Cancun is situated on the south-east coast of Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula. Warm white powdery sand beaches and turquoise crystal clear waters together with the famous Mexican hospitality make this a place like no other!
Below you will find important information about Cancun which can help you planned your trip or may be useful to you in an emergency or at any time during your visit.
Cancun Weather
Cancun weather boasts year round sunshine making it ideal for a vacation at any time of year. Cancun weather is tropical and humid with year round sunshine. The temperature ranges from 20° to 30° C (68° to 86° F) from October through to March and from 22° to 33° C (75° a 91° F) from April to September.
Cancun Airport
Cancun Airport handles the second largest volume of traffic in Mexico therefore the security levels are very high. Since they have built the new terminal, Cancun airport can boast great modern facilities and equipment. There are some fabulous duty free shops and gift shops selling silver jewelry and souvenirs so you can always buy that last minute present for your loved ones.
Getting Around Cancun
It is very easy and cheap to get around Cancun by bus. You can catch a bus to most places within Cancun and there is a bus every hour from Cancun Airport to Downtown Cancun. From the Cancun bus terminal in downtown Cancun you will find regular services to all parts of Mexico.
You can always find a taxi in Cancun, but make sure you check the fare before you get in. A list of regular fares can be found in the lobby of most hotels or you can ask the concierge.
Cancun Time Zone
Cancun time zone is five hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Cancun Currency
The official currency in Cancun is the Mexican peso but American dollars are also widely accepted. Banks are open Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm but there are exchange houses found all over Cancun that are open much later.
Language spoken in Cancun
The official language spoken in Cancun is Spanish. Most of the Mexicans working in the tourism industry speak English and you will find that French, Italian and German are also spoken by some. Many of the local indigenous people still speak Mayan as their first language and Spanish as their second, you will often hear them speaking Mayan amongst themselves.
Tips
The average tip for service is 10-15% and one or two dollars per suitcase carried. Always check your bill first as tips may already be included.
Cancun Electricity
The standard Cancun electricity supply is 110 volts. Hotels usually offer voltage converters for 220 volt devices. Many sockets do not accept polarized or three-prong plugs so it is recommended that you bring your own adapter but you can usually buy these in the hotel shop.
Cancun Telecommunications
Cancun telecommunications are modern and up to date. All the main tourist areas have facilities such as fax and internet services and you will find wireless internet access in most hotels and also in many restaurants and cafes. To make international calls from Mexico you dial access code 001 for the US and Canada; and 00 + country code for the rest of the world. The cheapest way to make telephone calls is with prepaid cards. Making calls from your hotel room can be very costly. Contact your service provider before your vacation for more information if you wish to use your cell phone in Mexico. Otherwise you can rent cell phones per day for local use.
Cancun Hospitals & Emergency Numbers
Cancun Hospitals
Amerimed
(24hr.) Plaza Las Americas, downtown
Telephone: 52 (998) 881-34-00
Total Assit
(24hr.) 5 Claveles St., downtown
Telephone: 52 (998) 884-10-92 & 52 (998) 884-8082
Hospital Americano
(24hr.) 15 Viento St. Downtown
Telephone: 52 (998) 884-61-33
AMAT hospital
(24hr.) 13 Nader St., downtown
Telephone: 52 (998) 887-4422
Hospiten
(24hr.) Bonampak Ave., downtown
Telephone: 52 (998) 881-3700
Galenia
(24hr.) Banampak Ave., downtown
Telephone: 52 (998) 891-5200
Cancun Emergency Numbers
Emergencies: 066
Fire Department: 52 (998) 884-1202 / 884-94-80
Police Department: 52 (998) 884-1913 / 885-2277
Red Cross: 52 (998) 84-1616 emergencies: 065
AA (24hr.) (English): 52 (998) 884-6909 / 8841271
Harbor: 52 (998) 880-1360, 1362, 1363
Consulates in Cancun
Casa Consular: http://www.casaconsular.org
USA
Address: Plaza Caracol Dos, locales 320-323, segundo nivel, Boulevard Kukulcán, km 8.5, zona hoPhoneera C.P. 77500, Cancún, Quintana Roo
Phone: (998) 883-02-72/883-13-73
Email: [email protected]