The beautiful Cancun beachfront.

What not to do in Cancun? Is there even anything? Well, unfortunately, yes. It’s important to stay safe, so that’s one thing. But with so many other things to see and do, there are bound to be some things that are better ideas than others. So what are they?

Well, for one, organizing taxis can be a hassle, and though safe, aren’t the most pleasurable experience. Ask your hotel staff if they can arrange some sort of pre-arranged transportation before heading out and come to a pre-agreed upon price. That way no one feels like they’ve been swindled and return arrangements are swift and easy. If going a cab route, be sure to agree on a price before hand, otherwise trouble can ensue. Or consider a group taxi from the airport – this should be about $15. Also, when heading out, consider taking the R1 bus to the downtown area. Then you can ask a taxi cab driver to take you to your Mercado of choice (Mercado 23 or 28, say), and then after walking around and doing your downtown thing, catch a taxi back to the hotel zone – all taxis cost 25 pesos within the downtown border, so if they ask for more, you know what to tell them.

Also, it’s a good idea while visiting Cancun to keep an eye on your drink at all times. Though the chances of anything happening are rare, it’s better to be safe than sorry. And while on the subject of downtown clubbing, consider ordering your drinks one at a time with call liquor. The well liquor at many of these all night danceathons typically aren’t the best, and the ensuing hangover can be deadly (well, not deadly, but painful).

Don’t lose your FM-T, or tourist immigration form. This is given to you on your inbound flight. Losing it can be a hassle and a fine. Not the best parting gift.

Keep these things in mind and you’ll have a great time on your trip to Cancun. Just remember to be safe and exercise good common sense and you’ll be fine.

Oh, and one last thing – don’t forget to wear sunscreen. I did once and it was a Farmer John tan for the next week.

Not classy.

-Hudson Hornick

What Not To Do in Cancun from Cancun Things to Do

The sunburnt surfer.

It’s sad but a reality: when traveling you should be aware of any potential dangers . Travelers who keep their wits about them, aren’t overly trusting right off the bat, and don’t go down any dark alleyways at night generally have little to worry about (aside from the occasional sunburn, that is). Still, in recent years, a bit has been made about the safety of heading to Mexico, and especially when it comes to safety, it’s smart to understand the risks.

Violent Crime tends to be low in Cancun, so that’s a relief, but there are instances of street crime. What is street crime? A broad catch-all of a phrase, it tends to reflect things like petty theft, robbery, muggings, and that sort of general unpleasantness. These can be reduced greatly by using first-class accommodations or reputable companies for any Cancun tours, as statistically these sorts of things occur at a much greater rate on second- and third-class buses, taxis, and other transportation methods.

Visiting Cancun can present something of a different scenario than most cities because there will likely be alcohol involved in most outings. Things tend to get blurry fast. A few things to remember about Cancun safety, stick hard and fast to the buddy system and don’t go wandering off late night by yourself. Even if you meet someone, you should be always stick with your friend, or at least make a plan to meet at a rendezvous point sometime down the road. While most travelers have little to fear, it always pays to be a smart traveler, an informed traveler, and as always – be aware of your surroundings. Avoid making yourself a target by keeping your belongings close to you at all times, keep the jewelry you wear to a minimum, and don’t flaunt your wealth.

-Hudson Hornick

Cancun Safety Tips from Cancun Things to Do

Cancun Fast Food. Photo courtesy of mdanys via Flickr.

On any trip you’re likely to want to try the local fare – it’s only natural. And in Mexico, there’s the obvious choice – Mexican. I love Mexican food, and if you do too – you’re in luck. To eat in Cancun means plenty of cheap food that will keep you very well-fed.

For the best cheap food to eat in Cancun, you’ve got to head downtown before you visit the attractions in Cancun. Fortunately, right outside of the bus terminal, you’ll find two stalls and one of them have two women serving the counter. Their tacos are something that has attracted quite a good bit of attention, and make the Cancun central bus station probably the only bus station in the world worth hanging out in for a bit.

Once you hit downtown, look for comida corridas (street food), and taquerias, which you’ll find in abundance. The locals tend to head to the Parque de la Palapas, which is quite good and cheap. Surrounding the park, however, you’ll find some nice Bistros that allow for more of a sit-down meal. The price is correspondingly higher, but still not bad. One of these bistros is La Habichuela, which is one of the best restaurants in Cancun.

Mercado 28 – this is probably Cancun’s center of local eating and is also Cancun’s biggest market. Here you’ll see food stalls, tiny restaurants, and lots of fresh produce. One day a week is the discount day (usually Wednesday), but it can change from time to time. Mercado 28 is also where you’ll find the best seafood in Cancun. Popular stops are Cejas and Los Jarochos.

Now that you know where to eat, the question remains – what should I eat in Cancun? Well, be on the lookout for local seafood – Cancun is a coastal town and fishing village, after all – and I’ve had fantastic local seafood ceviche here (Mercado 28 again). “Sopa de marisco” is something like seafood soup and is quite lovely. Most of the local dishes tend to involve cabbage, boiled or refried beans, fresh shrimp, some maize, and a whole variety of meats – everything from la lengua (beef tongue), to the standard enchiladas, fajitas, and ubiquitous taco.

-Hudson Hornick

What to Eat in Cancun from Cancun Things to Do

Mayan Riviera just south of Cancun.

Think that you’ve seen it all in Cancun? Think again. Though this glittering jewel of a resort town does seem to have everything a tourist could want – white sand beaches, palm trees, night clubs, and underwater activities, there’s a whole lot more going on just outside Cancun’s borders. If you’ve never been beyond the reaches of Cancun, now’s a good time to start.

Chichen Itza  – Cancun is situated right on the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula and so makes a great jumping-off point to explore some ancient Maya Ruins. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, exploring Chichen Itza on a day trip tour is a gem of an experience. See the majesty and mystery of this ancient place at your own speed. The most important ecological zone of the peninsula, visiting this site you’ll discover the ancient capital of the once great Mayan empire.

Playa del Carmen – priding itself on its artist’s colony and sleepy fishing village roots, Playa del Carmen is a great spot to see if Cancun seems like a bit too much. The Quinta Avenida is the center of this small town, and it’s here that you’ll find boutique shopping, bed and breakfasts, and some nice restaurants. Check out the freshwater cenote if you’re into diving, otherwise just laze by the beach and get some much needed R&R.

Cozumel is a little island off the coast, world renowned for being a little sleepy spot in the Caribbean and known for its excellent fishing and underwater diving. If the hustle and bustle of Cancun has got you fed up, head to Cozumel.

The Xcaret Parks are for the environmental lover in you. Spend the day in paradise snorkeling some of the best bays in all of Mexico, see live fire dancing ceremonies, or kayak the mangroves. The Xcaret Parks are less than an hour’s drive from Cancun, and some of the best fun around.

-Hudson Hornick

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cancun tours & things to do, Cancun attractions, and Cancun travel recommendations.

Best Day Trips From Cancun from Cancun Things to Do

The Cozumel waterfront. Photo courtesy of roger4336 via Flickr.

Cancun is the hub and Cozumel is the glittering pearl lying next to it in the sea. Just opposite Playa del Carmen in the Yucatan Channel, this little island is famous for its teal blue waters, its seaside resorts, and its great scuba-diving and snorkeling. Perfect for a lover’s retreat or simply golfing with the friends, Cozumel attracts thousands every year.

So all this daytime activity, does that make Cozumel a sleeper at night? Far from it. These resorts pride themselves on providing their guests with a full accompaniment of activities. If, somehow, the multitude of resorts don’t have the activity you’re looking for, wander down the beach to town and find a host of bars, rum shacks, cafes and cigar bars to take pleasure in.

How about taking an ATV ride through the dunes before jumping into a snorkel adventure? Ever be in your own mini submarine? Cozumel makes the best of its environment by having fun across a range of activities. Don’t think that just because you’ve been snorkeling once you’ve seen it all. From Manta rays to great brain corals the size of a Honda, there’s more diving, riding, jumping, throwing, and all around merrymaking to be had in Cozumel than you can fit in. Hence, plan accordingly, bring the camera, and get out there and explore!

-Hudson Hornick

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cancun tours & things to do, Cancun attractions, and Cancun travel recommendations.

