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9 Tips, Tricks and Warnings to Keep You Smiling in Cancun

9/25/2014

8 Comments

 
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By John Roberts

During our vacations in Cancun, we have discovered tips, tricks and warnings to be aware of so that you can save a few pesos and thoroughly enjoy your stay. We have been several times over the years and learn a little bit more each time we travel to Cancun. 
Here is some of our to advice to help you enjoy the best vacation in Cancun.

9. Math, anyone? Pesos are the cash in Cancun. Convert some dollars before you head to Mexico or be prepared to get cash out of an ATM or exchange money at your resort. The conversion rate is about pesos per U.S. dollar (as of 2020). So, you are going to need to get your mind ready to do the math for how much that meal or sun dress or sombrero costs in greenbacks, and it helps to be able to figure the proper amount to tip your servers, as well.

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8. Bring sunscreen. You'll burn in Cancun if you don't apply sunscreen early and often. You can get sun block in Cancun, too, but it is verrrrrrry expensive. Plan ahead, so you won't have to cancel your Friday massage appointment because your crimson-colored skin rejects any human contact (Oh yeah. Bring aloe vera, too.)

7. Time flies. Expect that you'll spend about twice as long to do something -- anything. If you are told your outing will be about 90 minutes, it very well could be three hours. A five-minute wait in line, will inevitably be 10 minutes or longer. It's called Mexican time or Caribbean time. Try not to get too frustrated. 

6. Hawks circling. Hawkers are everywhere in the main tourist areas in Cancun. They approach with a friendly demeanor and are very persistent. Pitching deals for excursions to adventure parks such as Xcaret or time share presentations. Steel yourself to repeat "No gracias" over and over throughout the day if you are out and about. This isn't to say you shouldn't engage with someone if you are interested in an offer. They do often have good deals, but it will take a time commitment (for a time share presentation, for example). You'll have to factor whether it's worth it. We got two ferry tickets, a breakfast and a golf cart for a day on Isla Mujeres for $20 total for agreeing to hear a presentation. We were told it would take about 90 minutes of day and ended up being three hours (see tip No. 7, above). A great price for a package that would have costs us more than $100, but we began to question whether it was worth it when we went over by 90 minutes the time allowance we had expected.

5. Speak like a local. Did you know that most of us Americans are fluent in Spanish. You consider "Dos cervesas, por favor" as fluent, right? OK, you might want to learn a few other conversational phrases to help build a rapport with those who you will meet during your adventures in Cancun. We have been working on this during the past year since our last trip here, and while we are still raw, we have had fun chatting in Spanish. Our servers have been gracious and helped us learn new words and pronunciations. This also has led to us getting great service and being offered some free appetizers and drinks as we have built a bit of a relationship with some of our favorite staffers at the nearby eateries.


Buses in Cancun's hotel zone will display WalmartBuses in Cancun's hotel zone will display Walmart.
4. Get on the bus. Bus trips up and down the hotel zone in Cancun cost about $0.75, or about 10 pesos, per trip. Buses are easy to use and way cheaper than a taxi ride. A bus ride costs 9.50 pesos. If there are two of you, just hand the driver 20 pesos and make sure to ask for "el cambio" if you want your change back (a peso). Tourists often just let the driver keep the change. If you don't ask, they won't just give it back to you automatically. Of course, they'd rather keep it. The bus drivers also are well aware when they have a tourist on the bus and are receptive to questions. Feel free to ask if you feel unsure whether the bus can drop you off at your desired stop. If you want to ride in a little more comfort and on your own schedule, you could also consider a good private shuttle service in Cancun.

3. Stop and shop. Staying at a resort with a full or partial kitchen? You can take the bus to the Walmart or other grocery stores in the area. Certain buses clearly indicate they are headed down to Walmart -- because this is a high-demand run for many vacationers who like to stock up. You can also take the bus down to the store and choose to take a cab back if you are all loaded up with groceries and beers. At the Walmart stop, you will be dropped off right at the kiosks of a batch of hawkers who know all the tourists are piling off the buses. We stick out with our sunburns, swim trunks and goofy T-shirts, ya know. If you don't want to hear any pitches, just head across the street immediately, down the alley that leads straight to the Walmart parking lot. Another batch of excursion and time-share pitch people await at the entrance of Walmart, too. Just be ready with your polite "No gracias."
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2. Ask, ask, ask. In the tourist areas, staffers actively implore you to check out the menus at their restaurants and seek to guide you to a table. If you are in search of a meal and a few drinks, go ahead and check out their menu and ask for a special. They almost always will be willing to give you a free drink or at least a 2-for-1 special or appetizer. 

