Cancun's Hotel Zone is one of the most visited places by tourists from all over the world. Most travelers stay in this area during their trip to Cancun , surrounded by beaches, fun attractions, activities, museums, parks, restaurants, nightclubs and bars, and of course, the best hotels in the city. All located just minutes away.
The name of the avenue that forms the Hotel Zone of Cancun is Boulevard Kukulcán, which is bathed by the beautiful Caribbean Sea on the east side and the Nichupté Lagoon on the west side.
Every year new activities, great restaurants and lots of different things to enjoy emerge. That's why I created this updated 2019 guide so you know what to do in the Cancun Hotel Zone, where to eat or party and most importantly: which are the best hotels.
Want to get straight to the point and start researching the best hotels in Cancun? Check out this quick selection I've put together to make your life easier.
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Best options in Cancun's Hotel Zone
This area of the city offers a wide range of activities and entertainment to suit all tastes. Even if you are staying at any of the all-inclusive hotels in Cancun's Hotel Zone , I recommend that you go out to explore the tourist area, its beautiful beaches, and eat at excellent restaurants.
You can also spend the day shopping in excellent shopping centers and craft markets, as well as enjoying the best nightclubs in Cancun.
In the following list I present some of the best activities to do in the Hotel Zone of Cancun.
Delfines Beach Viewpoint
Playa Delfines is one of the best public beaches in Cancun, where you can find the "Cancun Sign," a very classic colorful monument with the city's letters, where you should definitely take a picture to take home a good memory of this place.
It is located near several hotels on the tourist strip and also has a viewpoint that offers a complete and beautiful view of the entire coast, observing the beautiful Isla Mujeres in the distance. It is the perfect place to watch the sunrise.
El Rey Archaeological Site
It is an important archaeological area of Cancun. This area on the outskirts of Cancun was once an area of Mayan settlements, of which only traces remain.
The El Rey ruins are made up of 47 structures that sit amidst impressive vegetation.
They are in the heart of the tourist strip and all the hotels, on the edge of the lagoon. Entry is very cheap and free on Sundays.
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Maya Museum in Cancun
It is a space located at KM 16,5 of Boulevard Kukulcán, a few meters from the Nichupté Lagoon, where elements of ancient Mayan culture such as paintings, maps and ceremonial objects are exhibited.
Protects one of the most important Mayan collections in Mexico.
Your entry includes a visit to the San Miguelito archaeological site (Mayan city from 1250-1550 AD) which is within the same complex.
If you like history and archaeology, it really is a must-see place.
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Art Garden at Playa Langosta
The art garden is a peaceful place located in Playa Langosta to spend a nice day with your partner or family. There is a kiosk, bench and very nice green spaces to have a picnic.
It also has a perfect place for swimming, fishing and diving. At the end of the month there is always an exhibition and sale of local crafts called “Magic Hands”
Hotel Zone Cycle Path
The Cancun bike path covers a good part of this tourist strip, stretching for 12 km
It is an ideal place for those looking to exercise. You can use it for walking, running, skateboarding or cycling.
Every morning the track fills with people who go out to do physical activity, enjoying this beautiful outdoor route.
Panoramic Tower
The panoramic tower is 110 meters high and offers an incredible aerial view of the entire Cancun Hotel Zone and Isla Mujeres . All visitors can enjoy this extraordinary panorama on a tour accompanied by a brief historical overview of Cancun and an explanation of the places that can be seen from the Tower.
It is located at km 4 of Boulevard Kukulcán, in the port of Playa Linda pier and can accommodate up to 60 people.
Plaza La Isla Cancun
With a modern and elegant design, Plaza La Isla is the most beautiful shopping mall in Cancun.
The canals that surround it connect with the Nichupté lagoon and its picturesque pier overlooking the lagoon make it one of the most visited shopping malls in Cancun.
It has several boutiques, cafes, jewelry stores, cinemas, restaurants and an aquarium where you can watch fabulous shows with dolphins.
It also has excellent restaurants, some right on the edge of the lake. It's definitely worth spending an afternoon there!
Beaches in the Hotel Zone of Cancun
The best beaches in Cancun, with white sand and unparalleled turquoise waters, are located throughout the Hotel Zone. These beaches are true jewels of nature that receive thousands of tourists every year, especially because the hotels in the Cancun Hotel Zone are located right in front of them.
They are all public and each one has its own particular characteristics: beaches with calm waters, fun waves, numerous and full of parties or solitary and peaceful.
They all have very good facilities, and many are connected to the city.
If you want more details, just check out the post " Cancun Beaches: The 18 Most Beautiful and Accessible." In that post, I give tips on the best beaches in Cancun's Hotel Zone and the Riviera Maya.
Cancun Interactive Aquarium
The Cancun Interactive Aquarium has a great diversity of marine species in giant fish tanks, such as seahorses, jellyfish and corals.
