About Cancun
Cancún is the most populous city in the state of Quintana Roo, located in southeast Mexico, on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is a significant tourist destination in Mexico and the seat of the municipality of Benito Juárez. The city is situated on the Caribbean Sea and is one of Mexico's easternmost points. Cancún is located just north of Mexico's Caribbean coast resort area known as the Riviera Maya. It encompasses the Hotel Zone, which is the main area for tourism.
Places to visit in Cancun
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Hotel Zone
Beach · 5 mi from centreA long, narrow strip of white-sand beaches between the Caribbean and a lagoon, lined with resorts. Pay attention to beach warning flags, as some stretches facing the open sea have strong currents.
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Isla Mujeres
Beach · 8 mi from centreA small, laid-back island a short ferry ride from Cancún, with calm swimming at Playa Norte. Rent a golf cart to circle the island and reach the cliffs at its southern tip.
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Cancún Underwater Museum
MuseumA collection of hundreds of submerged sculptures that serve as artificial reefs, visited by snorkeling, diving or glass-bottom boat. Use reef-safe sunscreen, which is often required on tours.
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El Rey Ruins
Historic · 7 mi from centreA small Maya site in the Hotel Zone with low stone platforms, often patrolled by large iguanas. It is an easy, quiet stop if you lack time to visit the bigger ruins farther away.
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Mayan Museum of Cancún
Museum · 7 mi from centreA modern museum displaying Maya artifacts from across the region, with access to the San Miguelito ruins on its grounds. Its galleries are air-conditioned, making it a good escape from the midday heat.
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Xcaret Park
Entertainment · 45 mi from centreA large eco-archaeological theme park south of Cancún with underground rivers, wildlife exhibits and an evening cultural show. Plan to spend a full day and bring a change of clothes for the water activities.
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Isla Contoy
Nature · 24 mi from centreA protected island bird sanctuary north of Isla Mujeres with nesting frigatebirds and pelicans. Daily visitor numbers are capped, so book a licensed tour in advance.
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Puerto Morelos
Neighborhood · 21 mi from centreA quiet fishing town south of Cancún with a protected reef close to shore. Hire a local boat for snorkeling on the reef, and visit the leaning lighthouse on the waterfront.
Things to do in Cancun by type
261 tours, tickets and experiences across 14 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Outdoor activities & Adventure 80 experiences 2 day Bundle: Chichen Itza Tour and Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour -
Amusement Parks 38 experiences 2 day Bundle: Tour Xcaret Plus + Chichen Itza and Mayan Cenote with Lunch -
Day Trips & Excursions 35 experiences 2 day Bundle: Tulum-Coba Tour and Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour -
Art & culture 33 experiences 4x1: Tulum, Coba, Mayan Cenote and Playa del Carmen -
Cruise & Water Tours 22 experiences 2-Day Tour: Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour with Dolphin Royal Swim + Columbus Romantic Dinner Cruise -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 22 experiences Akumal Monkey Sancturary - Ticket -
Gastronomy & nightlife 22 experiences Abolengo Cancun -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 18 experiences Coba Ruins and Rio Secreto Tour -
City tours 12 experiences 4x1: Tulum Ruins, Muyil Ruins, Cenote and 5th Avenue Playa del Carmen - with Lunch -
Transport & Rentals 5 experiences Ferry to Isla Mujeres by Xcaret Xailing -
Shows, sports and special events 4 experiences Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ - Admission -
Travel Services 2 experiences Travel Internet Hubby eSIM - Mexico -
Bundle 2 experiences 2-Day Bundle: Extreme Adventuring by Quad and Isla Mujeres by Catamaran -
Classes 2 experiences Mexican Cooking Class in Cancun
- Over 6 hours 58
- 3-6 hours 22
- 1-3 hours 19
- Flexible 12
- Up to 1 hour 2
- Families 22
- Couples 15
- Families with kids 9
- Youth 9
- Senior 7
- Adult only 6
- Private 18
- Small group 12
- Wheelchair accessible 2
- Shore excursions 2
Top experiences in Cancun
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 261 available.
Isla Mujeres by Catamaran Tour with Snorkel and Lunch
From $62 per adult
Chichen Itza, Cenote, Lunch and Valladolid Tour
From $57 per adult
Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ - Admission
From $93 per adult
Tour Xcaret Plus with Transfer
From $196 per adult
Aqua Nick® Nickelodeon™ Water Park - with Optional Transfers
From $171 per adult
Coco Bongo Cancun: It's Showtime
From $104 per adult
4x1: Tulum, Coba, Mayan Cenote and Playa del Carmen
From $63 per adult
Xcaret Plus Tour with Transfer – Exclusive package!
