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

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.

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 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.

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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."

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. 

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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. 

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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