Traveling to Cancun, Mexico

Complete Planning Guide: Traveling to Cancun

Sharing is caring!

Complete Quick-Start Guide to Traveling Cancun, Mexico

Things to Know

Places to Stay

Beaches

Food & Drink

Fun

Community

When you live on the East Coast and someone says “Mexico”, most people think Cancun. What they are really picturing is The Yucatan Peninsula. It’s most definitely a popular vacation spot. The media typically likes to show spring break in Cancun, look at all of the Americans having fun! If you’re looking at Cancun for a family style Getaway, I’d say it’s still a good choice and here’s why:

Cancun is a destination built around a ton of choices for everyone young old and the in between. There is a ton of different activities, tours, shopping and beaches everywhere. If you want party at night or just vegetate on the beach and eat, then do that. There’s a bit of something for everyone’s situation.

Mexican Flag

Things you need to know about Traveling to Cancun

Way of life: Most everyone works hard day and night 6 days a week and then off on Sundays. You might not see them moving fast, they are very laid back and lack any urgency when it comes to time. That’s okay, you’re on vacation so go with it, don’t be early but be on time.

Tipping: Most people that are working in the tourism community around Cancun are bi-lingual and rely on their tips. If someone helps you don’t forget to tip somewhere between accordingly and generous so we can continue to receive great service.

Money: If you need an ATM use the ones located in a bank, less chance of having card fraud.

Safety: Cancun is one of the safest places in Mexico. Use the same caution as you would any city with 1 million people and you’ll be fine. Probably safer because trust me they don’t want to mess that up. Don’t walk alone at night, stay in a well lit area with other people around.

Value: You can stretch your Vacation dollar. Anyone that has been to Mexico knows that the cost of 1 week in Mexico compared to 1 week at Disney. Disney is 3 probably 4times more the price!

Planning: The most important Travel Tip I will always give is: The amount of effort you put into planning your vacation ahead of time, will be directly associated to the level of success and joyous memories you will be making.

Even if you stay at a resort that is an all inclusive, you have to plan packing, flight and transportation at the very least.

Cancun Airport (CUN): Cancun airport drive to Playa del Carmen 45-60 min

Cozumel Airport (CZM)

Ultramar Ferry goes to: Cancun /  Hotel Zone /  Cozumel / Playa del Carmen /  Isla Mujeres

WinJet Ferry goes to: Cozumel /  Playa del Carmen

Playa Express

Transfers (private or shared)

Travel from Cancun to Isla Mujeres with Xailing ferry

Getting Around

 Everything is easy to get around to. The International airports are close by. There are plenty of private and public transportation available. I suggest taking the shuttle if your hotel provides one or plan your transportation to and from the airport ahead of time. If you just show up there is a good possibility of being price gorged.

I’m not one to drive unless I plan on taking a road trip in that case I might rent a car. If you do want to take a road trip, the best way is to rent a private tour driver for the day. The will be able to take you to more authentic sites and make the best recommendations of where you should eat.

Cancun Packing List

Pack light, that’s the way to go.  My motto is, if it can’t fit into a carry on, I don’t need it! I’m saying carry-on for people that take the large suit cases and then has to cross fingers for it to be under 50lbs. That used to be me (Yes, 1 time I was over the weight limit).

If you’re going to Cancun the dress is very casual, light & airy. Therefore everything is more compact. For 1 week I usually take a back pack and a large beach tote, no luggage. Maybe it sounds absurd to you but, it’s truly amazing how free you feel

 You won’t have to : Wait for the luggage belt, Stand in line at the airport check-in, lug something heavy and awkward around and through customs, there is a high chance of it being lost or late.

If you can’t resist over-packing or you have large sports equipment such as golf clubs, my best suggestion is to contact Travel without Bags-LugLess to take care of it for you.

Cancun Packing List

Places to Stay Cancun

Most people stay in the “Hotel Zone”, not downtown. This tourist area runs 15 miles long, is full of resorts, on an island strip along the Caribbean Sea. The “Hotel Zone” begins 6 miles straight out of Cancun and goes all the way down to The Nichupte Lagoon.

 Back 20 years ago I always used an agent. Since she had traveled to a lot of different resorts [she went by the name Gina Jamaica] she always did well with choosing the best ones for me. If you do go through a travel agent to setup your accommodations, you have to communicate to them what you’re looking for.

I suggest you take some of these hotel links to look at their amenities. See what they have, determine what you can’t live without or will be important part of the hotel stay.

For me I like an all-inclusive, boutiques size resort. I must be on the beach, Free wi-fi and an in room coffee maker. Don’t assume that all resorts or hotels will offer all the same amenities. The options are truly unlimited: budget, mid-range, luxury, something for everyone.

Reviews, do read the reviews…on a review site, not the hotels site. Sometimes reviews are skewed. They can be bought (black hat reviews) and at the other end of the spectrum is that some people are plain miserable and nothing gives them as much pleasure or control as giving a bad review.

Places to Stay

Most of the Resorts have been offering both plans, all-inclusive and European style. Then give out colored arm bands according to the plan you purchased. Use these hotel Links to look at what some of my top recommendations.

Top Resorts Cancun

All-inclusive Plan: Moon Palace (palace resorts), Bahia Principe Grand Tulum, Ocean Riviera Paradise, Iberostar, Hacienda Tres Rios Resort Spa Nature Park

European Plan: ( Meals, Drinks & Tips are not included) JW Marriot Cancun Resort & Spa, Mariot Cancun Resort, The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun, The Westin Lagunamon Ocean Resort Villas and Spa

Honeymoon Hotels: ( luxury and elegance): Le Blanc Spa Resort, Sun Palace Cancun, The Royal Cancun, Bel Air Collection Hotel & Spa

Boutique Hotels: Habitas (Tulum), Chable (Merida), Punta Caliza (Isala Holbox), Casa Las Tortugas (Holbox), Cancun Beach Hideaway

Best Public & Private Beaches

Top Yucatan Public Beaches

Akumal Beach: Akumal

Maya Chan Beach: Mahahual

Playa El Cielo: Cozumel

Playa Norte: Isla Mujeres

Playa Delfines: Cancun ( has the Cancun sign)

Punta Coco Beach: Holbox Island

Celestun: Merida

Xpu-ha Beach: Xpu-Ha

Best Yucatan Beach Clubs with activities:

Mr Sanchos Beach Club: Cozumel

Ziggy Beach: Tulum

Paradise Beach: Cozumel

Kool Beach Club: Playa del Carmen

Martina Beach Club: Plat del Carmen

La Playa Xpuha: Xpu-Ha

Yaya Beach: Mahahual

Mandula Beach: Cancun

The Kay Club: Puerto Morelos

Pez Quadro Beach Club: Mahahual

Traveling to Cancun

Taste of Cancun

You can’t travel to Mexico without enjoying some authentic Mexican Food.  It’s all around you Restaurants, Street Vendors, Food Trucks, Roadside food stands, Farmers Markets.  A must have is a good variety of tacos from a restaurant that locals frequent or if you like food trucks.

Probably about 10 years ago I spent a New Year Day with a traditional Mexican Family. They celebrate with homemade Tamales and a soup called Menudo (hangover soup). That’s when I found out what a true tamale is supposed to taste like. Now I always look for Tamale’s. I like to compare them AS IF I’m an expert tamale connoisseur. I will honestly say, “I found some good tamales but I haven’t found any as good as the ones I had that day”!

Recommended Traditional Cuisine

Ceviche /səˈvēCHā,-CHē/ : Raw fish marinated with citrus juices, with onions, peppers and seasonings. The acids from the lemons & limes actually cook the fish. Sometimes served on tacos, tortilla chip or by itself.

Queso Relleno /ˈkāsō/ /rəˈyānō/ : Stuffed Cheese, topped with a white Mexican Sauce and baked. Edam cheese can be filled with pork, nuts, raisins, seasonings.

Cochinita Pibil /ko-chin-ee-ta / pee-beel / : Pork cooked underground. Slow cooked pork, marinated in achiote and orange juice. This can be served on a corn tortilla or on rice with toppings.

Marquesita / mar-kay-cee-ta / : Served a dessert. Thin crunchy waffled crepe filled with notella or edam cheese and then topped with caramel sauce.

Children 50% OFF
Children 50% OFF

Shopping:Malls, Markets, Shops

Heavenly finds for a foodie. Visit roadside food stands for the fresh local finds that you can’t get elsewhere.

Markets & Shops

Mercado 28 Flee Market: Downtown Cancun

El Pueblito Farmers Market: Mayakoba

Food Truck Village: Playa del Carmen

5th Ave Playa del Carmen, Day or night

Traveling to Cancun

Malls

Quinta Alegria 16thst, Playa del Carmen

Plaza Las Americas Mall, Cancun

Calle Corazon (Playa del Carmen) 

Puerto Cancun Mall

Kukilan Plaza

Tours /Activities /Attractions

If you like water activities such as snorkeling or want to take diving lessons this is the place to do it. Of course nothing will ever meet your standards after that. The Mesoamerican Reef [also called The Great Mayan Reef] is 620 miles long and is the 2nd largest reef in the entire world. It begins north of Cancun and runs south along 4 other countries Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. It’s an amazing experience view the colorful coral and fish in bright blue waters. Jacques Cousteau said, “It’s one of the finest dive spots in the world”. You can look all you want but don’t touch. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is considered critically endangered ecosystem

Adventure & Water Parks

Take the only tour that takes you to the four types of cenotes in the world. Have fun with activities such as assisted rappel, zip-lines, kayaking, exploration swimming, or cliff jumping.

Xcaret: (Adult and Children. Underground rivers and cultural attractions)

Xxplor:

Xxplor Fuego: (Nighttime Adventure Park)

Xavage: (Adult and Teen, Children area for age group 5-11)

Xel-Ha: (Adult and Teen, Children area. Mostly water activities, Natural environment system practiced

Xenses: (Fun for everyone. Outdoor theme park, sense themed activities & optical illusions)

Xoximilco: (Heritage carnival style Park. Floating fiesta party)

Xenotes Oasis Maya: (boats,zip line, rappel and more adventure in 4 different cenotes)

Ventura Park: Wet-n-wild (waterpark), Aaah! Ventura (Zip Lines and Suspension Bridges), Fun World (Carousel, Flying Chairs, Roller Coaster)

Jungle Maya Park

Culture & Tradition

Mayan Ruins

Coba /

Chichen Itza  /

Ek Balam /

Kohunlich /

Xumal/

El Rey  /

El Meco  /

Tulum Ruins

Loltun Caves [tun=stone]

Grutas Loltun [lol=flower]

Fundadores Park: (Playa del Carmen Community Seaside Park with beach, vendors, entertainment)

National Parks, Zoos & Reserves

Xcaret Admission

TortugranjaTurtle Farm: (indoor/outdoor Turtles, Crab, urchins, conches, gator)

Crococun Zoo: (All animals are rescues, touch hold feed during the interactive guided tour)

Garrafon Natural Reef Park: Isla Mujeres (reefs, cliffs, turquoise waters)

Isla Contoy National Park: (uninhabited island with secluded beaches nesting sites for sea birds/turtles)

National Reef Park: of Puerto Morelos

Coba Wild Monkey Reserve:

Punta Laguna: Nature reserve

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve

Celestun Biosphere Reserve: (migrating flocks of birds, flamingos, pelicans, others)

Sian Ka’a Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO Site) “gate of heaven”

Rio Lagartos Reserve

Tour Companies

Eco Colors Tours

Living Dreams Mexico

KayTours

H & L Tours

Absolute Adventure :Private Tour

Absolute Adventure: Special Event

All Tour Native

Living Dreams Mexico

Maroma Adventures

Water Activities

Interactive Aquarium Cancun

Swim with Whale Sharks

Sea Turtles: Akumal

Swim with Dolphins, Manatee and Sea Lions

Snorkling (Reefs of Cozumel)

Jet-ski

Paddle Boarding & Water Bike

Kayacking (Nichupte Lagoon)

Diving

Diving

Diving Map

Boat & Dinner Cruises

Fishing Boat

Fishing Boat Fly Fishing

Boat Charters

Speed Boat Tour

Sunset Sailing Cruise

Catamarans Sailing Activities

Yacht Party

Captain Hook Pirate Ship Tour with Lobster & Steak

Jolly Roger Pirate Ship Tour with Surf & Turf

Land Activities

The funniest adventure is back from December 20th, 2021. Get your admissions!

Lucha Libre Show

Bull Fighting

Torre Escencia Cancun Senic 360* Tower: (View of Caribbean coast and Cancun)

Bicycle (Tours & rentals)

ATV Jungle Trail Adventure

Jungle Hike: Informative hike with Dr Alfred Barrera Marin

Las Coloradas [Pink Lakes] Viewing only, not for swimming

Dinner Show: Rauxa

Food & Drink Tours

Cozumel Vacation

Tequilla Tasting

Wine Tasting

Golf Cart Bar Crawl of Isla Mujeres

Taco and Local Beer Tour

Taco Tour

Top Museum & Art

Traveling to Cancun

Steet Art Tour: Isla Mujeres

Street Art: Mayakoba, Tulum

Museum: Musa Museum: see underwater statues by scuba, snorkel or  glass bottom boat

Museo Museum in Cancun: Mayan History

Best Casinos

Casino Palace: Cancun

Golden Island Casino:  Merida

Dudai Palace Casino: Cancun

The Mayan Spa: Isla MujeresMayan Themed: Body Mind & Spirit Treatments

Nichupte Destination:  Holistic Spa

Matrix Spa & Massage: Cancun 

Baby Spa Cancun  

Best Golf Clubs

Golf Tours

Golf Rentals

Golf Vacation Packages

Top Golf Clubs

Iber0star Club Playa Paraiso: Playa Paraiso

El Camaelon: (Mayakoba PGA course) Play del Carmen

Moon Palace Golf Course: Cancun

Riviera Maya Golf Club: Akumal

Cozumel Country Club: Cozumel

Grand Coyote Golf: Playa del Carmen (formerly Grand Coral Golf Riviera Maya)

