If you have ever wanted to visit Cancun down in Mexico but aren’t sure where to start? Look no further! I have gone twice in the past 4 years and both times have been so nice, so easy, and some of the best vacations I have had the pleasure of taking. Please continue reading below for helpful info! Also please note that this is not an AD, I simply love Cancun and want to share what made my trip easy to plan and enjoy.
The first time I went to #Cancun was for my honeymoon (awesome honeymoon location!) and to be honest, I booked hotel and airfare separate, I had to get a taxi from the airport to the hotel upon arrival. Cost wise, it was pretty expensive trip due to high season and sort of last minute booking (few months prior). The hotel/resort was all-inclusive which was so awesome, and we did book tours at the hotel when we arrived.
Second time going, I had done my research and was able to cut down on cost and time (researching/booking separate). I booked our trip via Costco Travel (go to vacation packages, then select Cancun Mexico). All you do is enter the dates, departure city and hit Search. Costco offers incredible packages which include Hotel Resort+Flight+airport shuttle for one price. They do all the work for you!! So easy! Just make sure to read fine detail as far as, is your hotel resort “All-inclusive” and is an airport shuttle included.
- Costco Travel Details: Once you find a package you like, you confirm departure city and airport, dates, # adults/kids and you continue. It will ask for everyones information and you will need a passport book for travel to Mexico. Once that is entered you enter your payment information, and thats it…seriously…that easy. They will send you an email confirmation and will later send you your flight details as well as airport shuttle transportation. Resort: Omni Cancun (highly recommend!)
- TIPS: Print out your Costco itinerary!!! Print everything; flight info, hotel booking, everything and take it with you.
- You need to take a photo ID, passport book, booking confirmation, and the credit card that you used to purchase the package.
Is “All-Inclusive” necessary??
Totally optional, BUT!! It makes life so much easier…All-Inclusive= Free drinks, booze, food, snacks. Our resort had breakfast buffet early in the morning up to11am. It was all you can eat! All you do is leave a tip anytime you eat whether breakfast, lunch or dinner. Most resorts have multiple restaurants and some open at certain times, others require RSVP which you can easily do at least 1-2 days before (places fill up fast). Plus, eating out on the street can be risky as far as quality/taste/food poisoning/cost. If you eat outside you need transportation plus the cost of the restaurant, which can be pricey.
- But I won’t really be in the hotel? Well, you still need to eat breakfast and most likely dinner if you will be out and about…so its still convenient and practical. My husband and I had tours pretty much daily and we managed to eat breakfast and dinner! Free…oh and free booze haha
- All-Inclusive-Final thoughts: Free food, practical, saves you time and money, food safety, and free booze. Honestly, it really makes life easier. One less thing to worry about while on vacay.
More useful tips:
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Transportation: First, please don’t try to be extra adventurous and try to book things while there or just “wing it” and “uber”. Internet service may or may not be effective enough to use your network and well Ubers in Mexico are not liked by taxi drivers so a lot of tourist opt for either walking nearby the hotel, the bus, taxis, or booking tours that provide transportation (safer option).
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Tours and things to do: So theres tons to do in Cancun but if its your first time or second etc I would highly recommend Experiencias Xcaret!!
https://en.xcaretexperiencias.com -
They run all of the theme parks in cancun (8 and counting) plus they also do other activities and tours like visiting Xichenitza and other Mayan ruins. Book ahead, the more tours you bundle the cheaper it is. Definitely get the all inclusive tours as they include park entrance, park amenities, free lunch or dinner, and transportation to and from the park in very nice tour buses.Don’t forget your water shoes and waterproof cell phone sleeve. Check out their website for videos and more info about each park and read fine detail before booking (esp about no refunds or exchanges etc). You will get an email with instructions, usually you meet the tour guide very early in the morning outside of the hotel lobby, you tell them your name and tour and you get a bracelet and instructions to board a specific bus. That bus can either take you to the theme park/tour, OR it will take you to the transfer station where you will get on another bus and then head to your tour. They explain it to you and provide clear instructions. Don’t book too many tours!! If you are there for 1 week maybe do 1 tour every other day depending on the level of activity/difficulty. You will be exhausted, believe me haha…and sunburned. Reapply!
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What if my Spanish is No Bueno? If you don’t speak spanish, don’t worry…Cancun is a very touristy place and some of the hotel staff and restaurant staff may speak english (almost all at ours). If you go further away from the Zona Hotelera which is where all the hotels and resorts are, chances are you may need google translate in some of the local spots.
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_Money Money Money…_you can exchange dollars for pesos at the airport. To check the current exchange rates just type in “current exchange rate usd to pesos” and google will show you the rates (it fluctuates a lot). Safety Tip: Don’t carry all your money on you, keep most of it in your hotel room safe. Avoid flashy jewelry/devices/ purses. Keep it casual as far as accessories, plus its really humid.
What do I wear?? So Cancun is usually hot, humid, rainy, and gorgeous…sometimes thunder storms too. Typically in the 80F and up to 80% humidity. Check the weather before you pack!! The thunderstorms are no joke! You will get soaked within seconds haha
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Things to Pack
- -Hiking sandals (flip flops can be slippery)
- -Water shoes (holy grail) great for rocky beaches and tour activities
- -breathable sneakers (great for tons of walking)
- -Hat/sunglasses/eco-biodegradable natural sunblock (most places don’t let you use regular sunblock due to damage to coral reefs, wild life, and ecosystems.)
- -Mosquito repellent spray!bracelets Humid and hot means mosquitos are out! (amazon & walmart have great travel size repellents and bracelets)
- -Waterproof cellphone sleeve!! Even if your phone is waterproof, the lanyard makes it easy to carry and it won’t slip out of your hands and fall into a cenote (sinkhole).
- -Frizz and Hair problems? Get your hair braided on the beach or in local shops, or take a good conditioner and leave in conditioner (shea moisture curly creme is amazing)
- -Pepto-bismol chewable tablets!! Life savers for indigestions due to spicy food or upset stomach
- -Picot/Alkaseltzer also good for upset stomach (your stomach is not used to the dairy or raw veggies in MX)
- -Vitamin C (EmergenC) Take it before you start drinking. Great for reducing hangovers if you plan on indulging in the free booze. Vitamin C helps metabolize alcohol (google it).
- -Large ziplock bags! Great for storing wet clothes after your tour activities
Thats pretty much it, unless I’m forgetting something? insert thinking face emoji Again, Costco travel for the win. They do all the work, you arrive and if you booked some tours online then you have your days planned out and you can relax on the beach or swimming in the clear vivid blue ocean! Then when you get hungry, you enjoy the all inclusive perks of all you can eat buffet!!! Enjoy! Enjoy every adventure, soak up the golden sun, dance in the crystal blue waters, and live life!
With love,
Gio