Cancun is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but there are some things you should know before your trip. Here are my tips and tricks for having a great time:
Currency
The currency of Mexico is Mexican pesos. US dollars are accepted in some places, but not all. Exchange rates vary, so check before you go. You can exchange money at the airport or at your hotel; make sure to have cash on hand, since most places don’t accept credit cards.
Language
Learning a few key phrases in Spanish will make your trip much more enjoyable. Here are some basic phrases you should know:
- Hello: hola (pronounced “oh-la”)
- Goodbye: adios (pronounced “ah-dee-os”)
- Please: por favor (pronounced “pore fah-vor”)
- Thank you very much: gracias (pronounced “grace-ee-as”)
If you’re looking for directions, there are several ways to ask for them in Spanish. You can use the word “directions” followed by the word “please,” or say where you want to go and then add the word “from” before it, like this: “Directions from here?” or “Directions from Cancun?” The first one is simpler because it doesn’t need any context—it’s just asking how to get somewhere from where they are now. But if they’re asking about getting somewhere from their current location and not a specific place, then using both of those words together makes sense too!
Sunscreen
The sun is strong in Cancun, and you’re going to need sunscreen. You probably know this already, but make sure to wear it every day – even if you’re only going to be at the beach for an hour or so. If you forget your sunscreen at home, head to your local drugstore and pick up a bottle of SPF 30 or higher.
If you’re going on a long trip (like a week), bring along some extra sunscreen! You can never have too much of this stuff, especially if Cancun has been experiencing warmer than usual weather lately.
Sunscreen isn’t just important because it protects us from those harmful UV rays; it also keeps our skin healthy and prevents wrinkles!
Zip lines
Zip lines are a popular activity in Cancun. The tours are safe and fun, perfect for thrill seekers and families alike. Some zip line tours are located within the city of Cancun, while others can be found outside of town. Either way, zip lining is an excellent way to see the city from above!
Basic Spanish phrases
- “Gracias.” You’ll definitely want to know this one, as it means “thank you” in Spanish.
- “Por favor.” This is a good phrase for ordering food or asking for something.
- “Si,” “No,” and “Hola.” These are simple words that will get you by in most conversations (and are easy enough to learn!).
If you want a more formal greeting, then say: “Buenas tardes/tardes/noches! Como están?” If someone greets you like this, then respond with: “Muy bien, y tú?”
Food
Food in Cancun is a big deal. The city’s restaurants serve up a wide variety of authentic Mexican cuisine, and with so many delicious options to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your favorites. You’ll never go hungry in Cancun: there are taco stands on nearly every corner and you can even find local specialty dishes like cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) at chain restaurants such as Rubio’s or El Rey del Taco.
There’s one thing you should know about Mexican food before you travel: it’s safe! The United States Department of State has declared that illness from eating contaminated foods is “rare,” though they do recommend avoiding raw fruits and vegetables unless they’ve been peeled yourself. You’re also advised to avoid uncooked meats, unpasteurized dairy products (such as unpasteurized milk), and tap water unless it’s been boiled first.”
WiFi
WiFi is not free in many places. That’s right, folks: WiFi is not free at most places you will visit in Cancun.
- The airport does not have free WiFi for customers, so make sure to connect your phone to an internet connection before going through security. You don’t want to be stuck without WiFI while waiting around for your flight!
- Many hotels and resorts charge their customers for their WiFi packages. If you want to use the internet while you are at one of these places, you will need to pay a fee each hour that you spend online — it can get expensive!
- There are also some restaurants that offer complimentary wireless service but only during certain hours of the day or week (for example: Tuesday evenings). You should always check ahead of time whether or not this service exists before deciding where you want eat dinner!
Day trips
Day trips are a great option if you’re looking to explore more of the Yucatan Peninsula. For example, you can take a day trip to Isla Mujeres and enjoy its beautiful beaches, or take a day trip to Tulum for some sunbathing on the beach and snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea. There are also several other popular day trips that travelers make from Cancun:
- Chichen Itza (an ancient Mayan city)
- Valladolid (a colonial town)
- Cenote Azul (a cenote with fresh water pools)
The beach vendors are harmless.
Let’s be clear: the vendors are not trying to sell you anything. They’re not aggressive, and they’re not trying to steal from or cheat you. They’re just friendly people who want to make a living like anyone else. In fact, the only thing these guys will hurt is your wallet when they offer to take your picture and hand over some cheap trinkets in return.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, approach one of them with a smile on your face and ask them if they’ll take a photo for you—the process should go smoothly from there!
Don’t forget a bathing suit cover-up if you’re shy about your body. (Or, don’t wear one if it doesn’t bother you.)
While most people in Mexico will be used to seeing scantily clad tourists, some less so than others. If you’re not comfortable wearing just a bikini on the beach or poolside, bring along a sundress or wrap-around sarong to wear over your swimsuit. Most large stores sell these items at reasonable prices, and there are also many online options available if you prefer not to buy something in person. Cover-ups can be made from cotton, silk or other fabrics; short or long length; plain colors or patterned designs – whatever makes sense for the occasion! You can even find some that are made out of heavy fabrics for those hot days when covering up is essential but staying cool isn’t necessarily top priority.
Transportation from the airport to your hotel is super-easy.
What makes transportation in Cancun so easy is that there are multiple options. You can take a shuttle (which will cost you around $60 USD), a taxi (about $100 USD), or the bus (around $20 USD). All of these choices leave from the airport and go directly to your hotel.
The airport is also not far from downtown, so it’s very easy to find transportation once you get off your flight.
Tipping. You should always tip, even for small things like water and sodas. Servers make very little money on their own and rely heavily on tips.
If you like being a good person, you should tip.
I don’t mean that you should give people money so they’ll like you better, or because it’s the thing to do. I mean that tipping is not only expected everywhere in the United States (and most other places), but it’s also kind of the best way to show your appreciation for good service and make your server’s day. They’re working hard so that when you come back tomorrow, all the staff will remember who has been generous with tips and who hasn’t.
You may have heard about tipping policies at restaurants being changed from 15% to 18% in some parts of Mexico as a response to minimum wage laws—but even if this is true (and it might not be), don’t worry about how much money someone else is making off your meal. If they’re doing a good job serving your food and cleaning up after you eat it? Tip them accordingly!
Cancun is a beautiful, safe place to visit
Cancun is a beautiful place. It’s safe, too! In fact, it’s one of the most popular destinations in Mexico and a great place to visit. You can spend your vacation at this popular destination or take a vacation there.
Conclusion
Cancun is a beautiful, safe place to visit. As long as you remember a few important things (language skills, sunscreen and basic Spanish phrases), your trip will be wonderful. And if you don’t want to leave the beach at all during your stay, it’s totally OK!