9 things to know before visiting Cancún

If my frequent travels to Cancún have taught me anything, it's that paradise will throw you a curveball from time to time. Among the setbacks, I've experienced a costly car break-in, brazen price gouging and a debilitating bout of sickness with dengue fever, an ordeal that still makes my joints ache just thinking about it. But every time I've found myself in need of help, the good folks in Cancún have stepped up big-time, and that's no small thing.

While some first-time visitors never leave the touristy, high-gloss hotel zone with its stunning Caribbean beaches, you might kick yourself later if you overlook the bustling downtown Centro. This is where you can mingle with locals in the neighborhood cantinas and barter at traditional markets. Visit one atmospheric taco joint and you’ll be glad you made the effort.

Advertisement

With that in mind, here are my essential tips to make your Cancún vacation run as smoothly as possible.

1. Pack ID, bug spray and casual clothing

To rent a car, you'll need to show a passport, driver's license and credit card. Mexican law requires you to have liability coverage, known in Spanish as daños a terceros.

To protect yourself from mosquitoes and the sun, pack biodegradable insect repellent, long-sleeve shirts and a pair of pants. You'll definitely need the bug spray when visiting during the muggy wet season from May through October.

Even if you have repellent or sunscreen of the biodegradable variety, do not use them while swimming or snorkeling in fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs and cenotes. Loose-fitting clothes that dry quickly will serve you well for water activities and rainy days.

2. Monitor hurricane season and seaweed surges

Cancún's hurricane season runs from June to November, and over the years the city has seen powerful storms cause devastating damage. Always check the latest weather forecast before you board a plane.

Also, keep a close eye on sargassum seaweed surges (sargazo in Spanish), which can turn Cancún's turquoise waters brown. These blooms leave mounds of smelly, decomposing macroalgae carpeted across otherwise white sands. An influx of seaweed makes swimming and sunbathing downright unpleasant. If it happens when you're in Cancún, consider doing less beach time and splash around in hotel pools and cenotes (freshwater sinkholes) instead.

The invasive surges occur intermittently, usually from March to August, but they can be unpredictable. The NGO Red de Monitoreo de Sargazo posts updates on beach conditions in Cancún and the nearby Riviera Maya.

3. Tip generously and haggle respectfully

Keep in mind that many Cancún service workers (namely restaurant and hotel employees) depend on tips to supplement miserable wages. In restaurants, leave a 15% gratuity if the service is not already included. Remember to check the bill carefully, though – some unscrupulous establishments have been known to tack on a "service fee" in the hope that customers unknowingly leave an additional tip.

Advertisement

For airport and hotel porters, tip about M$25 (US$1.21) a bag, while for tour guides give an extra 10–20% of the cost of the outing, or perhaps a bit more for full-day excursions. Gas station attendants typically get about M$5 to M$10 (US$0.24–0.49). Bartenders, baristas and taxi drivers generally do not expect tips but always welcome them.

It's acceptable to haggle with market and street vendors to a certain degree, but remember that they're just trying to make a living.

4. Stay alert but don't let the clickbait headlines spook you

Despite all the grim news about Mexico's drug-related violence, Cancún and the wider Yucatán Peninsula are generally considered safe. Granted, you should never treat the crime problem lightly, but drug gangs rarely target tourists, especially if you avoid illicit activities.

That said, it's important to keep a close watch on your drink in bars and nightclubs. There have been reports of some tourists getting their drinks spiked with so-called date rape drugs. You should also avoid withdrawing money from ATMs at night, and never carry large amounts of cash.

5. Explore beyond Cancún for the best experience

You can usually find plenty of things to do in the hotel zone and downtown Cancún but try to squeeze in at least one trip to see a different side of the Yucatán Peninsula. Seven to 10 days should give you ample time to tour Cancún and beyond.

Venture south to check out ancient ruins, jungle-set swimming holes and small fishing towns along the Riviera Maya, or head east on a day trip to Valladolid, a colonial city with a rich Maya history. Alternatively, the nearby islands of Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox provide blissful nature escapes for snorkeling, diving and kayaking adventures.

6. Carry cash and bring a credit and/or debit card

Even though most places in Cancún accept major credit cards, it's always useful to carry some cash, especially in the smaller surrounding towns and islands.Many hotels, and even some restaurants, accept US dollars, but they normally offer an unfavorable currency exchange rate.

The ubiquitous ATMs – dispensing Mexican pesos – accept foreign debit cards but expect to get dinged with international transaction fees for withdrawals. The same goes for many retail purchases as well. Some major credit cards won't charge such fees, giving you the most bang for your buck. 

7. There's a great food scene beyond the all-inclusive resorts

The hotel zone is home to most of Cancún's all-inclusive hotels, though high-end resorts are also cropping up in Punta Sam and along the sublime Isla Blanca peninsula, north of downtown.

The all-inclusive experience ranges from luxurious adults-only setups with above-and-beyond service (personal butlers and all) to slightly more affordable family-friendly accommodations. If you're looking for a safe, self-contained environment with multiple restaurants, bottomless drinks, easy beach access, alluring outdoor pools, and kid-focused activities, book an all-inclusive.

If you prefer the resort experience without the meals and booze, some places offer room-only rates. This pushes you to get out and dive into Cancún's diverse culinary and nightlife scene. Budget travelers will find more options downtown, where hostels and mid-range digs abound.

8. Don't drink the water, and try street food with caution

Cancún's tap water is generally not safe to drink unless you know it's filtered (agua filtrada). The same goes for drinks prepared with ice; when in doubt go without. Bottled or purified (purificada) water is your best bet to stay hydrated, and you'll need plenty of it to avoid heat exhaustion.

Eating street food can be somewhat dicey in Cancún, but it's a tantalizing risk that many visitors are willing to take.

9. Rideshare services are controversial in Cancún

The app-based transportation service Uber operates in Cancún, but due to a long-running dispute by taxi union members, drivers and their passengers have faced harassment and, in some cases, attacks. If you decide to use Uber, do so at your own risk. Do not order a car from the airport, bus station, ferry terminals or other points where rival taxis may be watching.

For the most affordable transportation from the airport, look for the red ADO bus, which runs frequently from the airport terminals to downtown Cancún's first-class bus terminal. However, if you're staying in the hotel zone, you're better off taking a shuttle or cab.