Cancún

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	Source: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional [dead link]. See weather forecast at Servicio Meteorológico Nacional [dead link]

Cancún
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	Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
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	Source: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional [dead link]. See weather forecast at Servicio Meteorológico Nacional [dead link]
Imperial conversion
	Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
	Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Cancún is a popular Caribbean tourist destination on the northeast tip of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, in Quintana Roo, which also is called the Mexican Caribbean. Next to 22 km (14 miles) of beaches, you'll find a wide variety of resorts, spas, clubs, and malls.

Peak season in Cancún tends to run from December to April. Airfare and hotel prices increase dramatically during these times, while dropping in the (northern hemisphere) summer and early autumn months. Late June is especially hot, so come prepared or try the off season. Hurricanes can be a major threat in late (northern hemisphere) summer and autumn.

Understand

Resting on the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancún, now a city of almost 900,000 inhabitants (2020), did not exist before the 1970s. It was a tourist project started at that time by the Mexican government in a sparsely inhabited, pristine area. Since then it has grown to become a big city and one of the premier beach resort destinations in the world.

It is composed of 14 mi (23 km) of pristine white beaches shaped like a number "7", home of the Mayan archaeological wonders, turquoise seas, a bountiful underwater world, and world-class vacation amenities. It is still considered the gateway to the Mayan World ("El Mundo Maya"). Mayan temples and ritual sites are everywhere, some smothered by lush jungle, others easily accessible.

Districts

Cancun consists of two distinct and separated areas, both part of the city of Cancun:

Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera in Spanish)
City Center (El Centro in Spanish), as referred to commonly by locals.

Most tourists know Cancun primarily by their experience in the Hotel Zone and many on all-inclusive tours will never see anything else. Whereas nationals visiting from other parts of Mexico, those visiting family members, or visitors from abroad that are on a budget, may opt to stay downtown for a less opulent, more tranquil, far more "Mexican" experience.

Hotel Zone

The Hotel Zone can be defined by looking at a map of Cancun, and isolating solely the harp-shaped land mass protruding from the east side of town.

As a tourist, most of the things you are likely visiting Cancun for, will be centered around the Hotel Zone.

The Hotel Zone is entirely built around the tourist industry, and features resorts, all-inclusive mega hotels, and stunning Caribbean beaches.

Cancun - Downtown (Upper Left) and Hotel Zone (Bottom Right). Airport at bottom left.

Stay here only if you don't mind spending your vacation with many other tourists, as well as being harassed by touts (pushy shop employees, tour salesmen, etc), sometimes even from across the street. This area is basically a Mexican clone of Florida, with not much of a difference, besides the water here being the Caribbean.

City center

Downtown Cancún in contrast is a pure Mexican city, laid out around the idea of supermanzana (super block), characterized as roughly 400-meter by 400-meter blocks, with larger roads and businesses on the outsides of the blocks, and residential roads, footpaths, housing and parks on the insides of the blocks, leaving it very accessible both via car and on foot. Supermanzanas consist of normal size city blocks called manzanas. The supermanzana scheme is common in cities of the Yucatan Peninsula, though it's not common in the rest of the country.

While the city center is referred to as 'El Centro', which translates literally to 'the center', there is no defined center of town. Visually, on the map, a useful reference for the center of down may be the popular location Mercado 28, which is noted below.

Given its lack of any history before the 1970s, do not expect to see very much, if any Mexican historical culture in Cancun. Instead, it is very much an example of modern Mexico, with many restaurants, North American fast food chains, shopping centers, markets and clubs.

Unfortunately, the downtown area also has no beach access. Due to this, Cancun is very much a tourist town, with tourists and the beautiful beaches completely separated from real Cancunians. If you find this setup unappealing, you should probably skip Cancun altogether and go to Playa del Carmen instead, where locals and the beaches are in the same area.

Those mostly seeking beaches and scuba diving, or who are a bit adventurous, can easily find rooms on equally beautiful and less crowded beaches along the coast just an hour or two south of Cancún. The island of Cozumel is an ideal place for serious scuba divers. Some Spanish language skills may aid in finding better deals. You can rent a car, or take the bus to Puerto Morelos (about 20 min) or Tulum (1 hr). Playa del Carmen (45 min, M$80 (pesos) is between the two. Taxis are also available.

Those looking for a base of operations who want good or luxury hotels and the advantages of urban life but prefer more local flavor may wish to stay in the Yucatan's main city of Mérida. Some international flights in to Cancún continue on to Mérida's International Airport. Merida is also easily reached by train (Tren Maya) or bus (ADO).

Climate

The climate in Cancún is tropical, with consistent hot and humid weather throughout the year, and very warm sea temperatures. You can expect a gentle breeze from the ocean to keep you comfortable. Temperatures reach their peak around May, and you may notice the extreme heat as you travel inland. Prepare for trips to archeological sites: wear light clothing, stay cool, and rest often. During the "rainy season" you will typically get clouds rolling in, then showers for 10 minutes, then the clouds roll out and you have beautiful sunshine the rest of the day. Rarely does Cancun have rainstorms that last long.

Get in

By plane

Cancún International Airport (CUN^IATA) is the large international airport serving Cancun and the Caribbean coast. The airport is located on federal highway MEX 307 at the southern end of Cancun, about 10 km from the hotel zone and about 15 km from downtown Cancun. See the airport article for more information.

Customs- Be sure to familiarize yourself with Mexico's Customs policies. Notably, you are only allowed one laptop duty-free. Traveling with both a personal and work laptop, or more than one computer per person in your group, will likely subject you to a duty on arrival.

