Beautiful beaches, sunshine and everything from snorkeling, diving and even swimming with the giant whale sharks — there’s just about everything to choose from, so let us help you learn how to plan a trip to Cancún. You can visit Mayan ruins, enjoy amazing nightlife, dine of fantastic cuisine and oh, those turquoise blue, clear waters will put the hook in you for sure. That’s what you’ll find in Cancún, one of Mexico’s most renowned vacation destinations. Check out our quick course in how to plan a trip to Cancún to get the most out of your trip.
Where
Located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Cancún gained traction as a vacation destination in the 1970s after the Mexican government invested in developing the area. Previously it was just a forest and some beaches, but develop it they did. Now it boasts some of the best beachfront properties in the world.
When to Visit
There’s seldom a bad time to visit Cancún, but you’ll have to decide ahead of time what kind of visit for you personally would be ideal. According to U.S. News and World Report, you’ll enjoy perfect weather if you travel from December through April, but this is peak season, which also means that you’ll experience the biggest crowds. And unless you’re in college — or a recent grad who would like to relive college, don’t go from mid-March through early April, when Spring Breakers descend in droves.
If you hate crowds, then deals can be found in late spring, summer and fall, but know that the weather may surprise sometimes — summers are often hot, and you’ll experience some rain, come autumn. You also might want to schedule your trip to coincide with one of the area’s many festivals. Green Path Transfers recommends the Cancún-Riviera Food and Wine Festival in late spring if you’re a foodie, the Jazz Festival around Labor Day weekend if you’re a Jazz lover, and the Day of the Dead Festival in November if you like to party (and if Halloween’s your fave holiday).
The Details – Getting There and Getting Around
Getting to Cancún is pretty seamless, as many cities offer direct flights, and some folks even just visit for a weekend escape. So, how to plan a trip to Cancún: Know first that the city itself is, well, a tale of two cities, with the downtown or the Ciudad Cancun, which is where the locals live and hang, and the Isla Cancun (Cancun Island), more popularly known as the Hotel Zone, located on a 15-mile-long strip of sand.
While you can rent a car, it’s not recommended since the roads are narrow, and both tailgating and speeding are popular hobbies. Local police also really enjoy stopping tourists and asking them for bribes, too, so this isn’t the way to go.
Take a taxi from the airport to your hotel, and if you prefer car to bus, they’re not really that expensive, but negotiate the fares before leaving. But if you’re comfortable with public transportation, then the best way to get around is to hop on a bus. The fares are fixed, the routes are plentiful, and they’re easy to hop on and hop off of. You can even take regional buses out to other tourist destinations like Chichén Itzá and nearby tourist towns like Tulum and Playa del Carmen. If you’re just headed to the beach, then walking is your best bet, but the city’s too spread out for strolling into the downtown area.
Can’t Miss, Won’t Miss
If it’s your first time in Cancún, there are some destinations you just can’t miss
Chichén Itzá, according to U.S. News and World Report should be on the top of your list, as this UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a hub of Mayan civilization. You should also take a ferry or plan an excursion to Isla Mujeres or Island of the Women, where you can tour the ruins of a mansion or visit a turtle farm.
Make sure you spend some time at the beach — and pick a beach, any beach — for sunbathing, swimming or any number of water sports and activities. You might want to start with your hotel’s beach, but be sure to check out Playa Tortugas, with its relaxed vibe. Swimming with the dolphins remains a popular activity as well. But another great attraction to take in is the Underwater Museum, which is an underwater art museum (pretty fantastic concept, huh?).
Tours and Hotels of Note
Since Chichen Itza is a good two-and-a-half hour ride away from Cancun, it’s not a bad idea to take a tour. Viator offers an early access tour with an archaeological guide, and there are other tours that combine this ancient wonder with other Cancun hotspots. You can also visit Chichen Itza by air – with a plane tour – or take a helicopter tour of the area or even go hot air ballooning in Cancun. There are also snorkeling tours, shipwreck tours, food tours … pretty much any activity you’re interested in, there’s a tour for it.
The same can be said of the hotel scene. Whether it’s a stylish and modern adults-only escape like Live Aqua Beach (formerly Park Royal), the dreamy yet elegant Nizuc Resort or the ever-chic Ritz-Carlton, where both families and couples can enjoy an idyllic beach escape.
Come Hungry, Leave Happy
The food scene in Cancún is growing, and you can enjoy everything from fresh seafood and great steaks to casual tacos and barbacoa. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in Cancún, according to Eater, which shares its 18 essential restaurants in the city.
Noted steakhouses include Harry’s Steakhouse and Raw Bar and Cambalache, but you can also dine on amazing lobster at Lorenzillos, enjoy Thai food and coconut martinis (with swimming dolphins) at the Thai Lounge and so many, many other one-of-a-kind places in Cancún. As you can see, learning how to plan a trip to Cancun is simple when you follow a few simple hints, tips, and suggestions, and take a moment to plan in advance – happy travels!
Jeanette Hurt is the award-winning writer and author of eight culinary and drink books, including The Cheeses of California: A Culinary Travel Guide, which received the 2010 Mark Twain Award for Best Travel Book, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wine and Food Pairing. She's written for TheKitchn.com, Four Seasons Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Entrepreneur.com, and dozens more publications.
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