Cancún

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 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 famous for its powdery white beaches, turqoise waters, archaeological relics, a bountiful underwater world, and world-class vacation amenities.

It is sometimes called the gateway to the Mayan World because its large airport has more international flights than any other airport in the region. Visitors will find only limited Mayan culture in Cancún itselfː the largest and most famous archaeological sites will require a bus or train trip. Mayan temples and ritual sites are everywhere around Cancun and the entire Yucatan Peninsula. Some are hidden by lush jungles and will need a guide to explore, but many others are easily accessible.

Many visitors never venture beyond the Cancún Hotel Zone, with its myriad luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts. Visitors craving authentic Mexican experiences will need to travel outside the area to find it.

Downtown Cancun is urban, traditionally Mexican in character, but has no beach access and is therefore passed over by most foreign tourists. More culturally authentic experiences are available on Isla Mujeres and coastal towns such as Playa del Carmen. 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 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. Buses and taxis are available.

Those looking for a base of operations who want good hotels and the advantages of urban life but prefer more local flavor may wish to stay in the Yucatan's capital city of Mérida.

Districts

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

Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera in Spanish) - beach resorts

City Center (El Centro in Spanish) - the local residents

Hotel Zone

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

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.

By car

Driving in the Yucatan Peninsula is generally easy and straightforward, though traffic can be slow in the city and hotel zone of Cancun.

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 Cancún 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 Cancún and Mérida 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 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 Cancún and Mérida, driving is generally easy in the Yucatan Peninsula.

By bus

Cancun's 1 bus station is in downtown Cancun, northwest of the roundabout at Av Uxmal and Av Tulum. The station is served by a taxi rank (called a sitio) in front of the station along Pino. Local buses to the hotel zone pass regularly behind the station on the Tulum Avenue.

The station is served by first class bus line ADO and second class bus lines like Mayab and Oriente, which often have 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.

There are frequent buses to the bus terminal from:

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) from further-away places such as (see also Bus travel in Mexico):

Palenque (13 hr)

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.

Orientation

Addresses in the city center (downtown) are organized by Super Manzanas (SM) or 'Super Blocks' which consists of several blocks called Manzanas (Mz). 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.

In the Zona Hotelera the addresses are based on how many Kilometers (Km) along Blvd Kukulkan from Km 0 at the intersection of Blvd Kukulkan and Av Bonampak. As you travel east from Av Bonampak towards Punta Cancun (Km 9), and south 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 goes diagonally southwest and northeast. The two main roads intersect at Parque Crucero towards the north end of town.

By e-hailing

Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city.

Didi differs from Uber in that you can also request taxis, in addition to normal rideshare rides. You can sometimes get matched with someone far away. If you're in a hurry, use the 'Set Your Fare' option, and deselect the option to match with the first driver at your requested price, so that you can see 'offers' for drivers showing their distance from you and price. You can also increase the amount you're willing to pay, to potentially get a ride faster.

Pricing for Uber, Didi and Cabify can vary dramatically throughout the day for the same exact route. Consider whether you'll want to use a rideshare or taxi for some trips, as it's possible to save money in either direction, depending on how pricing changes for the rideshare apps based on available drivers and demand.

You can think of using Didi as a way to call a taxi and see and 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.

If you're coming from the beach and are wet or covered in sand, you should message your driver to let them know beforehand, and preferably also that you will tip them, and do anything you can to reduce the amount of water or sand that will get on the seats. They may otherwise get frustrated about this as they are not being compensated for the effect this has on them and their car when they take the fare. It is their decision to take the ride, but keeping this in mind will avoid any friction and result in a better experience for everyone.

1 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)

2 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)

3 Museo Maya de Cancún and Archaeological Zone of San Miguelito, Blvd. Kukulcan km 16.5, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 885 3844. Tue-Sun 09:00 - 18:00, closed Mon. 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)

4 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)

5NOT EXISTING 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)

6 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)

7 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)

8 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)

9 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)

10 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)

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 1 Playa Las Perlas or 2 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

3 Ventura Park. Amusement and water park with many attractions.

4 Captain Hook Cancun. Shows and dinner on a pirate boat.

5 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.

6 Columbus Romantic Dinner Cancun. Take a trip out on the calm lagoon on a beautiful boat. Steak and lobster is cooked on the boat.

7 Cancún Yachts Club, boulevardo kukulkan km. 5.8 (zona hotelera), ☏ +52 998 8495317. Yacht rentals for rental tours in all areas of Cancún, snorkeling, diving, swimming the most save water activities in yacht.

8 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.

9 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).