By car

Driving in Mexico can be an experience. For more information and tips refer to driving in Mexico.

The Carretera Cancun-Tulum/Av Tulum (Fed Hwy 307) is the main north-south highway which begins at the intersection with Av Lopez Portillo (Fed Hwy 180), north of downtown. From here this highway connects Cancun to the airport, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and eventually to Chetumal near the Belizean border. Fed Hwy 180/180D goes east and west as Av Lopez Portillo and goes across the Yucatan Peninsula to Merida and winds down towards Campeche and Villahermosa along the Gulf Coast. Fed Hwy 180D, west of town becomes a toll freeway between Cancun and Merida with limited access while Fed Hwy 180 (the older two-lane highway or 'carretera libre') runs parallel to Hwy 180D, connecting various towns with the speed bumps (topes) to slow traffic going through the town. Cars rented in Mexico cannot be legally driven into Central America.

There are also car rental and travel agencies lined up along Blvd Kukulcan in the Hotel Zone and in other areas downtown. They are in free standing buildings and within the malls for travelers planning to take a day trip, shopping for tours and activities or for booking an onward journey to the next destination. The cars rented from the Hotel Zone or downtown may be less expensive than from the airport and can be had for a shorter period of time when the car is needed. See "By car" under "Get around" for links to specific car rental companies and in regards to getting around locally by car. Outside of the cities of Cancun and Merida, driving is generally easy in the Yucatan Peninsula.

By bus

Cancun's 21.1643-86.82671 bus station is in downtown Cancun, northwest of the roundabout at Av Uxmal and Av Tulum. The station is served by a taxi rank in front of the station along Pino. Local buses to the hotel zone pass regularly behind the station on the Tulum Avenue.

To the station goes the first class bus ADO and second class buses like Mayab and Oriente, which have around 50% lower prices than ADO. Schedules of second class buses cannot be checked online. An employee in the station's ticket booth will show you the schedule on the computer monitor. Second class buses go less frequent than ADO.

From the bus terminal there are frequent buses to:

the Airport (30 min)
Playa del Carmen (1 hr 20 min)
Tulum
Merida (4 hr)
Valladolid (2 hr in ADO, 3 hr 20 min in Oriente bus)
Campeche (6 hr 45 min) and
Chetumal (5-6 hr) in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Chichen Itza: Direct buses leave once or twice daily from Cancun; so to get there take a more frequent bus to Valladolid and transfer to another bus to Chichen Itza.

There are less frequent services (once or twice daily) to further away places such as:

Palenque (13 hr)
Tuxtla Gutierrez (18-20 hr)
San Cristobal de las Casas (18-19 hr)
Villahermosa (12-13 hr)
Mexico City (26 hr) and elsewhere in the Republic.

The following bus lines offer services into and out of the Central Bus Terminal:

ADO (Autobuses Del Oriente), Calle Pino, SM23, MZ 1, Lt 1 y 2, Centro, ☏ +52 55 5133-5133, toll-free: +1800-009-9090. They operate the ADO, ADO GL, OCC (Ómnibus Cristóbal Colón), Riviera and Platino bus lines, and the ClickBus.com booking site.
Second class buses with AU, Oriente, Mayab and Noroeste (subsidiaries of Grupo ADO) are available for more localized travel to Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Polponah, Kantunilkin, Chiquila (location for Holbox ferry) and other nearby towns and villages in Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Campeche states. Second class buses typically takes longer to get across longer distances due to the multiple stops they make to pick up and drop off other passengers alongside the road.
Auto Centro, ☏ +52 999 923 9962. operates second class bus service between Cancun's bus station & their own terminal in Merida via Tixpeual, Tixkokob, Euan, Cacalchen, Izamal, Tunkas, Dzitas, Valladolid, Chemax, Xcan and/or Leona on three different routes. These buses stop anywhere along the road to pick up and drop off people on request. (updated Jul 2015)
21.16495-86.826242 Playa Express, Pino 13, SM 23, Mz 1, Centro (colectivo (shared ride van) stand across the street from the front of the bus station at Pino & Av Tulum). Regularly scheduled shuttles to Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen in the Mercedes/Dodge Sprinter vans. They do not make stops at the airport. M$45 to Playa del Carmen. (updated Aug 2017)

By train

A 1,500 km railway network follows a loop route through the Yucatán Peninsula with a major station at the Cancún International Airport. The Tren Maya provides fast, comfortable transportation to major cities like Merida, Campeche, and Chetumal, popular beach resort areas like Cancun and Tulum, and several Maya archaeological sites including Chichen Itza, Palenque, Calakmul, Uxmal, and Xpujil. It opened in 2023. Schedules and tickets can be obtained via the official Tren Maya website.

21.029352-86.8728143 Estacion Tren Maya Cancún International Airport, Cancún International Airport, state highway QR-180. Largest full-service rail station for Tren Maya with 5 platforms, on the south side of the airport. (updated Nov 2023)

Get around

21°8′42″N 86°48′0″W

Map of Cancun center and the Hotel Zone

Cancún is very easy to navigate. To the south is the airport, to the north is the city and in between on the stretch of land between the sea and the Nichupte lagoon are all the hotels, beaches and bars, referred to as the hotel zone or Zona Hotelera. Downtown is where most residents live and it stretches in on the mainland behind the lagoon.

By e-hailing

Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city.

