Author Archives: Mexico Dave

Where to Stay in Tulum

MexicoTulum › Best Places to Stay
Updated: February 19, 2024

My Favorite Tulum Hotels
• 5-star: MezzanineJashita
• 4-star: La ValiseEncantada
• 3-star: Coco Village
• For families: Jashita
• For couples: Mezzanine

Where to stay in Tulum.

La Valise on the beach in Tulum.

Best Places to Stay in Tulum

The big decision first-time visitors need to make is whether to stay in the Pueblo (affordable hotels, delicious restaurants, fun bars, and dance clubs) or on the beach (posh hotels, stylish party scene, fine dining restaurants, and boutique shopping). The beach itself is made up of 4 areas, each with a unique feel: the Beach Town and the North, Middle, and South Beach Zones.

It takes about 15 minutes to cycle from the heart of the Pueblo to the Beach, and then up to an additional 30 minutes to get to the most distant beach hotels. Most hotels offer free or cheap bicycles to guests, making it simple to stay in one spot and enjoy other stretches of beach. There are no street lights or bike lanes on the road that runs alongside the beach, so cycling there is best during the day.

The best places to stay in Tulum for partying are the Pueblo, Beach Town, or the Middle Beach Zone. For families, it’s the South Beach Zone or Aldea Zama. And for romance and honeymoons stay in the North or South Beach Zone (though pretty much every part of Tulum is perfect for a honeymoon holiday).

Best 5-star hotel on Tulum beach.

The fantastic Mezzanine hotel. Great setting and steps from the best swimming beach in Tulum.

Best Areas to Stay in Tulum

Where to stay in Tulum? Beach or town?

  • Most travelers to Tulum stay in one of two main areas: the Pueblo (downtown or the town) or the beach. It’s about 5 km from the Pueblo to the nearest stretch of beach.
  • The best luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, outdoor nightlife (beach and jungle parties), and boutique shops are on the beach. Most hotels on the beach have limited air conditioning.
  • The beach is wide and mostly sandy, though there are a few rocky patches here and there. The beach hotel zone is roughly divided into 4 areas: the North (quiet, romantic, near the ruins), the Beach Town (the most affordable beach area), the Middle (restaurants, beach clubs, and nightlife), and the South (family-friendly, lots of yoga, wide sandy beach, near Sian Ka’an bio-reserve)
  • The Pueblo offers a mix of midrange and affordable hotels with a walkable center, offering authentic Mexican restaurants and fantastic nightlife (all-night dance clubs, fun bars, and street parties). All hotels in the Pueblo have 24-hour air conditioning.
  • Just south of the Pueblo is a new luxury development called Aldea Zama (about halfway between the heart of the Pueblo and the beach). This is a quiet neighborhood with a suburban feel and a couple of boutique hotels and restaurants. Much of Aldea Zama is still under construction.

See Also

Staying in the North Beach Zone

Best beach for first-timers to Tulum.

The beach just north of Mezzanine hotel.

The North Beach Zone is the strip of beach running along the edge of Tulum National Park, where the Mayan ruins are. This generally means from the ruins in the north down 4 km south along Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila (the beach road) to its intersection with Avenida Coba (the road to the Pueblo) at the tourist police station. Unofficially, the North Beach Zone extends a little farther north to the Tankah neighborhood. This is the quietest area in Tulum, with just a few boutique hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs. Most hotels are on white sandy beaches, though there are a few areas of rocky coastline. Among the best beaches here are Playa Paraiso and Playa Pescadores (picturesque, soft, sandy beaches), Playa Maya (lots of cheap snorkeling trips here), Santa Fe (Tulum’s original hippie hangout – strong swimmers can swim the 500 meters to the ruins from here), and Ruins Beach (the beach right underneath the Tulum ruins). Just north of the beach zone, there are several gorgeous cenotes (natural swimming holes connected to underground river systems) with especially great swimming at Casa Cenote and Dos Ojos.

The Best Hotels in the North Beach Zone

  • Mezzanine(Hotel phone: +52 984 115 4728)
  • Jashita (In Soliman Bay, north of the North Hotel Zone) • (Hotel phone: +52 984 875 4158)
  • Mi Amor(Hotel phone: +52 984 188 4273)
  • O’ Tulum(Hotel phone: +52 984 231 1241)

Staying in Beach Town

Beach Town is a cluster of hotels, restaurants, and shops from kilometer 4 to about kilometer 5.5 between the North and Middle Beach Zones. The beach is sandy and swimmable in the north end, with rocky patches for the southern 500 or so meters. In general, dining, drinking, and shopping are more affordable here than in the other beach areas. Most of the restaurants and shops are on the jungle side of the road, including Mateos, a fun 3-story restaurant with hammocks, and Tunich, a fantastic breakfast spot. Beachside dining is best at Zamas and Mina. Across from Zamas are 3 boutiques featuring Mexican clothing, crafts, and gifts: Mixik, Hilo Rojo, and Shalom. A little bit north of the Beach Town, you’ll find Kin Toh (a treetop restaurant/lounge) and Zak Ik (fashion boutique), both at stylish Azulik Resort. North of Azulik is Papaya Playa Project, the which hosts the wildest late night beach parties.

The Best Hotels in Beach Town

Staying in the Middle Beach Zone

Beach club in Tulum.

The beach bar and restaurant at Ahau Hotel.

The Middle Beach Zone is the heart of Tulum’s beach area, with upscale dining, high-end boutiques, and stylish open-air nightclubs, especially chic Casa Jaguar and Gitano. Outside of the party scene, there is a plethora of ambitious restaurants serving fine-dining and creative menus. Among the best restaurants here are Hartwood, Arca, and Safari. Plenty of yoga studios and casual beach clubs also dot the strip. The Middle Beach Zone sits roughly between kilometers 5.5 and 8 on Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, from the narrow, rocky Sunset Beach at the north end to just past Arca restaurant in the south end. The beach is long, wide, and mostly sandy though there are some rocky patches between km 5.5 and 6. There are no street lights, sidewalks, or bike paths, but even still most people get around this area by walking or cycling, and it’s fairly easy to flag down a taxi here.

The Best Hotels in the Middle Beach Zone

  • Tago(Hotel phone: +52 984 871 1310)
  • Ahau(Hotel phone: +52 984 147 5225)
  • Dune(Hotel phone: +52 984 238 9529)
  • Cabañas La Luna(Hotel phone: +52 984 146 7737)
  • Coco Tulum(Hotel phone: +52 984 688 8592)
  • The Beach Hotel(Hotel phone: +52 984 157 9645)
  • El Pez(Hotel phone: +52 984 116 3357)
  • Cabañas(Hotel phone: +52 984 871 1132)

Staying in the South Beach Zone

Luxury beach hotel in Tulum.

The luxurious Sueños hotel in the quieter South Beach area of Tulum – though still walking distance to many bars and restaurants.

The South Beach Zone is great for kids with a long, wide stretch of sandy beach with no rocky parts. Located near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, hotels in the south end tend to be more eco-conscious than hotels to the north, which is reflected in the bohemian vibe and abundance of yoga and wellness studios here. The South Beach Zone tends to be quiet, away from the central party zone but still within walking/cycling distance to fantastic restaurants and nightlife. This is a great place to stay for active families and couples who want to explore more of Tulum’s natural wonders, from beaches to jungles to cenotes. Amazing restaurants in the South Beach Zone include Nü, Charly’s Vegan Tacos, and Taqueria La Eufemia. The best yoga studios here are at Yäan Wellness, Alaya, and SUP Yoga Tulum, with classes held in various locations in and near Sian Ka’an.

The Best Hotels in the South Beach Zone

Staying in the Pueblo

Best hotel in Tulum town.

Una Vida is the best hotel in the Pueblo.

The Pueblo is the lively downtown area of Tulum, brimming with wonderful restaurants, bars, and clubs. Hotels tend to be in the budget or moderate range, though there are a handful of luxury hotels at a fraction of the cost of the beach resorts. The Pueblo is easily walkable and bikable with a grid layout, sidewalks, and street lamps in most parts. Food in the Pueblo is more authentic and affordable than what you’ll find at the beach; among the best are Taqueria El Carboncito, Antojitos la Chiapaneca, and La Gloria de Don Pepe, though there are many amazing spots to try. The nightlife is anchored by Batey Mojito Bar, with several great bars and clubs on that same block or along the main street, including Pasito Tun Tun and Kiki. Two of Tulum’s best yoga studios are here: Yoga Dicha (yoga with puppies every Monday morning) and Tribal Tulum (a yoga studio/dive shop). Though the Pueblo is a vibrant, urban area, it is completely surrounded by jungle, with lots of nature to explore just a short bike ride away. Several amazing cenotes are within a 5 to 25-minute bike ride north along Avenida Coba, including Cenote Calavera, Gran Cenote, Cenote Santa Cruz, and Cenote Zacil-Ha (with a zip line).

The Best Hotels in the Pueblo

Staying in Aldea Zama

Aldea Zama in Tulum
Aldea Zama is a new luxury development in between the Pueblo and the Beach Zone. This neighborhood is primarily high-end homes, condos and Airbnbs, though there are a couple of boutique hotels, restaurants, and a playground – all connected by walking and cycling paths. Much of the development is still under construction, but there are plans to add luxury boutiques, restaurants, and bars. At the moment, this area has a bit of a sterile feel and hasn’t found its own personality yet. However, the location is perfect, offering easy access to the Pueblo and beach, while remaining calm and quiet at night.

The Best Hotel in Aldea Zama

  • Naay(Hotel phone: +52 984 231 1241)

Tulum Map

Tulum Where To Stay Map and Where To Stay on Tulum Beach
Hotels on Map: 1. Jashita 2. O’ Tulum 3. Bardo 4. Una Vida 5. Casa Don Diego 6. Coco Hacienda 7. Hotel Tiki Tiki 8. Naay 9. Mezzanine 10. Mi Amor 11. Papaya Playa Project 12. Azulik 13. Punta Piedra Beach Posada Hotel 14. Zamas 15. El Pez 16. Tago 17. Coco Tulum 18. Dune 19. Cabañas La Luna 20. Cabañas Tulum 20. The Beach Tulum 21. Ahau 22. La Zebra 23. Alaya 23. Playa Mambo Eco Cabanas 24. Las Palmas Maya 25. Sueños 26. Encantada 27. La Valise 28. Be Tulum 29. Nômade 30. Casa Malca

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Where to Stay in Oaxaca

Mexico › Best Places to Stay in Oaxaca
Updated: February 19, 2024

See Also

Best Areas to Stay in Oaxaca

Central location in Oaxaca.

View of Santo Domingo Church from Pitiona restaurant in downtown Oaxaca.

Stretching across a deep valley in the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca mountain range, Oaxaca is a remarkable city. Its origins go back several millennia to the Zapotec and Mistec civilizations, its historical centre with its handsome colonial architecture is among the most beautiful in Mexico, its fiestas are exuberant and its art and dining scenes are second to none. While the city as a whole is a bit of urban sprawl, most of its attractions are concentrated in the central, and very walkable neighborhoods, while outlying sights can be reached by cheap and prolific taxis.

Centro, Oaxaca’s historical heart is where you’ll find the overwhelming majority of Oaxaca’s best hotels in all budget ranges. The upscale ones mostly fall into the boutique category (only one or two hotels can be described as “luxury” as opposed to “boutique”), and are found inside former colonial mansions and palaces that dot the streets around the Zocalo, the main square, and the Santo Domingo cathedral, several blocks further north. Good midrange and budget options can also be found in the outlying barrios of Xochimilco, Jalatlaco and Noria, on the outskirts of Oaxaca’s centre.

You’re likely to spend most of your time in Oaxaca’s historical heart – a logical and easy-to-navigate grid of streets, lined with centuries-old architecture. Centro can roughly be divided into two halves. The blocks of streets referred to as Zocalo are centred on Oaxaca’s eponymous main plaza and its imposing cathedral. This is where you’ll find craft stalls, churches, numerous restaurants, markets and a couple of museums.

The other half of Centro, Santo Domingo, several blocks north of the Zocalo and north of Calle Independencia, is centred on the imposing Santo Domingo church. The cobbled streets around the church rich in attractions, from museums and art galleries to some of Oaxaca’s best dining, as well as the biggest concentration of bars to suit all tastes.

North of Santo Domingo and across Hwy 190 is the compact neighborhood of Barrio de Xochimilco, Oaxaca’s oldest. There’s a sedate, village-like feel to it, and it’s where you’ll find textiles workshops, as well as traditional eateries and a handful of accommodations.

Bordering Xochimilco to the east, across the dry river bed, and also north of Hwy 190 from Centro is Reforma, a large, affluent neighborhood where you’ll find international dining and boutiques, though little in the way of sights.

South of Hwy 190 and Reforma, bordered by the busy Boulevard Eduardo Vasconcelos to the east, and separated from Santo Domingo by the undulating Calzada de la Republica street that follows the dry river bed, Barrio de Jalatlaco is a small, hip and arty neighborhood, with plenty of street murals, good coffee shops, some offbeat restaurants and a good mix of budget and midrange digs. Quieter and more laidback than Santo Domingo, it’s a short, 4-block walk from the Santo Domingo church.

The compact grid of streets that makes up Barrio de la Noria borders Centro to the southeast, along Calle la Noria, framed by Calle de Armenta y López to the west, Calle Gonzáles Ortega to the east, and Hwy 175 to the south. It’s the quietest neighborhood in Oaxaca, being mostly residential, with colorful, single-storey houses, a few unpretentious, family-run restaurants, and inexpensive places to stay. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to the Zocalo.

The Best Places to Stay in Oaxaca

Best midrange place to stay in Oaxaca.

The excellent and affordable Hotel Casa Arnel in Barrio de Jalatlaco, walking distance to Oaxaca Centro.

