Essential Guide to Visiting Cancun, Mexico

Cancun has always seemed to live in a world all its own. Cancun’s singularity is no mistake; it’s by design. In the 1960s, in a bid to supersize the nation’s tourism industry, the Mexican government first identified a particularly pristine stretch of postcard-perfect sand on the Yucatán Peninsula, the ideal destination to draw in travelers. The plan worked. Cancun now lives large in the minds of travelers, whether they’ve been there or not.

The reality of Cancun is much more varied and infinitely richer than most visitors realize. “Cancun stands out from other destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean due to its unique blend of stunning natural beauty, world-class amenities, and rich cultural heritage, like pristine beaches, and a variety of accommodations and natural attractions,” says Marisol Calderon, director of sales and marketing at Paraiso de la Bonita, one of Cancun’s buzziest new resorts. Countless Mayan ruins and crystal-clear cenotes hide among dense jungles that surround the city, but Cancun itself boasts immense opportunities for cultural connection that resort-bound travelers might miss.

There’s nothing like Cancun for a fly-and-flop vacation spent shuffling between beach and pool and back again. But in all the trips I’ve taken to Cancun over a decade of travel, the best experiences have always come when I’ve allowed myself to peel back the layers and discover a different side to this iconic destination.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya

When the Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya debuted a few years ago, it instantly raised the level of luxury in Cancun from its prime spot on a calm stretch of sand called Costa Mujeres. Each of the 173 rooms and suites at this It List property features a spacious private balcony and an outdoor soaking tub, all complete with uninterrupted ocean views. In over-the-top Cancun fashion, the property boasts a 40,000-square-foot spa, though its deep grounding in the traditional treatments and ancient wisdom of the region gives it purpose and peace.

SHA Mexico

For the wellness-minded and connection-curious, there is nowhere like SHA Mexico. Nestled along the ocean in Costa Mujeres, SHA Mexico is more of a wellness clinic than a classic Cancun resort, offering multi-day wellness programs that “invite individuals to embark on a journey of self-discovery and optimal health,” says Alejandro Bataller, co-founder and vice president of SHA, which first originated in Spain. Guests start the SHA experience with a full health and wellness analysis before working with experts to design a tailor-made stay, including yoga, sound healing, and acupuncture, along with more high-tech treatments.

Excellence Coral Playa Mujeres

Excellence Playa Mujeres has long been considered among the best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, but with the February 2025 debut of a second Costa Mujeres property, the Excellence Collection somehow outdid itself. Excellence Coral Playa Mujeres offers 470 stunning suites in every shape and size, some offering swim-up access and others with private pools and two-story rooftop terraces. The striking luxury of its rooms matches the rest of its amenities, which include seven different pools, an oversized spa, and an array of restaurants offering everything from contemporary Mexican fine dining to Mediterranean fare and a beans-to-bar chocolate-tasting experience.

Paraiso de la Bonita, The Luxury Collection

When Paraiso de la Bonita, The Luxury Collection debuted in January 2025 just south of Cancun, it was the second Luxury Collection property to premiere in Mexico in just a few months. A collaboration between Playa Hotels & Resorts and Marriott, this adults-only, all-inclusive property has just 100 oceanfront suites, seven restaurants and bars, and a 22,000-square-foot spa center. Even the standard suites start at a palatial 1,130 square feet in size, with soaking tubs from private terraces or balconies offering ocean views of a tranquil strip of sand.

SLS Playa Mujeres

The brand-new SLS Playa Mujeres in Cancun’s Costa Mujeres is the first SLS property to take on an all-inclusive model, and I hope it’s not the last. I have yet to find a resort in Cancun that does a better job of cultivating the refined cool factor of an adults-only property while still catering to families; I could easily see coming here with a group of girlfriends or with my toddler and somehow having just as much fun on both trips. With eighteen different drinking and dining destinations, a kids club, and the 20,000-square-foot Ciel Spa, there’s plenty to love, whether you’re here with family and friends or on a solo getaway.

Best Things to Do

Visit ancient ruins.

Chichén Itzá, with its iconic pyramid El Castillo, is one of the most popular day trips from Cancun, but the jungles of the Yucatán hide numerous Mayan ruins worth exploring. If you’ve already visited Chichén Itzá or want to skip the crowds, “one of the more under-the-radar gems is a visit to the nearby Mayan ruins of El Meco—an intimate archaeological site rich in history and ideal for those seeking a quiet, cultural excursion,” recommends Bataller. Visits to the beachfront ruins at Tulum and the soaring pyramid at Coba are also popular.