Cozumel Island from Cancun Things to Do

Two magnificent whales

From December through April of every year, Mexico’s El Vizcaino Whale Sanctuary and  Mexico’s largest protected area, attracts tourists and researchers from all over the world to the central Baja Peninsula. The 2,546,790-hectare (9833-square-mile) reserve protects a broad swath of the Baja, as well as marine areas in both the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez, along 450km (279mi) of shoreline. Desert scrubland, pine forests, coastal dunes, and mangrove forests are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including 120 bird species, more than a dozen reptiles, and 44 mammals, including big horn sheep, kit fox, mule deer, and big cats, as well as 39 endemic flowers.

You’re probably here, however, to see the whales. Some 12,000 gray whales migrate here in small groups from the Arctic, an 8000–11,000km (4960–6820mi) trip that may be the longest of any mammal in the world. The trip takes almost three months, with whales arriving in December to give birth in the warm, extremely salty waters of two lagoons, the buoyancy of which seems to help young gray whales thrive.The lagoons—Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio—lie on the western side of the peninsula, and are also favorite vacation spots for California sea lions, northern elephant seals, dolphins, and blue whales, and several marine birds. While the gray whales are here from December through April, February and early March are considered peak periods, when you can book tours out into the lagoons.

The lagoons are, despite the UNESCO designation (a sore point among ecoconscious types), still used commercially to make salt, a joint project of the Mexican government and Mitsubishi. The corporation is the number one employer in Guerrero Negro, also the most popular base for whale-watching tours (you can also visit the salt flats). Located some 753km (468mi) from San Diego, California, it’s conveniently halfway between the US border town and Cabo San Lucas.

The sanctuary also protects yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco. Recognized for “high quality, its extent, the variety and originality of human and animal representations, its remarkable colors, and its excellent state of preservation,” this  colorful collection of paintings remains rather mysterious. Dated to between 1100 BCE and 1300 AD, local legends suggest they were painted by a race of giants; indeed, some murals are more than three meters (ten feet) tall. Rediscovered in 1789 by Jesuit missionary Francisco Javier, most of the 250–400 sites are still rather difficult to reach. Most require permits and thirsty hikes or mule rides to visit.

- Paige R. Penland

Planning a Trip? Browse Viator’s Cancun tours and things to do, Cancun attractions, and Cancun travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Cancun for a customized tour!

Baja, Mexico’s El Vizcaino Whale Sanctuary from Cancun Things to Do

A night out in Cancun can be as big a night as you want it to be.

Nightlife in Cancun? To be sure. There’s so much nightlife in Cancun, really, you’d better liken it to a Vegas of Mexico to get a good relation. From bars to nightclubs to lounges to music venues, you name it, Cancun’s got it. Hit the beach during the day and then the bars at night – that’s what Cancun is all about. If you want a more mellow experience, head to neighboring Playa del Carmen, but for those of you who want to party, it’s Cancun or bust.

Cancun superclubs are the first spot for coeds and the popular bar-crawl vendors. Coco Bongo, Dady O’s, and The City are probably the biggest names of the bunch and routinely pack house with foam, thumping music, laser lights, and the requisite half-naked coeds. Take it as you will.

Cancun bars are also a lively bunch, though not as involved a sensory experience as the superclubs. Señor Frog’s and Carlos n Charlie’s are food and fun establishments – Congo Line and free shot included.

Cancun lounges are the rage in downtown Cancun. Consider the lounges the classy older brother to Cancun’s Bars and Superclubs. If martini’s, dancing, and getting dressed up are your thing, then swing your way to the Hotel Zone to see them all, but, as with anywhere, you get what you pay for here, and drinks and the like are priced accordingly.

Live music is frequent at the bars and lounges, but not so much at the superclubs, unless you’re referring to big-name DJs. Sometimes, your best bet is to have a VIP Nightclub experience where, with over 6 hours of touring clubs and 5 hours of open-bar drinks, you’ll happily visit three of the hottest events going on that night in Cancun. Plus, you’ll be part of a group, so you do add an element of safety there. Lots of fun, no lines, and a buddy system – sounds like a recipe for a fun night to me.

-Hudson Hornick

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cancun tours & things to do, Cancun attractions, and Cancun travel recommendations.

Nightlife in Cancun from Cancun Things to Do

Semana Santa in Cancun is beautiful like any other. Photo courtesy of The Cuillivo via Flickr.

