The Don’ts of Cancun Travel
Greetings from Cancun, Mexico! Cancun is a really great place to visit, and there are so many fun things to do, but there are also some things I recommend you don’t do when you visit Cancun.
Cancun Travel Tip #1: Don’t Drink the Water
This is true all over Mexico, and Cancun is no exception. They sell bottled water everywhere; it’s cheap and easy to get, so don’t risk getting sick by drinking the water.
Cancun Travel Tip #2: Don’t Worry About Ice
While you should not drink the water in Cancun, the ice at hotels and restaurants here is usually filtered and purified so you can have ice in your margarita without getting sick.
Cancun Travel Tip #3: Don’t Be Pressured into Buying Things at the Airport
When you fly into Cancun and exit through customs, you will be flooded with people trying to sell you things. Whether it’s car rentals or timeshare offers, taxis and other services, don’t get flustered by all of the people getting in your face at the airport. Smile, say “no gracias” and move on. (Also, don’t take a taxi from the airport, ask your resort ahead of time what shuttle services they offer.)
Cancun Travel Tip #4 Don’t Take the First Price as the Final Price
Bargaining is a huge part of the Mexican culture. Whether it’s the price of a tour, or some trinkets you want to buy at the market, the price they initially give you is not the price you will end up paying. Be prepared to haggle a bit when you are shopping in Cancun. This does not apply in grocery stores or restaurants, but most other places.
Cancun Travel Tip #5 Don’t Trust Everything
If you want to join some tours or day trips from Cancun, there are many opportunities to purchase the tour. Whether it’s at the airport, your hotel, or on the street. However, there are also scams out there, so make sure to get everything in writing, with contact information, including phone numbers. It’s probably safest to book through your hotel, but those are often a bit more expensive.
Cancun Travel Tip #6 Don’t Forget Sunblock
Even if you don’t plan to spend your time sunbathing on the beach, you will need sunscreen. The sun in Cancun is very hot and very strong; so you will need it no matter what you plan to do. A bottle of sunscreen that might be $5 at your local drugstore could cost as much as $20 or $30 at your all-inclusive resort. So don’t forget the sunscreen!
Cancun Travel Tip #7: Don’t Worry About Pesos
Since there are so many American tourists in Cancun, U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere. It can even be hard to find an ATM that has pesos, most of them will dispense U.S. dollars. The ATM fees and poor exchange rate can add up quickly, though, so it’s easiest to just bring cash from home. You can also often negotiate a better price on things if paying in cash.
Cancun Travel Tip #8 Don’t Go to the Timeshare Presentations
From the minute you land in Cancun, you’ll be offered special deals and prices in exchange for attending a timeshare presentation. They’ll tell you that you only have to go for one hour and no purchase is required. However, they use high pressure sales tactics and often go on for more than an hour.
Cancun Travel Tip #9: Don’t Just Stay at the Resort
With so many all-inclusive resorts, it can be tempting to just stay at the resort and never venture out. There’s so much more to Cancun than the hotel zone and the beach. Take a day trip to Isla Mujeres, go swim in cenotes, or visit Tulum or Chichen Itza. There are also water parks and nature parks you can visit.
Cancun Travel Tip #10 Don’t Lose Your Resort Wristband
If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, you will receive a wristband to wear during your stay. If the wristband is lost, it can be very expensive to replace it at the resort.
Cancun Travel Tip #11 Don’t Pee in Public
Cancun has a party atmosphere, and there is often a lot of drinking. There’s a large police presence in Cancun, and they will ticket anyone caught peeing in public. It’s not worth the trouble or the hassle.
Cancun Travel Tip #12 Don’t Forget to Tip
Plan to tip 10-20% for waiters and bartenders, plus 50-100 pesos, per day, for housekeeping at your hotel. People working in the service industry in Cancun rely heavily on tips for their income. Even at an all-inclusive where drinks are included, it doesn’t hurt to tip the bartenders every once in a while.
Cancun is a great vacation destination; don’t be scared to visit Cancun! For more Mexico travel tips, check out these other blog posts and videos: