Where to Stay

Where to stay? How much will it cost? What amenities and services are included? These questions arise upon planning any trip for business or pleasure. There are a variety of options available to meet any traveler's budget, four-star and luxury hotels, the gran turismo and categoría especial. Four-star hotels are ideal alternatives for good service at reasonable prices.

Hotel Zone

Hotels within the hotel zone include the Aquamarina Beach Hotel, the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, which has a wonderful and interesting nature reserve nearby. Some other hotels include the Caribbean Princess, which is located right on the beach, the Sun Palace which is purportedly great for weddings and with white sands outside your door. All are conveniently located in the island's Hotel District and have a restaurant and bar, ocean view rooms, launderette service, room service, long distance phone access, parking facilities, tourist information office, gift shops, and many other amenities.

Five-star hotels are much more abundant and many belong to international hotel chains, such as the Hotel Krystal Cancún, Meliá Turquesa, Westin Resort & Spa Cancun, JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa y la Sierra Cancún.

Gran Turismo hotels offer complete luxury, each with their individual touch. They include the Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa, Hyatt Cancún Caribe, Presidente Intercontinental, and Fiesta Americana Condesa, to name a few.

Categoría especial hotels offer special packages with international airlines and tend to be slightly lower in price. Among these, are the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach, boasting an enormous spa, the Ritz Carlton and Le Meridien Cancún. Most have a business center fully equipped for meetings, conferences, or any other corporate event.

All have bilingual staff, and some have personnel exclusively in charge of organizing games, events, and beach tournaments for guest entertainment. Most offer tourist information services to assist in restaurant reservations and organizing day trips to different nearby destinations. Emergency assistance is also provided through access to consulates, clinics and hospitals in the region.

Downtown

Alternative accommodations are available outside of the Hotel Zone. Modestly priced, these places do not offer the luxury which is characteristic of the five-star and gran turismo hotels. Located in the city, these small, affordable hotels are ideal for low budget travel. Hotels such as Suites El Patio, Hotel Plaza Kokai Cancún, Hotel Plaza Caribe and the Hotel Tankah all offer great prices and for those that are looking for a more authentic touch of Mexico. Some other moderately-priced hotels that are located on the Nichupte Lagoon where the lagoon meets the sea are the Sina Suites,Hotel Imperial Las Perlas, Hotel Caribe Internacional, very close to many restaurants and the Barceló Costa Cancún with shopping centers nearby. The increasingly popular ecological tourism organizations offer even more modest accommodations, recommending various beach campsites and rustic cabins. These options are suitable for indulging in the great outdoors and fresh air of Cancun.

Outside of the City

If you would like to experience a vacation outside of the hustle and bustle of the city and seek more relaxed environs, there are a few hotels such as the Hotel Casa Maya located on Isla Mujeres (Women's Island) and a perfect place for newly-weds. The Iberostar Paraiso Lindo is another place to enjoy many activities or if you prefer, just relax and get some rest. An upscale hotel located in the serene Puerto Morelos is the Paraiso de la Bonita Resort & Thalasso. This hotel has a massive spa and offers cruises on a luxury catamaran.

As the most popular tourist destination in the country, it is recommended that prior reservations be made when traveling to Cancun, especially during the popular season. Although most hotels are equipped for the possibility of an unpredictable hurricane, bear these occurrences in mind upon deciding when to visit, as the winds or rain may spoil the opportunity to fully enjoy all that the city has to offer. Nevertheless, the opportunity to visit should not be missed, as it is bound to be an unforgettable experience.