Best Neighborhoods in Oaxaca for Sightseeing: Santo Domingo, Centro
Oaxaca’s entire historic core – Centro – has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 1987, so whether you base yourself near the Zocalo or in Santo Domingo, you’re ideally placed to check out several excellent museums, a number of contemporary art galleries, street art, and historic churches. The heavyweight attractions are the Zocalo square itself, as well as the santo Domingo church and the adjoining Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca – one of Mexico’s finest archaeological museums. There’s one other major attraction that’s outside the city limits; to get out to the major Pre-Columbian archaeological site of Monte Albán, on the outskirts of Oaxaca, join a tour group of a negotiate taxi fares there and back.

Best Neighborhood in Oaxaca for Nightlife: Santo Domingo

There’s a handful of bars in Reforma and around the Zocalo as well, but you can’t beat Santo Domingo for the sheer variety and quality of its watering holes. There’s something to suit everyone, from dedicated mezcalerias (mezcal bars) for serious connoisseurs of mezcal, and high-end cocktail bars specialising in elaborate, original drinks, to bona fide craft beer breweries and even a sports bar or two. Some stay open until the early hours of the morning.

Best Neighborhoods in Oaxaca for Food and Restaurants: Santo Domingo, Centro, Barrio de Xochimilco, Barrio de Jalatlaco
Oaxaca’s dining scene is phenomenal, and you’re unlikely to go hungry in any neighborhood. For the most creative fusion and Mexican fine dining, head for Santo Domingo; unmissable restaurants include Casa Oaxaca, Pitiona and Los Danzantes. The streets surrounding the Zocalo feature a mix of international offerings, hip cafes serving single origin coffees and hearty brunch, and locally renowned taco joints. You can also get super-cheap tacos and other street food at stalls on the fringes of Mercado 20 de Noviembre; if you’re brave, buy a bag of dried grasshoppers with chilli and lime juice as a snack. Xochimilco is good for unpretentious local food and family-run eateries, while in Jalatlaco you’ll also find some excellent typical Oaxacan food, as well as good Italian restaurants, and coffee shops.

Best Neighborhoods in Oaxaca for Families: Barrio de la Noria, Centro, Barrio de Xochimilco

While none of Oaxaca’s neighborhoods specialise in family-friendly attractions, Centro is a good bet if you’re looking to explore the city’s main attractions, and don’t want to tire out little feet by having to walk too far. Zocalo is quieter at night than Santo Domingo, and Barrio de la Noria is even better in that respect, and not too far from Centro’s attractions. Barrio de Xochimilco is another good bet, being laidback and pretty quiet, though it’s father away from Centro, and you’ll need to take taxis to and from. Older kids may appreciate the art galleries and colorful street art around Centro, as well as the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca in Santo Domingo.

Best Neighborhoods in Oaxaca to Stay for First Timer: Centro, Santo Domingo
No doubt about it: you’ll want to base yourself either in the Zocalo or the Santo Domingo part of Centro. Both are within easy walking distance from Oaxaca’s many cultural attractions – museums, art galleries, markets, etc – so you just have to decide whether you want to be closer to the nightlife and upscale restaurants of Santo Domingo, or the more casual dining and quieter streets around Zocalo.

Most Romantic Neighborhood in Oaxaca: Santo Domingo
It’s hard to beat the subtly-lit cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, luxurious boutique hotels and fine dining of Santo Domingo if you’re on a romantic vacation with your other half.

Best Neighborhoods in Oaxaca for a Local Vibe: Barrio de Xochimilco, Barrio de Jalatlaco
The oldest part of Oaxaca, the former Pre-Columbian settlement of Xochimilco predates the present-day city by several millennia. Barrio de Xichimilco is a unique and attractive part of Oaxaca, with its colorful, hilly streets, low-key family restaurants serving typical Oaxacan cuisine, and textile and tin workshops. Barrio de Jalatlaco is another distinctive slice of Oaxaca; back in the day, when the dry river bed separating it from Centro was a proper river, it was considered to be a separate village. It’s more trendy than Xochimilco, but also with beautiful, hilly streets, and a good mix of traditional dining and hipster cafes, as well as a proliferation of street art.

Best Neighborhoods in Oaxaca for Shopping: Barrio de Xochimilco, Reforma, Centro
It rather depends what you’re looking for. Xochimilco is the place to go to check out traditional textile workshops, where fine weaving is often practised by many generation of the same family. Reforma has some international stores that you won’t find elsewhere in Oaxaca, while around the Zocalo you’ll find craft stalls selling clothing and souvenirs. There are also three markets taking up several blocks south of the Zocalo: Mercado Benito Juárez is particularly good for cooking ingredients you’ll want to use at home, such as a bewildering collection of moles, Mercado 20 de Noviembre is a bustling food market selling fresh produce, while the Mercado de Artesanias de Oaxaca sells a mix of mass-produced souvenirs and some quality regional crafts. Several specialty coffee shops in Centro sell bags of locally grown and roasted beans, and you can buy bottles of hard-to-find mezcal from small local producers both in stores around Centro and bars such as Mezcaleria In Situ. The Oaxaca region is known for its unique ceramics, and you’ll find pieces made of black clay and red clay at stalls and craft market (though for the best selection and fair prices, head for the Colectivo 1050° store in Santo Domingo).

Safest Areas of Oaxaca
Oaxaca has a relatively low crime rate for a large city, and neighborhoods frequented by visitors, such as Centro, Santo Domingo, Barrio de Xochimilco, Barrio de la Noria, Barrio de Jalatlaco and Reforma are considered generally safe. That said, opportunistic pickpocketing does happen, so be aware of that while exploring the area around the Zocalo, the markets, etc. Standard precautions apply: don’t flash lots of cash, expensive jewellery or electronic gear, and avoid deserted, poorly-lit streets at night; take a taxi back to your hotel if you’ve stayed out till late.

Unsafe Areas of Oaxaca
Visitors are advised not to wander off into the suburbs outside central Oaxaca. While much of the crime in Oaxaca (and Mexico in general) is confined to cartel on cartel violence, occasional violent robberies do take place.

The Best Neighborhoods in Oaxaca for Tourists

Centro Oaxaca.

The Centro neighborhood of Oaxaca.

Centro

The heart of Oaxaca, a.k.a. Zocalo, is where all the action is. Downtown Oaxaca is centred on the large historic square, the Zocalo, overlooked by a massive cathedral. If it happens in Oaxaca, it happens here: fiestas, peaceful protests, craft markets, etc. The square is lined with inexpensive souvenir stalls, though if you’re serious about shopping, it’s worth checking out the three markets a few blocks south of the Zocalo. Centro/Zocalo is a regular grid of narrow streets (some of them pedestrianised), lined with typical, brightly-painted, one- and two-story houses. In between the Zocalo plaza and Santo Domingo you’ll find several excellent museums (Museum of Regional Textiles, Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art, Contemporary Art Museum), a handful of small art galleries with local art for purchase, and a range of places to eat, from traditional to distinctly international. Some of Oaxaca’s best hotels are found here, and visitors are likely to spend much of their time exploring Centro.

Best Hotels in Centro

Staying near Santo Domingo in Oaxaca.

The plaza of Santo Domingo Church in Oaxaca.

Santo Domingo

The northern half of Centro, Santo Domingo is arguably the most beautiful part of Oaxaca, with its cobbled streets and beautiful architecture. This neighborhood has the best of everything: Oaxaca’s top sights (Santo Domingo Church, Museum of Oaxacan Cultures in the cloisters attached to the church, ethnobotanical garden filled with regional plants, etc), Oaxaca’s best bars, Oaxaca’s most celebrated restaurants and the best luxury and boutique hotels. Zocalo is a few blocks south.

Best Hotels in Santo Domingo

Barrio de la Noria

There isn’t much to Barrio de la Noria, a compact residential neighborhood just south of Centro, though if you’re looking for peace and quiet at night while being within an easy walk of Oaxaca’s main attractions, it makes a good base. There are a few low-key restaurants here, while the Zocalo is a 10-15 minute walk away.

Best Hotel in Barrio de la Noria

Barrio de Jalatlaco

A compact, tranquil neighborhood that grew around the 18th century church of San Matías Jalatlaco, and just east of Centro, across the dry river bed, Barrio de Jalatlaco is all charming cobbled streets, colorful single-story houses, family-run restaurants serving traditional Oaxacan dishes, and some locally popular taco stands. Several hip coffee shops are a nod to the neighborhood’s recent gentrification, and it’s a bit of art enclave as well; you’ll see plenty of colorful street murals. Apart from that, Jalatlaco is light on attractions, but is a mere 10-15 minute walk from sights in Centro and Santo Domingo.

Best Hotels in Barrio de Jalatlaco

Barrio de Xochimilco

North of Santo Domingo, across the motorway, Xochimilco was the original Prehispanic settlement that eventually grew into present-day Oaxaca. Traditional crafts still thrive here, and walking around the hilly, colorful streets, you’re likely to see family-run textile workshops and artisans at work. It’s a quiet and low-key neighborhood, with small, wallet-friendly eateries serving traditional fare; you can also buy fried grasshoppers and tamales at the Mercado de Pochote. There’s one notable sight here: an 18th century aqueduct that rises high above the dry river bed that separated Xochimilco from Reforma to the east. Santo Domingo and its attractions are a 15-20 minute walk; you might want to take a taxi.

Best Hotels in Barrio de Xochimilco

Reforma

If much of Oaxaca has a very distinctive vibe and look, Reforma could almost be anywhere. Younger than historic Oaxaca, this large, spread-out neighborhood north of the highway from Santo Domingo lacks Centro’s handsome architecture, though it does have the lion’s share of international restaurants and boutiques, wine stores and other trappings of an affluent place to live. Some visitors prefer staying here, as it minimises culture shock, while others feel that it’s not ‘real Oaxaca’. Good dining, but no sights to speak of; sights in Santo Domingo and Centro are a short taxi ride or 15-25 minute walk away.

Best Hotels in Reforma

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Where to Stay in Cancún

Mexico › Best Areas to Stay in Cancun
Updated: February 19, 2024

My Favorite Hotels
• 5-star: Kempinski
• 4-star: Hard RockHyatt Ziva
• 3-star: Beachscape Kin Ha
• For families: Grand FiestaJW Marriott
• For couples: Nizuc

Where to stay in Cancun for couples and families.

The beach and pool at the Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun.

Best Areas to Stay in Cancún

Once a tiny fishing village with a population of 3 in 1970, Cancún is now the most popular beach destination in Mexico. And for good reason. Cancún boasts year-round warm weather; 22 km of white sand beach in its hotel zone alone; sunrise sea views over the Caribbean; a stunning location on the Mesoamerican Reef for snorkeling and diving; seemingly unlimited entertainment from theme parks, to nightclubs, to golfing; as well as a central location for visiting Maya ruins, colonial villages, and tropical islands.

This bustling oceanfront city offers accommodations of all types and in all price ranges. The majority of resorts are luxury and midrange all-inclusive properties, though there are plenty of luxury, midrange, and budget hotels and resorts that operate on a European-plan (room only, no food included), and self-catering apartment hotels.

Many of the best hotels in Cancún and best family hotels in Cancún are located in the aptly named Hotel Zone. Several others are in Riviera Cancún, Playa Mujeres, and El Centro.

Pool at beach resort in Cancun.

The JW Marriott has one of the best and largest beachfront pools in Cancun.

The Hotel Zone or Zona Hotelera is where the majority of accommodations are. Running most of the length of Boulevard Kukulkan, the 22-km-long Hotel Zone is a strip of high-rise hotels, resorts, nightclubs, shops, and restaurants. Shaped like a number “7,” the Hotel Zone can be roughly divided into three areas: the North Hotel Zone (the top, horizontal part of the “7”) has the softest sand and gentlest surf and is near great dining and nightlife, the Middle Hotel Zone (the upper half of the vertical part of the “7”) offers great beaches, family-friendly attractions, and Cancun’s best nightlife, while the South Hotel Zone (the bottom half of the 7) is the most peaceful area with the quietest beaches and only a handful of restaurants and attractions.

From the North Hotel Zone, follow Boulevard Kukulkan westward to get to El Centro, aka Downtown Cancún, the best place in Cancún for a local vibe, fantastic dining, the large Mercado 28 outdoor market, and plenty of budget-friendly hotels and hostels. North along the coast is Playa Mujeres, the newest development in Cancún with pristine beaches, a remote feel, and calm waters with waves blocked by the island of Isla Mujeres due east. Heading south from the Hotel Zone leads to Riviera Cancún, a long stretch of coastline where Cancún’s largest resorts are found, boasting white sand beaches, eco-adventure parks, and cenotes (natural swimming holes) peppering the mangrove jungles.

Best Places to Stay in Cancún

5-star hotel in Cancun.

The Grand Residences Riviera is one of our favorite luxury hotels in Cancun.

All inclusive resort in Cancun.

The amazing collection of pools at the luxurious Riu Palace Peninsula Hotel.

