Cancún travel guide

Playa Delfines

With no hotels on it, this long stretch of white sand and turquoise water near the south end of the Hotel Zone feels open in a way most Cancún beaches don't, and it has a lookout and the colourful Cancún letters. It faces the open sea, so waves and currents are strong: swim only where the flags allow. All Mexican beaches are public, even in front of resorts.

Museo Maya de Cancún

Cool, airy galleries hold Maya sculpture, ceramics and burial finds from across Quintana Roo, a good grounding before you see the ruins themselves. A path leads through the small San Miguelito ruins in the grounds. The INAH museum sits at km 16.5 of the Hotel Zone and is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Isla Mujeres

Smaller and slower than Cancún, the island moves at golf-cart pace, and Playa Norte's water stays shallow and calm far out from the sand. Rent a cart to reach the cliffs at Punta Sur, the southern tip. Ultramar ferries cross from Puerto Juárez in about 20 minutes and also sail from Hotel Zone piers.

Chichén Itzá

The stepped Temple of Kukulcán rises over a great Maya city, and at the equinoxes the afternoon sun casts a shadow like a serpent down its staircase; nearby is the biggest ball court in Mesoamerica. It is two and a half to three hours' drive west. The pyramid cannot be climbed. Since 2026 visitors enter through a new visitor centre and pay the federal and state fees together; arrive at the 8 am opening, ahead of the tour buses.

Tulum ruins

Few Maya cities sit on the sea: this walled port stands on a cliff above turquoise water, its small temple framed against the Caribbean, about two hours south. The site sits inside the Parque del Jaguar, which charges foreign visitors its own entry fee on top of the ruins ticket. It closes at 5 pm with last entry mid-afternoon, so go early.

Cenotes

Swim in a cenote and you look up through hanging roots toward a circle of sky, in fresh water so clear you can see the bottom; the Maya saw these sinkholes as doors to the underworld. They lie along the Ruta de los Cenotes inland from Puerto Morelos, near Chichén Itzá and around Valladolid. Most ask you to shower first and skip sunscreen, and some require a life jacket.

Valladolid

Pastel colonial streets, a twin-towered church on the main square and cenotes on its edge make this town about 45 minutes from Chichén Itzá feel a world away from the Hotel Zone. It makes a good lunch stop on the drive back to Cancún.

Cochinita pibil

The Yucatán's signature dish is pork marinated in bitter orange and achiote, then slow-cooked in banana leaves until it falls apart, tangy and bright orange. It is often eaten as tacos or tortas for breakfast, with pickled red onion.

Tikin xic and fish tacos

On Isla Mujeres, order tikin xic: fish rubbed with achiote, wrapped in banana leaf and grilled, a coastal speciality. Fried-fish tacos are the everyday version.

Mercado 28

Past the craft and souvenir stalls of this downtown market, a courtyard of casual restaurants serves Yucatecan dishes and seafood at local prices.

Parque de las Palapas

Downtown's main square comes alive in the evening, when families gather and stalls sell marquesitas: crisp rolled crêpes filled with Edam cheese and sweet fillings, a Yucatán favourite.

Mercado 23

Smaller and more workaday, this downtown market sells produce, herbs and cheap lunches to mostly local shoppers, with few souvenirs in sight.

Best: December to April

Dry, sunny and breezy, with calm seas and little seaweed. Busiest and dearest around Christmas, New Year and Easter.

Harder: May to August

Hot and humid, and the heaviest months for sargassum seaweed on the beaches.

Harder: June to November

Atlantic hurricane season. Most storms come between August and October, so watch forecasts and get travel insurance.

How do you get around Cancún?

• Local busesR-1 and R-2 buses run day and night along the Hotel Zone and into downtown. Pay the driver in pesos with small bills, and keep your ticket.
• TaxisTaxis have no meters, so agree the fare before you get in. Ride apps such as Uber and DiDi show the driver and the price first.
• Tourist transit cardA free Tourist Transit Card comes with authorized rental cars and offers courtesy tickets for minor traffic offences.
• Airport by busADO buses leave from outside the airport terminals for the downtown bus station and Playa del Carmen. Buy at the ADO desk in arrivals or online.
• Airport transfersPre-booking a private or shared transfer is the simplest way to reach the Hotel Zone from the airport.
• Rideshare at airportRide-app pickups at the airport are still disputed and can be refused, so book a transfer or take the ADO bus on arrival.
• Tren MayaThe Tren Maya runs from a station by the airport to Valladolid, Chichén Itzá and Tulum, with only a few departures a day; check times before you go.

Do you need cash in Cancún, and do you tip?

• Cash and cardsCarry pesos for buses, taxis, market stalls and tips. Cards work in hotels, malls and most Hotel Zone restaurants.
• Choose pesosPay in pesos. When a terminal or ATM offers dollars, choose pesos, and check the receipt shows pesos.
• Tipping restaurantsTipping around 10 to 15 percent is common in restaurants; check the bill for a service charge first.
• Cash tipsStaff generally prefer cash tips in pesos, so keep small notes and coins handy.
• VisitaxForeign visitors, children included, must pay Quintana Roo's Visitax tourist fee. Pay only at visitax.gob.mx; copycat sites exist.

Useful phrases

• HelloHola
• Good morningBuenos días
• Thank youGracias
• PleasePor favor
• How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?
• Excuse me / sorryPerdón

Local manners

• GreetingsSay hola or buenos días before asking for anything, even in a shop.
• MealsEating is social, so take your time and don't rush the check.
• PhotosAsk people before photographing them, especially in markets and villages.
• DressSwimwear is for the beach and pool. Cover up in town, in restaurants and in churches.
• SunscreenUse reef-safe sunscreen in the sea and none at all in cenotes; most ask you to shower first.

Useful apps

• Uber: Rides, eats, and moreRides around town; airport pickups can be refused
• Google MapsNavigation and offline maps around Cancún
• Google TranslateTranslating Spanish menus and signs
• Rappi: Food, delivery & moreFood and grocery delivery in Cancún
• Uber Eats: Food & GroceriesRestaurant food delivery to your hotel

Download links for these are in the Cancún guide in the Journey app.

Before you book

Check your government’s travel advice before you book.