Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Cancun, Mexico! I love it here; the beaches and the Cancun activities really make it a great family vacation destination. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate (or find mildly irritating) on your Cancun trip.
Hate #1: Lack of Mexican Culture
While technically, you are in Mexico when you are on a Cancun vacation, it doesn’t really feel like Mexico. There are so many tourists in Cancun, and the entire town is geared towards the tourist industry, so you don’t really meet many “local” or get a good feel for Mexican culture. Most people choose to stay at all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, so you really have to make an effort to go off-property and experience authentic Mexican culture, which you can find.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About All-Inclusive Resorts
Love #1: Cancun Beaches & Cenotes
Most people visit Cancun first and foremost for the beaches. The beaches are fantastic and there are a ton of excellent beach activities around Cancun. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and parasailing are just a few of the things to do in Cancun. When you need a break from the beach, you can go swimming in the cenotes around Cancun. Cenotes are sinkholes filled with freshwater, and they are so fun to swim in. When it’s time to decide what to do in Cancun, you’ll have lots of options. Helpful hint, if you go to a cenote and use the lockers pay extra special attention to the key they give you. If you lose it you have to pay for another one, and you would be surprised how easy they slip off when you are in the cenotes.
Hate #2: Driving Around Cancun
If you want a bit more freedom during your Cancun vacation, you really need to rent a car. Driving around Cancun can be frustrating, though. When you see a sign that says “topes” it means speed bumps and they can really mess up your car if you don’t slow down. Traffic in Mexico can also be a bit nerve-wracking, so take your time and make sure you have all the proper insurance and permits needed for driving in Mexico. Additionally, we would not recommend driving after dark.
Love #2: Cancun Tourism
The tourist infrastructure in Cancun is pretty great. Around the 1970s, the government decided to build up Cancun as a beach destination. Before that, there really wasn’t anything around as far as tourism goes. This is why there are so many amazing Cancun resorts to choose from, so many people speak English and it’s really easy to get around. Cancun was pretty much built for tourism, so it’s really an easy destination to visit. If you’ve traveled to other parts of Mexico, you’ll appreciate the tourist infrastructure in Cancun.
Hate #3: The $1 Touts
When you visit the major tourist sites, like Chichen Itza, you’ll run into a lot of touts shouting “One dollar!” What they actually mean is they’ll give you $1 off the price of whatever it is they are selling. Also, a lot of the tours will take you a craft market at the end of the tour and they all have the same kind of tourist stuff. It can get annoying after a while and it almost feels like the amusement park rides that let you off but force you to go through a gift shop before exiting.
Souvenirs: What Not to Buy When You Travel
Love #3: Cancun Nightlife
One of the main reasons that travelers visit Cancun is for the party scene. Whether you are partying at your hotel or hitting the town and checking out the pubs and bars there, the Cancun nightlife scene has something for everyone. There is fun for all ages in Cancun, so don’t think it’s just a destination for college kids. Many of the All-Inclusive resorts in Cancun are geared towards the nightlife crowd, so be sure to do your research and if you choose the right spot, you’ll have a great time!
Hate #4: Cancun Prices
If you are traveling around other parts of Mexico, you’ll notice that the prices in Cancun are a bit higher. It’s still a very affordable vacation destination, however, the prices are higher because it’s such a popular tourist destination. And the ATM fees are insane high. So just bring US dollars with you as they are accepted all over Cancun.
Love #4: Cancun Weather
Cancun has great weather, especially if you are coming from a cold-weather destination. It’s the perfect winter break from gray skies and snow back home. Cancun is warm and sunny almost all year-round. Of course, the summers can be hot and hurricane season can have an impact on the weather in Cancun, but it’s generally pretty pleasant all the time. Don’t forget your sunblock!
Hate #5: Cancun Seasons
If you come at the wrong time of year, you might regret it. Cancun in the summer is oppressively hot, so it’s not enjoyable to do anything but stay in the swimming pool or ocean. The other bad time of year to visit Cancun is March when most colleges are on spring break. If you are looking for a wild party atmosphere with lots of drunk college kids, then you’ll love Cancun during spring break. However, if you want to visit Cancun with kids, make sure you pick the right time of year and the right kind of resort.
Love #5: Mayan Sites
This was a major hub for the Mayan civilization, so there are great sights you can visit around Cancun. Chichen Itza is probably the most popular, and there’s also Coba and Tulum. There are so many fantastic day trips from Cancun that allow you to see some of the Mayan histories in the area.
There are so many more things I love about Mexico, including the weather, but you get the point. I love Mexico! The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to plan a Mexico vacation. For more tips on what to do in Cancun, check out these other blog posts: