Some people say that Cancun is among the most well-known tourist locations in Mexico. It brings to mind colors, beaches, resorts, active nightlife, weather, and many visitors from other countries. However, the glamorous reputation of Cancun masks the truth. Is this a place worth visiting or an overpriced location which does not resemble the Mexico we think of?
Having visited downtown Cancun, local markets, Chichen Itza, Tren Maya, and the famous Hotel zone, the recent experience allows taking a look at both sides of the destination. This experience highlights an interesting contrast between local crowded areas and the massively commercialized tourist zones.
The first impression begins at the airport. At Cancun International Airport, tourists are welcomed in a very tourist-oriented way. The airport is full of taxi booths and taxi drivers waiting in line to take tourists to their hotels.
The trip from the airport to Cancun Downtown can turn out to be rather costly. The highway trip cost about 800 pesos for both passengers, but different drivers offered higher prices to them at first sight. Airport taxi companies hold a strong position here as Uber has some restrictions and problems with providing their services at the airport.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Uber can still be used in some other parts of Cancun. This makes the difference between transportation at the airport and in the city rather impressive.
So, if tourists are going to stay in downtown Cancun, it is a good idea to make arrangements for getting to the airport. The costs can seem quite high comparing to transportation expenses in the other cities of Mexico. They may also have special offers for their passengers.
Downtown Cancun is Different from the Hotel Zone
One of the most interesting things about the trip was going around downtown Cancun. Most visitors identify Cancun with its beaches and big hotels, but the downtown area is absolutely different. Local markets, street food, small vendors, restaurants, free public spaces and the people rush in their everyday life create a picture of Cancun that
The market was nonetheless still strongly oriented towards tourists. Various souvenir shops sold everything from sombreros to ponchos, tequila bottles, clothing, magnets, and other Mexican-themed merchandise. However, to the traveler’s surprise, there were not that many foreign tourists at the time of their visit.
This made the traveler wonder if some of these markets may cater to domestic tourists coming from various regions of Mexico.
Do Mexicans actually wear Mexican sombreros?
One curious finding is that of the Mexican sombrero. Very large sombreros were being sold in the market, but the visitor noticed very few people wearing them in public.
A local explained that these hats are mainly associated with special occasions rather than being worn on an everyday basis. It is likely that the association of these hats with tradition explains their heavy presence in souvenir markets.
Buying a smaller sombrero became an interesting souvenir of the trip even if actually wearing it around Cancun would be unusual.
Food is yet another important element of the downtown excursion. One of the first drinks the travelers tried was a Mexican beer cocktail consisting of lime, salt, Tabasco, and other seasonings.
The response to the food and drink combination was somewhat mixed. The beer tasted quite good, while it was challenging to like the drink because of its spices. Tabasco must have been the reason for the unusual taste.
This food adventure showed that traveling can be fun because you can offer interesting food as a new thing even if you do not like all of it.
There are also interesting findings regarding the burrito.
Before going to Mexico, many people thought of burritos as one of the favorite food products from Mexico. However, it turned out that it was not easy to find burritos anywhere.
Finally, a restaurant in Cancun prepared one burrito. There was chicken in a sauce, plus beans and salads served as side dishes.
That observation again raises questions whether burrito as it is presented in restaurants elsewhere is an example of Mexican food or whether it actually comes from Mexican-American cuisine.
That observation would match the huge number of observations about Mexico in general.
Experiencing Cancun’s Local Nightlife
Not all areas within Cancun’s downtown are over-commercialized. As soon as evening came, its atmosphere became lively.
People filled the streets with stalls of delicious food, music, dances, and beautiful families and locals enjoying the fresh air. The atmosphere was considerably more relaxing than in tourist areas.
Travelers wishing to go beyond hotel pools and beaches may find this part of the city interesting.
Time of visiting is significant, too. While downtown Cancun stays deserted in the daytime, things change dramatically around 6.30 p.m.
Thus, visiting Cancun downtown in the evenings brings about completely different impressions when compared to its hottest hours.
Chichen Itza, the most popular day trip from Cancun?
If there is anything in the vicinity of Cancun worth visiting, it is Chichen Itza.
This ancient Mayan ruins are located at approximately two hours from Cancun and were reached using Tren Maya rather than car or standard tour bus.
Railroad was a highlight of the trip.
The Edf train station for Cancun can be found near the airport and it’s easy to tell it is a new one still under construction.
On the other hand, there is nothing bad to say about the train itself. All carriages are new, clean, well-fitted with air conditioning, and have different agendas (for example, luggage compartments, toilets, tables, and charging places for devices).
