Cancun Hotels

If you’re looking for a base for exploring the many treasures the Yucatan has to offer, including the ancient Mayan ruins within the El Ray Archaeological Zone, Cancun is ideal.

But these days Cancun is most famous for its beaches and nightlife. So in between getting your geek on at the historical sites outside the city, make sure you let your hair down within it – and let the ‘loco’ wash over you.

With over a dozen world-class beaches including Playa Chac Mool and Playa Ballenas, there are endless activities on and in them, including snorkelling, diving, parasailing and surfing. Cancun’s nightlife is unique and has a fresh spirit.

But once you accept that Cancun is less cultural hub and more cultural whore, you’ll be able to kick back and go with the flow.

CANCUN’S TOP 10:

CANCUN LOCAL

Ciudad Cancun

Away from the all-inclusive resorts and hotels a distinct culture is emerging. El Centro has a large collection of malls and markets offering a glimpse of the town that successful hotels built. The main street, or Avenida Tulum, is littered with large sculptures of illuminated sea life, while Market 28 is perfect for souvenir shopping and unique local finds. Ciudad Cancun provides a welcome respite from the bright lights of the hotel zone, with a day trip well worth the effort.

Hotel Zone

On the other side of the Nichupte Lagoon (which is the place to go for water-based petrol heads to indulge in jet skiing) is the Hotel Zone. The Zona Hotelera has been built up as a self-sufficient tourist destination, with massive shopping centres including the Isla Shopping Village, Centro de Convenciones and Punta Cancun.

It is the wealthier side of Cancun, with the largest collection of bars and nightclubs, but also the largest collection of activities. It is home to the world-famous Club de Golf Cancun, which has one of the most spectacular greens in the world overlooking the Caribbean, and is even home to its own Mayan temple.

If you like things a little superficial, while making sure your every need is catered for, the Hotel Zone is the place to be.

Archaeological District

The Yucatan Peninsula was home to the Mayan people, while the Aztec tribes inhabited the rest of Mexico. This means that Cancun is close to some of the most unique archaeological sites on Earth, including the World Heritage-listed Chichen Itza.

The El Meco site is famous for its intricate carving and pyramids, and now serves as a large Mayan commercial centre whose size reflects the city’s success. Ek Balam is worth the two-hour trip from Cancun to see. Only recently uncovered and still revealing its own secrets, it houses architecture not seen anywhere else in the Yucatan, let alone Mexico. Never ones to miss out on a tourism-attracting commercial opportunity, the locals have set up a market on the site, meaning you’ll be able to walk away with a material memory.

CANCUN EAT & DRINK

Cancun’s cuisine steeps from many different cultures and is aimed at many different audiences. For the fresh-off-the-plane crowd, there is a plethora of Tex-Mex restaurants, serving up unimaginative but endlessly tasty tacos and nachos. But don’t rule out fine dining in Cancun – there are some wonderful offerings if you take the time to find them.

CANCUN EVENTS

Around Easter, Semana Sancta, or Holy Week, is celebrated. Religious themes predominate, obviously, but some of the best parades celebrate the seasonal transition.

The Cancun International Gay Festival is celebrated with predictable gusto in mid-May. A spectacular event that transforms the whole place into (even more of) a party zone – with the beaches and city consumed by bright colours and live music in suitably over-the-top celebration of queer community and culture.

In late September, visit Chichen Itza. It’s as simple as that. It shows off the amazingly complex architectural decisions that went into creating the pyramids. The sun rises at certain points over a 10 day period to create a crawling snake pattern. Modern archaeologists and architects still don’t know how the effect is achieved – or what it means.

In early November, Day of the Dead is celebrated. Despite its morbid name, the festival is a celebration of life and the traditions that have evolved over time. With a unique mix of Mayan and Christian mythologies, it’s a fantastic experience.

WHEN TO GO

• Cancun has an appealing tropical climate (albeit with occasional hurricane activity between May and December).
• Violent storms are rare and, for the most part, conditions are ideal throughout.
• Temperatures range from 19°C to 32°C (66-90°F) throughout the year, so you’re never too far away from a tan.

If you can book tours personally, do so. There is no accountability to bookings made over the Internet or phone, and guarantees of pick-up dates are often not met even if money has been exchanged.

Taxi drivers are the best salesmen in Cancun. They are personal tour guides, restaurant critics and drug dealers – your best bet is to insist they keep to their primary function. Also, your hotel’s concierge will be able to book you a reliable taxi. Hailing one will probably result in going to a ‘better’ place instead of your intended destination.

Bullfighting sounds amazing and has a rich tradition in Mexican culture. However, it is extraordinarily brutal. Stay for everything leading up to the actual bullfight (the atmosphere is amazing), but those with sensitive stomach or moral objection to animal cruelty should leave before the bloodletting begins.

GETTING AROUND

Buses are the best way to get around, both within the Hotel Zone and when venturing into Ciudad Cancun. Exact change is expected and unlike everywhere else in Cancun, the buses do not accept American money.

If you’re planning extensive travels within the Archaeological District, it is probably more financially feasible to rent a car, as bus tours, although convenient, can take a lot of the adventure out of a trip, especially if you’re lumped with a boring group.

If you’re going from bar to nightclub to hotel, it’s best to walk. The best trip to Cancun is one spent intermittently on your back (on the beach!) or on your feet, so wear out your shoes dancing and walking to and from your hotel – it’ll be worth it when you spend the next day lazing in the sun.

General Information

Attractions

Events

Climate