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With its pristine beaches, water activities, and vast history, Cancun has something for every type of tourist. Here are three things you must do while on vacation in Cancun!
Things To Know Before You Go
Best Time To Visit
December through April is the best time to visit Cancun. While this is the high season for tourists flocking to Cancun, it allows for the best experience by avoiding both the rainy season and seaweed season. If you want to avoid spring break crowds, consider going in January or February.
Where To Stay
Most people who vacation in Cancun stay at an all-inclusive resort in the Hotel Zone. This area is close to the airport and offers a variety of restaurants and activities. We had a great time staying at the Wyndham Grand Cancun All-Inclusive Resort. There are also plenty of options for adults-only resorts, such as the Le Blanc Spa Resort and the Live Aqua Beach Resort.
Before booking your hotel, make sure to inquire about their amenities including restaurants, pools, and wifi. You should also check to see if the resort has a dress code – most do for dinner.
Currency
While the Peso is Mexico’s national currency, the United States Dollar is also widely accepted in Cancun. You can use the USD for tips at your resort, tips for tour guides, and to buy souvenirs. But just in case, we do recommend that you bring some Pesos to use if you visit a place that doesn’t accept the USD.
Transportation
A rental car is not necessary for most Cancun visitors. The majority of visitors just need transportation between their resort and the airport. Make sure to pre book your airport transfers with a reputable company. Some resorts offer their own airport transportation or contract out to a trusted company. We strongly advise that you do not hire a taxi at the airport to take you to your resort. These drivers often charge expensive fares. If you do decide to hire a taxi, make sure to agree to the fare with the driver before getting in the vehicle. We also advise not using Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare apps while in Cancun. These drivers are often not well regulated, and there has recently been conflicts between taxi drivers and rideshare drivers.
If you are looking to leave your resort to go on tours or activities, keep in mind that most tour companies will provide transportation as part of the tour price.
If you do decide to rent a car, make sure to check with your hotel that they have parking spaces, and if so, whether there is a fee to park there.
Safety
Generally speaking, Cancun is a safe destination. Most of the crime occurs late at night in areas away from the resorts. Try not to leave your resort area unless you’re going with an organized tour group or a reliable transportation provider. Make sure to not wear fancy clothing or act in a way that would attract pickpockets or other criminals.
It’s always good practice to provide a trusted family member or friend with a photocopy of your passport as well as your itinerary. For US Citizens traveling to Cancun, make sure to register your trip with the State Department through their STEP Program. By registering, the State Department can assist you in case there’s an emergency while you’re in Cancun.
Cancun Must Dos
Swim in a Cenote
First up is visiting a cenote for a refreshing swim! Cenotes are natural sinkholes that expose groundwater. There are over 10,000 cenotes located across the Yucatan Peninsula and are a must-see while you’re in the area. Cenote Azul, Cenote Yal Ku, and Gran Cenote are some of the best ones to visit around the Cancun area! If you’re looking to visit multiple cenotes in one day, check out Ruta De Los Cenotes. This route is about 30 minutes from Cancun and comprises 10 cenotes in close proximity to each other.
Visit Chichen Itza
While you’re in Cancun, you should definitely go visit Chichen Itza – one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city that is located about two hours from the Cancun area that served primarily as a ceremonial site and commercial center. The name means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza” because of the nearby cenotes. Chichen Itza was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and was named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2000.
The top five sites to see at Chichen Itza are El Castillo, the Temple of Warriors, El Caracol, the Great Ball Court, and the Church. El Castillo, the large pyramid in the center of the city, is the most recognizable structure within Chichen Itza and is a prime example of the Maya civilization’s sophisticated math and design knowledge. The total number of steps on the pyramid is 365 to represent the number of days in a solar year. The steps were also perfectly designed so that the shadows cast during the spring and autumnal equinoxes give the appearance of a snake slithering on the stairs.
Tickets are required to enter and can either be purchased in advance online or same day at the ticket booths. Chichen Itza is a very popular site, so it’s best to purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible to secure your entry. The ruins of Chichen Itza are spread out across a large area, so we recommend hiring a knowledgeable tour guide to make sure you see the most significant buildings as well as provide you with the fascinating history of this city.
Make sure to bring a hat, water, and sunscreen – you will be in the heat for a while with very little shade. There’s also a lot of vendors lined along the walkways within Chichen Itza that are eager to sell anything to visitors. Check out our Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza for more information!
Go Snorkeling
With its famous clear blue water, Cancun is a great place to snorkel! There are a variety of snorkeling tour options on Viator, with most offering transportation to and from your resort. We did this snorkeling tour, which took us to a shipwreck, cenote, and a few different reefs! Another popular option is snorkeling at the Underwater Museum, which has over 500 sculptures that are used to promote coral life. We highly recommend bringing a GoPro so that you can record your adventure!
Make sure to check out our 3 Days in Cancun Itinerary!
Check out our TikTok to see what our trip to Cancun was like!
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited April 2023 | Posted August 2023
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