Playa DelfinesAttraction
Playa Delfines
A wide public beach in the Hotel Zone with a viewpoint, free to visit and less built-up than the rest.
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Things to do in Cancun
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Cancun in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsCancún International (CUN)
Getting aroundBuses, taxis and ferries
CurrencyMexican peso (MXN)
Best monthsDecember to April
Cancun in brief
Cancun is a resort city on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, known for white sand and turquoise water.
Most hotels are in the Hotel Zone, a long strip of beach between the sea and a lagoon. Downtown Cancun, on the mainland, is where local life and cheaper food are.
The city is also a base for the Maya ruins of Chichén Itzá and Tulum, for swimming in cenotes, and for the island of Isla Mujeres.
Top attractions in Cancun
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Playa Delfines
Isla MujeresAttraction
Isla Mujeres
A small island a short ferry ride away, with calm beaches, snorkelling and golf carts instead of cars.
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Chichén ItzáAttraction
Chichén Itzá
The great Maya city and its stepped pyramid, a World Heritage Site about two and a half hours inland.
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Tulum
Xcaret
Underwater Museum of ArtAttraction
Underwater Museum of Art
Hundreds of sculptures on the seabed between Cancun and Isla Mujeres, seen by snorkelling or diving.
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Photo: Playa Delfines — Pikilita1024 (CC0); Isla Mujeres — dronepicr (CC BY 2.0); Chichén Itzá — Fcb981 (CC BY-SA 3.0); Tulum — Erik Cleves Kristensen (CC BY 2.0); Xcaret — AMAPO (CC BY-SA 3.0); Underwater Museum of Art — Andy Blackledge from Scottsdale, AZ, USA (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
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Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Cancún International Airport (CUN)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. Alternatives are buses to Downtown Cancun and Playa del Carmen, or a costly airport taxi.
Getting around CancunPublic buses run along the Hotel Zone to Downtown day and night. Long-distance buses and the Maya Train link Cancun with Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Mérida.
Car rentalUseful for visiting cenotes and ruins at your own pace. Watch for speed bumps. Driving is on the right.
Flights
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Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Hotel Zone
The beach strip, with large resorts, restaurants and nightlife.
2
Downtown Cancun
On the mainland, with local restaurants, markets and lower prices. The beach is a bus ride away.
3
Playa Mujeres
A quieter area of all-inclusive resorts north of the city.
4
Isla Mujeres
Small hotels on a relaxed island, a short ferry ride from Cancun.
Hotels in Cancun with live prices
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Cancun day by day
- Day 1: The beachA day on the sand in the Hotel Zone, with sunset from the Playa Delfines viewpoint.
- Day 2: Chichén ItzáAn early start for the ruins, a swim in a cenote, and back by evening.
- Day 3: Isla MujeresThe ferry or a catamaran to the island for beaches and snorkelling.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to Tulum and a cenote.
Local tips
- Follow the beach flags. Red means do not swim.
- Use biodegradable sunscreen at cenotes and reefs. Ordinary sunscreen is often not allowed.
- Agree the taxi fare before you get in. Taxis have no meters.
- Pay in pesos where you can. Prices in dollars usually cost more.
- Book your airport transfer ahead, and walk past the sales desks in the arrivals hall.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Cancun
Ten services for the trip, all in one place.
Travel guide
Cancun has its driest weather from December to April, and 4 to 6 days works for beach days plus day trips. The airport is about 20 to 40 minutes from the hotel zone.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Cancun?
December to April is dry and sunny. June to November is hot and humid, with a risk of hurricanes, and seaweed can wash ashore in the warmer months.
How many days do I need in Cancun?
Five to seven days allow for beach time and two or three day trips.
Can I visit Chichén Itzá in a day from Cancun?
Yes. It is about two and a half hours each way. Start early to avoid the heat and the crowds.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
The airport is about twenty minutes from the Hotel Zone and half an hour from Downtown. A pre-booked transfer is the easiest option. Buses run to Downtown and Playa del Carmen.
Is the sea safe for swimming in Cancun?
Usually, but the open Caribbean side has strong waves and currents. The beaches facing north are calmer.