Semana Santa, in the Catholic religion, consists of the last week of Lent, otherwise known as the last week before Easter or Holy Week. Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are the culminating holidays of the week, and in Cancun, the event takes on special significance. Being a catholic town, Semana Santa is a seriously observed holiday and all of the churches will be celebrating in their own fashion. That sounds serious, doesn’t it? It isn’t. Semana Santa is Cancun’s second busiest time of the year, next to New Years Eve. Everything is open and so be on the lookout for deals where you can find them.

Being as Mexico as a whole is a largely Catholic country, the week of Semana Santa is, like I said earlier, quite popular. Most people take a holiday from work, and the resorts and hotels of Cancun fill up quickly. You’ll see revelers heading to church and then frolicking in the streets smashing confetti eggs upon one another. At the same time a family and a fun time of the year, Semana Santa is a joyous time to be in Cancun.

An insider tip if you’re looking at going around the end of April, however: prices before Semana Santa tend to be higher than the week after, so if you book early you can still find deals.

-Hudson Hornick

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cancun tours & things to do, Cancun attractions, and Cancun travel recommendations.

Semana Santa in Cancun from Cancun Things to Do

Cancun beach. Photo courtesy of Tristan Higbee via Flickr.

It’s Spring Break and the plane has landed. You step onto the runway, feel that balmy heat, see those white-sand beaches, and your airport transfer guide looks to you with a wily grin and says “cerveza?” It then hits you –this is Mexico, and there are few places in the world that can offer playtime like Cancun.

With its white-sand beaches, the throngs of young adults, and the Coronas that seem to blow-in like the wind, Cancun has successfully made Mexico a world-class Spring Break destination of choice. If you’ve come to Cancun for Spring Break, you’ve made a wise decision (or at least a decision you’re likely never to forget).

Whether it’s indoors at a club, or outdoors enjoying the sunshine, there’s plenty to do while mingling with tanned, toned bodies on Spring Break. During the day, snorkeling and sightseeing can segue into a catamaran nightclub cruise, a Captain Hook Cruise is a swashbuckling good time out on the water, while many hotels offer poolside volleyball competitions before exploring the “best of” clubs VIP style.

And while some scatter off to find fun in the sun, after nightfall, a whole new party comes out to play. Aside from the beach, poolside bars, and hotel drink runners, others head out to see what local DJs are spinning. Don’t worry about a cover charge at these all-night foam-filled dance-a-thons – though they do often charge at the door, the price of admission includes the drinks they’re serving at the bar so you’ll likely be drinking and dancing the night away without a care in the world.

-Hudson Hornick

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cancun tours & things to do, Cancun attractions, and Cancun travel recommendations.

Cancun Spring Break from Cancun Things to Do

The beach at Playa del Carmen. Photo courtesy of kthypryn.

Often referred to as the little brother to bigger Cancun, Playa Del Carmen has its origins as a sleepy little fishing village that started small. Still smaller than the comparable Cancun, and still full of local character, today Playa del Carmen is a vacation hot spot for those who are looking for the white-sand beaches and blue waters of Cancun without all the high-rises and people. And though Playa del Carmen still retains the character of the sleepy village of its roots, there are still plenty of exciting things to do here.

Stroll down the main drag of Quinta Avenida to catch all the modern day activities. Boutique shops, sandy restaurants and hotels dot the area, and all try to stay true to the Mexican heritage of the area. The beach is an obvious popular activity, as is the area’s great diving. The outdoors speaks of the nature of sun and relaxation, so it’s obvious that some tourists love to get out and explore. If you’re one of these outdoors-y types, the Xcaret parks are for you. These eco-adventure wildernesses are something like a natural Disneyland and right next door to Playa del Carmen. Crystal blue waters make for great snorkeling in the area, and mangrove swamps and Mayan ruins are great exploration activities. The X-parks really are a one-of-a-kind attraction, and many people come to the Mexican Riviera just to visit them.

Playa del Carmen also has a vibrant and bustling nightlife. VIP Nightclub tours give you  a great way to experience more of what this resort town has to offer, but if you’re into just a beachside breeze and some guitar – most of the bigger hotels accommodate that as well.

-Hudson Hornick

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Cancun tours and things to do, Cancun attractions and Cancun travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Cancun for a customized tour!

Playa del Carmen from Cancun Things to Do