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Cancun holidays
Cancun is the perfect blend of sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, authentic food and rich culture. There’s so much to experience here, it’s hard to keep up! Read on and discover our ultimate guide to Cancun holidays...
- Flight time
- 10h
- From London to Cancun
- Currency
- $
- Mexican Peso
- Time zone
- GMT - 5h
Getting to Cancun
Cancun is located in Quintana Roo, south-eastern Mexico. Cancun International Airport (CUN) is a 20-minute drive to downtown Cancun, taxis to the Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) cost around €27 and the journey usually takes 30 minutes. A cheaper alternative is to hop on the airport’s bus service towards the city centre, and from there get a separate bus to your hotel. This takes around 60 minutes. Although, many hotels offer their own shuttle bus service from the airport which can be included in your package.
Average weather in Cancun
- Temperature (°C)*
- Rainfall (Inches)*
Holidays in Cancun
The Hotel Zone in Cancun is full of vibrant open-air bars and trendy cocktail lounges, so the party is never too far from your doorstep. After sunset, make your way down to the seaside strip for a bustling atmosphere and an array of bars. Sip on a frozen mango punch at Señor Frogs and line your stomach with grilled shrimp tortillas. There’s also a wide variety of clubs to visit. Coco Bongo is famous for its eccentric vibes and is not to be missed! Think acrobatics, conga lines and confetti canons. Fancy a blast from the past? Head to Dady’O to relive the 80s and 90s. For an intimate mood, check out Grand Mambo Café for live Salsa, Merengue and Bachata music to dance along to. If you’re going out in a large group on the weekend, chances are you’ll snag a free bottle of alcohol if you make a reservation.
Restaurants in Cancun are renowned for their flamboyant flavours and charm. For a truly authentic Mexican food experience, head to downtown Cancun, El Centro. You’ll stumble across plenty of authentic restaurants and traditional bars. While you’re here, visit Parque de las palapas, a plaza filled with stalls selling an array of street food and Yucatecan dishes. There’s also a variety of dining options available in the Hotel Zone. At Casitas, you can dine on an incredible seafood platter with the backdrop of a starlit ocean. If you want to seriously ramp up the experience, reserve a private handmade cabana so you can enjoy your meal directly on the beach!
Cancun has an abundance of upscale shopping malls and designer boutiques to explore. The Hotel Zone has a variety of extensive malls. If you need some retail therapy but don’t want to compensate on vitamin D, La Isla Shopping village is an open-air mall situated on the waterfront, offering the best of both worlds! There’s also an aquarium, restaurants, coffee shops and a cinema here. In downtown Cancun, you’ll find lively, colourful markets selling a variety of artisan-crafted goods. You’ll stumble across Mayan-inspired jewellery, Talavera pottery, hand-woven rugs and blankets, unique clothing, wooden carvings and much more.
Activities in Cancun
Cancun may have a reputation as the party capital of Mexico, but it has so much more to offer! Here’s our favourite activities to do in Cancun...
Watersports
Diving in Cancun
Cancun has over 30 enchanting dive sites to experience. Explore ancient shipwrecks and glide through smooth waters with a kaleidoscope of fish, dolphins, eagle rays and nurse sharks. Museo Subacuático de Arte (the Underwater Museum of Art) offers divers and snorkellers a truly unique experience. Beautifully eerie and ethereal, hundreds of clusters of human sculptures create an aquatic wonderland. Reminiscent of the legend of the lost world of Atlantis, this exhibition will leave divers awe-struck.
Surfing in Cancun
You’ll find the best surfing spots ideally located on the northern side of the Hotel Zone. The best beaches for surfing include Playa Ballenas, Playa Delfines, Playa Chac Mool and Playa Marlin. All these beaches are public, it’s best to hit the waves either before 12:00pm or after 4:00pm for the best protection against the sun and to avoid crowds.
Windsurfing & kitesurfing in Cancun
There’s plenty of places to rent windsurfing equipment in Cancun. The best kiteboarding spot can be found in Isla Blanca, which has a backdrop of gorgeous white sand and smooth turquoise waters. November to June is the best time to go kitesurfing, when the winds are the most consistent.
Sailing in Cancun
Glide through the glistening azure waters of the Caribbean Sea in style. Choose from a luxury yacht rental, a romantic sailboat excursion or a catamaran tour. There’s nothing quite like gently lapping through the whimsical waters surrounding Cancun. If you want to experience true paradise, take a catamaran tour to Isla Mujeres, a tranquil haven northeast of Cancun.
Fishing in Cancun
The Mexican Caribbean Sea is the ideal location for fishing fans. Private boat tours are available around Cancun and Isla Mujeres, operating both snorkelling and deep-sea fishing excursions. For lunch, indulge in a traditional dish, the Yucatan grilled red snapper served with banana leaves. This dish has deeps roots with the native Maya people, you’ll really want to savour these musky flavours.
Canoeing & kayaking in Cancun
There are plenty of tour guides around the Hotel Zone who will be happy to show you around the beautiful Nichupte Lagoon, which is situated on the east coast of Cancun. Another fantastic kayaking spot is Garrafon Natural Reef Park, only a 30-minute boat journey from the Hotel Zone, you’ll find it on the southern side of Isla Mujeres. A little further out you’ll find Holbox Island, which is about two hours away from Cancun. The island is part of a protected ecological reserve, meaning you’ll come across a spectacular range of flora and fauna here.
Land activities
Golf in Cancun
Cancun has an array of golf courses to explore, you’ll never be too far from one. Immerse yourself in lush emerald surroundings and practice your swing across beautiful blue lagoons. Playa Mujeres Golf Club is an 18-hole Par 72 course, boasting incredible views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Moon Golf Club is a 27-hole course and is ranked in the Top 10 Golf Courses in Mexico, it’s situated amongst natural mangroves and exotic fauna.
Cycling & mountain biking in Cancun
Hiring a bike or taking a professional tour is fantastic way of exploring the area and discovering the famous beaches and parks of Cancun. We recommend taking a day trip to Isla Mujeres, where you can rent a bike and take in the unrivalled beauty of the island. For the full experience, take a half-day guided biking tour and explore the most impressive parts of the island.
Walking & hiking in Cancun
If you want to try something other than the idyllic white sand beaches that Cancun is famous for, there are some lovely trails to check out. The botanical garden trail is great for beginners, you’ll be surrounded by lush landscapes made up of tropical plants, palm trees and cacti. Soak in the sunshine on the Avenida Huayacan trail, suitable for all skill levels.