Scenic Air Tours

Scenic Tours: Airplane, Cancun

Scenic Tours: Airplane, Cozumel

Scenic Tours: Airplane, Playa del Carmen

Scenic Tours Helicopter, Cancun

Scenic Tours: Helicopter, Playa del Carmen 

Parque de las Palapas Cancun, town square outdoor hub

Mandala: Outdoor bikini party

Coalina Daylight Club

Club Bongos: Dancing night club

DG: rooftop lounge

CoCo Bongo Club: Stage show, entertainment- 4 hour show must be 18

La Bodeguita: Latin dance

The City Night Club Lounge: Occasional celebrity performance

Dady O Club: Techno & House music, pro dancers

Communities /Villages /Islands

You have many Nearby Communities, Villages and Islands to stay on the Yucatan Peninsula.  From Cancun’s favorite scenic Island of Isla Mujeres, all the way 92 miles south to Tulum. The hotels are lined up even beyond that. Instead of Cancun’s Hotel Zone maybe you’d prefer something more of an authentic like a quiet colonial town.

The Yucatan peninsula has had a melting pot of traditions. We usually think of the Mayan heritage when we think of Cancun. It’s true they began populating the area before anyone else came. There is also Spanish, Caribbean and American Indian influences. Each town is noticeably different and if you stay in Cozumel you can still take a day trip out to any of these locations.

Akumal: (Place of the turtle)

Bacalar: (Lake of seven colors, “Pueblo Magico”)  

El Cuyo: (Fishing village. Popular for eco tours and kite surfing)

Espita: (Small photogenic, non-touristy, authentic Colonial village)

Holbox Island: (Beautiul island with Fishing, Shark tours, snorkeling, bird watching)

Isla Blanca: (You guessed it, gorgeous white beaches)

Isla Mujeres: (Touristy yet charming.15 min north of Cancun)

Izamal: (“The yellow city”,  “City of Hills”. Small colonial tow with remnants of pyramids)

Merida: (Spanish Colonial City, largest population and Capital of Yucatan)

My Favorite Towns are Playa del Carmen, Akumal and Merida

💜 PIN it! 💜

💜 If you like this Guide to Cancun, Mexico click on the PIN below to save to your Pinterest Travel Board 💜

Traveling to Cancun

Leave a reply below if you found this traveling to Cancun guide helpful or have any favorite places to add

Hello friends, glad you could make it. Imagine if you could completely catapult your travel experience to the next level. That’s what kalistravelguide.com set out to do.

Sign up here Contact Kali for all of my insider tips, reviews, strategies and the best of Travel Deals.

Are you ready? Because this is what following your dreams looks like.   Enjoy!-Kali

Share Buttons

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter

Travel Trends

erin condren

Erin Condren Seasonal Surprises 2022-2023 Update

Great News! 15% Off When You Signup for Erin Condren Email be sure to follow our social media pages as we reveal a surprise Daily Deal each day! These daily

Lancaster Breweries

Guide to the Tastiest Lancaster Breweries

Guide to the Tastiest Lancaster Breweries If you come to Lancaster, PA, it’s a pity not to enjoy everything the city and its traditions have to offer. And the brewing

Katies Kitchen Lancaster, PA

11 Authentic Amish Restaurants in Lancaster PA

11 Authentic Amish Restaurants in Lancaster PA Everyone knows the Amish always sprinkle a bit of love on their food.Amish Restaurants in Lancaster PA is perfect for people looking for

Yellowstone Handicap Accessible

63 National Parks by State+Map

As of December 2020, there are now 63 Protected National Parks in the U.S. The Worldwide National Park movement started to evolve when an area of Yellowstone National Park was

Smoky mountain waterfalls

Guide to 7 Easy Smoky Mountain Waterfalls

7 Easy Waterfall Trails in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park If you enjoy the scenic outdoors, look no further. Here are 7 Easy Trails With Great Smoky Mountain Waterfalls that

2 thoughts on “Complete Planning Guide: Traveling to Cancun”

    1. Hello Stacie, When it comes to Travel there are tons of different articles and websites out there. What are you looking for? Travel Inspiration, Planning, Tips? It all really comes down to your own personal interests. One of my go-to sites is Tripadvisor

Leave a Comment