Cancun

Travel Guide

Cancun showing landscape views, tropical scenes and a sandy beach
Cancun showing landscape views, tropical scenes and a sandy beach
Hotel Zone showing swimming, a sandy beach and general coastal views
Cancun
Hotel Zone featuring a pool, tropical scenes and a sunset

Relax by the pool, dive through subaquatic caves and learn about the region’s fascinating past through museums and archeological sites.

Cancún is an intriguing city with three distinct faces. It is at once a world-renowned holiday resort, an adventure base for exploring lagoons and caves and an open-air museum showcasing the ruined temples of the Mayans. Draw up an action-packed itinerary for your holiday in this dynamic region.

Choose from the range of lodgings in the Hotel Zone. The area comprises a narrow strip between the Nichupté lagoon and the Caribbean Sea, made up of beaches and luxury hotels. Bring your kids to the Acuario Interactivo for interaction tanks and opportunities to swim with the fish.

Lay down a blanket for a picnic on Playa Delfines, a short taxi ride south from the aquarium. Snap photos of your family in front of the colourful Cancún sign and swim in the clear water. A little north is Playa Tortugas, which is fairly busy, with restaurants serving seafood and Mexican cuisine.

Remaining in the Hotel Zone, visit the Maya Cancun Museum for its captivating historic sights and exhibition spaces. Nearby is the El Rey Ruins, which consists of a small Maya village with a temple dating back to around A.D. 250. Take a trip to the El Meco Archaeological Site in the northern outskirts of the city.

The city is also an ideal base for excursions. Embark on a boat trip from the Gran Puerto Cancún to Isla Mujeres. The island contains the Garrafon Natural Reef Park, which has excellent water visibility for snorkeling. Go with tour operators to the cenote lagoons and underwater caves of Xcaret Park on the mainland.

Find the city on the Yucatán Peninsula in the southeastern part of Mexico. Fly to the Cancún International Airport and get a taxi or bus northeast for around 30 minutes to reach the heart of the Hotel Zone. The city is about 1 hour north of Playa del Carmen and about an hour and 45 minutes north of Tulum by car.

Cancún is the ultimate holiday destination, with a blend of serenity and entertainment.

Where to stay in Cancun

Escenica Tower which includes a luxury hotel or resort, general coastal views and a sandy beach

Zona Hotelera

4/5(130 area reviews)

The stunning beaches and fantastic nightlife are just a few highlights of Zona Hotelera. Make a stop by La Isla Shopping Mall or Delfines Beach while you're exploring the area.

Zona Hotelera
Aerial panoramic view of Punta Norte beach, Cancun, Mexico. Beautiful beach area with luxury hotels near the Caribbean sea in Cancun, Mexico.

Punta Cancun

While visiting Punta Cancun, you might make a stop by sights like Forum Beach and Chac Mool Beach.

Punta Cancun
Aerial view of the Cancun downtown. Busy street with small buildings near the beach area of Cancun in Mexico.

Downtown Cancun

4/5(26 area reviews)

Downtown Cancun is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Plaza 28 and Cancun Mall.

Downtown Cancun
Cancun Hotel Zone

La Isla

If you're spending some time in La Isla, La Isla Shopping Mall and Isla Dorada are top sights worth seeing.

La Isla
Fishing boat in Puerto Juarez at sunrise

Puerto Juarez

The pristine beaches and fun-filled water parks are top of the list for many visitors to Puerto Juarez. A stop by Ultramar Ferry Puerto Juárez or El Niño Beach might round out your trip.

Puerto Juarez
Avenida Tulum

Avenida Tulum

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Avenida Tulum. A stop by Royal Yak Casino and Sports Book or Ceviche Square might round out your trip.

Avenida Tulum
Sunscape Cancun All-Inclusive Resort & Spa by Hyatt

Sunscape Cancun All-Inclusive Resort & Spa by Hyatt

4 out of 5
Zona Hotelera Cancun QROO
The price is €350 per night from 10 Feb to 11 Feb
€350
10 Feb - 11 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Cancun. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,201 reviews)
We've spent alot of years at alot of all-inclusive resorts and the food here was definitely the best. The buffet was average, but all the themed restaurants were excellent. The night time shows were pretty good, but they always had something going on, day and night. The staff was incredible and everything ...

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Sunscape Cancun All-Inclusive Resort & Spa by Hyatt
Seadust Cancún All Inclusive Family Resort

Seadust Cancún All Inclusive Family Resort

3.5 out of 5
Blvd. Kukulcán Km.17, Lote 52-04 Cancun QROO
The price is €312 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
€312
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Cancun. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (2,950 reviews)
.

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Seadust Cancún All Inclusive Family Resort
Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort

Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort

4.5 out of 5
Highway 307 Cancun QROO
The price is €347 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
€347
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Cancun. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free valet parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,230 reviews)
The room was clean and staff were nice.

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park - All Inclusive

All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park - All Inclusive

3.5 out of 5
Km. 1.5 Carretera a Puerto Juarez Cancun QROO
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
6.4/10 (1,162 reviews)
Excellent service from all staff. Waiter Jose from Ostras was phenomenal. We loved the food there best. Everything on that menu was delicious. We definitely had lots of food options all week. It is an older building but it’s a beautiful colonial style and right beside the beach. We loved that it ...

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2026

All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park - All Inclusive
Beachscape Kin ha Villas & Suites

Beachscape Kin ha Villas & Suites

3.5 out of 5
Blvd. Kukulcan Km 8.5 Cancun QROO
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,951 reviews)
This resort is located perfectly as it's a 20 min walk from the Cancun night life and restaurants; the villas are very functional with a supermarket within walking distance. The resort is well maintained and the resort is secure. There is a parking lot for your vehicle. Quiet resort, great place ...

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2026

Beachscape Kin ha Villas & Suites
Casa Turquesa - Near Luxury Avenue Shopping Mall

Casa Turquesa - Near Luxury Avenue Shopping Mall

4 out of 5
Cancun QROO
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Cancun. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,133 reviews)
Wanderful staff, director, perfect see, can only glhigly recommend

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Casa Turquesa - Near Luxury Avenue Shopping Mall
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Other places like Cancun

Explore a world of travel with Expedia