Cancun

• History of Cancun - Until 1970, Cancun was a modest fishing town with a population of about 100 Mayans. It was an essential Mayan cultural and heritage site. Even though the area's history dates back to pre-Hispanic times, the city was only founded in 1970. Cancun's rise began with the creation of beaches and the first hotels. Although the city has evolved into a beach resort, several archeological sites can be found. This demonstrates that the area has a long history and that infrastructure has not ruined the ancient places.
• Geography and time zone - Cancun is a city in the state of Quintana Roo, in southeastern Mexico. It’s located on the northeast coast of the Caribbean Sea and represents one of the main resorts in the country. This place has impressive 150 miles of white, sandy beaches.  The city is under Eastern Standard Time, which equals UTC−05:00.
• Climate - Cancun has a tropical climate, with an average temperature of 26°C during the summer. This means Cancun has just two seasons, the wet and the hot and dry one. The dry season lasts from November to April, with January being the coldest month. During the wet season, most of the rain falls, especially in September and October.
• Demography - In Cancun live approximately 900.000 people. 98% of inhabitants are Catholic, and the rest of them are Protestant or other religions. Spanish, African, and even German people settled in here.
• Tradition and culture - What is Cancun unique for? - It’s not just the beaches and resorts that make Cancun unique. Yes, they make a treat part of Cancun’s offer, but it’s not just the palm trees and friendly hotels that you can see. Mayan culture and customs are spread throughout this area, with rich inheritance. Many archeological sites and buildings are still maintained and visited by tourists.  

• Mexico dialing code prefix is +52, and for Cancun is 998
• Cancun Hotel Zone Police - 885-0569
• Police Department - 884-1913
• Fire Department - 884-1202
• Weather Center - 884-4341
• Tourist Assistance Office - 884-8073

• The official currency of Cancun, as in the whole of Mexico, is Peso. And Peso equals 100 centavos. Although this is the official currency, American Dollars can be accepted in some of the Cancun hotels. 100 Mexican Pesos is around ＄4.70, and about €4.20.
• Cancun is not considered much expensive, in comparison to other tropical resort cities. If you would like to spend a luxurious vacation, you will need around €1.500 per week. But if you make a budget trip, about €600 should be enough for one week. If you want to save some extra money, our tips will come in handy.
• Maybe you will consider visiting Cancun out of the peak season when the prices are lower. The weather is not much different, and you still get to enjoy your vacation.
• Eating out of the Hotel Zone may be a great option if you want to save money. This is also an excellent way of getting to know the city and locals.
• Even though you can use U.S. Dollars for paying in the Hotel Zone, the better idea is to convert money into Pesos, it will save you some money.
• Buying tickets online for events, tours and sites will save you additional Pesos.
• If you want to buy souvenirs and gifts, get deeper into the city. Every place that is readily available for tourists usually is more expensive. And if you don’t see price tags on the things you want to buy, feel free to haggle.

• Google Translate - Even though many people speak English, make sure to have this app with you in case you need a translation from Spanish. It will also be useful if you want to speak with locals or learn some Spanish phrases.
• Uber - There are taxis available in the city, but using the Uber app will help you find and book a ride. You will also save some money, which is an additional benefit.
• Google Maps - If you are walking downtown, or even visiting nearby places and areas, Google Maps will come in handy. You can also check the traffic and make sure to get in time to the museums and archeological sites.
• Cancun Smart App - This is an all-in-one app, that will make your vacation perfect. You can check many things, such as weather, news, tours, events, and money exchange rates.
• THC Cancun - This is an order and delivery app. You can find anything you need and make it delivered right to your room. 

• Plane - Two major airports operate in Cancun, Cancun International Airport and Cozumel International Airport. They both serve international flights from many different countries. Keep in mind that Cancun International Airport is closer to the city center, so consider booking a flight that lands here.
• Train - You can take a train from many cities in Quintana Roo, but it won’t take you directly to Cancun, so you would have to change to a bus or rent a car.
• Bus - Taking a bus may be expensive, but it’s still an excellent opportunity to enjoy slower traveling and sightseeing. The problem is that there is not a direct route from most major cities to Cancun. You should inform yourself additional before taking a bus to get to Cancun.
• Car - The best advice you will get for traveling to Cancun is to rent a car, except for the plane. This is an excellent idea if you want to explore cities around Cancun and discover new places.

