Cancún Starter Pack

Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN), the busiest airport in the Caribbean and Latin America

The Hotel Zone is 20-30 minutes from the airport, downtown Cancún is about 25 minutes

ADO Bus: Comfortable buses run from the airport to the Hotel Zone and downtown (~$5-10 USD)

Airport shuttle: Shared shuttles available, book online or at the airport (~$15-25 USD)

Taxi from airport: Fixed rates ~$40-60 USD depending on destination. Use official airport taxis only.

Uber/inDrive: Available from the airport, though taxi unions can be territorial. Use with caution.

FMM Tourist Card: Given on arrival, valid for up to 180 days. Keep this safe - you need it to leave!

Visa runs: Many expats do "border runs" to Guatemala or Belize to reset their 180 days.

Temporary Resident Visa: For stays over 180 days. Apply at a Mexican consulate in your home country.

Permanent Resident: After 4 years on temporary, or if you qualify by income/investment.

Work permits: Needed to work legally. Your employer must sponsor you, or get one with your residency.

INM office: The main immigration office is in downtown Cancún on Av. Nader. Arrive early!

RFC (tax ID): Required if you plan to work or do business in Mexico. Get it at SAT office.

Dry season (Nov-April): Best weather! Sunny, less humid, low 80s°F. Peak tourist season and Spring Break.

Rainy season (May-October): Daily afternoon showers, very humid. Usually clears by evening.

Hurricane season (June-November): Most activity Aug-Oct. Cancún has good infrastructure for storms.

Sargassum (seaweed): Worst May-August. Hotel Zone beaches are typically cleaned daily.

Hottest months: May-September. Expect 90°F+ with high humidity. AC is essential.

Spring Break (March): Expect crowds in the Hotel Zone. Downtown is less affected.

Tip: Shoulder season (April, May, November) offers good weather and lower hotel prices.

Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)

Tourist Police

Red Cross (Cruz Roja)

Hospital Galenia (private, English-speaking)

Hospiten Cancún

US Consular Agency in Cancún

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

Hotel Zone: The main tourist strip is 14 miles long. Buses run the length for ~12 pesos.

R-1 and R-2 buses: Public buses connecting Hotel Zone to downtown. Cheap and frequent.

Taxis: Abundant but expensive in the Hotel Zone. Always agree on price first - no meters.

Uber/inDrive: Work in Cancún but taxi unions can be aggressive. Use discretely.

ADO Bus: For trips to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mérida, and beyond.

Colectivos: Shared vans on Highway 307 to Riviera Maya destinations. ~20-50 pesos.

Car rental: Consider for exploring the region. Many agencies at airport and hotels.

Ferry to Isla Mujeres: Departs from Puerto Juárez or the Hotel Zone. ~$15-20 USD round trip.

Telcel: Largest coverage, best for traveling around Mexico. Buy SIM at any OXXO store.

AT&T Mexico: Good coverage in Cancún and tourist areas, competitive data plans.

Movistar: Budget option, decent in urban areas.

SIM registration required: Residents need CURP, tourists need passport to buy a SIM card.

Home internet: Telmex, Izzi, and TotalPlay are main providers. Hotel Zone has good fiber coverage.

Coworking spaces: Regus, IOS Offices, and several cafes cater to remote workers in downtown.

Most hotels and restaurants have free WiFi, though quality varies.

Tip: Data plans are prepaid. Top up at OXXO, 7-Eleven, or via carrier apps.

USD widely accepted: In the Hotel Zone, USD is common but you'll get a worse exchange rate.

Opening a Mexican bank account: Most require temporary or permanent residency.

Kapital (formerly Intercam): One of the few banks that opens accounts for tourists with just a passport.

BBVA, Santander, Banorte: Major banks. Require residency and proof of address.

Wise (TransferWise): Great for receiving USD/EUR and converting to MXN. Many expats use this.

ATM fees: Foreign cards often charged 50-100 MXN per withdrawal. Withdraw larger amounts less often.

ATM safety: Use ATMs inside banks during business hours. Avoid standalone ATMs in tourist areas.

Exchange: Avoid airport and hotel exchanges. Downtown casas de cambio offer better rates.

Hotel Zone: Tourist-focused, expensive, limited amenities. Best for short stays or beach lifestyle.

Centro (Downtown): Authentic Mexican city life. Affordable, all amenities, less beach access.

Puerto Cancún: Upscale marina community north of Hotel Zone. Luxury living with marina access.

