Cancun Travel Guide

Cancun is located in the state of Quintana Roo, in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. The languages most spoken in Cancun are Spanish and Mayan, but English is spoken in most tourist areas.

The rate of exchange against other currencies fluctuates daily. Though banks and casas de cambio (exchange houses) change most major currencies, US dollars are always easiest to change due to their economic stability on the global market and the proximity of the United States to Mexico. Most banks along Tulum between Uxmal and Coba and in the biggest shopping malls - Kukulcán, Plaza Caracol - in the zona hotelera.

U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Cancun, but you will not usually get the best exchange rate using dollars at local establishments. It is best to exchange your money for pesos at a bank or a money exchange. Most credit cards are accepted in larger shops, hotels and travel agencies. However, many of the small businesses do not accept credit cards. And major purchases are best made with a credit card. You automatically receive the bank rate of exchange, which is higher than the rates given in town or at the hotels.

Mexico has a nationalized healthcare system and almost every town and city has either a national hospital or medical clinic. Most hotels have a 24-hour doctor on call. No vaccinations are need to enter Mexico from the US or Canada.

Safety Cancun is the safest city of its size in all of Mexico and spends a good part of its yearly budget on different kinds of training programs for local police and promotional campaigns to protect all our tourists.

Citizens of the U.S. and Canada need only a valid piece of identification (passport, certified copy of your birth certificate, or a voter registration card). Citizens of all other countries need a valid passport. Citizens of the following countries need a valid passport but do not need a visa, and can get a tourist card prior to departure or upon arrival in Mexico.