The Perfect Cancun Itinerary [2023]: From 3 to 7 Days + Useful Tips (By Car or Bus)

If you are planning your Cancun itinerary you couldn’t have landed in a better place!

In this detailed post, you will find some sample itineraries from Cancun for 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days with alternative options, the best area to stay in Cancun, and all the practical tips you need to know before traveling.

I have lived in Mexico for the past 12 years (as I am writing this post) and Cancun has always been my base and forever home, where I would always go back to from my multiple trips in and out of Mexico.

Therefore in this post, you will get all the insider information you need to tailor your perfect Cancun Itinerary.

Cancun Beach Aerial View - Cancun itinerary

You can use this useful Table of Content here below to get to the session of your interest or you can just scroll down and read the entire post at your own pace and enjoy the beautiful images of Cancun to picture yourself on that spectacular beach that we all dream of. (Some of the pictures are mine 🙂

This post is packed with useful information that you don’t want to miss if you are traveling to Cancun AND will help you organize your trip even if you don’t follow my itinerary. In fact, I made it customizable so that you can adjust it to your liking! 🙂

Cancun Itinerary at a Glance

This Cancun itinerary is packed with things to do because I thought you may want to make the most of it during your stay in Cancun.

However, you can switch around the day or switch a day out with a day basking in the sun, especially if you are in an All-inclusive hotel on the beach, by all means! You are on vacation it shouldn’t feel like work!😂

Day 1 – Cancun highlights: Isla Blanca – El Meco – Mercado 23 – Playa Delfines – El Rey – La Isla (sunset)

Day 2 – Explore the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichen Itza – Valladolid – Cenote

Day 3 – Boat tour (or ferry): Isla Mujeres

Day 4 – Tulum bound: Tulum Archeological Site – Tulum Beach – Cenote

Day 5 – Cancun backyard: Cancun Cenote near Puerto Morelos + Lunch on the beach, relax in your hotel

Day 6 – Playa del Carmen day: Xpu-ha beach + Cenote + Playa del Carmen

Day 7 – Long day out: Las Coloradas or Coba

Aerial view of Cancun Hotel Zone and Nichupte Lagoon.
CANCUN Hotel Zone AERIAL VIEW

Travel to Cancun: know before you go

Before diving into the itinerary details I thought I should share some important information that you should know before traveling to Cancun. So here you go.

How many days do I need in Cancun?

If you are wondering how many days are enough in Cancun, the short answer is it depends on how many days you have available and what you want to do with your time.

Some people prefer to have a base for the entire travel time and do small day trips, others prefer to rent a car and spend the night close to the attraction they are visiting.

There is no right or wrong here. It all boils down to what you feel like doing and what sort of vacation you want to have.

I would say two days are enough to explore Cancun and do some of the tours, but if you want to stay longer, I assure you, you won’t get bored. It’s a promise.

Cancun Playa Delfines
Cancun Playa Delfines – Photo © Isabella Biava

How to get to Cancun?

Whether you are flying from another country or from any other city in Mexico, Cancun international airport is the closest and most convenient airport to fly into.

Cancun is one of the most trafficked airports in Mexico after Mexico city which means that you have a lot of great connections with the major hubs from the United States and Europe with the best chance to find great deals.

I suggest you should check on n Expedia for flight or package deals as they always have the latest offers.

How to get around Cancun?

Uber

If you are wondering, there is no Uber in Cancun. Even though the law finally approved the car-shared services a few years ago, many taxi drivers didn’t approve of it and showed their disagreement with violent actions.

However, the taxi association decided to meet the UBER car share company halfway and now some taxi drivers have also joined. However, you can use it in the Hotel Zone or in the proximity of a taxi stand. 

From Cancun International Airport to your hotel
There are many ways to get to your hotel from Cancun airport. The easiest way, and my favorite one, is a door-to-door private shuttle service offered by Cancun Airport Transportation because it’s all about comfort and convenience. Cancun Airport Transportation staff speak English, are reliable, and professional, and provide a minimum waiting time service!

