FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Cancun

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Cancún each year. The main ones are listed below.

For the feast of the three kings, Mexicans get together with their families to share the rosca de reyes, a sweetbread baked in the shape of an oval ring, with a plastic figure of the baby Jesus concealed inside.

After their exams, huge numbers of American students come to party in the major Mexican seaside resorts: Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cancún

Celebrated as a holiday throughout Mexico, commemorating the victory of the Mexican militia over the forces of Napoleon III in 1862.

This celebration commemorates the call to sedition issued by Priest Manuel Hidalgo y Costilla, on this day in 1810. Each year on the night of September 15, the Mexican president delivers a speech from its balcony. When he waves the nation's tricoloured flag, thousands of spectators cry out in unison, “Viva Mexico!”

With festivities that combine Christian and native traditions, this two-day celebration is a very important event for Mexicans. They evoke and pay tribute to the memory of their dearly departed with a festive celebration through prayer, song, music and dance.

Celebration of Mexico's patron saint. Festivities throughout Mexico City and around the country include shows, dancing, concerts etc.

Celebration of Mexico's patron saint. Festivities throughout Mexico City and around the country include shows, dancing, concerts etc.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Cancun

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	20/68	26/79	81/3.2	Good period to go
February	20/68	27/81	25/1.0	Good period to go
March	20/68	28/82	30/1.2	Good period to go
April	22/72	28/82	36/1.4	Good period to go
May	23/72	30/86	104/4.1	Not the best period to go
June	24/75	31/88	185/7.3	Not the best period to go
July	25/77	32/90	124/4.9	Not the best period to go
August	25/77	33/91	97/3.8	Not the best period to go
September	23/73	30/86	119/4.7	Not the best period to go
October	22/72	30/86	188/7.4	Not the best period to go
November	22/72	28/82	104/4.0	Good period to go
December	21/70	28/82	104/4.0	Good period to go

Cancún International Airport

Cancún International Airport is located approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the city centre.

• • Four terminals
    • Terminal 1
    • Terminal 2
    • Terminal 3
    • Terminal 4 (Air France)
      Getting from the airport to Cancún and back:

• • By car
    • Accessible via motorway 307, about 20 minutes to the city centre.
    • There are several parking lots opposite the terminals: about MXN 30 for 1 hour; less than MXN 200 for 24 hours.
    • Several car rental companies have counters in Terminal 3.
  • By shuttle
    • A free shuttle service operates every 10 minutes between terminals.
  • By bus
    • ADO operates airport buses to the city centre every 30 minutes, with a stop in front of each terminal. Travel time is about 30 minutes and the fare is MXN 64 each way.
  • By taxi
    • Taxi ranks are located outside the arrival halls in Terminals 2 and 3. Fares to Cancún start at MXN 650.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +52 998 848 7200
• Website: http://www.cancun-airport.net

GETTING AROUND Cancun

Buses are the recommended way of getting around Cancún, as they are convenient, reliable and inexpensive. To explore the area around the city, the best options are taxis or rental cars.

By bus

Buses are the most popular mode of transport in Cancún. For less than MXN 10, you can reach just about any part of the city:

Bus lines include:

• R1 / R27 circulating in the Hotel Zone
• R2 / R15 to several Centro destinations
• R1 to Puerto Juárez, the ferry port for travel to Isla Mujeres
• R27 to the Plaza Las Americas shopping centre

By taxi

Taxis are available throughout the city. To take a taxi, you just need to hail one. You can also take one of the taxis waiting just outside your hotel or restaurant, but this will be a little more expensive. Fares are calculated on the basis of established fare zones. Make sure you agree on the price before getting into the taxi.

By car and scooter

In Cancún as in the rest of the Yucatán region, roads are well-maintained. City traffic is dense but usually remains fluid. To travel with complete autonomy and explore areas outside the city, you can rent a car or scooter. Several rental companies have counters in the airport and branch offices in the centre of Cancún.

By bicycle

In Cancún and its region, it is easy to rent a bike (around MXN 400 per day). Note that a 100-km-long bike lane was built between Cancún and Tulum.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Cancún, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Kukulcán Boulevard, 77500 Cancún
• Telephone: +52 998 887 3379
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/pg/turismoencancun/about/

Currency and Exchange Rates

The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN).

$1 = $19.78

$1 = $0.05

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Cancún counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

Visitors arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic must show proof of yellow fever vaccination, usually documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Obtaining a booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio is recommended. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

There are no food safety risks in Cancún.

Tap water is not safe to drink. Favour bottled mineral water instead.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for Mexico

Travellers visiting Mexico for tourism purposes and carrying proof of permanent residence in various countries do not need a visa if they will be staying for less than 180 days. For more information, please check the Mexican Government portal:  view information for travellers to Mexico

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Cancún, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+52

+998 (city prefix) + phone number

0 : 00
of time difference with
New York

Start of daylight saving time: second Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time: first Sunday in November

Banks
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

120 V / 60 Hz

Tipping
Like in the United States, leaving a tip, called a propina, is expected in Mexico. In bars and restaurants, it is customary to tip between 10 and 15%. However, before leaving a tip, check the bill to make sure that a gratuity or service charge is not already included.