Last updated on Aug. 16, 2023. Cancún, Mexico, is known for its white sand beaches, its adventure tours and the many must-see attractions you can visit nearby. For example, this region of Mexico earns praise for cultural landmarks like Chichén Itzá and the underwater art museum.
In both the downtown core and Cancun Hotel Zone, you'll find a selection of world-class restaurants to choose from. There is a huge variety of restaurants in Cancun offering exquisite Mexican cuisine, as well as many others that bring in international cultures and culinary skills and fuse them with Mexican dishes.
A typical dish to eat in Mexico are tacos: corn pancakes stuffed with meat, red, yellow and green chilis, with onion and tomato. The meat can be chicken or beef, and without a doubt, it is one of the most typical internationally-known dishes of Mexico.
Cancun is surrounded by water, so its the perfect place to find top-notch seafood restaurants, as well as charming little, inexpensive seafood eateries that are right on the water. You'll always be served the freshest fish, lobster, shrimp, etc., simply because of Cancun's seaside location.
For a mid-range dinner at a nice restaurant, you can expect to pay around $30-$50 USD per person. For a high-end dinner experience, you may pay upwards of $100 USD per person. If you're on a budget, you can find cheaper options such as street food or fast food for around $10-$15 USD per person.
Tipping is a way of life in Cancun. Many of the staff earn a low basic salary and rely on tips to earn a livable wage. I consider tips as a way of showing thanks for a good service received and not as a means to ensure it.
Cancun is a haven for water sports enthusiasts and it's the perfect place to learn scuba diving. There are many underwater attractions in the area. Cancun is located close to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest reef in the world.
Arguably the most popular tourist spot, Cancun's Hotel Zone (also known as Zona Hotelera) is a long, narrow island with a vast lagoon, Laguna Nichupté, made up of seven lakes. This area has a great variety of activities and a pulsating nightlife.
There are two accepted currencies in Cancun, US Dollars and Mexican Pesos. If you have to choose one my advice is to choose Pesos. However, there are some situations where US Dollars work better for you.
Best Time to Visit Cancun for Lower PricesIf you don't mind dealing with the humidity and catching some residual wet weather as a result of hurricane season, the cheapest times to visit Cancun are just after spring break (from May to June) and in the fall (from September to October).
Cancun Sport FishingFrom February to April the top catches are kingfish, barracuda, small shark, grouper and blue marlin. From April to August you will find blue marlin, sailfish, tuna, and mahi-mahi. Then from September to February catches include barracuda, snapper, and mackerel.