Hey there, fellow travelers!
Today we’re posting from Cancun, Mexico. We love to help travelers prepare for
their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to
share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today
we’re sharing the twelve travel shocks of visiting Cancun.
#1 Airport Arrivals
It won’t take long for the first shock of your Cancun vacation. When you leave the arrivals area, you will be bombarded with offers. From time shares, to resorts, tours and taxis, you will have people coming at you from every direction and it can be overwhelming. Don’t be pressured into a sales pitch. The taxi prices are also shocking, they charge a lot more to take you to your resort. It’s easiest to arrange an airport pickup from your Cancun resort, and will save you from trying to decide amidst the chaos of the airport. It will likely be cheaper, too. As long as we’re talking about money in Cancun, know that a lot of the ATM’s in Cancun will dispense U.S. Dollars. You’ll pay a huge fee and get a terrible exchange rate; we paid 10% in fees to withdraw dollars. The banks will have ATMs that give you pesos if that’s what you want.
#2 Beauty of the Mayan Riviera
The beaches around Cancun are amazing. Even in February, the ocean is so warm and pleasant, ringed by soft sand beaches. All of the beaches in Cancun are public, but it can be difficult to get to them without going through resorts. Either ask your hotel or your taxi driver exactly how and where to get onto the public beaches.
Watch: Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Cancun
#3 Intensity of the Sun
Don’t ruin your Cancun trip with a sunburn. The sun here is super intense, and you’ll be shocked at how easily your skin can burn. Even when you’re not at the beach, you have to be super vigilant about applying, and reapplying, sunscreen throughout the day.
#4 Mayan Ruins Near Cancun
If you venture outside of the resort during your Cancun vacation, you’ll be shocked at all of the Mayan ruins. Chichén Itzá is the most famous ruin near Cancun, and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Many travelers are surprised to learn there is so much more to Cancun outside the all-inclusive resorts.
#5 Things to Do in Cancun
Besides the all-inclusive resorts, Cancun beaches and Mayan ruins, there are
still tons of things to do in Cancun. There’s a huge waterpark, eco-parks,
Cancun’s downtown area, Tulum, Mercado 28, and more! This is what make Cancun
such a great vacation destination; there are things to do for all ages! There’s
snorkeling, diving, sport fishing, and parasailing.
#6 Tourist Infrastructure in Cancun
There’s really excellent tourist infrastructure throughout the whole region; many English speakers, lots of tour agencies and good roads for traveling. In other parts of Mexico, that’s just not true, so if you’ve traveled in other areas of Mexico and had trouble finding English speakers, you will be surprised at the infrastructure of Cancun.
#7 Insane Number of Insane Tourists
Cancun can get crazy crowded with tourists, and all-inclusive resorts tend to draw a party crowd, looking for unlimited alcohol. Cancun attracts all types of tourists, and lots of them. During December, January and Spring Break, Cancun gets crazy. Either book ahead or avoid these times. It’s also important to find the right kind of resort for you. Some are geared to a party crowd, while others are geared towards families.
#8 Cancun Weather
When it comes to weather, the best time to visit Cancun is any time! In February, it’s already in the 80’s each day, while May through September can be pretty hot in Cancun. You’ll get better Cancun deals in those months, but make sure you stay hydrated.
#9 Driving in Cancun
Driving in Cancun can come as a shock to travelers. Even riding in a taxi can be unnerving. They drive fast, and somewhat aggressively. Expect a lot of weaving in and out of lanes. If you get pulled over for speeding, you may have to pay the fine on the spot. It’s best to avoid driving in Mexico at night, for safety reasons.
#10 Bargaining for Goods
It can be shocking at how much bargaining is required in Cancun. Taxis don’t have a meter, so you have to negotiate the fare before you get in. At the tourist markets, you will get tired of bargaining back and forth, but it’s just part of shopping in Mexico. This also applies to tours if you are buying them on the spot. (Be careful trusting these guys as they’ll tell you whatever you want to hear. Don’t trust that they’ll feed you or provide water. You’re better off signing up for tours through your hotel. The price is usually set for those, but the quality is often better.)
#11 All-Inclusive Cancun Resorts
All-Inclusive resorts in Cancun are very popular, although there are other Cancun hotels you can choose from. All-Inclusive really means all-inclusive; you don’t have to worry about a thing! Except losing your wristband, because the replacement price of a new wristband can be a huge shock. Don’t expect a lot of local cuisine and culture at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. Ask the staff what authentic options are available at the resort restaurants.
Read: Ten Shocks of All-Inclusive Resorts
#12 Cancun Cenotes
You won’t believe how much fun you’ll have at the cenotes around Cancun. Cenotes are sinkholes, filled with water. They are so fun for swimming. If you aren’t a strong swimmer, you’ll want to rent a lifejacket because they are super deep and you spend a lot of time floating and treading water. Some of the Cancun tours will include a stop at a local cenote, but if not, try to make time to visit one during your Cancun vacation.
We hope these twelve tips help you prepare to visit Cancun, and lessen the shocks you have upon arrival. Have you been to Cancun? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: