CANCUN FALL & WINTER GUIDE 2008/2009

The best places to eat, sleep and play

in Cancun this fall and winter
With more than 15 million reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor makes travel planning
a snap for the 25 million travelers visiting our site each month.
 INTRODUCTION

TripAdvisor, the most trusted source for where to eat, sleep and play in thousands of destinations around
the world, has collected the best insider tips from its 25 million monthly visitors to produce a unique
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You’ll find reviews for more than 230,000 Inside

CANCUN
hotels, 76,000 attractions and 435,000
restaurants on TripAdvisor.com. Learn from
other travelers what to expect before you
make your plans.

“Location, location, location” was as important back in the

time of Mexico’s Maya civilization as it is today—and the ruins
scattered throughout the Yucatan Peninsula tell us the ancient
Mayans knew a great location when they saw one. But they
PACKING TIPS didn’t last and the area faded into memory until Cancun—once
a sliver of sand off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula—was
1. Don’t forget your passport—even carefully developed throughout the 1960s and early 1970s
for travel from the United States. It’s and was opened to tourism in 1974. Advertised as a tropical
required for all air and sea border
crossings. paradise, Cancun soon attracted tourists from Canada, the U.S.
and Europe. Today, this clean, somewhat cosmopolitan city
2. “In addition to several bathing suits,
bring a few cover-ups so you can go is known for its gorgeous beaches, nonstop nightlife, outdoor
to the buffet to eat.”—TripAdvisor adventures, spas and air-conditioned malls. In October of 2005,
Member
Hurricane Wilma made landfall on Cancun as a category 4
3. “Although they aren’t the most
beautiful things, I wear the cargo
hurricane, causing millions of dollars of damage to homes and
pants with the zip-off legs. Just businesses. However, thanks to an exhaustive public campaign
before I land, I zip the leg part off and I and vigorous restoration efforts, much of the tourist industry
am ready for the hot weather without
having to wait in line to change.”— has recovered. Rebuilding is ongoing, but most of Cancun’s
TripAdvisor Member, London, England hotels and major attractions are up and running again.

tripadvisor.com 2
 Top
VIEWS
CANCUN’S BEST VIEWS
The Scenic Tower at Xcaret rises more “One of the highest points in Cancun, “Enjoy a fabulous Caribbean sunset while
than 250 feet into the air. The rotating the view from Playa Delfines is truly you cruise the bay and see Cancun at night.
structure’s 360-degree panorama of land, memorable.”—TripAdvisor Member, The Cancun Queen Dinner Cruise is
sea and sky offers a “fantastic view - I didn’t Edmonton, Alberta the only Mississippi River-style riverboat in
realize the extent of the jungle until then.”— Playa Delfines, North of Funta Nizuc at Km. Mexico.”—TripAdvisor Member
TripAdvisor Member, Melton, England 18 of Zona Hotelera Cancun Queen Dinner Cruise, Blvd.
Scenic Tower, Xcaret, Km. 282, Chetumal Kukulcan, Km. 15.2, 998 848 8327
- Puerto Juarez Hwy., 998 883 0470

PLAY
Where
to
TOP 10 Attractions
1. Joe’s Jeep Adventure, La Isla Mall, 998 121 3184 6. Coco Bongo, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 9.5, 30, 998 883 5061
2. Nautilus Diving & Training Center, Hotel Best Western Cancun 7. Senor Frog’s, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 9.5, Frente a la playa Chac Mool, Zona
Clipper Club, Kilometer 9.5 Hotel Zone, 998 884 0791 Hotelera, 998 883 1092
3. La Isla Shopping Mall, Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 12.5, 998 883 5023 8. El Rey Ruins (Zona Arqueologica El Rey), Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 17, Zona Hotelera
4. Selvatica Canopy Expedition and Adventure Tour, 998 898 4312 9. Rancho Loma Bonita, Carretera Cancun-Tulum Km. 49, 998 887 5465
5. Carlos’n Charlie’s, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 8.5, Local 10 y 10 C, 998 883 4468 10. Snorkeling Adventures, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 6.25, 998 849 4444