Supermanzana 17 (SM17): Popular with expats. Walkable to Parque de las Palapas, good restaurants.

SM 15/20/25: Central downtown areas. Mix of local and expat. Easy access to everything.

Huayacán/Residencial Cumbres: Newer developments west of downtown. Family-friendly, gated communities.

Alfredo V. Bonfil: Neighborhood between airport and downtown. Very affordable, local vibe.

Tip: Live downtown for 1-3 months to understand the city before committing to a lease.

Parque de las Palapas: Downtown park surrounded by restaurants and street food vendors

Mercado 28: Tourist market with authentic Mexican restaurants at reasonable prices

Tacos Rigo's: Legendary local taco spot, open late

Pescaditos: Fresh seafood, family-run, multiple locations downtown

Downtown restaurants: 50-70% cheaper than Hotel Zone with more authentic options

Groceries: Chedraui, Walmart, Costco, and Sam's Club in downtown area

La Habichuela: Upscale Yucatecan cuisine, great for special occasions

Coffee: Starbucks everywhere, or try local spots like Café del Árbol

Tip: Avoid restaurants on the main Kukulcán Boulevard - head downtown for value and authenticity.

Playa Delfines: Public beach at Km 17.5, iconic Cancún sign, strong waves, no beach clubs

Playa Tortugas: Family-friendly with calm water, beach clubs, and ferry to Isla Mujeres

Playa Chac Mool: Beautiful beach between hotels, popular with locals on weekends

Playa Langosta: Calm water, family-friendly, close to restaurants and shops

Playa Forum: Near the nightclub zone, lively atmosphere, beach clubs

Isla Blanca: 30 min north, undeveloped beaches, kiteboarding destination, worth the trip

All beaches in Mexico are public by law. You can access any beach, though hotels control access points.

Isla Mujeres: Take the ferry for snorkeling, golf cart exploring, and relaxed beach vibes

Cenotes: Swim in natural sinkholes. Try Cenote Hubiku, Cenote Verde Lucero, or Ruta de los Cenotes

Mayan Ruins: Visit Tulum (2 hrs), Cobá (2 hrs), El Meco (nearby), or Chichen Itza (2.5 hrs)

Xcaret/Xel-Há Parks: All-inclusive eco-parks with snorkeling, wildlife, and shows

MUSA: Underwater museum with sculptures you can snorkel or dive through

Coco Bongo: Famous nightclub with acrobatic shows. Quintessential Cancún experience.

Shopping: La Isla Shopping Village, Plaza Las Américas, Mercado 28 for souvenirs

Day trips: Holbox Island, Valladolid colonial town, Río Lagartos flamingos

Water sports: Jet skis, parasailing, paddleboarding available throughout Hotel Zone

Scuba diving: Many dive shops offer PADI certification. Great reef diving nearby.

Kiteboarding: Isla Blanca is a world-class kiteboarding destination

Golf: Several courses including Cancún Golf Club at Pok-Ta-Pok and Puerto Cancún Golf Club

Gyms: Multiple gym chains downtown. Smart Fit, Sport City, and local gyms available.

CrossFit: Several boxes in the downtown area

Running: Malecón Tajamar and paths along the lagoon are popular with runners

Yoga: Studios throughout downtown and Hotel Zone, beach yoga sessions available

Interactive Aquarium: Located in La Isla Shopping Village, swim with dolphins

Ventura Park: Water park and zip lines in the Hotel Zone

Xcaret parks: Multiple parks with kid-friendly activities and wildlife

Isla Mujeres: Family-friendly island with calm beaches and golf cart exploration

Parque de las Palapas: Downtown park with playgrounds and weekend activities

International schools: Several bilingual schools including American School of Cancún

Centro Cultural: Downtown cultural center with events and activities for families

Hotel Zone vs Downtown: Hotel Zone is for tourists, downtown is for living. Know the difference.

Taxi prices: Always negotiate. Hotel Zone taxis charge 3-4x downtown prices.

Timeshare salespeople: Very aggressive in Hotel Zone. A firm "no thank you" is needed.

Spring Break (March): Avoid Hotel Zone unless you want the party scene.

Drinking water: Tap water is not potable. Stick to bottled or purified water.

Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN). USD accepted in Hotel Zone but at poor rates.

Spanish: More English spoken here than most of Mexico, but Spanish helps downtown.

Safety: Cancún is generally safe for tourists. Use common sense, especially at night.