Part of Cancun's hotel zone

The complete guide to where to stay in Cancun

Check out the following guide for all you need to know about the best places to stay in Cancun.
By Ian Packham

With over 20 kilometers of white sand beaches on the Caribbean Sea lined by hotels, plus the downtown area to consider, first time visitors can struggle with knowing where to stay in Cancun.

There are literally thousands of hotel rooms and other forms of accommodation available in the city. They range from self-catering aparthotels to luxury all-inclusive resorts, with rooms existing for all budgets and tastes.

Introducing Cancun

Cancun can be divided into two main areas. Downtown Cancun, also known as El Centro, is where most locals live and work and where there’s a great pick of shopping options, including Mercado 28 and Plaza las Americas shopping mall.

The downtown area has some of the most authentic Mexican dining around and it’s here you’ll also find budget hotels and hostels tucked away on side streets often without any internet presence to speak of.

Downtown is linked to the hotel zone by a couple of dedicated bus routes (R1 and R2) as well as a fleet of taxis meaning you’ll never feel isolated from the goings on elsewhere.

 

Should you stay in Cancun’s hotel zone?

The majority of stays aimed at international visitors to Cancun are located in the zona hotelera (hotel zone), which was specifically created in the 1970s to draw more travelers to this area of Mexico’s Caribbean coast. It is separated from downtown Cancun by the wild, crocodile-infested waters of Nichupté Lagoon.

Enclosing the lagoon in a thin ribbon of land roughly shaped like a figure 7, its seaward facing side is lined by a near-continuous thread of white sand running for 22 kilometers. Their shallows lead to some of North America’s best snorkeling and scuba diving sites.

 

Subdivisions in Cancun’s hotel zone

Because of its length, the hotel zone is often subdivided into north, Uptown, central and southern sections. The north corresponds with the west-east extent of land and is known for having some of the best beaches and calmer waves. It stretches inland to include the top section of Avenida Tulum (Highway 307) on the mainland.

The bend in the 7 is sometimes called Uptown, or Punta Cancun, and is the area containing most of the big names in nightlife such as Congo Bar, Coco Bongo and the Hard Rock Café. Their popularity with spring breakers and party animals of all ages knows no bounds. During the day, the area’s beaches are used by those recovering from the night before, alongside windsurfers and snorkelers.

The central hotel zone is dominated by family-friendly hotels, but still has plenty of bars and restaurants you’ll recognize from back home.

The south hotel zone is relatively limited when it comes to places to dine out and party till dawn, and as a result it has the quietest beaches and mellowest vibe, making it popular with honeymooning couples in particular.

Situated around Punta Nizuc, it’s within easy reach of Ventura Park theme park and the central and north hotel zone by taking a taxi along Boulevard Kukulkan – named after the main pyramid at the ruined Mayan-era city of Chichen Itza.

Deciding where to stay in Cancun’s hotel zone

Many of the big resorts are operated by international hotel chains and have everything you need for a fantastic vacation, from heated pools and kids’ clubs to a good range of food options. If you’re someone keen to mix with other travelers and discover the local area, any of the four subdivisions making up the hotel zone are good choices, since they each provide a little bit of everything.

Anyone eager to take in Cancun’s top attractions might decide the best part of Cancun to stay in is the central hotel zone. Having the best of both worlds, it’s not far to the north or the south, whilst it has the biggest number of attractions, including Interactive Aquarium Cancun and the ruins of El Rey.

Should you stay outside Cancun?

Outside of Cancun’s city limits, luxury developments have started to pop up on the coast further north. Known as Costa or Playa Mujeres, its beaches are protected from the strongest waves by Isla Mujeres. At present its handful of luxury resorts sit along the single road in and out, making it a great pick for those travelers looking to spend the majority of their time relaxing by the pool and not going anywhere very fast.

At the opposite end of Cancun lies the start of the Riviera Maya, a stretch of coastline running from Puerto Morelos in the north to Punta Allen and Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve in the south. It has some of the Yucatan’s largest resorts, as well as providing an excellent base for anyone looking to explore the wonders of the Maya or swap the beach for the cool fresh waters of the region’s cenotes (sinkholes) after a hike through the jungle.

Isla Mujeres stays

Roughly 30 minutes across the water from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is another spot you might like to consider. Although you’re a sailing away from the top nightclubs and many of Cancun’s most-loved attractions, there’s nowhere in Cancun with such a laid-back feel as Isla Mujeres. This is largely down to the small size of the island itself – just 4.5 square kilometers – together with the limited size of its permanent population.

The island has a more authentic Mexican feel than Cancun’s hotel zone, whilst the blend of quiet beaches (adopted by turtles for laying their eggs at night between May and November), zipline experiences and local foods ensures there’s still plenty to occupy you without you having to spend all your time on the boat.

 

Make your Cancun stay even better with Go City

With where to stay in Cancun sorted, you’ll be able to concentrate on the long list of attractions in Cancun. Travel with Go City and you won’t be limited to what you see and do by price. We give you incredible savings on admission costs to many of the region’s top attractions with all the benefits of a pre-pay system and flexibility built in. So pick up a Cancun pass and save while you sightsee!

