Is Cancun in the Caribbean? Find Out Cancun’s Unique Location!

Is Cancun in the Caribbean? The short answer is yes, Cancun is in the Caribbean Sea. But read on if you want to learn more about Cancun’s unique location.

This popular Mexican Caribbean tourist destination sees people from all over the world, but there are still some things that might surprise even the city’s most dedicated fans.

Whether you’re headed there for the first time or you’re a returning visitor aiming to upgrade your knowledge of the city, these facts about Cancun are sure to add a new dimension to your vacation.

Is Cancun in the Caribbean?

Cancun is a beautiful place that draws in tourists from all over the world. But is it actually in the Caribbean? The answer may surprise you.

Yes, Cancun is part of the Caribbean. The Caribbean is considered the be part of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, the islands inside it, and the surrounding coasts.

Those surrounding coasts include the Southeast coast of Mexico, along the Yucatán Peninsula, which is all part of the Caribbean.

Not only does this Caribbean coast area include Cancun, but also Cozumel and Riviera Maya, all the way down the coast of Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela’s northern coast all the way where Tobago Island marks the limit of the Caribbean sea.

Where is Cancun located?

Cancun is located on the top southeast coast of Mexico, along the Yucatan Peninsula. It is about 190 miles east of Merida, and about an hour’s drive from the Mexican Caribbean destinations of Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, and just over two hours away from Tulum.

It’s in the Mexico State of Quintana Roo but although it’s a popular city it’s not its capital. The Capital City of Quintana Roo is in fact the less popular city of Chetumal, close to the border with Belize.

Is Cancun an island?

The city of Cancun is not an island itself, however, there is an island that’s part of Cancun. Cancun Island is the location where you’ll find the city’s resort area called the Hotel Zone. It makes up the eastern side of the city.

What ocean is Cancun on?

Cancun is on the Caribbean Sea.

Is Cancun on the Riviera Maya?

Not exactly. Both Cancun and the Riviera Maya are in the Caribbean Sea, however, Cancun is further north. The stretch of the Mexican coast that is called Riviera Maya goes from Puerto Morelos to the Sian Kaan Biosphere.

How far is the Riviera Maya From Cancun?

This is a difficult question because the Riviera Maya is an extensive area that stretches from Puerto Morelos to Sian Kaan and therefore it depends on where you are going. The distance between Cancun Airport and the first town in the Riviera Maya, Puerto Morelos is about 30 miles.

Final thoughts: Is Cancun in the Caribbean?

Yes, Cancun is in the Caribbean Sea, and it’s considered a Caribbean destination. Cancun is a fascinating and wildly popular tourist destination that sees millions of people come through each year. Despite the fact that the city itself isn’t very old, it has a rich culture and an amazing history.

There are plenty of things to do and see while you’re here. Make sure that you take advantage of this amazing city. Cancun is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and has been for a very long time.