Didi differs from Uber in that you will be picked up exclusively by taxi's. You can think of using Didi as a way to call a taxi and see / agree on a set rate beforehand, whereas Uber and Cabify are standard rideshare services. If you can't find a driver near you on one of these apps, it may be beneficial to try another.

By bus

Buses are cheap and come frequently. Most bus drivers are very courteous and some will stop for you even if you are not waiting at a bus stop, though officially, they are only supposed to pick up at the designated stops. Routes R1 and R2 head up and down the main thoroughfare, Blvd Kukulcan. R1 buses will go to the ADO bus station and some go to Puerto Juarez (where you can catch the ferry to Isla Mujeres. R2 buses go into Centro and are useful if you need to visit Walmart for some perverse reason. Buses pass constantly but be prepared for possibly cramped and rough ride.

After paying the fare, which is on a per person basis, the driver will hand you a ticket/receipt which are usually printed with advertisements this does not serve as a transfer to another bus. Fares are usually M$12 (Oct 2022) for destinations within the city, while a ticket to anywhere in the Zona Hotelera costs M$12 (Jan 2022). Dollars are acceptable (bills only) but the fare is $1 per person (40% more than if you pay with pesos). The fare is per boarding, so you pay again if you have to board another bus to complete the journey. Do not expect buses to have amenities such as air conditioning and seat cushions. Many bus drivers speak enough English to help visitors get around.

When you are ready to get off, you can either push the button on top of the hand rail, or if you're not sure of your destination, tell the driver where you would like to get off or point to the destination using a bus map. Most bus drivers speak enough English to understand non-Spanish speakers.

Be careful when the bus is full as pick-pocketing is a concern.

The following companies operate buses locally:

Turicun (Transportacion Turistica y Urbana de Cancun)
AutoCar S.A. de CV^{[dead link]}

or see:

RutaDirecta.com

The websites only provide of list of routes showing them on the map as to where they go. No schedules as they run quite frequently. Another great resource for finding your way around Cancún are the Can-Do Cancún maps & Guides by Perry & Laura McFarlin.

Companies serving the station include all attractions and towns along the coast: Riviera Express and Mayab for the Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Xel-Ha, etc.) and ADO for the major national destinations. For some Riviera Maya destinations, it's possible to stop the buses on the Tulum Avenue without having to go all the way to the station, however if you are unsure about where to catch the bus (or have baggage) then it's best to go to the station.

By taxi

Taxis are plentiful, a bit expensive for the hotel zone and airport, but cheap in the downtown area.

It is always best to ask the driver for the price upon boarding to avoid misunderstandings. Not all taxi drivers will be able to give you a receipt if you request one; If they are, it will be a handwritten receipt.

Fares

Fares for the hotel zone depend on how far along the Blvd Kukulcan you want to go (fares available at hotel receptions and shopping centres), while downtown fares will generally be M$50-100.

Taxi prices will increase at night, and will also increase if you're hailing via a taxi stand, as they must pay for usage of the stand.

A taxi from the Puerto Juarez ferry terminal to the Mercado 28 area at night will be quoted at roughly M$200, and may have a driver willing to accept M$150 if you say that you need to find a taxi for that amount (Feb 2024). The cab fare to the hotel zone from downtown is M$250-300 (Nov 2023).

Be careful and clear with your taxista. They have set rates on paper for how much they should charge for the trip per kilometer (no meter). If you are splitting a cab with friends, be clear on the number of services, people, number of stops, and price he will charge to your destination. If your friends need to get out or be dropped off in another location before you, the price will be different than if you are all traveling to the same location. A "service" is considered to be from start point to a requested stop point.

Negotiating price

If you aren't able to agree on a price with a taxi driver before starting a ride, often, they will ask other taxi drivers nearby (if at a taxi stand) or call on the radio to find someone willing to provide the ride for the fare requested. There are many taxi drivers, and just because one is not able to provide a service at a given rate, does not mean that someone else would not be willing to do so, and they will be willing to help each other out and announce that you're in need of the fare at that price.

It is best to approach this situation as a mutually beneficial one, rather than an adversarial encounter. You're looking for a fare, and taxi drivers are looking for work. Not all fares will work for every driver, and the fare that a driver offers in some situations may not work for you. It's always fine to ask if there is another taxi nearby that may be willing to take the fare for that rate.

Because of this, it is acceptable, and encouraged even, to have an idea of the price you're willing to pay for a ride to a given destination, and when approaching a taxi, ask them "Can I go to (destination) for (price)?", or say "I need to go to (destination) for (price)." In the hotel zone, you may say this in English or Spanish; Downtown, it is likely you will need to be able to articulate this in Spanish.

It is very important that you are able to describe your destination accurately. For best results, in downtown locations, you should be ready to show them on the map. This will ensure an accurate taxi fare quote, as seemingly minute differences may be significant. Most taxi drivers will be familiar with most hotel zone locations by name, but may not understand where you're going if you just give them the name of a small location downtown.

Payment

Taxis generally expect payment in cash.

Some taxi stands may pass around a card reader, but do not expect every taxi to have one, and be very clear before beginning the ride that you need to pay by card.

Taxi's also may not always be able to make change for a M$500 note. If you only have 500 peso bills, such as from the ATM, it's important to recognize this and ask the driver, "Tienes cambio para quinentos (500)?" If they can't provide change, you need to figure this part out before you start the ride to avoid any awkward situations upon arrival where you can't properly pay.