Best tours

• Scuba Diving - This is a beautiful way to explore the Caribbean Sea. Take a tour to explore the beauties of the azure waters of Cancun and encounter exotic sea animals. Whether you are a first-time diver or an experienced explorer, you will get a chance to dive through the world’s second-largest coral reef.
• Jolly Roger Pirate Show - Take the replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon and experience cruising the Caribbean Sea while having a nice dinner. You will also attend a music event and other activities that represent pirate tradition. 
• Speedboat Tour - For all the adrenaline addicts, this will be a great chance to feel the power of nature. Alone or with a guide, take a ride. Even though you have never done it before, you will be shown how to drive a speedboat.
• Chichén Itzá Tour - Chichén Itzá is a important site that represents Mayan heritage. This was a pre-Columbian city, and today is one of the most important attractions in Mexico. This ancient city is not in Cancun, but the two-and-a-half car ride will take you to this magnificent place. This is a must-see, especially if you take a tour. A guide will tell you everything you need to know about Chichén Itzá.
• Rio Secreto Underground River Tour - One hour ride will take you to this majestic place. Take a tour to discover the beauties of hidden nature. You will visit this natural museum preserved for a long time. This is an underground river with cave ornaments that you can explore hiking or swimming. Keep in mind that you cannot visit it on your own, you’ve got to have a guide with you.

Best Shopping

• Puerto Cancun Marina Town Center - This is one of the main outdoor shopping complexes in Cancun. Except for many stores where you can do your shopping, you can have dinner in one of the restaurants. And it’s near the sea, so you can enjoy your view while taking a break after a day of buying nice clothing.
• La Isla Shopping Village - This is a cute shopping area with numerous clothing and footwear stores in the La Isla neighborhood. It has canals, fountains, and other attractions that include INteractive Aquarium and Golf Club.
• Luxury Avenue Shopping Mall - Luxury Avenue Shopping Mall is home to world-known names in the fashion industry. From Bvlgari to Louis Vuitton, and Rolex to Cartier, you can choose which luxury shop has everything you need.
• Tulum Avenue - If you want to go downtown and meet the city, don’t miss to stroll down Tulum Avenue. Here you can find clothing stores and eat in restaurants with great Mexican food, or you can just enjoy a nice walk down this vivid street.
• Plaza la Fiesta - After shopping in the malls, visit Placa la Fiesta to buy souvenirs. People here sell handicrafts, jewelry, arts, and much other colorful stuff. 

Events and festivals

• Day of the Kings - Every year on January the 6th Cancun celebrates the day when the birth of Jesus was announced. This holiday is celebrated in many countries and cities, but Cancun honors this event out in the streets. You can try foods selling in the stands and dance to the music playing outside.
• Carnaval - This is a colorful festival full of joy that lasts for five days every year. People wear interesting costumes and dance all day long. The party on the streets never ends and plenty of activities enrich this celebration of life.
• Inception Music Festival - During amazing 30 days, this music festival makes people stay awake all night long dancing. This unforgettable event attracts many souls that love partying to electronic music. Shows last during the night as well as in the daylight, and the lineup includes names such as Alan Walker and Brooke Evers.
• Beats Per Minute Festival - Cancun loves to party. And you can see that by its rich music festivals. This one hosts the best underground music scene and for 10 days the party doesn’t stop. Trance and electronic music can be heard during day and night, so take comfortable clothes and go dancing.
• Riviera Maya Jazz Festival - This is one of the world’s 10 most famous jazz festivals. Big jazz and funk names such as Kool and The Gang, Blood Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power performed at this amazing event. The best thing is that for this 14-day-long festival tickets are free. If you are visiting Cancun in November, you should not miss the chance to dance at the sounds of the best jazz and funk in the world.

