Cancún

Cancún is a planned beach resort on the Caribbean coast, known for its Hotel Zone strip, a warm sea and day trips to Maya sites.

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Cancún is the most populous city in Quintana Roo, set on the Caribbean coast of southeast Mexico, at the northeast end of the Yucatán Peninsula. Its best-known part is the Hotel Zone, a long island strip of resorts with Kukulkan Avenue running through it. The mainland city is called downtown, or El Centro. Development began on January 23, 1970, when the government started a purpose-built resort on a nearly empty island. The city sits just north of the Riviera Maya.

The trip suits beach days with a few side trips. The Hotel Zone lies on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, so snorkeling and diving are common nearby. El Rey, a small Maya site, is inside the Hotel Zone and fits between beach days. Day trips reach Cobá, Muyil, Tulum and Chichén Itzá, the last in the neighboring state of Yucatán. The drier season, from November to April, is generally the best time to visit. Hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking around October, so check forecasts before you book.

Cancún in five

Pay the Visitax before you fly homeQuintana Roo charges foreign visitors a state tourist fee, paid online on the official Visitax site. Keep the receipt with your passport.
Take the ADO bus from the airportADO buses leave from the terminals for downtown Cancún and Playa del Carmen, far cheaper than a taxi.Cancún airport to Playa del Carmen
Ride the R1 bus along the Hotel ZoneR1 and R2 buses run the length of the Hotel Zone boulevard to downtown, day and night.
Check the sargassum before you bookSeaweed can pile up on Caribbean-facing beaches from about spring to early fall. The north-facing beaches toward Isla Mujeres usually get less.

Things to do in Cancún

See all attractions in Cancún

Park · CancúnKabah ParkUse insect repellent, as mosquitoes can be prevalent.

Landmark · CancúnYamil Lu'umAsk at the Westin Lagunamar or Park Royal for permission to reach the site through the resort.

Sight · CancúnSCUBA CANCUNAppointments are required or recommended, so arrange your visit in advance.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to CancúnPut the places you like in Cancún on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Cancún (CUN), about 20–30 min to the Hotel Zone
Getting there: Tren Maya from the airport station to the Yucatán
Getting around: R1 and R2 buses and taxis; agree the fare first
Best base: Hotel Zone for beaches, downtown for value
Time needed: 3–4 days, more with day trips

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Dry, breezy
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, warm
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Spring break
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, hot
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Sargassum risk
JuneRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Hurricane season
JulyRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hot, humid
AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Hot, storms
SeptemberRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Peak storm risk
OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Storm risk
NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Drier, quieter
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, holidays

Average daily high and low in Cancún, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Cancún

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 72%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Cancún

05:37 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today30°22°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue30°21°92%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 92%.
Wed30°23°90%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 90%.
Thu30°23°61%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 61%.
Fri30°22°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 65%.
Sat29°24°55%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 55%.
Sun30°25°71%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 71%.

Updated 04:30 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN

Amount

Converted to

MXN · Mexican Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Cancún

Tours from CancúnChichén Itzá and island day tripsCompare tours

Hotel Zone and downtown staysBeach strip or lagoon-side valueCheck availability

eSIM for CancúnMaps and rides from the airport curbRead the guide

Travel insurance for CancúnCover for storm delays on the coastRead the guide

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Rules for Cancún, checked

Check current entry rules with Mexico's National Migration Institute before you travel.Source
International visitors arriving in Quintana Roo must pay the VisiTAX tourist fee, in place since 2020. Mexican passport holders are exempt. Check how and where to pay before you fly.
Drugs are sold to tourists in some bars and nightclubs, and the city has been reported as a center of money laundering. Violence linked to drug trafficking has included shootings in the Hotel Zone, and homicide rates have been above the national average since 2018. Watch your drinks.
Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance. Tipping is customary at restaurants and for services; check whether the bill already includes a service charge.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking around October. Check forecasts and your travel insurance terms before you book.

Plan around Cancún

All of Mexico

Regions, entry, money and when to go

Read the guide Isla Mujeres

The small island 20 minutes by ferry

Read the guide Tulum

Clifftop ruins and cenotes to the south

Read the guide Playa, Tulum or Cancún

Which Riviera Maya base to choose

Read the guide Chichén Itzá day trip

From Cancún or Mérida, route and timing

Read the guide Visas and entry

Stay length and the entry record

Read the guide Getting around by bus

ADO, local buses and transfers

Read the guide

Cancún FAQ

How do I get from Cancún airport to the Hotel Zone?

Taxis and shuttles take about 20–30 minutes. ADO buses go to downtown, where you change to an R1 or R2 bus for the Hotel Zone.

When is sargassum season in Cancún?

Seaweed can arrive roughly from spring to early fall, and amounts change year to year. Beaches facing Isla Mujeres usually see less.

What is the Visitax?

A state tourist fee Quintana Roo charges foreign visitors, paid online before you leave. Use only the official government site.

Should I stay in the Hotel Zone or downtown Cancún?

Pick the Hotel Zone for beaches and resorts on one strip, and downtown for lower prices, local restaurants and the ADO bus station. Many visitors sleep in the Hotel Zone and eat downtown.

How many days do you need in Cancún?

Three days covers the beach, one island or ruins trip and a downtown dinner. Cancún also works as a one-night stop before heading to Tulum, Playa del Carmen or Mérida.