Appearance

The city taxis are white with a single green horizontal stripe across each side of the vehicle. They can give rides within the city and to the airport but they cannot pick up passengers at the airport. Taxis of different color combinations are usually from other municipalities that cannot transport passengers locally. They can only drop off passengers coming from another city or town (municipality).

By car

Be very careful if you choose to drive in Cancún. Avoid renting a car at the airport car rental agencies; instead, find a local rental agency in town or via your hotel with good reviews. The airport rental agencies have become notorious for long lines, frustration, bad service, bait-and-switch scams, and deceptive practices (i.e., not honoring reservations, and overcharging of uninformed tourists with required extra insurance fees). Even well-known, franchised rental companies that are popular and trusted in the US or other countries, have terrible reviews locally in Cancun at the airport, as they are often franchises all owned by the same people locally.

There is a commonly reported issue of police pulling over rental cars, especially on their way towards the airport, and demanding money for a supposed infraction. There is a law in the state of Quintana Roo that requires police to give tourists a verbal warning of any non-serious driving infraction rather than ticketing them. Tourists are recommended to print out this law and carry it with them if they are driving, as this will stop you from receiving citations, and is an easy way to shut down a situation where someone is demanding money after pulling you over.

When you pick up a rental, check and document (photo/video) for any existing damage and that all equipment (spare tire, jack) and lights are present and working. Make sure both front and back car tag/license plates are present. (In Mexico, police will remove the front tag of illegally parked vehicles to be returned for a fine at the station.) Also, if you are pulled over for a light violation, do not be surprised if the police holds out an open palmed hand, while holding your driver’s license hostage in the other. Most police officers are underpaid and will for the most part demand a small bribe to let you off the hook.

See the related travel article Driving in Mexico for additional information.

Orientation

Addresses in the city center (downtown) are organized by Super Manzanas (SM) or 'Super Blocks' which consists of several blocks or Manzanas (Mz) contained within. The SMs are separated by wider busier roads/boulevards (usually named) at all sides while the Manzanas (Mz) are separated by narrower, smaller side streets within a SM (can be numbered or named). On the maps the main roads form different unique shapes which are usually the Super Manzanas.

On Isla Cancún (Zona Hotelera) the addresses are based on how many Kilometers (Km) along Blvd Kukulkan from Km 0 (a parking lot) at the intersection of Blvd Kukulkan and Av Bonampak. As you travel east from Av Bonampak towards Punta Cancun (Km 9), and south through Isla Cancun (Zona Hotelera) along Blvd Kukulkan the Km numbers increase culminating at Km 25.3 (Riviera Cancun Golf & Resorts) south of Punta Nizuc. Blvd Kulkakun becomes 'Carretera Punta Nizuc-Cancun' which goes east towards the airport on the mainland.

Coming from the airport the taxis and shuttles typically follow 'Carretera Punta Nizuc-Cancun' to reach the Hotel Zone via Punta Nizuc at Km 25 and work their way north. The main highways through town are Av Tulum (Hwy 307) that goes north-south and Av Portillo (Hwy 180) which go diagonally between southwest and northeast. Both roads do intersect at Parque Crucero towards the north end of town.

See

21.10967-86.764491 Interactive Aquarium, Blvd Kukulcan Km. 12.5 Hotel Zone (inside La Isla Village Mall in the Hotel Zone), ☏ +52 998 2063311. Daily 09:00-20:00; marine presentations 19:00. In the middle of the La Isla Shopping Village in the hotel zone, this small, modern aquarium lets you get up close and personal with aquatic life. You can pet rays, nurse sharks, touch starfish, etc. You can pay to swim with captive dolphins in a large pool. There's a Mexican/seafood restaurant above the aquarium, where you can watch dolphin shows (or dolphins playing amongst themselves in between shows) while eating. US$15 basic admissions (2022), more to swim with dolphins and other activities. (updated Feb 2024)
21.059605-86.7815742 El Rey Archaeological Zone, Blvd. Kukulkan, Punta Nizuc. Daily 08:00 - 16:00. Small Maya archaeological site on the south end of the hotel zone. The settlement was at its peak around 250-600 AD. There are 47 structures here as well as a small site museum. Bring mosquito repellant. M$100. (updated Mar 2025)
21.070576-86.7793473 Museo Maya de Cancún and Archaeological Zone of San Miguelito, Blvd. Kukulcan km 16.5, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 885 3844. Tu-Su 09:00 - 18:00, closed M. Museum about the Maya civilization and its many sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. Large number of artifacts from sites in and around Cancun. Next door is the San Miguelito ruins, which are partially restored and include a small pyramid. M$100. (updated Mar 2025)
21.110242-86.7604484 Yamil Lu'um, Blvd. Kukulcan 12.5, El Rey, Zona Hotelera. Ruins of a small Maya temple on the grounds of the Westin. Free (but may take effort to ignore touts from Westin). (updated Mar 2025)
21.137917-86.7408995NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Punta Cancun lighthouse, Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 9, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera. Classic red and white striped tubular lighthouse on the northern tip of the Hotel Zone. (updated Mar 2025)
21.21048-86.8042226 El Meco Archaeological Site, Carretera Puerto Juarez, López Portillo (north of the Puerto Juarez ferry docks (toward Punta Sam)). Daily 08:00 - 16:30. Ruins of a Maya port from about 600 AD. El Castillo is the largest structure at the site, it is a five-level pyramid with a height of 12.5 meters and a temple at the top. A small site museum is available. (updated Mar 2025)
21.143626-86.7881447 Torre Escénica del Embarcadero de Cancún, Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 4.5, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera. Daily 09:00 - 21:00. 80-m tower with a rotating observation deck that takes about 30 minutes for a full revolution. Included with cost of Xcaret ferry (show bracelet). (updated Mar 2025)
21.142334-86.8378088 Parque Urbano Kabah, Supermanzana 053 Manzana 1 L 1-01 Av. KABAH, Av. Nichupté. Daily 06:00 - 18:00. Urban ecological park with lush junglescapes and roaming wildlife including lots of friendly coatis who will gladly take that leftover burger and fries off your hands. Lots of birds, iguanas and turtles. Playgrounds for kids. Exercise equipment for adults. Hiking trails for all. (updated Mar 2025)
21.161515-86.8248659 Palacio Municipal (City Hall), Carr. Cancún - Tulum #5. Modern 2-story public building in a broad pedestrian square with fountains, night lights & tall trees. (updated Mar 2025)
21.110187-86.76341110 Cancun Wax Museum, Blvd. Kukulcan, La Isla, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 176 8249. 10:00–22:00. Tourist trap wax museum that charges too much for admission then has the audacity to tell visitors they can't take pictures. (updated Mar 2025)
21.170217-86.85639511 Museo del Automóvil Antiguo del Sureste, Av. Puerto Juárez entre Calle 89, Mza 116, Lote 14 16, ☏ +52 998 203 0760. call, hours can be sporadic. Private automobile collection with lots of well-restored muscle cars. (updated Mar 2025)
21.110156-86.76308712 Skywheel Cancun, Blvd. Kukulcan km 12.5, La Isla, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 313 7334. Daily 14:00 - 22:00. 3 turns in an air-conditioned gondola. MXN $299 (Tourist), MXN $239 (Local with ID). (updated Mar 2025)