• The Cancun Underwater Museum of Art - Between Cancun and Isla Mujeres, you will find one of the most amazing and unique museums in the world. It’s an underwater gallery with around five hundred sculptures devoted to the art of conservation. Take swimming goggles and dive into this astonishing museum. The ticket price is approximately €25.
• The Mayan Museum - Mayan civilization was spread within this area for a long time. They left many traces of their existence that are still preserved in the Mayan Museum. Take a chance to see sculptures old more than 14.000 years. 
• Chichen Itza - This is one of the most important and most famous sites in the state. Once, this was the capital of the Mayan civilization and had great historical importance. The main attraction is the Pyramid of Kukulcan, known as El Castillo, which has 365 steps equivalent to the days of the year. It’s a must-see if you are visiting Cancun. To see one of the new seven wonders of the world, you will have to pay €22.
• Tulum - Around 130 kilometers from Cancun you can visit one more ancient Mayan city. Buildings on this site are built in 1200 and 1450, and many of them are still well preserved. It’s located near the sea, so you can enjoy the view of the Caribbean coast from this magical place. The regular ticket price is €3.5.
• Cozumel Island - If you come to Cancun, you should not miss the chance to visit other beaches. Cozumel Island has magical beaches that will leave you out of your breath. Take a plane or a ferry and spend a day or two at this paradisical place.
• Xel-Ha Park - Welcome to the Natural Wonder of Mexico. This ecological park is near Tulum, so it would be a perfect opportunity to make a day trip and see animals like the barracuda, the chac-chi, the horse mackerel, and others. Diving and snorkeling are some of the ways to explore the park, so make sure to take a bathing suit with you. 
• Xcaret Park - Enjoy this ecological park by exploring all its beauties and wonders. You can swim in the middle of the jungle, observe exotic animals and visit the greenhouse. There is also a replica of a Mayan city and cemetery. From the 80-meter-high Scenic Tower, you can get a view of the vast forests and the Caribbean Sea.
• Playa Tortugas - This is one of the most visited beaches on the coast. And there’s a reason for it. Playa Tortugas offers nice sand beaches and many other activities in the nearby bars and party areas. And for adrenaline addicts, you can try bungee jumping.
• El Rey - Another crucial archeological site is situated just around 20 kilometers from Cancun. Forty-seven buildings are situated within this complex that is built during 900A.C. They are all dedicated to the god of the sun, the king of the site. 
• Kabah Park - This is a protected natural area that covers around 40 hectares of jungle. You can take a walk in the wilderness, encountering fascinating animals. You can also visit the Casa Maya Museum at this place, a gallery with old pictures of Cancun that show its first inhabitants.

• Hotels - If you want to make a perfect vacation and get a luxurious room with a pool that looks at the beach, you should make a reservation in one of the 5-star hotels in Cancun. We recommend the Ritz-Carlton, Hard Rock Hotel, or Hyatt Zilara Cancun. If you still want to stay in a hotel but want to pay less, hotels like Oasis Sens del Mar or Playa Blanca will be a great choice. They still offer many benefits and more than decent accommodation.
• Rooms and Apartments - For the best possible experience, we recommend you search the Airbnb site to find a private room or apartment. The prices are not high, you can find accommodation for less than €30 and maybe enjoy the company of your hosts. 
• Hostels and budget accommodation - If you are a backpack traveler, you are familiar with the concept of staying in a hostel room. This is an excellent place to meet new people and hang out during your stay in Cancun. Prices are affordable, so it is possible to book a room for less than €10.
• Resorts in Cancun - Don't forget to check out the resorts in Cancun - they offer a wide range of amenities and activities for all ages.

Where to eat

• In the downtown, known as Centro, you can find many great places to eat with locals and get to know the Cancun culture. For the unique Mexican experience, we recommend going to El Rinconcito de Puebla, El Fish Fritanga, or visiting Parque de las Palapas, a place with many street foods stands.
• If you want to treat yourself to a friendly and exclusive dinner, you can choose between numerous restaurants. This city has many to offer to all of its tourists. That’s for the best experience you should try the food at Lobster at Lorenzillo’s, Tempo by Martín Berasategui, or Les Cépages. You can indulge yourself in the great sea and Mexican food.

Where to go out

• Plenty of nightclubs within Hotel Zone will offer you great fun and leave you with memories you will never forget. The best night fun provide places like Mandala, Coco Bongo, or La Vaquita. Choose between electronic music parties, carnival-like shows, and fancy VIP rooms. 
• If you feel like going downtown and having fun where the locals do, Route 666 Bikers Bar or Casa Latina will be great. You can get a beer or try dancing salsa for the first time. Possibilities are numerous, and you just have to choose a place that fits your spirit the most.

• Buses - The best way to get around the city is by bus, especially in the Hotel Zone, where they run 24 hours a day. They are also cheap since one ride costs around 40 cents. Bus stations are at almost every place in the city, connecting it very well. Major routes are R1 and R2. To check departures, you can use one of the transportation apps.
• Ferry - This is the perfect way to get to the other places from Cancun. You can reach islands and other beaches by taking a ferry. From 9 am to 9 pm, you can take a ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres that runs every half hour. Ticket prices vary from where you want to go, but the average ride fare is around €15.
• Taxi - Taxies are not much expensive, but they still have higher prices than taking the bus. Of course, fares within the Hotel Zone are higher than the ones in the downtown. In any case, you should negotiate the price with the taxi driver. If you feel more comfortable, you can also use Uber since it’s available in Cancun.