FAMILIES
“We’ve been to Cancun five times and always Ahoy, mateys! Bring the kids to Cancun’s “Did the Jungle tour at Aquaworld and had
go at least twice to Parque Nizuc. On our only floating disco. “I love Barco Pirates a great time. My parents and son went on
first day we either swim with the dolphins Night! Everything was awesome: music, the Subsee Explorer. This is a GREAT thing
or the sea lions. The entrance into the park show, food and drinks. Captain Hook for a toddler. He still talks about it today.”—
is included in the price of the program you ROCKS!”—TripAdvisor Member, Mexico TripAdvisor Member
choose. After your chosen activity, you’ve Barco Pirates Night, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 4, Aquaworld, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 15.2,
got the rest of the day to go on the slides or Muelle de Playa Langosta, Zona Hotelera, 998 848 8327
the lazy river.”—TripAdvisor Member 98 831 488
Wet’n’Wild/Parque Nizuc, Blvd. Kukulkan,
Km. 25, Zona Hotelera, 998 193 2000
“You hear the ocean
during your massage.”
ROMANCE
“Playa Delfines: Peaceful sunbathing and “We had a wonderful 80-minute couples’ “We used the spa at El Dorado Seaside—
breathtaking views. However, it also offers massage at the Spa at The Royal Sands. the moonlight couples massage was
dangerous swimming conditions in the They have the best body treatments in wonderful. You hear the ocean during your
strong surf and sometimes treacherous Cancun. The decor is so relaxing. The rooms massage.”—TripAdvisor Member, Kansas
currents. There are some stone benches are very clean and inviting. We truly enjoyed El Dorado Seaside, Km. 95, Carretera
for sitting and contemplating the sea.”— it.”—TripAdvisor Member, St Louis, Mo. Cancun, 984 875 1910
TripAdvisor Member Spa at The Royal Sands, Blvd. Kukulcan, No.
Playa Delfines, North of Funta Nizuc at Km. 32 Seccion A, 998 881 0100
18 of Zona Hotelera

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 PLAY
Where
to

BUDGET
Shop in air-conditioned comfort at Walking the beach and swimming are free. “Visit the fishing village Puerto Morelos. It
Plaza Kukulcan shopping mall and Playa Las Perlas is a beautiful beach with is a quaint, true Mexican fishing village. The
enjoy “bargains and quality better than some of the safest waters in the region for church is beautiful and it is a great way
the flea markets!”—TripAdvisor Member, swimming. “The protected waters of this to get a true taste of the community.”—
Indianapolis, Ind. small beach make it popular with locals.”— TripAdvisor Member
Plaza Kukulcan, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 13, TripAdvisor Member Puerto Morelos, 20 minutes south of
Zona Hotelera Playa Las Perlas, Center of Zona Hotelera Cancun

ADVENTURE
“We also went to a live bullfight! (Yes, they “We were lucky enough to schedule a “Snorkeling Adventures is like swimming in
do kill the bull.) I wanted to give my children private Joe’s Jeep Adventure tour. Since it a gorgeous aquarium! Beautiful coral display
some culture, and what a nice surprise. They was just us, we were able to go at our own and wonderful fish! It was great to see our
dance, do rope tricks and many entertaining pace, and we were very thankful for that. tour leader swim with a wild sting ray and
events before the actual bullfight.”— We fed iguanas, drove four jeeps deep in feed dozens of glowing fish. Amazing.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Tulsa, Okla. the jungle where we did zip-lines and swam TripAdvisor Member, Chicago, Ill.
Bullfights, Plaza de Toros, 998 884 8372 in underground caves, had lunch and later Snorkeling Adventures, Various locations,
went to a zoo unlike anything I have ever 998 849 4444
seen before!”—TripAdvisor Member, Texas
Joe’s Jeep Adventure, Av. Xel-Há No.67 Int.
C, 998 121 3184 TripAdvisor members have posted
more than 1,300,000 photos on the site.
The good, the bad and the very candid.
It’s almost like being there!
EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL
“Museo de Arte Popular Mexicano is “You’ll find wonderful examples of Mayan “We spent a nice hour or so looking at the
a nice place to spend a few hours. This ruins at El Rey Ruins (Las Ruinas del fish and sea creatures at the Interactive
small museum has so much culture.”— Rey) without going on a long trip to Tulum Aquarium—stroking the shark and the
TripAdvisor Member, New York, N.Y. or other sites.” There is also “an abundance ray was quite a thrill. Finally plucked up the
Museo de Arte Popular Mexicano, Blvd. of iguanas who act as guardians of the courage to pay the extra to feed the sharks.
Kukulcan, Km. 4, Zona Hotelera, site.”—TripAdvisor Member, Louisville, Ky. Fantastic experience! Being so close to
998 849 4332 El Rey Ruins (Las Ruinas del Rey), Blvd. these beautiful but potentially dangerous
Kukulcan, Km. 17, Zona Hotelera creatures was simply amazing.”—
“…an abundance of TripAdvisor Member, Brussels, Belgium
iguanas” Interactive Aquarium (Acuario Interactivo),
La Isla Shopping Village, Boulevard
Kukulcan Km. 12.5, 998 883 0411
RELAXATION
Playa Marlin is a “sunbather’s delight. Well- The Jack Nicklaus-designed “Moon Palace Parque Natural Garrafon is a nature
known for its incredible, expansive views Golf Course is very pricey but perfect. reserve that’s a “beautiful place to snorkel,
and peaceful sunbathing. Keep an eye on the Go for a twilight tee time.”—TripAdvisor eat, drink and hang out under the trees after
warning flags, however, as the currents can Member, Texas lunch.”—TripAdvisor Member, Sao Paulo,
be dangerous.”—TripAdvisor Member Moon Palace Golf Course, Carretera Brazil
Playa Marlin, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 13, Zona Cancun-Chetumal, Km. 340, 998 881 6000 Parque Natural Garrafon, Km. 6, Carr
Hotelera Garrafon, Mz 41 Lote 12, SMNZ 9, Isla
Mujeres, 998 877 1100
“…hang out under
the trees”

