Hi, fellow travellers!
Are you planning to visit Mexico? How about Cancun?
Mexico is known for its mouthwatering cuisine, long summers, and vibrant culture. The country is well-known for its all-inclusive resorts and its picturesque beaches fringed with palm trees, making it a favourite destination for tourists. Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific Coast and Tulum and Cancun on the Caribbean Coast to the east are popular beach resorts in Mexico.
The stunning coastal city of Cancun, located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, is an obvious favourite among beachgoers. I’ve been here to this Caribbean paradise last summer and it is one of my favorite destinations. Before you decide to pack your bags and travel to Mexico, consider the following tips. From safety tips to activities, I got you! Here are things what I wish I knew before going to Cancun.
Have an Immigration Form
Before going through customs at the airport, travellers visiting Mexico must complete an Official Entry Immigration Form, often known as a Tourist Card. This form can be completed online either before or during your trip to Mexico. These are usually distributed by the airlines before landing, or you can complete them in the lobby before going through customs. The form has an exit part; make sure you keep it. If completing the form online, print both sections and save the exit part for yourself. If you complete it in person, the exit part will be put in your passport. You will be penalized if you don’t show the exit part at security to get on your flight.
Book Airport Transfer in Advance
Uber is operational in Cancun, but it isn’t legally allowed there. It is not permitted for drivers to pick up passengers at Cancun International Airport. Although they are available, conventional taxis might occasionally have expensive rates.
Don’t be afraid to ask your chosen hotel about their airport shuttle service since several accommodations in Cancun offer it.
Keep Pesos in Your Pocket
Always keep pesos in your pocket. Both US dollars and Mexican pesos are accepted at quite a few Cancun hotels and eateries. Not all Cancun establishments outside of the tourist zone, however, would take US dollars or even credit cards.
Buy in Local Markets
Check out the vibrant local boutiques, classic specialized businesses, and tented flea markets instead of the airport gift shops. A variety of unusual handcrafted items, such as Calavera statues and wooden carvings, are available. If you ask nicely and show them respect, the local vendors will probably give you a discount on your souvenirs because they value their business. At night, children around the main strip of eateries and bars sell bracelets and other tiny handcrafted things. If you purchase one, be advised that many kids may approach you to sell their goods as well. You can gently refuse or give in, spend too much, and take out all the extra cash in your pockets.
Keep Alert for Food and Water Contamination
The tap water at resorts, as well as food prepared with or washed in the water, can make you sick. Many people generally underestimate the amount of sickness they may experience from this, but when mixed with margaritas in the sweltering Mexican sun, you’ll quickly become dehydrated.
Drinking bottled water is recommended as you don’t want something like this to ruin the trip. When ordering beverages at restaurants, don’t forget to say “no ice”—a small bit of melted ice often adds up after a few cups.
The same cautions apply to eating in Mexico: our stomachs may not be used to what the locals eat. Although it’s an excellent chance to try the local cuisine, I won’t completely rule out taco vendors found in remote places. Choose places that appear to be well-liked and have favourable feedback. Likely, you won’t have any problems if there are a lot of other tourists dining there.
Book Activities and Excursions at Your Resort
In Cancun, boating, parasailing, and snorkelling are all more accessible than before; I’ve even been in a mini-submarine. Nevertheless, choosing a local tour operator can be difficult due to the abundance of them. Make arrangements at your hotel to save money and time. Ask about activities as soon as you get to your hotel to find out what’s available for you during your stay.
Use Cancun’s Public Buses
Cancun offers a huge public bus system that travels through most of the city’s key areas.
Cancun has a lot of buses that run all day long. They can take you to almost any place in the city and are reasonably priced.
Avoid Visiting During Hurricane Season
The ideal period of year to visit Cancun is from December to April. The weather is almost ideal despite being the busiest time of year for tourists.
On the other hand, you should try to avoid scheduling your trip to Cancun—or to Mexico in general—during the hurricane season, which runs from August through November. It’s possible to get slightly cheaper prices at this time, but you’ll probably be spending most of your time inside sheltering from the rain.
Stay Away from Tourist Traps
To be honest, if only for the experience and being able to proclaim you did it, certain tourist traps can be pleasurable the first time around. There are many of them in Cancun, but some are better avoided and some are only worth seeing once.
Señor Frogs is a better choice if you want to see one than the Hard Rock Cafe. It features a water slide that winds around the restaurant, live entertainment, and a lively atmosphere.
Make reservations for a dolphin-watching cruise rather than swimming with dolphins at aqua parks. Not only was it fantastic to observe them in their native settings, but it was also a great chance to see other animals, such as sea turtles and whale sharks. Most importantly, don’t be scared to say NO to pushy street vendors who are trying to sell tickets for what seems to be a tourist trap.
You can be sure you’ll have a hassle-free trip with these lists of things – what I wish I knew before going to Cancun.
Enjoy Cancun and have fun!