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

Fishing

Charter Fishing Cancun, Blvd. Kukulkan 6, Zona Hotelera Cancun (km 6 of Cancun hotel Zone), ☏ +525 9982003240, [email protected]. 06:00-17:00. Private and shared deep-sea fishing trips from Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Includes gear, drinks, licenses, and professional crew. Starting at US$610 for 4 hours. (updated Jun 2025)

11 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)

Shared Fishing Cancun, Blvd. Kukulkan 6 (km 6 of Cancun Hotel Zone) (departures from Sunset Marina), ☏ +52 998 200 3240, [email protected]. 06:30–12:30. Shared deep-sea fishing trips (6 hours). Join other travelers and share the cost of the boat. Includes beers, soft drinks, ice, bait, fishing licenses, and professional crew. The dock fee of US$15 per person is not included. US$175 per person. (updated Oct 2025)

Golf

12 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 least expensive 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)

13 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)

14 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 s…

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

City center

1 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

2 Food stall directly in front of the bus station. They have tasty tortas (sandwich) for M$25 and tacos. (updated Apr 2022)

3 Food stall "Tacos More". Here you get well tasting tacos with fish (e.g. shrimps) for M$25 or with meat. (updated Apr 2022)

City center

4 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)

5 Taquería el Poblano, Av Tulum 65. Very good taqueria. Authentic Mexican food. Great portion. The waiters are very friendly. Nice atmosphere. (updated Sep 2022)

6 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)

7 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)

8 Fa Kee (Comida China), Av Tulum 49. You get a Chinese dish for M$65-80. (updated Jan 2022)

9 Quesadillas & sopes – Tradición Mexicana. As the name says, here you get quesadillas for M$18 and sopes for M$21. (updated Apr 2022)

10 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

11 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

12 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)

13 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)

14 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…

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. Stores are not permitted to sell alcohol after 5pm on Sundays.

Hotel Zone

The Hotel Zone is a huge venue and gets top entertainers and DJs. Don't be surprised to see Vegas like shows spontaneously erupt while you are sipping your piña colada. These clubs can charge large covers ranging from US$20–60 per person, though the cover can include an open bar.

You may find yourself dancing in a conga line, laughing your cares away and speaking whatever Español you managed to pickup. A must for the first timers, and always good fun for returners also. Coco Bongo's entertainment includes a show, complete with women swinging from the ceilings.

Most of the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) venues listed below are in Punta Cancun, between km 9 and 10, in the area surrounding Hotel Krystal, Cancun Convention Center and the Grand Fiesta Americana.

1 Señor Frogs, Blvd. Kukulkan km 9, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 883 3454. Señor Frog's is a restaurant by day and a dance club by night, and is one of the most popular spots for vacationers to visit. The restaurant opens up for lunch and serves international types of food such as pasta, chicken and pizza as well as Mexican cuisine all day until midnight. A cover charge of five dollars will get you into the party after 20:00 and includes a souvenir yard glass which you can then pay to get filled with your drink of choice. One of Señor Frog's famous attractions is the water slide that leads from the club out into the lagoon, just for a little bit of fun. As the evening progresses, Señor Frog's becomes less family friendly and more of a party establishment, waitresses will circulate, offering shots of tequila for a price. Waiters are also very "hands on", if you are not traveling in a family group, expect them to try to touch, hug, or kiss the female members of the party.

2 Dady'O, Blvd Kukulkan km 9.5, Zona Hotelera (across street from Coco Bongo), ☏ +52 998 883 3333. Dady'O has been known to host some of the world's top DJs, including Red Foo (LMFAO), Apl.De.App and Tiësto, features a casual atmosphere, laser shows, pole dancing go go girls and flashing dance floor opening shows.

3 Coco Bongo, Blvd Kukulkan km 9.5 #30, Zona Hotelera (across street from Dady'O), ☏ +52 998 883 2373, toll-free: +1 800 841 4636. 22:30-05:00. A nightclub featuring a show that has been compared with Las Vegas. More than 50 professionals in scenery. Tickets can be bought online for US$75. If you don't mind waiting to get in exchangeable tickets can be bought from Oxxo for M$1000. US$75. (updated Mar 2025)

4 La Vaquita, Blvd. Kukulkan km 9.5, Zona Hotelera. Daily 21:00 - 03:00. Loud, open front party bar in the heart of the Hotel Zone. You can't miss the cow print decor or the booming bass of the non-stop party. Known for innovative drinks and a lively crowd. (updated Jul 2024)

5 Surfin' Burrito, Kukulkan Km. 9.5, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 998 883 0083. Daily 08:00 - 01:00. Liter-size margaritas, buckets of beer, and spicy micheladas. The house favorite is the Coco…

Cancún has a large selection of 3- to 5-star hotels in the Hotel Zone and some more economical hotels in the city center.

Several aging resorts on and around Punta Cancún are relying upon heavily discounted vacation packages or all-inclusive deals to fill rooms. They market themselves heavily as a great bargain to a wider audience. The result is that Punta Cancún is jam-packed with the revelers who can get rowdy and obnoxious. If you prefer to spend your vacations in a quieter and calmer setting, it may be worth it to splurge on a newer resort in the central or southern part of the Hotel Zone and further away from the "partying" crowds. Then you can save Punta for a brief day (or evening) trip for shopping, dining or entertainment.