Do

Map of the region around Cancún

Ocean and beaches

Cancún is best known for its beautiful turquoise waters and powdery white beaches. To get from the center to a beach quickly, go to 21.157138-86.7998851 Playa Las Perlas or 21.148257-86.7907592 Playa Tortugas. Take the frequent bus line 1 from the main street Av Tulum north of Fuente del Ceviche for M$12 (Jan 2022), or a taxi/Uber.

Activities

21.02375-86.814633 Ventura Park. Amusement and water park with many attractions.
21.14381-86.787024 Captain Hook Cancun. Shows and dinner on a pirate boat.
20.99462-86.858245 Xoximilco. A theme park, which is built around the culture of Mexico, food, music and customs in the Mayan jungle. It's on the highway, so easily accessible with a second-class bus or colectivos.

21.13882-86.77066 Columbus Romantic Dinner Cancun. Take a trip out on the calm lagoon on a beautiful boat with friends you have not met yet. The staff allow you to take part in the fun or settle back and watch the sunset. Steak and lobster is cooked on the boat and is extra tasty when eaten out on the high seas.
21.14388-86.78837 Cancún Yachts Club, boulevardo kukulkan km. 5.8 (zona hotelera), ☏ +52 998 8495317. Yacht rentals in Cancún. exclusives luxury yachts for rentals tours in all the Cancún areas, snorkeling, diving, swimming the most save water activities in yacht.
21.12398-86.755018 Punta Este Marina. Drive your own boat through the lagoon in the Jungle Tour and snorkel on the reef. Diving lessons and dive trips to the best dive spots in Cancún such as underwater museum.
21.13878-86.770549 Marina Aquatours. Exciting water tour. Choose either a jet ski or two person jet boat for a trip through the lagoon out to snorkel on the reef. Popular tours are the Jungle Tour and the Sailing Quest (Catamarans).

21.16069-86.8084510 Off Road Games Cancun, ☏ +52 998 294 2742. Off-road ATV adventures.

Fishing

21.140808-86.77382711 Cancun Fishing By Kianah, Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 5.8, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 161 0007. Daily 06:00 - 19:30. Charter fishing trips starting at US$680 for 4 hours, including bait, tackle, snacks, drinks. (updated Mar 2025)

Golf

21.005771-86.8731812 El Tinto Golf Course (Cancun Country Club), MEX 307, Km 388 (just west of highway MEX-307, about 2 km south of the airport), ☏ +52 998 800 1072. Daily 07:00 - 18:00. 18-hole jungle course that's well maintained and one of the most affordable golf courses in the region. Rental equipment and carts are a bit worn and about due for an upgrade, but for most visitors, this is one of the best options since it requires no special membership or resort affiliation. (updated Mar 2025)

21.017223-86.82438713 Riviera Cancun, Blvd. Kukulcan 25.3, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 848 7777. Daily 06:30 - 17:00. Modern seaside 18-hole jungle course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Holes 14 and 15 are played next to the ocean. Putting green, club house and other amenities on-site. US$186-236. (updated Mar 2025)

