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Cancun Travel Guide

Location

Cancun is located in the southeast of Mexico and is known as a gem situated on the northeast point of the Yucatan Peninsula. Facing the magnificent Caribbean Sea, the city boasts itself with a scenic spot and a cultural heritage for tourists around the world. 

In general, Cancun is commonly divided into the bustling downtown and renowned Hotel Zone, which is a long strip of a 15-mile bay area within a 20-minute drive from Cancun airport. There are two bridges connecting the island paradise to the city.

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In regards to accommodations, visitors have several choices available to them. The iconic Hotel Zone is a well-known getaway for vacationers who wish to find an idyllic retreat. It is home to numerous all-inclusive resorts of all types, from top-end and budget-friendly to family-oriented and adult-only. If you’re searching for some privacy and tranquility, the northern Costa Mujeres provides a spectacular view of Isla Mujeres on the other side of the water. On the other hand, southern Puerto Morelos is also a lovely lodging option and is popular with many adventure-seekers due to its numerous offshore dive locations and marvelous marine life.

Find the best resort to accompany the gentle winds, sandy beaches, and awe-inspiring azure waters, and foray into Cancun’s vibrant nightlife as well as the wonderful activities!

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Best Time to Visit Cancun

Sunlit beaches, sapphire blue water, unobstructed sky view on the long coastline… Cancun is a remote paradise. But to fully enjoy your stay there, you need to pay attention to its changeable climate, the traveling crowds and more.

Weather

For a beach vacation, the temperature and the rainfall are two crucial factors to consider. And that’s how this ranking comes out:

Golden

February - April

rainfall Average rainfall (day/month)

3

temperature.svg Average temperature (℉)

70-87

Silver

November - January

rainfall Average rainfall (day/month)

7

temperature.svg Average temperature (℉)

65-84

Bronze

May

rainfall Average rainfall (day/month)

7

temperature.svg Average temperature (℉)

75-90

Iron

June - October

rainfall Average rainfall (day/month)

11

temperature.svg Average temperature (℉)

75-90

All in all, if you want to enjoy a warm beach with bright but not burning sunlight, and feel soothed in the outdoor water, spring days can be your best choice.

Crowds & Budget

crowds

People come to Cancun to escape from their busy daily life. So when hotels, resorts, and downtown areas become very crowded in the high seasons (December to April), the increased traffic and noise levels can sometimes reduce your satisfaction with the overall experience. Besides, your budget for accommodation and entertainment just has to be raised for the best weather. Moreover, you’d better settle your plan down as early as possible, in case of the tension of room availability. Many book their vacation in Cancun really early in advance for the high seasons, like even half a year before.

From this perspective, November and May might be a better time for you to schedule your Cancun vacation. Or if your budget is really tight, consider booking an all-inclusive resort during the off-peak season (June to October), and you can enjoy a cozy stay with all your needs taken care of within the resort at a low price.

Seaweed

seaweed

The rainfall goes high in summer and autumn, as it’s the hurricane season in Cancun. But what people usually ignore when planning their trip to Cancun is that the seaweed growth and movement also has its season. And the season now lasts pretty long due to pollution and climate change, almost from February to October. The burst of seaweed patches can wash up to the beaches and release stink, or float in the water near the shore and cause troubles for boats and ferries.

However, the hotels and resorts with private beach areas will make an effort to clean up the seaweed as frequently as possible when it appears. So you may choose whether to visit Cancun in winter to avoid this issue, or you should check out your hotel’s beach management practices carefully.

Best Things to Do in Cancun

While Cancun's gorgeous beaches are a major draw, this popular destination also offers adventures and experiences for different types of travelers. Check out some of the top activities across various categories:

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