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Cancun's hotel zone beaches in February
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Reasons to visit Cancun in February

February is a great month to visit Cancun. Slap bang in the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula’s dry season, the wardrobes of many visitors don’t extend much beyond swimwear – though there are some excellent shopping opportunities should the need arise. Temperatures are warm but not too hot by both land and sea, whilst the clear blue skies of Cancun in February are sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone coming from cloud-covered nations further north and east. But there are plenty of other reasons to consider visiting Cancun in February, as you’ll discover below. Perfect conditions for a beach break A beach destination par excellence, February sees the sands of Cancun’s 20 kilometer coastline at their very best. Its almost endless ribbons of beautiful white sand receive an average of nine hours of sunshine per day, which sees average temperatures range between 24 – 29°C and daily lows still into the twenties. The cool temperatures of evening make the hours around sunset a good time for a stroll or bike ride along the coast, whilst the Caribbean Sea is warm enough for both swimming and snorkeling without having to resort to a wetsuit. There is a limited chance of seeing some rain when visiting Cancun in February, but totaling just 44 mm split between five non-consecutive days, showers are easy to avoid even if they do develop during your stay. Ideal for sea-based adventures Mexico’s Caribbean shores around Cancun have a commanding presence above and below the surface. And it’s not just their dramatic contrast against the white sands or the phenomenal temperatures of around 24°C that draws people into the water at this time of year. February is also known to be a month with fantastic underwater visibility. It’s not surprising then that snorkeling and scuba diving are so popular in Cancun in February. Although sea turtles don’t generally appear in large numbers for another few months, as part of the world’s second-largest reef system there’s still plenty of life to become absorbed by. Soft and hard corals provide habitats for around 2000 individual species, ranging from lobster and clown fish to shark and rays. The best snorkeling locations require a short trip out by boat, so look out for tours to El Meco, one of the best-preserved areas of reef. If you’re yet to earn your water wings, you can take in the beauty of Cancun’s underwater worlds without getting wet onboard the glass-bottomed boat which forms the centerpiece of the Paradise SubSee Excursion at Paraiso Nizuc instead. Unique sinkhole adventures Not very far from the coast lie other spectacular watery discoveries, Cancun’s cenotes. There are somewhere in the region of 30,000 of these entirely natural sinkholes, each one of which is unique and offers something different to those visiting. You can think of them as underground caves with the roof or a side wall peeled away, which is exactly what has happened to most of them after thousands of years of freshwater flowing through them weakened the limestone rock they’re made of. Between them, they contain dramatically-shaped formations, large fish and turtle-filled ponds, tiny pools hidden in the jungle and grand cenotes complete with cabanas, restaurants and changing facilities. With something for everyone, cenotes become the favorite part of a trip to Cancun in February for many. Cenote Azul is a great example, with two swimming areas and a cliff-edge platform used for jumping and diving. Slightly further away, Cenote Chichen Itza (also called Cenote Ik Kil) feels fully enveloped by the surrounding jungle. Cenote Tankah Ha is ideal for cooling off after climbing to the summit of the Mayan’s tallest pyramid – Coba. Celebrations galore Romance may not be the first thought that comes to mind when thinking about a trip to Cancun, but with Valentine’s Day on February 14 there’s a good chance you’ll be in the region on what’s often hailed as the most romantic day of the year. Have no fear – Cancun’s got you covered! A luxurious catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres is sure to set the mood perfectly with its mix of snorkeling, feasting and island views. Alternatively, you might like to enjoy a two and a half hour dinner cruise with a multi-course meal set to sunset or moonlight. You’ll need your feet firmly on dry land to experience Carnaval. Marking the start of the Catholic fasting period of Lent, it echoes the celebrations that take place in Rio de Janeiro, with streets filled with colorful floats, richly-decorated performers shimmying along main avenues and the election of a carnival queen. Festivities can go on for a week, culminating on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras). If you’re in Cancun at the start of February, there’s also a chance to get involved with Candlemas celebrations (El Dia de Candelaria). Also known as Tamale Day, expect to see no shortage of these delicious menu items in restaurants and on the street food stalls, alongside the sight and sound of parties going on long into the night. Awaiting jungle adventures February is also a fantastic time of year to visit Cancun for anyone keen to explore the jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula. The limited rainfall ensures trails aren’t washed away, and lower humidity levels help to make jungle expeditions easier too. Although trekking on foot is an option, you might prefer to cut through the tree cover on the back of an ATV, something that’s easy to do at Extreme Adventure Park. Motor engines play an important role in yet another way of encountering the jungle just a short distance from Cancun’s hotel zone, with the chance to control a speedboat across the wildlife-rich Nichupté Lagoon. Getting the most out of your Cancun February vacation With so much to see and do in Cancun in February thoughts might invariably head to how to afford it all. Explore with Go City and you get the benefit of significant savings on admission to many of Cancun’s top attractions. Other advantages include the fact our pre-paid passes mean you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash on you. So don’t delay, buy one today!
Ian Packham
A couple enjoy the sea on a pier in Cancun
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Discover Cancun in August

