Cancún, Mexico
Cancún was our gateway to the Riviera Maya in early 2023 — we flew through here on the way to a resort stay down the coast, departing back to Los Angeles in March.
Our experience
The city is Mexico's most famous Caribbean resort destination, and for good reason: powder-white sand, impossibly turquoise water, and a Hotel Zone strung along a barrier island.
Beyond the beaches lies the deeper draw — the Yucatán's Maya ruins, cenotes, and jungle. For us Cancún was the entry point to all of that, the airport-and-beach hub that opens the door to one of Mexico's most spectacular coastlines.
Cancún was a nearly uninhabited stretch of coast before it was selected in the late 1960s and developed by the Mexican government as a planned tourism destination, eventually becoming one of the country's best-known resort cities.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Cancún Hotel Zone — the city's famous stretch of white-sand beaches, resorts, restaurants, and Caribbean-blue water.
- Chichén Itzá — one of the Yucatán's most iconic Maya archaeological sites and a popular full-day trip from Cancún.
- Cenotes — swim in the Yucatán's natural freshwater sinkholes, often combined with Maya-ruins excursions.
- Isla Mujeres — a laid-back island just offshore, known for beaches, snorkeling, and catamaran trips.
- Tulum — cliffside Maya ruins overlooking the Caribbean farther south along the coast.
- Riviera Maya — the resort coastline stretching south from Cancún toward Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Our pro tip
We've learned Cancún is best as a base for exploring rather than just lying on the sand — the ruins and cenotes inland are some of the biggest reasons to go.
The Hotel Zone is convenient but can be expensive, while downtown Cancún offers a more local feel and generally more affordable options. Book the biggest day trips early, especially Chichén Itzá and Isla Mujeres, and plan for an early start if you want to avoid the strongest midday heat.
For one of the classic excursions, check this Chichén Itzá, Cenote & Valladolid tour on Klook, which combines the Maya ruins with a cenote swim and a stop in Valladolid.
For an island day, check this Isla Mujeres catamaran tour on Klook, with snorkeling and time around Isla Mujeres.
If you'd rather compare several options first, browse Cancún tours and activities on Klook.