If there are several of you, you have a lot of luggage, or you’re heading a long way down the coast, a pre-booked transfer or an airport taxi can be worth the money. Here you’ll find all the options with prices, journey times and exactly where to find them: ADO direct to the Hotel Zone, ADO to Downtown and on by city bus, ADO to Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Tren Maya, taxi, Uber, shuttle, transfer and hire car. I also explain how to get past the sellers in the arrivals hall. I’ve worked on an exchange rate of about £0.75 to the dollar and about £4 for 100 pesos.

Quick overview

• ADO direct to the Hotel Zone: from 170 pesos (around £7) per person to Punta Cancún and stops along Boulevard Kukulcán, about 45 minutes, fewer departures than to Downtown.
• ADO to Downtown Cancun: about 140 pesos (around £5.50), 30 to 45 minutes to the ADO terminal on Avenida Tulum, and from there the R-1 city bus to the Hotel Zone for about 13 pesos (around 50p).
• ADO to Playa del Carmen: about 275 pesos (around £11), roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes to the terminal by Quinta Avenida.
• ADO to Tulum: about 450 pesos (around £18), 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, only a few departures a day.
• Tren Maya: shuttle bus from the terminals to Cancún Aeropuerto station and trains towards Playa del Carmen and Tulum, but with few departures and stations outside the towns.
• Airport taxi: fixed price by zone, typically about 900 to 1,500 pesos (around £35 to £60) per car to the Hotel Zone.
• Uber: a legal grey area on arrival, but fine for the return trip.
• Shuttle and transfer: shared shuttle buses from about 18 dollars (around £13) per person and private transfers to the Hotel Zone from about 58 dollars (around £45) per car.
• Hire car: good for the Riviera Maya, Tulum and Chichén Itzá, but unnecessary if you just plan to lie by the pool in the Hotel Zone.

Terminals T2, T3 and T4

Cancun Airport has four terminals, but as a tourist you’ll almost always land at one of the three big ones. Terminal 2 is mostly used for domestic flights and some flights from the rest of Latin America. Terminal 3 is the largest and the one where most flights from the USA, Canada and Europe land. Terminal 4 is the newest and handles both international and Mexican airlines. Terminal 1 is the small terminal for charter and private flights. Which terminal your flight uses is shown on your boarding pass or in the airline’s app, and it’s important to know on the way home, as the terminals aren’t in the same building.

The terminals are spread out along the airport access road, and the distance between them is too far to walk with suitcases. If you need to change terminal, free shuttle buses run between them. The good news is that ADO, the authorised taxis and the transfer companies all stop at the three big terminals, so you don’t need to move until you’re ready to head off. The airport is run by the company ASUR, and you’ll find the official transport companies under transport on ASUR’s Cancun page.

The arrivals hall and the pushy sellers

Once you’ve been through passport control, baggage reclaim and customs, you enter a corridor that many travellers call “the shark tank”. Here people in uniforms stand behind desks with signs such as Information, Tourist Assistance or Welcome, and they call out to you as soon as you walk past. They offer free transport, cheap excursions or help with your transfer, but many of them are actually selling timeshares. A free taxi can end with a sales presentation lasting several hours at a resort.

My advice is to walk straight through without stopping and without showing your voucher to anyone. If you’ve booked a transfer in advance, the driver will be waiting outside with a sign bearing your name, and he’s the one you need to find, not people inside the hall who say they’re from your company. Never buy a taxi from someone who approaches you. The official taxis and ADO have their own desks, and ADO’s red buses stop just outside the exit from the arrivals hall. It’s also a good idea to bring some pesos from your bank or withdraw cash from an ATM inside the terminal, as the bureaux de change in the arrivals hall offer a poor rate.

1. ADO bus from Cancun airport direct to the Hotel Zone

For many years there was no bus from the airport into the Hotel Zone, so you had to go to Downtown and change. ADO has changed that with a direct route from terminals 2, 3 and 4 to the Hotel Zone, which ends at Plaza La Fiesta in Punta Cancún, where Boulevard Kukulcán bends and the big nightclubs and shopping centres are. According to ADO, the bus stops along the way at places including Museo Maya, AquaWorld and Plaza La Isla, but not all departures stop at the same places, so check the stop on your ticket.

According to ADO’s own page about the Hotel Zone route, a single ticket costs from 170 pesos (around £7), and the journey takes about 45 minutes. One suitcase of up to 25 kilos and a small piece of hand luggage are included in the price. You buy your ticket at the ADO desk in the arrivals area or in advance from ADO, and you can pay by card or cash. There are fewer departures than to Downtown, so check the timetable for your terminal and date before you land.

The downside is that the bus doesn’t take you all the way to your hotel. If your resort is a few hundred metres from a stop, that’s fine, but if it’s far down Boulevard Kukulcán, you’ll need to take the R-1 city bus or a taxi for the last stretch. If you’re staying in Punta Cancún, on the other hand, it’s the obvious choice. Aloft by Marriott Cancun is right by Plaza La Fiesta, and you can see prices for Aloft Cancun here. If you’re unsure where in the Hotel Zone or elsewhere in the city to stay, read my guide to where to stay in Cancun, where I go through the areas and hotels in various price ranges.

