parachute rides, paddle boarding, swimming with dolphins, the wonderful experiences in Xcaret and Xel-ha, or tours to archaeological sites such as CHICHEN ITZA, COBA AND TULUM
Arriving at the airport can be daunting due to the large number of car rental and tour sellers in the departure halls; a cab from the airport to the hotel zone will cost at least $25 USD, and while the vast majority are safe, it is possible that they overcharge. As a tip, hire a car or arrange for a shuttle service here or from your hotel when you arrive.
Avoid wearing high-priced or very conspicuous jewelry when walking around the city or on the beaches, do not show large amounts of money in public, be considerate of the ingestion of alcoholic beverages, take labeled transports and in safe places, do not go into areas marked as unsafe or with a high index of conflicts, do not walk alone in dark places, and notify family members when taking a walk unaccompanied. Read More
VERY IMPORTANT: The Nichupté lagoon is located along the Kukulcán Boulevard, it is inhabited by marine species and crocodiles, you must always be careful not to leave the pedestrian path towards the lagoon to avoid some type of attack on humans and pets. In the sea, the most common situations are sea currents, occasionally the rash of sea wasps, which can be mild to very painful. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, be moderate in your exposure to the sun since the tropical climate causes excess perspiration and sunstrokes or heat strokes can ruin your vacation from the beginning. Using common sense and taking precautions, vacations are much more enjoyable.
Since Cancun and its surroundings comprise a very large urban area, it is recommended to rent a car for your comfort and that the transfer times are shorter, however in the city and hotel zone, parking can be limited. Read More
There are private transport companies in the destination which can be used for a day of shopping or an adventure to an archaeological zone. Book here a guided city tour.
It is recommended to use labeled taxis and verify the driver’s data that are displayed in front of the passenger, also make sure to ask the fare before starting your service.
You will find all the major international car-rental agencies in Cancún, as well as some local companies; the offer is the same in most of them, with clean and new cars. The price will be the difference, so do your booking ahead, you will find better prices and the model you are looking for. When you rent, consider full insurance including personal liability, during high season some agencies can run out of cars. Read More
Buying gas in and around Cancún is easy as there are several gas stations in town and on the road to Riviera Maya destinations. The predominant brand is PEMEX, which is the state-owned company, prices are posted in pesos by liter so take that into consideration, most gas stations will take both cash or credit card.
Best Beaches
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Playa Coral
Activities: Beach for pets. Located at km 25 of the hotel zone and also called "Mirador II", it is a special beach for our furry friends to enjoy the water and sand of the sea. It has a small parking lot, it has ramps for wheelchairs and areas to sit to enjoy the joy that our pet will experience on this beautiful beach.
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Playa Las Perlas
Activities: Beach for children. Located at km 2.5 of the hotel zone, it is a small beach with calm waters and very gentle waves, it has parking, a games area, a reading area with some books, bathrooms and showers. Ideal for families with small children, use sunscreen at all times.
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Playa Tortugas
Activities: Swimming, relaxation, craft shops, restaurants in the area, boat trip services. Located at km 6.5 of Boulevard Kukulcán in the Hotel Zone, it is a small beach for the whole family, it has parking and public toilets.
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Playa Delfines
Activities: Walk along the beach, swim, baby turtle watching, parasailing, jet ski. (rent here). Located on the Hotel Zone is a public beach with free access with a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea, an excellent point to enjoy a sunrise or take selfies posing next to the colorful “CANCÚN” sign with the view of the Mexican Caribbean in the background. Read More
The beach is Blue Flag certified so to keep the area clean, access with glass or plastic bottles is not allowed, or smoking on the beach. Nor is it a place where you can take your pets (later we will tell you where to take your pet to the beach). You have to respect the turtles that each season come to spawn and during the months of May to November they hatch and you can find small baby turtles heading to the sea, naturally they are protected and guarded so do not try to collect them.This beach is perfect for hiking, swimming, visiting the turtle camps, learning about the four species of turtles that arrive each year, jet skis and parasailing (rent here) consisting of a parachute towed by a speedboat, if you like. adrenaline this is for you. We recommend paying attention to the tide indicator flags, if you want to enter the sea, consult the ZOFEMAT staff if you have any questions.
Beach Gallery
Photos by: Eric Blanc, Adrián Ibarra, Ale Ga, Gala Franco Gaytán, Nallely Martínez, Citizen Walk, Travel Drone Blog, Paco en Riviera Maya, Andreas Vega, ViajeFest
Nature
The Nichupté Lagoon
The Nichupté lagoon in Cancun is the natural barrier that divides the city into two zones. It contains a mangrove system that covers more than 3000 hectares, consisting of seven lagoons interconnected by channels and mangroves. Read More
- Laguna del Amor
- Laguna mediterránea
- Laguna Bojorquez
- Laguna San José
- Laguna Ciega
- Caleta Nizuc
- Rio Inglés
It is a fresh and brackish water ecosystem that connects with the Mexican Caribbean waters through two channels, the Siegfried channel and the Nizuc channel.
This lagoon offers visitors a door to another world since you can carry out different activities such as kayaking expeditions, paddleboarding expeditions, fly-fishing, boat adventures and wave runners as well as admiring the fauna and flora.
From an imposing crocodile, leopard frogs, white turtle, a great variety of birds, reptiles, and crustaceans such as blue crabs.
Nichupte, another world in conjunction with one of the most famous destinations on this planet.
Diving in the Mexican Caribbean is an experience like few others for lovers of this activity, can be done in all seasons of the year. Do not miss the opportunity to admire large reefs, swim in cenotes full of life and explore wonderful shipwrecks. We highly recommend visiting the largest underwater museum in the world: “MUSA” that has more than 400 life-size sculptures, forming a reef system where you will find a huge amount of marine life from manta rays, turtles and fish of various sizes and colors. .