21.06737-86.78164314 Iberostar Cancun Golf Club, Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 17, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 881 8016. Daily 06:00 - 19:00. Resort course that's a bit older, but well maintained, though the rental clubs and carts show their age. The clubhouse serves a nice breakfast if you're getting an early start. There are a couple crocodiles living along the course, but they have eaten very few golfers lately, so leave them alone and they'll return the favor. US$190. (updated Mar 2025)
21.172367-86.81302115 Golf Puerto Cancun, Av. Bonampak Lote 10, int. 1 Smza.2, Puerto Acapulco S/N, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 892 1958. Daily 07:00 - 23:00. Well kept course with a number of water and sand traps. Holes 13 and 14 are adjacent to the ocean and usually have quite a bit of wind to mess with your shots. Best time to golf is early morning when temperatures are still cool, but that's also the most popular time so you might have to deal with crowds. US$160 + club rental. (updated Mar 2025)
21.26518-86.81920116 Playa Mujeres Golf Club, Prol. Bonampak, Carr. a Punta Sam s/n, ☏ +52 998 234 0430. Daily 07:00 - 19:00. Resort golf course with beautiful fairways but some rough conditions on the greens. Course is designed by Greg Norman and has some very difficult holes. Expect to lose lots of balls if you slice into the rough, which is mostly swamp. Good food and drink and friendly service, which includes picking you up at your hotel, if requested. US$140 before 1pm, US$100 after 1pm + rentals. (updated Mar 2025)
21.141629-86.76358217 Pok Ta Pok, Pok-ta-pok 29, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera. Daily 07:00 - 18:320. Natural golf course that's not well manicured with older rental equipment. US$90. (updated Mar 2025)
20.98892-86.84022618 Moon Palace Club Golf, MEX-307 (Carretera Cancun-Chetumal) Km. 340 (south of hotel zone), toll-free: +52 800 262 9008. Daily 06:30 - 18:00. Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course with 27 holes featuring jungle and beach settings. Drinks available every 2-3 holes. Manicured fairways and greens. US$190+. (updated Mar 2025)

Nature

Bird watching at the airport, It may sound odd, but because the airport is basically carved out of a large block of forest, there are all kinds of birds and animals around, especially early in the morning. Look for the Mexican agoutis (large forest rodents) grazing on the lawns next to the forest.

Swim with Dolphins. Wet'n'Wild also offers dolphin experiences. (Beware: no cameras are allowed, they charge for the first photo and a bit less for each subsequent one). Other great places to swim with captive dolphins are Delphinus Dreams and Dolphin Discovery. Some operators offer it in the interactive aquarium of Cancún, others include a trip to Isla Mujeres, where the facilities are. (updated Mar 2023)

Scuba diving

21.13974-86.7698719 Always Diving. Scuba dive with a wide catalog of diving programs.
21.15052-86.7932920 Marina Chac Chi, Boulevard Kukulcan, Km 3.2, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 849 5414, [email protected]. Professional PADI certified scuba diving company provides PADI Diving certifications. (updated Feb 2016)
21.151866-86.79339821 Scuba Diving Cancun, Blvd. Kukulcan KM 3.5, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera (in Cancun Bay Resort), ☏ +52 998 228 5335. Daily 07:00 - 18:00. Half-day dive trips start at US$69. PADI certified scuba instructors. Equipment rentals. Day trips to reefs, sunken ships, and cave diving (cenotes). (updated Mar 2025)
21.134249-86.75760122 Cancun Scuba Center, Quetzal 77510, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 845 0977. Daily 07:30 - 21:00. PADI certified dive instructors offering a variety of courses including Advanced Open Water and Divemaster as well as day trips to popular dive sites along the Great Mesoamerican Reef, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Cenotes and underwater rivers, etc. Offers snorkeling excursions including snorkeling with whale sharks. (updated Mar 2025)
21.121845-86.75606123 Seatizen Divers, Blvd. Kukulkan Km 10, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 244 3991. Daily 07:30 - 17:30. PADI and SDI diving instruction. Reef trips, cenote trips, dive trips to Undersea Museum (MUSE). (updated Mar 2025)
21.080761-86.77682724 Manta Dive and Snorkel, Manta Divers & Snorkel Boulevard Kukulcan Km 15+656, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 224 5660. Daily 08:00 - 18:00. Full service dive shop. PADI certified instructors and courses. Trips to MUSA (undersea museum), reefs, etc. Cenote diving available. (updated Mar 2025)

Spectator sports

21.1509-86.83816325 Estadio Olímpico Andrés Quintana Roo, Av. Rodrigue Gomez y Av. Mayapan, ☏ +52 998 433 2169. Since 2020, Cancún Fútbol Club, a team in the Expansion League has played professional soccer in this small, 18,800-seat stadium in downtown. The stadium is seldom crowded.
21.152211-86.83633926 Estadio Beto Avila, Av. Mayapan, ☏ +52 998 887 3108. The stadium was named after former MLB and LMB player Beto Avila (known as Bobby Avila in Cleveland, where he played 10 seasons for the Indians). Cancun has had several professional baseball teams over the years, first the Marlins, then the Langosteros, and now the Tigres, who play in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol. The Tigres play a 114-game schedule each year from late April until early September. With just under 10,000 seats and clean sight lines, there's really not a bad seat in the house. With low gate prices and tasty concessions, it's a fun way to spend a summer afternoon or evening. (updated Sep 2024)

Buy

If there is no price tag, ask for the price first. The simple question is "¿Cuánto cuesta?" and is easily understood by Mexicans.

These ATMs have low withdrawal fees in the centro: BanCoppel, Banjercito, (city)banamex and Santander. In the Hotel Zone is a 21.135918-86.7477491 Banamex ATM inside the Selecto Super Chedraui.

For buying groceries are Oxxo, 7-eleven and Circle K around. In the centro is the 21.157862-86.82582 big supermarket Chedraui and the 21.164264-86.8252783 Soriana Super.

Spending the day on the beaches of Cancún is not only an opportunity to relax, but to shop as well. Many of the native people of Cancún make a living by selling different items to the tourists on the beach. There are a variety of items to be purchased from these vendors, items such as sarongs, jewelry, sea shells and more. However, as in the markets, you have to be willing to bargain to get the right prices.