2. ADO to Downtown and on by city bus

ADO’s regular airport bus runs from terminals 2, 3 and 4 to the ADO terminal in Downtown Cancun on the corner of Avenida Tulum and Avenida Uxmal. A ticket costs around 140 pesos (around £5.60), the journey takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, and buses run at regular intervals from early morning until late in the evening. It’s the cheapest way out of the airport and the right choice if you’re staying in Downtown, where hotels are far cheaper than in the Hotel Zone. Hotel Parador is on Avenida Tulum, a few minutes’ walk from the terminal, and you can check prices at Hotel Parador here.

If you’re heading on to the Hotel Zone, walk out onto Avenida Tulum and take the R-1 city bus with Zona Hotelera in the windscreen. It runs all the way out along Boulevard Kukulcán, past Punta Cancun and down along the beach, and you can get off right outside most of the resorts. The bus runs almost round the clock, the fare is around 13 pesos (around 50p), and you pay the driver in cash with small change, as they rarely have any. The last leg takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on how far out your hotel is. With large suitcases, I’d rather take a regular taxi from the ADO terminal, which costs around 150 to 250 pesos (around £6 to £10) to the Hotel Zone, and that’s still well below the price of an airport taxi.

The same ADO terminal is also the starting point for buses to Chichén Itzá, Valladolid, Mérida and Chiquilá, where the ferry to Holbox departs, and there’s left luggage if you have a few hours to kill. Tickets can be bought on ADO’s website or in the app.

3. ADO to Playa del Carmen

If you’re going to Playa del Carmen, ADO runs directly from the airport, so there’s no need for a detour via Downtown Cancun. Buses run at regular intervals for most of the day and into the evening, the journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, and a ticket costs around 275 pesos (around £11). It travels along Highway 307 past Puerto Morelos, and some departures make a short stop there.

Playa del Carmen has two ADO terminals, and it’s important to choose the right one when you buy your ticket. Terminal Turística is on Quinta Avenida by Avenida Juárez, a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the ferry to Cozumel, and it suits most hotels in the centre best. The other, Terminal Alterna on 20 Avenida and Calle 12, is further up in town and is only the better choice if your hotel is in the northern part. If you land late, check the last departure with ADO, as after that a taxi or transfer are your only options.

4. ADO to Tulum

There are also direct ADO buses from the airport to Tulum, but only a few departures a day. The journey takes 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes with a stop in Playa del Carmen, and a ticket costs around 450 pesos (around £18). If you land at a time when there’s no direct bus, you can take the bus to Playa del Carmen and change there, as buses run between Playa del Carmen and Tulum all day.

The bus terminates at the ADO terminal in Tulum Centro on the main street, Avenida Tulum. From here, the hotels in town are within walking distance, but if you’re staying in Tulum’s hotel zone by the beach, you’ll need a taxi for the last 10 to 20 minutes. Agree the price before you get in, as taxis in Tulum have no meters and are known for being expensive. If you’re there early in the day and fancy seeing the ruins, quite a few ADO buses also stop at the Tulum ruins stop, so ask at the counter whether yours does.

5. Tren Maya from Cancun Aeropuerto

The new Tren Maya train has a station called Cancun Aeropuerto, but don’t be fooled by the name. The station is some way south of the terminals, and you can’t walk there. A shuttle bus runs between the terminals and the station for around 35 pesos (around £1.40), and you usually buy the ticket for it at the ADO counter. From the station, the train runs south to Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen and Tulum and on around the Yucatán Peninsula.

The train is modern and spacious with plenty of room for luggage, but for the short trips along the coast it’s rarely the smartest choice. There are only a few trains a day, and the stations in Playa del Carmen and Tulum are outside the towns, so you’ll need a bus or taxi at both ends. Foreign tourists pay a higher fare than Mexicans, and in tourist class the trip to Playa del Carmen costs around 230 pesos (around £9) and to Tulum around 450 to 500 pesos (around £18 to £20). By comparison, ADO runs straight into the centre for roughly the same price.

Tren Maya makes most sense if you’re travelling further across the peninsula, for example to Valladolid, Mérida or Bacalar, and fancy a train journey. You’ll find the timetable and stations at Tren Maya, and tickets are sold on Tren Maya’s official ticket site and at the ticket office at the station. Bring passports for all travellers, and be careful about booking a ticket in advance for the same day you land, as tickets can’t be changed shortly before departure, and delayed flights are common.

6. Taxi from Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone

Only authorised airport taxis and approved transfer companies are allowed to pick up passengers at the airport, and Cancun’s regular yellow and green city taxis may only drop off. Airport taxis charge fixed prices depending on the zone you’re going to, and you buy the trip at the official counter in the arrivals area before you head out to the car. The price is per car, not per person.

The airport taxi is expensive. Expect around 900 to 1,500 pesos (around £35 to £60) to the Hotel Zone, around 700 to 900 pesos (around £30 to £35) to Downtown, around 95 to 120 dollars (around £70 to £90) to Playa del Carmen and around 150 to 220 dollars (around £110 to £165) to Tulum. Get the price in pesos, as the dollar price is often rounded up at a poor rate, and get it confirmed in writing before you pay. The trip to the Hotel Zone takes 20 to 40 minutes.