Public transportation

The public transportation options within the Cancun area are not very convenient unless you stay in the Hotel Zone, in which case you could hop on and off the R1 and R2 public buses for approximately 10 MXN.

To travel around the Yucatan Peninsula (Day 2 and Day 4 of your Cancun itinerary) you can use the ADO buses or the minivans (colectivos), when possible.

Cancun drone view
Cancun drone view – Photo © Isabella Biava

Tours

Sometimes, I love to join tours when they combine different attractions and destinations that would be impossible to visit by bus in one day simply because there aren’t enough connections or because buses don’t even get there.

Tours are also the best option for water-related activities, such as snorkeling or scuba diving in Cancun, which is amazing.

Also if you have little time and want to see as much as possible, tours are great and you also have a knowledgeable tour guide that will share useful historical and cultural data.

Car Rentals

However, my favorite way to explore Cancun and Mexico overall, is by renting a car, because you have the freedom to make your own itinerary, change it when you want, and drive at your own pace.

To find the best rental car deal I recommend the Discover Cars platform where you can compare different car rentals and then pick the one you like the most, for price and conditions. (Read the full Discover Cars review).

If you want to use a local car rental, instead, I often use MexrentaCar. Their customer service leaves a lot of room for improvement, but every now and then they offer great deals and full insurance.

Driving in Cancun is quite easy although it may take some time to get the hang of it, just like when you rent a car in any foreign country.

Travel Insurance

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Cancun? Yes, you do. I actually purchase my travel insurance everywhere I go just to have peace of mind, one of the most important aspects of my travels.

If you ask me I have two recommended sites, one is SafetyWings, which I find relatively affordable and quite comprehensive.

The other one is the Travel Insurance master site which will help you find the perfect insurance for you.

You fill out the form with the information about your profile and requirements and they select the insurance company that is a good fit.

Hyatt Ziva
Hyatt Ziva – Photo © Expedia

Where to stay in Cancun

While planning your Cancun itinerary you may need to decide where to stay in Cancun.

Luckily for you, there are many different options, whether you want to stay right on the beach or in town, from all-inclusive resorts to affordable hostels, small hotels, or apartments.

Here below I am going to share my top 3 places in Cancun and then you can check out more options in my Cancun Travel Guide

Best Cancun Budget hotel in Downtown – Hotel Kavia Plus
Best Cancun Vacation Rental Property – Budget (downtown) – Villa Sofia
Best luxury hotel for solo travelers in Cancun – Breathless Cancun Soul Resort & Spa – Adults Only – All Inclusive
Best hotel for families – Hyatt Ziva Cancun All-Inclusive
Best hotel for couples – Turquoize at Hyatt Ziva Cancun – Adults Only – All Inclusive
Best luxury hotel in Cancun – Nizuc Resort and Spa

Is Cancun safe?

The short answer is yes, Cancun is relatively safe to travel to and to get out of your resort and explore. There is a crime in Cancun and there have been quite a few unpleasant episodes. The positive part of it is that those were all drug and cartel-related and if you stay away from that, you should not have any issues.

However make sure you don’t do silly things that may put your life in danger, be aware of your surrounding, and if you go out at night avoid dark isolated streets and keep an eye on your drink. Also, don’t get wasted, please!

Cancun is also a great solo female traveler destination but make sure you use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings, avoiding shady areas, especially at night, including walking on the beach alone at night, which is not recommended.

Among other things you should watch out for are, mosquitos (use repellent), strong currents in the sea, sunstrokes, and tap water (don’t drink it).

Use a refillable water bottle instead and fill it up in your hotel or restaurant and always take it with you. More about it later in this post.

The complete Cancun Itinerary 3 to 7 days

We have finally arrived at the core of this post, the Cancun Itinerary. It wouldn’t be a respectful Cancun travel blog if I didn’t include a suggested itinerary from a local point of view (mine). I hope you will find it useful!

Day 1 – Cancun highlights

Isla Blanca Cancun beach
Isla Blanca – North of Cancun

On your first day in Cancun, you either want to spend all day in your spectacular all-inclusive hotel on the beach or you can’t wait to explore and see as much as possible of Cancun.

Either way, I think a day trip itinerary in Cancun would be perfect. I have included the top Cancun sites for a day packed with things to do but you can skip some of them if you don’t feel like doing everything.

It would be ideal if you had a car so it would be much easier to move around. As I mentioned before along the Cancun Hotel Zone you can take the R1 or R2 buses but to get to Mercado 23 or Isla Blanca it gets complicated.

If you don’t have your own car, ask your hotel for a recommended taxi driver.

Here is the Epic Day-1 itinerary (click on the interactive map to check out the itinerary and distances)

8.30 am – Isla Blanca

start your day with one of the most spectacular and off-the-beaten-path beaches of Cancun, Isla Blanca.

Keep in mind that there is nothing there, so we won’t stay too long so that you can explore more of Cancun. Also, you would get there early morning so the sun is not too strong. Regardless, remember to bring:

  • sunscreen, hat, water, and towels

10.30 am El Meco archeological site

Situated on the way to Isla Blanca you can stop by on the way back. It won’t take long to visit as it’s very small but definitely worth it. The ancient Mayan ruins are surrounded by a lush tropical jungle home to birds, squirrels and iguanas among others. You may be able to see a family of the funny Coaties hanging around.

El Meco archaeological site entry fee – 55 MXN

12.30 pm – Mercado 23

On the way back to the hotel zone you can make a detour and check out Mercado 23 where the locals hang out. This is a real authentic market where you can find local produce and all sorts of food. You can try the local restaurant for some authentic Mexican tacos, quesadillas, or tortas (Mexican Sandwiches)

14.00 pm – El Rey

El Rey is another small but interesting ancient ruin located right by the beach in Cancun opposite to Playa Delfines.

El Rey ruins entry fee: 60 MXN

El Rey Archeological site
El Rey

15 pm – Playa Delfines and Cancun colorful sign

Playa Delfines is one of the most popular attractions in Cancun together with the colorful Cancun sign located right on the lookout terrace, with the spectacular turquoise Caribbean sea as a backdrop.

Playa Delfines is an equipped public beach where you can find bathrooms and showers, sunbeds and shades for rent. Before rushing to the beach make sure you take a minute to enjoy the view from the lookout terrace.

When I was younger and I just arrived in Cancun, I used to get there at 6 am to take surf lessons. I was happily surprised to find out that the surf school is still there and there are actually more surf schools in Cancun now.

Although this area is not the best surfing spot in Mexico you can still find good waves and take classes if you want to learn. Check out Good vibes surf school as well.

Otherwise, you can just take nice walks on the beach and relax after a long morning exploring Cancun

Isla Mujeres view on a sunset.
Sunset beyond Cancun from Isla Mujeres

5 pm – Plaza La Isla

I love hanging out in Plaza La Isla around sunset times, window shopping, or maybe even shopping, and stopping by the Nichupte lagoon to watch the sun setting over the Cancun skyline.

Keep in mind that the sun sets around 6 to 630 in winter and 7.30 in the summer.

After sunset, you can decide whether to go back to the hotel and get dressed for dinner or, just stay out for dinner in Plaza la Isla since there are many delicious restaurants to choose from.

In my guide to the Cancun Restaurants, I mention Elefanta (Indian) and Thai Cancun that I particularly love, and are located right on the lagoon.

Alternative things to do in Cancun on day 1 of your itinerary

If you think that this plan is not for you, you may want to check out other things that you can do in Cancun on your day-1. Here is a list

✔️ Relax on the beach in one of the all-inclusive hotels – If you chose among the spectacular Cancun All-inclusive resorts I suppose you want to spend at least one day in the resort enjoying the beautiful If you are not staying in a resort on the beach, worry not.

Many hotels offer a day pass option, where you can pay a fee that usually includes lunch and drinks and the use of beach beds and hotel facilities.

