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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Top experiences in Cancun
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 175 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 $92 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 $130 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
Extreme Adventure Park: ATV, Zip-line and Cenote, Tour from Cancun
From $74 per adult
Where to stay in Cancun
Popular hotels in Cancun, out of 433 properties you can book.
Krystal Cancun
From $146 per night
Krystal Grand Cancun All Inclusive
From $296 per night
Crown Paradise Club Cancun All Inclusive
From $217 per night
The Grand at Moon Palace - All inclusive
From $794 per night
Hotel Dos Playas Faranda Cancun
From $73 per night
Grand Oasis Palm - All Inclusive
From $179 per night
Moon Palace Cancún All Inclusive
From $447 per night
Family Selection at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres
From $698 per night
Krystal Urban Cancún & Beach Club
From $69 per night
Grand Oasis Cancun
From $175 per night
TRS Coral Hotel – Adults Only All Inclusive
From $621 per night
The Pyramid Cancun by Oasis - Gourmet Premium AI
From $211 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 11 Nov 86° 75° 63%
- Thu 12 Nov 86° 73° 97%
- Fri 13 Nov 84° 72° 78%
- Sat 14 Nov 82° 70° 75%
- Sun 15 Nov 82° 72° 75%
- Mon 16 Nov 84° 75° 53%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)1 US dollar ≈ $18.6
- 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
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.
By bus
Local buses are plentiful in Cancun. Tourists will find the R1 buses particularly convenient and frequent with service every few minutes.
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 ≈ $18.6.
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 175 tours and activities here.
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 Krystal Grand Cancun 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.