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 TOUR
What’s
the

How to Get Around

Entertainment Plus is a “great company “Cancun Valet: Excellent company offering “Buses run around the clock. If you miss
for your private airport transfers, airport transfers, discount tours, grocery one, don’t worry. Another will be along
discounted tours both group and private delivery and rental of baby accessories and within minutes. When you pay for your ride,
and the famous 2-for-1 dining card.”— more. Best idea for phoning home—rent you’ll be given a small paper ticket. Hang
TripAdvisor Member a cell phone from them.”—TripAdvisor on to it—many times, there is a discount at
Entertainment Plus, 998 914 0290 Member local shops.”—TripAdvisor Member
Cancun Valet, 998 848 3634

WHERE
to
eat

“Casual restaurants, of course, have a casual dress code. But, despite the tropical climate,
people do tend to dress up a little more at the nicer restaurants.”—TripAdvisor Member

FAMILIES
“Located in what is now known as ‘Luxury “Xtabentun is the place you will find the “Hacienda Sisal has a lovely buffet followed
Avenue,’ Ruth’s Chris is world famous locals eating tacos after the nightclubs by a floor show with dancing and music. The
for its tremendous service and world-class close. All seating is on a small outdoor patio. show is short, about an hour but it is really
steaks.”—TripAdvisor Member Reasonably priced and good food.”— good. The buffet has a wide variety of food
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Kukulcan Plaza, TripAdvisor Member and is well priced.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 13, 998 885 3301 Xtabentun, Coral Negro, Blvd. Kukulcan, Cancun
Km. 9.5, 998 883 4697 Hacienda Sisal, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 13.5,
998 848 8220

“…wonderful sunsets
over the lagoon.”
ROMANCE
“Cancun’s most original grill, Laguna Grill, “Casa O’s Restaurant offers a very “Wow! Sunset Grill Restaurant has a
serves fantastic food and wonderful sunsets romantic setting and good food. We spent great view of the sunset. There was live
over the lagoon. Perfect for a romantic a little more on dinner this time, but it was music, tables in the sand and a swim-up bar.
evening. Also a wonderful place for your worth it. We did the full 3-course meal And the food was some of the best we had
special event.”—TripAdvisor Member with drinks before sunset and we sat for on the island.”—TripAdvisor Member
Laguna Grill, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 15.6, hours. This was our biggest ‘splurge’ of the Sunset Grill Restaurant , Ave. rueda Medina,
Zona Hotelera, 998 885 0267 week.”—TripAdvisor Member Condominios Nautibeach,
998 877 0785
Casa O’s Restaurant, Calle Garrafon 7,
998 888 0170