Nichupte' Lagoon and Caribbean Sea in the Hotel Zone Mexico
Nichupte’ Lagoon and Cancun Hotel Zone

✔️ Join a tour on the Nichupte’ Lagoon – The Nichupte’ Lagoon is a spectacular huge body of water that separates Cancun Downtown from the Hotel Zone. It’s home to a wealth of wildlife and a great place to practice all sorts of watersports.

There are different tours that take you to explore the Nichupte lagoon. Here are my favorite ones:

👉 Sunset boat tour – One is a 4-hour tour at sunset by a small fisherman boat cruising around the mangroves spotting the wildlife and watching the sunset that you can drive yourself. Another one, more eco-friendly and fun, in my opinion, is kayaking either at sunrise or sunset. ↳ BOOK IT HERE

👉 Kayaking in the Nichupte’ lagoon – this is more ecological but requires some work on your end 😜. Kayaking is not easy but doable. The Nichupte’ lagoon doesn’t have strong currents so you should be ok even if you don’t have a lot of experience. They have tours at sunrise and sunset, both amazing. BOOK IT HERE

✔️ Go scuba-diving – If you are a certified diver you cannot miss the chance to dive here. Scuba diving in Cancun is a great experience ad a choice among many different dive sites, including a shipwreck and the MUSA underwater museum, among others.

✔️ Reef and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour – If you love being in the water but you don’t dive, this tour is perfect for you. It’s only 3 hours 30 minutes and it takes you to some of the best sites for snorkeling including a shipwreck and coral reefs.

Day 2 – Explore the Yucatan Peninsula

Cancun Itinerary Day 2 Map
Cancun Itinerary Day 2 – click on the image to open the interactive Map – Photo © Google Maps –

On day 2, my suggestion is to explore the cradle of the Mayan heritage in the heart of Yucatan and visit one of the 7 wonders and UNESCO World Heritage site Chichen Itza.

8.30 am Chichen Itza – The majestic site is definitely a must if you have never seen it before. Include El Castillo (the largest pyramid) the thousands column, the observatory, the ball game field, and the sacred cenote, among others.

If you don’t go on an organized tour you should hire one of the certified guides that you will find at the entrance of the site.

Try to get there by 8.30/9 am to avoid the crowd.

12.00 Valladolid – at only 45 minute drive from Chichen Itza you will find the pretty colonial town of Valladolid. It’s worth taking a walk around the iconic plaza and walk along the Calzada de los Frailes to the Convent.

Chichen El Castillo
El Castillo Chichen Itza Archaeological Site

Along that road, you will find some local restaurants where you can have your lunch. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well. Although Valladolid is a popular tourist destination, it conserves the old town’s charm.

3.30 pm – You can either visit the cenote Zaci which is located only 2 blocks from the main square, or you can explore further many different hidden cenotes around Valladolid. In this guide, you can find some amazing suggestions.

For this day, the best option is to rent a car and drive around at your own pace. This way you will manage to skip the lines and enjoy the day in peace and tranquillity.

If renting a car is not an option for you, there are many amazing organized tours, which include transportation, a guide, and a stop at a cenote and Valladolid.

Some tours include entrance fees others don’t. Make sure you check the details before booking the tours. Here below some high-rated guided tours that I recommend.

choj-ha cenote
Choj-ha cenote – Valladolid

Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 8206 Reviews – Book it here

↳Chichen Itza, Buffet Lunch, Cenote, Tequila tasting & Valladolid – 4.5 ⭐️ 5997 Reviews – Book it here

↳Chichen Itza Early Access, Buffet Lunch & Cenote English Tour – 4.5 ⭐️ 2526 Reviews – Book it here

Alternative things to do in Cancun on day 2

Nohoch Mul Pyramid close up Coba
Nohoch Mul Pyramid close up

If you have been to Chichen Itza already, I would suggest checking out Coba archeological site. It’s only 2 hours drive from Cancun if you take the internal road, skipping Tulum.

You can check out the Coba archeological site and the spectacular Coba cenotes in the area.

If you don’t feel like driving you can always check out an organized tour from Cancun to Coba.