Plunge into cenotes.

Sprinkled throughout the jungles near Cancun, cenotes are tranquil, water-filled sinkholes that feel nothing short of mystical, capturing the imagination since the days of the Maya. Today, the cenotes sprinkled across the Yucatán Peninsula are the perfect place to cool off during the heat of the day. Rent a car and follow the Ruta de los Cenotes to check out over a dozen cenotes like the impressive Cenote Siete Bocas and Cenote Kin Ha, or join a small group excursion for an even more hassle-free experience.

Swim with whale sharks.

Whale sharks migrate along the coastline near Cancun every summer, offering travelers a rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s most unforgettable marine animal encounters. Swimming with these gentle giants is a seasonal phenomenon that travelers will need to plan for. Whale shark season runs from June through mid-September, but sightings are most reliable in July and August. Local companies offer excursions departing from either Cancun or nearby Isla Mujeres, the most renowned destination for swimming with whale sharks in the region.

Go diving.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef that borders Cancun is second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, making the Riviera Maya one of the best destinations for diving in the Caribbean. Beginners can get PADI-certified at dive centers like Scuba Cancun before heading out to explore colorful reefs or at wrecks like El Frio. A must-visit destination is the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), where over 500 submerged sculptures make for a one-of-a-kind dive experience that also promotes reef conservation.

Best Restaurants

Kiosko Verde

When Kiosco Verde started as a simple, family-run seafood eatery in 1974, no one would have guessed that 50 years later, it would be featured in the Michelin Guide. Today, the kitchen at this Cancun staple is headed by Octavio Santiago, the son of the original owner, who prepares local fish and seafood using traditional methods. Dishes like ceviche, grilled octopus, and lobster empanadas steal the show.

Delphina

Fresh Mediterranean flavors are a favorite at Delfina. This casual ocean-view eatery offers a diverse menu featuring mezze spreads, pasta, and delicious seafood dishes like seafood rice a la marinera, paired with chilled white wines and craft cocktails. This fresh beachfront concept is tucked away off the sands at the impressive Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort, the first-ever branded all-inclusive resort from Marriott that opened in late 2024.

Lorenzillo’s

“Lorenzillo’s, a lobster house that opened in 1979 with sunset views of the lagoon, never disappoints,” raves long-time Cancun local and writer for The Excellence Collection, Kristin Busse. Located in the Hotel Zone, it’s easily accessible and features the freshest catches you can find, brought in daily from fishermen near Isla Mujeres.

Navíos

Navíos crafts a menu it calls Mexican fusion seafood and feels like fine dining without being fussy. Despite its location in the heart of the Hotel Zone, it’s tucked away overlooking the lagoon. Its oversized waterfront dining room feels surprisingly intimate, so much so that OpenTable recently named it one of the most romantic restaurants in Mexico.

Mar-Bella

Drop the pretension at the door at Mar-Bella, a waterfront seafood market and eatery where diners can choose their own freshly caught fish and seafood before sending their order off to the kitchen. Navigate through the shop aisle to the breezy oceanfront dining room in the back, set on a surprisingly chill stretch of sand.

Best Nightlife

Coco Bongo

If there’s one place to know when it comes to nightlife in Cancun, it’s Coco Bongo. This Cancun institution is part nightclub, part entertainment hub, hosting live music and shows with performers ranging from Michael Jackson to Queen. Coco Bongo also has a waterfront pool and patio that spills out onto the beach, keeping the party alive any time of day.

D’Cave

Leave your beachwear and flip-flops at the door at D’Cave, one of the largest nightclubs in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. This upscale club features a regular schedule of themed parties and lively events, hosting local and internationally renowned DJs for sets showcasing house and electronic music.

Best Shopping

La Isla

Located in the heart of the Hotel Zone, La Isla Shopping Village is an upscale shopping center with an impressive range of luxury and boutique brands and upscale dining destinations, as well as attractions like a Ferris wheel and an aquarium. La Isla is worth a visit, even if only for a bit of window shopping or a break from the beach; the twists and turns of its canals and walkways that sit alongside the Nichupté Lagoon are quite pretty.

Mercado Coral Negro

Stop by Mercado Coral Negro for local finds, ranging from textiles and ceramics to leather, wood, and silver artisan products. Sure, Mercado Coral Negro has its fair share of kitsch, but it’s also a great spot for a thoughtful souvenir or art piece you’ll cherish.