You can also get up close to various types of sea urchins, starfish and rays. It also offers a beautiful dolphin show, ideal for your children and the whole family.
It is located inside Plaza La Isla.
Shopping Forum by the Sea
The Forum by the Sea Shopping Mall is ideal for shopping enthusiasts. It has a glamorous architectural style and is home to numerous restaurants and bars, two cinemas, nightclubs, jewelry stores and designer clothing stores.
In addition to a beautiful terrace overlooking the sea, it has numerous travel agencies where you can buy tours and excursions to visit Isla Mujeres, the Cenotes , Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen and much more.
Here you will also find the famous Coco Bongo nightclub and the Hard Rock Café, making it one of the main points of Cancun's nightlife.
Water sports
Enjoy the most fun water sports while enjoying the sun and beach of Cancun. Snorkeling, diving, fishing, parasailing, kayaking, catamarans, volleyball, are some of the most important sports you can do on these beaches.
Hard Rock Cafe
The world-famous Hard Rock Café is located in Forum Square, on the waterfront. It stands out for its constant offering of live music shows, delicious American food, rock atmosphere and great vibes.
Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner with your friends in a lively atmosphere. And if you like to dance, you can do so on the bar's dance floor to the rhythm of the best international rock music.
Explore Nichupté Lagoon
There are many tours in Cancun that take tourists on a trip to the Nichupté Lagoon, heading into the jungle to observe this natural spectacle. The most popular is known as the Jungle Tour Cancun, which is a beautiful boat ride through the jungle. It is an ideal plan to do with your family.
You can also take a SUP tour, a way to get some exercise and explore the Caribbean nature at the same time.
10 excellent hotels in Cancun's Hotel Zone
Hotel Sina Suites is located near Nichupté Lagoon and offers rooms with lake views, private bathrooms, and air conditioning.
It also offers a continental breakfast in the restaurant, Wi-Fi, Spa, free 24-hour parking, swimming pool, golf course, solarium and much more.
The rooms at the Real Inn have air conditioning, a wardrobe, an iron and ironing board, a balcony, a sofa, a table, and a TV.
It also offers three highly equipped meeting rooms for events, a business center, high-speed internet, audiovisual equipment, fitness center, parking, outdoor pool and much more.
The Aloft Cancun All Inclusive Hotel has modern rooms with Wi-Fi, safe, HD cable TVs, minibar and coffee maker. It also has a fine dining restaurant, a bar, a 24-hour fast food restaurant, a lobby with a pool table, a rooftop pool, a gym, a spa and a sauna. It's definitely a good option for budget hotels in Cancun's hotel zone.
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The Beach House Maya Caribe is one of the best budget-friendly all-inclusive hotels in Cancun's Hotel Zone. Most of its rooms have ocean views and a balcony or terrace, television, air conditioning, and a safe. It features three swimming pools, a restaurant, a games room, and a mini-restaurant.
It is well located, close to convenience stores and with easy access to public transportation. The cost-benefit is excellent!
The rooms at the Park Royal Cancun offer views of the Nichupté Lagoon or the Caribbean Sea and are well-equipped with air conditioning, television, internet, telephone, hairdryer and bathtub.
It also has a beautiful garden, games rooms and a viewpoint that offers a sensational panorama.
The Grand Oasis Palm is another all-inclusive resort in Cancun that's worth visiting. A favorite among Brazilians, it offers rooms with Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, with views of the sea or the lagoon.
It also has 10 restaurants and 10 bars and 2 outdoor pools, entertainment, children's activities, a fitness center and spa.
The Barceló resort chain is one of the most renowned in Mexico and the Caribbean. That's why the Occidental Costa Cancun is considered one of the best all-inclusive hotels in Cancun's Hotel Zone.
Its rooms have Wi-Fi, minibar, televisions and safes. The suites also have terraces with hot tubs to enjoy a delightful evening.
The All Inclusive package includes meals, drinks, classes and equipment for water sports and other recreational activities.
The Gran Fiesta Americana Coral Beach offers 5-star luxury and comfort with high-quality services, including a world-class spa, several fine-dining restaurants, 3000 m2 of lounges, and a highly professional staff. Its rooms offer ocean views, private balconies, and 24-hour service.
One of the most famous 5-star hotels in Cancun is the Hard Rock Hotel , which boasts a modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
It offers rooms and suites with sea views and private balconies, hot tubs, flat-screen TVs and minibars.
It also has a luxury spa with hydromassage jets, an outdoor pool, a children's pool, bars, pool tables and table tennis, fitness activities, excellent restaurants and all the luxury that only Hard Rock can offer. If you have ever stayed at any of the Hard Rock hotels around the world, you know exactly what I am talking about.
The most exclusive and modern resort in Cancun is the Paradisus . Its rooms and suites offer marble floors, terraces and balconies with ocean or lagoon views, Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs and minibars.