Budget

Most of the budget and some of the mid-range category hotels are in and around downtown on the mainland. Many are also within a reasonable walking distance or short taxi ride to the bus station on Av Uxmal and Av Tulum (Hwy 307) for those arriving late and/or leaving early. The area is reasonably safe at night.

Several budget hotels can be found for M$400-650 (April 2022) on Google Maps with the according price and on booking.com. Just sort by price.

Keep in mind when staying at cheap hotels in Mexico, some rooms may not have air conditioning (rare), but almost all cheaper hotel rooms will not have a fridge. If this is an issue for you, you may need to get ice from a store and use a cooler or insulated bag (commonly sold at many larger stores or Oxxo's) and use that.

City center

1 Hotel Rivemar, Av Tulum 51 (next to Farmacia Similares on Av Tulum & Andandor Claves, a block up from Chedraui on Av Tulum), ☏ +52 998 884 1199. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. In the downtown area near the bus station. Front desk help is very friendly. You can keep your bags at the hotel even after checking out. You can take the Rt. 1 bus to the hotel/beaches district. When booking directly at the hotel it's M$650 for 1 person and M$750 for 2 persons. (April 2022)

2 Fiesta Party Hostel - Cancun, Alcatraces #43, SM:22 Mza:10, ☏ +52 998 892 7902. This hostel does not fail to live up to its name, and if you are looking to hang out with your fellow party people, you shouldn't be disappointed here, where drinks and revelry flow freely. If you don't like noise, on the other hand, this might not be the most ideal accommodation. But the establishment does provide free breakfast and dinner plus bus trips to the beach and a happy hour every evening. M$282. (updated Apr 2022)

Hotel Zone

3 Hostel Natura. A dorm is about M$400 (April 2022).

4 Mayan Monkey Hostel & Bar. A dorm costs around M$600 (April 2022) including taxes.

5 Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone & Cowork. A bed in a dorm is around M$460 (April 2022).

Mid-range

The economical way to stay in the hotels and resorts in some of the "mid range" and in the "splurge" categories is to consider an "all inclusive" on BookIt.com or another similar company which typically would include airfare (on chartered or regularly scheduled flights), airport transfers and hotel stay. Some of these all inclusive packages may also include two or three daily meals and/or an escorted tour or some other organized activity in the area. Checking in at the front desk without prebooking for a room or a pre-purchased all inclusive or packaged tour is the most expensive way to check in.

For 24-hour tourist assistance in Quintana Roo, contact the state tourism ministry's Guest Assist service, which offers bilingual guidance and support during emergencies.

Beaches in Cancun are for the more advanced swimmers, the edge of the open ocean can make for a challenging and fun swimming experience. For less advanced swimmers, or those with little ones, pick a resort facing Isla Mujeres for a gentle and relaxing aquatic experience. Be aware that the island becomes extremely hot during day and there are few, if any opportunities to cool off. The sand found here is ground up coral and doesn't get hot like you might expect. The beaches are absolutely gorgeous and the water is crystal clear and warm.

If planning to spend time in the ocean water around Cancun or neighboring areas, be aware of Thimble Jellyfish, also sometimes referred to as 'sea lice'. Thimble Jellyfish larvae can cause an itchy rash to erupt, and are a somewhat common traveler complaint.

Ocean currents — The ocean currents in Cancún, depending on the season you visit, can be strong. While the currents may not be strong enough to pull you under, keep your guard up at all times. Look for the colored flags that are planted on the beach as well as ask your hotel's concierge or a lifeguard (if one is available). As a rule of thumb, if you're not a strong swimmer (or a non-swimmer) it is best to stick to the hotel's pool for water fun. Remember, beaches in Mexico are Federal Zones with no lifeguards on duty, lifeguards may only be found within the beaches at the hotels.

Weather — Cancún is a place where the weather can change in a matter of minutes rather than hours. As in most tropical places, rain storms will start quickly and leave as quickly as it came. When a storm lingers, use caution in the water; especially when lightning is present. Hurricanes are a major threat from June to September. When visiting during hurricane season, always get travel insurance, have backup travel options, and monitor weather conditions closely in the weeks before your flight.

Seaweed — Since 2010, seaweed blooms have become a significant problem each summer in Cancun. Seaweed season runs from April to October. The state and municipal governments have made a concerted effort each year to clean up seaweed as fast as it can accumulate on the beaches, but you will not be able to escape it entirely.

Timeshare and condos — They are a big business all over Yucatan, especially Cancún."Tourist information" is another word for sales representative. If someone is offering you an "free" tour to anyplace or at a discount this means a 90-minute or longer presentation about condos and time-shares. There are 20 reps waiting on the righthand side when you arrive at the Cancún airport. There are also promoters trying to attract tourists with free Xe-Hal and Chichen Itza tours. If you are traveling on a budget, the presentation with heavy discount on tours or hotels can end up saving you several hundreds to thousands of dollars. However, you should have a general idea of what timeshare and presentations are before you go and practice caution with everything that the sales pitch presents in order to avoid being trapped in a contract for several years.