Cancun Travel Guide

Cancun is synonymous with luxury, parties, spring break, large resorts, and beautiful beaches. It’s often seen as an American playground. During spring break, college kids flock here to get drunk and tan. However, if you leave the main resort area of Cancun, you’ll find a very local city with few tourists and friendly people. There are also some Mayan ruins nearby the city. Don’t let the party reputation fool you – Cancun has much, much more than that, but you do have to go looking for it.

Things to See and Do
Typical Costs
Budget Tips
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Cancun

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Cancun

1. Relax on Isla Mujeres

Translated as the ‘Island of Women’, Isla Mujeres is just a short ferry ride away from Cancun. Originally a fishing village, the island still maintains its charming atmosphere, even with its bustling tourist trade. Kayaking, fishing, and sailing are popular here, as well as swimming with sharks.

2. Hidden Worlds Cenote Adventure Park

In Cancun, you can find the world’s most widespread range of underwater caves and cavern systems. Several major documentaries have been filmed here. You can take a snorkel tour through the pristine waters, ride zip lines, or power through the trees on a SkyCycle.

3. Explore Chichén Itzá

The large Mayan archaeological site Chichen Itza is 2.5 hours from Cancun. The most impressive structure on the site is the giant Temple of Kukulkan but the elaborate wall carvings and columns throughout the entire site make this a world-class attraction. To get the most out of the site, spend two days here.

4. Check out Cancun Underwater Museum

This Museo Subacuático de Arte features over 400 sculptures, which are platforms for coral growth to regenerate the damaged ecosystem. Since its founding in 2009, a lot of growth has occurred and every spring, more plants bloom. It’s open daily from 7am-8pm and costs 930 MXN.

5. Shop at Market 28

The traditional downtown area is home to most of the colorful local craft markets in Cancun. Market 28 in the downtown area is by far the largest of the marketplaces. Leather, silver, pottery, glassware, artwork, handicrafts, and traditional Mexican blankets are all sold here. It’s open daily 9am-8pm.

Other Things to See and Do

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1. Visit Tulum

Tulum is famous for its Mayan ruins and is Mexico’s third most popular architectural attraction. Be warned, this place gets seriously hot, so you’ll need plenty of water and bug spray. Also, bring a towel – you can cool off in the beach at the site. It’s open daily from 8am-5pm and admission is 65 MXN.

2. Go clubbing

Cancun has nightlife to rival any other big city. Most of the nightlife is concentrated around the Hotel Zone in an area known as “party central.” All music tastes are accounted for and the world’s biggest DJs make regular appearances in the many clubs. During spring break, things get far more crowded and more expensive.

3. Do the Selvatica Canopy Expedition

It’s no surprise that Selvatica is Mexico’s number one tourist attraction. Within the park you’ll have the opportunity to ride ziplines over the rainforest canopy, go off-roading, quad biking, scuba diving and swimming in a cenote. Opt for the Night Flight adventure which includes zipping through the canopies, followed by a 3-course dinner. It’s open daily from 9am-5pm. The all-access pass is 4,125 MXN.

4. Hit the spa

Cancun is one of the top spa destinations in the world – and for good reason. There are tons to choose from, all offering varying treatments and package deals. Consider an ‘ancient Mayan’ healing session or go with a classic massage.

5. Visit Museo INAH

This is a cool little museum is found on the south side of the Centro de Convenciones. Among various ancient artifacts and exhibits highlighting local history, there is a unique exhibit of deformed Maya skulls. It’s open daily (except Mondays) from 9am-7pm and costs 65 MXN.

6. Go diving

Cancun lies along the Great Mesoamerican Reef, the largest reef in the western hemisphere. The area has over 100 types of coral and more than 160 types of reef-inhabiting fish. For even better opportunities, head over to Cozumel, or Playa del Carmen.

7. Birdwatch at Isla Contoy

An easy day trip from Cancun, Isla Contoy is a small island nature reserve with stunning beaches and over 100 species of birds. Tours can be arranged through agencies and hotels, as the island is uninhabited, and regulations limit the number of daily visitors (permission is granted after visitors apply at the park offices – there is a branch in Cancun).

Typical Costs

Hostel prices – Hostels are extremely cheap, probably because there are so many of them in Cancun. There are rooms for as little as 150 MXN but 200 MXN is a more realistic price. 600-1,000 MXN is normal for a private room that sleeps two in a hostel. Most hostels offer free WiFi and free breakfast.

Budget hotel prices – There are plenty of budget hotels in Cancun with prices starting around 230 MXN per night for a room that sleeps two. Hotels at this price have private bathrooms and offer free WiFi. You can also use Airbnb in Cancun. A shared room starts around 205 MXN and entire homes (including studio apartments) start around 615 MXN but you’ll find a lot more inventory starting around 825 MXN.

Average cost of food – Mexican food is very affordable. You’ll find a lot of rice, beans, fruits, and veggies like tomatoes, corn, avocado, and peppers in Mexican cuisine. By purchasing food on street stalls or in markets you can expect to spend around 320 MXN per day or less. A combo meal at McDonald’s costs around 85 MXN. A meal at a nicer sit-down restaurant is around 400-600 MXN. You can get some pretty bad-ass tequila for as cheap as 240 MXN. If you cook your meals, expect to pay 550 MXN per week for groceries that will include rice, vegetables, chicken, and other basic foods.

Transportation costs – Cancun is pretty easy to get around. The bus service is 24-hours and very efficient and for less than 20 MXN a ticket, probably the best option for traveling around the city. Taxis aren’t metered, but 24 MXN is a good guideline for city center travel. Uber, the taxi alternative, operates in Cancun.

Suggested daily budget

1,035 MXN / $50 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out at the more local restaurants, cooking a few of your meals, limiting your drinking, and using local transportation. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out and drink more often, expect this to be higher! This is just a guideline.)

Money Saving Tips

Eat local food – By buying food from the markets in Cancun, you can save plenty of cash. If you’re going on a day trip bring a packed lunch filled with cheap, local food instead of paying a premium at the tourist cafes.
Travel off-peak – Try to visit Cancun in the off-season between June and November as accommodation is significantly reduced. Otherwise, you’ll be paying high tourist prices everywhere you go!
Stay at a Hola Hostel – Hola Hostels is a network of hostels predominantly in South and Central America. They offer a 10% discount to their members, as well as other discounts for restaurants, transportation, and activities. Joining is free, and their hostels are also committed to environmentally sustainable practices. They have locations in Europe, now, too!
Couchsurf – Don’t want to book a room at a resort? Use Couchsurfing to stay with locals who have extra beds and couches for free. Get a chance to meet great people too.
Save money on rideshares – Uber is way cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to wait for a bus or pay for a taxi. The Uber Pool option is where can you share a ride to get even better savings (though you can get your own car too). You can save $15 off your first Uber ride with this code: jlx6v.

My Must Have Guides For Traveling to Cancun

How to Get Free Flights

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Conquering Mountains: The Guide to Solo Female Travel

Kristin Addis writes the solo female travel column for this website and her detailed guide addresses all the concerns women have about traveling and gives the specific advice and tips you need to conquer the world and stay safe.

How to Teach English Overseas

This book will teach you everything you need to know about landing your dream job and features interviews with dozens of teachers, recruiters, detailed information on the top teaching destinations, sample resumes, advice on nailing your interview, and much more.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day

My New York Times best-selling paperback guide to world travel will teach how to master the art of travel so that, no matter how long you want to travel for, you’ll save money, get off the beaten path, and have a more local, richer travel experience.

Articles About Mexico

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