5 Cancun Vacation Tips That Will Surprise You
Cancun is an incredible vacation destination with white sand beaches, tons of culture, delicious food, and a vibrant nightlife. It’s the kind of place that every Mexican should aim to visit at least once. If you know where to look, there are awe-inspiring and surprisingly affordable vacation adventures to be had.
But because Cancun is sometimes crawling with American spring breakers and other rowdy tourists, knowing when to go is definitely part of snagging the best deal. We’ll let you in on all the secrets of booking that life-changing Cancun getaway.
1. Knowing When To Go
Cancun is a hugely popular destination year-round, so it can be challenging to choose the right time to visit. The best strategy is to decide what is most important to you. You can save a ton of money if you go during September or October, but these are the rainiest months of the year in Cancun.
Prices are highest from mid-December to mid-January as this is when folks typically plan their spring vacations. Late February and March is probably the month that sees the most tourists in Cancun as college kids from all over the world arrive to party. Summertime is very popular with families.
Early December and mid-to-late April may represent the sweet spot – warm and comfortable yet not too crowded. No matter when you go, you’ll find that prices are lower for mid-week stays as well as the flights to get there.
2. Scoring Great Hotel Deals
The trick to landing a great hotel deal is to do your research. First, decide what type of accommodation you want – Cancun has a huge range of lodging options, from five-star resorts to inexpensive motels and backpacker hostels. Most people stay somewhere within the Hotel Zone, a tourist attraction in itself that encompasses a 15 mile strip of beachfront that is shaped like a 7.
But don’t necessarily avoid looking at a higher end hotel even if you are on a budget. Many resorts offer valuable incentives, such as all-inclusive dining and amenity packages, discounts on attractions, and free accommodation for kids.
A great place to start is the website for Cancun.Travel, which allows you to plug in your travel dates and other preferences before showing you a range of lodging options. It’s worth it to then cross-check the prices shown with other booking sites, just to make sure you are getting the best deal.
3. Finding Affordable Flights
It is generally pretty affordable to fly within Mexico. You’ll save money by avoiding Aeromexico, but as this largest carrier in the country has the most flights available, it’s necessary to begin the search for alternate tickets well in advance of your travel dates.
Mexico’s smaller carriers – Interjet, Volaris, and Vivaaerobus – all go to Cancun for less money, but because they are small you may have to book with them directly rather than through a booking website.
Vivaaerobus usually offers the cheapest fares, but their services are a la carte. That means you have to be careful to meet their strict requirements for carry-on luggage if you want to avoid a checked baggage fee and may have to pay extra to board in one of the first groups.
4. Enjoying the Best Attractions
Sightseeing can definitely be expensive. One of the ways to enjoy discounted prices on attractions is to book a hotel that offers them. You can also check out Groupon before you go as there are sometimes great deals to be found on local adventures.
Another thing to remember is that attractions are always more expensive when booked as part of a tour or with a dedicated tour guide. Entrance to fascinating locations such as Tulum, El Rey Ruins, and El Meco Ruins is only about 50 pesos, and even Chichen Itza costs less than 250 pesos to explore (though it takes three hours by bus to get there).
Shopping for souvenirs can be an attraction all by itself when you wander through the aisles of Mercado 28, a large open air market in downtown Cancun. This is a fantastic place to eat affordably, too.
You may also want to shop and eat your way through Parque Las Palapas, located in the city’s main square. It features a newly renovated family-friendly park where you can hear free live music and enjoy festive street performers.
And if you are staying at a resort on the beach, don’t forget to ask if they have free or inexpensive snorkeling gear for you to use!
5. Being a Beach Insider
The beautiful white sand beaches are one of Cancun’s main draws, but it pays to know a bit about your options before you go. As with anything else, your experience will be enhanced when you choose the location that best fits your needs and wants. Cancun sits at the very tip of Mexico’s southern portion and therefore has two distinctly different types of beaches to choose from.
The shorter stretch of North Side beachfront has calm water and fewer people. These beaches are perfect for families with children and people who are looking for quiet snorkeling waters. This side is also the departure point for the water taxi to Isla Mujeres.
On the longer Caribbean side, the water is a more striking turquoise blue. However, the currents are stronger and it may not be the ideal place for swimming. You can jetski and kayak to your heart’s content here.
Near both North and Caribbean beaches are a selection of bars and restaurants to enjoy. Note that some portions of beachfront may be reserved for resort residents.
Bonus Tip: Taking the Bus
Buses in Cancun are safe, clean, and timely – sometimes even air conditioned. Within the city you’ll only pay about 8.5 pesos for a one way trip. Going as far as Chichen Itza costs about 258 pesos. But with the convenience and range of bus options, you won’t need to splurge on taxis to do your sightseeing.
Whether you want to party like a college kid, explore arts and culture, or just kick back on the beach, Cancun has something to offer you. And if you do it right, it’s actually quite an affordable getaway. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to make your Cancun dream a reality, or at least start planning for it!