Tulum, Coba, & Cenote: Full-Day Tour 4.5 ⭐️ 220 Reviews – Book it here

Day 3 – Boat tour (or ferry)

Your 3-day Cancun Itinerary couldn’t end better than with a boat tour to Isla Mujeres. After two days spent exploring the cultural stuff and the magic of the Yucatan peninsula, on day 3 of your Cancun itinerary, we are going to take it easy and relax.

Isla Mujeres is a pretty Mexican island located just 30 minutes ferry ride off the Cancun coast.

There are different ways to visit Isla Mujeres, here they are:

► Spend a couple of days on the island

This is ideal if you have plenty of time ad want to relax on the north beach or in a luxury boutique hotel in Isla Mujeres. There are quite a few options available. You can check out my post about Cancun vs Isla Mujeres to see which destination is the right fit for you.

Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres aerial view from Punta Sur

► Take the ferry and explore Isla Mujeres on your own

Enjoy a quick ferry ride while you admire the spectacular turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea. Those colors only are worth the trip.

The ferry lives from different locations, one in Puerto Juarez, and other locations in the hotel zone such as Playa Tortuga and Playa Caracol. Check out the rates and schedule on the Ultramar ferry site

Once you get to Isla Mujeres you can rent a golf cart and explore the island, which is only 5 km long and bask in the beautiful playa norte, the perfect place where to swim and enjoy the crystal clear calm waters.

Isla mujeres playa norte aerial view
Isla Mujeres

► Join a catamaran tour

The other option is to join a catamaran tour which usually includes a snorkeling stop, lunch, and some free time in Isla Mujeres.

Some tours combine the spectacular protected reserve Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres in only one trip which is great if you are short of time and you want to see as much as possible. Here below the top-rated tours.

Luxury Catamaran and Snorkel. Lunch & Open Bar Onboard – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1825 Reviews Read more

Private Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour From Cancun with Open Bar – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 264 Reviews Read more

Catamaran on torquoise water

Alternative things to do in Cancun on Day 3

If you have been to Isla Mujeres already or you don’t feel like going there, here are some other amazing tours that you could join

ATV, Ziplines, and Cenote Tour at Extreme Adventure Eco Park Cancun ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1334 Read more here

Horseback Riding and Cenote Swim from Cancun ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 963 Read more

Day 4 – Tulum bound (4-day Cancun Itinerary)

Your 4-day Cancun itinerary ends with Tulum, an unmissable spot on the Riviera Maya. Located about 95 km from Cancun on the Riviera Maya, Tulum is one of the trendiest beach destinations in Mexico.

Europeans usually prefer staying in Tulum rather than Cancun but they are both great destinations, just different.

If you are based in Cancun you can visit Tulum on a day trip either by car or choosing one of the existing tours.

If you go on your own I would visit first the Tulum archeological site before it gets crowded and hot, and then you can hit the beach for some swimming time and lunch in one of the Tulum Beach Club.

I love Posada Margherita and Cinco Tulum.

Then you can visit one of the Cenote near Tulum and on the way back to Cancun you can stop by the spectacular Xpu-ha Beach or Yalku-lagoon, near Akumal beach one main attractions in the area.

Tulum archeologlical site
Tulum Archaeological site

Alternative things to do in Cancun on day 4

This 4-day Cancun itinerary is well-packed with all the major highlights in Cancun and the surroundings but you may also want to consider just chilling for one day and enjoying your resort facilities or one of the stunning Cancun Beach Clubs.

Day 5 – Cancun backyard

I like to call Puerto Morelos Cancun Backyard as the pretty underrated town is located only 30 minutes drive from Cancun Cancun.

Here you can check out some of the Cenotes of the Ruta Puuc, take a boat tour to the coral reefs from the beach, and eat in one of the seafood restaurants on the beach. My favorite one is El Merkadito.

You can rent a car and easily get there on your own or, you can join some of the organized tours available.

Here I am including a few top-rated excursions:

Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 278 Read more

Cenote Cristalino Cave
Cenote Cristalino

Alternative things to do in Cancun on day 5

If you don’t feel like moving from Cancun you can always do some boat tours. If it’s from June through September I would recommend swimming with whale sharks. It’s an unforgettable experience. Here is one of the top-rated tours.

