El Centro
Budget, localThe real city, with most hostels.
City guide
Things to do in Cancún
The gateway to the Mexican Caribbean: a long strip of white sand and turquoise sea, a cheaper city centre with hostels and taco stands, big nights out, ferries to Isla Mujeres, and the whole Yucatán within reach.
21
Hostels in the city
8.7
Average, from 22,933 reviews
22 km
Hotel Zone
2–3
Days
More than a resort strip
Cancún was built from scratch in the 1970s and is now Mexico's busiest tourist destination. It has two halves: the Hotel Zone, a 22-kilometre sandbar shaped like a 7, lined with resorts, beaches and clubs; and El Centro, the city centre, where locals live and most hostels and cheap food are.
The beaches on the Hotel Zone's east side face the open Caribbean, with white sand and big blue water; the north side faces a calmer bay. Isla Mujeres is a short ferry ride away, and Cancún airport is the main entry point for the whole region.
It is a good start or end to a Yucatán trip. Give it two or three days, with a day on Isla Mujeres.
Where to base yourself
El Centro for hostels, cheap food and local life; the Hotel Zone for the beach and nightlife; Puerto Juárez for the Isla Mujeres ferry.
Hotel Zone
Beach, nightlifeResorts, beaches and clubs.
Puerto Juárez
Ferry, quietNorth of El Centro, by the Isla Mujeres ferry.
Isla Mujeres
Island, relaxedA short ferry ride across the bay.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 10 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Cancún
Spend days on the Hotel Zone's public beaches, such as Playa Delfines, Playa Gaviota Azul and Playa Tortugas. Snorkel or dive among the sculptures of MUSA, the underwater museum.
Take the ferry to Isla Mujeres to swim at Playa Norte and rent a golf cart to Punta Sur. Visit the Museo Maya de Cancún and the San Miguelito ruins beside it, and the small El Rey ruins.
In the season, take a trip to Isla Contoy, a bird sanctuary, or out to swim with whale sharks.
More on things to do in Cancún
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
All beaches in Mexico are public, and the Hotel Zone has signed public access points. Parque de las Palapas in El Centro has street food and free events in the evening.
Watching the sunset over the lagoon from the Hotel Zone costs nothing.
Ferries, museums and tours charge.
More on free things in Cancún
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Eat in El Centro: Mercado 28 and Mercado 23 have cheap set meals, and taquerías sell tacos al pastor for €0.50 to €1.50. Parque de las Palapas has food stalls in the evening.
The Hotel Zone is much more expensive.
Try cochinita pibil, ceviche and fish tacos. A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual in sit-down restaurants; check the bill first, as some add a service charge (propina).
Nightlife
Going out
The Party Center in the Hotel Zone has big clubs and shows, some with open bars and high entry fees. El Centro has cheaper bars, cantinas and hostel parties.
March is spring break, when the Hotel Zone is packed with students.
A beer costs €1.50 to €3 in El Centro and much more in the Hotel Zone.
Getting around
Getting around
ADO buses run from the airport to El Centro and to Playa del Carmen, Tulum and beyond. The Tren Maya station near the airport links Cancún with Valladolid, Chichén Itzá and Mérida.
R-1 and R-2 buses run along the Hotel Zone and in El Centro day and night for under €1. Ferries leave for Isla Mujeres from Puerto Juárez and the Hotel Zone.
Taxis are expensive; agree the fare first, or use the buses.
Costs
What Cancún costs
Hostel beds in El Centro start at around €12 to €25 a night. Tacos cost under €1.50 each.
The Isla Mujeres ferry costs about €20 to €25 return, MUSA snorkel trips about €30 to €50, and club entry €40 to €100 with open bar.
Pay in pesos, not dollars, for better rates, and use ATMs inside banks.
Safety
Safety and scams
Most visitors have no trouble, but drug-related violence happens in Cancún, mostly away from tourist areas. Do not buy drugs, and stay aware in nightlife areas.
Red flags on the Hotel Zone beaches mean strong currents; swim where there is a lifeguard. Watch for card skimming and taxi overcharging.
Sargassum seaweed can pile up on Caribbean beaches between about April and September; check a recent sargassum map before you book. Do not drink the tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hostels provide. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Islands, ruins and cenotes.
Isla Mujeres
Playa Norte and Punta Sur.
Playa del Carmen
Beach town and Cozumel ferry.
Chichén Itzá
The famous pyramid.
Holbox
A car-free island.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Spring break and holidays.
March
Spring break
Hotel Zone
Very busy and loud.
Roughly June to September
Whale shark season
Off the north coast
Tours from Cancún.
31 October to 2 November
Day of the Dead
Cancún
Altars and events.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Cancún, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Mayan Monkey Cancun Hotel Zone - Across the Beach
Dorms from €18 a night
See dates and book
Nomads Hotel Hostel & Rooftop Pool
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Fiesta Party Hostel Cancun
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
The Boat House
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Hostel Ka'beh Cancun
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Caleta Hostel Rooftop & Pool
Dorms from €20 a night
See dates and book
Nílu Cancún Zona Hotelera by Selina
Dorms from €294 a night
See dates and book
Moloch Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Mezcal Boutique Hotel
Rooms from €20 a night
See dates and book
Cancun Plaza Relax Studios
Rooms from €18 a night
See dates and book
When to go
December to April is dry and sunny, and busiest, with spring break in March. May to October is hot and humid, with rain; hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Dry, busy
Feb
Dry
Mar
Spring break
Apr
Easter
May
Hot
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Summer holidays
Aug
Hot
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Rain
Nov
Drying
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Cancún prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours and clubs cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Cancún questions
The ones we get asked most.
El Centro or the Hotel Zone?
El Centro for budget and local food; the Hotel Zone for the beach and clubs.
Are Cancún's beaches public?
Yes, all beaches in Mexico are public; use the signed access points.
How do I get to Isla Mujeres?
By ferry from Puerto Juárez or the Hotel Zone.
Is Cancún safe?
Most visitors have no trouble; do not buy drugs and agree taxi fares first.
How do I get around?
On the R-1 and R-2 buses.
How many days do I need?
Two to three.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April.
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