The most exclusive ones also have a sofa bed, kitchen and 24-hour butler service. Facilities include 9 restaurants, 7 bars, 4 swimming pools, a spa with fitness center and a golf course.
How to get to Cancun Hotel Zone from the airport
There are three transportation options from Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone. You can take buses that leave every 30 minutes from the airport to the bus terminal in the city center, taking about 20 minutes to get there.
Other options are to use a taxi service or hire a private transfer service, which many companies in the city offer. These will, of course, be more expensive, but they are convenient if you have a lot of luggage and want to get to your hotel quickly.
For the convenience of getting right to my hotel door, I always use Civitatis' transfer service . The shared transfer isn't expensive, and you have the security of being picked up by someone who really knows the area.
How to use public transportation in Cancun
In Cancun, there are three bus companies: Autocar, Turicun and Maya Caribe. If you are traveling within the Hotel Zone of Cancun, you can take any of them without any problems, they will all take you to the place you want to go.
The ticket costs approximately 9 Mexican pesos. If you want to go to places in the city center, you can take, for example, to Mercado 28, the R-2 bus, which will drop you off a few blocks away.
If you go to Avenida Tulum, the main street in the city center, you can take the R-1. You won't have any problems finding your way around because everything is very well indicated on the bus signs and stops.
The city's public transport service is very good and frequent. There is also an excellent taxi service, but it is obviously more expensive. Taxis within the Hotel Zone charge a lot more, but in the city center you can easily take one and it is much cheaper.
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Where to eat in the Hotel Zone
The gastronomic offerings of the restaurants in the Cancun Hotel Zone are unlimited, offering a variety of dishes, from the most typical of Mexico to others specializing in cuisine from different parts of the world.
To learn everything about restaurants in Cancun, check out the post Restaurants in Cancun: A complete guide for all budgets and tastes. In this guide you will find the best options in the Hotel Zone and downtown Cancun, from the most expensive to the cheapest.
Nightclubs and bars in Cancun
The city's main nightclubs and bars are in this area, within walking distance of each other and close to several hotels in Cancun's Hotel Zone.
You can find world-famous records; with modern music, prestigious DJs and incredible light and sound shows, as well as dozens of bars where you can listen to jazz, rock, hip-hop, reggae, salsa, bachata and other tropical rhythms.
The variety of prices is also remarkable, you will find places with free tickets and others with very high prices, but which include an open bar, and excellent live shows.
To find out all the details about nightlife and parties in Cancun, just visit Cancun Nightlife: 15 options to have a great time. In this post you will discover the best nightclubs in the Hotel Zone and downtown Cancun.
Shopping in Cancun's Hotel Zone
One of the main questions Brazilians ask when traveling to Cancun is: Where to shop in Cancun.
If you plan to go shopping in Cancun's Hotel Zone, you'll find small, simple shops with very affordable items, as well as more exclusive places with designer clothes from famous designers, imported perfumes, jewelry and fine accessories. There are also beautiful shops selling handicrafts and other local products.
In the post Shopping in Cancun: 8 places to find everything , I give suggestions for the best places to shop, whether in the Hotel Zone or downtown Cancun.
Consultancy with personalized itinerary in Cancun and Riviera Maya
An important tip is to create a personalized itinerary for your trip. There are many places that sell tours , and we always do a lot of research before buying. On our last trip, we discovered a fantastic agency , which is Brazilian and offers all the tours with assistance.
It's important to remember that the agency doesn't just sell tours; the service includes specialized advice where tours are tailored to your preferences. It's ideal for those who want to create a personalized trip with exclusive itineraries and constant support at the destination.
They are ideal for those who want to choose the best tour options, the best suppliers, and the best way to explore a place, whether through guided tours or even for those renting a car. With them, we make much better use of our time!
You can check their references: they are the number 1 agency on TripAdvisor in Cancun, they have won the seal for years in a row and are among the best in the world!
Your optimized trip to Cancun and Riviera Maya
Specializing exclusively in Cancun and the surrounding area, they assist you in planning and throughout your trip. From tips on what to visit and which tours are ideal for your preferences, to hotel advice if you haven't yet chosen your accommodation. All of this is based on the same itinerary, plus a financial plan so you can enjoy your trip without worries or negative surprises.
The service is truly excellent, personalized, in Portuguese, and they help with everything. They pick you up at the airport (depending on the package purchased) to welcome you, accompany you to the hotel, and are available for any unforeseen event. Whether it's a medical emergency, missing a ride, anything at all, you can call them!
All the tours we took were excellent, with great infrastructure and everything was reliable. It was much better than buying through foreign websites or in Cancun itself. If you want to have a unique, personalized experience, with support and everything organized without worrying about the details, just visit their website. They offer service via video call, it's very personalized! When you register on the website, fill out all the steps until you reach the booking stage. It's quick and I guarantee it will be worth it.
If you enjoyed these tips about Cancun and want to know more about Mexico, leave your comment here or write directly to Guia México on Instagram.
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