See Also

Best Areas in Cancún for…

  • Best Area in Cancún for First Timers: North, Middle, and South Hotel Zone
    Anywhere in the Hotel Zone makes a great home base for first-time visitors to Cancún. This 22-km-long stretch of beach offers a little of everything for any kind of traveler. This is where to find the bulk of Cancún’s restaurants, nightlife, attractions, and shopping, though most resorts here are like their own mini-cities with dining, nightclubs, enormous pools, and even a few with water parks – a lot of guests never leave their resorts. Within the Hotel Zone, the Middle is the busiest, with nightclubs, an aquarium, water sports centers, and a handful of malls. The North has gentler waves, softer sand, excellent nightlife, and easy access to the local flavor of El Centro. The South is the quietest stretch with less crowded beaches and close proximity to the Maya ruins of El Rey.
  • Best Area in Cancún for Sightseeing: Middle Hotel Zone, El Centro
    For local sightseeing, including the aquarium, the Maya museum, the San Miguelito and El Rey ruins, and snorkel and scuba tours, staying in the Middle Hotel Zone is the best, as everything is easily accessible on foot or by a short bus ride. Even for visiting Isla Mujeres, ferries leave the Middle Hotel Zone for the island more frequently here than from the port at Playa Mujeres. For visiting local markets, seeing lucha libre (Mexican wrestling), or for self-guided tours of farther-flung destinations, like the Chichén Itzá ruins, colonial Valladolid, contemporary Playa del Carmen, or bohemian Tulum, staying in El Centro is best for easy access to bus routes connecting downtown Cancún to the most visited Yucatecan destinations. However, if visiting Chichén Itzá or Vallodolid on a guided tour, most tour operators offer free or cheap pickup from anywhere in Hotel Zone, so where exactly you stay in that case is less important.
  • Best Area in Cancún for Partying and Nightlife: Middle Hotel Zone, El Centro
    Though many resorts have their own nightclubs onsite, Cancun’s main party zone is found in the Middle Hotel Zone at its juncture with the North Hotel Zone (the bend in the “7”), known as Punta Cancún or Uptown. This 500-meter strip is lined on both sides of the road with lively bars and nightclubs including popular chains like Coco Bongo, Señor Frog’s, Mandala, and La Vaquita. Most clubs here are multi-level mega-parties with live music and DJs, some with acrobats, gogo dancers, showgirls, and more. These clubs get incredibly crowded, especially during American and Canadian Spring Break times, usually from mid-March to mid-April. The largest club here, The City, has a capacity of 5000. Though there will be a few locals at the Punta Cancún area clubs, most of the partiers will be tourists. For a more local vibe, a wider range of music styles, and better cocktails, visit the casual bars and smaller dance clubs in El Centro, including Antique, Mambocafe, Amarula, Han Club, or Kaan Brewpub.
  • Best Area in Cancún for Food and Restaurants: El Centro, Middle Hotel Zone
    The best restaurants in Cancún are mostly found in El Centro. Cancún’s busy downtown core is filled with a number of outstanding dining options, from local Yucatecan fare to authentic Mexican favorites to fine French dining at a fraction of what you’ll pay in the Hotel Zone. And though the hotel zone is packed with overpriced, Americanized versions of Mexican foods, there are still a fair number of high-quality restaurants outside of the resorts, mostly in the Middle Hotel Zone between La Isla Mall and Aquaworld water sports center.
Where to stay for families visiting Cancun.

The Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach is a fantastic family-friendly resort.

  • Best Area in Cancún for Families: North and Middle Hotel Zone, Riviera Cancún
    Cancún is a very family-friendly destination with a variety of activities to keep children of all ages entertained; most resorts here have kids’ clubs and excellent pools, many with water slides or small water parks on site. Families with younger children just learning to swim should consider the North Hotel Zone; due to its geographic location, the beach here is partially protected from the winds, making for gentler waves and easier swimming. The Middle Hotel Zone is great for families with older kids and teens with its easy access to local attractions, water sports centers, snorkeling tours, and shopping malls. Riviera Cancún is great for active families; here you’ll find the largest resorts with the most kid-friendly amenities plus close proximity to adventure parks, Croco Cun Zoo, and a handful of cenotes at the south end near Puerto Morelos.
  • Most Romantic Area in Cancún: South Hotel Zone, Riviera Cancún, Playa Mujeres
    Cancun is a top destination for honeymoons, weddings, and romantic getaways. Its long, white sand beaches are ideal for sunset strolls and toes-in-the-sand dining. Several luxury hotels are entirely adults-only and many others have adults-only wings and pools, or rooms and suites with private pools. The top romantic destinations are the South Hotel Zone, a quiet stretch of beach with easy access to Cancúns biggest attractions; Playa Mujeres, the newest development just north of the Hotel Zone with the most contemporary hotels, pristine beaches, and gentle surf; and Riviera Cancún, the most remote and natural area of Cancún with protected mangrove jungles, a botanical garden, and the most relaxing beaches.
  • Best Area in Cancún for a Local Vibe: El Centro, Riviera Cancún
    There are no residential areas in the Hotel Zone. All of the locals live in El Centro, which is where you’ll find the most authentic restaurants, nightlife, outdoor markets, and affordable shopping. The south end of Riviera Cancún as another great spot for a local feel, especially near the small village of Puerto Morelos. Though tourism has changed this village, there still remains plenty of good, cheap restaurants and local bars, especially in the inland pueblo away from the beachfront resorts and dolphinarium.
  • Safest Areas of Cancún
    As a whole Cancún is a fairly safe city, and the safest parts are the beaches where the vast majority of resorts are located. Almost all resorts have gated entries staffed with guards around the clock; each hotel also employs guards to patrol their beaches. When outside the resorts, standard precautions apply as they do in all major tourist destinations: watch your bags, purses, and wallets; if clubbing, keep an eye on your drink; and stick to the main, well-lit roads when walking at night, preferably with a friend or group.
  • Unsafe Areas of Cancún
    Cancún is among Mexico’s safest cities. But crime does happen, especially in El Centro north of Avenida Chichén Itzá. If you are heading downtown for dinner, it’s best to take a taxi to and from to avoid walking long distances in the dark and the small risk of petty crime.

The Best Area in Cancún for Tourists

1. North Hotel Zone

Best place to stay in Cancun Hotel Zone.

The North Hotel Zone makes up the top of the “7” between El Centro and the Middle Hotel Zone. Unlike the rest of the Hotel Zone or Riviera Cancún, the beach here is partially shielded from hurricane winds by Isla Mujeres and the horn of Punta Cancún. Its unique geography give it three perks: the gentlest waves in Cancún, the least amount of seaweed in the Hotel Zone, and the softest sand (this is the original Cancún sand; the other beaches here lost their sand in a major storm and had to truck in replacement sand). The North is a great spot for a mix of relaxation, exploration, and nightlife with its sunny beach, proximity to local life in El Centro, and easy access to the nightlife in Punta Cancún (AKA Uptown, the bend in the “7”). If opting for a European-plan hotel, this area offers a good selection of dining and bars within a short walk or easy bus ride.

2. Middle Hotel Zone

Best place to stay near shopping malls in Cancun.

The Middle is the busiest stretch of the Hotel Zone, with Uptown at its northernmost tip, jam-packed with nightclubs, bars, upscale restaurants, and casual cantinas. Heading southward leads past a string of beaches, restaurants, malls, and water sports centers to finish up with two sets of ruins at its southernmost end: San Miguelito (at the Maya museum) and El Rey (where the South Hotel Zone begins). The sand is slightly coarser and the waves are bigger at this beach than in the North, but it is still very swimmable. Despite its lively atmosphere, sea turtles have made this strip of beach their nesting site, returning every year to lay eggs nightly from May through October. The babies hatch from July through December and make their way to the ocean under the moonlight.

3. South Hotel Zone

Best place to stay in Cancun for honeymoon or couple.

The South begins with the archaeological site of the Maya ruins at El Rey and continues southwest to end at Punta Nizuc. This area is the best spot in the Hotel Zone for a quiet getaway while still offering easy access to local attractions and a handful of excelent restaurants. The beach is similar to that of the Middle (white sand, sea turtles, and moderate surf). The South is the best part of the Hotel Zone for snorkeling, especially at the far end near Punta Nizuc, where the reef is being revived by one of the three galleries of MUSA, the underwater sculpture museum designed to encourage coral growth.

4. Playa Mujeres

Beach in Cancun.

The newest resort development, Playa Mujeres sits north of Cancún’s established Hotel Zone, immediately west of the island Isla Mujeres. A contemporary, leisure retreat, this area is almost entirely made up of large, all-inclusive resorts and golf courses. On the main beach, there is a dolphinarium as well as scuba and sailing excursions leaving from the marina. The Punta Sam ferry to Isla Mujeres is here, offering several trips throughout the day. Since the area is so new and designed around the all-inclusives, there are few dining options outside of the resorts. The beaches here have soft sand and gentle waves as Isla Mujeres shields Playa Mujeres from the strongest winds, but seaweed tends to collect here (the hotels are excellent at keeping it at bay with twice daily sweepers).

5. Riviera Cancún

Staying on Cancun Riviera.

Part of the larger Riviera Maya, Riviera Cancún extends from Punta Nizuc (the end of the South Hotel Zone) south to the seaport village of Puerto Morelos. This area is where to find some of Cancún’s largest all-inclusive resorts, several adventure parks, freshwater cenotes, the Croco Cun Zoo, and botanical gardens. Beaches here are a mix of mostly white sand with rocky patches and moderate waves toned down by the Mesoamerican Reef which runs the entire length of the Riviera down to Guatamala. The sandy beach areas offer great swimming and body surfing, while the rocky and coral-heavy areas offer spectacular snorkeling and diving with a huge variety of colorful fish.

6. El Centro

El Centro Cancun.

El Centro is the best spot in Cancún for living like a local, with outstanding restaurants, hole in the wall taco shops, vibrant nightclubs, trendy cocktail bars, shopping malls, and outdoor markets – all at a fraction of the prices you’ll pay anywhere else in the city. There are a couple of luxury resorts on the beach near Puerto Cancún, but most of El Centro’s lodging is made up of midrange, boutique, and budget hotels and hostels. This is an excellent home base for adventurous travelers who plan on exploring the Yucatan beyond just hitting the beaches and clubs. The ADO bus station here offers routes to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and even Chichén Itzá, while the Puerto Juárez ferry terminal connects El Centro to Isla Mujeres.

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Where to Stay in Los Cabos

Mexico › Best Places to Stay in Cabo
Updated: February 19, 2024

My Favorite Hotels in Cabo
• Cabo San Lucas: HaciendaCasa Dorada
• San Jose del Cabo: ViceroyCabo Surf
• Corridor: Esperanza
• For families: Casa DoradaCabo Surf
• For couples: Esperanza

Best place to stay in Los Cabos.

One of the pools at the Viceroy in San Jose del Cabo.

Staying in Los Cabos – Tips & Info

  • Stretching for 20 miles from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo, the Los Cabos Corridor is a stretch of coastline that’s still spectacular in places, though much of it has now been built up with all-inclusive resorts and golf courses. This entire area (including both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo) is commonly referred to as Los Cabos.
  • At the east end of the Los Cabos Corridor, San José de Cabo is Cabo San Lucas’ quieter, classier twin, with an attractive historic center, fantastic dining scene, and some excellent hotels lining the white-sand beaches of the Zona Hotelera.
  • If heading north take the quieter coastal road. It’s some 60 miles from San José del Cabo to Cabo Pulmo, a tiny village that’s the gateway to the world-class marine park of the same name. The scuba diving and snorkeling is the best in Baja.
  • Northwest of Cabo Pulmo, the coastal road rejoins the Carretera Transpeninsular and passes through the appealing little town of Los Barriles, some 65 miles south of La Paz. It’s one of Baja Sur’s top spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
  • Rules of the road are similar to the U.S. Highways are well-maintained, and streets are well-mapped (though often not well-marked) and easy to follow via GPS. Two things that are different are topes and left turns. Topes (pronounced TOH-pays) are speed bumps, but there are no regulations on their height, steepness, or visibility; some are nearly impossible to see until it’s too late. Standard left turns are usually OK in downtown but not on highways. To make a left, drivers will often need to use a retorno, which is a U-turn overpass. To use a retorno, drive past the road you want to make a left onto, get into the far right lane to take the retorno exit, make the left onto the overpass, and finally merge with traffic going the opposite direction. You can then make a right at the desired street or destination.
  • Best Hotel for Families: Casa Dorada (Cabo San Lucas)
  • Best Hotel for Couples: Esperanza Resort (Los Cabos Corridor)

Best Places to Stay in Los Cabos

Best beach hotels in Cabo San Lucas.

Wonderful Medano beach in front of the Hacienda Beach Club & Residences and Casa Dorada Resort & Spa.

Staying in Baja California

Framed by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortéz, and dotted with cordon cacti and boojum trees, the southern tip of Baja California is a place of considerable natural beauty. Arid landscapes aside, it’s been well and truly discovered by winter sun seekers, water sports enthusiasts, and spring breakers: Cabo San Lucas is renowned throughout Mexico for its spring break but sports fishing, scuba diving, and wind surfing off Baja’s southern shores is also world-class. Add some spectacular white-sand beaches, old-world colonial towns, breezy fishing villages, popular resorts, and a generous collection of hotels to suit every budget, and it’s easy to see why Baja California Sur is an all-round superb destination.

If you’re driving south from California via the Carretera Transpeninsular – the scenic highway that stretches the length of Baja – you will invariably pass through La Paz, the largest town in Baja Sur. A former colonial settlement with a beautiful historic center, waterfront malecón, and some excellent bars and restaurants, it warrants more than just a pit stop to fill up on gas. It makes a good base for visiting attractions in the surrounding area, too.

Facing Isla Ceralvo, a short detour southeast of La Paz along Route 286, La Ventana is a one-street village that draws kitesurfers from around the world between November and March with its steady winds. Other draws include scuba diving and wildlife watching.

If you drive the clockwise loop south of La Paz along the Carretera Transpeninsular, the first place you reach along the west coast is Todos Santos, Baja Sur’s most picturesque little town, some 50 miles farther south. Its cobblestone streets are dotted with galleries, good restaurants, and appealing adobe architecture, while the beaches and the surf breaks appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.

Continue south along the Carretera Transpeninsular for another 47 miles and you’ll get to Baja Sur’s premier party town, Cabo San Lucas. Here you can party all night at the raucous bars and clubs, hop on a cruise to the arching stone cliffs at Land’s End, sun yourself on one of the white-sand beaches, or partake in a huge array of water sports: banana boating, parasailing, and diving. At the other end of the Cabo Corridor is the hip and trendy town of San José del Cabo.

