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Cancun is a year-round trendy destination to travel to. This was my first time in Cancun, and I fell in love with it right away. Its clear turquoise water makes all hearts beat faster as it is so amazing. Also, Mexicans are very friendly and nice. They always smile, and they are hardworking, kind people. Aren’t these the reason to love Mexico?:)

 

Cancun is a place where you will find everything based on your interests. Be it snorkeling, excursions, para-gliding, swimming with dolphins, getting a suntan on beautiful beaches, or something else.

 

Planning a trip to Cancun and do not know where to start? Do not worry! I’ve created this ultimate Cancun travel guide top tips post to help you see this city more, prepare yourself for any upcoming obstacles, and plan your trip.

 

How to get to Cancun From the Airport

There are a few options:

1. Take the ADO bus to the city center and get a transfer from there to the final destination (98 pesos or $5)
2. Take a taxi (which obviously will be more expensive)

 

Ultimate Cancun Travel Guide and Top Tips

Things to Do in Cancun

Here you can find the best things to do in Cancun based on your interests

1. Go Snorkeling in Cancun

This was the first thing to do on my list. I’ve never done snorkeling before and booked this snorkeling tour, as I hoped to see the turtles. Despite that, my first snorkeling experience was good; there were no turtles lol. So I was a little disappointed but liked it overall.

 

2. Take a Ferry and Go to Isla Mujeres

The ferry will be the best option if you wonder how to get to Isla Mujeres. There are a few ferry locations in the city, but the most popular is Puerto Juarez, which is just a few minutes by car from Downtown. The boats leave every  30 minutes from 5:00 am until 9:30 pm and every hour after. The whole trip takes about 15 minutes.

• Keep in mind that if you sit on the top floor (in the open air), bring a jacket and take off your hat, as it will be very windy and chilly.

 

Once you arrive, you will see a nearby street full of shops and beaches. My main point was to lie on the beach and explore nearby sights which I successfully did. If you do not want to walk, you can rent a golf cart (which can cost up to $50 per day).

 

How to Pay For a Ferry Ticket and What it Costs

1. You can pay cash with $ or MX pesos, or they also take credit cards
2. The round ferry trip ticket will cost about $28 (depending on the exchange rate)

 

3. Explore Tulum, Mexico

Are you thinking about day trips from Cancun? Then, Tulum is what you need. This place is beautiful and full of sights. Ideally, you would want to stay at least a full day in Tulum to have time to explore it. But, if you are short on time (like I was), you can just take a day tour. It only costs $45. I need to tell you that it was not enough time to explore everything, but despite that, it was a great tour.

4. Go to Chichen Itza

I didn’t have a chance to do that on my short trip, but this sight can’t be missed. So make sure you plan it on your trip.

 

Check out the best Chichen Itza 2024 tours here.

5. Walk Around in Downtown Cancun

The downtown in Cancun is a bit noisy, with lots of people outside and shops, restaurants, flea markets, and many more places to check out.

6. Wonder on Mandala Beach and Observe a Beautiful Lighthouse

This place is not very touristy as it seems that not many locals know about it. It was recommended to me by the front desk guy at my hotel, and I am happy I visited it. It is not very easy to find, so be prepared for that.

 

To find the lighthouse, you need to walk down the beach all the way through and turn left at the corner (if you will be coming from the Coco Bongo area). You will also see the Cancun sign there.

7. Try Authentic Mexican Food in Cancun

If you are already familiar with popular Mexican dishes, you won’t be surprised by the variety of choices they offer. Unfortunately, the menus in the restaurants are also only online, but if you can’t look them up, ask for a paper version.

8. Go to the Cenotes, Cancun, and Riviera Maya, and Swim in the Clearest Water

Cenotes are stunning, natural pools with clear water. There are many incredible cenotes in Cancun, and it is tough to say which are the best. However, you would like to visit them all if you have time.

 

Transport in Cancun

Transport in Cancun is very tricky. There is no way to check directions by public transport on Google Maps as it only shows directions by car, walking, and bicycle, which is very inconvenient.

 

I always had to ask the front desk guys at my hotel how to get to any place, as there was no other way to do that.

 

The good thing about public transport is that it is very cheap. One ride costs 10-12 pesos (which is less than $1), the price is always different, but this one is the most common.

 

Taxis in Cancun are costly unless you travel short distances.

 

For example, if you want to take a taxi from the airport to the city (a little farther from downtown), it can take 600 pesos (~$35). Traveling backward is half-price. I heard a city taxi could cost 2 to 4 pesos, but I had never experienced that. On the other hand, if I took a cab from my hotel to the hotel zone, I had to pay 200 pesos (~$12), to the airport 300 pesos (~$18), etc. It wasn’t cheap at all.

