Cancun / Riviera Maya Destination Guide

Cancun and the Riviera Maya - Mexico's Favorite Playground!

If you have your heart set on taking a Caribbean vacation, consider Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the hot spot for vacationers worldwide.  The fine, white sand beaches and bright turquoise waters are a sight to be seen, and the world-class resorts offer variety like no other destination.

Take advantage of activity-packed All-Inclusive resorts, intimate villas along the beach and historical sightseeing adventures along the beaches of Cancun, Riviera Maya, and nearby Playacar, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum and Xcaret.  Whether you’re planning a last-minute vacation, honeymoon or your yearly family vacation, this truly is the ultimate vacationer’s paradise. Popular activities include diving, fishing and snorkeling in the Caribbean, enjoying the warmth of the beach under the tropical sun, historical sightseeing and dancing the night away at World-famous bars and night clubs in Downtown Cancun. 

Resorts on the Yucatan’s Caribbean coast are largely divided between two areas: Cancun and Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen. Each offers high quality resorts, but with vastly different surroundings. Below is an overview of each area to determine which is best suited for you.

Cancun

Cancun is a bustling, modern city. High-rise hotels stand side-by-side along the beaches, and jet skis buzz across the sparkling aqua water. Staying at resorts directly in Cancun (or along the “7”, Cancun’s hotel district) is great for vacationers who want to explore outside of the resort, try different restaurants, walk to shops and experience the vibrant nightlife at nearby clubs. There are countless activities to try both day and night, and it’s impossible not to pick up on the air of excitement.

Key areas of interest:

• The Hotel Zone of Cancun, located along the world-famous "seven" shaped peninsula at the eastern tip of Mexico, is truly a shoppers' paradise, with everything from lively street markets to the world's most exclusive boutiques within walking distance of fantastic resorts.
  


• Cancun's array of dining choices will entice every palate, ranging from local specialties to five star restaurants.
  


•  The glittering nightlife still reigns in Cancun, with all-night discos, live music, piano bars and even jazz clubs open year round.

Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen

Just south of Cancun is the beautiful Riviera Maya and the town of Playa del Carmen. This area is a remote oasis away from the active city. Rising no more than three stories high, most resorts along the lush Riviera Maya are All-Inclusive with a wider variety of restaurants and bars than their Cancun counterparts. This area is better for travelers who prefer to stay right at the resort for dining and nightlife during the majority of their stay. The pristine beaches offer opportunities for relaxing or trying various water sports. You will also find more historical parks and ancient ruins in the Riviera Maya.

Key areas of interest:

• Relax all day on at remote resorts in a hammock beside the Caribbean Sea or walk the powder-white sand beaches that stay cool as they reflect the heat of the tropical sun.
  


• Visit the nearby town of Playa del Carmen, with shops featuring local art and handicrafts, where you can take the ferry across to the island of Cozumel.
  


• Uncover the ancient culture of the Mayans and visit ruins that reveal their lives and beliefs. Afterwards, cool off with a swim in a cenote, a freshwater pool bringing water from underground limestone caverns to the surface.

Cancun Timezone

Cancun is in the Central Time Zone. If it's 4:00 in Chicago, it's 4:00 in Cancun.

Travel Documentation Requirements

You will need a valid passport to travel to Cancun. Visit the State Department for more information.

What to Expect

Soon you will be in the warm sunshine of Cancun, Mexico, and enjoying your chosen resort in the heart of this vacation paradise!

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Check-in begins 2-1/2 hours prior to departure for your selected airline.

ARRIVAL:

Upon arrival in Mexico you will first go through Immigration. You will receive Mexican Immigration Forms onboard your flight. Have those filled out prior to landing. After Immigration, proceed to the baggage area to claim your luggage. Once you have found your luggage, you will pass through Customs. Customs agents will do random checks on some passenger’s luggage. Do not question Customs Agents, just let them finish what they are doing, answer any questions they may have and you will be done quickly. After you have cleared Customs, proceed through the terminal where you will find your transfer coach waiting (your travel documents will tell you what/who to look for). Your transfer to the hotel will vary based on where your resort is located.

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP:

Boarding will be denied without proper Proof of Citizenship. Please verify that you have a VALID PASSPORT and the name on your Passport matches your Travel Documents. We recommend that you make several copies of your Passport; keeping one with you, separate from your Passport and leaving one at home with someone who has access to a fax machine.

CARRY-ON BAGS:

You will be allowed only one carry-on which must be of regulation size, plus a small personal bag such as a purse or camera bag. Your carry-on pieces will be subject to a hand search.

LUGGAGE & WEIGHT LIMITS:

All U.S. airlines will be performing security inspections on all checked baggage at the check-in area in the Main Terminal. Golf clubs count as a checked bag and there may be a fee for additional bags. Remember that valuables and personal items are your responsibility. DO NOT PACK money, medication, jewelry, cameras, proof of citizenship or fragile items in your checked luggage.

SPECIAL REQUESTS:

All requests made prior to departure are noted with the tour operator and the resort but cannot be guaranteed, especially at peak travel times. Every consideration is taken for your requests.

PHONE CARDS & CELL PHONES:

We highly recommend that you wait until you arrive in Mexico to purchase phone cards. It has been our experience that international phone cards purchased in the U.S. do not always work when calling out from the area you are traveling to. Your tour operator representative will have more information. Some cellular phones do work from these areas. We recommend that you call your carrier for information on international calls.

SAFETY & SECURITY:

Safes are provided complimentary in your rooms which we strongly urge you to use. Anything of value, especially your passport, cash and jewelry should be put into the safe. Petty theft does occur at times at these resorts. Please be aware of your belongings at all times, especially in the airport and on the beaches. We also suggest you do optional excursions with the tour operator recommended vendors as they are reputable companies.

WATER:

The water at the hotel is put through a filtration system and is safe to drink, bathe in and brush your teeth with, but we do recommend that you drink bottled water when provided.

LANGUAGE:

Spanish is the native language of Mexico. You will find the staff and locals speak limited English. Please be patient and understanding and remember that you are visitors in their country.

EXCHANGE RATE:

View Current Exchange Rate

Although the U.S. dollar is widely accepted as tips and for some purchases, you may want to exchange some cash for the Mexican Peso. As of March 2008, $1.00 USD = 10.72 Pesos (1 Peso = $0.09 USD). Please note that you may get Mexican Pesos as change when making purchases with U.S. dollars.

ELECTRICITY CONVERSION

Electricity in Cancun is the same as the United States and Canada. Electrical appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons, cell phone chargers, etc. will work with the electrical outlets found in Cancun.

NOT INCLUDED:

Gratuities to shuttle drivers, airport porters or transfer coach drivers in Mexico are not included. Although tipping is not required at this resort, for exceptional service you may want to show your gratitude with small tips to maids or bartenders. We also suggest tipping on extra excursions you take.

Current Weather in Cancun

Tips in Mexico are generally 15%, tipping cab drivers is not expected, and tipping the maid in the hotel a couple of dollars a day (per room) is greatly appreciated.

There is a two day waiting period, and couples require a passport/driver's license, birth certificate, certified copies of both parents' birth certificates or valid passports, four witnesses, and blood tests not older than 15 days.

Travel to and from Cancun and the Riviera Maya uses the Cancun International Airport.

A dozen rental car companies operate at the airport and at many hotel locations (including Advantage Rent-A-Car, Advant Rent-A-Car, Avis, and Budget Rent-a-Car). Note that car rental is relatively expensive, and often does not include unlimited mileage. You must be 25 years old, hold a driver's license and major credit card. Road signs are in Spanish.