Honestly, a pre-booked transfer is almost always cheaper than the airport taxi to the same place, so the taxi makes most sense if you haven’t managed to book anything and the bus doesn’t suit you. If there are four of you with lots of luggage, though, the price per person can be reasonable.

7. Uber from Cancun Airport

Uber is a sore point in Cancun. The taxi unions have fought the app for many years, and although Uber has won several court cases, the Mexican authorities still say that app drivers may not pick up passengers at the airport, and there’s no official pick-up zone. The situation has changed several times, and drivers have been fined, so a regular UberX from the arrivals hall isn’t something I’d build my plans around. Uber has also offered an option where you pre-book a taxi ride through the app, but check what the app offers when you land.

On the other hand, Uber works fine in town and on the way back to the airport, as drivers are allowed to drop off at the terminals. A trip from the Hotel Zone to the airport is usually cheaper than the airport taxi the other way, but the price rises when lots of people are leaving at the same time. DiDi and InDrive are also used in Cancun and work in the same way.

8. Shuttle and private transfer

Pre-booked transport is the most common option in Cancun, and there are plenty of companies to choose from. A shared shuttle is a minibus you share with other travellers heading to hotels in the same direction, and it costs from around 18 dollars (around £15) per person to the Hotel Zone and from around 35 dollars (around £25) to Playa del Carmen. The downside is that you may have to wait at the airport and make several stops along the way. If you’ve booked an all-inclusive package through a tour operator, the transfer is often included in the price, and you’ll find the company’s staff outside the arrivals hall.

A private transfer is a pre-booked car or minibus with a driver that only takes your group, and it goes straight to your hotel door for a fixed price. On GetYourGuide, a private transfer to the Hotel Zone costs from around 58 dollars (around £45) for the vehicle, with room for up to eight people, and it’s often cheaper than the airport taxi. This is what I recommend for families, for those of you landing late, and for anyone heading to Playa del Carmen or Tulum with suitcases.

Book a private transfer from Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone here.

If you’re going further down the coast, there are also transfers to the whole of the Riviera Maya from around 21 dollars (around £16) per person, with the price depending on how far you’re going.

Book a transfer to Playa del Carmen, Tulum or the Riviera Maya here.

Enter your flight number when you book so the driver can keep track of any delays, and bear in mind that passport control in Cancun can take a long time when several flights from Europe and the USA land at once. The driver waits outside the terminal with a sign, so walk past anyone inside the hall who claims to be from your company.

9. Car hire from Cancun Airport

The big car hire companies have desks or representatives at the terminals, but the cars themselves are often kept at depots near the airport, which you reach on the company’s own shuttle bus. You can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com, and read the terms and conditions carefully. In Mexico, the mandatory liability insurance is often not included in the low price you see online, so the price at the desk can end up much higher than expected. Also check how large a deposit will be held on your credit card.

From the airport it’s around 20 to 30 minutes to the Hotel Zone, around an hour along Highway 307 to Playa del Carmen and just under two hours to Tulum. A car is great if you want to explore the cenotes, Chichén Itzá, Valladolid and the beaches along the Riviera Maya at your own pace. If, on the other hand, you’re just staying at a resort in the Hotel Zone, a car is a waste of money, as most hotels charge for parking and the city bus runs right past the door. Follow the signs, stick to the speed limits and slow down for the many speed bumps, which Mexicans call topes.

Getting back to the airport

From the Hotel Zone and Downtown, Uber, a city taxi or a pre-booked transfer is the easiest option, as they’re all allowed to drop off at the terminals. City taxis in the Hotel Zone are expensive and don’t have meters, so agree on the price before you set off. The cheapest way is ADO from the bus terminal in Downtown, which runs to Terminals 2, 3 and 4. From Playa del Carmen and Tulum, ADO runs directly to the airport, and it pays to buy your ticket in advance during the high season, when departures sell out.

Tell the driver which terminal you need, and double-check it on your boarding pass, as the terminals aren’t next to each other. Allow 30 to 45 minutes from the Hotel Zone, and be at the airport three hours before a flight to Europe, as the queues at check-in and security can be long.

If you have a very early flight, or you land late and are moving on the next day, it pays to stay near the airport. Hilton Garden Inn Cancun Airport is on the road leading to the terminals and has a free airport shuttle, and you can see prices for Hilton Garden Inn Cancun Airport here. If you’re flying on to Mexico City, you can read my guide to where to stay in Mexico City.

Which option should you choose?

Here’s my recommendation based on where you’re staying and how you’re travelling:

Punta Cancún and the northern part of the Hotel Zone: Take ADO directly to the Hotel Zone from 170 pesos (around £7) if the departure times suit you, or a private transfer if there are several of you.

The southern part of the Hotel Zone: A private transfer is the easiest option, as the resorts are spread far apart. If you’re travelling light and on a budget, take ADO to the Hotel Zone and the R-1 for the final stretch.

Downtown Cancun: ADO to the bus terminal on Avenida Tulum for around 140 pesos (around £6). It’s cheap, quick and almost impossible to get wrong.

Playa del Carmen: ADO directly to Terminal Turística on Quinta Avenida. With children and lots of luggage, a private transfer to your hotel door is worth considering.

Tulum: ADO if the departure times suit you, otherwise a private transfer. The airport taxi is very expensive for the long journey.

If you land late: Book a transfer in advance so you’re not left haggling with taxi drivers after a long flight.

Touring the Yucatán: Pick up your hire car at the airport, but read the insurance terms before you book.

Practical tips for getting from Cancun airport to Hotel Zone and beyond

Pay in pesos. Dollars are accepted in many places, but the exchange rate is almost always poor. Withdraw pesos from a cash machine inside the terminal, and keep small change for the city bus and tips.

Don’t stop in the arrivals hall. Walk past all the desks and sellers until you’re outside. That’s where ADO, the official taxis and your transfer are waiting.

Check your terminal. Both on arrival and on departure, you need to know whether you’re flying from Terminal 2, 3 or 4, as your ADO-ticket and transfer are valid for the terminal you’ve chosen.

Remember the tourist tax. The state of Quintana Roo, where Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are located, charges a tax on foreign tourists, including children. It’s paid on the official VISITAX website, and it’s easiest to do it before you head home.

Book ahead in the high season. From Christmas to Easter and during the American school holidays, both buses and transfers fill up, so book your ADO-ticket or transfer as soon as you know your flight times.

Leave a tip. It’s customary to give the driver 10 to 15 per cent on a transfer or taxi ride, and a little to whoever lifts your suitcases onto the bus.

The post Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone – Transport Guide appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Where you base yourself makes a big difference, because the distances are greater than they look on the map. Do you want all-inclusive, nightlife, low prices or a quiet island? Here are my six suggested areas and three hotels in each, from luxury to budget.

Where to Stay in Cancun: The Best Areas

• Northern Hotel Zone - best area for first-time visitors and nightlife
• Southern Hotel Zone - best area for all-inclusive and beach holidays
• Downtown Cancun - best area for local food and low prices
• Costa Mujeres - best area for luxury resorts and peace and quiet
• Isla Mujeres - best area for couples and island calm
• Playa del Carmen - best area for town life and day trips on the Riviera Maya

Below, I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in February for two people, and February is high season, so they’re usually lower in September and October. Remember that the price of an all-inclusive hotel covers food and drink for both of you, so compare it with a standard hotel plus what you’d otherwise spend in restaurants. Hotels usually price in US dollars, and 1 dollar is roughly 75p.

1. Northern Hotel Zone - best area for first-time visitors and nightlife

• Distance to the centre: Punta Cancún is at km 9 on Boulevard Kukulcán, about 9 km from Downtown. By bus it takes 20 to 30 minutes.
• Transport: Buses marked R-1 and Zona Hotelera run frequently along the whole boulevard to Downtown, and a ride costs about 13 pesos (around 50p).
• Time from Cancun Airport: About 25 minutes by car or taxi.
• Price level: $ to $$$$. The three hotels below cost roughly 105 to 725 dollars (around £80 to £540) per night when I searched for a weekend in February, and the most expensive is all-inclusive.
• Safety: The Hotel Zone is the most heavily policed area of Cancun, with police along the boulevard. Keep a close eye on your belongings in the crowds around the nightclubs late at night.

The Hotel Zone is the long, narrow sandbar between the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupté Lagoon, shaped like the number 7, with Boulevard Kukulcán running all the way through it. The northern stretch from Downtown out to Punta Cancún faces the Bahía de Mujeres, so beaches such as Playa Tortugas, Playa Langosta and Playa Caracol have calm, shallow water without big waves. Out on the point at km 9 is the Party Center, where nightclubs like Coco Bongo, shopping centres and restaurants sit side by side.

From here it’s easy to get out on the water. The ferry to Isla Mujeres leaves from the piers at Playa Tortugas and Playa Caracol, and if you fancy a full day of snorkelling and beach time, you can take a catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres from about 35 dollars (around £25). I’ve written a whole guide on getting here from the plane by bus, shuttle or taxi: From Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone.

See hotels in the northern Hotel Zone here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Cancun, if you want to be able to walk to restaurants and bars in the evening, or if you’re travelling with young children and want a beach with calm water. Most things are just a few minutes’ walk away, and the bus takes you to Downtown when you want to eat more cheaply.

The downside is the noise and the crowds. Around the Party Center the partying goes on until late into the night, especially in March, when American students are on spring break, so pick a hotel a little away from km 9 if you want to sleep. The beaches on the north side are also narrower than those further south.

Hotels in the Northern Hotel Zone

Hyatt Ziva Cancun All-Inclusive - all-inclusive luxury resort right out on Punta Cancún

Hyatt Ziva sits right at the tip of Punta Cancún with sea on three sides and beaches facing both north and east. There are several pools, a spa, a kids’ club and a wide choice of restaurants, and food and drink are included in the price. Some guests find check-in impersonal and too focused on selling upgrades.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic resort, it exceeded my expectations.”

