{"id":17472,"date":"2018-03-09T09:24:33","date_gmt":"2018-03-09T14:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/?p=17472"},"modified":"2020-06-22T16:19:03","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T20:19:03","slug":"cancun-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/cancun-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Guide: Cancun hotels &#038; things to do"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancun is much more than the party scene it\u2019s typically known for. A trip to Cancun is like a two-for-one deal with the hotel zone, Zone Hotelera, and the Cancun downtown area offering two totally different vacations in one destination. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy the white-sand beaches, famed party scene, and top-notch all-inclusive resorts for your Cancun vacation, but don\u2019t forget to visit the city itself where you\u2019ll find delicious tacos and street food, undeveloped beaches, and nightlife. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancun is a hotspot for Cancun excursions and things to do on your Mexico vacation, with countless excursions and activities leaving from the city to enjoy the surrounding water and beaches via snorkeling and scuba diving, an underwater museum, national parks and Mexico\u2019s famed archaeological history. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t let the party mindset or large all-inclusive resorts fool you: there\u2019s much more to Cancun than first meets the eye. What will you explore?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><\/li><li><\/li><li><\/li><li><\/li><li><\/li><li><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_to_See_in_Cancun\"><b>What to See in Cancun<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is plenty to see in Cancun, from simply enjoying the stunning white sand beaches and turquoise waters at your resort (try the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/vacations-packages_00_03_1L_gran-melia-cancun.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paradisus Cancun<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/vacations-packages_00_0N_IO_finest-playa-mujeres-by-excellence-group.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finest Playa Mujeres by Excellence Group<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for some of the best beaches in the area), to nightlife on the resort and Cancun downtown, and plenty of watersport activities. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travellers looking to leave the hotel zone, a 22.5km barrier island where the all-inclusive resorts are, can opt for a bus between the hotels and resorts and downtown Cancun, which is just 4km west of the resort area. One way fares are about 8.5 pesos (less than a dollar), while regional buses also take tourists to areas like Chichen Itza, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancun has plenty of shopping, both in the hotel zone and the downtown area. The downtown area of Cancun is very urban, and Americanized with a hustle bustle busy atmosphere or feeling &#8211; this is where you\u2019ll find many of the area\u2019s nightclubs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancun\u2019s nightlife is comparable to Miami Beach, huge for a southern destination. You\u2019ll find discos and clubs, lots of people in the streets, and countless outdoor patios. Cancun does not, however, have any casinos.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other things to see in Cancun include:<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17491\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide-IslaMujeres.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17491\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-17491 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide-IslaMujeres.jpg\" alt=\"Isla Mujeres Cancun beach with clear water\" width=\"1000\" height=\"662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide-IslaMujeres.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide-IslaMujeres-768x508.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17491\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Isla Mujeres<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Isla Mujeres:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This colourful fishing village is popular with both tourists and locals. It has two secluded beaches and a lively town square where you can find people hanging out and playing sports. Ferries to Isla Mujeres leave every half hour from Puerto Juarez, 15 minutes north of downtown Cancun.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa delfines:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relax on this wide, white sand beach and experience the peace and quiet it brings. You may see some surfers hitting the waves, which are choppy at best, and spot the occasional dolphin from the shore. Smaller waves exist closer to the shore, but a lifeguard is onsite and makes it safe for children. This public beach offers free parking.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Things_to_do_Cancun_excursions\"><b>Things to do &amp; Cancun excursions<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/tours\/Playa-del-Carmen\/Xcaret-Admission-Ticket\/d5501-6140P17\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xcaret park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xcaret Park Eco Theme Park is a waterpark and theme park all in one. This eco-tourism development has a replication of a traditional Mayan village, snorkelling tours, and butterfly pavilion. Xcaret Park is a popular Cancun excursion for its countless activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_290\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Chichen-Itza-Mayan-Riviera-Mexico.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-290\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-290\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Chichen-Itza-Mayan-Riviera-Mexico.jpg\" alt=\"Chichen Itza Mayan Riviera, Mexico\" width=\"640\" height=\"378\"><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-290\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chichen Itza<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mayan ruins:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit the famous Mayan ruins in Coba, Tulum, or Chichen Itza for one of the most popular Mexico excursions and things to do in Cancun. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/Cancun-tours\/Day-Trips-and-Excursions\/d631-g5\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Archeological Excursions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allow you to explore on an organized day trip throughout the Riviera Maya. &nbsp;In Cancun, you can explore Yamil Lu\u2019um and El Rey ruins.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yamil Lu\u2019um (Scorpion\u2019s Temple) was used from 1200-1500. The two structures \u2013 one a temple, the other a lighthouse \u2013 was discovered in 1842.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Rey Ruins: These 47 structures in Cancun\u2019s hotel zone were inhabited in 900 AD and are now home to hundreds of iguanas. Two of the main structures were believed to be the temple and market area.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cenote Park:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A visit to Cenote Park will have you exploring the beautiful landscape of the Mayan Riviera. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grownuptravels.com\/cenote-maya-rappelling-adventure-in-the-yucatan-mexico\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This Cancun excursion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has you repelling into the world\u2019s longest underground river. This excursion will teach you about traditional Mayan culture, uses of these underground rivers, and have you experiencing the fresh water and stunning landscape. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watersports:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cancun area is known for its watersports &#8211; especially in the hotel zone. Enjoy <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/tours\/Cancun\/Swim-with-Whale-Sharks-in-Cancun-Small-Group-Snorkeling-Tour\/d631-3467WHALE\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">swimming with whale sharks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/Cancun-tours\/Catamaran-Cruises\/d631-g3-c32016\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">catamaran cruises<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, parasailing, kiteboarding, jet skiing, turtle snorkeling, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/Cancun-tours\/Sunset-Cruises\/d631-g3-c5638\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sunset cruises<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and speed boat tours. Cancun is known for its shallow reefs and diverse marine life so snorkeling and swimming are popular. Swim with dolphins, feed sharks, or admire piranhas. Other popular Cancun watersport excursions include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/tours\/Cancun\/Day-Trip-to-Cozumel-from-Cancun\/d631-5885CUNCOZ\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">snorkeling in Cozumel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, after a ferry to Playa del Carmen, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/Cancun-tours\/Dolphin-and-Whale-Watching\/d631-g3-c77\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">whale watching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17487 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide3.jpg\" alt=\"Cancun\" width=\"1000\" height=\"995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide3-768x764.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopping:<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll find luxury brands at Kukulcan Plaza shopping mall and a large craft market at Mercado Veintiocho. For upscale brands coupled with souvenir shops, La Isla Shopping Village is a nice outdoor retail and entertainment complex.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Golf:<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancun boasts many nearby golf courses including Cancun Golf Club at Pok Ta Pok, Grand Coral Golf Riviera Maya, Iberostar Golf Club Cancun, Moon Spa and Golf Club, Riviera Cancun, Vidanta Golf El Manglar Riviera Maya, Playa Mujeres Golf Club, Puerto Cancun Golf Club, TPC Cancun Country Club, and El Camaleon Mayakoba.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancun Underwater Museum<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">:<\/span> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Divers delight: MUSA, the unique underwater museum, is one of the largest underwater man-made attractions. The 500+ permanent lifelike sculptures designed by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor are home to coral where marine life can breed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_to_eat_in_Cancun\"><b>What to eat in Cancun<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide-Tacos.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17493 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide-Tacos.jpg\" alt=\"Tacos in Cancun\" width=\"1000\" height=\"590\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide-Tacos.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide-Tacos-768x453.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mexico is known for its street foods: tacos, tapas, churros, and of course tequila is a popular drink option. Cancun, especially the downtown area, has a high number of restaurants with good food variety, chains, small restaurants, and a range of pricing. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the top Cancun resorts for dining are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/vacations-packages_00_0N_FJ_zoetry-villa-rolandi-isla-mujeres-cancun.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoetry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/vacations-packages_00_0P_4W_the-grand-at-moon-palace.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Grand at Moon Palace<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/vacations-packages_00_03_N1_the-royal-cancun.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hyatt Zilara Cancun<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/vacations-packages_00_02_ZX_cancun-palace.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hard Rock Hotel Cancun<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For restaurants and dining off the hotel zone and out of the resorts, you\u2019ll find a variety of flavours and spices in Mexican cuisines. Cancun has a great selection of restaurants featuring dishes from around the world: you\u2019ll definitely find more than just tacos and guacamole in Cancun downtown restaurants.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17485 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide.jpg\" alt=\"Cancun\" width=\"1000\" height=\"887\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/TripSense-CancunTravelGuide-768x681.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"When_to_visit_Cancun\"><b>When to visit Cancun?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">December to April are the best months for weather conditions in Cancun, with January temperatures ranging from 20C \u2013 27C. Peak times see higher prices and higher hotel occupancy. Demand slows down in April and May, with spring breakers visiting hotels to experience the great weather and exciting nightlife. Note that May 5 is the popular Cinco de Mayo celebration in Mexico. &nbsp;The weather is more humid from May to August with July temperatures averaging 25-33C. September to November is rainy season, when you might experience a few short stints of rainfall.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Travel_Style\"><b>Travel Style<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though Cancun is often described as \u201cspring break capital of the world,\u201d this vacation hotspot goes beyond the spring breaker client, making it a perfect destination for the whole family, young, old, and single travellers. Cancun is most often visited as part of an all-inclusive vacation, but don\u2019t worry: the big party scene is contained to several resorts, not the whole hotel zone. Some cruises also port in Cancun. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people visiting Cancun as part of an all-inclusive vacation stay for a week, and may also do excursions and visit several Cancun attractions, like the Mayan ruins in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/tours\/Cancun\/Chichen-Itza-Tour-transportation-included\/d631-31104P1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chichen Itza<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/tours\/Cancun\/TULUM-AND-CENOTE-TOUR-FROM-CANCUN\/d631-55848P27\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tulum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Getting_to_Cancun\"><b>Getting to Cancun<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visitors to Cancun arrive in the Cancun International Airport, 20 km from the Hotel Zone and 12 km from downtown Cancun. A cab from the airport to the hotel takes about 25 minutes and costs approximately $40. &nbsp;Flights to Cancun are available year round.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-info'>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><strong>PLAN YOUR CANCUN VACATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/vacations-packages_cancun.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cancun Vacations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/hotels_cancun.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cancun Hotels<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/cheap-flights_cancun.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Flights to Cancun<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.partner.viator.com\/en\/10465\/Cancun\/d631-ttd?activities=all\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Day Trips<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cancun is much more than the party scene it\u2019s typically known for. A trip to Cancun is like a two-for-one deal with the hotel zone, Zone Hotelera, and the Cancun downtown area offering two totally different vacations in one destination. Enjoy the white-sand beaches, famed party scene, and top-notch all-inclusive resorts for your Cancun vacation, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":17484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":""},"categories":[3553,3557,3545],"tags":[],"modified_by":"Amanda Stancati","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17472"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17472"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21178,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17472\/revisions\/21178"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}