If you are planning a vacation and want to go somewhere tropical, Cancun is an excellent option. Mexico has many great places to visit, but Cancun stands out a lot, it is famous for its beautiful weather, gorgeous beaches and resorts, making it a popular tourist destination. According to Travel Off Path, over 10 million people visited Cancun over the past year. Cancun is a tourist destination and people target tourists. There are many things to know before going to Cancun, so make sure you know them even before getting on the plane.
Cancun is a beautiful place to vacation, but you need to understand that it is located in a foreign country. Anytime you do international travel with kids or visit a foreign country, it is essential that you do some research on your vacation destination before you travel.
Things to know before going to Cancun
Delicious fresh seafood, Cancon beaches that have mesmerizing white sand, and an endless list of places to visit – that is what Cancun stands for. A paradise on earth that would be a memorable excursion ever.
However, there are a few things you need to know if you are traveling to Cancun. If you are planning on traveling to Cancun any time soon you need to learn all about these things that you might not know about it.
1. Cancun Is Safe
Mexico has a reputation for being dangerous, and some people worry about vacationing there. In 2017, Cancun had a rise in murders, so the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel warning.
Most of the murders were targeted. Some were turf battles between rival gangs in areas frequented by United States citizens. Others were criminal organization assassinations.
If you choose a hotel or resort frequented by tourists, you should be safe during your visit. Whatever was going on in 2017 is over, and as long as you choose the right place to stay and pay attention to your surroundings, you will be safe during your Cancun vacation.
2. Pay Attention to Beach Flags
Relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Cancun is a great way to spend a day. If you want to prevent your relaxing vacation from becoming deadly, you should pay attention to the flags on the beach.
Strong undertows and rough surf are common in Mexico, which is why they have a flag system. The flags let swimmers know if the water is safe. The color of the flag lets you know what to expect. According to Tripsavvy.com, the following colors identify the current swimming conditions.
- Green: Swimming is safe
- Yellow: Use caution while swimming
- Red: Dangerous conditions
- Black: The conditions are so dangerous that you shouldn’t attempt to swim in the ocean.
If you aren’t a strong swimmer, you should avoid the ocean unless the flag is green.
2. Don’t Drink Tap Water
You should never drink from the tap in Cancun. According to Water & Waste Digest, the water supply in Cancun isn’t treated the way it is in the United States, and the water contains parasites and bacteria that can be deadly.
As a tourist, you are more likely to get sick from the tap water because your body is used to clean, treated water.
Many resorts offer free bottled water to their guests. You should drink bottled water and use it to brush your teeth.
You also need to be careful with ice. Unless you are sure that the ice has been filtered, order your drinks without ice. If the ice a restaurant or resort uses is cylinder-shaped with a hole in the middle, it came from a purified ice company, and it is safe to put it in your drinks.
Being careful about the water in Cancun can prevent you from spending most of your vacation sick on the bathroom floor.
3. Cancun’s Currency
Although most resorts, restaurants, and hotels accept U.S. currency; however, it is best to convert your dollars to pesos before you travel to get the best exchange rate. If you don’t exchange your cash for pesos ahead of time, you can get pesos from the ATM. Avoid exchanging money with an airport vendor or the hotel because you will get a lower exchange rate.
Although these establishments will accept cash, they will give you change in pesos. It is easier to work with one form of currency.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Cancun; however, street vendors and public transportation only accept pesos; therefore, you need to have some on hand.
4. Getting To Your Hotel
There are plenty of taxis in Cancun; however, they are expensive. The taxis don’t have meters, and you can pay up to 900 pesos or $45 U.S. dollars for a taxi ride from the Cancun international airport to your hotel.
Cancun Shuttles is an excellent alternative to taxis, and taking the shuttle is more convenient and less expensive. Cancun Shuttle has provided safe, reliable transportation for over 10 years, and the shuttles run to anywhere in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
Related Read: Sandos Cancun All Inclusive Resort Review – Is It Worth It?
5. Getting Around In Cancun
If you don’t plan to spend your whole vacation at your hotel or resort, you will need a way to get around. As mentioned above, taxis are costly. Taking a bus is a better choice because taking a bus is half the cost of taking a taxi.
6. Plan Accordingly
If you have your heart set on vacationing in Cancun, don’t book your vacation from August through November. This is Cancun’s hurricane season, and you don’t want the weather to ruin your vacation.
7. Stay Alert
Cancun is a popular tourist destination, and some people target tourists. When you are out in Cancun, try to keep your purse or wallet hidden from view. If thieves cannot see your money, they cannot steal it.
You should also stay alert to your surroundings. If you get caught up in the beauty and culture, you can become a target for criminals.
If your Cancun vacation will be enjoyable, relaxing, and safe, you should do plenty of research before leaving. It is best to know what to expect before you start your vacation.
8. Cancun is not all about partying
One of the images that Cancun has long stood for is that it is a party zone. However, in reality, it isn’t. Of course, there are several travelers who are always in search of booze, but then –there are several other options that the region offers you.
The beach city is good enough for a wide range of tourists, and that includes honeymooners, families who have young kids, and cultural enthusiasts. Fortunately enough, there are several hotels that cater to such travelers. However, it should be noticed that the hotel zone in Cancun misses the local culture and tradition.
9. Get ready for the experience at Cancun Airport
Cancun has some strict Airport policies. The luggage policy is something you need to be focused on. Make sure that you have checked the policies at your local airport before you depart.
Cancun International Airport has several rules and regulations that can get severely strict. The fines for overstepping the restricted zones are really hefty. Cancun Airport authority may even charge you to bring your carry-on. Yet another piece of advice would be to avoid the timeshare transportation available at the airport. Opt for your private transportation. That way, you would save both money and time.
10. Choose the right hotel
That would rather be a confusing task. The guides and advisers advise you to go with the all-inclusive resorts. However, the choice should be yours. Unless you really need an all-inclusive resort, it may be a great option to go with a regular hotel downtown.
The choice would be dependent on what purpose you are visiting Cancun. If it’s for a honeymoon, a dream vacation, or a family trip, an all-inclusive resort would be a better choice. Cancun All Inclusive Family Resorts are the perfect destination for an awesome family getaway! A regular business trip would need you to settle with the regular downtown hotel.
11. Check out the best sites to visit
Cancun offers much more to do and visit. If you are yearning to witness the local culture here, it would be advisable to move out of what the hotel suggests to you. You can even check out the Cancun activities on the official websites and get a feel of the local customs.
Beaches, underwater snorkeling, and a few other attractions are what you should never miss out on. Isla Mujeres and Playa Norte are just a couple of breathtaking options. If you are unsure of what we are talking about, just move out of your hotel zone and explore the mesmerizing culture and other experiences that Cancun has to offer.
