Travel guide for planning a beach vacation in Cancun, Mexico, including information on resorts, costs, appropriate clothing and weather.
Because it is a beach town with nothing but wonderful outdoor activities, the dress is extremely casual, with many people wearing swimsuits and shorts just about everywhere. It is not uncommon to see people in bikini tops and shorts in the market square, on the beach, or on the various tours throughout the city. In the evening, attire may vary depending on the activity you choose. In upscale bars, restaurants or shows the common attire seen is sundresses, a nice top with shorts, capris or a skirt for women, and nice cotton or linen shorts and shirts for men. Rarely do people wear pants since the weather is usually too warm. In nightclubs or casual bars, the attire ranges anywhere from people in swimsuits to people dressed up in summer evening attire. Keep in mind that Cancun is one big "party town," so just about anything goes.
When trying to determine what type of accommodations you would like, the options range from five star hotels and resorts to small inexpensive motels. Additionally you can choose from family resorts that offer a variety of fun activities for the whole family, to "all adult" resorts that cater to the adult crowd.
There are several ways to go about planning a trip to Cancun. First, you can purchase everything separately, such as airline tickets, hotel accommodations, rental vehicles and tours. Choosing this option can be very time consuming and much more expensive, especially if this is your first trip and you are not familiar with the many options available. If you are on a budget or if this is your first trip to Cancun, going through a travel agency is the safest way to go. Many travel agencies offer packages, where flight, accommodations, transportation, and even some activities are all included. Some resorts offer all-inclusive packages, where meals and beverages (alcoholic as well) are included.
The best thing to do is to contact your local agent and let him/her know your price range, your hotel preference and what type of activities you would like to participate in. Depending on the season, a decent package can be purchased for as little as $350 per person. However, packages at high-end resorts can cost significantly more than this per person regardless of the season. Many hotels and resorts include basic onsite activities, but be prepared to pay for adventures such as scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, touring the pyramids and hiking tours. These activities can range from as little as $25 to over $100 per activity. Most travel agents or resorts/hotels can provide you with brochures that include dates, schedules and pricing information.
When discussing your hotel/resort preferences with your agent, some important details you may want to inquire about are: 1.) The rating of the hotel/resort; 2.) Any negative or positive feedback from previous tourists; 3.) Amenities offered; 4.) If there is a concierge desk; 5.) Whether there are shuttle busses or transportation to and from the downtown club/bar areas and if so, what time they run until; 6.) Does the resort/hotel offer on site activities for the guests (i.e.: games, sports, entertainment)?
Knowing the answers to these questions can save you a lot of disappointment and unexpected costs once you arrive.
