Published: July 16, 2024
As one of Mexico’s top destinations, Cancún is perfect for all types of travelers, including families, groups and couples. Its stunning Caribbean beaches feature turquoise waters and soft white sand, while its vibrant nightlife and diverse restaurants offer something for everyone.
Knowing how to best navigate a new location is important though, so it’s best to have some ideas in mind before setting off. From traveling to downtown or the club-filled Hotel Zone from your beachside resort, to visiting some famous nearby attractions like Chichen Itza, this guide will help you to effortlessly get around Cancun today.
• Pros: Very inexpensive (68 cents average rate), 24/7 access, safe and efficient, access to all districts and attractions
• Cons: can get crowded, may be warm on hot days
Cancun’s buses are one of the best transportation options for travelers since they run 24/7 and cost just 12 pesos, which is around 68 cents per ride. Buses arrive and depart frequently at numerous designated stops around the city, from the downtown area to the Hotel Zone, along with many beaches and nearby attractions. If you want to get on a bus and aren’t near a stop, simply wave them over and they’ll likely stop for you. Inside, you can press a button to request an earlier stop as well if you wish to get off before the planned destination.
Along with Cancun attractions, you can also take the same buses to popular nearby destinations like:
• Tulum
• Pros: Free, energizing, allows you to explore new areas on a whim
• Cons: Can get hot, tiring, not possible for all ages and people, will need transportation to further away districts
Walking in Cancun can be a fun and worthwhile activity all on its own, although some preparation may be required. If you’re staying in a coastal resort, you can walk along the endless beaches and paths throughout the day to take in the gorgeous coastline. Likewise, in the Hotel Zone, you can walk along Kukulcan Blvd. and find many exciting restaurants, bars and local shops. However, Cancun is quite large and spacious and it’s not easy to traverse different zones solely by foot. Taking a bus may be required at points simply due to the large sprawl of the city and its unique layout.
Likewise, the weather can get quite hot throughout the year, so make sure to plan accordingly with adequate water and sunscreen, along with breathable clothing.
• Pros: Allows you to drive on a whim, great for exploring nearby attractions outside of Cancun
• Cons: Pricey, parking can be very difficult and often requires a fee, not the easiest city to navigate, traffic jams
Renting a car in Cancun can be beneficial for those wishing to explore many nearby attractions outside of Cancun, including:
• Chichen Itza
• Tulum
• Playa del Carmen
While public buses do go from Cancun to these destinations, having your own car can allow for more spontaneity and help you to dive further into the surrounding areas.
However, if you’re looking to relax mostly within Cancun and enjoy its endless beaches and entertainment opportunities, renting a car may not be ideal.
It’s one of the pricier options and you’ll likely have to pay a parking fee at your resort. Plus, you’ll likely have to pay for parking every time you head into town or one of the beaches. Along with these extra fees, you’ll have to navigate the sometimes hectic Cancun traffic.
If you wish to explore nearby attractions on your own, renting a car can be a great option. However, for most people, simply utilizing public transportation or getting a taxi will be the simplest and most cost-effective solution while visiting Cancun.
• Pros: Readily available, not too expensive
• Cons: More expensive than public transportation and ride shares, a possibility of being overcharged
Taxis are a safe and inexpensive way to explore Cancun and you can hail one at any hour with ease. A ride between downtown and the Hotel Zone can be anywhere from $10 to $20 or more, depending on the time of day and traffic. Unfortunately, many visitors report that their taxi fares are often higher than initially agreed upon, due to the driver adding surprise and dubious fees at the end of the ride.
While there is a high surcharge after sunset, up to 50% of the daytime rate, some drivers may add illegal fees to the fare for unsuspecting tourists. It’s important to talk to the driver about the price and charges beforehand so there are no problems at your destination. While taxis are safe, it may be unpleasant to have to argue about the price if you feel you were unfairly charged.
Be prepared to discuss the fare beforehand and don’t be afraid to stand your ground should the driver add unknown fees at the end. All fares should be posted at tourist hotspots and be aware that fares are often much higher in popular districts as well.
• Pros: Cheaper than taxis, fixed rates which prevent you from being overcharged
• Cons: Limited reach, can only pick up outside of taxi zones which are prevalent throughout the city
Ride sharing options like Uber are generally available in Cancun and they provide a safe and affordable way to comfortably travel around town. Plus, since the price is shown on the app before accepting the ride, you won’t have the risk of being overcharged with surprise fees as can often happen with taxis.
However, ride shares are restricted from picking people up in taxi zones, which are marked near most major hotels, beaches and popular attractions throughout Cancun. They are especially prevalent in the Hotel Zone.
To get around this, you can often walk just a few minutes away from the taxi zone to be eligible for a ride. Plus, you can be dropped off anywhere, even inside a taxi zone, which makes ride sharing a valuable option day or night.
• Pros: Free, efficient
• Cons: Not always direct if there are multiple pickup spots, usually included in more expensive and premium packages through resorts or clubs
Some Cancun resorts and clubs offer complimentary transportation to their guests and it can be a great way to cheaply and efficiently get around town. Ask your concierge if there are any free shuttles to downtown, the Hotel Zone, or nearby beaches and attractions. High-end clubs often provide free transportation for those with reservations or VIP bookings and this can range from free shuttles to private limousines, depending on the club.
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