See photos and book Hyatt Ziva Cancun here.

Beachscape Kin Ha Villas & Suites - quiet beach hotel with a garden at km 8.5

Beachscape Kin Ha is at km 8.5, right on the beach on the north side, where the water is calm, and it’s a few minutes’ walk to Punta Cancún. There’s a pool, a restaurant and free parking, and you can book room only or with breakfast. Rooms facing the boulevard can be noisy.

From one review: “Nice, clean hotel with a beautiful garden, pool and beach, a good restaurant and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Beachscape Kin Ha here.

Sina Suites Cancun - simple adults-only hotel by the lagoon

Sina Suites is on the lagoon side by the Pok-Ta-Pok golf course, less than a kilometre from the beach, and is adults only. There’s a pool with a bar and free parking, and it was the cheapest of my three picks in this area when I searched. You’re not staying on the beach, and a few guests find the food in the restaurant expensive.

One guest highlights: “A nice, comfortable hotel in a quiet spot.”

See photos and book Sina Suites here.

2. Hotel Zone South - best area for all-inclusive and beach holidays

• Distance to the centre: The southern part lies between km 13 and km 21, roughly 15 to 25 km from Downtown. By bus it takes 40 minutes or more.
• Transport: The buses run down here too, but most people take a taxi or stay at the hotel. Taxis in the Hotel Zone are expensive, so agree the fare before you get in.
• Time from Cancun Airport: Around 15 to 20 minutes by car, as the airport is just to the south.
• Price level: $$ to $$$$$. The three hotels below cost around 110 to 665 dollars (roughly £80 to £500) per night when I searched for a weekend in February, and the two most expensive are all-inclusive.
• Safety: Very safe around the resorts. Respect the sea, though, as the beaches here have waves and currents, so keep an eye on the flags by the lifeguard towers.

After Punta Cancun, the Hotel Zone turns south, and here the beaches face straight out onto the open Caribbean Sea. The sand is wider and whiter, the water is turquoise, and the hotels are big resorts with pools stretching right down to the beach. Playa Delfines at km 17.5 is one of the few large public beaches, and from the El Mirador viewpoint you can see the coastline in both directions.

At Punta Nizuc, at the southern end, you’ll find the MUSA underwater museum with more than 500 life-size sculptures, and a snorkelling trip to the gallery at Punta Nizuc costs 58 dollars (around £45). On the other side of the boulevard is the lagoon, where you can go by kayak or speedboat through the mangroves, and at Plaza Kukulcán, around km 13, there are restaurants with views over the water.

See hotels in Hotel Zone South here.

I would stay here if you want a classic all-inclusive beach holiday. In Cancun, all-inclusive is the rule rather than the exception, and it makes sense if you mainly want to lounge by the pool and on the beach. Just bear in mind that the à la carte restaurants need booking, the best drinks can cost extra, and tipping is still part of everyday life. If you want to eat out and explore the Riviera Maya, you’ll be paying for something you don’t use, so you’re better off choosing a hotel without all-inclusive.

The downside is sargassum seaweed. From spring until late summer, the brown seaweed drifts onto the east-facing beaches, and for some weeks large amounts pile up before the hotels manage to clear it. The quantities vary a lot from year to year, and the University of South Florida publishes a monthly forecast for the Caribbean. In winter there’s usually very little.

Hotels in Hotel Zone South

Secrets Mirabel Cancun Resort & Spa - adults-only luxury resort at km 19.5

Secrets Mirabel sits at km 19.5 right on the beach, with views over both the sea and the lagoon. It’s all-inclusive and adults-only, with a spa, an infinity pool and several restaurants. Guests complain that the staff are constantly trying to sell them something and that it’s hard to get a sun lounger.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The food was incredible with lots of variety, and the staff were friendly and attentive.”

See photos and book Secrets Mirabel here.

Oleo Cancun Playa All Inclusive Resort - all-inclusive at a mid-range price

Oleo Cancun Playa is also at km 19.5 on the beach, and here you get all-inclusive for less than at its neighbours. There’s a pool, a spa and a tennis court, and the hotel charges an environmental tax of around 5 dollars (about £4) per room per night on arrival. The loungers by the pool and on the beach are often reserved early in the morning.

One review says: “The staff were all really friendly and helpful and always cheerful, polite and welcoming.”

See photos and book Oleo Cancun Playa here.

BSEA Cancun Plaza Hotel - older beach hotel without all-inclusive

BSEA Cancun Plaza is at km 19.5 right on the beach, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched. There’s a pool, free parking and beach loungers, but no all-inclusive, so you pay for food separately. Several guests mention that the building is very old and the furniture is basic.

One guest highlights: “Polite service, a clean hotel and a beachfront location in the hotel zone.”

See photos and book BSEA Cancun Plaza here.

3. Downtown Cancun - best area for local food and low prices

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the city itself. Avenida Tulum is the main street, and from here it’s about 15 minutes by bus to the first beaches in the Hotel Zone.
• Transport: The ADO bus terminal is on Avenida Tulum, with buses to the airport, Playa del Carmen and the rest of the Yucatán, and the R-1 bus runs out to the Hotel Zone.
• Time from Cancun Airport: About 20 to 25 minutes by car or taxi and 30 to 45 minutes on the ADO bus to the terminal.
• Price level: $ to $$. The three hotels below were around 50 to 150 dollars (roughly £35 to £110) per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: The streets around Avenida Tulum and Parque de las Palapas are lively and fine in the evening. Take a registered taxi late at night and stick to the central streets.

Downtown is the Cancun where the locals live and work, and it looks nothing like the Hotel Zone. There’s no beach here, but you get low prices, proper taquerias and street life in the evening instead. Parque de las Palapas is the city’s meeting point, with stalls selling marquesitas and tacos and live music, and at Mercado 28 you can buy souvenirs and have lunch for a fraction of the price out by the water. In the evening the little streets around the park are full of families, and the food often costs less than half of what you’d pay in the Hotel Zone.

Downtown is also a good base for day trips. Buses from the ADO terminal run to Valladolid and Mérida, and if you’d rather not drive yourself, you can take a day trip to Chichén Itzá with a cenote and Valladolid from around 57 dollars (around £45). The ancient Mayan city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is about two and a half to three hours away by car.

See hotels in Downtown Cancun here.

I’d stay here if you’re travelling on a budget, if you only have one night before or after a road trip, or if you want to see the Mexico that isn’t built for tourists. Many hotels have a pool, and a couple of them run free shuttles for guests out to the Hotel Zone.

The downside is the distance to the beach. You’ll need to take the bus every day, and in the hottest months it’s tough staying somewhere without a sea breeze. Also, stick to the streets around Avenida Tulum, Avenida Yaxchilán and the park, as the outlying residential neighbourhoods further into the city are a long way from everything and have nothing for tourists.

Hotels in Downtown Cancun

Enigmatic Boutique Hotel - adults-only five-star boutique hotel

Enigmatic is on Calle Mero in a quiet neighbourhood a few minutes’ walk from Avenida Tulum, and it’s adults only. There’s a pool, spa and restaurant, and breakfast is served. Some guests complain about damp in the rooms and poor lighting.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel is fabulous for the price. Our two rooms with king-size beds were huge and very nicely decorated.”

See photos and book Enigmatic Boutique Hotel here.

Adhara Hacienda Cancun - large mid-range hotel with pool and breakfast

Adhara Hacienda is on Avenida Nader close to Avenida Tulum and had the highest score of the three hotels in this area in my search, with over 4,000 reviews. Breakfast is included, parking is free, and the hotel runs a free shuttle for guests out to the Hotel Zone. Without a car, though, it’s a bit of a trek to most places, according to some guests.

From one review: “Good pool and lovely breakfast. Free parking.”

See photos and book Adhara Hacienda here.

Hotel Parador - cheap and simple hotel on Avenida Tulum

Hotel Parador is on Avenida Tulum in the middle of Downtown, a few minutes’ walk from Parque de las Palapas and the ADO terminal. There’s a pool and free parking, and it was the cheapest hotel in the whole guide when I searched. Breakfast isn’t included, and a few guests feel the photos of the pool look nicer than the real thing.

One guest highlights: “The staff were very kind and welcoming. The rooms were clean, and the pool looked nice.”

See photos and book Hotel Parador here.

4. Costa Mujeres - best area for luxury resorts and peace and quiet

• Distance to the centre: Costa Mujeres is on the mainland north of Puerto Juárez, around 10 to 30 km from Downtown depending on the hotel.
• Transport: There’s no practical public transport, so you’ll need a taxi, a transfer or a hire car if you want to leave the resort.
• Time from Cancun Airport: Around 35 to 50 minutes by car.
• Price level: $$$$ to $$$$$. The three hotels below cost around 400 to 1,190 dollars (roughly £300 to £890) a night when I searched for a weekend in February, and the two most expensive are all-inclusive.
• Safety: Very safe within the resorts, which sit behind guarded entrances. There just isn’t much to walk to outside the hotel grounds.

Costa Mujeres is Cancun’s newest resort coast and lies on the mainland directly opposite Isla Mujeres. Along the road towards Punta Sam and Isla Blanca, large resorts have been built with golf courses, long pools and their own beaches, and there’s far more space and calm than in the Hotel Zone. The beaches face Bahía de Mujeres, so the water is often calm and there are fewer people.

You’re staying close to Isla Mujeres. From Puerto Juárez and the car ferry at Punta Sam it’s a short hop over to the island, and many of the resorts arrange catamaran trips. Otherwise there isn’t much outside the hotel, and that’s precisely the point. On the other hand, most resorts have so many pools, restaurants and activities that a week flies by without leaving the area.

See hotels in Costa Mujeres here.

I’d stay here if you want a big luxury resort, if you’re on your honeymoon, or if you’re a family who wants a week of pool, beach and kids’ club without having to go anywhere. All-inclusive makes more sense here than in any other area in this guide, as there are no restaurants to head out to in the evening. Many of the resorts are new, so the rooms are modern and often larger than in the Hotel Zone.

The downside is the price and the distance to everything else. There are no cheap hotels in Costa Mujeres, and a taxi to the Party Center or Downtown can easily cost as much as a dinner. If you want to take day trips to Playa del Carmen, Tulum or the cenotes, you’ll also spend longer in the car than from the Hotel Zone. Also check whether an airport transfer is included in the price, as a taxi out here is expensive.

Hotels in Costa Mujeres

Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres - adults-only luxury resort at the far northern end

Secrets Playa Blanca sits far to the north on the road towards Isla Blanca and is the most expensive hotel in this guide. It’s all-inclusive and adults-only, with an infinity pool, a spa and several restaurants, and it has the highest rating of my three suggestions out here. Some guests mention noise when there are events at the hotel.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was far beyond our expectations!”

See photos and book Secrets Playa Blanca here.

Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort - all-inclusive family resort by the golf course

Dreams Playa Mujeres is located by the golf course in Playa Mujeres, right on the beach. It’s all-inclusive and built for families, with a kids’ club, water slides and several pools. Several guests feel the pricier Preferred Club rooms aren’t worth the money.

From one review: “Very relaxing, good food, and the staff were super friendly.”

See photos and book Dreams Playa Mujeres here.

Villa del Palmar Cancun Luxury Beach Resort & Spa - large family resort closest to the city

Villa del Palmar sits at km 5.2 on the road towards Punta Sam and is the closest of the three hotels to Downtown. There’s a kids’ club, a spa and several pools, and you can choose with or without all-inclusive. Guests mention that there isn’t much to eat outside the resort.

One guest highlights: “The resort was very clean, and the staff were friendly and welcoming.”

See photos and book Villa del Palmar here.

5. Isla Mujeres - best area for couples and island calm

• Distance to the centre: The island lies just off Cancun, and the ferry from Puerto Juárez takes around 20 minutes. The town and Playa Norte are on the island’s northern tip.
• Transport: You can walk around town, and for the rest of the island you can use a golf cart, scooter, bike or taxi. There’s no need for a car.
• Time from Cancun Airport: Around half an hour by taxi to Puerto Juárez and then the ferry, so allow one to one and a half hours in total.
• Price level: $ to $$$$. The three hotels below cost roughly 85 to 590 US dollars (around £65 to £440) per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: Isla Mujeres is relaxed and safe. Drive carefully in your golf cart, as the roads are narrow and shared with taxis and scooters.

Isla Mujeres is a narrow island around 7 km long off the coast of Cancun, with colourful houses, café-lined streets and a completely different pace from the mainland. Playa Norte on the northern tip is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole area, with white sand and shallow, calm water you can wade far out into, and in the evening people gather here for the sunset. At the southern end you’ll find the cliffs at Punta Sur. Lots of visitors hire a golf cart for the day and drive all the way round the island, and at Garrafón in the south you can snorkel on the reef.

The ferry sails from Puerto Juárez and from several piers in the Hotel Zone, and you’ll find the timetable and fares at Ultramar. Tickets are cheapest from Puerto Juárez, and the ferry company asks you to be at the terminal half an hour before departure.

See hotels on Isla Mujeres here.

I’d stay here if you’re a couple or travelling solo and want a holiday on a small island within walking distance of both the beach and restaurants. It’s also a good choice if you want to avoid most of the sargassum seaweed, as Playa Norte faces north and usually gets far less than the east-facing beaches.

The downside is the day-trippers. From late morning the catamarans arrive from Cancun, Playa Norte fills up and sunloungers at the beach bars cost money. If you want to go on excursions to Chichén Itzá or the cenotes, you’ll also have to take the ferry first, so the island is best suited to a beach holiday. On the other hand, the island becomes quiet and pleasant once most of the day-trippers have sailed back in the afternoon.

Hotels on Isla Mujeres

Ixchel Beach Hotel - beach hotel right on Playa Norte

Ixchel Beach Hotel sits right on Playa Norte, around a ten-minute walk from the ferry terminal, and has a pool and bar facing the beach. It’s the most expensive of my three suggestions on the island, but you’re staying on the best beach. Several guests find the food and drink at the hotel expensive.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The beach by the hotel (Playa Norte) was amazing. One of the best beaches we have ever seen.”

See photos and book Ixchel Beach Hotel here.

The Mint Resort Isla Mujeres - hotel with a pool in the middle of town

The Mint Resort is on Avenida Madero in the middle of town, around a four-minute walk from Playa Norte and five to ten minutes from the ferry. There’s a pool, spa and restaurant. Some guests find the beds uncomfortable.

One review reads: “The Mint Resort is a fantastic place to stay on Isla Mujeres, so good that we even extended our stay by two more nights.”

See photos and book The Mint Resort here.

Suites Los Arcos - cheap, clean rooms on Avenida Hidalgo

Suites Los Arcos is on Avenida Hidalgo, the island’s street of restaurants and bars, around a ten-minute walk from Playa Norte. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions on the island when I searched. There’s no pool, and guests mention noise from the nearby bars.

One guest highlights: “The place was really good for the price, very clean, check-in was easy, and the staff were friendly and very helpful.”

See photos and book Suites Los Arcos here.

6. Playa del Carmen - best area for town life and day trips on the Riviera Maya

• Distance to the centre: Playa del Carmen is about 65 km south of Cancun. You stay in the middle of town and can walk to both the beach and Quinta Avenida.
• Transport: ADO buses run to Cancun and the airport, and colectivos run along the coast towards Tulum. The ferry to Cozumel leaves from the pier by Parque Los Fundadores.
• Time from Cancun Airport: About 45 minutes to an hour by car or on the ADO bus.
• Price level: $ to $$$. The three hotels below cost about 95 to 295 dollars (around £70 to £220) per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: Quinta Avenida is lively and fine in the evening, but watch out for pickpockets and pushy vendors, and never buy anything from people offering drugs.

Playa del Carmen isn’t Cancun, but many people choose the town as their base instead of the Hotel Zone. It sits in the middle of the Riviera Maya and has a proper town centre, where the pedestrian street Quinta Avenida runs parallel to the beach from Parque Los Fundadores northwards, lined with restaurants, bars and shops. You can walk everywhere, and there are far more small hotels and apartments than big resorts. In the evening, the action moves up towards Calle 12, where most of the bars and clubs are.

From here it’s a short trip to the cenotes, Tulum and the theme parks along the coast, and you can take the boat to Cozumel. It’s a good idea to hire a car for a couple of days, and you can compare prices at car hire at Booking.com. If you’d rather not drive yourself, you can take a jungle buggy tour with a swim in a cenote from about 105 dollars (around £80).

See hotels in Playa del Carmen here.

I would stay here if you want to see as much of the Riviera Maya as possible, if you like eating out every evening, or if you’d rather stay in a town with some life than at a resort. Tulum is about an hour further south, so Playa del Carmen is also a good compromise if you want to fit both Tulum and Cancun into your trip. The restaurants are also cheaper than in the Hotel Zone.

The downside is the beach. It’s narrower than in the Hotel Zone and faces east, so it gets sargassum seaweed in season, and the central stretch is very crowded. Quinta Avenida is also very touristy, with vendors calling out to you, and prices rise the closer you get to Parque Los Fundadores.

Hotels in Playa del Carmen

Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen - adults-only all-inclusive on the beach

Wyndham Alltra is on Calle Constituyentes, right on the beach in the northern part of the centre, less than a kilometre from the busiest stretch of Quinta Avenida. It’s all-inclusive and adults-only, with a rooftop pool, a spa and several restaurants. The pool area can get crowded and noisy when the hotel is full.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything! Fantastic service and facilities at a very reasonable price.”

See photos and book Wyndham Alltra here.

Hotel Casa Colibri - beach hotel in the middle of town

Casa Colibri is on 1. Avenida between Calle 10 and 12, right on the beach and a few minutes’ walk from Quinta Avenida. There’s no pool and breakfast costs extra, but the beach is right outside the door. Bars and clubs nearby can be noisy at night.

From a review: “Great location right on the beach, close to all the main spots in Playa del Carmen.”

See photos and book Casa Colibri here.

Hotel Casa de las Flores - small hotel with a pool a little away from the main street

Casa de las Flores is on Avenida 20 between Calle 4 and 6, a couple of blocks from Quinta Avenida and about 550 metres from the beach. There’s a pool, and breakfast is included in the price. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched, but some guests mention street noise.

One guest highlights: “Fantastic hotel a little away from the main street in Playa del Carmen.”

See photos and book Casa de las Flores here.

Where not to stay in Cancun?

Don’t stay on the lagoon side of the Hotel Zone if the beach matters most to you. The hotels over there are cheaper, but you’ll have to cross the busy boulevard and find a public beach access every day. In Downtown, stick to the neighbourhoods around Avenida Tulum, as the outer residential areas are far from everything, and the Foreign Office warns of theft and robbery throughout Mexico.

Also don’t book a resort far down the Riviera Maya, for example at Puerto Aventuras or Akumal, if you want Cancun’s beaches and nightlife, because you’ll then spend an hour or more in the car each way. And don’t stay in Tulum to see Cancun. The two are about 130 km apart, and they’re really two different holidays.

If it’s your first trip to Cancun and you want the beach, restaurants and nightlife close by, I would stay in the northern part of the Hotel Zone. If you just want a week of all-inclusive and the most beautiful beach, the southern part is the right choice, and if you can afford to treat yourselves, Costa Mujeres is the one. Downtown is for those on a budget, Isla Mujeres for couples who want peace and quiet, and Playa del Carmen for those who want to get out and see the Riviera Maya.

Remember two practical things. All foreign tourists have to pay the state tourist tax Visitax, children included, and it’s paid online. And from June to November it’s hurricane season on the Yucatan Peninsula, so choose a booking with free cancellation if you’re travelling during that period.

Many people combine Cancun with a few days in the capital, and my guide to where to stay in Mexico City will help you with that part of the trip. If you’re flying via the USA, you can add a stopover and read about where to stay in Miami. And if you’re still weighing up another destination in the same part of the world, you can compare with my guides to where to stay in Costa Rica and where to stay in Puerto Rico.

The post Where to Stay in Cancun? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.