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 WHERE
to
eat

BUDGET
“Color De Verano is a coffee shop with a “A must-do: Take a bus to Mercado 28, a “Cheap but yummy Mexican food in the
great atmosphere and delicious brownies huge, open-air flea market. It is the best heart of the party center. Taco Factory is
and coffee. They also let us use their place to purchase souvenirs and get the excellent for those after club munchies.”—
internet for free.”—TripAdvisor Member, best price. There are also a couple of little TripAdvisor Member, Cancun
Long Beach, Calif. restaurants in the middle of the market that Taco Factory, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 9.5,
Color De Verano, Av. López Mateos, Lote 23, have excellent, authentic Mexican food.”— Lote 3, Plaza Party Center, 998 883 1651
Mza. 1, 998 877 1264 TripAdvisor Member
Mercado 28, Western end of Avenida
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HEALTH-CONSCIOUS
“La Habichuela is like a little oasis in the Boasting “15 years of serving sushi to “We always eat at 100% Natural, near
middle of downtown Cancun. The decor Cancun,” Yamamoto is “located downtown Plaza Caracol Mall. It is really great and has
includes fountains and Maya artwork. They because it caters to locals. Best sushi in the lots of vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian
have a beautiful garden with white ironwork Yucatan.”—TripAdvisor Member choices. And the tables inside the restaurant
tables and chairs, as well as fairy lights Yamamoto, Av. Uxmal 31, S.M3, 998 887 3366 are all nonsmoking, which is great.”—
strung from the trees. VERY Romantic.”— TripAdvisor Member, New Jersey
TripAdvisor Member, Cancun 100% Natural, Avenida Yaxchilán s/n, Centro,
La Habichuela, Margaritas 25, 998 884 3158 998 884 3617
“…great ambiance and
strolling mariachis.”
HIDDEN GEMS
“Mocambo is a hidden treasure! One of Eat with the locals at La Parilla, “an THE place to go for breakfast downtown is
the very few restaurants on the beach in excellent restaurant downtown, Mexican Los Bisquets de Obregón, where you’ll
Cancun, beautiful big palapa with a selection flair, great ambiance and strolling be treated to “AMAZING cafe con leche
of very reasonably priced seafood.”— mariachis.”—TripAdvisor Member, Cancun and delicious molletes!”—TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor Member, Cancun La Parilla, Ave.Yaxchilan 51, 998 287 8119 Member
Mocambo, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 9.5, Lote Los Bisquets de Obregón, Ave. Nader 9,
5-B Playa Caracol, 998 883 0398 998 887 6876

SPECIAL EVENTS
Come out and cheer on some of the world’s elite swimmers at the Join in the community celebrations of Christmas Week, as candlelit
FINA 10 Km World Cup. (October 11) processions light the streets and a festive air fills the city.
FINA 10 Km World Cup, A.C. Plaza Hong Kong Local 28, (December 25 - January 2)
998 884 3200, http://www.fina.org Christmas Week, Throughout Cancun

Take a night out at the movies. Established and emerging filmmakers Get ready to party as hard as Cancun can during Carnival, three
from Latin America and all over the world showcase their work at the raucous weeks of concerts, bullfights, feasts, street parties, dancing
inaugural Cancun International Film Festival. (November 12 – 16) and exhibitions culminating in a final Carnival parade the last weekend
Cancun International Film Festival, various venues, before Lent. (February 19 - 24)
http://www.cancuninternationalfilmfestival.com Cancun Carnival, Various venues, http://www.carnavalcancun.com,
998 881 9000