When shopping in Cancún, you can either go into the downtown area or the hotel zone. Downtown is much cheaper, but the Hotel Zone has brand-name goods.

Markets: bring your haggling skills and get ready for a vast shopping experience in any of the city markets in downtown Cancun. Great buys can be found, so stick to your price resolve. The prices are fixed in the (American style) malls and in the shops selling the brand-name goods which are comparable to those in the U.S. and Europe for the similar products.

21.1617-86.83434 Market 28 (Mercado 28), Xel-ha m 2 13 SM 28, 28,. Daily 09:00-20:00. This is a tourist-centered market in downtown Cancún, with very many souvenir shops, a central food court, and some larger Mexican restaurants. Cheaper than the hotel zone, but still considered to have 'tourist' prices, and many touts pushing for your attention. A great place if you are interested in shopping downtown and are short on time, but due to its popular and central location, prices have become more expensive than other small independent shops in non-tourist locations. Don't forget to bargain. (updated Jan 2024)
21.16799-86.828025 Market 23 (Mercado 23), Ciricote 15, SM 23. Daily 07:00-19:00. This is more of a 'locals' market as most products offered are like groceries, flowers, supplies, etc. Doesn't have the same range as Market 28, but is worth a visit.
21.1469-86.82346 Plaza Las Americas, Dialogo Norte-Sur, 7 (southeast of the roundabout at Av Labna/Sayil and Carr Cancun-Tulum/Av Tulum (Fed Hwy 307)). Daily 10:00-22:00. The Plaza de las Americas offers Cinepolis (movie) Theaters, Sears, Chedraui, Liverpool and numerous smaller shops and restaurants in the mall itself and in the immediate surrounding areas not part of the mall.
21.11076-86.763567 La Isla Cancún Shopping Village (Plaza La Isla), Blvd Kukulcan km 12.5, lt 18-10, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 883-5025. Daily 10:00-22:00. In the hotel zone. Features hundreds of stores ranging from American brands like Under Armour to Mexican brands like Senor Frogs. There are numerous restaurants including Chili's and McDonald's along with more local Mexican foods.
21.1025-86.76548 Kukulcan Plaza, Blvd Kukulcan km 13, lt 410 and 411A, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 193-0160. Daily 10:00-22:00. Another mall down the street from 'La Isla' mall in the hotel zone featuring American and Mexican brand names such as Forever 21, GNC and Señor Frog's among other stores and restaurants. (updated Aug 2017)
21.12067-86.754869 Lapis Jewelry Factory, Blvd. Kukulkan km 11.5, local 100 Int. Plaza Flamingo, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 110 87 87, [email protected]. You are likely to be offered a coupon for free jewelry at this store. Their website also offers a free gift for individuals who book a shuttle through their website. However, if you do not have any evidence of this, the offer will not be honored. A free shuttle service is offered to take you to the store from your hotel. However, the prices in the store are exorbitant (even at the "discounted" rates), and much of the same jewelry is sold by street vendors and hotel gift shops, as well as online. Be sure to investigate other vendors first to get an idea of how much you should pay. One rule of thumb is to buy at 20-30% of the quoted price. The salespeople will insist that it's worth much more, but stand your ground. If a salesperson agrees to your offer too quickly, you're probably paying too much. In addition, a number of people have reported difficulty obtaining refunds.
21.1602-86.825810 Ave Tulum Markets (Ave Tulum, between Ave Coba and Ave Chichen Itza. Quick reference is to go to Parque Las Palapas and move out east through the alley, and you'll be there.). There is a very large set of formal shops as well as unofficial booths that have opened up on Ave Tulum, covering a large section of the sidewalk on the west side of the road for many blocks. Souvenirs can be found for extremely cheap, and there are no aggressive shop owners hounding you to enter their store or pressuring you into buying something quickly. It would be convenient to bundle a trip here after visiting Parque Las Palapas, as part of these shops are adjacent to the park. There are restaurants and normal types of stores mixed in alongside souvenir shops and all sorts of other stores. (updated Jan 2024)

Eat

For a big variety of local food, the Mercado 28 and the Parque de las Palapas are the right address.

These US fast food (and casual dining) chains are less common worldwide, but have restaurants in Cancun:
• in the city center: Carl's Jr and Church’s Chicken
• near the city center: Little Caesars (pizza) and Dairy Queen (ice cream and cakes)
• in the Hotel Zone: Johnny Rockets and Hooters
• in the Plaza Las Americas mall: Johnny Rockets, Hooters and Chili's
• in the airport: Johnny Rockets
• on the way to the airport: Papa John's Pizza

Street food

City center

21.16104-86.827531 Parque de las Palapas. There is a good variety. The eateries are open from 10:00 and the food stalls from the evening on. All of them close around 00:00. Most places have a big sign showing the food on a picture and the according low price. Tacos as low as 30 MXN each, as of Jan 2025. (updated Apr 2022)

At the bus station

21.16463-86.8266822 Food stall directly in front of the bus station. They have tasty tortas (sandwich) for M$25 and tacos. (updated Apr 2022)
21.16429-86.8271493 Food stall "Tacos More". Here you get well tasting tacos with fish (e.g. shrimps) for M$25 or with meat. (updated Apr 2022)