See Also

The Best of Los Cabos & Baja

Best Places for Sightseeing: Todos Santos, San José del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz
Let’s face it: few visitors come to Baja Sur primarily for sightseeing. But if you’re into colonial architecture, then the towns of San José del Cabo, Todos Santos, and La Paz all have plenty to offer: adobe houses, appealing centuries-old churches, and narrow cobbled streets that are a joy to wander. And while Cabo San Lucas may lack the colonial charm of its neighbor towns, it features Baja Sur’s biggest natural attraction: the natural stone arch at Land’s End, walkable from town and very popular at sunset.

Best hotel for Cabo San Lucas nightlife and party clubs.

The friendly and affordable Casa Bella Hotel in the heart of downtown Cabo San Lucas.

Best Place for Nightlife: Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is Baja Sur’s undisputed party town, with bottomless margaritas fuelling the revelry all day (and all night) long. The nightlife kicks up a notch when the spring breakers get into town, with dancing on table tops, jello shooters, and tequila conga lines. Some of the most popular bars and nightspots include the legendary El Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo, The Giggling Marlin, and the Happy Ending Cantina, with many of the watering holes clustered near the marina.

Best Places for Food and Restaurants: Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos, San José del Cabo
Baja Sur has come a long way as a foodie destination in recent years, with dining hotspots being Todos Santos, Cabo San Lucas, and San José del Cabo. In all 3 locations, you’ll find anything from Mexican standards and taco stands to superb fusion and international dining. Standout restaurants include Sur Beach House and Baja Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Flora’s Field Kitchen and La Lupita Taco & Mezcal in San José del Cabo, and Hierbabuena and Carnitas Machin Pescadero in Todos Santos.

Best Places for Families: Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos Corridor
Cabo San Lucas may be a party town, but it also has some excellent beaches on the its outskirts and a large number of family-friendly hotels. Hence, if traveling with kids, then all-inclusive options with kids’ clubs, plenty of water sports on offer, and other activities are an excellent bet. Los Cabos Corridor also features numerous high-end all-inclusive hotels, many with plenty to keep kids occupied and white-sand beaches out front.

Best place to stay for couples and honeymoon.

The Cape Hotel on the Los Cabos Corridor.

Best Places to Stay for First Timers: Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos, San José Los Cabos, Los Cabos Corridor
First-time visitors to Cabo can’t go wrong with these 3 destinations. If you wish to combine a raucous nightlife with some quality beach time, then Cabo San Lucas would naturally be your first choice. If you’re looking for a hassle-free location away from Cabo San Lucas’ crowds but close enough to enjoy the nightlife and with access to world-class golfing, then Los Cabo Corridor is a good bet. Finally, if you’re after a more local vibe and excellent dining while staying within easy driving distance from Land’s End, then either Todos Santos or San José del Cabo make excellent bases.

Best Honeymoon Destinations: Los Cabos Corridor, Todos Santos, Cabo Pulmo
It entirely depends on what you want from your honeymoon. If you’re looking for an exclusive, adults-only, high-end hotel with a world-class spa and private beach access, then there are several excellent options along the Los Cabos Corridor (Esperanza Resort and The Cape are particular standouts). If appealing colonial architecture and romantic dinners are more your thing, then Todos Santos is an excellent place to stay. And if you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy sunset strolls along wind-swept beaches, then you could do worse than tiny Cabo Pulmo.

Best Places for a Local Vibe: San José del Cabo, Todos Santos
Baja Sur has been well and truly discovered by visitors, and crowds of sun-seekers converge on the likes of Cabo San Lucas, particularly during the winter months and during spring break. However, both Todos Santos, and San José del Cabo have managed to retain a relatively low-key charm and feel like proper Mexican towns.

Cabo beach resort.

The Cabo Surf Hotel just outside of San José del Cabo.

Best Places for Water Sports: La Ventana, Los Barriles, Todos Santos, Cabo Pulmo, Cabo San Lucas
Cabo Pulmo is a world-class diving destination, with excellent access to the only Pacific reef in the Sea of Cortez. Visibility is best in October and November, and sightings include whale sharks. La Ventana and Los Barriles both attract windsurfers and kitesurfers; conditions are best between November and March. El Pescadero, a small village just south of Todos Santos, is a surfing hotspot. As for sea kayaking, banana boating, parasailing, and other activities, hotels in Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos Corridor, Todos Santos, and other vacation hotspots can organize those. Cabo San Lucas is also renowned for its deep-see fishing charters.

Best Places for Wildlife Watching: La Paz, Todos Santos, Cabo San Lucas
Baja California is particularly well-known for whale watching, with grey whales regularly sighted from December to April. While the 3 best spots to see whales – Laguna San Ignacio, Laguna Ojo de Liebre, and Bahía Magdalena – are all located farther north than Baja Sur’s holiday towns, numerous boat operators in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and Todos Los Santos organize day trips to the whale watching hotspots. Sea lions and dolphins are frequently spotted en route.

Safest Areas: Baja California Sur is generally safe for visitors, particularly compared to other parts of Mexico. Tourist hotspots such as Todos Santos, San José del Cabo, La Paz, etc. are generally safe to walk around at any time of day, though standard precautions apply.

Unsafe Areas: There are no specifically unsafe places in Baja California Sur, though driving outside the towns at night is generally not recommended. Bag snatching and pickpocketing does occasionally happen in the likes of La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, so be on guard. Alcohol-related misbehavior is fairly common in Cabo San Lucas.

The Best Places in Baja California for Tourists

Staying in Cabo San Lucas

Best beach hotel near Cabo nightlife.

The Casa Dorada Resort & Spa is great for families, couples, and beach lovers.

Sitting between a desert hinterland and a rugged cape after which it takes its name, Cabo San Lucas was a sleepy tuna canning village until tourism exploded in the 1980s. Now it feels more like part of the United States, with ‘snowbirds’ spending the winter here in their second homes, a popular cruise ship port, and spring breakers flocking here for the tequila-fuelled nightlife. Besides the natural stone arch at Land’s End, Cabo San Lucas is known for its beaches lined with luxury resorts, lively bars, and pretty much all water sports, including some excellent scuba diving.

Best Hotels in Cabo San Lucas

Staying in Los Cabos Corridor

5-star resort near Cabo San Lucas.

The Esperanza on the Los Cabos Corridor – but just a 10-minute drive to Cabo San Lucas nightlife and restaurants.

The twenty-mile stretch of coastal highway between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo is lined with exclusive luxury resorts and features several golf courses. The former natural beauty of the area has been rather blighted by the uncontrolled development, but there are still some wonderful beaches here (though access to many can be tricky unless you’re staying at one of the beachfront resorts), including Playa El Médano near Cabo San Lucas and Playa Palmilla near San José del Cabo. Of the beaches, Bahía Santa María is best for snorkeling and diving, Bahía Chileno is great for families, while Costa Azul is the best surfing beach in the area.

Best Hotels in Los Cabos Corridor

Staying in San José del Cabo

Best place to stay in San Jose del Cabo.

The Viceroy has an amazing beachfront location and is a 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk from downtown San Jose del Cabo.

The quieter antidote to Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo is a former Jesuit mission turned port and agricultural center, centered on the attractive Plaza Mijares and dotted with some eye-catching 19th-century buildings. From the main square, Bulevar Mijares leads to the Zona Hotelera, where the majority of the town’s beach resorts are located. San José’s highlights include high-end boutiques and art galleries, an excellent dining scene, and a more low-key vibe than Cabo.

Best Hotels in San José del Cabo

Staying in Todos Santos

Downtown Todos Santos.

Halfway between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos is a beautiful colonial town with sensitively restored, centuries-old architecture. Its population is a lively mix of Mexicans and artistically-inclined expats, reflected in the relatively low-key vibe and a clutch of offbeat art galleries. Palm-fringed Plaza Todos Santos aside, attractions include the local cultural center and the white-sand beaches, though they tend to be better for surfing than for swimming. Todos Santos also features an excellent dining scene and some fine boutique hotels.

Best Hotels in Todos Santos

Staying in Cabo Pulmo

One of the highlights of the East Cape – some 80 miles of wild coastline, including some stunning, unpeopled beaches – is Cabo Pulmo, an off-the-grid village that’s the gateway to the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, renowned for its Pacific reef and excellent scuba diving. There is good snorkeling at Playa Los Arbolites near the village, but for even better marine life, head for the Playa Los Frailes cove, some 20 minutes’ drive south of the village.

Best Hotel in Cabo Pulmo

Staying in Los Barriles

5-Star Beach Resort in Los Cabos.

The Four Seasons Resort looking out on the Sea of Cortez, about 15 km south of Los Barriles.

The East Cape’s largest town, Los Barriles is renowned in windsurfing and kitesurfing circles (conditions are best for experienced surfers rather than beginners). There’s a low-key hotel scene and some decent local dining, ranging from taco joints to gourmet restaurants. Sport-fishing is another big attraction here.

Best Hotels near Los Barriles

Staying in La Ventana

A worthwhile detour to the east coast from La Paz, La Ventana is a blink-and-you-miss-it village. One of several windsurfing and kitesurfing hotspots in Baja Sur, it attracts visitors from all over the world between November and March.

Best Hotels in La Ventana

Staying in La Paz

The largest town in Baja California, La Paz boasts an attractive colonial center and a particularly attractive malecón (seafront promenade). It’s a busy working town, but there are enough attractions to keep visitors busy for a few days, from the cultural center and Museum of Anthropology to the string of beaches stretching to the port of Pichilingue, the best of which is Playa de Balandra, with calm, shallow waters suitable for kids. La Paz is also a jumping-off point for wildlife watching trips, from all-day whale watching to half-day trips to the nearby Isla Espírutu Santo, where one can spot manta rays, sea lions, and occasional whale sharks.

Best Hotels in La Paz

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Where to Stay in Mexico City

Mexico › Best Places to Stay in Mexico City
Updated: February 19, 2024

Our Favorite Hotels in Mexico City
• 5-star: Four Seasons
• 4-star: SheratonZócalo Central
• 3-star: MX Reforma
• For families: Four Seasons
• For couples: Las Alcobas

Best area to stay in Mexico City.

The Sheraton overlooking the Angel of Independence in Mexico City.

Best Areas to Stay in Mexico City

The heart of the Mexico City is the Centro Histórico, a very walkable grid of streets surrounding the Zócalo, the main square, overlooked by the Grand Cathedral and the Palacio Nacional with its government offices. Besides the handsome colonial architecture, great street food, excellent traditional Mexican restaurants and two good markets on its western fringes – the Mercado de San Juan (for food) and the Mercado Artesanías La Ciutadella (for crafts), this neighborhood is rich in cultural attractions. Two not to be missed, particularly if you’re into art, include the Museo Mural Diego Rivera and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Accommodations in the center tend to fall mostly into the budget and midrange categories.

Mexico City zocalo cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral in Zocalo Square.

Adjoining the Centro Histórico to the west is compact, wedge-shaped Juárez, largely residential with a good mix of young hipster population and traditional Mexican cantinas and businesses, as well as contemporary restaurants and cafes. Its northern part is the famous, gay-friendly Zona Rosa – one of the city’s biggest nightlife districts, dotted with bars and nightclubs. Hotels are mostly mid-range, with some boutique options.

Just north of the Zona Rosa, across the busy Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, is Colonia Cuauhtémoc, a triangle-shaped, skyscraper-studded neighborhood whose lifeblood is commerce and business. An outdoor art gallery and a historic mansion-museum aside, there are few sights to speak of, but the international dining scene here is excellent and the bars here are popular with office workers. Here you’ll find a good concentration of international hotel chains, largely aimed at business travellers.

Adjoining Colonia Cuauhtémoc to the north are two largely residential, arty neighborhoods with a very local feel: San Rafael and Santa Maria La Ribera, separated from San Rafael by the Avenida Ribera de San Cosme. Both are very walkable, and dotted with an interesting mix of fin de siècle mansions and modernist apartment buildings. Between them, the two neighborhoods have the lion’s share of contemporary art galleries, and San Rafael is dotted with vintage theatres. Street food is terrific here, and accommodations consist largely of small boutique and midrange hotels.

South of Juárez, across the main Avenida Chapultepec, is Roma, a large neighborhood divided into Roma Norte and Roma Sur. Rapidly gentrifying, it’s a curious mix of traditional Mexican life and youth culture, reflected both in its architecture and mix of low-key and gourmet dining and contemporary art galleries. Roma Norte in particular is easily walkable both to the Centro Histórico (to the northeast) and to the city’s best museum, the Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Anthropology Museum), in the Bosque de Chapultepec (just to the west), making it a popular neighborhood for tourists.

Adjoining Roma to the west is Condesa, one of Mexico City’s more upscale residential neighborhoods. It’s compact, quiet, walkable, has a good international dining scene, and is also close to the Bosque de Chapultepec and its stellar museums. Boutique hotels dominate its accommodations.

Bordering Condesa to the west is San Miguel Chapultepec, a small, triangle-shaped residential neighborhood with a contemporary art gallery, very low-key dining scene and just a handful of budget accommodations. Its main attraction is its proximality to the Bosque de Chapultepec, the huge urban forest it adjoins – not just Mexico City’s most popular green space, but also home to the country’s best anthropology museum and a handful of other, family-friendly attractions.

Just north of the Bosque de Chapultepec is Polanco, Mexico City’s most exclusive neighborhood, complete with the best fine dining (including several Michelin-starred restaurants), designer boutiques, and the city’s biggest concentration of 5-star hotels.

Coyoacán, far to the south of the city, is a very traditional residential neighborhood, complete with colonial architecture, cobbled streets and attractive twin plazas. It’s pretty far from the city’s other attractions, but great for experiencing a slice of local life. There are low-key accommodations in the form of family-run guesthouses and small boutique hotels, and equally low-key dining, as well as one massive attraction – the Frida Kahlo Museum, and one smaller one – the Leon Trotsky House-Museum.

Other neighborhoods worth mentioning include the edgy, working-class enclave of Xochimilco, also to the south of the city, with its centuries-old canals that go back to Aztec rule. Foodies may wish to check out the taco stands of Colonia Navarte, to the south of Roma Sur, and the Mercado de La Merced in Merced, adjoining the Centro Histórico to the east. Finally, sketchy Colonia Doctores, just south of the Centro Histórico, is home to the lucha libre (Mexican freestyle wrestling).

Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City to Stay for First Timers: Centro Histórico, Polanco
If you want to get a real sense of the city, its history, its architecture, its culture and traditional (street) food, then the historic center is the best place to start. Plus, you’ll be within easy walking distance of several heavyweight attractions and markets, and near excellent public transportation connections to other parts of the city. If you have your heart set on Mexico City’s best dining (bear in mind that the Michelin-starred restaurants need to be booked weeks in advance), then glitzy Polanco is your best bet. As a bonus, Polanco is also within walking distance of the Bosque de Chapultepec and its stellar Museo Arqueológico – by far the best museum in the country, devoted to Mexico’s Pre-Columbian cultures.

Best Places to Stay in Mexico City

Hotel near Zocalo in Mexico City.

The Junior Suite at the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico.

Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City for Sightseeing: Centro Histórico, San Miguel Chapultepec, Coyoacán, Teotihuacan, San Rafael, Santa Maria La Ribera

The Centro Histórico is studded with historical sights, as well as some of the city’s most important art museums. San Miguel Chapultepec (or, more specifically, the Bosque de Chapultepec) is home to the best archaeological museum in the whole country. If you’re interested in pre-Columbian history, then a day trip to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan is an absolute must; ditto: a visit to Xochimilco and its Aztec-era canals. Coyoacán in the place to head to if you’re a fan of Frida Kahlo and her art, whereas if it’s contemporary art that you’re after, then your visit to Mexico City isn’t really complete without checking out the contemporary art galleries in San Rafael and Santa Maria La Ribera.

Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City for nightlife: Juárez, Polanco, Centro Histórico, Roma, La Condesa
There is something in Mexico City to sate every taste, and it’s no different when it comes to nightlife. The Zona Rosa in Juárez is famous for its LGBT-friendly nightclubs and bars; Polanco has a more exclusive clubbing scene and upscale wine and cocktail bars; Roma is the epicentre of hipster culture, with some of the most cutting-edge bars and clubs in town; La Condesa’s scene is more mellow, and popular with young professionals, and ranges from craft beer pubs and whiskey bars to rooftop cocktail patios and traditional cantinas. Centro Histórico has some wonderful bars with a view, as well as dedicated mezcalerias (mezcal bars) for serious connoisseurs of mezcal.

Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City for Food and Restaurants: Centro Histórico, Polanco, Roma, La Condesa, Chapultepec, Juárez, San Rafael, Santa Maria La Ribera, Colonia Narvarte
The Centro Histórico is known for its decades-old restaurants specialising in traditional Mexican food, as well as its street food. Speaking of street food, it’s a genre than both San Rafael and Santa Maria La Ribera excel at, whereas Colonia Narvarte is particularly renowned for its taco stalls. Chapultepec and Juárez are both good bets for international dining, and so are Roma, La Condesa and Polanco, with the latter particularly well known for its high-end dining and proliferation of Michelin-starred restaurants, and the former two dotted with trendy cafes.

Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City for Families: Polanco, Juárez, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, La Condesa

If you’re travelling with kids and looking to minimise culture shock, then Polanco is a good neighborhood to base yourself; its advantages include its proliferation of family-friendly high end hotels and an international dining scene and its proximity to the Bosque de Chapultepec with its family-friendly attractions, such as the zoo, Children’s Museum and Natural History Museum. Juárez and Colonia Cuauhtémoc also have the advantage of numerous international dining options, and high-end and mid-range hotels with ample facilities, and are also close to Bosque de Chapultepec, as is Condesa. While Condesa leans more towards boutique lodgings with fewer family-friendly facilities, it does have an attractive park of its own, popular with local families.

centro historico Mexico City

The historic center of Mexico City, as seen from the Latin American Tower. The large plaza in the center is the zocalo.

Most Romantic Neighborhoods in Mexico City: Centro Histórico, Polanco, Coyoacán
It’s hard to beat the historic center, with its beautiful colonial architecture, intimate boutique hotels and white-linen traditional dining if you’re on a romantic vacation. If you’re looking for something more upscale, the five-star hotels with Michelin-star dining in Polanco may be just the ticket. Or perhaps you prefer the idea of wandering the subtly-lit cobbled streets and checking out the art of Frida Kahlo in historic Coyoacán before returning to a snug boutique guesthouse.

Best Neighborhood in Mexico City for a Local Vibe: San Rafael, Santa Maria La Ribera, Roma, Coyoacán, Xochimilco
It rather depends what you’re looking for. If you want to stay in a refreshingly untouristy neighborhood with terrific street food, unpretentious mom-and-pop restaurants, and an interesting mix of architecture, then both San Rafael and Santa Maria La Ribera fit the bill. If you’re looking for something with more of a hipster edge, then Roma is a great place to stay, with its unique vibe, plenty going on, and a melange of traditional and contemporary Mexican culture. Coyoacán is less convenient in terms of proximity to the city center, but it’s a unique neighborhood with striking colonial buildings, cobbled streets and very local dining scene. Finally Xochimilco is a place to visit rather than to stay, but its tiny alleyways and ancient canals distinguish it from dozens of neighborhoods that make up Mexico City.

Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City for Shopping: Centro Histórico, Polanco, San Rafael, Roma, Coyoacán, Juárez
If you’re looking for quality handicrafts from all over Mexico, the Mercado Artesanias La Ciutadela on the western fringes of the Centro Histórico is an excellent place to start. The nearby Mercado San Jose sells an excellent range of Mexican cooking ingredients, including those hard to find back home, while Fábrica Social works with several women’s collectives across the country and sells textiles of excellent quality. For fashion by international and Mexican designers and concept shopping, look no further than the boutiques along Avenida President Masaryk in Polanco. Contemporary art for sale can be found in the small art galleries of San Rafael. In Roma, Chic by Accident is a good source of 20th century Mexican design items, while Casa de Luna in Coyoacán is a fair trade store specialising in jewellery, ceramics and textiles. Finally, FONART in Juárez specialises in folk art from various indigenous communities across the country.

Safest Areas of Mexico City

While Mexico City may have a bit of a sketchy reputation, the neighborhoods frequented by visitors are generally safe, though it pays to be aware of your surroundings and be cautious after dark. Safest neighborhoods include Polanco, Condesa, Roma, Juárez, Zona Rosa, Coyoacán, San Rafael and Centro Histórico. That said, opportunistic pickpocketing does happen, particularly in the downtown area around the Zócalo, the markets, etc. Standard precautions apply: avoid using your easily accessible pockets for phone or valuables, don’t flash lots of cash, expensive jewellery or electronic gear, and avoid deserted, poorly-lit streets at night; take a taxi back to your hotel if you’ve stayed out till late.

Unsafe Areas of Mexico City
As a rule of thumb, steer clear of neighborhoods to the very north or very south of Mexico City, particularly after dark. Avoid dicey Tepito, Mexico City’s black market area just north of Centro, Iztapalpa, a huge southern neighborhood with high assault rates, and Ciudad Neza, a large urban sprawl to the east of the airport with high levels of poverty and violent crime. Then there are neighborhoods that are okay during the day, as long as you take standard precautions. Explore Mercado La Sonora in the Merced neighborhood adjoining Centro, but watch out for pickpockets, both there and around the Centro Histórico. If you go to Colonia Doctores’ Arena México to watch a lucha libre (costumed fight), don’t hang around afterwards, and take a taxi back. Avoid Tlalpan, Xochimilco and Tlatelolco after dark.

The Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City for Tourists

Staying in Centro Histórico

Mexico City hotel with pool.

The rooftop pool at the Hilton Reforma Hotel.

A great neighborhood for first-timers to Mexico City. Built upon the ruins of the Mexica city of Tenochtitlan, the oldest part of present-day Mexico City is the expansive Centro Histórico – the closest Mexico City comes to having a downtown. It’s centered on the large, historic Zócalo square, busy with souvenir sellers and street performers. The surrounding grid of streets is lined with handsome colonial architecture dating from the 16th century onwards, a number of must-see landmarks, such as the Museo Nacional de Arte, Casa de los Azulejos, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and Templo Mayor, as well as some excellent restaurants, specialising in traditional Mexican cuisine. Good public transport connections via the Zócalo and Allende metro stations.

Best Hotels in Centro Histórico

Staying in Polanco

Museo Soumaya in the Polanco neighborhood
Mexico City’s most affluent neighborhood, upscale Polanco is where you’ll find the bulk of the city’s luxury hotels, as well as Presidente Masaryk, the city’s answer to Rodeo Drive, lined with designer boutiques. The smart, well-kept streets are also home to the city’s best fine dining; this is where you’ll find Michelin-starred Pujol – one of the world’s top restaurants, among other stellar options. The heavyweight museums of the Bosque de Chapultepec are an easy walk south of Polanco. Polanco is the only metro stop in the neighborhood. (Along with Centro Histórico, Polanco is the best area of Mexico City for first time visitors.)

Best Hotels in Polanco

Staying in Condesa

fountain in Condesa neighborhood
In the southwest of the city, this compact neighborhood used to be a quiet, residential, middle-class enclave. While it’s still largely residential, it’s rather upscale, with appealing art deco and modern buildings, and has one of the best dining scenes, with global cuisines and Mexican fine dining well represented. One of the most popular neighborhoods for tourists, as it minimizes the culture shock, it’s adjoined by the vast Bosque de Chapultepec Park and has a beautiful park of its own, Parque Mexico, complete with street food vendors and promenading families. While it’s light on attractions, Condesa makes a good base for exploring the city. Chapultepec and Juanacatlán are the closest metro stops.

Best Hotels in Condesa

Staying in Roma

This large neighborhood, divided into Roma Norte and Roma Sur, has also been mostly residential for most of its existence. Still gritty around the edges, a bit down-at-heel compared to neighboring Condesa, and with a reputation as a bohemian enclave, Roma has been undergoing gentrification in recent years. It’s one of the most interesting parts of the city, with a mix of old-time residents and youth culture, reflected in its melange of 19th-century mansions, quirky art galleries, busy markets, hip cocktail bars, and specialty coffee shops. It’s a walkable neighborhood, and a popular base for tourists due to its relative proximity to attractions in nearby parts of the city, plus good transport connections. Chapultepec, Sevilla and Colonia Cuauhtémoc are Roma Norte’s metro stops, while Roma Sur is served by Chilpacingo and Centro Médico.

Best Hotels in Roma

Staying in Juárez / Zona Rosa

Best luxury hotel in Mexico City.

The Four Seasons is the best 5-star hotel in Mexico City.

This compact, triangle-shaped neighborhood was one of Mexico City’s most exclusive before WWII; afterwards, many of the beautiful buildings were left in a state of genteel decay until a young, bohemian population injected some new life into the place after being forced out by rising rent prices in Roma and Condesa. The result is a neat collection of quiet, tree-lined streets dotted with late-19th-century mansions, with a small-town feel to the place and multiple generations of traditional Mexican families mixing with young hipsters amidst vintage luncheonettes, buzzy cafes and speakeasys serving cocktails. The northern fringe of Juárez is where you’ll find a decent concentration of bars and nightclubs, collectively known as the Zona Rosa, as well as a few boutique hotels. Juárez is well-located for the exploration of Roma, Centro Histórico, Chapultepec, La Condesa and Cuauhtémoc on foot, and connected to the rest of the city via the Sevilla and Cuauhtémoc metro stops.

Best Hotels in Juarez / Zona Rosa

Staying in San Miguel Chapultepec

Chapultepec Castle

Chapultepec Castle in the center of a large urban forest.

Another arty neighborhood in the making, triangle-shaped San Miguel Chapultepec sits next to the Bosque de Chapultepec, a vast urban forest with running and cycling paths. Bosque de Chapultepec is home to Mexico’s City most important museums, including the show-stopping Museo National de Antropología, devoted to the wealth of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic cultures, plus a zoo, a Children’s Museum, and a Museum of Natural History, also popular with families. The neighborhood itself is pretty low-key, with a contemporary art gallery, a handful of unpretentious eateries and several inexpensive accommodations. Constituyentes, Tacubaya and Juanacatlán are the metro stops here.

Best Hotels in San Miguel Chapultepec

Staying in Cuauhtémoc

There’s some spillover from Zona Rosa to the south, with a few bars found in this wedge-shaped neighborhood, across the main Avenida Paseo de la Reforma. Largely an office and commerce district, Cuauhtémoc benefits from a lively international dining scene, its restaurants spanning the globe and located mostly along Calle Rio Lerma and the parallel Calle Panuco.

Best Hotels in Cuauhtémoc

Staying in Coyoacán

Coyoacan Neighborhood gates and doors

Colorful walls and gates in the historic, tree-lined streets of the Coyoacan neighborhood.

Before Mexico City expanded and incorporated outlying settlements into one big whole, Coyoacán was a colonial-era town and remains a rather quiet and traditional part of the city, far to the south. It’s centred on the twin squares of Jardín Centenario and Plaza Hidalgo, popular with local families on weekends, while its cobbled streets and vintage architecture are a pleasure to explore, as is the Mercado de Coyoacán with its food stalls. The neighborhood is best known as the birthplace of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, and her childhood-home-turned-museum attracts massive crowds of visitors. Nearby is another offbeat attraction: the Leon Trotsky House Museum where the Soviet revolutionary leader lived in exile and was killed by one of Stalin’s assassins. Dining is a mix of traditional Mexican restaurants and stalls, along with a few international options. Accommodations mostly consist of family-run guesthouses and a few boutique hotels. Coyoacán is the nearest metro stop.

Best Hotels in Coyoacán

Staying in San Rafael

If you’re looking for a largely untouristy experience while being within walking distance of Centro Histórico’s attractions, the artsy residential neighborhood of San Rafael has much to recommend it. The university campus gives San Rafael a youthful vibe, and the streets are dotted with vintage theatres, late-19th-century houses, and small mom-and-pop restaurants. You won’t find gourmet cuisine or much nightlife here, but you will find lots of excellent street food, particularly around Mercado de San Cosme. There are a couple of art galleries worth your time, including the contemporary art museum, Museo Experimental el Eco. Gentrification is slowly creeping in in the form of specialty coffee shops, but overall San Rafael feels like a refreshingly ‘local’ part of the city. San Cosme is the main metro stop.

Best Hotels in San Rafael

Staying in Santa Maria la Ribera

This compact, mostly residential neighborhood bordering San Rafael is centred on a tree-lined plaza, the Alameda, surrounded by food stalls with a loyal local following. The architecture is an interesting mix of down-at-heel, fin de siècle mansions, and modernist and art deco apartment blocks. It’s an arty, up-and-coming place with a unique vibe. Low-key attractions include a geology/dinosaur museum and the National University’s El Chopo Museum that showcases edgy installations by local artists. Other sights include small contemporary arts galleries and the Kiosko Morisco – a Moorish-style gazebo that hosts everything from rock gigs and poetry slams to ballroom dancing. Buenavista and San Cosme metro stops connect Santa Maria la Ribera to the rest of the city, and Centro’s attractions are within walking distance.

Best Hotels in Santa Maria la Ribera

Staying in Greater Mexico City

There are several outlying neighborhoods in Mexico City that are worth a daytime visit but can be sketchy at night or not worth staying overnight in. To the northeast of Mexico City (though not technically part of the city) is the vast archaeological complex of Teotihuacan, one of the county’s top Pre-Hispanic sights, complete with intact pyramids; it’s well worth setting a day aside to go and see. At the very south of the city, head for Xochimilco, a gritty working-class neighborhood with a village feel and tiny alleyways, to take a flat-bottomed boat tour of the centuries-old canals, once used by the Aztecs as a means of transportation. South of Roma Sur, the residential Colonia Narvarte is known for its superb street food – particularly its taco stands. Adjacent to the southern border of the Centro Histórico, Colonia Doctores has a bit of a bad rep, but its Arena México is well worth a visit if you want to attend a lucha libre – Mexican freestyle wrestling – a unique and very local pastime. Mercado La Merced, just to the east of the Centro Histórico, is Mexico City’s largest produce market for traditional food; it’s also a red light district later on in the day.

Staying in Mexico City – Tips & Info

  • Mexico City is an endlessly amazing metropolis. Expect a thrilling visit.
  • The largest city in the Western Hemisphere, Mexico City has to be experienced to be believed.
  • This vast metropolis of over 21 million people occupies a bowl-shaped valley sitting between two Sierra Madre mountain ranges, and even at its lowest point, Mexico City will take your breath away (it’s located at an altitude of 2,250m).
  • Built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the great city of the Aztecs, Mexico City can be a little bewildering, made up as it is of dozens of distinctive colonias – from the residential enclaves of the well-heeled, shiny business districts, and emerging arty enclaves to traditional neighborhoods where time seems to stand still, gritty working-class barrios, and crime-afflicted urban slums.
  • There is no place in Mexico quite like it, and you could spend a lifetime exploring it.
  • The good news is, the most interesting neighborhoods can be explored within days, and many attractions are confined to two or three key areas.
  • The city is easy enough to navigate, with an excellent metro system and inexpensive and prolific taxis.

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Mexico City Itinerary

MexicoMexico City › Itinerary
Updated: January 11, 2024

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Highlights of Mexico City.

The Best of Mexico City

    Best Things to Do in Mexico City: Cruising the waterways of Xochimilco; Visiting museums dedicated to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera; Enjoying a night of mariachi in Plaza Garibaldi; Visiting Museo Nacional de Antropología
    Best Tours: Mexican Food ToursMexico City Urban AdventuresSabores Mexico Food ToursAmigo Tours
    Best View: Torre Latinoamericana
    Best Restaurant: Pujol
    Best Nightlife: Zona Rosa
    Best day-trip: Teotihuacán
    Best Hotels: Gran Hotel Ciudad de MéxicoHistórico CentralZócalo Central

      Top 5 Mexico City Highlights

      1. The Zócalo

      The traditional heart of Mexico City is the vast central plaza known as the Zócalo, and any visitor to the city should aim to spend a good chunk of time here. Once the focus of Aztec Tenochtitlán, today it hums with tour groups, drummers, street vendors, buskers, souvenir markets, and political protesters. Dominating it all is the Catedral Metropolitana, the largest church in Latin America and one of the oldest, dating back to the 1570s. Its cavernous interior is crammed with ornate altars and side chapels. Not much remains of the Aztec city, but the nearby Museo del Templo Mayor preserves the remnants of its once great pyramid temple – mostly foundations, but spine-tingling nonetheless. The connected museum adds context and displays artifacts retrieved from the site. The other key attraction here is the Palacio Nacional on the east side of the Zócalo, which is free to enter and contains a series of stunning Diego Rivera murals. Rivera began working here in 1929, his México a Través de los Siglos a vast, multi-colored trip through Mexican history from Quetzalcoatl to Pancho Villa. The best view of the Zócalo can be had from the rooftop restaurant in the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México on the west side of the plaza.

      2. Museo Mural Diego Rivera

      Mexico City is crammed with fabulous art museums, from the classical Museo Nacional De Arte to the relatively new and space-agey Museo Soumaya, but the Diego Rivera Mural Museum really is a must-see. Rivera’s huge Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda encompasses almost every famous Mexican historical figure (Cortés is depicted with his hands stained with blood).

      3. Museo Nacional de Antropología

      Anyone even slightly interested in the great civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica should aim to spend at least half a day in Mexico’s top museum. Every Mexican culture is represented here, from the Olmecs to the Maya. Some of the objects on display are truly spectacular, such as the iconic 24-tonne Piedra del Sol, or “Aztec Calendar Stone”. The galleries are arranged chronologically around the central courtyard – it’s advisable to buy a guidebook in the museum shop or rent an English audioguide before you start, to make the most of your visit (most labels are otherwise in Spanish only). The upper floor focuses on the cultures of Mexico’s indigenous groups today.

      4. Coyoacán

      The affluent southern suburb of Coyoacán makes for an enticing day-trip, its blossom- and tree-lined colonial streets perfect for exploring on foot. The Museo Frida Kahlo is a fitting tribute to the beloved Mexican artist, displaying Kahlo’s signature tehuana dresses and numerous examples of her work – including her famous final painting, Viva la Vida, the inspiration for the Coldplay song of the same name. The museum occupies the “Blue House” where Frida was born and spent most of her life (sometimes with husband Diego Rivera, who also has work displayed here). Soviet exile Leon Trotsky was often a guest here in the 1930s, and his abode has been preserved as the Museo Casa de León Trotsky. This where Stalin had Trotsky assassinated in 1940 – with an ice axe – and the rooms have been preserved as he left them.

      5. Xochimilco

      Cruising the flower-lined canals and floating gardens in the suburb of Xochimilco is an iconic Mexico City activity, made even more enticing at the weekends when locals come out to eat and drink, creating a festive atmosphere. Renting a candy-colored boat (with captain) is relatively easy and cheap, allowing for a few hours of chugging along the canals, passing vendors in small canoes selling flowers, fruits, and hot snacks, as well as marimba players and entire mariachi bands. The floating gardens themselves – or chinampas – are rafts of mud and reeds anchored to the canal floors by tangles of roots. Xochimilco itself is a great place to sample the city’s pulquerias, traditional bars specializing in pulque, an alcoholic drink produced from agave plants since pre-Hispanic times.

      Planning a Mexico City Itinerary

      One Day in Mexico City

        • Explore the Zócalo, Mexico City’s huge central square, home to the cathedral, the Aztec ruins of Templo Mayor, and the Diego Rivera murals in the Palacio Nacional
        • See Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda at the Museo Mural Diego Rivera
        • Visit Museo Nacional de Antropología, the country’s premier museum, with displays on all of Mexico’s major pre-Hispanic cultures
        • Eat or drink at the historic Bar La Ópera, or Enrique Olvera’s vaunted restaurant Pujol
        • Listen to the roving mariachi bands in Plaza Garibaldi, or see a performance by the Ballet Folklórico de México

      Two Days in Mexico City

        • Explore the Zócalo and stroll the streets of the old city
        • Visit Museo Nacional de Antropología and Museo Mural Diego Rivera
        • Eat at the historic Bar La Ópera and Enrique Olvera’s Pujol
        • Check out the roving mariachi bands in Plaza Garibaldi
        • See the Ballet Folklórico de México
        • Explore Mexico City’s largest and most colorful retail market, La Merced
        • Spend time in the upmarket suburb of Coyoacán, visiting the Frida Kahlo and León Trotsky museums, and its art and craft markets

      Three Days in Mexico City

        • Take in the views from the Torre Latinoamericana (if it’s smoggy wait till sunset when the lights highlight the city far more clearly)
        • Soak up the history in the Zócalo and old city
        • Visit the stunning Art Deco Palacio de Bellas Artes, home to some of the city‘s most flamboyant murals
        • Peruse La Merced market
        • Eat at Bar La Ópera and check out the mariachi bands in Plaza Garibaldi
        • Explore Coyoacán and San Ángel, home to the studios of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and the historic restaurant San Ángel Inn (housed in a 17th-century Carmelite monastery)
        • Take a cruise around the floating gardens of Xochimilco, and visit local pulquerias (traditional bars) such as Pulqueria El Templo de Diana
        • Visit the Museo Nacional de Antropología and Museo Mural Diego Rivera
        • Dinner at Pujol, with cocktails in the Zona Rosa
        • Devote a half-day to visiting the giant pyramids of Teotihuacán – go early before the crowds arrive (it opens at 9am). Take a organzied tour (Amigo Tours) or go solo with a direct public bus from Terminal Norte
        • Shop for regional crafts and souvenirs from all over Mexico at La Ciudadela market
        • See the Ballet Folklórico de México

      One Week in Mexico City

        • Explore the Zócalo and visit all 7 of Mexico City’s big art museums: the Museo Mural Diego Rivera, the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Museo Soumaya, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Museo Rufino Tamayo, Museo de Arte Moderno and Museo Nacional de Arte
        • Lunch at rooftop Terraza restaurant, on the7th floor of Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, with sensational views over the Zócalo
        • Enjoy a few nights out in the Zona Rosa
        • Peruse the shops and top-class restaurants in upmarket Polanco; or grab a gourmet burger at Butcher & Sons
        • Check out the outdoor cafes and bistro-style restaurants of Condesa – and slurp an ice cream at famous Neveria Roxy
        • Spend an afternoon in leafy Chapultepec Park, boating on the lake and visiting the Museo Nacional de Historia in Chapultepec Castle
        • Trawl the food stalls and mescal bars at Mercado Roma
        • Spend a day in San Ángel and Coyoacán
        • Soak up the scene in historic cafes and restaurants like Café de Tacuba, Café del Palacio inside Bellas Artes, Hostería de Santo Domingo and El Taquito
        • Pay homage to Mexico City’s wrestling culture and take in some live lucha libre at Arena Coliseo
        • Shop at the Ciudadela market
        • Catch a Mexican soccer match at Estadio Azteca, home to América (“The Eagles”), the nation’s most successful club
        • Ride the ancient waterways of Xochimilco
        • Visit the Museo Dolores Olmedo Patiño, housing a huge collection of work by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and the Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli, home to Rivera’s collection of pre-Columbian sculpture
        • Listen to the mariachi bands at Plaza Garibaldi
        • Explore La Merced market
        • Visit the giant pyramids of Teotihuacán
        • Visit the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Mexico’s most important religious site

      Read More

Tulum Cenotes

MexicoTulum › Best Cenotes
Updated: January 3, 2024

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Cenote near Tulum, Mexico.

What is a Cenote?

Cenotes are limestone sinkholes filled with fresh water, formed when bedrock collapses and exposes groundwater below. Most of the Yucatan’s 6000 cenotes are small, underground, and inaccessible, though a notable number are large enough to swim, snorkel, or dive in. Many are crystal blue and open to the air, while others are accessible by stairs leading down into caverns and are connected to large underground river systems. If you do only one thing during your time in Tulum visit a cenote.

Cenote Dos Ojos in Tulsayab, near Tulum

Dos Ojos (Two Eyes) is the most famous cenote, made up of 5 cenotes including the its namesake cenotes: the Blue Eye and the Black Eye.