From $200 per adult
Cancun in 3 Days: Tour Xcaret Plus + Chichen Itza + Isla Mujeres by Catamaran
From $319 per adult
Chichen Itza, Hubiku Cenote and Valladolid Tour - Premier Service
From $142 per adult
Admission Xcaret Plus
From $186 per adult
Beach Club Maroma
From $102 per adult
Where to stay in Cancun
Popular hotels in Cancun, out of 433 properties you can book.
Krystal Cancun
From $148 per night
The Grand at Moon Palace - All inclusive
From $590 per night
Crown Paradise Club Cancun All Inclusive
From $230 per night
Grand Oasis Palm - All Inclusive
From $204 per night
Moon Palace Cancún All Inclusive
From $460 per night
Family Selection at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres
From $570 per night
Krystal Urban Cancún & Beach Club
From $68 per night
Grand Oasis Cancun
From $195 per night
TRS Coral Hotel – Adults Only All Inclusive
From $487 per night
Sun Palace All Inclusive
From $432 per night
Melia Casa Maya Cancun
From $395 per night
The Pyramid Cancun by Oasis - Gourmet Premium AI
From $209 per night
Best time to visit Cancun
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cancun is February and April to May, when average daytime highs are around 82–89°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Cancun weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 85° 75° 50%
- Thu 22 Oct 83° 73° 93%
- Fri 23 Oct 83° 71° 73%
- Sat 24 Oct 82° 72° 66%
- Sun 25 Oct 85° 73° 73%
- Mon 26 Oct 85° 72° 59%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)1 US dollar ≈ $18.4
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +52
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/CancunUTC−5
- Capital
- Mexico City
Upcoming public holidays in Mexico
- Revolution DayDía de la Revolución
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Constitution DayDía de la Constitución
- Benito Juárez's birthdayNatalicio de Benito Juárez
- Labour DayDía del Trabajo
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Cancun
These are the airports closest to central Cancun. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- CUN Cancún International Airport9 mi (15 km) from the city centre
Getting around Cancun
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.
By e-hailing
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.
Getting on the bus
Buses are cheap and come frequently. Most bus drivers are very courteous and some will stop for you even if you are not waiting at a bus stop, though officially, they are only supposed to pick up at the designated stops. Routes R1 and R2 head up and down the main thoroughfare, Blvd Kukulcan. R1 buses will go to the ADO bus station and some go to Puerto Juarez (where you can catch the ferry to Isla Mujeres. R2 buses go into Centro and are useful if you need to visit Walmart for some perverse reason.
Cancun travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Cancun?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cancun is February and April to May, when average daytime highs are around 82–89°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Cancun?
August is usually the warmest month in Cancun, with average highs of 90°F (32°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 71°F (22°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 331 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Cancun?
Cancún International Airport (CUN) is the closest airport, about 9 miles (15 km) from the centre of Cancun.
What currency is used in Cancun?
Cancun uses the Mexican peso (MXN). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $18.4.
What time zone is Cancun in?
Cancun uses the America/Cancun time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Cancun?
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.
What are the best places to visit in Cancun?
Top sights in Cancun include Hotel Zone, Isla Mujeres, Cancún Underwater Museum and El Rey Ruins. A long, narrow strip of white-sand beaches between the Caribbean and a lagoon, lined with resorts. Pay attention to beach warning flags, as some stretches facing the open sea have strong currents.
What are the top things to do in Cancun?
Popular experiences you can book in Cancun include Isla Mujeres by Catamaran Tour with Snorkel and Lunch, Chichen Itza, Cenote, Lunch and Valladolid Tour and Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ - Admission. Destina Holidays offers 261 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Cancun?
The most popular types of experiences in Cancun are outdoor activities & adventure (80), amusement parks (38), day trips & excursions (35) and art & culture (33). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Cancun?
Popular areas for hotels in Cancun include Hotel zone, Playa Mujeres and Downtown. Well-reviewed options include Krystal Cancun and The Grand at Moon Palace - All inclusive.
How many hotels can I book in Cancun?
Destina Holidays currently lists 433 properties in and around Cancun, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
