Cheap Flights To Cancun, Mexico

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Cancun City Guide

Overview
When to Go
Airport Information
Weather
Things to Do
Local Attractions
Must See Sights
Insider Tips
Getting Around

Overview

Despite its reputation as a premier destination for Spring Break travelers, the dazzling coastal city of Cancun, Mexico, located in the Northeast point of the Yucatan Peninsula, is worth the visit any time during the year. With hundreds of hotels, restaurants, attractions, hotspots, shopping destinations, spas and more, Cancun is popular for everyone, from those who seek a luxury resort vacation on the beach to cheap getaways for families and students alike.

This tropical haven is home to world-class snorkeling and diving, an abundance of nature preserves, waterfalls and cliffs along the coast, underground caves, hiking trails, and rainforests, on top of its high-octane, energetic nightlife scene along the city's warm, sandy beaches and arresting views of the azure Caribbean Sea.

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When to Go

High Season
Cancun's sunny days throughout the year make it a perfect tropical destination, but many visitors arrive during the winter (from December to February) to get away from the cold weather in favor of the balmy Caribbean climate. Cancun is also a notorious Spring Break vacation hotspot, so watch for crowds of college students during March and the beginning of April.

Low Season
Crowds thin out from May to November, when Cancun's summers can turn hot and wet, especially with hurricane season starting in June.

Best Time to Go
Try booking cheap flights to Cancun in early December before the snowbirds arrive, or in later April after college students have left to finish out the semester. Both of these times also offer pleasant weather, and right after Easter, many resorts drop prices significantly.

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Airport Information

Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Distance: Approximately 15 miles to the city and beach area
Drive time: Around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your hotel. Playa del Carmen hotels are located 50 to 60 minutes away, whereas Akumal and Puerto Aventuras hotels are up to an hour away.

One of the busiest hubs in the Caribbean, Cancun International Airport (800-317-1921, 01-800-822-7116 in Mexico) serves millions visiting the city and the surrounding Riviera Maya districts. Featuring VIP lounges, a beauty parlor and several restaurants, the Cancun airport is serves by several international and charter airlines. All major airlines from the U.S. and Canada fly to Cancun, with connecting services in most major cities in North America and direct nonstop service from major hubs. The airport offers free shuttle service between terminals.

Many visitors book travel packages where transportation service to and from the airport is included. Those that do not book a travel package will find it easiest to book taxis, shuttles and more online. Cancun-Airport.com offers incentives for passengers that set up transportation services in advance to lessen traffic congestion at the terminals. Unfortunately, none of the hotels in Cancun offer courtesy shuttles, but some hotels offer transportation for an extra fee that the hotel charges. Limousine service is very limited, while private transportation requires prepaid reservations.

Be warned: taxis are not allowed to pick up passengers at the airport, as taxi drivers have charged visitors up to five times the regular rate in the past. Only authorized transportation companies with an official seal from the airport and the Mexico Department of Transportation are permitted to do so. Avoid getting scammed by making a taxi reservation online.

Currently, the airport is offering a cash-back credit for up to the full fare of your transportation costs, which travelers can use towards the purchase of sightseeing tours and activities. This limited offer is only available for reservations made online and is not available if you pay for transportation at the airport. For questions, call toll free at 1-800-317-1921.

Cheap flights to Cancun from New York cost an average of $295, from Los Angeles $315, from Miami $225, and from Chicago $300, before taxes and fees. There are also plenty of deals on cheap flights on weekdays or during the off season.

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Weather

The tropical climate of Cancun means the weather stays warm year-round, yet summers can get pretty hot and humid, with average highs in the low 90s. Autumn brings rain, although the temperature only drops a few degrees to the mid-to-upper 80s. Winter and spring months are bright and sunny weather, with temperatures in the low to mid 80s. Hurricane season runs from June to mid-October, so if you travel during this time, pay close attention to reports on tropical storms.

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Things to Do

Stay

From all-inclusive luxury resorts to budget friendly hotels, Cancun has all kinds of accommodation to fit your travel needs. Most hotels are located in the Hotel Zone or downtown in Cancun City, and are close to many of the city's biggest attractions.

Stay at the JW Marriot Cancun Resort & Spa, with an exclusive Mayan-inspired spa and private balconies that overlook the stunning Caribbean waters in each of its 448 rooms if you're searching for all-out luxury. The ultramodern Aqua Cancun Resort (rebuilt after Hurricane Wilma in 2005) offers eight outdoor pools, indoor and outdoor spa treatments, and impeccable guest rooms stocked with sumptuous amenities, while the Ritz Carlton offers daily Mexican and Maya cooking classes, tequila tastings, and babysitting services during the day and night so parents can get away for a romantic dinner at one of the hotel's six restaurants.

Consider renting a private villa along the shores of Cancun. Ciudad Cancun offers independently owned lodging that's just a 5 to 10-minute cab ride from the beach, while Cancun Hideaways specializes in downtown apartment and condo luxury properties at prices that are comparable to most hotel stays.

Resorts will help you stretch dollars, as food and drink is included in the nightly rate. Plenty of hotels also offer special package deals, and Cancun City hotels tend to be bargain priced compared to hotels along the beach.