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 STAY
Where
to

FAMILIES
“You are pampered from the time you set “We highly recommend Royal Sands to “The grounds at the Hilton Cancun Golf &
foot in the door until you are getting into anyone except people looking for a crazy Spa Resort are beautiful, the golf course
your transportation to leave. The Royal party time….It’s a family place or couples very nice. Crocodiles, iguanas and all, pools
Islander complex has many activities for place with an outstanding staff, great service are great.—TripAdvisor Member, Geneva,
the whole family, but I was most impressed and wonderful layout.”—TripAdvisor Switzerland
with the children’s activities.”—TripAdvisor Member, Prince George, Va. Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort, Blvd.
Member, Minnesota Royal Sands, Blvd. Kukulcan No. 32 Seccion Kukulcan, Km. 17, Zona Hotelera, 998 881 8000
Royal Islander, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 17, Lote A, Segunda Etapa, Zona Hotelera,
51 Zona Hotelera, 998 881 0100 998 881 0100
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ROMANCE
Fiesta Americana is “a beautiful hotel that Spend an “unforgettable vacation” at Riu Sun Palace “is the most amazing hotel!
is, in my jaded NYC opinion, very much a Palace Las Americas. “The hotel was Five-star luxury at its best. The room is
5-star hotel.”—TripAdvisor Member, New beautiful. We had a sea view room. The huge, with a Jacuzzi and larger balcony, all
York, N.Y. service was excellent; the staff, friendly with views of the ocean.”—TripAdvisor
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach and always ready to help.”—TripAdvisor Member, Dublin, Ireland
Cancun, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 9.5, Zona Member, Rimavska Sobota, Slovakia Sun Palace, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 20.5,
Hotelera, 998 881 3200 998 891 4100
Riu Palace Las Americas, Blvd. Kukulcan,
Km. 8.5, Manzana 50, Lote 4, Zona
Hotelera, 998 891 4300

BUDGET
Salvia Condos “was in prime location. It was The downtown Hotel el Rey del Caribe Terracaribe Hotel “is in the downtown
a block or two away from Coco Bongos, Bull is “a less expensive and more authentic area, so not on the strip of hotels
Dogs, Senor Frog’s, EVERYTHING! My friends alternative to the hotels in the Zona mushroomed on the beach area. Most of
and I couldn’t ask for more in the location.”— Hotelera.” El Caribe is “more of a brilliant all, the hotel was great value for the money,
TripAdvisor Member, San Diego, Calif. guest house than a regular hotel,” but it especially good if you have a car and can
Salvia Condos, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 9, Zona has “plenty of atmosphere.”—TripAdvisor drive around.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Hotelera, 281 360 7795 Member, Tel Aviv, Israel Boston, Mass.
Hotel el Rey del Caribe, Av. Uxmal 24, 998 Terracaribe Hotel, Av. Lopez Portillo 70,
884 2028 Esquina Av. Bonampak, 998 880 0448

LUXURY
CasaMagna Marriott “is very beautiful “There are not enough superlatives to JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa, a
and classy. It has all the amenities you want explain how wonderful our stay was at the Travelers’ Choice winner for “Best Luxury,”
in a great hotel. Yes, the beach and the Ritz Cancun. We stayed at the hotel right is back to form. “Wonderful, everything
water lived up to all the hype. The water is after it reopened in October. We were a you could want in a hotel. The atmosphere
aqua like you see in the postcards—it’s that bit travel weary. The Ritz arranged travel is charming. The food was wonderful. The
clear and beautiful!”—TripAdvisor Member, from the airport for us, and immediately, all staff are great and helpful; the pools are
Louisville, Ky. our travel woes were gone!”—TripAdvisor beautiful. We went for our 20th anniversary
CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort, Member, Boston, Mass. and it was a trip to remember.”—
Blvd. Kukulcan, Retorno Chac L-41, Zona Ritz-Carlton Cancun, Retorno del Rey 36, TripAdvisor Member, Texas
Hotelera, 998 881 2000 Zona Hotelera, 998 881 0808 JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa, Blvd.
Kukulcan, Km. 14.5, 998 848 9600

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 STAY
Where
to

HIDDEN GEMS
“Xaloc Resort is located on the most “Le Blanc Spa Resort is Le Best. Overall “If you are looking for simple pleasures,
beautiful beach of Isla Holbox. It’s a it’s really a gem. The staff, service, location, peace, relaxation, and nature, then this is
wonderful place, a little piece of paradise. rooms, view, oceanfront, the food… Now the place. Villas Delfines has separate
The palapas are large and very comfortable, we’re concerned we’ll never go anywhere casitas made of beautiful tropical wood and
with everything you need. And the ocean else!”—TripAdvisor Member, New shady front terraces with hammocks.”—
view is amazing.”—TripAdvisor Member, Hampshire TripAdvisor Member, Atlanta, Ga.
Milan, Italy Le Blanc Spa Resort, Blvd. Kukulcan, Km.10, Villas Delfines, Isla Holbox, 984 875 2196
Xaloc Hotel, Calle Chacchi S/N, Esq. Playa Zona Hotelera, 998 881 4740
Norte, Isla Holbox, 984 875 2160

“…a little piece of

paradise.”

About
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