How to get around the most popular places in Cancun
Your trip to Cancun is coming up, and you still don't have an itinerary? Don't worry! Here are the most popular places to visit in this wonderful destination, as well as some tips and Cancun Airport Transportation methods to get to them easily, quickly, and safely.
The city of Cancun has evolved from its origins as an island of fishers surrounded by jungles to become one of the favorite tourist destinations for those looking to relax during their vacations with sun, sea, nature, and a magical history to discover.
Cancun has an endless number of attractions to visit, many of them located in the Hotel Zone, Cancun Downtown, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. This destination's must-see sites are wonderful beaches with turquoise waters, splendid Mayan archeological remains, great shopping malls, etc.
Cancun Hotel Zone
The Cancun Hotel Zone is one of the main attractions of this destination, with 25 km of coastline, large hotels, shopping malls with exclusive brands, restaurants, and many other sites that you can not miss. Day or night, Cancun Hotel Zone always has a plan for you.
Beaches
Have an incredible day at the beautiful beaches near the Hotel Zone, such as Playa Delfines, Langosta, and Zituk.
Plazas and restaurants
During the day, we recommend visiting its famous plazas such as Plaza La Isla, Boulevard Kukulcan, and Flamingos. In and around these plazas, you will find a wide variety of restaurants for all tastes.
Archaeological Sites
In the surroundings of Cancun's Hotel Zone, you can't miss the Mayan archaeological site of El Rey, as well as enjoy a boat ride through the mangroves of Nichupté.
Other attractions
Also, don't miss attractions such as Ventura Maya, Cancun Interactive Aquarium, Captain Hook, Mayan Museum, and many more.
Times and distance from Cancun International Airport (CUN)
- Distance from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone: 23.1 km (14.3 mi).
- Arrival time with Private Transportation Cancun Hotel Zone: 30 min.
- Arrival time with Bus/ADO Cancun Hotel Zone: 60 minutes or more.
- Arrival time with Taxi Cancun Hotel Zone: 30 min.
Cancun Downtown
Cancun Downtown is the meeting point for businesses and the main intersection to go from one place to another and get to know the dynamics of the city. Cancun Centro is mainly known for being the party's soul in every sense; no matter the time, this destination always has something to offer you, from all kinds of stores, exquisite restaurants, and of course, even fun nightclubs to have a great time.
Clubs and nightlife
The focus of Cancun Centro is nightclubs and nightlife, where you will find several nightclubs like Coco Bongo, La Vaquita, Mandala, Palazzo, The City, and Dady'O.
Bars and restaurants
Among the most famous bars in Cancun Centro are Señor Frogs, Carlos & Charlies, Wing's Army, and Hooters. However, if you're looking for something quieter and a complete meal, you can visit La Casa Tequila.
Forum By The Sea Shopping Center
Here you will find many places to buy handicrafts, food and enjoy an exclusive outing to the beach.
Cancun Scenic Tower
This 360° viewpoint is a very famous tourist spot where you can admire the wonderful city of Cancun from the heights.
Other attractions
In Cancun Downtown, you can also visit Plaza Bonita, Mercado 28, Cancun Planetarium, Glorieta El Ceviche, Malecon de Cancun, etc.
Time and distance from Cancun International Airport (CUN)
- Distance from Cancun Airport to Cancun Downtown: 19 km (11.8 miles).
- Arrival time with Private Transportation Cancun Downtown: 20 min.
- Arrival time with Bus/ADO Cancun Downtown: 35 min or more.
- Arrival time with Taxi Tulum: 20 min.
Comparative sheet of prices for transportation services in Cancun
Option |
Length of service |
Price |
Passengers |
Private Shuttle |
40 Mins |
24 USD (One Way) |
1-8 passengers |
Rent a car |
20 mins |
30 - 50 USD (per day) |
1-5 passengers* |
Shared Shuttle |
1 hour + waiting time |
25 - 50 USD (per passenger) |
1-15 passengers* |
Bus Service |
1 hour + Waiting time |
16 USD (per passenger) |
1-50 passengers* |
Taxi Service |
40 mins |
95+ USD (Up to 3 passengers ) |
1-3 passengers |
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is the largest city in the Riviera Maya, as well as a destination that has a lot to offer travelers. Within this spectacular city, you can find several important sites to make your trip a fun experience.
Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue is considered the heart of Playa del Carmen, where you can enjoy a variety of activities such as shopping at world-renowned brand name stores, eating at delicious national and international restaurants, relaxing while contemplating the iconic landscape that characterizes this site, buying souvenirs at the various Mexican handicraft stalls, watching the ferry traveling to Cozumel, and more.
Cenotes
Among the cenotes you can visit are Cenote La Cueva, Cenote Kay, Cenote Azul and Cenote Naval.
Adventure Parks
If you are looking for pure adrenaline, Xplor Natural Park, Xcaret Park, and Xel-Ha Park are for you. Here you can enjoy incredible activities such as swimming in spectacular caves, visiting unique aquariums, learning about hundreds of species of animals and plants, sailing in circuits, etc.
