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North America · Mexico

Cancun

Caribbean coast, Mayan ruins, and the best cenotes in the world

Best time
December to April
Language
Spanish (English in Hotel Zone)
Currency
MXN (Mexican Peso)
Timezone
UTC-6
Experiences
27+ available
About Cancun

Cancun is more than its Hotel Zone beach strip (though that strip has some of the most beautiful turquoise water in the world). The real draw is what surrounds it: the sacred ruins of Chichen Itza, the quieter beaches of Isla Mujeres, and the extraordinary cenotes, fresh water sinkholes sacred to the Maya, that dot the Yucatan Peninsula. Use Cancun as a base and explore.

Top attractions
Chichen ItzaCenotes (Ik Kil, Dos Ojos)Isla MujeresTulum RuinsHotel Zone BeachPlaya del Carmen
Must-try food & drink
  • 01Fish tacos at Pescados de Cancun
  • 02Cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) at a local mercado
  • 03Ceviche at El Pescador
  • 04Marquesitas (crispy crepe rolls) from street carts
Getting around
Shared colectivo vans for Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Taxis for Hotel Zone. Rent a car for cenote day trips.
Local tips from travellers

Chichen Itza is best at 8am: crowds arrive in force by 10am

Wear UV protection in cenotes, the water amplifies sun exposure

Always negotiate taxi fares before getting in

Hotel Zone restaurants are expensive, eat in Downtown Cancun for local prices

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Health

The most effective jet lag recovery approach, based on chronobiology

Light exposure, not melatonin, is the most powerful tool for resetting your circadian clock.

Safety

Most travellers are underinsured - here's the minimum you actually need

A single medical evacuation can cost $50,000-$200,000. Standard travel insurance often doesn't cover it.

Editor's choice

our top pick in Cancun

Experiences

things to do in Cancun

Hand-picked tours, activities and tickets, vetted by travellers

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