Hotels in Cancún

Best places to stay in Cancun

If you have never been to Cancun, picture a long, narrow, land mass surrounded by water, dedicated almost exclusively to tourism. One side of the street is packed with hotels, traditional resorts and massive all-inclusive resorts, while across the street are hundreds of chain restaurants, shopping centers, attractions and nightclubs. Most Cancun hotels are concentrated in just a couple of large neighborhoods, making it quite easy to choose where to stay.

Downtown Cancun (El Centro)

Downtown Cancun is a uniquely Mexican and budget-friendly locality with moderately priced hotels and several open-air markets. This area also offers a vibrant nightlife and restaurant scene. The beaches are about a 20-minute bus or taxi ride from downtown. Consider the Krystal Urban Cancun Hotel, set in a modern high-rise, just a minute’s walk from Plaza de Toro’s bullfighting arena, and less than a kilometer away from the Malecón Tajamar boardwalk. Check out the Mayan-themed Xbalamqué Cancun Downtown Hotel & Spa that features individually decorated rooms and suites, just a 5-minute drive from the Hotel Zone entrance. In the heart of downtown, you have Adhara Hacienda Cancún Hotel, a hacienda-style accommodation with colonial architecture, bright, airy rooms, and a host of complimentary extras.

Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera)

Hotel Zone’s most prominent palm-lined street, Boulevard Kukulcan is where you will find most of the luxurious hotels, massive amenities-laden resorts and a host of up-scale shopping options. Popular beaches in this area include Playa Langosta and Playa Tortugas in the north, Playa Gaviota and Playa Chacmool in the middle of the strip, and Playa Delfines on the southeastern side. For families traveling with kids, check out the various all-inclusive beachfront properties offered by Palace Resorts or Club Med. For an uber-cool and vibrant ambience, consider the Hard-Rock Hotel Cancun or the Melia hotel, Paradisus Cancun. Indulge in ultra-luxurious, amenity-rich properties, such as The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun that features an exclusive private beach, or Le Blanc Spa Resort, an all-inclusive, adult-only property. You can also look at Hyatt Ziva Cancun that is surrounded by the glorious Caribbean Sea on 3 sides, or Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun located in the heart of the Hotel Zone close to popular nightlife venues. Both are luxurious, all-inclusive, beachfront properties where you can experience excellent amenities and extraordinary service.

Cheap hotels in Cancun

With over 150 hotels and resorts, Cancun caters to a wide range of budgets. For the most part, pocket-friendly properties will translate into fewer in-room amenities or fewer on-site restaurants and facilities. You will still be able to enjoy good beachfront locations and proximity to shopping, dining and entertainment. Check out the casual, all-inclusive, beachfront property of Hotel Imperial Las Perlas on Las Perlas Beach, just 10 minutes from Downtown Cancun. Midway between downtown and the Hotel Zone, you have the family-friendly Dos Playas Beach House Hotel by Faranda. In the heart of the Hotel Zone, consider the more compact, beachfront hotels such as Flamingo Cancun Resort or Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas. For absolute rock-bottom rates, especially for young students on a back-packing trip, stay in Hostel Ka’beh, a Hola Hostels property in Downtown Cancun.

The massive, all-inclusive beachfront resorts of Cancun offer many on-site facilities, and entertainment for all ages. Most travelers are content with lounging on the beaches with their cool tropical drinks, and spending the entire duration of their trip within the resort complex. For others who are interested in stepping out of the hotel, there are several options to choose from, including water parks and activities, cruise parties, archaeological ruins, adventure parks, and organized tours to other islands close by.

• Hop on a ferry to Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) to visit Hacienda Mundaca, the ruined mansion of a 19th-century slave trader, and spot sea turtles at the local tortugranja (turtle farm).
• Plan a day trip to Chichén Itzá, to explore the spectacular ruins at this large Mayan archaeological site. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is of the most recognized landmarks in Yucatán, Mexico.
• Get up close with iguanas at the El Rey Ruins in the Hotel Zone.
• Check out a large collection of Mayan archaeological artifacts in the sleek design setting at the Mayan Museum of Cancun in the Hotel Zone.
• Visit Dreams Cancún Hotel in the Hotel Zone, and book a Delphinus Dreams Cancún tour for an opportunity to swim with Dolphins.
• Explore local marine life and meet several underwater creatures at the Interactive Aquarium.
• Shop for leather, silver, pottery, glassware, artwork, and traditional Mexican handicrafts at Market 28, a one-stop retail destination in Downtown Cancun.
• Try jet skiing, waterskiing, boating, and kayaking as part of your all-inclusive resort facilities, or head to Nichupte Lagoon Cancun, spread over 3,000 hectares and featuring 7 lakes with water fun activities.
• Book a cenote tour that is offered by several local tour operators. As part of these tours, you can explore the world’s largest range of underwater caves and cavern systems, snorkel through pristine waters, ride zip lines over rainforest canopies, go off-roading, quad biking, scuba diving, or simply swim in a cenote.
• Go clubbing or pub-hopping at the several nightlife venues in the Hotel Zone. Don’t miss a stop at Coco Bongo Cancun to witness non-stop performances of acrobats, conga lines, live bands, and musician impersonators.

How long do people stay in Cancún?

A stay of 5 nights is most popular when visiting Cancún.

How much does a hotel cost in Cancún?

A hotel room in Cancún will generally set you back around $148 per night. This figure is an average and prices will vary according to the facilities, location and room availability at your desired hotel.

When is the best time to book a hotel in Cancún?

In September prices are at their lowest and represents the most cost effective time to book a hotel room in Cancún. You may find the cost of your room has decreased by 18%.

Which day is cheapest to stay in Cancún?

Hotel rooms in Cancún are generally cheapest on Sunday and more costly on Saturday.

How much does a hostel in Cancún cost?

Hostels in Cancún (including hotels rated 2 stars and below) costs $36 per person, per night on average. This is a $112 per night cheaper than the average cost of hotels in Cancún.