Where to Stay in Cancún

Mexico › Best Areas to Stay in Cancún
Updated: October 7, 2024

My Favorite Cancún Hotels
• 5-star: Atelier
• 4-star: Hyatt Ziva
• 3-star: Crown Paradise
• For families: Grand Residences
• For couples: Nizuc
• Best all-ages all-inclusive: Grand Fiesta Americana

A pool set behind the beach next to a golf course at Atelier resort in Playa Mujeres near Cancun.

The pool, beach, and golf course at Atelier in Playa Mujeres.

Map of where to stay in Cancun with neighborhoods, golf courses, ferries, things to do, and hotels.
Hotels on Map: 1. Atelier • 2. Grand Residences • 3. Grand Fiesta Americana • 4. Hyatt Ziva • 5. Crown Paradise • 6. Nizuc

Best Areas to Stay in Cancún

See Also

• Best Hotels in Cancún
• Best Family Hotels in Cancún

Cancún is a year-round hotspot with warm, sunny days; endless swathes of wide, white, powdery sand; sunrise sea views over the Caribbean, and a stunning location on the Mesoamerican Reef for snorkeling and diving. Even off the beach, entertainment abounds. Travelers will find thrilling adventure parks, lively nightclubs, and beautifully designed golf courses. Cancún also boasts a central location for exploring ancient Maya ruins, beautiful colonial villages, and lush tropical islands.

Over 10 million travelers flew into Cancún last year, making this feel-good oceanfront city the world’s most popular beach destination, offering a little something for everyone and every budget. Most beachfront resorts are luxury and midrange all-inclusive properties, although there are plenty of luxury resorts that operate on a European plan (room only, no food included) and some budget-priced self-catering condo hotels. Many of our favorite hotels in Cancún and our favorite family hotels in Cancún are located in the aptly named Hotel Zone or Puerto Juarez. Newer properties that we love tend to be a little farther from the city center in Riviera Cancún to the south or Playa Mujeres to the north. Hostels, budget hotels, and moderate hotels/condo hotels are mostly on the west-facing, lagoon side of the Hotel Zone, in El Centro (AKA Downtown), and in the inland parts of Puerto Juárez.

A two-tiered pool facing the ocean at Grand Residences in Riviera Cancun.

Grand Residences is our favorite luxury resort for families in Cancún.

The Hotel Zone or Zona Hotelera is our favorite place to stay. This is where visitors will find most of Cancún’s resorts and hotels. Set on Boulevard Kukulkan, the 22-km-long Hotel Zone is a strip of high-rise hotels, resorts, nightclubs, shops, and restaurants. The Hotel Zone is shaped like a number 7. 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 Cancún’s best nightlife. 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, and budget-friendly hotels and hostels. North along the coast is Puerto Juárez, where travelers will find the ferry to Isla Mujeres, a golf course, a smattering of beaches, and a handful of luxury and moderately priced hotels. Farther north, Playa Mujeres is the newest development in Cancún known for its pristine beaches and calm water (the strongest waves and much of the seaweed are 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 fed by underground rivers).

Best Places to Stay in Cancún

An elegant pool in an unusual shape facing the beach and ocean at Kempinski resort in the Middle Hotel Zone of Cancun.

One of two oceanfront pools at Kempinski Hotel Cancún, one of our favorite luxury resorts, excellent for couples or families.

A series of freeform pools fronted by a long, wide stretch of beach at the JW Marriott resort in the Middle Hotel Zone of Cancun.

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

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 gorgeous beach expanse offers a little of everything for any 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, and enormous pools – a few even have water parks. Many 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 the Maya ruins of El Rey.
  • Best Area in Cancún for Sightseeing: Middle Hotel Zone, El Centro
    The Middle Hotel Zone is the best spot for local sightseeing, including the aquarium, the Maya Museum, the San Miguelito and El Rey ruins, and snorkel/scuba tours. Everything in the Middle Hotel Zone is easily accessible by a quick bus ride or a short walk. 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 region’s most visited destinations. However, if visiting Chichén Itzá or Valladolid on a guided tour, most tour operators offer free or cheap pickup from anywhere in Hotel Zone.
  • Best Area in Cancún for Partying and Nightlife: Middle Hotel Zone, El Centro
    Cancún’s main party spot is the Middle Hotel Zone where it meets 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. The largest club here, The City, has a capacity of 5000. Most clubs here are multi-level mega-parties with live music and DJs. Some have 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. Although some locals visit the Punta Cancún 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 Distrito Cavana, Estatus, and 11:11 Club.
  • 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 outstanding dining options, from local Yucatecan fare to authentic Mexican favorites to fine French dining – all 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 several high-quality restaurants outside of the resorts, mostly in the Middle and South Hotel Zones. Try El Galeón del Caribe, La Tia Juana, and La Bamba.
A group of modern, geometric-shaped pools, some with bars or lined with sunbeds, sits behind a beach with a smattering of palm trees at Riu Palace Peninsula in the North Hotel Zone of Cancun.