I bought a second-class ticket for about $100 for a round trip. As for first-class tickets, they only cost around $70.
When traveling for approximately 2 hours each way, one may not see the need to use the first-class train option for such an ideal journey as trains have modern seating anyways.
The biggest surprise for me was that the train departed on time. When we left Cancun, we were on the clock and reached Chichen Itza several minutes ahead of the promised schedule.
The final important detail about the journey is that Chichen Itza and Cancun belong to different time zones. As such, one is going to reach Chichen Itza earlier than expected.
The Visit to Chichen Itza in The Afternoon
After reaching the Chichen Itza station, the ride to the site was short and took about 55 pesos.
Due to the blistering heat of about 36ºC, sunscreen and water were necessary to have.
The entrance fees charged for tourists were considerably higher than those for residents. An additional fee was also charged (about 63 pesos) for taking photos.
Nevertheless, it was worth to go to see the site.
El Castillo and the Ancient Mayan City
One can immediately say the one of the most known buildings from Chichen Itza is El Castillo, also called the Temple of Kukulkan. One thing to see the pyramid online and another to experience it in person.
The giant construction is right in the middle of the large archaeological area where the rest of the ancient city is located.
The pyramid is not accessible to people anymore, and there are fences preventing people from trying to get closest to it, which makes the preservation of such site possible.
The effect of echo which can be gained by clapping your hands while standing near the pyramid is a phenomenon one has to see when being in front of El Castillo.
The Great Ball Court and Other Structures of Mayans
More than a very famous pyramid is found in Chichen Itza.
The Great Ball Court is another interesting structure. The game of the ancient Mayans was more than mere entertainment – it had a religious and ceremonial importance.
Other constructions of the archaeological site provide some information about different aspects of life and culture. For example, one of the structures is believed to be a sauna that can be connected to purification rituals.
Thus, a trip to Chichen Itza is not only a photo in front of the famous pyramid. It gives a chance to understand the complicatedness of the Mayan civilization.
The archaeological site can be visited very quickly, in about one or one and a half hours, but the tourists interested in the site can easily spend two or two and a half hours there.
Can Artificial Intelligence Substitute a Human Tour Guide?
One really innovative thing about visiting Chichen Itza was the use of artificial intelligence as a personal guide.
The person who traveled did not choose to employ a guide in the traditional sense and instead opted to take advantage of ChatGPT and its capacity to recognize objects using the camera to take pictures and help the traveler find information.
Focusing the camera at El Castillo led to all the relevant details of the pyramid while focusing on a different structure led to facts about the Temple of the Warriors.
However, this does not mean that people who give tours in person will no longer be necessary to travelers. A guide who is well acquainted with the surroundings can present such information that will be difficult to find or comprehend using only AI.
Nonetheless, the trip demonstrates how fast the AI-powered travel assistant can help independent travelers.
The journey to Cancun’s legendary Hotel Zone
After visiting Cancun’s downtown area and Chichen Itza, the trip continued to the Hotel Zone.
This is probably also the part of Cancun that international tourists are acquainted with because this area is filled with huge hotels and resorts, nightlife establishments, restaurants, beaches, and properties facing the sea.
The buses were mostly utilized by employees commuting between the resort areas and the center of Cancun.
Travelers on a tight budget can save a considerable amount of money on transportation by using these buses.
Beach Massage With a View of the Ocean
One of the unforgettable experiences in the Hotel Zone was a massage on the beach.
The cost of the massage was about $25 for two persons for about 15 minutes. Although it was a short service, the overall experience was rated as a positive one thanks to the fantastic place of the massage.
The massage was held next to the beach, and it was possible to hear the sounds of the ocean and enjoy the view at the same time.
For many visitors, the place is as significant as the service. The procedure done on the beach and facing the Caribbean Sea is the real Cancun experience.
The Beaches May Not Be as Good as Expected
This is when the Cancun experience became far less enjoyable than it was supposed to be.
The visit to several beaches took place, including the beach next to Coco Bongo and the beach in front of the hotel.
The beach found near the Coco Bongo venue has come up short.
The beach had an excess of seaweed and it did not seem like the ideal place to swim. There was a lot of business and development around the area with hotels and restaurants taking up space along the coastline.
A traveler coming to Cancun looking for beautiful beaches may feel like they have been cheated.
Beach conditions can change based on weather and wave patterns but one visit to a beach cannot accurately describe the status of Cancun’s beaches at all times. However, this trip shows that not all beaches in Cancun would look like perfectly placed postcards.
One of the most prominent aspects of Cancun is its nightlife.
