Travel tips · Cancún · Mexico
Cancún travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Cancún was created as a planned resort from the early 1970s on a near-empty strip of coast, and many of its residents came from elsewhere in Mexico, especially the Yucatán, where Maya culture and language remain strong. Away from the resorts, life follows Mexican rhythms of late lunches, family evenings in the squares and religious holidays.
Key facts
- Language
- Spanish and Yucatec Maya
- Currency
- MXN
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Don't drink tap water; drink bottled or purified water, which hotels and…
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Greet people with 'buenos días' or 'buenas tardes' before asking a question in shops and restaurants.
- Ask before photographing people, especially at markets and in villages.
- Cover up with a shirt and shorts away from the beach and pool, particularly in churches and downtown.
- Don't touch or stand on coral, and wear biodegradable sunscreen or a rash guard in reefs and cenotes.
- Be patient and polite with staff; raising your voice gets you nowhere in Mexico.
- Book Swimming with whale sharks ahead: Book with a licensed operator in advance; trips leave very early and can be cancelled in rough seas.
- Book Coco Bongo ahead: Buy tickets ahead for weekends and spring break, and check what the package includes.
- Book Isla Contoy ahead: Only licensed operators can land on the island and numbers are limited each day; book a tour a few days ahead.
- All beaches in Mexico are public, so you can use any Hotel Zone beach via the public access paths.
Tipping
Tip about 10–15% in restaurants if service is not already included, MXN 20–50 per bag for porters, and small daily tips for all-inclusive bar staff and housekeeping, ideally in pesos.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Buenos días | Good morning |
| Gracias | Thank you |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much does it cost? |
| Sin hielo | Without ice |
| Dios bo'otik | Thank you (Yucatec Maya) |
What to wear
Beachwear is for the beach and pool only. Bring light, breathable clothes, a hat and a rash guard; some resort restaurants require long trousers for men at dinner.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Don't drink tap water; drink bottled or purified water, which hotels and restaurants also use for ice.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Wi-Fi is standard in hotels; local SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy, and many North American plans include Mexico roaming.
- Time zone
- America/Cancun
The Hotel Zone and main tourist areas are heavily patrolled, but petty theft happens on beaches and drink spiking has been reported in party areas. Agree taxi fares before getting in and use official airport transport. On east-facing beaches, respect the warning flags: currents can be strong. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Mexico's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Cancún?
Tip about 10–15% in restaurants if service is not already included, MXN 20–50 per bag for porters, and small daily tips for all-inclusive bar staff and housekeeping, ideally in pesos.
+Can you drink the tap water in Cancún?
Don't drink tap water; drink bottled or purified water, which hotels and restaurants also use for ice.
+What plugs are used in Cancún?
Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Cancún?
Spanish and Yucatec Maya.