Budget

City center

21.165356-86.8272694 Restaurant Salus y Chemo's, C. Chaca 46. Their red pozole and tamales is very tasty. Excellent Guerrero style food. The restaurant looks quite old which is also it’s charme. (updated Sep 2022)
21.158119-86.8255 Taquería el Poblano, Av Tulum 65. Very good taqueria. Authentic Mexican food. Great portion. The waiters are very friendly. Nice atmosphere. (updated Sep 2022)
21.162807-86.8269126 Restaurant Pipos (Bufette), Azucenas Rtno. 1 13. Very good buffet. The food with a homemade touch. Variety of dishes. The attention is very good. (updated Sep 2022)
21.16001-86.8258927 El Cantón Toluqueño, Av Tulum 4239. There is a Comida Corrida including a soup, main dish, tortillas and drink for M$60-70. They also serves breakfast starting at M$50. (updated Jan 2022)
21.158828-86.8257748 Fa Kee (Comida China), Av Tulum 49. You get a Chinese dish for M$65-80. (updated Jan 2022)
21.160954-86.8259469 Quesadillas & sopes – Tradición Mexicana. As the name says, here you get quesadillas for M$18 and sopes for M$21. (updated Apr 2022)
21.157149-86.82977910 Las Tortugas, Avenida Coba 51, Plaza Las Avenidas, ☏ +52 998 887 6209. Serving tortas, a kind of Mexican sandwich. (updated Sep 2022)

Near the city center in the Mercado 28

21.161523-86.83424211 Atotonilco, Xel-ha 107 (right across from El Cejas). 08:00-18:09. An extremely good sampling of Mexican food from all around the country. Excellent value. Nothing fancy but a gastronomical delight. Try the "Huevos Motuleños". US$4-10. (updated Sep 2022)

Mid-range

21.152292-86.82521412 Los de Pescados, Avenida Tulum Mz. 7-Lt. 32 20, ☏ +52 998 884 1146. Taco restaurant specializing in seafood. Fish tacos cost M$37 (July 2021) and are a few pieces of fried fish with some tortillas. You put your own sauces and condiments. (updated Aug 2022)
21.161389-86.82944413 Pescaditos, Ave Yaxchilán 69 (close to corner of Marañón), ☏ +52 998 884 0305. Really nice and laid back seafood restaurant where everything's deep fried. Try the chiles rellenos, possibly the best ones in Cancún. (updated Aug 2022)
21.16225-86.82801514 La Habichuela, C. 10 Margaritas 25-20 (near Parque de las Palapas), ☏ +52 998 884 3158, [email protected]. La Habichuela is a must-visit with its Mexican cuisine, Mayan setting and Caribbean seafood. This restaurant has been open since 1977 and is a legend in Cancún. The romantic, outside garden is a popular place to dine with the decoration of various native trees and plants that create a beautiful illusion of the Mayan ruins under the night sky. La Habicheula received the National Best Restaurant Award and has been a part of the Distinguished Restaurants of North America Organization since 2001. (updated Aug 2022)
21.161561-86.82918215 Café trova El Pabilo, Ave Yaxchilán # 31, ☏ +52 998 179 8043. Art exhibitions every 15 days. Good baguettes and wine. (updated Apr 2022)
21.151658-86.82466316 Los Tarascos, Av. Tulum 4, ☏ +52 998 884 8707. 16:30-03:00. Classic Mexican taqueria specializing in tacos al pastor. Very popular with the locals, quite tasty and at a fair price. (updated Aug 2022)

Splurge

21.13232-86.7472217 Cambalache, Blvd Kukulcán km 9 (at Forum by the Sea Mall), ☏ +52 998 883 0902. This Argentine steakhouse serves up one of the best menus in Cancún. The atmosphere inside the restaurant makes you feel you have travelled an extra 1,000 mi (1,600 km). The staff's attention to detail and desire to please make you feel like you're the only one they are serving that night. Great place to have a dinner with the one you love or enjoy the company of friends. The food alone could give this place a 4-star rating, the rest is just an added bonus. (updated Sep 2022)
21.123965-86.75508618 Lorenzillo's, Km 10.5, Blvd. Kukulcan, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera. (updated Sep 2022)
21.085089-86.77455619 RosaNegra, Blvd. Kukulcan Km 15, Zona Hotelera. Latin American cuisine. (updated Sep 2022)

Hotel restaurants

21.08628-86.7713720 Mikado, Blvd. Kukulcán, Retorno Chac L-41, Zona Hotelera (CasaMagna Marriott Cancún Resort), ☏ +52 998 881 2000. 17:30-23:00. Japanese and Thai cuisine featuring teppanyaki tables. (updated Sep 2022)
Champions Sports Bar, Blvd Kukulcán, Retorno Chac L-41, Zona Hotelera (CasaMagna Marriott Cancún Resort), ☏ +52 998 881 2000. 12:00-02:00. Stepped up bar food with all the games on over 40 screens. (updated Sep 2022)
21.08763-86.7707721 Gustino, Blvd Kukulcán, km 14.5, Lote 40-A, Zona Hotelera (JW Marriott Cancún Resort & Spa), ☏ +52 998 848 9600 ext 6637. Gustino has authentic Italian cuisine using the freshest Mediterranean ingredients. (updated Sep 2022)

Drink

Cancún's nightlife is unlike any other destination on Earth. For some, a day in Cancún doesn't start until tasks like an 11:00 breakfast, nap on the beach, and siesta are arduously completed. This is your place to shine.

The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18, but it is not strongly enforced. There are restricted hours for purchasing alcohol in stores on Sundays. (Clarification needed).