A trip to Mexico is a wonderful way to soak up the sun at one of the country’s many beautiful beaches, taking in the culture, food, and lots of fun. And with so many flights from Canada to Cancun, there’s no better time to head down south.
Where is Cancun?
Cancun is located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, on the cusp of the Caribbean Sea. This area is a hot spot for a beach vacation, so expect lots of sun-bathing, water sports, boat trips, and island hopping along this picturesque Mexican coastline. Looking to plan your vacation to paradise in Cancun? Keep reading to discover Cancun hotels and travel tips to make your vacation to Mexico affordable and memorable.
Cheap Cancun Hotels
Flor do Caribe Hostel
Best for: Backpackers
Location: Downtown Cancun
Rates from: C$27
Tucked away from the ever-busy Hotel Zone, this small hostel is a good option for anyone wanting to save their money for Cancun things do to like snorkelling or visiting the ruins. The rooms may be simple but they’re clean and come with an ensuite bathroom. There’s a shared kitchen, karaoke and table tennis, so this place is never boring. When you’re looking for things to do nearby, Beto Avila Stadium is 3 km away. And don’t worry, you won’t go hungry here! This Cancun hotel is surrounded by a slew of cafés, bars, and restaurants. Mercado 28, a popular flea market is about 1.8 km away, and well worth a peek.
Nirvana Hostel
Best for: Value
Location: Tourist Area – Hotel Zone Cancun
Rates from: C$46
For a good value Cancun hotel, the Nirvana Hostel offers mod-con style in shared, double or king rooms. This cheap hotel has everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay including a pool, fitness centre, bikes for rent, WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. You’ll be centrally located here, which makes going to the beach and nightclubs an easy mission. The fun-time booking agency, Party Rockers is next door with tickets to the best parties in Cancun.
Selina Cancun Laguna
Best for: Resort feels
Location: Cancun Hotel Zone
Rates from: C$39
If you’re looking for a cheap Cancun hotel with the vibe of a resort, Selina Cancun Laguna may just fit the bill. The lobby entrance and front desk staff are so welcoming you may forget you’re not checking into a 5-star resort. Choose from a wide variety of rooms from dorm-style to apartments to suites. Guests can take pleasure in the outdoor pool, onsite restaurant, private beach area, and sea views from the balcony. There’s also free WiFi and an airport shuttle can be arranged. Shopaholics will revel in the retail opportunities nearby, as well as easy access to the beach. Evening hot spots such as Coco Bongo, Senor Frog’s, and Hard Rock Café are all within walking distance.
Mid-Range Resorts in Cancun
The Royal Islander
Best for: Families
Location: Hotel Zone near Dolphin Beach
Rates from: C$175
The Royal Islander offers good value for couples and families. With rooms, suites and family villas available, this massive hotel has everything you’d want and need during your Mexico vacation. Amenities to love are free WiFi, a kids’ club, 3 restaurants, beach access, tennis courts, fitness centre, convenience store, laundry, gift shop, hair salon, and a heated pool. Although this resort has everything you’ll need to stay entertained, it’s located amongst a hive of beach activities, restaurants, and shopping.
Bel Air Collection Resort and Spa
Best for: Boutique style
Location: Cancun Beach
Rates from: C$132
The Bel Air Collection Resort and Spa stands out with its stark white exterior and red accent colours inside. Relax by the gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the even more gorgeous beach while you enjoy a cocktail. Rooms also offer this amazing ocean view, as well as comfy beds, flat-screen TV, coffee maker, mini bar, and skin-quenching bath products. At the spa, indulge in a massage or a soak in the hydromassage hot tub. The Mayan Ruins at El Rey are a quick 20-minute walk, and all the shopping and restaurants you’ll ever need are within a 15-minute drive.
Sea View
Best for: Self-contained accommodation
Location: Hotel Zone Cancun
Rates from: C$133
Sea View offers oceanfront apartment-style accommodation at Cancun’s Hotel Zone. You’ll get incredible ocean views from your room, perfect for gazing with a drink in hand after a long day on the beach. Each apartment has a fully-equipped kitchen for cooking your own meals, and there’s a supermarket nearby. Guests can use the onsite pool, a private beach, and free WiFi.
Luxury Cancun Hotels and Resorts
If you do have the cash to splash around on a luxury resort or Cancun hotel, here are two that are worth the money.
The Ritz Carlton Cancun
Best for: Top-end luxury and a couples vacation
Location: Hotel Zone near El Rey
Rates from: C$310
The 5-diamond ultra-lux Ritz Carlton Cancun is the place to stay when only the very best will do during your trip to Mexico. Expect all the pampering and plushness that the rich and famous enjoy. Think elegant ocean-view rooms with a minibar, desk, ensuite with bathrobes and slippers, room service, bell staff, restaurants, 2 swimming pools, a spa, and a private beach. Now, that’s classy.
