Cancun

Travel Guide

Cancun showing a sandy beach, landscape views and general coastal views
Hotel Zone which includes general coastal views, a sandy beach and landscape views
Cancun
Hotel Zone which includes a pool, landscape views and tropical scenes
Cancun showing night scenes, a pool and a luxury hotel or resort

Relax by the pool, dive through subaquatic caves and learn about the region’s fascinating past through museums and archeological sites.

Cancún is an intriguing city with three distinct faces. It is at once a world-renowned vacation resort, an adventure base for exploring lagoons and caves and an open-air museum showcasing the ruined temples of the Mayans. Draw up an action-packed itinerary for your vacation in this dynamic region.

Choose from the range of lodgings in the Hotel Zone. The area comprises a narrow strip between the Nichupté lagoon and the Caribbean Sea, made up of beaches and luxury hotels. Bring your kids to the Acuario Interactivo for interaction tanks and opportunities to swim with the fish.

Lay down a blanket for a picnic on Playa Delfines, a short taxi ride south from the aquarium. Snap photos of your family in front of the colorful Cancún sign and swim in the clear water. A little north is Playa Tortugas, which is fairly busy, with restaurants serving seafood and Mexican cuisine.

Remaining in the Hotel Zone, visit the Maya Cancun Museum for its captivating historic sights and exhibition spaces. Nearby is the El Rey Ruins, which consists of a small Maya village with a temple dating back to around A.D. 250. Take a trip to the El Meco Archaeological Site in the northern outskirts of the city.

The city is also an ideal base for excursions. Embark on a boat trip from the Gran Puerto Cancún to Isla Mujeres. The island contains the Garrafon Natural Reef Park, which has excellent water visibility for snorkeling. Go with tour operators to the cenote lagoons and underwater caves of Xcaret Park on the mainland.

Find the city on the Yucatán Peninsula in the southeastern part of Mexico. Fly to the Cancún International Airport and get a taxi or bus northeast for around 30 minutes to reach the heart of the Hotel Zone. The city is about 1 hour north of Playa del Carmen and about an hour and 45 minutes north of Tulum by car.

Cancún is the ultimate vacation destination, with a blend of serenity and entertainment.

Where to stay in Cancun

Escenica Tower featuring general coastal views, a luxury hotel or resort and a beach

Zona Hotelera

4/5(130 area reviews)

The stunning beaches and fantastic nightlife are just a few highlights of Zona Hotelera. Make a stop by La Isla Shopping Mall or Forum Beach while you're exploring the area.

Zona Hotelera
Hotel Zone which includes a pool, landscape views and tropical scenes

Punta Cancun

While visiting Punta Cancun, you might make a stop by sights like Forum Beach and Chac Mool Beach.

Punta Cancun
Default Image

Downtown Cancun

4/5(26 area reviews)

Downtown Cancun is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Plaza 28 and Cancun Mall.

Downtown Cancun
Default Image

La Isla

If you're spending some time in La Isla, La Isla Shopping Mall and Isla Dorada are top sights worth seeing.

La Isla
Default Image

Puerto Juarez

The pristine beaches and fun-filled water parks are top of the list for many visitors to Puerto Juarez. A stop by Ultramar Ferry Puerto Juárez or Arrecife El Meco Underwater Museum might round out your trip.

Puerto Juarez
Default Image

Avenida Tulum

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Avenida Tulum. A stop by Royal Yak Casino and Sports Book or Ceviche Square might round out your trip.

Avenida Tulum

Popular places to visit

Things to do