 

So I tried to stick to public transport whenever I could.

 

Riding the bus is very fun. But, be prepared for bus drivers to drive like crazy. So, make sure you hold on to a handle or a pole, so you do not fall. Also, you might notice that they start opening the door before the actual stop.

5 Things to Know Before Going to Cancun

1. You will need a tourist card if you are not a US citizen. There are two options on how to get it: 1. Fill it out online here, or you will get it on the airplane. This is very important, as you will have to keep it till the end of your journey
2. Cancun is pretty safe.
3. You do not have to buy the local SIM card as, most likely, your phone will work fine.
4. Try to book a hotel close to downtown or a hotel zone. In that case, you won’t have any problems using public transport and walking around.
5. Taxis can be costly, so stick to the bus. ADO buses are the most popular.

Where to Stay in Cancun

Ideally, you would want to stay closer to downtown or the hotel zone, but there is a big BUT. The prices in those areas can be very high.

 

I stayed in the Cumbres area (between the airport and the downtown area) in the new capsule hotel, The Yellow Capsule in Cancun, Mexico. The room was nice, but it was a little farther from the city, so there was not much to do around, and it was not a very convenient location for public transport, but it had everything I needed for a few nights (places to eat and stores).

 

As all attractions are located in a hotel zone, this area is the most popular place to stay among tourists. This is because there are so many hotels, and the site is super friendly.

Cancun Top Tips

Money Tips in Cancun

1. The first and most important tip is to get pesos. Despite the high convertible rates at the airport, I would exchange a decent amount there. There are a few reasons for that:

• You might stay where finding a bank or an ATM is difficult. Also, some ATMs only exchange money but do not let you withdraw, so in that case, it is not helpful at all if you have no cash.
• Many places like stores, ticket kiosks, and restaurants take cards, but you will need cash to pay for a taxi, public transport, deposits, and local taxes in the hotel, etc.
• Also, some ATMs charge a hefty fee if you want to get some $’s from your foreign bank. So to avoid that, I would get a good amount of exchanged money once rather than paying multiple fees.

 Transport Tips in Cancun

• Use ADO buses for cost-effective travel instead of taxis
• As bus drivers can pass the bus stops without stopping, ensure you wave to them once you see them coming.
• If you do not know where to get off, tell your driver to notify you when your stop is, as they do not announce it at all.

Ultimate Cancun Travel Guide: Tips

• I suggest learning a few phrases in Spanish as not everybody speaks English. And you will have some situations where it will be tough to understand each other if you do not know Spanish.
• Book a hostel/hotel close to downtown or the hotel zone for easy access to public transport and attractions.
• Don’t walk by yourself at night. Cancun is a pretty safe place to be alone, but I would avoid walking at night.
• Plan your trip accordingly. If you are going to tour the sights (ex., Tulum, Chichen, etc.), it will take up the whole day.
• Before buying your tour for the original price, google the discount codes or promotions.
• Don’t be afraid to bargain.
• Be prepared for hot and humid weather. Stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
•  Go to the theater to watch a movie as it is very cheap (Premium theater: 85 pesos or about $5; regular theater: 30 pesos or $2-4). *Ask for the English version. I was lucky enough and watched the new Wonder Woman while I was there.

 What to Pack for Cancun

1. Flip flops
2. Swimsuits
3. Ideally, if it fits, pack a beach towel. In that case, you won’t have to buy it there.
4. Sunscreen
5. A hat
6. Sunglasses
7. Beach tote
8. A travel mug

Check out my post about HOW TO PACK LIGHT

Cancun Trip Cost

Travel to Cancun can be very cheap if you fly in the right season and day. During a season (especially Spring Break), the flights and accommodations in Cancun can be very pricey, but off-season, they are very affordable. 

I spent around $350 for four days of hotel accommodation, round-trip tickets to Cancun, and tours.

 

Have problems finding cheap tickets? Check out my article on How to find cheap flights.

 

Final Thoughts

My first time in Cancun was terrific. I liked everything and fell in love with the clear turquoise water. All the people I met during my trip were very kind, friendly, and helpful. I was happy that I did have an opportunity to get to know their culture.

 

Cancun is not the cheapest city in Mexico, but some things I found are surprisingly affordable and perfect.

 

I suggest spending a minimum of 5-7 days in Cancun to get to know it better. I only was in Cancun for four days, and it felt too short. But even in 4 days, I did a lot of things, but I am planning to come back again :).

 

I hope my Ultimate Cancun Travel Guide and Top Tips post was helpful to you. Thanks for reading, and I hope your travel to Cancun, Mexico will be the most memorable.

 

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