Cancun Travel Guide
Well known as a popular party destination, Cancun is also the gateway to the Yucatan Peninsula, a region dotted with ancient Mayan ruins and etheral wild swimming spots.
When is the best time to visit Cancun?
Cancun is warm and sunny all year round, with summer temperatures typically between 25C and 32C and winters averaging 20C to 27C. The wet season lasts from May to October and can see afternoon rain. During this season you may also find sargassum seaweed washing up on the city’s pristine beaches. Hurricane season runs between June and November, but fortunately hurricanes are rare. Cancun is a major a Spring Break destination so be prepared for lots of college students letting loose around the last two weeks of March. This does, though, make April a great time to go, as it marks the start of low season despite the weather remaining hot and sunny with little rain. A big, glittery carnival takes place at the start of Lent, while Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated November 1 and 2.
Travelling to Cancun
Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the entry point for Cancun and the Maya Riviera with the main European and North American airlines offering direct flights. International flights go through Terminal 3 or 4. Avoid the ‘reps’ as you exit the arrivals hall with offers and discounts on tours that seem too good to be true. There are two ways to transit from Cancun International Airport to downtown Cancun or the Zona Hotelera – licensed taxi or bus. The fare for a taxi should be around US$30 but can go as high as US$50. Make sure you go through the Ground Transportation Exit as unauthorized and exorbitant taxi drivers have been known to prey on visitors going through the Friends and Family exit, located near Departures. There are also several shared shuttle services, including Gray Line shuttle, that cost around US$24 one-way. If you don’t mind being dropped off at the Cancun Bus Terminal, taking the ADO bus is a very inexpensive option.
Getting around Cancun
Public Transport in Cancun
Navigating Cancun by bus is gratifyingly straightforward. The clean and efficient ADO buses allow you to make affordable trips to Playa del Carmen, Chichén Itzá and Tulum from the bus station in downtown Cancun (on the corner of Avenida Uxmal and Avenida Tulum). Otherwise, boats to Isla Mujeres depart from the downtown Gran Puerto terminal and the Zona Hotelera itself (although these are less frequent).
Cycle hire in Cancun
The flat terrain around Cancun makes cycling a breeze. Most bicycle hire shops are in downtown Cancun, but some will deliver the bike to your hotel. A full day’s rental will cost around US$30 and discounts can be negotiated for longer periods.
Taxis in Cancun
Agree on cab fare before getting in, lists of fares are posted outside the hotels.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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