Play

Cancun is separated into two zones – the city zone and the hotel zone – with one section for those that live within the city, and the other for tourists. It's in the hotel zone you'll have easy access to Cancun's magnificent beaches and exciting nightlife. However, there's plenty to see and do outside of the Zone, from nature hikes and secluded beaches to amazing wildlife and swimming with dolphins. With so many activities to choose from in Cancun, why not sample a bit of everything?

Eat

As a worldwide travel destination, Cancun offers more than just traditional Mexican cuisine. Diners enjoy seafood, French, Japanese, and Italian fare as well, not to mention live music and fabulous scenery when they sit down to eat.

Gustino, located in the JW Marriot, offers exquisite Italian dining, whereas the Le Meridien's Aioli has al-fresco dining and Caribbean dishes with a twist. Eat traditional Argentine food at Puerto Madero, with a fabulous view of the water. For seafood fare, try La Habichuela, which has a romantic sculpture garden. Laguna Grill has surf and turf – where else? – by the lagoon, while The Lobster Dinner Cruise, which takes off from Aquatours Marina, glides across the lagoon, where passengers dine on lobster while enjoy the sights. For $79 per person, enjoy a surf-and-turf menu, or for true seafood lovers, $89 for a lobster-only menu.

Shop

High-end luxury shopping awaits at Plaza Las Americas and Plaza Kukulcan, both which include brand-name stores, entertainment and food courts. La Isla Shopping Village is an open-air market bordering the lagoon, where shops and restaurants cross over little canals. Downtown's El Centro is the place for handmade gifts for everything from hammocks to silver jewelry. Browse around at Mercado 28 for authentic Mexican crafts or Coral Negro, located in the Hotel Zone. For wide selection and sheer size, head to Mexican outlet Plaza La Fiesta, next to the Cancun Center, which selling jewelry, tequila, leather and handicrafts.

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Local Attractions

Xcaret is a natural eco park that features ancient Mayan cenotes, or sinkholes, that formed when cave ceiling collapsed after millions of years of erosion from underground rivers. Its name comes from the term "little inlet," and it is here you can in the inlet you can snorkel in the reef, take a shark tour, or swim around the lush lagoons and rivers.

Get away from the crowds by snorkeling and scuba diving the coral reefs at the Isla de Mujeres, or take up parasailing and kite surfing or scuba diving off Cozumel. If you're traveling with kids, swim with dolphin in Xel-Ha and its gigantic aquarium.

For a taste of Mayan culture, take a tour of Coba or Tulum, where archaeology fans can ogle ancient ruins in the jungle. Some tours include zip lining across cenotes, or natural sinkholes formed after millions of years of underground river erosion. Consider taking a day to explore the pyramid temples of Uxmal and Chichen Itza.

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Must See Sights

Nightlife

There's a reason Cancun is so popular with college students during Spring Break – its nightlife is hopping until sundown, with most clubs staying open until 6am. Nearly all the biggest hotspots or "superclubs" are located in the Hotel Zone, so all you have to do is walk or grab a cab. Many of the bars in the Hotel Zone also serve up two-for-one drink specials or happy hour deals.

If you want to be in the middle of the action, head to , which all offer packed dance floors or live music until the wee hours of the night. Expect long lines on the weekends, and be prepared to pay cover charges. Those looking to save cash while still club hopping should check out the Bar Hopper Tour (tickets are available at Senor Frog's and most hotels), where $65 takes you by bus and lets you skip the lines at several of Cancun's hottest nightspots: Congo Bar, CoCo Bongo and Senor Frog's.

Beaches

Powder-white sand and gorgeous blue waters make Cancun's beaches a magnificent part of your vacation. Get to know the names along the strip of Cancun beach that follows the Caribbean side of Cancun, including Playa Tortugas, Playa Langosta, Playa Caracol, Playa Linda and Playa Las Perlas. Head east to walk along the sandy shores of Playa Del Ray, Playa Choc Mool, Playa Marlin and Playa Delfines.

While you're at the beach, indulge in everything from relaxing in the sun to aquatic sports like snorkeling, jet-skiing and parasailing. Be safe in the water and watch for flags to determine which part of the beach is safe.

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Insider Tips

• From April to July, thimble jellyfish larvae hatch – although they do not have deadly stingers, they can certainly cause a painful sting, rash, or allergic reaction.
• Resorts and hotels will filter water, but this does not guarantee that bacteria are safely removed from drinking water. Avoid getting sick by drinking bottled water, and stay away from drinking tap water.
• Considering the weather is often bright and sunny, it's best to pack extra sunscreen to protect your skin. Always reapply after going in the water.

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Getting Around

Given that much of the action and accommodations are located in the Hotel Zone, it's easy to walk around the long road called Avenida Kukulcan. Be warned – it is 22km long, so walking the entire distance may wear you out! However, there's no need to rent a car if you'll be sticking to this area.

While you may need to catch a bus at the main station in Cancun City, avoid going into the non-tourist zone to avoid getting lost in the maze of one-way streets. The public bus system, which costs six pesos per ride, operates seven days a week. Taxis are cheap, but always negotiate taxi fares upfront so you're not cheated. Hail down taxis down the street from your hotel instead of in front of it – the rates will be cheaper.

As many Cancun visitors book travel packages, check in with your hotel to see about tour buses that take you to some of Cancun's out of the way attractions.

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