Sandy beach, City Quarter

The Zona Hotelera is an approximately 22 km long stretch of coastline shaped like the number 7, separated from mainland Cancún by the Nichupté Lagoon. Here you’ll find most of the beaches, large resorts, restaurants, shops and nightclubs that attract tourists to Cancún. A single main road, Boulevard Kukulcán, runs through the entire area. Individual sections are marked by kilometre markers, which you’ll also find in the addresses of hotels,…

Sandy beach

Playa Delfines is the most famous public beach in Cancún and one of the city’s main landmarks. It is here that you’ll find the iconic colourful CANCÚN sign, the El Mirador viewpoint, a wide stretch of light-coloured sand and unobstructed views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Unlike most beaches in the hotel zone, its main public section is not lined with large resorts. It is situated at approximately kilometre 18 on Boulevard Kukulcán in the…

Sandy beach, For kids

Playa Langosta is one of the best beaches in Cancún for families with young children and anyone who prefers calm waters to high waves. It is situated on the northern side of the Zona Hotelera, facing Bahía de Mujeres, so the sea is considerably calmer and shallower than, for example, at Playa Delfines or Playa Chac Mool. Of all the beaches in the centre of Cancún, I found Playa Langosta to be the prettiest, cleanest and most peaceful. [btn …

City Quarter, Club

Punta Cancún is the liveliest part of the Zona Hotelera and the main hub of nightlife along the entire Riviera Maya. Within a few hundred metres, you’ll find two different beaches, Cancún’s most famous clubs, restaurants and hotels, all within walking distance of one another. The ideal plan is to head to Playa Gaviota Azul in the afternoon, have dinner before dark, and then carry on to your chosen club in the evening. 👉 My tips for the best…

Sandy beach

Playa Gaviota Azul, often referred to as Playa Forum, is situated right in the centre of Punta Cancún, near the Coco Bongo and Mandala clubs. It features fine, light-coloured sand, turquoise waters and free public access. Our verdict Playa Gaviota Azul is the liveliest public beach in Cancún. We recommend it if you want to combine swimming with restaurants and evening entertainment. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, you should come in…

Sandy beach

Playa Chac Mool is situated in the central part of the hotel zone, just a few minutes’ walk from Punta Cancún. Compared to Caracol or Langosta beaches, it is more open to the sea, so it offers bigger waves and better surfing conditions. How did I find it here? We’d choose Playa Chac Mool mainly for the waves, the surfing and the less commercial atmosphere. If you’re mainly looking for a peaceful swim, the more sheltered part of Playa Gaviota…

Sandy beach, Coast

Costa Mujeres is a modern resort area on the mainland north of Cancún, directly opposite the island of Isla Mujeres. You won’t find a town, a promenade or a traditional tourist centre here. The coastline consists mainly of large all-inclusive resorts, a golf course, marinas and undeveloped areas of mangrove forest. Administratively, Costa Mujeres is no longer part of Cancún, but lies within the mainland section of the municipality of Isla…

Sandy beach, Coast, The Cove

Isla Blanca is a long, narrow sandy peninsula north of Costa Mujeres. On one side it is bordered by the open Caribbean Sea, whilst on the other lies the Chacmuchuch lagoon, surrounded by mangroves. It is not an island, and Playa Blanca is not an alternative name for the entire peninsula. You will mainly come across the name Playa Blanca in relation to a specific stretch of beach and the Cabañas Playa Blanca complex. What to expect Isla…

The Cove

Laguna Nichupté is an extensive system of lagoons and mangrove forests that separates the Zona Hotelera from the mainland part of Cancún. Most visitors only catch a glimpse of it from a bus or taxi whilst travelling along Boulevard Kukulcán. Don’t expect a turquoise lagoon suitable for swimming. The water is darker and brackish; the main attractions are the mangrove channels, the birds and trips by boat, kayak or jet ski. Our verdict If you…

City Quarter

The centre of Cancún, also known as Cancún Centro or Downtown Cancún, is a typical modern Mexican city with shops, restaurants, markets and busy streets. Don’t expect a historic centre with colonial architecture like in Valladolid or Mérida. For most tourists, the most important place is the ADO bus terminal, from where buses depart for the airport and other parts of the Yucatán Peninsula. Our verdict We wouldn’t stay in the city centre for…

Archaeological site

El Meco is a small Mayan archaeological site on the northern outskirts of Cancún, between Puerto Juárez and Punta Sam. The site is dominated by the El Castillo temple, which stands approximately 12 metres tall and is the tallest structure of its kind on the northern coast of Quintana Roo. The ruins are not as extensive as those at Chichén Itzá or Tulum, but the site offers the advantages of easy access from Cancún, few visitors and a tour that…