Cancun has an incredible natural beauty that will captivate everyone who visits. Cancun is one of the most visited cities in Mexico with about 8 million visitors a year. Travellers venture to this beautiful destination year after year due to the beauty of its beaches, food, culture and many attractions.
Suppose you are looking to relax in one of the largest natural spas in Mexico. In that case, Cancun is undoubtedly the destination you are looking for. In Cancun, you can find several beautiful beaches, such as Gaviotas and Marlin, and ecological parks, such as Xelha and Xcaret.
Millions of families, influencers, and even those not afraid of travelling alone visit Cancun, the most beautiful destination in the Caribbean.
What you need to know about Cancun
Cancun is located south of Mexico, northeast of Yucatan, and part of Quintana Roo. You should know that Cancun is 11 meters above sea level. The main attraction of Cancun is its beautiful beaches. As a whole, Cancun's beaches cover 17 kilometres of white sand and a beautiful turquoise sea. Cancun is part of the Riviera Maya which stretches all the way south to Tulum.
The city can be split into two areas, the traditional downtown area and the L-shaped island called Zona Hotelera with its long beachfront, high-rise hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife. If you want to party stay in Zona Hotelera, it will be a lot more expensive though and you have to deal with US college kids on spring breaks. Whereas downtown Cancun is an area where you get to mingle with both locals and foreigners. In this area, you will find budget-style accommodation and restaurants that cater to locals.
The Cancun coastline contains abundant marine life and spectacular coral reefs. Without a doubt a must-see for those who love to snorkel or dive in open waters. Swimming is one of the favourite activities for locals and visitors to the city, as well as paddle-boarding and kayaking.
Cancun is a young city, so you will find a diversity of cuisine in all the restaurants you visit and a mix of cultures in various dishes such as pasta, pizza, sushi, etc. Drinks and cocktails are also part of everyday life in Cancun. Whether you stay in a hotel or enjoy a restaurant, plaza, or bar in the area, in Cancun, you will find drinks of all kinds, such as Tequila, and margaritas, among others.
Cancun Surroundings
From Cancun, you can explore the Yucatán Peninsula with its jungles, beaches, beach towns and Mayan culture. Near Cancun, you can find archaeological destinations of worldwide interest, such as Chichen Itza and Tulum, which are fundamental pieces of Mexico's Mayan history and culture.
Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos is a Mexican port town on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and is located half an hour drive south of Cancun. This place is small and retains some of its original fishing village character and is famous for its turtles that breed on the coastal beaches. The Puerto Morelos Reef National Park has many offshore dive sites.
Playa del Carmen
About one hour south of Cancun you will find Playa del Carmen which is one of the bigger cities on the Riviera Maya coast. This once sleepy fishing village has now home to more than 300,000 inhabitants. Also here you can find a long stretch of palm-lined beaches and coral reefs. This town is a lot quieter than the hustle and bustle of Cancun. You will find plenty of shopping, restaurants, bars etc in the pedestrian friendly Quinta Avenida which runs parallel to the beach.
In Playa del Carmen you visit the nearby Cenotes for snorkelling, enjoy the many jungle activities or do a sailing trip to the beautiful Isla Mujeres, Mexico's best island destination. What is also popular is doing a day trip from here to Cozumel Island.
Tulum
Two hours drive south from Cancun you will find Tulum, which is a famous destination for people that like great beaches, Mayan Ruins, great nightlife and a spiritual community. It is popular with scuba divers that come to dive in the Caribbean sea or in the many cenotes dotted around the area.
How to get to Cancun
Cancun has an international airport, or its IATA code (CUN). Whether traveling to Cancun, Tulum, or Playa del Carmen, this airport is where all international flights will arrive if you choose one of the three destinations mentioned.
Upon arrival, you can get a shuttle from Cancun airport, which can take you wherever you are going.
To get from Cancun airport to the hotel zone, you must take the car or vehicle of your choice. The distance from Cancun International Airport to the hotel zone is 23 kilometres. Therefore, you will have to take the Punta Nizuc highway to get there quickly. Travel time is around 30 minutes.
If you want to get from Cancun Airport to downtown Cancun. In that case, you will have to take Colosio Avenue, which connects with Kabah Avenue, and go wherever you want, the distance will be 17 kilometres. Another route is Punta Nizuc, crossing the hotel zone. However, this last route is twice as long in time.
If you are coming from other cities or islands like Cozumel or Isla Mujeres, the best option to get to Cancun is by ferry.
How to get around in Cancun
Your transfer method will depend a lot on what city you are in, where you want to go, and your itinerary.
If you are venturing into Cancun for the first time, getting a Cancun Airport Transportation service is advisable. On the other hand, if you have experience and have already known the streets of Cancun, a Car Rental Cancun service will be excellent for you. You will move around the city with freedom and tranquillity by renting a car. Still, you will also visit places you have never seen before. It will also be easier for you to move anywhere.
Some hotels in Cancun offer free transportation. So check the extras of your reservation and take advantage of your transportation.
If you don't want to overspend, an extra option would be to take a public bus from the city if you plan to move to Cancun. You can take an ADO service if you visit other places like Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, or nearby locations.
