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Mexico · Quintana Roo

Cancún travel guide

Turquoise sea and big all-inclusive resorts

Cancún's Hotel Zone beach. Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

10h 15mflight from London
CUNnearest main airport
28° in Augwarmest month
24° in Jancoolest month

Cancún's Hotel Zone is a long strip of sand between the Caribbean and a lagoon, lined with resorts, nightclubs and restaurants. It's the main gateway to the Yucatán.

Day trips reach Chichén Itzá, cenotes, Isla Mujeres and the Riviera Maya.

Good forBeachesAll-inclusiveNightlifeDay trips

What Cancún is known for

  • White sand

    Soft, cool coral sand.

  • All-inclusives

    Huge resorts on the beach.

  • Nightlife

    Coco Bongo and the party zone.

  • Underwater museum

    Sculptures on the seabed.

Top things to do in Cancún

  1. 1

    Isla Mujeres

    Ferry to a laid-back island.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Chichén Itzá

    A day trip to the great Mayan city.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    Swim in a cenote

    Clear freshwater sinkholes.

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    MUSA snorkelling

    Underwater sculpture park.

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See all tours and tickets in Cancún

Where to stay in Cancún

Find a hotel in Cancún

Best time to visit Cancún

Best value: May–Jun, Nov. December to April: dry and sunny. Hurricane season peaks in September and October.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
24 C24°J24.6 C25°F25.3 C25°M26.6 C27°A27.6 C28°M27.8 C28°J28.1 C28°J28.4 C28°A28 C28°S27 C27°O25.4 C25°N24.7 C25°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Cancún, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 10h 15m from London to CUN, and flights from most UK airports.

Cheap R1 and R2 buses run along the Hotel Zone. ADO buses go to Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Find flights to Cancún (CUN)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • Seaweed (sargassum) can arrive in summer.
  • Use official airport taxis or book transfers.
  • Hotel Zone prices are in US dollars.
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Cancún FAQ

Is Cancún safe for tourists?

The resort areas generally are; follow the usual precautions.

How long is the flight?

About 11 hours direct from the UK.

More places in Mexico

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