Hotel Zone
Ideal for: families, beach
The long strip of sand between the lagoon and the Caribbean, with the large hotels.
Cancún
White sandy beaches, turquoise sea and the gateway to the Riviera Maya, its cenotes and Mayan sites.
Plan your stay in Cancún
Best areas to stay in Cancún
Downtown
Ideal for: budget, local life
More affordable, with local restaurants and the bus station, a few kilometres from the beaches.
Playa del Carmen
Ideal for: couples, nightlife
To the south, a lively resort town around Quinta Avenida.
Tulum
Ideal for: couples, nature
Further south, seaside Mayan ruins, cenotes and more intimate places to stay.
Practical info about Cancún
Cancún is the gateway to the Riviera Maya and the Yucatán: beaches, cenotes and great Mayan sites. In some years, sargassum seaweed can reach the beaches, especially in spring and summer.
What to see around Cancún
- The beaches of the Hotel Zone and Isla Mujeres, by boat;
- Playa del Carmen and Tulum, with its ruins above the sea;
- the cenotes, natural sinkholes where you swim in clear water;
- Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on a day trip;
- diving and snorkelling on the reef.
Getting to Cancún
Cancún International Airport receives many direct flights. ADO buses link the airport to downtown in about 25 to 30 minutes; for the Hotel Zone, a pre-booked transfer is often simplest.
All our tips for the country in Travel in Mexico.