Cancun Villa Rentals

You can find accommodations in several areas around Cancun, including the Hotel Zone (North, Middle, and South), Punta Sam Cancun, and Isla Blanca. The best area to stay in Cancun depends solely on the experience you wish to have and your personal preferences. The Hotel Zone has the bulk of the entertainment and accommodations.

It features gorgeous beaches alongside all-inclusive resorts, luxury chain hotels, and private villas. Here, you’ll find countless options for outdoor activities, from snorkeling tours, scuba diving, paddleboarding, kayaking, parasailing, jet-skiing, jungle tours, Mayan ruin tours, and much more. In addition, there’s a thriving nightlife, an abundance of restaurants, and a shopping scene. The Hotel Zone is divided into three separate areas: North Hotel Zone, Middle Hotel Zone, and South Hotel Zone.

The northern area is known as Punta Cancun and is famous for its extravagant nightlife. The Middle Hotel Zone offers more family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and nightlife. The South Hotel Zone features quieter beaches and only a few restaurants and attractions. Downtown Cancun, known as El Centro, provides a more authentic Mexican vibe with traditional Mexican dining and a large outdoor market.

The Hotel Zone is perfect if you’re interested in taking advantage of the big city with everything Cancun has to offer. However, for those who wish to step outside the hustle and bustle of the city for a more peaceful environment, Punta Sam Cancun or Isla Blanca may be a better fit. Punta Sam Cancun is located approximately 15km (10 miles) north of Cancun. Being the departure point for the ferry going to Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, it is away from the significant city life while still being close enough to visit easily. Punta Sam has a residential community that is more relaxed than the Hotel Zone while featuring its restaurant and nightlife. Isla Blanca offers even quieter, more tranquil accommodations than Punta Sam.

You can find this peninsula approximately 30km (19 miles) north of downtown Cancun. Attached to the mainland with only a thin strip of land, it highlights the glorious Caribbean Sea on one side and the glimmering Laguna Chacmuchuch on the other. While still close enough to visit Cancun, it is far enough away that you won’t find traffic, high-rise hotels, or crowded nightclubs. Instead, you’ll find tranquil, quiet beaches and a few rustic beach clubs.

Both Cancun and Isla Mujeres are popular vacation destinations. While one is not necessarily better than the other, they each offer different yet equally incredible experiences. They both have their unique vibe with their own set of attractions. Regarding accessibility, Cancun is much easier as it only requires a 30-minute transfer from the Cancun International Airport. On the other hand, Isla Mujeres requires a transfer from the airport and a 20-minute ferry crossing. Cancun offers significantly more beaches than Isla Mujeres. However, Isla Mujeres’ main beach, Playa Norte, is regarded as one of the best in all of Mexico.

Cancun is a reasonably large city that offers a seemingly endless amount of options for accommodations and entertainment. While there are some all-inclusive hotels on Isla Mujeres, it’s no comparison to the amount found in Cancun. You’ll find everything from watersports, tours, workshops, and extravagant evening shows in Cancun.

Dining and nightlife thrive, especially in Punta Cancun. In comparison, Isla Mujeres is much more laid back regarding entertainment. Visitors enjoy exploring the island on a golf cart, taking a catamaran cruise, snorkeling, and swimming with whale sharks. Dining on the island provides fewer all-inclusive options but with an extraordinary amount of restaurants that serve authentic Mexican cuisine.

Isla Mujeres is more charming with its family-owned restaurants, independent stores, colorful island-style houses, and plenty of opportunities to interact with locals. Due to the smaller size of Isla Mujeres with fewer options for activities/entertainment, it is common for people to visit for only a day or a few days

Visiting Cancun will be an unforgettable experience no matter what time of the year you decide to visit. There’s always an abundance of things to do and see. However, crowd sizes, pricing, weather, and activities will vary depending on the time of year/season. Therefore, to maximize your enjoyment, you will want to pick the time of year that corresponds with your personal preferences.

Winter and spring are some of the most popular times to travel to Cancun. You’ll experience gorgeous sunny days with pleasant, moderately warm temperatures from December through February. There is little rain and humidity, calm blue skies, and spectacular beach conditions. The ocean water is typically a little more relaxed than during the summer months but is still perfect for swimming. Travelers often visit during these months to escape the cold weather back home and celebrate the holidays. As a result, crowds and pricing will be at their peak, especially around Christmas and New Year.