↳ Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Riviera Maya ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 494 Read more

Puerto Morelos Catamaran Secret Sandbar Sail with Lunch and Drinks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 158 Read more

Day 6 – Playa del Carmen day

On day 6 of our Cancun Itinerary, we’ll head out to check out some spectacular beaches on the Riviera Maya, and some cenotes and we’ll stop by the vibrant beach town of Playa del Carmen.

It’s advisable to rent a car for better comfort but this itinerary is definitely doable by bus.

First stop: Cenotes on the Riviera Maya – Leave Cancun around 8 am – if you want to take the bus, get to the ADO station and hop on the Playa Express mini vans right opposite the ADO entrance or the ones on the other side of the Av. Tulum.

They will take you to Playa del Carmen, and from there you will hop on one of the minivans that go to Tulum and stop at Cenote Azul.

Right there you have so many cenotes options to choose from or you can see them all. It’s cenote Azul, Cenote Cristalino, Cenote Eden, and the Cenote park Chikin-ha. They are all close to each other and close to where the van will drop you off.

PRO TIP – Mind that the ADO bus doesn’t stop there. You need to get the minivan (colectivo or combi) and ask the driver to drop you off at Cenote Azul.

xpuha beach
Xpuha beach

2nd Stop – Xpu-ha Beach – After enjoying the cenotes you can go back to the main road ( federal highway) and wait for the next COMBI to arrive. Hail at them and they will stop. Tell the driver to drop you off at Xpuha beach. it’s just 6 km from Cenote Azul.

You will have to cross the road, so be careful because cars and trucks travel at a very high speed. And then you have to walk for about 600 mt to reach on a dirt road to reach the spectacular Xpuha beach.

There you will find restaurants and beach chairs for rent or you can walk a little further north if you want to stay more isolated from the crowd.

Playa del Carmen beach

3rd stop – Playa del Carmen – when you are tired of the beach or maybe you think you had enough sun, you head back on the main road where you catch your minivan in the direction of Playa Del Carmen.

There you can take a stroll on the famous Quinta Avenida, sit in one of the trendy bars for an aperitif and you can even wait for dinner in one of the local restaurants. La Cueva del Chango is one of them and the top rate on TripAdvisor is “The traveler table” ( I have never tried that but it has excellent reviews).

Or you can just head back to Cancun either by combi or ADO bus or of course your car if you rented it.

Day 7 – Long day out (7-day Cancun Itinerary)

If you were lucky enough to complete the full 7-day Cancun Itinerary, on your last day you can either relax on the beach or add one more exciting adventure to your vacation.

My first choice would be to visit the Protected Natural Reserve of Rio Lagartos + Las Coloradas and the ancient Mayan ruins of Ek Balam, one of my favorites.

If you have a car rental and go on your own make sure you contact Will, the best tour guide in Rio Lagartos, he’s a biologist and a photographer and is from there, passionate about his hometown and its spectacular nature.

He’s in high demand so, if you decide to take his tour get in touch early and arrange it. He speaks English.

If you want to join a tour, instead, see below some options:

↳ Ek Balam, Rio Lagartos Private Tour ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1 review Read more

Private Tour: Pink Flamingos, Maya Temples, and Ek Balam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Reviews Read More

Ek Balam archeological site

Alternative things to do in Cancun on day 7

There are many other interesting sites and natural wonders to explore near Cancun. Here below I am going to share a couple of those.

↳ Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve and Muyil Ruins Tour ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 27 reviews Read more

A certified tour guide will take you around the spectacular Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its diversity of landscapes, flora, and fauna.

After seeing the hidden gem of Muyil Mayan Ruins, you will walk through mangroves and tropical vegetation until you reach your boat to navigate the ancient canals used by the Mayas in the pre Hispanic times.

You will have time to swim in the lazy river and have a nice lunch before heading back to Cancun.

Note: this tour is available from Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Make sure you select your location before booking.