Tulum Cenotes: Tips & Advice

  • Most cenotes have a charge of 80 to 150 pesos to enter and offer lockers, restrooms, and snack bars. Just take a towel, taxi money, and snorkel-mask (optional), and you’ll have an amazing time at any of these cenotes.
  • Getting to cenotes by bike is easy from Tulum. Pedaling 10 to 30 minutes north from the pueblo along Avenida Coba takes you past Cenote Zacil-Ha, Cenote Car Wash, and Gran Cenote to name a few. Cycling 20 minutes west along the main road through the pueblo Carretera Cancun-Tulum (aka Carretera Cancun-Chetumal) leads to Cenotes Cristal y Escondido; 15 more minutes leads to Kaan Luum Lagoon. Heading east along the same road leads to Caleta and Cenote Tankah in 15 minutes and Casa Cenote in 30 minutes. These are all open-air cenotes, cheap to enter, no guide required.
  • Some of the farther-flung cenotes (some of which are part of underground cave systems) are easily accessible by driving or taxi. These include Cenote Dos Ojos, Cenote Sac Actun, Jardin del Eden, Cenote Azul, Yal Ku Lagoon, and the Cobá cenotes Choo-Ha, Multum-Ha, and Tamcach-Ha. Taxis in Tulum do not use meters; instead, they charge a flat rate based on what zone they travel through. There is no Uber in Tulum. Reaching most of these should cost between 400 and 600 pesos. It is best to have the driver wait for you at the cenote to take you back, rather than standing on the highway trying to flag one down. The open-air cenotes and Cobá underground cenotes are cheap to enter and don’t require a guide. The cavern cenotes Dos Ojos, Sac Actun, and others listed in the article below will require a guide and gear, and cost 400 to 600 pesos to enter.
  • Do not wear sunscreen. Cenotes are fragile environments interconnected by underground river systems. The chemical agents in sunscreens, even the biodegradable types, can cause irreparable damage to the already threatened ecosystems here. Many cenotes have showers near the entrances, where guests are required to rinse before entering the water.
  • You can easily visit cenotes on your own, but if you don’t want to worry about arranging transportation, I highly recommend this cenote and snorkeling tour with hotel pickup and drop off.
Scuba diving lessons at Casa Cenote in Tankah, near Tulum

Scuba lessons at Casa Cenote.

The Best Tulum Cenotes

1. Cenotes Dos Ojos • Tankah, northeast of Tulum

Snorkeling at Dos Ojos in Tankah near Tulum
Dos Ojos (Two Eyes) is the most impressive cenote group in Tulum, named for its two largest cenotes, the Blue Eye (a sparkling, open-air cenote) and the Black Eye (a pitch-dark cavern with stalactites and stalagmites; you’ll need a guide and a flashlight to see this one). Dos Ojos is a flooded cave system with 5 cenotes total and connecting with Sac Actun (more info on Sac Actun below). Public access is available for its 2 open-air cenotes for 350 pesos (definitely on the high end for cenote rates), while its 3 cave cenotes require a guide (rates vary, but it’s worth the price). Experienced divers can also set up scuba tours through parts of Dos Ojos inaccessible to swimmers and snorkelers. • Map

2. Cenote Zacil Ha • Avenida Coba, northwest of Tulum

Cenote Zacil Ha in Tulum
Popular with local families, Zacil Ha is a small, open-air cenote with a zip line, diving platform, and 2 pools. The cenote is only about 3 meters deep, but the zip line is what keeps people coming back (it’s just 10 pesos a zip). There is a small, affordable snack bar on site, but most local families bring their own picnic. At 80 pesos to enter, this is among the cheapest cenotes to visit. • Map

3. Jardin del Eden Cenote • Xpu Ha, northeast of Tulum

The rock islands of Cenote Jardin del Eden in Xpu Ha near Tulum
Enormous, open-air cenote in the jungle with emerald-sapphire water. Jardin del Eden has a cliff at one end topped with a diving platform, and toward the center is a group of flat rocks just beneath the surface of the water (formerly the roof when the cenote was inside a cave), where people tend to sit and hang out. Visibility is excellent and many people bring their masks to snorkel (though there is not much aquatic life to see here), while divers visit to explore the cenote’s deep underwater caves. There are restrooms, life jacket rentals, and a small snack bar here. Entry is 200 pesos. • Map

4. Cenotes Cristal y Escondido • West of the Pueblo

Diving into Cenote Cristal in Tulum
Though very close to the Tulum pueblo, these two open-air cenotes with lovely, clear waters are off the tourist radar, so they tend to be pretty quiet. Cenote Cristal is the busier of the two, with a round shape, a diving platform, and a few little hangout spots built around. Across the street, Cenote Escondido is a long, skinny strip of water teeming with fish and with a rope swing at one end. Both cenotes are connected by an underwater tunnel, though you’ll need scuba gear to swim its length. 120 pesos includes entry to both cenotes. Enter and pay at Cristal; park at either cenote. Don’t confuse Cenote Cristal with Cenote Cristalino. Though Cenote Cristallino in Xpu Ha is beautiful, the operators have made life jackets mandatory, which takes the fun out of swimming there. • Map

5. Cenote Azul • Xpu Ha, northeast of Tulum

Cenote Azul near Tulum and Playa del Carmen
Cenote Azul is a collection of open-air pools all connected by a network of walkways with a few diving platforms spread throughout. The main cenote is the deepest, though there are a few deep pools mixed with mostly shallow pools radiating out from the central area. This is a popular cenote for families, as there are plenty of shallow areas for younger kids to enjoy. The cenote is shaded by jungle and rocky shelves over the water, letting in dappled sunlight for most of the day. Several flat, partially submerged rocks offer a perfect spot to chill in the water while tiny fish nibble your feet. There is a small store with snacks and drinks for sale. 120 pesos to enter. • Map

6. Casa Cenote (formerly Cenote Manatí) • Tankah, northeast of Tulum

Kayaking at Casa Cenote in Tankah near Tulum
This busy cenote is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba lessons. What makes Casa Cenote so special is its mix of freshwater and saltwater, its lazy-river current (the vast majority of cenotes don’t have a current at all), and its abundance of wildlife. Coati, birds, and butterflies visit its banks, while tropical fish and blue crabs flock around the mangrove roots. Panchito, a solitary little crocodile, lives near the back of the cenote; he’s never bitten anyone in all his years living there, but still, be sure to give him a wide berth. 120 pesos to enter, no guide required. There is a security checkpoint after you turn off the highway on the road Fraccionamiento Tankah leading to Casa Cenote. Tell the guards you are headed to Casa Cenote, and they will let you pass. There are not many services here other than porta-potties and life jacket rentals, but there are a handful of good restaurants in the area (the best is Chamico’s, about 2.5 km north along the beach). • Map

7. Cenotes Choo-Ha, Tamcach-Ha, and Multum-Ha • Cobá, northwest of Tulum

Cenote Multum Ha, near Cobá
On the same patch of land about 6 km from the Cobá ruins are three underground cenotes, each with unique features. Choo-Ha is the most “cavey” filled with stalagmites and stalactites and shallow, jewel blue water. Tamcach-Ha is the largest, deepest, and most popular with 2 diving platforms set at 5 and 10 meters high. Multum-Ha, the quietest of the three, is an almost perfect dome with hanging vines coming down through a small hole in its top. Life jackets, showers, and restrooms are available. The cenotes cost 100 pesos each to enter. • Choo-Ha Map Tamcach-Ha Map Multum-Ha Map

8. Yal Ku Lagoon and Cenote • Akumal, northeast of Tulum

A school of fish at Yal Ku Lagoon and Cenote in Akumal
Yal Ku is a large park with a cenote that flows into a lagoon that flows into the sea. This the best snorkel spot in the whole of Riviera Maya (aside from the coral reef) due to its mix of fresh and saltwater. Snorkelers will find tons of wildlife here with the small colorful fish (angelfish, parrotfish, and more) mostly near the cenote and mangroves and the larger fish, barracudas, rays, and sea turtles near the ocean end of the lagoon. There are two companies sharing control of Yal Ku with two different entrances. The blue and white entrance (cenote end) is the best for snorkelers, as they do not require life jackets, but there are few facilities here and almost no shade. The pink entrance (ocean end) offers palapa rentals, a snack bar, and cabins, but life jackets are mandatory, even for certified divers. Once in the lagoon, you can swim to any part of Yal Ku, no matter where you came in. Both companies charge 280 pesos to enter and both have snorkel masks available to rent. • Map

9. Cenote Chaak Tun • Playa del Carmen

Cenote Chaak Tun in Playa del Carmen
Two underground cenotes, one with a hole in the top letting in sunbeams and dramatic hanging vines, the other low lit (even pitch black in parts) with impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Chaak Tun is available to visit only as a 2-hour snorkeling tour package, beginning with a shaman’s blessing and ending with a Maya meal and tequila with a little hiking and over an hour spent in the water. Tours in English and Spanish begin every 30 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; come early or at the tail end of the day to avoid the tourist crowds that flock here on day trips from Cozumel. The 550 pesos admission includes an enthusiastic guide, all gear, a wetsuit, and food. • Map

10. Kaan Luum Lagoon and Cenote • West of Tulum

Kaan Luum Lagoon and Cenote in Tulum
Kaan Luum is the only spot on this list that is still more popular with locals than travelers (though that is fast changing). This family-friendly lagoon is ideal for young swimmers with most of it shallower than 1.5 meters. Its pale jade water abruptly turns dark blue where a deep cenote begins. The cenote is also marked off with a rope and buoys; only scuba divers are allowed in. Facilities include a large palapa (where locals picnic), a pier and group of small palapas (where everyone hangs out), 2 overwater swingsets, and an outhouse. 100 pesos to enter; to discourage drones, they charge an extra 150 to bring one in. • Map

11. Cenote and Caleta Tankah • Tankah, northeast of Tulum

Cenote Tankah near Tulum
This hidden gem offers the best of both worlds: an open-air cenote in the jungle and a caleta (small cove) on the beach. The caleta is a nearly circular cove at the edge of a sandy beach with saltwater waves washing in and freshwater heading out to sea from an underground river system; the clash of waters is fun for stronger swimmers. Walking inland along a jungle path leads to a shallow, round cenote ringed with palm trees. The cenote is fairly rocky, better for lounging than swimming. Entry to both is through the beach club at Caleta Tankah Hotel. 150 pesos includes access to the restaurant (good drinks, so-so food) and restrooms there. • Map

12. Cenote Car Wash (aka Cenote Aktun Ha) • Avenida Coba, northwest of Tulum • $

Cenote Car Wash, as seen from the platform
An open-air cenote with crystal clear water, a diving platform, great visibility, and underwater caves popular for diving. This is one of the quieter, less crowded cenotes, known for its natural beauty and tranquility. Its nickname comes from its history as a pit stop for taxis traveling between Tulum and Cobá, who used to wash their cars here. Like Casa Cenote, there is a current (though not as strong) and a small, elusive crocodile living here (just a little baby – for now). Facilities include restrooms, showers, lockers, and snorkel gear. Cenote Car Wash is the cheapest cenote near Tulum, only 50 pesos to enter (200 pesos for divers). • Map

13. Cenotes Sac Actun • Tankah, northeast of Tulum

Blue water of Sac Actun in Tankah near Tulum
Cenote Sac Actun is part of Sistema Sac Actun, the longest underwater cave system in the world. Archaeologists have found remains of a mastodon here, as well as a skull and partial skeleton of a teenage girl dating back 13,000 years – the oldest skeleton ever found in the Americas. Located near and connecting with Dos Ojos, Cenotes Sac Actun offer a similar feel with its flooded caverns studded with stalagmites and stalactites, but unlike Dos Ojos, Sac Actun’s cenotes are all underground. A guide is necessary here, but advanced reservations are not. 600 pesos includes entrance and guided tour. • Map

Map of Cenotes Near Tulum

Map of cenotes near Tulum.
Hotels on Map: JashitaUna VidaMezzanineAhau

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Maps of Tulum

MexicoTulum › Tulum Hotel Maps
Updated: January 3, 2024

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Map of Where to Stay In Tulum

Tulum Where To Stay Map and Where To Stay on Tulum Beach
Hotels on Map: 1. Jashita 2. O’ Tulum 3. Bardo 4. Una Vida 5. Casa Don Diego 6. Coco Hacienda 7. Hotel Tiki Tiki 8. Naay 9. Mezzanine 10. Mi Amor 11. Papaya Playa Project 12. Azulik 13. Punta Piedra Beach Posada Hotel 14. Zamas 15. El Pez 16. Tago 17. Coco Tulum 18. Dune 19. Cabañas La Luna 20. Cabañas Tulum 20. The Beach Tulum 21. Ahau 22. La Zebra 23. Alaya 23. Playa Mambo Eco Cabanas 24. Las Palmas Maya 25. Sueños 26. Encantada 27. La Valise 28. Be Tulum 29. Nômade 30. Casa Malca

Map of Tulum Hotels

Map of Tulum Best Hotels.
Hotels on Map: JashitaO’ TulumBardo • Una VidaCoco HaciendaHotel Tiki TikiNaayMezzanineMi AmorEl PezTagoCoco TulumDuneCabañas La LunaThe Beach TulumCabañas TulumAhauLa ZebraAlayaSueñosEncantadaLa ValiseBe TulumNômadeCasa Malca

Map of Cenotes Near Tulum

Map of cenotes near Tulum.
Hotels on Map: JashitaUna VidaMezzanineAhau

Map of Cancun to Tulum

Getting from Cancun to Tulum map

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Cancun Restaurants

Mexico › Best Cancun Restaurants
Updated: January 3, 2024

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The 9 Best Restaurants in Cancun