Spring is another excellent time to travel to Cancun. You’ll experience moderate temperatures with lower humidity and abundant sunshine from March through May. Crowds are typically on the smaller side during this time, with reasonable pricing on travel and accommodations. While March brings many spring breakers eager to party, April and May are typically less busy. Crowds peak again for a short period during Semana Santa or Holy Week. This is the week leading up to Easter and is a popular time for families to visit. May is ideal if you’re looking for a memorable vacation experiencing local wildlife. In May, whale sharks arrive in the area, and sea turtles nest.

The summer months are technically considered the hurricane season (June through November). Summer brings humidity with hot temperatures and high rain chances. During June through August, rain and thunderstorms are frequent, although usually short-lived with heavy downpours. The cool rain is typically a welcomed relief from the hot sun. One of the benefits of visiting Cancun during the summer is that you’ll avoid large crowds and find great deals. In addition, it is a fantastic time for wildlife as the whale sharks remain in the area through August. Sea turtles nest through the summer with babies heading to sea during the summer nights.

The fall months of September through November remain part of the hurricane season. The rainiest month of the year is September. Despite abundant chances for rain, it could mean a passing shower, overnight showers, or localized rain. Beaches and attractions are primarily empty, with discounts on airline tickets and accommodations. November is generally considered one of the best months to visit. There isn’t as much rain as in other summer/fall months, and temperatures are hot but not scorching. The area isn’t overcrowded with tourists and prices are very reasonable. One exception is Thanksgiving week when crowds and pricing will peak.

Known as the “Spring break capital of the world,” Cancun is renowned for its extravagant, vibrant nightlife. With an incredible amount of bars, clubs, discos, and lounges, you’ll find partygoers of all ages. During the day, all-inclusive resorts and hotels host live DJs, contests, and various activities. After dark, you’ll find a never-ending party with plenty of music, dancing, and alcohol at the multiple bars and clubs. The epicenter of Cancun’s outrageous nightlife is located at the northern end of the Hotel Zone in Punta Cancun. You’ll find world-famous bars and clubs such as Coco Bongo, La Vaquita, The City, Dady’O, Senor Frogs, and Mandala. Many clubs typically have long lines to get inside, but the experience is worth the wait.

The nightclubs in Punta Cancun typically open around 9 pm, with nightly entertainment lasting year-round into the morning hours of 5-6 am. You’ll experience everything from circus performers, acrobats, bikini contests, mime artists, DJ sets, confetti, balloons, live performances, and gigantic video screens. With a capacity for thousands, these megaclubs highlight incredible multi-level dance floors. Many offer unlimited drink packages where you pay one price and drink all night long with an open bar bracelet. In addition, there’s always the option to reserve a VIP table and purchase liquor bottles.

Mandala is one of the most popular nightclubs in Punta Cancun. Featuring rich, vibrant colors and lush fabrics, this medium-sized club highlights elegant Indian-inspired decor. This club is hip and trendy, giving the vibe like you’re in an upscale lounge or VIP room. The entire front is open to the street, which adds to the ambiance. Coco Bongo is probably one of Cancun’s most famous nightclubs. This club is always known to be crowded, energetic, and a wild party. Live bands take the stage, playing everything from techno to classic rock to salsa. Nightly shows include celebrity impersonators and incredible acrobatics flying through the air. One of Cancun’s newest nightclubs is La Vaquita (The Little Cow). Located in the middle of Cancun’s Party Center, this club features a casual, open-air concept with red, black, and cow-print decor. With sexy go-go dancers and drinks sold by the liter, La Vaquita is known for its “Let’s get ridiculous” theme night.

The City is the largest nightclub in Cancun, with a capacity of over 5,000 partygoers. It is jam-packed with three stories, especially during spring break and the summer months. First, it highlights incredible performances from internationally known artists (Ludacris, Akon, Flor Rida, 50 Cent, Fergie, Snoop Dogg) and celebrity DJs. As with Coco Bongo, The City also has nightly acrobatic performances. With a powerful sound system and 650 square feet of video screens, it is not to be missed!

Cancun is home to various culinary cultures and world-class chefs. There’s always an abundance of fresh, locally-grown produce, wild-caught fish, and crustaceans from the ocean’s depths. You’ll experience the divine flavors of the Yucatan in combination with many influences from the surrounding states. While traditional Mexican cuisine is featured in the area, there’s certainly no shortage of international fare. You’ll find everything from Mexican fusion to Asian, Italian, Indian, and Thai in Cancun.

