Cancun
Mexican Caribbean

Cancun

Destination Overview

If you want to celebrate the start of your life together in a tropical paradise, then Cancun is the perfect honeymoon destination for you. This jewel of the Mexican Caribbean has miles of white sand beaches, clear aquamarine seas, lagoons, and coral reefs as well as tropical rainforest pre-serves and mysterious Mayan archeological remains. Along with natural beauty, Cancun is fa-mous for its urban sophistication with world-famous resorts, shows and nightlife, and shopping at boutique stores and handicrafts markets. It is also a foodie destination, offering the best of delicious Mexican as well as international cuisines, with plenty of fresh-caught seafood on the menu.

With so much to see and do, you can plan for a honeymoon trip that is full of adventure, or full of relaxation, or a mixture of both. You can opt for rainforest adventure trips or go swimming with the gentle whale sharks, or just laze around the beach and then take a night cruise on the lagoon or spend the evening club-hopping. A must-do is a visit to the archeological remains at El Rey and also to the adjoining museum to learn about the Pre-Colombian Mayan civilization.

There are wide range of accommodations and packages available to suit every budget and taste. Whichever you choose, you will find comfort, friendly service, and the beach just a few steps away. A luxurious spa visit with a special couples massage and spa treatment session will be a highlight of your trip.

If you like to shop, you’ll find everything from local handicrafts to high end boutiques and mod-ern malls. And finally, a tip from seasoned travelers – with all of this, the best thing about Cancun is the people, who are warm and friendly, and committed to making your stay happy and com-fortable. That’s the final ingredient to make your Cancun trip the perfect honeymoon.

About Cancun

At a Glance

  • Cancun is located at the northeastern corner of the Yucatán peninsula, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. With its miles of sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, it has been developed as a tourism destination since the 1970s.
  • There are two major areas – the Zona Hotelera with miles of tropical beaches and Mayan cul-ture, and Cancún Centro which is your window on local culture, food and shopping.
  • For lovers of water sports and natural beauty, Cancun is a perfect getaway. The warm, tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea are ideal for swimming, kayaking, kiteboarding, fishing and boat cruises.
  • Snorkeling is one of the top favorite activities for visitors to Cancun. You don’t need to be an expert, or even to swim out very far, to see the diversity and beauty of underwater life. You can just put on a mask and stand in the water to watch the colorful, inquisitive tropical fish swimming around you and watching you watching them. Or you can take a trip in a glass-bottomed boat to see the underwater sights, for memories that will last a lifetime.
  • Scuba diving takes you to a fascinating underwater world with coral reefs, sunken ships, and even an underwater museum. Some of the most popular diving locations are at Punta Cancun, the Chital Reefs, Punta Nizuc and the intriguing MUSA, an underwater museum aimed at re-storing the coral reefs.
  • Explore the Mayan ruins at the San Miguelito and then stop at the adjoining Museo Maya de Cancún to learn more about this ancient civilization. A little further are the archeological re-mains at El Rey, with a small temple and sacrificial platforms. A trip to see the pyramids at nearby Tulum and Coba is well worth the time.
  • Relax at the famous beaches lining the Zona Hotelera with a margarita for an iconic Cancun experience. Make a day of it and try out a beachside barbecue or delicious fresh-caught sea-food.
  • When it’s time to party, head for the fun at Coco Bongo or other clubs and discos, where the music, dancing and shows run into the small hours.
  • If you love shopping for gifts and mementos, you’ll have a wealth of choices. Check out the flea markets and local handicrafts at Coral Negro in the hotel zone and Mercado 28 and Down-town Plaza 28 in downtown Cancun. You’ll find modern malls and boutique stores at Fashion Harbour at La Isla, Luxury Avenue Boutique Mall, Kukulcán Plaza, Marina Puerto Can-cun, Malecón Américas and Plaza Las Américas, where you can shop to your heart’s content.
  • Dining in Cancun is a gastronomic delight and you’ll find a range of choices, from regional Mexican cuisines, including Yucatán comfort foods, to taco joints to fine dining restaurants of world class fame. The setting can be as important as the food, and whether it’s a thatched-roof seafood shack or a Michelin-starred haute cuisine establishment, the view will be spectacular.

Honeymoon Hints

Romance is in the air everywhere in Cancun, along with the salty tang of sea air. But you can push the togetherness factor up several notches with some idyllic or adventurous trips.

  • A lobster dinner cruise is one of the best ways to experience the lagoon that borders the Zona Hotelera.
  • Take a day trip to Xcaret eco park for an unusual adventure. Visit the Aviary to see flamingos, parrots and other birds at home, and also the Coral Reef Aquarium, the Butterfly Pavilion and the folkloric museum. You will see the local wildlife, including jaguars, manatees, flamingos, spider monkeys, saraguato, bats, deer, and tapirs, enjoy Mexican food and culture, and maybe take a swim to cool off.
  • For a unique honeymoon adventure, explore the fascinating world of the cenotes. Cenotes are limestone caves in the tropical jungle, many with hidden waterways, which are open for snor-keling or scuba diving.
  • A day trip to the uninhabited island of Isla Contoy, which is a nature preserve, perfect for hik-ing and bird-watching, offers a quiet getaway. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed each day, because the island provides a safe haven for four turtle species as well as tropical ma-rine birds, including frigate birds, double-crested cormorants and brown pelicans.

Travel Tips

  • MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS: If you’re planning to get married in Cancun, make sure you meet all legal requirements. You’ll find all information on marriage regulations here (link: https://www.mexicancaribbean.travel/weddings/requirements/)
  • CURRENCY: The peso. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere but change will likely be in pe-sos.
  • ELECTRICITY: 110 volts, 60 cycles. Bring a power surge protector for your computer.
  • AVERAGE YEAR ROUND TEMPERATURE: 80 degrees F.
  • GETTING AROUND: Taxis are unmetered, charge by Zone, and are generally expensive. You can take a bus along the main avenue of the Hotel Zone for a few pesos.
  • GETTING THERE: Flights are convenient from most major US airports. The approximate flight times are:
    New York: 5 hours
    Boston: 5.5 hours
    Philadelphia: 4 hours
    Miami: 2 hours
    Atlanta: 3 hours
    Baltimore: 4 hours
    Los Angeles: 5 hours
    Chicago: 3.5 hours
    Houston: 2.5 hours
    Denver: 4 hours
    Arrivals can be confusing, and it helps to arrange ground transportation beforehand. If your hotel will be picking you up, make sure the person meeting you has a distinctive sign that you can pick out easily. If you’re arranging your own transportation, it’s easiest if you buy a taxi ticket at an official kiosk or find a colectivo, a bus that is shared with other passengers.
  • AREA CODE: 998
  • WHEN TO GO: With a comfortable tropical climate, Cancun is a year-round destination. Hur-ricane season is in the fall, so make sure you check the forecast and keep track of any storms.
  • WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES: Hotels are especially large so you’ll walk a lot. Also, they usually stand a good distance from the main road where bus stops are located.
  • BRING SUNSCREEN & TOILETRIES: The sun is very strong and you can get a bad burn in a short time.
  • DON’T LOSE YOUR TOURIST CARD: The remainder of the Tourist Card you receive upon arrival has to be turned in when you leave the country. Keep it safely with your passport.
  • HEALTH: International travel to Mexico was never shut down due to Covud-19, but each re-gion, most hotels and tourist attractions have their own guidelines that must be followed by visitors. When planning your trip, check these guidelines in advance. Travelers to Mexico should also keep themselves updated on the status of the Zika virus.