  1. Casitas • $$$$
    Romantic, special occasion dining in Cancun
    Beachfront fine dining at Kempinski Hotel with a sumptuous menu of grilled fresh seafood and tender steaks. Specialties include their elevated version of Yucatecan tikin xic, a whole fish coated in spices and citrus and cooked in a banana leaf, as well as their flawlessly prepared steaks. The wine selection is robust, featuring international labels as well as Mexican wines (Mexico is known for their reds, especially cabernets and tempranillos). The romantic ambiance is most profound in their signature private casitas directly on the beach, wrapped in sheer veils with softly illuminated tabletops, though they also have tables on a nearby terrace. Service is impeccable, attentive, and friendly. Reservations are required for the beachfront casitas and there is a surcharge, but it is entirely worth it, especially for special occasions. Reservations are recommended for terrace seating.
  2. La Fonda del Zancudo • $$-$$$
    Date night dining in Cancun
    Atmospheric dining in an old abandoned house, serving gorgeous, Mediterranean-inspired dishes using fresh, local, organic ingredients, some grown onsite in their tiny garden. Standout dishes include their rich tuna tartare, baked figs, and empanadas, along with their refreshing cucumber martini and sangria. They also have a chalkboard menu with daily specials, with a lot of variety, especially for seafood and veggie dishes. Seating is in an open courtyard surrounded by crumbling stucco walls with dramatic vines climbing up the sides and fairy lights strung through the trees. Reservations are not required for small groups, but larger tables may want to reach out via Facebook; they answer very promptly. This Downtown restaurant is open for dinner only.
  3. Les Cepages • $$$$
    The best French restaurant in Cancun
    Contemporary, French cuisine in an elegant setting with rich flavors, exquisite presentation, and fantastic wines. The sophisticated menu changes seasonally, taking inspiration from locally-sourced produce and fine meat cuts, though certain popular items appear regularly, like the brie salad, lamb chops, and chocolate soufflé. The restaurant is helmed by the amiable and talented Chef Sal Luna, who makes sure to personally greet all guests he’s cooking for and to answer any questions or make suggestions, even going off-menu. Table service is always warm, attentive, and personal. Les Cepages is located in Downtown and is open for lunch and dinner.
  4. La Habichuela • $$$$
    Garden patio dining in Cancun
    Flavorful Mexican-Caribbean restaurant, famous for its unique recipes featuring delicious seafood and beef and its tropical garden vibe. Their most popular dish by far is their cocobichuela (so popular it ended up being a $600 question on Jeopardy): curried lobster and fish over rice served inside a coconut and topped with a grilled pineapple ring. Decorated with Maya statues, dense palm fronds, and strings of lights, the garden patio is the preferred spot for dining. Save room for dessert and order a Mayan coffee to end the night; it comes with a fun tableside fire show. There are two locations, but you definitely need to visit the original one in Downtown, open since 1977, to experience the true Cancun spirit.
  5. Surfin’ Burrito • $
    Cheap eats budget dining in Cancun
    This well-loved hole-in-the-wall has a full menu of California-style comfort food, like coconut shrimp, fish tacos, and ceviche. But they are best known for their massive mahi-shrimp burritos, loaded with grilled veggies, beans, and rice; topped with tamarind and habanero sauce, as featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Their build-your-own burrito option is super popular, especially for those who don’t do seafood; their arrachera beef is particularly delicious. Burritos are always finished off on the grill to give a little crunch and a fuller flavor. Go easy on the drinks here; the cocktails are bigger than your head, ice-cold, and strong. Seating is limited to three high-top tables and assorted bar stools, so waiting for a table can take a while; food and cocktails are all available to-go, and they deliver from 8:00 a.m. until midnight. The restaurant is in the middle of the Hotel Zone, near the nightlife and open 24 hours.
  6. El Galeón del Caribe • $
    Best local dining in Cancun
    The only authentic, local-style restaurant in the Hotel Zone, El Galeón serves tasty, affordable seafood dishes under a palapa roof with a dirt floor and picnic tables arranged near the lagoon. The specialty of the house is pescadillas (fish tacos); order 3 or 4 per person. Their mixed ceviche with shrimp and octopus is outstanding and huge; two people can share this one. Pair your meal with a michelada and finish it off with their sweet fried bananas. Service is friendly but very casual, so don’t expect to be doted on. This gem of a restaurant is hidden from the street. At kilometer 19.4, you’ll see their sign and a small parking lot on the lagoon side of the street. The restaurant itself is down a set of wooden steps hidden in the foliage. Hours are loose, from noon-ish to 7:00ish. Cash only.
  7. Los Aguachiles • $$-$$$
    Best Ceviche in Cancun
    Casual, authentic spot for super fresh seafood and ice-cold drinks. The restaurant is best known for its house ceviche, made with shrimp, octopus, or a combo of the two served with their house salsa blends. Other menu highlights include the tuna tostada, grilled octopus, and chilorio tacos (spicy pork) for the non-seafood eaters. Mezcal features heavily on the drink menu, mixed with various aguas frescas, most popularly the pepino fresco (cucumber lime) and the maracuyá (passion fruit). This humble Downtown spot is a favorite among locals – clean, welcoming, and family-friendly. Open for lunch and early dinner from 1:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
  8. Sushi Go • $$-$$$
    The best sushi in Cancun
    Unassuming local chain serving super fresh and affordable sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese favorites. Rolls are definitely the stars here, with the Dragon Roll (tempura shrimp, cream cheese, and eel sauce) topping the list of favorites, along with the #4 (salmon, mango, cream cheese) and #21 (spicy tuna wrapped in avocado). Their tempura udon, ribeye roll, and gyoza are also top-notch. Diners will also find a few Mexican-inspired appetizers on the menu, like spicy tuna tostadas and salmon taquitos. The atmosphere is casual and clean, with friendly staff, table service, a full bar, and killer tempura fried ice cream. They also deliver to anywhere in the Hotel Zone. Open daily from 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm.
  9. Porfirio’s • $$$$
    Upscale Mexican restaurant in Cancun
    Upscale, Mexican restaurant with a lively atmosphere. Porfirio’s serves a wide range of Mexican staples like tamales, chicharones, and elote, along with more traditional, adventurous fare, like chapulines (fried grasshoppers) on guacamole. The cocktail menu features unique house recipes, like their chilimango (with fresh mango, vodka, chili and peach liqueur) and a robust selection of Josefinas (spicy mezcal cocktails with sweetened lemon and fresh, local fruits). Dinner is accompanied by live mariachi performers dancing among the tables, miming along with the music over the speakers. Yes, it’s cheesy but way fun. Open for lunch and dinner from 1:00 pm -1:00 am in the Hotel Zone.

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Tulum Restaurants

MexicoTulum › Best Restaurants
Updated: January 2, 2024

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tacos beer Gitano beach club

Tulum Dining – Tips & Advice

  • Cash: Most restaurants in Tulum accept cash only, even the fine dining restaurants. Some accept U.S. dollars, but most require payment in Mexican pesos. If given the option, pay in pesos to get the best rates; you will always overpay if using dollars. Many restaurants that do allow credit cards charge an additional 3% surcharge.
  • Tipping: Tipping is part of the custom here, and 10 to 15% is the standard rate. But first, check bill for the word “propina” (meaning tip) to see if it has already been added to the bill. If so, add the necessary amount to bring the propina total up to 10 to 15%. Tipping in pesos is best, so the staff don’t have to pay a bank to exchange it into pesos.
  • Most of Tulum’s best restaurants are in the Pueblo or Middle Beach Zone. The Pueblo has more authentic, affordable restaurants, while the Middle Beach Zone has more chic, upscale spots. Most restaurants in the beach zones are on the jungle side of the road with outdoor seating.
  • Best Cooking Class : Rivera’s Kitchen (Pueblo)
  • Best Breakfast: Potheads (Beach Town) • Del Cielo (Pueblo) • Taqueria Honorio (Pueblo)
  • Best Sunsets: Kin Toh (Beach Town) • Mateo’s Mexican Grill (Beach Town)
  • Best Ice Cream: Campanella Cremerie (Pueblo) • Panna e Cioccolato (Pueblo)
  • Best Coffee: Ki’bok Coffee (Pueblo)

Tulum’s Best Restaurants – Video

The 19 Best Restaurants in Tulum

  1. Arca – Middle Beach Zone • $$$$
  2. The entrance to Arca Restaurant in Tulum
    High-end restaurant serving contemporary, flame-cooked, Maya-Mexican dishes. The menu changes often, but always offers the freshest, local seafood, meat, and produce from nearby Maya farms. Open for dinner Tuesdays through Sundays. Reservations strongly recommended. Cash only.

  3. Hartwood – Middle Beach Zone • $$$$
  4. A full house at Hartwood in Tulum
    Tulum’s premier fine dining restaurant offers a new menu each night highlighting seasonal produce from local markets and farms, along with sustainable seafood and meats. Totally off-the-grid, all food is cooked over fire and most of the lighting comes from candles. Open for dinner only from Wednesday through Sunday. Email for reservations about a month in advance. Cash only.

  5. Cetli – Pueblo • $$$
  6. Outside Cetli in Tulum at night
    A romantic, candlelit hacienda-turned-restaurant just outside of town, Cetli serves up amazing Oaxacan mole (rhymes with olé) dishes. Local, fresh ingredients are ground with a metate stone in pre-Hispanic style. Open for lunch and dinner; reservations recommended for dinner. Cash only.

  7. La Gloria de Don Pepe – Pueblo • $$
  8. Night tapas at La Gloria de Don Pepe in Tulum
    Charming little spot for Spanish tapas and fantastic wine. Their greatest hits include paella, fideuà (seafood pasta), and chistorra sausage. Buzzing atmosphere, especially in the evenings. Open for lunch and dinner. Cash only.

  9. – South Beach Zone • $$$$
  10. Dining in the jungle at Nü in Tulum
    Contemporary Maya-Mexican cuisine served in the jungle under the stars. Dishes feature traditional, local ingredients prepared in a creative, modern style. Its romantic ambiance makes this an ideal spot for special occasions. Dinner only; reservations recommended.

  11. Posada Margherita – Middle Beach Zone • $$$$
  12. tulum restaurant Posada Margherita beach dining
    Upscale yet unfussy beachfront Italian restaurant serving delicious handmade pasta and outstanding pizza made according to an old family recipe. The wine list is broad with an ever-changing selection of excellent labels. The restaurant is open all day, but the lunch and dinner menus are best. Cash only; no reservations.

  13. Safari – Aldea Zama • $$
  14. The fire pit and kitchen at Safari on the beach road in Tulum
    Rustic, Yucatecan-Mexican dishes prepared in a retro-chic Airstream trailer, and cooked campfire-style over an outdoor fire pit. The menu is small and simple, pairing well with Mexican craft beer, signature cocktails, and house-made aguas frescas.

  15. WILD – South Beach Zone • $$$
  16. Open-air dining space at The Wild in Tulum
    Ultra-chic, open-air dining in the jungle. The menu features gourmet Mexican-international gastronomy, using locally-sourced ingredients cooked over a wood fire. The inspired cocktail bar offers signature drinks made with fresh juices, homemade syrups, and edible flowers. Ideal for weddings and special events. Reservations recommended.

  17. El Asadero – Pueblo • $$
  18. Sidewalk dining at El Asadero in Tulum
    The best steakhouse in the Pueblo, El Asadero serves up succulent meats (don’t miss the arrachera) with Mexican accompaniments, including chorizo, grilled cactus, and roasted potatoes. Dinner only; reservations recommended.

  19. Casa Banana – Middle Beach Zone • $$$
  20. Outside Casa Banana in Tulum
    The best steakhouse on the beach road. Casa Banana offers a high-end Argentine-Mexican menu with excellent meat cuts, homemade chorizo, local beer, and a long list of mezcal cocktails. Open all day, but dinner service is the best. Cash only.

  21. MEZE – Middle Beach Zone • $$$$
  22. Dining area at Meze in Tulum
    A stylish Greek taverna specializing in meze plates (the Greek version of tapas) and creative cocktails. All dishes are made to share, so bring a friend and an appetite.

  23. Potheads – Beach Town and Pueblo • $$
  24. Exterior of Potheads Restaurant in Tulum
    A hearty menu of Mexican and international favorites, from chilaquiles to eggs Benedict, with friendly faces and a relaxed vibe. Excellent coffee. All day brunch from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Cash only.

  25. Del Cielo – Pueblo • $$
  26. The entrance to Del Cielo
    Del Cielo Tropical Bistro offers a mix of Mexican, Caribbean, and international favorites. Don’t miss the tartine and French toast. The restaurant is open all day, but brunch is when they truly shine. Cash only.

  27. Raw Love – Middle Beach Zone • $$
  28. The dining space at Raw Love in Tulum
    Vegan, raw food restaurant on the beach and in town. Gluten-free superfoods fill the menu, while standout dishes include the raw pad thai and the açai bowl. Find them in Ahau Tulum hotel. Cash only.

  29. Mateo’s Mexican Grill – Beach Town • $$
  30. Outside the ground floor bar at Mateo's Mexican Grill in Tulum
    Multi-storied, Tex-Mex bar and grill with a rooftop deck offering sunset views over the jungle. Another terrace is filled with hammocks. Standouts include the fried fish tacos, ceviche, and cocktails. Open all day; live music most nights. Cash only (ATM onsite).

  31. Ukami – Middle Beach Zone • $$
  32. The entrance of Ukami in Tulum
    Unique fusion menu of “Mayapanese” creations, blending Maya and Japanese culinary traditions. Expect fresh sushi alongside wild concoctions, like gyoza made with yuca, teriyaki tacos, and miso soup with fried tortillas. The restaurant has covered and open-air seating with colorful murals, eclectic décor, and a casual atmosphere. Dinner only.

  33. Mezzanine – North Beach Zone • $$$
  34. The dining room at Mezzanine in Tulum
    Mezzanine Hotel is home to a surprisingly authentic Thai restaurant. Run by 2 Thai chefs and incorporating local ingredients, the restaurant offers subtle twists on classic dishes and pairs them with Asian-inspired cocktails. Elegant yet casual atmosphere, perfect for a date night.

  35. El Vegetariano Mar y Tierra – Pueblo • $$
  36. Outside El Vegetariano in Tulum
    Tasty, casual vegan/veggie restaurant in the heart of town with a savory menu of Mexican and international dishes. Great chile relleno, burgers, falafel, and more, best enjoyed on the cozy garden patio in the back.

  37. Kin Toh – Beach Town • $$$$
  38. The lounge area of Kin Toh in Tulum
    Stylish treehouse restaurant and bar with striking architecture and dreamy sunset views over the jungle. This so-cool-it-hurts spot is all about the atmosphere, so come for sunset cocktails in one of their nest perches or have a shisha while lounging on their hanging nets. The food is Maya avant-garde and a bit pretentious, but the ambiance is truly original and well worth the trip. Reservations recommended. A 25 USD minimum consumption fee will be charged to a credit card on arrival.

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