La Habichuela is one of the most iconic restaurants in Cancun. Having been open since 1977, it has been a fixture in the area for more than four decades. This restaurant highlights a gorgeous dining area within an open-air garden. The lush, tropical surroundings create a delightful ambiance with the addition of Mayan sculptures and strings of lights. Serving flavorful Mexican-Caribbean, you’ll discover unique recipes made with only the finest of ingredients. Their signature dish is Cocobichuela, which is curried lobster and fish served with rice inside a coconut shell. After dinner, you’ll want to splurge on their Chichen Itza dessert and a Mayan coffee that comes with a fun, tableside fire show!

Puerto Madero is arguably one of Cancun’s most renowned restaurants. Its waterfront location is only a bonus to its exquisite menu of Argentinean cuisine. Diners enjoy fresh seafood, grilled prime meats, and delicious plates of pasta and salads. The vibe is stylish and industrial, with a terrace perfect for a romantic dinner. Their service is known to be incredible, with customers returning time and time. Harry’s Prime Steakhouse and Raw Bar is another popular option. This family-owned restaurant is known to serve Cancun’s most coveted steaks. Their specialties include USDA prime, Black Onyx, and Kobe Beef, all cooked to perfection. In addition, they serve impressive appetizers, lamb, ribs, seafood, and sandwiches. The newly remodeled restaurant gives you the vibe that you’re in the middle of a scene from the Great Gatsby movie. Portions are large, service is impeccable, and cotton candy is delivered to each table following your meal.

Look no further than Porfirio’s for an upscale yet authentic Mexican dining experience. This gorgeous restaurant is located on Nichupte Lagoon in the Hotel Zone. Dining here is a joyful experience with contemporary house music and traditional performances from dancers and mariachi bands. Their menu consists of traditional Mexican cuisine with fresh flavors and some of the best tacos in the city. In addition, they offer an extravagant mixology cart with over 100 tequila and mezcal offerings and a delicious churro cart. The option for outdoor seating is the perfect place to catch one of Cancun’s stunning sunsets.

Yes! Cancun is an excellent place for a family vacation. The city is energetic, vibrant, welcoming, and safe. With abundant activities for children of all ages, it’s a family vacation haven. In addition, many of the tours and entertainment options are explicitly devoted to families.

A cenote tour is one of the most popular and highly recommended adventures for a family. These naturally formed sinkholes are one of the world’s most unique and fascinating phenomena. Thousands can be found surrounding Cancun and the Yucatan region, making them extremely popular among tourists. Children of all ages adore the magical experience of swimming in these freshwater, underground caverns. There are even opportunities to snorkel, zipline, kayak, and tube as you explore the surrounding lush, mangrove jungle. Another favorite activity for the entire family is swimming with dolphins. This experience is interactive and educational as children of all ages learn about marine life while watching them dance and jump.

Experiencing a fin shake, kiss on the cheek, and an exhilarating ride with them through the ocean is unforgettable. Visiting an eco-theme park is another option for a fun-filled day for the entire family. Xcaret is an enormous park with approximately 200 acres, rivaling the size of Disney properties. The park is a giant playground with spectacular entertainment, animals, history, cultural displays, and underground rivers. The garden educates and entertains visitors with all the various colors, sights, sounds, and tastes of the different regions of Mexico. Xel-Ha is another theme park in the area. However, this one is based on the magnificent water in the area.

This aquatic park combines the freshwater from underground rivers with the warm salt water of the Caribbean Sea. There are plenty of exhilarating activities from snorkeling, tubing, touring cenotes, ziplining, biking trails through the jungle, and jumping off a cliff into the river. In addition, you may find Snuba and participate in the manatee encounter for an extra fee. At Xel-Ha, a designated area for small children includes a wading pool, water slide, and playground. However, for very young children or those not comfortable with the water, Xcaret may be a better option.

Cancun’s beaches can often become crowded, especially during peak times and spring break. You’ll find one of the quietest, most family-friendly beaches at Playa Delfines in the Hotel Zone. The area features a small playground with restrooms and plenty of open space to relax, swim, and build sandcastles. When you need a break from the heat, head over to the Cancun Interactive Aquarium in the Hotel Zone. The aquarium is home to an extensive array of fascinating, colorful fish and various other species of sea life. Children can pet a stingray and starfish and watch a dolphin show from above.

You don’t want to miss visiting Parque de las Palapas for an evening activity suitable for the entire family. This plaza is located in the downtown area of Cancun. Although very quiet during the day, it all comes alive after dark. You’ll find colorful playgrounds, outstanding performances, delicious food stands, and live music. A favorite activity among younger children is driving around the plaza in a Power Wheel vehicle.