Iberostar Selection Cancun
Best for: All-Inclusive experience
Location: Dolphin Beach (Playa Delphines)
Rates from: C$350
Located near Dolphin Beach, which is regarded as the best beach in Cancun, this hotel is more than just a place to sleep. The Iberostar is one of the best all-inclusive hotels in Cancun for its location, food, guest rooms and guest amenities. Located just 10 km from the Cancun airport, the Iberostar offers guests beautiful suites with sea views, a private beach, water sports, endless eating at 5 eateries, 10 swimming pools, golf, free WiFI, and so much more. You won’t even have to leave the area if you don’t want. But if you do, there are tons of things to do nearby. Try Dressels Divers for watersports or parasailing, and San Miguelito Archeological Site for Mayan history.
Getting to Cancun
Air Canada, Westjet, Swoop, Interjet, and Air Transat all offer direct flights to Cancun from Toronto. Just imagine, in about 4 hours you could be landing in Mexico for a hot beach holiday. Cheap flights to Cancun from Canada are quite common, too.
Upon arrival at Cancun International Airport, you’ll need to go through customs. Cancun is famous for its red light/green light method for checking baggage. Every traveller presses a button. If you get a green light, you can pass through customs without a search. If you get a red light, that means your bags will be searched for contraband (things you shouldn’t pack). But, this system will be phased out so you may or may not experience it in 2019.
Getting from the airport to your Cancun hotel
The cheapest way to get between Cancun International Airport and your Cancun hotel is the public bus, but these buses do not go directly to hotels. But there are official airport shuttles, shared rides, taxis, private cars, and vans that will take you directly to your Cancun hotel. The prices range from about $5 USD to $68 USD per person. You can find booking information here.
Your Cancun hotel or resort may offer a complimentary shuttle to the hotel from the airport. It’s always a great bonus and incentive to stay. Not only will it save you money, but it will also save precious vacation time, so always be sure to look for this service when making your hotel booking.
Car rentals in Cancun are also another way to get from the airport to your hotel or resort. Hiring a car may be a good idea if you choose to do some road trips and sightseeing around the region. Always know exactly what you’re getting and read the paperwork thoroughly before signing a car rental contract.
Caution: Travellers are strongly advised to not accept rides from random drivers offering cheap rates. It’s best practice to use the hotel shuttle (if provided) or the transportation arranged through the Cancun International Airport.
Cancun’s time zone
Cancun is in the Eastern Standard Time zone, which means it’s the same time as Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal for some of the year. This is great because you won’t be all tired when you arrive and you can start your vacation in prime shape as soon as you land.
What to Bring to Cancun
The Cancun weather is pretty glorious most of the year. December – April is peak tourist season for its sunny days and balmy evenings. When it’s time to pack your bags, here are a few essential items to bring along on your Cancun vacation:
- Swimsuits (more than one)
- Shorts and t-shirts
- Smart casual clothing for evenings
- Comfortable shoes
- Bio-degradable sunscreen (to protect your skin and the reefs)
- Hat
- Prescription medications – enough for your entire trip
- Stomach and gastro remedies (just in case)
- Re-useable plastic bags for laundry and wet bathing suits
- Your passport (just a friendly reminder)
Top Places to Visit Near Cancun
Playa del Carmen
Best for: Beach bums and party-goers
In the late 90s, Playa del Carmen was the place people went to escape the crowds in Cancun. Today, the seaside Mexican town in the state of Quintana Roo (same as Cancun) still offers visitors a quieter day on the beach and a less “Americanized” vibe.
Playa del Carmen is about 75 km from Cancun Hotel Zone. Consider renting a car or take a bus or shuttle. ADO is the bus company to use. Tickets must be purchased with cash at the Centro Cancun bus station or from an ADO ticket seller at the airport unless you have a Mexican credit card. Alternatively, ask your hotel concierge or front desk to help with your reservation.
Cozumel
Best for: Snorkelling and scuba diving
Cozumel is an island off the coast of Playa del Carmen. Expect a 104 km trip to Cozumel from Cancun, which includes a ferry. To get the ferry, you’ll need to get yourself to Playa del Carmen. There are bus companies (see Playa del Carmen section above), who offer the trip. If you’d like to skip the road and sea travel, take a flight with Mayair from the Cancun airport for about C$200 return.
Cozumel is quiet and a bit sleepy – certainly not as lively or vibrant as Cancun. And most of the central beaches are not as impressive as the mainland, but the surrounding reef is popular with snorkellers and scuba divers. Cozumel is also a Port of Call for many cruise ships. If you’re happy to rent a scooter or car, you’ll find off the beaten track beaches and ruins on this understated island. A short trip here could be a great add-on to your getaway in Cancun.
Tulum
Best for: Historic sights and scenery
Most people will know Tulum as the place with the coastal ruins perfectly located near the picturesque coastline and some of Mexico’s prettiest beaches. A trip to Cancun certainly should include a day tour to Tulum. There are plenty of tour companies offering such trips. From Cancun, it’s about 135 km to Tulum but you can expect a scenic drive. Apart from this, you could rent a car and go at your own pace.
Read our Cancun Travel Guide for more things to do
Book Cancun Hotels, Flights, and Cars
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