Areas to Visit

Hotel Zone

Connected to the mainland by bridges on both ends, Cancun’s Hotel Zone clings to over 14 miles of pristine white beaches along a barrier island that first drew development to this region of Mexico decades ago. Nowadays, this stretch of sand is an unending strip of seaside resorts, restaurants, and shops catering to a diverse range of budgets. It’s conveniently close to central Cancun and attractions further afield for those who want to explore, though most visitors will be content with staying put for their entire trip.

Downtown Cancun

“The Hotel Zone is the heart of Cancun’s tourism, offering beach clubs, nightlife, and shopping, but Downtown Cancun provides a more local flavor with markets and traditional cuisine,” says Mourad Essafi, general manager of Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. Highlights of the heart of Cancun include markets like Mercado 23 and Mercado 28, and Parque de las Palapas with its food stalls, vendors, and events featuring live music, dancing, and entertainment.

Costa Mujeres

North of Cancun’s Hotel Zone is Costa Mujeres, “a tranquil, mostly residential stretch of coastline characterized by natural lagoons, quiet beaches, and nearby cultural sites such as the ancient ruins of El Meco,” says Bataller. With beaches just as beautiful as those in the Hotel Zone, it has drawn increasing development, quickly becoming the destination for Cancun’s newest and most luxurious resorts. “Far removed from the sensory overload of the more touristic zones, Costa Mujeres offers a deeper sense of place and connection to nature,” Bataller affirms.

Isla Mujeres

New oceanfront resorts in Costa Mujeres look across the waves to Isla Mujeres, a white-sand island about eight miles off the coast of Cancun that has long felt like an escape from the liveliness of the city. Most visitors make Isla Mujeres a day-trip destination, whether for swimming with whale sharks or sunning on more tranquil sands, but in recent years, it has become a destination in its own right. Luxe new all-inclusive resorts like Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets now tempt visitors to stick around past sunset rather than take the ferry home at the end of the day.

Puerto Morelos

“My favorite under-the-radar experience is spending the day in the beach town of Puerto Morelos,” says Busse. Puerto Morelos is connected to Cancun by a strip of beachfront resorts and hotels that bridge the two destinations, though it maintains a “relaxed, bohemian vibe” that Cancun is missing.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Cancun for pleasant temperatures, sunny skies, and low humidity is from December to April, when conditions are perfect for long days on the beach. However, the tradeoff for such wonderful weather will be higher prices and larger crowds, especially during the spring break season in March and April.

Prices start to drop and tourists head home toward the end of April, but “May is the sweet spot for great prices and weather, without the crowds,” affirms Busse. By June, expect warmer weather, with hurricane season in full swing from June through November and greater chances of swaths of sargassum seaweed descending on the region. Seaweed, like tropical storms, can be hard to predict, and its impact varies greatly from year to year.

“For cultural experiences, time your visit with Día de los Muertos in late October and early November to experience this deeply meaningful celebration where families honor their departed loved ones with vibrant altars, marigolds, and traditional offerings,” recommends Essafi. Although Cancun’s Día de los Muertos celebrations don’t quite compare to those in Mexico City and Oaxaca, they offer a unique cultural experience that travelers will remember.

How to Get There

Part of the near-universal appeal of Cancun comes from its unmatched accessibility. Almost every major airport in North America offers direct flights to Cancun International Airport (CUN), making this resort destination a dream for a quick beach getaway. After touching down, it’s just a 20-minute drive to the Hotel Zone or just over 30 minutes to the Costa Mujeres area.

Visitors can also access Cancun via the new Tren Maya, the long-awaited train system that made its debut in 2024, connecting destinations across southern Mexico. The Tren Maya links Cancun with popular beach destinations like Tulum, complex colonial cities like Mérida, and remote ruins like Campeche and Chichén Itzá, making it a fascinating way to reach the rest of the region.

How to Get Around

Navigating Cancun is relatively straightforward, if made more complex only by the sheer number of options travelers have when it comes to moving around the city and the region. The arrivals area at the airport is notoriously chaotic, so whether you gravitate towards taking the affordable ADO buses to downtown Cancun, waiting for a resort shuttle, or taking a private taxi, come with a plan to avoid overwhelm.

Most visitors tend to rely on taxis throughout their stay, especially those who plan on staying close to their resort for most of their trip. There have been conflicts between rideshare drivers and taxis in the past, so consider sticking with a reputable taxi or car service, However, the more adventurous can rent a car to explore nearby cenotes, ruins, and regional highlights. An array of local tour companies offers every type of small group and private excursion under the sun, cutting out the hassle of renting a car for visitors looking for a more seamless experience.