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 CancĂșn's white sandy beaches and warm, crystal waters make it a paradise for all beach and water sports enthusiasts. Add a vibrant nightlife and the closeness to the breathtaking Mayan ruins, and you have Mexico's most popular tourist hotspot. Caring for four million tourists every year, it's hard to understand how this beautiful resort was a sleepy fishing village just a few decades ago. Its colorful buzz and ancient traditions co-existing with ultra-modern developments enchant everyone, from backpackers to luxury travelers.

The City

Today, CancĂșn is known worldwide for its turquoise-blue water beaches, luxurious resorts, and bustling nightlife. But before this Mexican city became a major tourist destination, the region, which was once home to the Mayan civilization, was mostly wetlands, mangroves, jungles, and untouched beaches.

After it was left abandoned for centuries, the Mexican government finally realized in 1968 its true potential as a holiday hotspot.

Currently, CancĂșn is divided into two distinctive districts, the famous Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera), a beachfront strip of hotels, resorts, eateries, shops, bars, and nightclubs, and the actual city of CancĂșn, known as El Centro.

The Hotel Zone, which is surrounded by 25 kilometers of pure white sandy beach, is linked to the city via the four-lane Boulevard KukulcĂĄn.

Caribbean landscape near Cancun, Mexico Lev Levin/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

Apart from its dreamy beaches and energetic nightlife, CancĂșn offers a myriad of activities to fill your day. From historical sites where you can learn more about Mexico’s rich history and culture to breathtaking and unique natural spots to thrilling water sports and even the chance to swim with dolphins — or sharks for the courageous ones.

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Dolphinaris CancĂșn

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Isla Mujeres

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Eco Parks & Tours

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Parque de las Palapas

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Puerto CancĂșn

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Las Coloradas & RĂ­o Lagartos

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Rotating Scenic Tower

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CancĂșn Theatre & Mexican Folk Art Museum

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Interactive Aquarium

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Swim with Whale Sharks

Dining

Mexican cuisine is very versatile and best known for its intense and varied flavors, colorful decoration, and variety of spices. Tacos, nachos, and guacamole are only a small part of CancĂșn’s culinary repertoire. Whether you fancy a quick snack on the trot or a gourmet meal in stylish settings, CancĂșn has a fantastic selection of restaurants featuring dishes from all over the world.

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La Pizzarra

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Casa Tequila

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La Parrilla

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La Palapa Belga

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La Troje

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La Dolce Vita

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Peter's Restaurante

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Bovinos

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Puerto Madero

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Elefanthai

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Señor Frog's

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Hard Rock Cafe CancĂșn

Cafés

From quaint local coffee shops to international chains, CancĂșn's coffee culture offers a diverse range of brews, from traditional Mexican coffee with hints of cinnamon and chocolate to specialty espresso-based creations.

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Cafe Antoinette

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Café Nader

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Café con Gracia

Bars & Nightlife

Whatever you're in the mood for, you'll find it in CancĂșn. Shake your hips to Latin music, break it down to hip hop, pump it up to club music, or enjoy an extraordinary cabaret show — CancĂșn has developed around tourism and won't fail to fulfill your expectations.

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Cuncrawl

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Señor Frog's

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The City Nightclub Cancun

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D'Cave

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Mandala

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Shopping

Amidst the beaches, jungle, and culture, CancĂșn also provides its visitors with every shopping experience imaginable. From traditional market stalls selling local handicrafts to modern indoor and outdoor shopping malls, CancĂșn's shops are as versatile and creative as its people, and the privileged tax status of CancĂșn (10%) makes it a popular destination for buying luxury items.

Mexico is the world's number-one exporter of cowboy boots and is also famous for its silverware, tequila, hot chili sauces, and handcrafted pottery. Other popular souvenirs are vanilla essence, Aloe Vera products, blankets, and, of course, the famous Mexican sombreros.

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La Isla Paradise Experience

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Kukulcan Plaza

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Plaza Las Americas

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Luxury Avenue Mall

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Las Plazas Outlet

Tropical lake Nichupte lagoon, Cancun, Mexico photopixel/Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Best Time To Visit

If you want to avoid holiday crowds and high prices, the best time to visit CancĂșn is from May to November, particularly in September and October. However, these two are also the rainiest months. If you prefer escaping the cold winter to relax in the sun, book your trip in December or January, the high season in CancĂșn.

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Passport/Visa

Visa exemption applies to citizens of all EU countries, most countries in the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and more. Both tourists and business visitors from these countries may stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. For Russian, Turkish, and Ukrainian passport holders, electronic authorization (SAE) is required, which then grants travelers from these countries the right of a single entry followed by a stay of up to 30 days. Please consult an official source/consulate in your home country for the latest information on visa requirements.

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Website: www.mexicotouristcard.com

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CancĂșn Airport International (CUN)

CancĂșn Airport International (CUN) offers travelers two distinct transfer options to reach the Hotel Zone. Opting for an airport taxi shuttle is the quickest and most convenient choice, ensuring a swift 30-minute journey directly to your hotel. For budget-conscious travelers, the ADO bus to CancĂșn's city center provides a more economical option. However, from the city center, you'll still need to take a taxi to the Hotel Zone or switch to the local R-1 or R-2 public bus, which runs to the Hotel Zone every few minutes. The total journey time will be around 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on traffic.

Address: Aeropuerto Internacional de CancĂșn, CancĂșn

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Website: www.airportcancun.com

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Public Transport

CancĂșn's central bus station is located at the corner of Avenidas Tulum and Uxmal, offering excellent and regular connections to most touristic destinations. A regular shuttle transfer to Playa del Carmen leaves every 15-30 minutes. The frequent local bus service between the Hotel Zone and downtown CancĂșn (R-1 or R-2 buses) is quite efficient, although old, and runs 24 hours.

Buses stop on hand signal and will often leave before everyone is seated; bus stops are marked with a blue and black sign with a picture of a bus. You can buy tickets on board but don't forget to check your change before taking your seat.

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Taxi

Taxis are a common mode of transport in CancĂșn. Despite warnings to agree on a price before getting in, one should know that all taxi drivers belong to a syndicate, and there is an official fixed price list split into various zones that all taxi drivers must carry (also available in all hotels). Taxis in the Hotel Zone are more expensive than downtown, and a standing taxi always costs slightly more than one flagged down from the curb. A couple of alternatives are the Taxi Cancun taxi service that serves all over CancĂșn and runs 24 hours and reserving a ride with Uber.

Taxi Cancun
+52 998 148 9592

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Website: taxiscancun.com

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Post

The postal service in Mexico is very slow and often not very reliable. Sending anything of importance or value is usually safer by courier service. CancĂșn’s main post office is located in the city center where stamps or postcards can be found; mailboxes are red and easy to recognize.

Address: Avenida Sunyaxchen and Avenida Xel-Ha, CancĂșn

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Phone: +52 800 701 7000

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More Information: At Mercado 28, on the corner of the Avenue

Pharmacy

There are two types of pharmacies in Mexico, the regular Farmacia and the Farmacia Similares. The former sells well-known brand medications whilst the latter sells cheaper non-branded medicines. You can find a Farmacia on almost every corner within CancĂșn's downtown, with several located in the Hotel Zone. Many Farmacias are open 24 hours and offer a delivery service for a small surcharge.

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Telephone

Country code: +52
Area code for CancĂșn: 998

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Electricity

110 Volt. Hotels usually offer voltage converters for 220 Volt devices.

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Timezone

The time zone in CancĂșn and Quintana Roo is Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is UTC-5. Since 2022, Mexico does not observe daylight saving time.

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