10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Cancun
What Not to Do in Cancun on Your 1st Visit
Cancun’s white sand and turquoise waters are what primarily attracts visitors to the famous Mexico beach town. Enjoy your Caribbean vacation to the fullest by doing proper research on Cancun, as travel mishaps often lead to wasted money and missed opportunities.
A little planning goes a long way when it comes to the basics, such as exchanging money, booking tours, buying food, and even necessities you should include in your luggage. Travel smarter by checking out this list of common travel mistakes to avoid in Cancun, Mexico.
10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Cancun
- Exchanging money at the airport
- Choosing your hotel by price alone
- Taking a taxi at the airport
- Buying everything at the listed price
- Drinking tap water
- Booking tours from stand-alone tour guides
- Visiting during Spring Break
- Only packing beachwear
- Thinking that all of Cancun’s areas are safe
- Only touring Chichen Itza
1. Exchanging money at the airport
You’ll find a better rate for your money outside of the airport
Categoría: Económico, Parejas, Familias
Cash is a necessity in Cancun as credit cards aren’t widely accepted but do yourself (and your wallet) a favor by not exchanging money at the airport. Like many other airports around the world, the Cancun airport is jam-packed with money exchange kiosks looking to convert your money into Mexican pesos.
The rates offered are always less than favorable. Hold on to your vacation money and exchange it at smaller kiosks in town, which will provide you with a bigger bang for your buck.
Ver hoteles en Cancún, Quintana Roo (CUN-Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún)
Exchanging money at the airport
2. Choosing your hotel by price alone
Booking a hotel that’s far away means longer transfers
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
When planning a vacation to Cancun, it’s often a good idea to check a hotel’s location before making your reservation. Many hotels are located over an hour away from the city center and far away from all the action in Cancun. A great way to insure your hotel is within a reasonable distance is to use the map feature.
Not only can you filter hotels according to budget, but you can also see the precise location of where a specific property is located, whether that’s in Downtown Cancun, the Hotel Zone, or right on the beach. Choose the ideal location and spend your time exploring the landmarks or relaxing by the ocean rather than in transit.
Choosing your hotel by price alone
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3. Taking a taxi at the airport
Most hotels offer free shuttles
Categoría: Económico, Parejas, Familias
After passing baggage claim and through the exit doors of Cancun International Airport, you’ll come face to face with an enormous crowd of taxi drivers. The experience can sometimes be a bit harrowing, as you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by drivers shouting out different prices.
Avoid starting out your vacation with a hefty taxi bill by calling ahead and booking a shuttle with your resort. Almost all hotels in Cancun offer a free ride to and from the airport but do contact them the day before with your travel details.
Ver hoteles en Cancún, Quintana Roo (CUN-Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún)
Taking a taxi at the airport
4. Buying everything at the listed price
Haggling brings better prices on food and souvenirs
Categoría: Económico, Gastronomía en , Ir de compras
Haggling is a common practice throughout Mexico, especially at places like street fairs, food stands, and beach huts. Whether you’re looking for a few authentic trinkets to bring home or purchasing a kilo of fresh figs, the locals are used to a bit of back and forth when it comes to settling on a price.
Always allow the seller to give you a price first before offering about 40% lower. Many times, the seller will come back with a second price that falls in the middle. Paying in cash will also help you get a better rate. Be sure to carry small bills and coins for a smooth interaction.
Buying everything at the listed price
5. Drinking tap water
Bottled water is the safest option
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Gastronomía en
A common mistake many people make while traveling is drinking unfiltered water and ending up with an upset stomach. Though the tap water in Cancun does in fact meet the standards of safety, it is always a good idea to stick with bottled water.
Head to the nearest supermarket and stock up on your favorite brand. It might set you back a bit, but spending money on clean water could spare you from feeling sickly during your Cancun vacation. Use bottled or purified water for brushing your teeth if you want to be extra cautious.
Drinking tap water
6. Booking tours from stand-alone tour guides
Most one-person tour agencies are scams
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
Whether you’re looking to visit Mayan ruins, island-hop on a yacht, or dive with whales, Cancun’s got a tour for it. There are several options to choose from when booking a day trip, which also means there are many opportunities to get scammed if you’re not careful.
Avoid booking tours with “representatives” who stop you on the street, usually offering a price that’s too good to be true. Stick to brick-and-mortar stores that have plenty of pictures, brochures, and reviews to back up what they’re offering. For a better price, find a private tour agency in the city instead of booking through your resort.
Booking tours from stand-alone tour guides
7. Visiting during Spring Break
The sweet spot is April through July
Categoría: Económico, Parejas, Familias
The best time to visit Cancun is usually between May through November, outside the Spring Break season, when hotel prices are low and crowds are manageable. Not only is the city much more enjoyable, but it’ll make a huge difference on your travel budget.
Tours are about half the price of rates offered during Spring Break, and food in general is also much more affordable. Avoid visiting during Christmas, New Year’s, and especially Spring Break as these are the most hectic travel periods for Cancun. If possible, avoid Mexico’s hurricane season, which stretches from late-July to late-October.
Visiting during Spring Break
8. Only packing beachwear
A light sweater might be needed for night time
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
When visiting a tropical destination, many travelers often forget to pack for night-time activities. Instead of loading your luggage with swimsuits for the beach, remember to bring a light sweater or jumper for outdoor dinners or late-night walks on the beach.
It’s a good idea to pack a few warm clothes and a small umbrella, as nights in Cancun can be rather chilly and rain is common from August through February. Keep daytime clothing casual; shorts, tank tops, and flip flops are perfect for most days in Cancun.
Only packing beachwear
9. Thinking that all of Cancun’s areas are safe
Sticking to Downtown Cancun and the Hotel Beach Zone is your best policy
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
Cancun is generally a safe town to visit where locals are friendly and crime rates are very low compared to other cities in Mexico. While most people never run into any trouble, there are several troublesome areas close to Cancun.
Unless you’re traveling with an authorized tour or knowledgeable local, stick to well-populated areas like Downtown Cancun and the Hotel Zone. The latter has a 13-mile arc of beautiful white-sand beaches lined with resorts and hotels and is considered the safest part of Cancun. Wherever you go, be sure to stay on well-lit streets after dark and use authorized taxis or ride-hailing apps.
Thinking that all of Cancun’s areas are safe
10. Only touring Chichen Itza
Playa del Carmen or Tulum should be on your itinerary too
Categoría: De aventura, Historia, Foto
Chichen Itza is one of the most famous Mayan ruins in Mexico. While the site is definitely worth a visit, you should also include Cancun’s many other landmarks in your itinerary. Book a day trip to Playa del Carmen and Tulum for pristine beaches, or Cenote Zacil-ha if you want to swim in crystal clear waters surrounded by a lush jungle.
Scuba diving and snorkeling at Isla de las Mujeres are also popular excursions in Cancun, so book with a reputable tour company to make the most out of your trip.
Only touring Chichen Itza
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