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

  • Best Area in Cancún for Families: North and Middle Hotel Zone, Riviera Cancún
    Cancún is a very family-friendly destination with entertainment for children of all ages; 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 adventure parks, Croco Cun Zoo, and cenotes at the southern end.
  • Most Romantic Area in Cancún: South Hotel Zone, Riviera Cancún, Playa Mujeres
    Cancún 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 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 a little ways north of the Hotel Zone with the most contemporary hotels, pristine beaches, and gentle surf; and Riviera Cancún, the most natural area of Cancún with protected mangrove jungles, a botanical garden, and the relaxing beaches.
  • Best Area in Cancún for a Local Vibe: El Centro, Puerto Juárez, and Riviera Cancún
    There are no residential areas inside the Hotel Zone. Most locals live in El Centro or Puerto Juárez, where you’ll find the most authentic restaurants, nightlife, outdoor markets, and affordable shopping. The south end of Riviera Cancún is another great spot for a local feel, especially near the small village of Puerto Morelos. Though tourism has changed this village, there are still plenty of great, cheap restaurants and local bars, especially in the inland pueblo away from the beachfront resorts.
  • Safest Areas of Cancún
    On the 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, we recommend taking a taxi to and from the restaurant to avoid walking long distances in the dark and the small risk of petty crime.

Staying in the North Hotel Zone

Jet skis are followed by their swirling, white, sea foam wakes, plus two parasailers glide above the ocean in front of the beach in the North Hotel Zone of Cancun.

The North Hotel Zone makes up the top of the 7 east of El Centro and Puerto Juárez and north of the Middle Hotel Zone. Unlike the rest of the Hotel Zone, the beach here is partially shielded from hurricane winds by Isla Mujeres and the horn of Punta Cancún. Its unique geography gives it three perks: the gentlest waves in central Cancún, the least amount of seaweed in the Hotel Zone, and the softest sand (this is the original Cancún sand; the other beaches lost their sand in a hurricane and replaced it with slightly coarser sand). The North Hotel Zone is a great spot for relaxation, exploration, and nightlife with its sunny beach, proximity to El Centro, and easy access to the nightlife in Punta Cancún (AKA Uptown, the bend in the 7). There are also two small ferry ports with routes to Isla Mujeres. If opting for a European-plan hotel, this area offers a good selection of dining and bars within a short walk or bus ride.

Staying in the Middle Hotel Zone

A colorful sign spelling “Cancun” on the beach of the Wyndham Alltra resort in the Middle Hotel Zone.

The Middle is the busiest stretch of the Hotel Zone. Uptown is at its northernmost tip, jam-packed with nightclubs, bars, upscale restaurants, and casual cantinas. Heading southward leads past a string of beaches, beach clubs, restaurants, malls, and water sports centers. At its southern end, there are two sets of Maya ruins: 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. Most resorts here have cordoned off sections of their beaches for the eggs, and keep exterior lights low or off when the hatchlings head for the waves.

Staying in the South Hotel Zone

Sunbeds and cabanas line the beach at Crown Paradise Club in the South Hotel Zone of Cancun.

The South begins with the El Rey Archaeological Zone and ends at Punta Nizuc. This area is the best spot in the Hotel Zone for a quiet getaway with easy access to local attractions and a handful of excellent restaurants. Guests here are also not too far from the airport, making this a great spot for a quick, fuss-free trip. Tren Maya, the new railway connecting Cancún to farther-flung destinations like Chichén Itzá and Tulum, is also nearby. 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.

Staying in Playa Mujeres/Costa Mujeres

A long beach with gentle waves, a little seaweed, and devoid of people in Playa Mujeres near Cancun.

The newest resort development, Playa Mujeres (AKA Costa Mujeres) sits north of the 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, while scuba and sailing excursions leave 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 the resorts. The beaches here have soft sand and gentle waves as Isla Mujeres shields Playa Mujeres from the strongest winds.

5. Staying in Riviera Cancún

Palm trees line the beach, along with sunbeds, Bali Beds and a pier at Hyatt Zilara in Riviera Cancun.

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 home to 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. Waves are softened by the Mesoamerican Reef, which runs the entire length of the Riviera and continues down to Guatemala. 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. There is a Tren Maya station in Puerto Morelos, connecting the village with Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and more fantastic destinations for day trips.

Staying in Puerto Juárez

View from above Puerto Juarez showing the ferry port and two piers in front of a long beach.

Strategically located between El Centro and the North Hotel Zone, Puerto Juárez is a wonderful spot for independent travelers who want a mix of beachcombing and exploring the more authentic side of Cancún. Downtown is just a quick drive away, while laid-back Isla Mujeres is accessible via a short ferry ride. The luxury mall, Marina Puerto Cancún, is home to a swathe of shops, dining, and entertainment with both land and water access to its venues and shops. A golf course and a handful of marinas are here, and accommodations tend toward the expensive, luxury side. However, move inland away from the beaches, and you’ll find a range of affordable dining and lodging. The coastline here tends to be a little rockier and the water is a less vibrant blue than the Hotel Zone beaches.

7. Staying in El Centro

Graffiti murals depicting dolphins in a gumball machine on one building and another with a mix of Indigenous patterns, flora, and fauna on two apartment buildings in Centro, or Downtown, Cancun.

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

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