SherryStay Destination Guide
Cancun
Caribbean turquoise, white-sand hotel zone, Mayan ruins a day trip away.
About Cancun
If you're flying to Cancún, do yourself a favour and skip everything the hotel brochures are selling. Cancún is a great base — the location is unbeatable — but don't get stuck in the standard hotel zone; stay somewhere that lets you head out in the morning without a second thought. Give one day to escaping the crowds at the cenotes of Puerto Morelos — another world, cool and quiet, far from the poolside DJ. Leave the resort buffet behind, go into town, find a local taco stand and eat something real. And if you truly want to switch off, take the ferry to Isla Mujeres and get around by golf cart — about the most fun there is. In short, Cancún is a fantastic launch pad; just don't let it pull you into the tourist "bubble." Get out and explore, then come back to rest in the evening — that's how you really enjoy this place.
The Hotel Zone km marker matters: km 9–12 is party central (clubs, noise), km 14–20 is the quieter resort stretch with the widest beaches. If all-inclusive, compare the room-only price + à-la-carte math first — light eaters usually overpay for AI.
Best For
Where to Stay
Hotel Zone (km 9–12)
Clubs, malls, party hotels, spring-break energy
Hotel Zone (km 14–20)
Widest beaches, family resorts, quieter nights
El Centro (Downtown)
Real Mexico, taco joints, half-price everything
Puerto Juárez / Playa Mujeres
Ferry to Isla Mujeres, newer secluded resorts
Money-Saving Tips
- 1The R1/R2 bus runs the whole Hotel Zone for ~12 MXN — taxis quote $15–25 USD for the same hop.
- 2Eat downtown at Parque de las Palapas (tacos 20–35 MXN) at least once — resort dinner money goes 5x further.
- 3Book Chichén Itzá as a self-drive or collectivo trip (~$40) vs $130+ resort tours.
Getting Around
- 1CUN airport → Hotel Zone: ADO bus to downtown + taxi, or pre-booked shuttle ~$30. Street taxi quotes at the curb are 3x.
- 2Ferries to Isla Mujeres leave from Puerto Juárez (cheaper) and the Hotel Zone (pricier, slower).
- 3Sargassum seaweed varies by month and beach — check a live sargassum map before picking your resort stretch.
Most Common Mistake
Booking September–October for the "deal" — it's peak hurricane + sargassum season. The cheap rate is cheap for a reason; February is worth the difference.
5–7 nights
- • Isla Mujeres (30 min ferry)
- • Playa del Carmen (1h)
- • Tulum (1.5h)
- • Chichén Itzá (2.5h)
Hotels Sherry Recommends
Useful Local Hotel Phrases
Spanish- HelloHolaOH-lah
- Thank youGraciasGRAH-syas
- PleasePor favorpor fah-VOR
- Yes / NoSí / Nosee / noh
- Check-inRegistro / Check-inreh-HEES-troh
- Check-outSalidasah-LEE-dah
- HotelHoteloh-TEL
- ReceptionRecepciónreh-sep-SYON
- BreakfastDesayunodeh-sah-YOO-noh
- BeachPlayaPLAH-yah
- WaterAguaAH-gwah
- TaxiTaxiTAK-see
- HelpAyudaah-YOO-dah
- How much?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWES-tah
- Where is...?¿Dónde está...?DON-deh es-TAH