Diving in Cancun is a promising experience. Depending on the area, you will be able to see dolphins in deeper areas, multicolored fish and all kinds of crustaceans in the different areas dedicated to this sport. Another experience that you cannot miss is swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres. The interaction with fish the size of a bus, gentle and majestic, is enriching. Book in advance since in high season the activity quotas are usually saturated.
Cancun has a very extensive cycle path that runs through almost the entire hotel zone and downtown. If you enjoy this activity you can find bicycle rental in most hotels, check with the hotel concierge. There are also some external places that rent you bicycles for a period of hours or per day depending on your plans.
Walks on the beach are an excellent exercise and one of the most romantic ways to live with your partner, in Cancun the beach runs through almost the entire hotel zone (approximately 13 km) and has free tickets to the public at constant points between hotels. Read More
Consider that for safety you should check the color of the tidal flag in the beach area where you are, since they are indicators of waves and ocean currents. Avoid walking on the beach after 10 at night, despite the fact that there are security elements that surround the entire beach, it is not recommended. Take care of your alcohol intake before and during the walk, do not wear luxury items or flashy jewelry. Let your family or friends know where you plan to walk (sunset / night) and how much time you have planned for it. Following the recommended measures you will calmly enjoy the sea breeze and the beautiful colors of the sunset. If you find a baby turtle running into the sea, be sure not to touch it and notify the nearest guard personnel, there could be a nest hatching and they are protected species.
Swmming on the beaches of Cancun is an activity that must be carried out taking basic precautions, to make it a safe and an unforgettable experience. Always consider that a beach is an access to the open sea, if the tide flag is green, it means that the swimming conditions are acceptable. In most residential and hotel beaches, there are lifeguards most of the daytime, but not in some public beaches. Make sure to read the conditions of each beach, they are visible in the access area. Read More
The flags used on the beaches of Mexico are:
Green Flag: Safe Swimming Condition
Yellow flag: Take precautions when swimming
Red flag: Dangerous conditions, sea currents
Black Flag: No swimming
Fishing
Cancun is distinguished around the world as a destination with some of the most beautiful beaches, a very impressive nightlife and an unlimited number of activities for visitors, however fishing is one of the most diverse and complete attractions in the place.
Located in the magnificent area of the Mesoamerican reef and on the migration route of several species of pelagic fish, the fishing variants either at sea, from the beach or the lagoon are so varied that they give the visitor enough options to fish until exhaustion ( If that exists!) Read More
The variety of species is huge, for all tastes and all sizes: from the billfish family, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish and Swordfish, Barracudas, Dorado, Grouper, Sea Bass, Mackerel, Red Snapper, and countless more than reef fish. Consider that fishing in a Charter boat will require a fishing license per person; it can be acquired from the captain of the boat. To fish from the beach you have to go where it is allowed, example: on hotel and residential beaches, it is normally prohibited. If fishing from the beach, the license will not be necessary and the perfect trio for that style of fishing known as Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit although you might be surprised to catch a barracuda occasionally.
Golf
Golf is one of the most popular sports in North America and Cancun has more than ten very high-level courses to practice this activity.
Course designed in 1976 by the famous Robert Trent Jones Jr. Located on the coast and surrounded by Mayan ruins, this course is suitable for the golfer of any level, located in the hotel zone between the Nichupté lagoon and the Caribbean Sea, open all the year, and as long as the weather permits it, remains open from dawn to nine at night.
Blvd Kukulkan Km 17, Cancun Zona Hotelera
Phone: 998-881-8016
Email: viscontti@hilton.com
18 holes par 72, located in the facilities of the Hilton hotel on the shore of the Nichupté lagoon and open to the general public, is a course suitable for all types of players. A space to enjoy a good game accompanied by beautiful views, a paradise to play.
The only 27-hole course in the area, designed by Jack Nicklaus with an ecological perspective, huge fairways and excellently manicured greens, offers players an experience that only Nicklaus can provide.
Located 8 km from Cancun, this beautiful course designed by Greg Norman provides the player of any level, spectacular views and offers strategic challenges for anyone who plays on it. From the first Tee to the last Putt your total concentration is needed, being an unbeatable experience.
Shopping
For luxury lovers there is a whole collection of renowned stores such as Versace, Gucci, Zara, GOC, Maaji, Yves Saint Laurent, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and Carolina Herrera among others. The center and the hotel zone have shopping centers where one can spend the whole day, places such as La Isla Shopping Village, Puerto Cancún Marina town center, Las Plaza Outlet Cancún, Luxury Avenue Cancún, Fashion Harbor or Forum by The Sea offer to whom visit them, everything they hope to find. If what you want is something more authentic and local, Market 28 is the most popular place in the destination, take into account that all the sellers will try to make you enter their store so, do not get overwhelmed, that is the way they sell. The advantage is that you will find any type of handicraft that you may be looking for, silver jewelry, ceramics, pottery or traditional Mexican clothing and best of all: at affordable prices.
Nightlife
Cancun city has two sections: the tourist area and the urban area of the city. Considered the quintessential nightlife place, it has numerous options for all tastes.
Downtown Cancun has undergone significant changes thanks to the large investments applied to new and modern constructions, located a few minutes from the beach has spaces for shopping and some of the best bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Live music or DJs, to choose from within the hotels, in the hotel zone or in the city center.
Pop, rock, salsa, tropical or any musical genre is easy to find. Some bars are open from noon to midnight, most of the nightclubs open after eight or nine at night.
In some nightclubs, you can enjoy shows, followed by an atmosphere that will not let you stop dancing.
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