Sian Kaan aerial view
Sian Kaan Aerial View – photo from Canva

Multi-day birdwatching tours from Cancun

If you are a nature lover and would like to combine some of the most off-the-beaten-path places, ancient Mayan ruins, and natural surroundings with a focus on bird watching led by a local certified guide, you may want to check out this 11-day tour on Viator

The best time to travel to Cancun

It’s always a good time to travel to Cancun, it just depends on what you are looking for. Here I am sharing some information on Cancun seasons and the best time to travel to Cancun depending on different factors. Then you can head to my detailed guide (like here) for more specific information.

  • Cancun’s hottest month: June
  • Most humid month in Cancun: September
  • Cancun’s driest month of the year: April
  • The coolest month to travel to Cancun: February
  • The most popular time to travel to Cancun: Holy Week 
  • The best month to travel to Cancun Mexico: May
  • Best time to visit Cancun weatherwise: January through March
  • Less crowded and cheapest months: shoulder season (May-June and September – November)
  • The perfect time to travel to Cancun: April – June
  • The cheapest time to visit Cancun: September through November
_Climate in Cancun
The climate in Cancun – photo © weatherspark

Cancun by season in a nutshell

June – October – (summer) – Cancun wet season– more chance of rain (and hurricanes) and higher temperatures. Sargasso will most likely show up in these months. The Sea is warmer and Hotel prices are lower.

December through April (winter) – Cancun dry season – Winter is also called the dry season when the weather cools down a bit and the sky is blue and sunny. The water temperature is cooler as well though, but it’s less likely to rain.

For this reason, it’s also called High Season and you will find the highest hotel prices in Cancun and anywhere in Mexico actually. It’s also the most crowded, hence the higher prices.

Whether you are a spring breaker or you want to avoid spring breakers, keep in mind that March and April are usually the months when you will find parties all over the place and packed hotels that welcome this kind of tourism.

Shoulder season (spring)- from after Easter through the beginning of June – That is my favorite season when you can find great deals, there are no big crowds and it’s not so hot and humid yet.

Shoulder season (fall) – mid-September – November – During this shoulder season you will find more risk of rain and hurricane until the end of October. it’s really hot and humid until the end of October when it’s starting to get better. The sargassum is leaving the Mexican Caribbean coasts. The water temperature is still pleasant.

Hard rock Cafe Cancun at night
Cancun at night

Things to do in Cancun at night

What I love about Cancun is that it has everything for anyone and if you are a party lover you can also find many opportunities and places to dance the night away.

The Coco Bongo is an institution to see great performances and dance in between. Otherwise other places are Mandala and the Hip Hop Nightclub experience among others.

What if you are not a party person? (like me) Well, there are many other things we can do at night, besides a lovely dinner in one of the fine Cancun restaurants or in one of the on-site restaurants of your hotel. Here below some ideas.

👉 Cirque du Soleil® JOYÀ Admission Tickets – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 498 Reviews – Read More

👉 Xplor Fuego Nighttime Adventure with Transportation ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 138 Reviews – Read More

👉 Captain Hook: Pirate Show and Dinner Cruise in Cancun ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1200 Reviews – Read More

Rio Lagartos flamingos
Rio Lagartos Flamingos

Cancun Itinerary: final thoughts

If you have made it to the end, I would assume that my job is done :). I hope this Cancun Itinerary was helpful and you have now a clear vision of what your Cancun Vacation will be like.

If you want to learn more about Cancun in general, though, head over to my Cancun Travel Guide which will give you a road map of Cancun and also of this site. 🙂 If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.

For further reading:

How to get from Cancun to Mexico City
How to get from Cancun to the Riviera Maya
How to get from Cancun to Merida
How to get from Cancun to Tulum
How to get from Cancun to Holbox

About the Author

Hey there! This is Isabella, the owner, and writer of this site. I have been living in Cancun for the past 12 years and although I have been roaming around Mexico, Cancun’s spectacular turquoise waters and pristine beach draw me back to this popular Mexican beach destination. That is why I decided to start this blog, to show you all the beauty you can find in Cancun and share helpful travel tips to help you plan a fabulous vacation in Cancun!

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