Wondering where to stay in Cancun? If you are planning a vacation in Cancun it is important to do a little research before booking. Cancun has two distinct areas in which to stay and both are very different. In this post, I break down the best places to stay in Cancun depending on your budget, who you are traveling with, and the area you prefer to stay.
I have included Cancun hotels on the beach, the best Cancun airport hotels, budget accommodation in Cancun, and the best family accommodation in Cancun.
Need to book transportation in Mexico?
I highly recommend booking all of your Mexico transportation with GuateGo. You can search for buses, shuttles, ferries, and Flights on their website. What I love most about them is their customer service. I know these guys personally from my time living in Guatemala and they really do look after their customers. So if anything happens and you get delayed and miss your bus, you can just call them and they are always there to help.
If you book through them you will pay a little more than if you book in person at the bus station. But it’s worth it for the ease and security in my opinion. Click here to search for transportation in Mexico.
Deciding Where to Stay in Cancun
The first thing you need to decide when planning a vacation in Cancun is where you want to stay. You have two main options:
- Hotels in Central Cancun
- Hotels in the Cancun hotel zone
If you are coming to Cancun with the intention of spending a week or two lazing on the beach or by a pool cocktail in hand then the best area to stay in Cancun is the Hotel Zone. It is a little horseshoe-shaped island away from the rest of Cancun where you can stay quite happily with easy access to beaches, shopping malls, and popular spots like Coco Bongo and Senor Frogs. This is the most popular area for families to stay in and it is very safe. It is also the best area to stay in Cancun for nightlife.
I must say though, there are so many things to do in Cancun for the whole family so wherever you stay please try and get out of the resort a few times to explore. If you are planning on doing lots of sightseeing while in Cancun then I strongly recommend renting a car with Car Rental Cancun before you arrive. That way your car will be waiting for you at the airport and you can drive yourself to your accommodation. Be sure to check before booking if your hotel or Airbnb has parking though!
For those travelers who prefer to be in the thick of it a bit more, or who are on a tighter budget then you may want to look at staying in Central Cancun. This is where you will find the more affordable hotels in Cancun.
Looking for a reputable tour company in The Riviera Maya?
I’ve been working with Turismo Channel in Playa del Carmen for years and they are who I send all of my family and friends to when they visit the Riviera Maya. I really can recommend them enough for tours, private airport transfers, and rental cars. Vanessa and Oliver are personal friends of mine and I have 100% faith that you will have a wonderful time with them.
You can check out their tours by clicking here and using the following discount codes for the best prices clairecaroff (car rental), claire10off (for 10% off group tours), claireprivate (for a discount on private tours). You can also send her a WhatsApp message quoting the above codes to receive the discount.
Should you go all-inclusive in Cancun
Deciding if you should go all-inclusive can be tricky. The best all-inclusive hotels in Cancun can be very expensive. Although there are also some great value Cancun all-inclusive resorts too. In case you don’t find the right option in Cancún, you can also check the best all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana for further choices.
If you can find a great all-inclusive deal and you plan on spending most of your time in your resort then go for it. If you know you will be making lots of day trips to the big parks or Mayan Ruins like Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba. Then maybe going all-inclusive isn’t worth it for you.
Some resorts will actually give you the option. So you can book and pay for your room only. Then you can opt to do a few days all-inclusive and a few days where you don’t. It is always worth asking as this can save you hundreds if you are visiting Cancun as a family.
Also, all-inclusive works best for families with children who want food and drinks all day and adults who like to drink alcohol. If you are planning on sipping mojitos all day for 7 days then all-inclusive is going to be well worth it for you.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that you need to be prepared for anything! Travel insurance has always been high my list of things to get before I travel but now more than ever its at the top of my list.
I’m pretty sure we have all had travel plans messed up because of COVID and not all insurers covered this. So when looking for travel insurance it’s important to check it covers travel disruption due to COVID-19, Hey Mondo, Passport Nomads, Safety Wing, and Travel Insurance Master all provide cover for this.
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single trip cover, annual multi trip cover, and long term travel cover. You even have the option to start the cover when you are already on your trip, although you won’t be covered for the first 72 hours. For me my favourite feature is their app which offers you a 24/7 Dr chat and the ability to file a claim direct in the app.
Passport Nomads provides the most comprehensive cover for Digital Nomads. The game changer with them is that you have a red card and if you find yourself in need of medical care you just contact them and they will pre load your card with the funds to cover your treatment, meaning you won’t need to pay out of pocket and then put in a claim later.
Safety Wing is great value with monthly cover starting at $39. It’s super easy to use and it just renews each month. They have an excess of $250 and it’s simple to make a claim through their website. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy and I like that it renews on a monthly basis, so I don’t have to pay out a big lump sum up front.
I also use Travel Insurance Master for some short vacation type trips.
If you are doing shorter trips or an extended backpacking trip then Hey Mondo or Travel Insurance Master are the best option. If you are a digital nomad or planning travel of at least 6 months then go for Passport Nomads or SafetyWing.
Where to stay in Cancun
Ok so now we have that part sorted out it is time to decide where to stay in Cancun. In this section, I am going to share with you my top picks for the best accommodation in Cancun.
The Best All-Inclusive Adult only Hotels in Cancun Hotel Zone
Le Blanc Spa Resort
If you know you want an all-inclusive adult-only vacation in Cancun, then this is my top pick for you. It is rated as the best all-inclusive hotel in Cancun for adults.
The hotel is situated over 5 acres in Cancun’s Hotel Zone and boasts a full-service spa, state of the art gym with daily group fitness classes, three outdoor pools, and multiple restaurants that serve a variety of cuisine from around the world.
This kind of luxury is going to cost you from $700 per night, but it is ranked as one of the top 100 hotels in the world so it actually isn’t bad value for money especially as the swim-up bar includes high-end drinks (many all-inclusive hotels charge extra).
Booking.com rating 9.5
Tripadvisor rating 5
Hyatt Zilara
If you want an all-inclusive hotel in Cancun Hotel Zone with incredible views of the Caribbean sea, a private beach area, and daily activities and entertainment, then the Hyatt Zilara is for you.
One of the top-rated hotels in Cancun they have a dedicated adult only area so you can choose to avoid the family-friendly areas while on your vacation. Within the resort, there are 6 specialty restaurants and 5 bars meaning you have plenty of options during your stay.
The rooms here are spacious with amazing sea views and your every need will be met by the super friendly staff.
You can actually get some great deals here with prices starting from $350 per night for 2 adults.
Booking.com rating 9.1
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Where to Stay in Cancun with the Family
I have picked three resorts that I think are perfect for families in the Cancun Hotel Zone. They all offer families slightly different things and are all at different price points so a lot will depend on your budget.
Iberostar Cancun – All Inclusive
My Cancun all inclusive pick for families is the Iberostar. Expect to pay around $4000 for a family of four for a 7-night stay here. You can get some great deals, especially in the low season though.
Rooms are a good size and come well equipped. The hotel is right on the beach and all the rooms either have a garden view or a sea view.
The resort has everything you need for a family-friendly vacation in Cancun. Kids club, swimming pools, snack bars, and plenty of entertainment!
Booking.com rating 9
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Fiesta Americana Cancun Villas
This is my top pick for families who want a great beachfront location in Cancun but prefer the flexibility of being able to self-cater. Each room here has a small kitchenette so you can prepare simple meals for the family.
The location is amazing and it has everything you need to keep the kids entertained. Expect to pay around $1500 for a family of four here for a 7-night stay.
Booking.com rating 8.6
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Marriott Cancun Resort
If you want to stay in a top resort, on the beach in Cancun Hotel Zone with the family without having to pay for all inclusive then this is my top pick. There are no facilities in the room for cooking or preparing food, so you will have to eat out. But if you plan on splitting your time between the resort and day trips then it is a great choice.
You can expect to pay around $3000 for a week here for a family of four.
Booking.com rating 9
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
The Best Value Cancun All-Inclusive Hotel
Flamingo Cancun Resort
If you want to stay in a beachfront all-inclusive resort in Cancun Hotel Zone but you can’t stretch to the prices of the top resorts then I recommend The Flamingo Hotel. At around $250 per night for two people all inclusive it is great value for money. It’s actually next door to the Hyatt so if you manage to get a room with a sea view it’s almost the same view, but costs a lot less.
It has two outdoor pools, two restaurants, three bars, and a gym making your options more limited than the bigger resorts but you do still have choices.
Booking.com rating 7.9
Tripadvisor rating 3.5
The Best Budget Hostels in Cancun Hotel Zone
Want to live the high life in Cancun Hotel Zone without paying top dollar in one of the all-inclusive resorts? I got you covered. All of these hotels are in the best area to stay in Cancun for nightlife. They are in the hotel zone so you will be close to places like Senor Frogs and Coco Bongo as well as within walking distance from the beach. Staying at one of these hostels is the most affordable way to experience the hotel zone nightlife.
Selina Cancun Lagoon Hotel Zone
If you have traveled through Latin America I’m sure Selina will be a familiar name for you. They are hostels geared towards backpackers and digital nomads. What you get with Selina is a party hostel with pool (plus swim-up bar), co-working space and a great atmosphere. The location is perfect and the price is even better.
Booking.com rating 8.4
Tripadvisor rating 3.5
Mayan Monkey Hotel & Hostel Cancun
You are going to need to book in advance if you want to stay here. Senor frogs hostel is very popular and for good reason. It is spotlessly clean, beautifully decorated and in the best location if you want to party in the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Booking.com rating 9.2
Tripadvisor rating 5
Best Value Hotel in Central Cancun
Ambiance Suites
If you don’t want to be in the hotel zone and prefer something more central than the location of the Ambiance suites is great, especially if you decide to hire a car. From here you can easily access the airport, local attractions like Coba, Tulum Ruins and Chichen Itza, and neighboring places like Playa Del Carmen, Holbox, Merida, and Tulum.
They have an outdoor pool, WiFi, 24-hour reception, and lots of parking close by. The benefit of staying here is that you have several large supermarkets within walking distance and it is only a 5-minute drive to the beach and the hotel zone.
Booking.com rating 8.4
Tripadvisor rating 4
The Best Boutique Hotel in Central Cancun
Mexicasa Cancun Hotel Boutique
If you prefer to stay in a boutique hotel in Cancun then my top pick is in central Cancun. It is a 10-minute drive from the beach but walking distance from many more local (and budget-friendly) restaurants and bars. The Plaza Las Americas shopping mall is just 10 minutes walk and the Hotel Zone is either a bus or taxi ride away.
You have access to a pool, free WiFi and the hotel is well decorated and equipped for shorter or longer stays. And the best part… rooms start at just $25 per night!
Booking.com rating 8.2
Tripadvisor rating 4
Best Budget Accommodation in Central Cancun
Prefer to stay in central Cancun rather than the touristy Hotel Zone? Me too! If Coco Bongo and Senor Frogs don’t really do it for you then I would avoid the hotel zone and opt to stay in El Centro. Over this side of town, your money will go a lot further and you will get to experience a more local night out.
Don’t worry though you will still be able to catch the bus to the beach and to the hotel zone malls and nightlife if you choose to.
Hostalito
This place is not located in La Zona Hotelera or that close to the beach as the other options, but if you are wandering around this category, you don’t mind about that. It is a pretty nice place with a great ambiance. If you don’t mind taking a taxi after a night out partying (if partying is your thing) I fully recommend Hostalito since it is a chill place.
It is an adult-only place, and if you are feeling lazy one day, you can stay playing games in the game room or chilling at the hammocks.
Booking.com rating 8.4
Tripadvisor rating 5.0
La Casa Del Árbol
This is another great option for central Cancun hostels. The location is great, especially for solo travelers, and they even have free bikes to rent. Do be careful cycling on the crazy Cancun roads though!
Booking.com rating 9.2
Tripadvisor rating 5
The Best Hotel Close to Cancun Airport
Cancun-Soho B&B
If you are looking for a private hotel room close to Cancun airport, this is not fancy but it is a very nice option. To me, it is more of a guest house with comfortable and clean spaces. The rooms are for bigger parties if you are traveling in groups or with the family. The accommodation includes breakfast and there is a swimming pool and garden area to relax.
They offer airport shuttle transportation to and from Cancun airport for an additional charge.
Booking.com rating 8.8
Villa Palmeras
Another close to the airport hotel option, a bit more expensive than the last one and a bit more luxurious than the last one. They offer an American breakfast included in the price and airport pick up for an additional price.
Booking.com rating 8.4
Tripadvisor rating 4.0
Final Thoughts
I really hope this guide has helped you to find the perfect accommodation in Cancun. Hopefully, it will help you to find the perfect place to stay on your vacation or business trip. If you are visiting The Riviera Maya for the first time you may be wondering what to pack? Take a read of this great packing list for Mexico to ensure you don’t forget any essentials!
All images in the post are taken from Booking.com.
Pin For Later
This post was proofread by Grammarly