August is the last opportunity you have to experience Cancun’s big three animal encounters – nesting turtles, hatching turtles and whale sharks. A variety of cultural events bring even more color and frivolity to its streets than normal, and balmy evenings mean ‘pack light’ can become your new vacation mantra. So although August in Cancun is considered part of the destination’s low season, with some chance of rain and growing levels of humidity, you can still enjoy the long list of things to do in Cancun in August. Don’t miss any of them with our guide to the best of the summer. Cancun weather in August August is the school vacation period, and yet Cancun’s Caribbean shores, beachside lagoon and cooling jungle cenotes (sinkholes) are generally much less busy than at other times of year. US and Canadian citizens tend to enjoy the August weather back home. Others can be put off by August’s ‘wet season’ tag. Don’t be. Cancun in August is dominated by hot and humid weather, with average daily temperatures of 29°C. But nestled on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, this should hardly come as a surprise. The ‘wet’ is also quite misleading, with just six days seeing any rain at all, divided relatively evenly across the month’s 30 days, though heightening in the latter half of the month. Grab your swimwear... The rest of the time visits to Cancun in August will be a mix of sun and cloud. The long ribbons of white sand see enough of the sun to make renting a lounger and parasol a must. There’s even a festival of the beaches – Fiesta de la Playa en Cancún. At the same time, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to discover the secrets and solitude of the region’s cenotes. These naturally-occurring phenomena are found nowhere else in the world and provide a very different swimming and bathing spot to the Caribbean Sea. Several degrees below the Caribbean’s 30°C, many have intriguing histories dating back to Mayan times, such as Tankach Ha close to Coba pyramid. Even more have dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations. And don’t forget your snorkel Whilst some cenotes are home to fish, the undisputed giants of the deep – whale sharks – couldn’t even fit in many at up to 18 meters long. They can however be admired from both above and below the water on dedicated swimming and snorkeling tours. They continue into August from Cancun as the whale sharks gather to feed for the summer in large numbers. Other species of shark, most notably bull sharks, can be found swimming amongst the corals and tropical fish of the region’s Grand Mayan Reef at any time of year. Its 14 species of hard coral provide innumerable habitats for around 500 different types of fish, including eagle rays and barracudas. Despite their fearful reputation, they’re generally very welcoming of both scuba divers and snorkelers keen to explore the reef. Greet turtles on the beaches The Grand Mayan Reef drifts for almost 1200 kilometers from Isla Contoy down to Honduras. Set sail for Contoy island in August and you’ll come ashore as mature turtles from several endangered species drag their heavy shells up the beaches to lay their soft-shelled eggs, an event which can be witnessed most nights. Eggs laid in the sands earlier in the season are also hatching, making August one of just a couple of months when it’s possible to encounter two generations in the same place. Turtles nest and hatch on Isla Mujeres too. It can be reached by both ferry, and more romantically, by private catamaran charter. Only seven kilometers long, the island celebrates its founding in 1850 with special celebrations around August 17, encompassing exhibitions, music and culinary demonstrations. Admire incredible views Another feast to look out for is August 15’s Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Although primarily a religious festival, mariachi bands and festive food and drink all make an appearance. The warm evenings – temperatures rarely drop below 24°C – make it a great time of year for dining out. Given Mexico’s culinary brilliance, there’s plenty of options whatever your budget, with a multi-course dinner on board ship as the sun sets surely high on the list. You could instead settle for the romance of a gondola rising above the main strip on the Gran Rueda Cancun Ferris wheel. Over 50 m high – equivalent to a 16 story building – air-conditioning ensures you’ll never feel the heat as you check out 360° views that stretch as far as Isla Mujeres. Stop by the museums August humidity levels means it’s not the best time to leave the coast for day trips to colonial Valladolid and the Mayan masterpiece of Chichen Itza. However, Cancun’s museums are another option. Occupying a modern state-of-the-art building, the Museo Maya takes visitors on a whistle-stop tour of Mayan art and culture through a dazzling array of sacred and everyday objects. Just a few steps away you’ll also find the remains of San Miguelito, complete with temples, pyramids and an inquisitive population of semi-wild iguanas. Sticking with the sea theme, Interactive Aquarium Cancun allows the whole family to explore the Yucatan’s underwater worlds without getting their feet wet. Its impressive tanks and displays contain somewhere in the region of 2000 individual species, of which around a quarter are reef favorites. You’ll also come face to face with reptiles including crocodiles, as well as sea lions and dolphins. How to budget for Cancun in August It might not be the usual month to head to the Yucatan Peninsula but Cancun in August has a lot to recommend it. The sea is as warm as a bath, the beaches less crowded than at other times of year, plus there’s the chance for turtle and whale shark encounters. Forget any worries about August being hurricane season – it’s highly unlikely you’ll be negatively affected – and explore with Go City. We give you incredible discounts on admission to a huge array of attractions in Cancun whilst giving you the flexibility to pick and choose what you want to do each day of your vacation.
Ian Packham

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