Rio Secreto
This is located less than 20 km from Playa del Carmen. It is a subway river in the jungle, which stands out for being full of cenotes and caves. Here you can enjoy the incredible experience of navigating among stalactites and stalagmites and delighting your eyes with unimaginable landscapes.
Other attractions
You can't miss the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the surrounding areas of Playa del Carmen, such as Chichen Itza and Tulum.
Time and distance from Cancun International Airport (CUN)
- Distance from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen: 68 km (42.2 miles).
- Arrival time with Private Transportation Playa del Carmen: 52 min.
- Arrival time with Bus/ADO Tulum: 1hr and 30 min.
- Arrival time with Taxi Playa del Carmen: 52 min.
Tulum
Tulum is located in the Riviera Maya and is undoubtedly one of Mexico's favorite destinations globally, thanks to its beautiful beaches with a splendid turquoise blue that enchants any traveler. It also stands out for its diverse vegetation, unique cenotes, and archaeological sites.
Beaches
Among the most outstanding beaches are Playa Paraíso, Tulum Beach, Playa Maya and Playa Pescadores.
Mayan Archaeological Zone
The Mayan archaeological remains in Tulum are an impressive mix of history and natural beauty. In the archaeological site of Tulum, you can admire the remains of defensive walls, as well as a small cenote and the famous "Castillo de Tulum", where you can admire a unique view of the site.
Time and distance from Cancun International Airport (CUN)
- Distance from Cancun Airport to Tulum: 118 km (73 mi).
- Arrival time with Private Transportation Tulum: 1hr and 30 min.
- Arrival time with Bus/ADO Tulum: 2hr or more.
- Arrival time with Taxi Tulum: 1hr and 30 min.
How to get to these destinations?
To visit each of these places, keep in mind that it is necessary to choose a method of Transportation in Cancun that gives you total confidence and accessibility during your trip. Below we list the most popular options to visit each of these famous places in Cancun.
Airport Cancun Private Transportation
Choosing a Private Transportation from Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone gives you a lot of advantages, among them, are the privacy and continuity of the trip. Forget about sharing your trip with strangers and making unnecessary stops that delay your trip. With Cancun Airport Private Transportation you will be able to enjoy your trip with total comfort and security, but above all, with fair and affordable prices.
In addition, by hiring a Cancun Airport Shuttle service, you can set your itinerary of activities and places to visit, with total freedom, since you are the one who has complete control of your travel times.
There are Cancun Airport Shuttle companies such as Airport Cancun that allow you to choose from several categories of vehicles such as:
- Private Transportation from Hotel to Hotel
- Open Transportation Service
- Transportation to/from Airport
- Group Transportation
If you are concerned about the costs of this type of Cancun Airport Transportation, keep in mind that it is a better investment if you are traveling with companions. You can find rates from $21 USD to $60 USD, depending on the destination you are going to.
Bus/ADO from Cancun Airport
The ADO bus service in Cancun is a good option if you are traveling alone and want to save a big part of your budget. Although, the price per ticket is between $2 and $9 USD, depending on the destination you want to reach, the category you choose to travel in (Gold, Platinum, or GL), as well as the number of buses you have to take to get there, the final costs of this method of transportation may vary.
The biggest problem with traveling by ADO Cancun bus is that fares can vary, and bus departures can take up to 30 minutes, considerably delaying your travel plans. Furthermore, when you arrive at the ADO terminal, you should also remember that you will have to take one or more buses to get to specific destinations such as Hotel Zone, Cancun Downtown, Tulum, or Playa del Carmen, causing your expenses and travel time to increase considerably. In these cases, and especially if you are traveling with companions, a Private Transportation service in Cancun is a more convenient option.
Cancun Airport Taxi
Although this is considered a reasonably fast option to get to your destination from Cancun Airport, you should remember that Cancun Taxi services may not be the safest option due to the high risk of robbery. Also, for just one trip, fares can reach up to $25 USD or more.
Are you staying in an Airbnb?
If you are staying in an Airbnb in Cancun and wondering how to get to all these must-see places, don't worry! Just book a Cancun Private Transportation to visit them with total freedom and without complications.
With the right Cancun Airport Transportation, you won't have any problems with the distance between your Airbnb and the place you want to visit. So whether it's day or night, enjoy your vacation without limitations.
Plan your trip to Cancun and make the most of it
Now that you know the most important places to visit in the wonderful destination of Cancun, it's time to plan a travel itinerary to create unforgettable moments. Don't forget the importance of choosing the proper Cancun Airport Transportation method to enjoy your trip without complications and with all the necessary comforts.
The best places to visit in Cancun and how to get to them from Cancun Airport and Airbnb. Attractions in Cancun Hotel Zone, Cancun Downtown, Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Manuel M.,
2022-05-04