Best time to go
Cancun’s high tourist season runs from December to April. Average temperature between this time stays between 60 F-80 F. Prices peak from mid December to mid January but within this time frame peak period is winter break and spring break so if you are planning to visit during this time then plan in advance, hotels fill up easily. Ideal time to visit is early December i.e. before Christmas/winter vacations and end of April following the spring break madness. During this time hotel prices are comparatively low and weather is still great.
Low Season
June to November is the Hurricane season. It brings several days of tropical rain, September and October are rainiest month. During this time hotel prices and airfare are to their lowest.
Where to stay
Cancun has all range of hotels, from cheap hostels to luxury resort. Area around Parque de las palapas has multiple hostels. Downtown Cancun also has hostels to mid range hotels. The most charming area in Cancun is Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone). Hotel zone has mostly mid range to luxurious beach front resorts. If hotel zone area is in your budget I definitely recommend staying there.
Resorts in Hotel Zone.
The Ritz-Carlton ($)
Marriott Cancun Resort ($)
The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas ($)
Seadust Cancun Family Resort ($).
Hotels in Downtown Cancun
Ramada Cancun City ($)
Four Points By Sheraton Cancun ($)
Hostels.
Mezcal Hostel, Cancun ($)
Selina Cancun Downtown
DAY 1
Arrive in Cancun. Settle down in your hotel room.
DAY 2
Highlights
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Playa Delfines
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Xoximilco
If you are staying in hotel zone on a beach front resort spend your day on the beach front of your hotel. If you are staying elsewhere head to Playa Delfines
In the evening treat yourself with Mexican cuisine on the boat with music and dance
DAY 3
Highlights
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Snorkeling
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Zip line in Mayan Jungle
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Swim in cenote
For snorkeling, Puerto Morelos is one of the top choice for snorkeling near Cancun. Puerto Morelos maintains gorgeous coral reefs that remain ideal for snorkelers to explore.
The natural environments here have been preserved well, so expect lot of wildlife. Stingrays, turtles, and barracudas include just some of the creatures you might see when
visiting this spot.
Selvatica zip line is one of travelers top choice and it has great reviews on TripAdvisor. I booked snorkeling tour with them. Tour also included zip lining in jungle with a swim in cenote.
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DAY 4 – Isla Mujeres
Highlights
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Take 9:00 am ferry to Isla Mujeres
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Rent a Golf Cart after arriving the island.
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Breakfast/Brunch at Café Mongo or Café Rooster.
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Head to Punta Sur
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Lunch at Acontillado
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Sunset at Playa Norte
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Dinner at Lola Valentina or Olivia
Catch 9 am ferry to Isla Mujeres from a terminal in the Hotel Zone or from Puerto Juarez. Upon arrival on the island rent a Golf cart from the ferry terminal. Island is very small so you could easily go from one corner of the island to another on the golf cart.
For breakfast drive your golf cart to Rooster Café or Mongo Café. After breakfast on board your golf cart and head to Punta Sur. Punta Sur can be accessed through Garrafon Reef Park it is located in at southern end of the island. Punta Sur offers great ocean views and also hiking opportunity. If you are staying for multiple days in Isla Mujeres the Garrafon Reef Park also offers a variety of activities against the scenic backdrop of Punta Sur, activities include zip line, kayaking and snorkeling. After Punta Sur proceed to Playa Norte. For the rest of the day relax on one of the finest white sand beach in the world.
DAY 5
Highlights
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Chichen Itza
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Swim in IkKill Cenote
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Explore Valladolid
Should I drive to Chichen Itza or book a bus tour?
Since I was vising Mexico for the first time, I had no idea of driving on Mexican highways so I decided to book a tour instead of driving myself. Having said that if now I have go there again I would definitely rent a
car. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider before you book a tour or a rental car
Pros and cons for taking a tour
Pros
1. You do not have to worry about driving in foreign country, local road signs, getting rental car insurance, paying for gas and tolls (mostly in cash).
2. You have a group guide. Experienced guide can give you lot of detail on Mayan ruins and the culture. Also, guide can answer any questions that you might have.
Cons
Tours are hard to personalize. You can be locked into going where ever the tour takes you. You might not be able to fully enjoy local experience while travelling on group bus tour
You cannot make stops on the roads on street side restaurants or local souvinior stores.
Pros and cons for driving rental car.
Pros
You can personalize your day. If you want to spend more time or less time at a place, you can! You can also stop along the way and see things that interest you
Cons
You have to get a rental car, insurance, pay for tolls and gas. Also, driving could be stressful in a new country.
Chichen Itza.
Time to spend: 2.5 – 3.0 hours.
Know before you go.
- Chichen Itza is one of the Seven Wonders Of the World. About 2 Million people visit Chichen Itza every year.
- Entrance fee is 232 pesos.
- Guides can be hired on Chichen Itza but if you run of out luck The Chichen Itza Tour Guide Cancun is great app on Google and Apple store for Self guided tours.
- Most of the ruins are out under the sun so carry water, sunscreen and a hat.
- If you plan to go to cenote after Chichen Itza please only use biodegradable sunscreen. Chemicals of regular sunscreen can contaminate cenote.
IkKill Cenote
Time to spend: 1.5 hours.
Valladolid
Time to spend: 1.5 hour
DAY 6
Highlights
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Relax on the beach
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La Isla Mall
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Coco Bongo
Relax on the white sand beaches of Zona Hotelera, if you like shopping head to La Isla Mall. At night check out Cancun’s unabashed party scene.
Congo Bongo is a club where spring breakers go wild, and it tends to be happening any day of the year.
La Isla Mall
Time to spend: 1.5 – 2 hours
Time to spend: 3 hours.
DAY 7
Fly back home 🙂
Fahad On Road 
