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White-sand beaches? Check. All-night party vibes? You bet. Actual Mayan Ruins? Oh yes. Explore it all on a Cancun holiday.

Yes you Mexi-can

Get ready to give a big Mexican wave to Cancun. This patch of the map started out as nothing more than a forested plot with some ace beaches, washed by the toasty Caribbean Sea. These days, it’s come out of its shell, blossoming into a do-everything city, with a Hotel Zone dedicated to swanky stays, international eats and proper party vibes, too. You’ll find tropical-feeling stays in traditional-feeling resorts, or super-swanky spots with the ultimate in Instagrammable backdrops.

Beaches and beyond

With around 19 kilometres of dust-like sand to brag about, you’ll find plenty to do along the shores of the Caribbean Sea. But it’s not just about chilling out and topping up your tan – explore like a local and dive down to an underwater sculpture museum, swim in natural cenote pools, or take a daytrip to Chichen Itza or Coba to see the incredible Mayan ruins.

Night owls

The Cancun life turns it up a notch when the sun goes down, with all-night party vibes all over town. Most of the clubs are handily placed right on the Hotel Zone’s strip, so you can go from beach to bar, easy peasy. You can party however you like, too, with a choice of big-name DJs, foam parties and glitzy shows, as well as comedy nights and chill-out lounges. Elsewhere, salsa, merengue and bachata tunes pump out of the bars in Cancun’s downtown area.

At a Glance

  • Spot dolphins while relaxing on Playa Delfines
  • Party all night with famous DJs in the Hotel Zone
  • Clamber up Coba’s Ixmoja pyramid
  • Prep for your trip with our Holiday Extras

Best time to go to Cancun

There’s no bad time to go on holiday to Cancun. It’s sunny and warm year-round on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Even in winter, it’s rare for the temps to drop below 20˚C. It’s hottest from May to September, but the short bursts of rain that come around this time tend to cool things down a bit.

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What's on in Cancun

Plan your stay around these festivals and events. Or, if you’re already booked, see what’s on while you’re out there. Powered by OccasionGenius
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Top things to see and do in Cancun

The Hotel Zone is surrounded by white-sand Caribbean beaches, so there’s plenty of space to soak up that year-round sun. The waves in this area can be powerful, though, so be careful if you’re visiting with younger family members or weaker swimmers. Playa Marlin is one of the top-rated spots and ticks off everything you’d expect from a beach in Mexico – soft, cream-coloured sands and turquoise waters for days.

Playa Delfines – known as Dolphin Beach – is Cancun’s biggest, and most popular, beach. But it’s also one of the prettiest – as its nickname suggests, keep an eye out for dolphins leaping in the turquoise waters while you lounge on the powdery sands. There are lots of loungers and umbrellas to rent along the stretch, and lifeguards are on duty during the day.

Although it’s located next to the party beach of Playa Forum, Playa Chac Mool is a hidden gem. It’s much more secluded and lines up calm waters and shady spots along the shoreline, courtesy of rentable umbrellas. It’s not all quiet, though – there’s also the option to rent watersports equipment.

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There are a bunch of street markets throughout Cancun for those wanting to practice their haggling skills. Mercado 28 is a long-running market that sells arts and crafts, souvenirs and keepsakes, and is just a 20-minute bus ride away from the Hotel Zone. There are lots of restaurants nearby, too, serving authentic local food, so you can make a day of it with shopping and snacking.

Cancun has a handful of shopping malls, and La Isla Shopping Village is a huge open-air retail spot based right in the Hotel Zone. There’s everything from luxury department stores to smaller boutiques and souvenir shops, plus some recognisable high-street brands like Sephora. There’s also a host of international restaurants and a cinema on site.

Luxury Avenue is a designer shopping mall full of high-end boutiques, so if you’re wanting to splash out while you’re on your hols, head here to pick up designer clothing, watches and accessories. The mall also hosts special events and collaborations, so take a look to see if there are any one-off occasions to be a part of. It’s a short drive from the centre of the Hotel Zone, or a nice stroll along the strip.

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The Hotel Zone is where you’ll find all a night out in Cancun has to offer. From big clubs with international DJs, to sports bars and lounges with acrobats and performers, or live music playing from local restaurants, there’s a spot to suit whatever party vibe you’re after. Many of the hotels have their own bars and clubs on-site, too, so making your way back to bed has never been easier.

Not all the venues in the Hotel Zone are for all-night DJs – you’ll find arts and ballet performances at the Convention Centre, for example. Or head downtown to check out some late-night shopping spots in the malls and outlets, accompanied by restaurants or cinemas. Of course, you could just grab a drink and relax at one of the chilled-out beach bars.

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Seafood is a Mexican staple, but this ceviche dish is especially popular in Cancun. Raw shrimp is marinated in citrus juices and left to simmer, with the acidic content curing the shrimp and making it safe to eat. It’s served with onions, peppers and tomatoes to bring out the flavours.

This tasty dish of fried pork belly is eaten both as a snack or a whole meal, and it’s often served shredded in tacos. The belly is cooked to be soft and juicy in the middle, with a crispy coating on the outside. It’s mostly made in the Yucatan peninsula.

Ready to take your enchiladas up a notch? This dish coats a row of corn tortillas, stuffed with cheese, pork or chicken, in pumpkin-seed sauce, and is served with hard-boiled eggs. It can be spicy, with hot pepper sauce added on top.

Forget porridge – huevos motulenos is a breakfast dish made with two fried eggs, black beans, cheese, spicy sauce and tortillas. You might find it with extra ham or peas for added flavour. It’s named after the Yucatan town of Mutal.

It might not win any beauty awards, but this traditional drink is made from Tobasco, cocoa and corn. While it’s no G&T, it’s full of nutrients and helps quench your thirst in the hot Mexican weather. Believe us – it’s a must-try.

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