The Hotel Zone is lined with pubs, clubs, and entertainment venues while the area surrounding the Coco Bongo venue is all about partying and having fun.
Travelers found plenty of offers of various services and products during their experience, which made the journey extremely different from exploring the quiet side of Mexico.
For American tourists, Cancun is an easy getaway where they can spend numerous days enjoying beautiful beaches, nightlife, Mexican cuisines, and hotel services.
That explains why the city has become a popular destination among international tourists.
Staying at a Large Cancun Resort
The resort experience provided yet another angle to look at the destination.
The hotel featured a huge studio-style room, including a kitchen area, washing machine, dryer, and a very comfortable bed. The hotel itself was massive, including many buildings and different pools.
From the point of view of a traditional all-inclusive holiday, this type of resort is very convenient.
Tourists can spend most time inside the hotel, eating and drinking as well as swimming and relaxing and enjoying entertainment without being forced to go anywhere.
However, for independent travelers, this can become an issue.
Constant entertainment at the pool along with music, tourists, and huge dimensions of the hotel did not match the travel approach seen during the journey.
Is Cancun More American Than Mexican?
Ultimately, that was the main question of the trip.
Compared to Mexico City and Oaxaca, Cancun looked more internationalized and Americanized.
Prices were much higher. The importance of tipping was highlighted again and again. Restaurants offered familiar food. The coastline was covered with huge hotels, while many businesses were built purely on the concept.
The various shopping areas were obviously empty of character because no particular tradition existed in Cancun. Nevertheless, this should not indicate that Cancun is a negative site to visit. Travelers simply need to know beforehand what they might eventually encounter during their stay.
If one looks for an authentic cultural experience with the distinct food, neighborhoods, and lifestyle, one should go to another place.
In case someone is looking for an all-included tropical vacation with hotels that provide various types of entertainment and organized trips, Cancun is really helpful in this aspect.
Is Cancun Expensive?
The journey allowed us to discover many examples of rather high prices in Cancun.
The taxi from the airport could cost hundreds of pesos. One has to pay about 255 pesos for a meal in a restaurant in the center. To get to Chichen Itza by train in the first class, one should pay around $100 to buy a return ticket. Entrance fee for Chichen Itza, including a separate ticket for a camera, will cost approximately 671 pesos.
The difference in hotel rates is yet another factor to consider. A hotel room in downtown Fairfield by Marriott will cost around $150 per night, including breakfast, whereas the beachfront resort offers a much more luxurious option.
What this means is that Cancun may seem expensive compared to other cities in Mexico.
Should You Go to Cancun?
Whether or not you should go to Cancun depends on what exactly you are looking for.
Cancun is not necessarily the best destination for people who are searching for the authentic experience of Mexican culture. When compared to Mexico City or Oaxaca, it seems commercial, expensive, and too much influenced by international tourism.
At the same time, Cancun is also beneficial.
It has good tourist infrastructure, a plethora of hotels, a variety of sights, available transport, famous nightlife, etc. Other spots that tourists might find interesting are also accessible from Cancun.
The only place to visit is the famous Chichen Itza that some people may even visit Cancun just for this purpose.
Is Cancun a Tourist Trap or is It Worth Visiting?
After checking out both the tourist attractions and local establishments, Cancun turned out to be least liked among all the Mexican destinations visited during the trip.
The major reason was not that Cancun isn’t pleasing. The problem was that the contrast between the enormous fame of the city and what the tourist saw turned out to be quite striking.
Beaches did not meet the expectations. Prices were on the higher side. Resorts were occupying the coastline. The tipping culture was really evident. The city sometimes felt more of an international resort than an actual Mexico place.
However, there were also great experiences. Downtown Cancun provided plenty of local experiences, rich nightlife, cheap public transport, and a great trip to Chichen Itza.
Entonces, es Cancun sobrevalorado?
For people seeking the real Mexico, it may be.
It can be an excellent choice for people looking for a beach resort, lively nightlife and organized tours.
Learn to choose Cancun based on what you can actually see and enjoy rather than how you imagine it to be.
If you’re looking to indulge in a week of living it up at a beach resort, experience nightlife, take some day trips and kick back by the Caribbean, Cancun assures that dream.
However, if you’re looking for a deeper understanding of Mexican culture, to taste authentic local cuisine, explore less commercialized neighborhoods, and live the real daily life experiences, cities like Mexico City or Oaxaca could make for a better vacation.
Nevertheless, Cancun is not only either a beautiful paradise or painfully overrated holiday spot. It is a developed tourist resort with historical sights, and knowing the difference makes it easier to decide if your itinerary should include the famous Mexican tourist resort.