1.  Smile, relax and have fun! It's your vacation, and your attitude can go a long way toward how you feel on your trip. 

Bonus Tip: Immerse Yourself in History. Make sure to get away from the Cancun Hotel Zone and your resort to see some of the rich cultural icons of Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula. One of our favorite days was spent at Tulum. This fascinating town on the Caribbean coastline features amazingly well-preserved ruins from the Maya civilization, which built a gorgeous port in Tulum. After exploring the ruins complex and learning about the impact of the Maya on the modern world, you can chill out at the beautiful beaches. 
To easily get there, you can book a Cancun to Tulum shuttle service, which offers great pricing and flexibility so you can organize your day just how you like it.


Have you traveled in Cancun? Any tips or advice to add? Let us know in the comments.


Thanks for reading, and always travel happy!

JR 
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More Stories to Help You on Your Cancun Vacation

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How to Eat Like a Local When Visiting Cancun

Exploring Tulum and Diving into Other Adventures in Cancun

5 Best Places to Go Kayaking in Cancun
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8 Comments
Sari
9/26/2014 12:00:15 pm

:D :D what can i say...this is so so.........complete!!...andale mejicano John...no gracias...dos cervezas por favor... :D :D great!!...pure enjoyment ah!!!
...i would include (there's always a no no in every foreign trip) to be alert on our personal stuff...some countries have expert robbers that in a blink pufffff our cameras wallets phones etc disappear...mucho ojo!! :D
...once again John thanks for all this valuable information...a very good reminder for travelers!!
...keep enjoying keep informing... God bless you always!!

Reply
JR
9/26/2014 02:54:52 pm

Muchas gracias for reading, Sari, as always. We miss you and can't wait to get to Puerto Rico ASAP. Thanks for your added wise words of caution, too.

Reply
Ryan Biddulph link
9/29/2014 10:40:35 am

Hi John,

Smart advice!

I second speaking in la lengua. I'm fluent - to an extent - and although I find it tough to follow the really quick talkers I speak the local lingo in Spanish-speaking countries and find it to be a TOTALLY different experience. Even though I'll always be a gringo I may receive a slight discount, a tip, or some other benefit of being someone who puts forth the effort to speak the native language.

Even using a few phrases lightens folks up.

I recall a trip through Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia a few months back. After receiving help from a grocery store worker in the airport I shot back a quick "Terima Kasih!" They froze. They looked shocked, then smiled, because they weren't expecting me to say THANK YOU in their native tongue.

Totally made their day, and if you do this in any nation, boy will folks warm up to you a bit more.

Power tips overall. We're likely doing Mexico early next year John so this is super helpful.

Muchos gracias por su ayudo, mi amigo :) Tweeting soon.

Signing off from Savusavu, Fiji.

Ryan

Reply
JR
9/29/2014 03:13:20 pm

Thanks so much Ryan for your comments. You rock! You are right about making connections with natives. It's the best part of travel, too, discount or no. Thanks again and always travel happy!
Peace,
JR

Reply
Mary Szapiro
6/16/2017 10:00:52 am

I am going to Cancun in a couple of month by myself this time around... been to Mexico Cancun many times but this time all by myself... anyone have any good suggestions for me so I don't get bored and look lonely?LOL

Reply
JR
7/14/2017 10:48:43 am

Have fun. Look for a fun tour to join so you can meet others and have fun. Hiking or ziplining or visiting ruins is fun to Tulum or Coba.

Reply
Samantha
9/25/2017 03:31:48 pm

Meand my husband went on preferencepass.com they have amazing deals on there we went on a catamaran to Isla mujeres for 30usd with unlimited food and drinks you should defiantly try it out on there website it will say enter discount code enter c341 and your get 50 percent of then after you picked which tour or activities you want to do and you paid it will ask you to enter preference number which you can use mine its 3581271481115142 its so simple and I will always use this place for activities and tours I hope you enjoy your holiday

Reply
Andrew link
12/7/2018 11:58:35 pm

I've never been to Cancun but it has always been on my list in top 25 places to visit. Great blog and post by the way. Love how informative and insightful it is just by reading your blog.

Reply



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