Located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, at the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, Cancún has become a popular destination for international tourism, particularly in the Americas. White sand, turquoise waters, an electrifying or laid-back atmosphere – this is the promise of this colorful Mexican city. But where to stay in Cancún?
We’ve put together a presentation and ranking of the best neighborhoods to discover Cancún, as well as a selection of accommodations from the most affordable to the most upscale. Our first stop is the famous Zona Hotelera, where most visitors stay for their first visit. In Puerto Juarez and Isla Mujeres, you’ll find more peace and quiet away from the noise of hotel parties, and for those on a smaller budget, the city center is perfectly placed for the nightlife and beaches for which this tropical destination is famous.
Things you need to know
Before getting into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodations in Cancún, here are the essentials to know about the city, from a tourist point of view.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Cancún:
- $ this youth hostel, in the city center, offers functional, affordable rooms with breakfast on the balcony.
- $$ this beautiful hotel , offers comfortable rooms with exotic, high-quality furnishings.
- $$$ this upscale establishment , is facing the sea in the heart of Puerto Juarez.
Map of different neighborhoods to stay in Cancún
We’re sharing the map on which you can find our recommendations for hotels or apartments where to stay in Cancún. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical areas we’ll be covering in this guide.
We’ve used the following color code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Cancun accommodation essentials
Areas where to stay in Cancun
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Cancun.
La Zona Hotelera: accommodation at the heart of the party
Cancún's hotel zone is an impressive concentration of luxury hotels, nightlife venues, fully-equipped shopping malls and restaurants. Stretching from the east of the centro, the hotel zone descends through the Nichupté lagoon and is linked by roads to the south, where it is possible to reach the mainland. This enormous isthmus has been dedicated exclusively to mass tourism, with the presence of all-inclusive resort hotels that have become benchmarks since the advent of this very tourist destination.
Overall, the hotel zone is divided into 3 parts: north, middle and south, with different atmospheres:
The northern part is the ideal place to find the most beautiful, unspoilt, sandy beaches. Yes, although its proximity to El centro is obvious, the northern part is protected from hurricanes, which over the years has created a notable difference from the other beaches in the lagoon. The Isla des Mujeres protects the northern beaches, and is therefore more privileged than the others. Staying here is the ideal way to discover the cultural attractions and enjoy the best restaurants, as well as to reach Punta Cancun, the hub of the nightlife for which the Mexican city is famous.
In the middle of the lagoon is “Uptown Cancun”, one of the liveliest corners of the city, famous for its nightlife and starting at the southern end of Punta Cancún. Here, the seaside city's most emblematic clubs, such as Coco Bongo, Mandala and The City, are among the most popular. Sightseeing attractions such as Aquaworld, the Mayan Museum and MUSA are also sure to keep you busy. You'll easily find a place to stay in this part of the island, too, with its family-friendly , all-inclusive resorts.
To the south, you'll find a little less to do in El Rey. Further away from the nightlife hotspot, it's known as “the end”, and you'll clearly find more peace and quiet than in the north. If that's what you're looking for, then this part of the lagoon is more than worth the investment, as it will still allow you to snorkel, go turtle-watching and enjoy the beaches without the constant hustle and bustle of the northern vendors. The hotels offer a wide range of services, as there are few restaurants outside them.
Our recommended accommodations
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Set on stilts, this youth hostel offers spacious, comfortable rooms with exotic natural furnishings at a very affordable price. You'll love the bar-restaurant terrace overlooking the sea, which connects to the hostel's swimming pool.
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Located to the west of the zona hotelera, this huge resort is perfect for families looking for exceptional service and plenty of entertainment options. A private beach, children's clubs, several themed pools and 16 restaurants offer a wide range of activities and quality moments.
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A benchmark among Cancún hotels for its festive atmosphere and colorful decor, you'll appreciate the full service of this adult resort. Staying in one of their brightly-colored pop rooms will inspire you to take advantage of the many themed evenings around the pools.
Staying downtown: El Centro
For aficionados of culture and authenticity, the center of Cancún will certainly be more suitable for your stay. Being so spread out, it offers an impressive number of accommodations, and you'll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to stay in this part of the Mexican city. Here, you'll notice the significant cultural gap between the hotel zone and the locals who populate El centro. You'll be much more won over by the charm that emanates and the warm atmosphere, far removed from standardized resort hotels.
The architecture isn't very impressive, as you'll see mostly small huts and stalls built in a simple manner, but you'll see that if you're close to the Mercado 28 or the Parque de Las Palapas, the colors of the streets, the night markets and the artists will delight you and put you in theMexican mood.
It's best to head for Route 307, where you'll find the most interesting and affordable hotels, close to the hotel zone, beaches, restaurants, shopping centers and other useful facilities. Here, you can stay in youth hostels, homestays or even a few simple hotels offering very affordable rates. It's the ideal place for those on a budget.
Our recommended accommodations
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Located just off Avenue 307, the main road to the hotel zone, and close to the bus station, this youth hostel offers functional, affordable rooms with breakfast on the balcony.
