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.

An edited choice of luxury hotels and resorts to stay.

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Things to see and do when visiting Cancun.

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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). 

Cabs in Cancun

Agree on cab fare before getting in, lists of fares are posted outside the hotels.

Cycle Hire

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.


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