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A very nice youth hostel with a rooftop swimming pool and a large bar. You can stay in very affordable dormitory beds or in rooms with king-size beds. Excursions to the most beautiful beaches are organized.
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A lovely , colorful hotel with a hacienda feel, where you can stay in bright, functional rooms overlooking the central swimming pool. You'll be charmed by its decor and its fairly affordable price, all in a pleasant neighborhood.
Choosing accommodation in Puerto Juárez
If you've come to Cancún to enjoy its paradisiacal setting, but don't want to suffer from the invasive population that invades the hotel zone, then it would be more than advisable to move away and invest in Puerto Juárez, which lies between the city center and the crowded hotel zone starting from Puerto Cancún. Here, you'll find dream beaches and large hotels, where you can stay in a quiet environment less crowded with vacationers.
It's an ideal place to relax in idyllic surroundings, with the guarantee of peace and quiet, but you'll also be very close to the festivities at the entrance to the hotel zone, with an average journey time of 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic and the precise location of the place you want to go to. It's a good compromise, then, for staying in a quiet area away from the noise, while taking advantage of the nightlife when you want to enjoy it.
In this area, prices can go from very low to very high. So be sure to avoid accommodations that may seem attractive in price, but which may hold a few surprises in terms of the service offered or the overall quality of the room. Be sure to look at the reviews of previous travellers before choosing where to stay, and check that neighbouring “colonia” (zones) don't suffer from a bad reputation for security. To help you avoid this, we have carefully selected the most interesting accommodations in this affordable and quiet area of Cancún.
Our recommended accommodations
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If you're staying with a local, you'll love staying at this establishment, which offers rooms beautifully decorated with quality natural materials. An inner courtyard features a hammock for relaxing, and you'll be close to the beach for a swim.
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Facing the sea in the heart of Puerto Juarez, this imposing upscale hotel offers wide-open spaces and spacious, comfortable, fully-equipped rooms with spectacular views of the hotel's golf course and the ocean. A large swimming pool also awaits you with the same view.
Stay on Isla Mujeres: off the coast of Cancún
A little to the northeast of Cancún lies a long island called Isla Mujeres. Known for its colorful architecture and Caribbean atmosphere, Isla Mujeres enjoys a gentle lifestyle, far from the crowds that crowd the outskirts of Cancún, and an absolutely heavenly setting. It's a popular destination for curious visitors in search ofunusual experiences, with ruins, archaeological sites and extraordinary seabeds that will stay with you for a long time.
To get to the island, there's a pier from the port of Cancún, and the crossing takes just 30 minutes. Once there, you can take a cab or, better still, a golf cart! This way, you'll have access to all the must-see places on the island, which we recommend you visit without moderation:
- Garrafon Park - MX: Known for its underwater diversity, this is a must-see snorkeling site. You can also enjoy an interesting view from Punta Sur.
- MUSA - Museo Subacuático de Arte: Incredible underwater museum featuring sculptures, objects and reefs off the island.
- Playa Norte, Centro and El Cocal: Paradise beaches of varying degrees of wilderness, where you can soak up the sun in idyllic surroundings.
To find out where you can easily stay on this island, you'll find that most of theaccommodation on offer is concentrated on the northern part of Isla Mujeres, although you can also find accommodation all over the island. Being close to extensive areas of white sand, and to the landing zone for boats from Cancún, lodging here is easy to find, and hotels abound at very affordable prices.
Our recommended accommodations
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Located on the northern part of Isla Mujeres, this classic hotel offers rooms with balconies overlooking the sea at very affordable prices. The decor is simple, and the building's indoor swimming pool is a great place to relax. Hearty breakfast and close proximity to playa Norte.
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In a tropical setting, you can stay in this beautiful hotel made of straw huts and offering comfortable rooms with quality exotic furniture. A swimming pool and jacuzzi are at your disposal, and the beach is just a short stroll away.
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A luxury hotel facing the playa, in an elegant tropical style, offering 2 swimming pools with integrated bars, a gourmet restaurant, a fully-equipped private beach and a sports center. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and modern, with exceptional sea views.
Summary
You now have all the information you need to make your stay in Cancún a success! The Mexican city has a lot to offer, and has become a must-see destination for Yucatán travellers. As Cancún is very popular during the high season, it’s advisable to book your accommodation carefully to avoid high prices and get your place in the sun in the zona hotelera.
For those who prefer authenticity and discover the real Mexican culture, choosing to stay in the city center is ideal, and you’ll also find very attractive prices for both sleeping and eating out. If, however, proximity to the beach is important to you, Puerto Juarez will come in handy, but you’ll need to book well in advance to obtain affordable accommodation.
To be sure of peace and quiet, set off from Cancún harbour and head for Isla Mujeres, which, although visited during the day by those based in the hotel zone, will be much quieter in the evening, offering you a pleasant stay in one of the most idyllic settings in the Caribbean.