A Different Way to Explore Cancun

Cancun, Mexico

Let me just say this. As I continue to explore Mexico, I fall more and more in love with its vibrant and spicy culture, its hard working people and its architecture and design. I now understand why many of its inhabitants love their country, despite what the media tell us.

Last summer I was fortunate enough to head to Mexico City with my mom and Klaas. This year I was able to explore more of this awesome country with my mom and sister, Amanda. It was a different dynamic but amazing nonetheless. Inside jokes were made and tears from laughter shed.

Here are some of my favorite moments from the trip and my recommendations!

If you plan to visit Cancun during June, be prepared to pack an umbrella. Cancun's raining season generally runs from May to October.

My family and I only had time during June to make this trip, but we didn't let the water stop us from stepping outside and discovering the non resort area of Cancun.

I was a bit skeptical that I wouldn't get the full experience of Cancun, having booked an airbnb outside the hotel zone, but I soon learned staying outside the hotel zone would breed a richer Cancun experience.

Pik Nik 

We stayed in an area that was just a few blocks away from several local shops, cafes  and restaurants, which was a plus! Most of the restaurants had a Mexican islander theme, an aesthetic birthed by Yucatan or Mayan culture.

I don't think have to explain how yummy the food was at Pik Nik. We were in taco heaven. If you’re in the area, be sure to check it out. It had such an authentic feel, the food was great and the service was spectacular. The owner opened up shop early just to keep us out of the rain. He readily made us food and served our drinks. BONUS: There was chips and salsa!

Parque Palapa

This park was about a 10 minute walk from our apartment, and I am so glad it was there. There were so many food vendors! It was food heaven. You could smell the sauteed vegetables and meats being cooked, tortillas being rolled and flipped and local children running around and playing.

Everything was CHEAP! If you are looking for cheap eats and local culture, you have to head over to this park. We went a couple of times, and on our last night there was a huge community gathering and local music playing, while kids begged their parents for churros or any other sweet that was being sold. Don't be fooled by those photos above, those were taken at 8:00 am on our way to church. Trust me it is a much more vibrant scene in the evening!

Church

Of course we couldn't miss out on church. Even if you aren't religious it’s always nice to see how the locals gather as a community to share their common interests. In this case, their love of God.

I loved being able to join my mom and sister for mass. It was such a small yet beautiful church, and the priest was pretty chill, too.

Mercado 28 

I had read a lot of rave about this market. Basically it’s a covered market with TONS of vendors. If you get a chance to visit, you should! Everything is so colorful! It's an experience for sure.

The vendors sell a variation of the same things, but it's really fun when they don't have the same prices.Cool thing about this market is that you get to HAGGLE, one of my favorite things! My mom had so much fun, too! Though you have to remember that some of the things they sell are actually handmade, so don't haggle too hard. They deserve some profit!

Just be prepared to deal with aggressive vendors. Keep in mind that aggressive does not equal dangerous. When I say this I mean they will try to  sell you anything and everything and call you their "amigo/a" to get you to enter their tent to shop.

And of course, there is FOOD! Food stands and proper restaurants. There will also be people playing some awesome music. Be sure to tip them!

Walking around Cancun Neighborhoods 

I think the best way to explore a new city is by foot! I absolutely loved discovering all of Cancun’s rustic beauty. There were so many picture-worthy streets filled with plants, super chill dogs and again, COLOR.

Another thing, I noticed while walking around the town was that there are so many old school beetles! Which I am obsessed with. Seriously, you have to get out and know all of Cancun, not just the touristy areas.

Playa Delphines 

Okay, so although you should explore the lesser known neighborhoods of Cancun, you can't skip out on the amazing beaches ( the main purpose for being there right?!)

We spent a whole afternoon at Playa Delphines, the most known beach in Cancun.

When we stepped off the bus it was breathtaking. I had read about the beautiful blue ocean water and the white sandy beaches, but actually seeing it had me dropping my jaw! Sooo pretty. Even if you don't spend a whole day sunbathing like we did, you still have to check it out.

That same beach is where you can find the Cancun sign. There is an organized line to get a photo in front of it! Yay for organization.

Renting a Palapa - If you spot a palapa stand by and a man will come over and tell you the palapa is 300 pesos to rent for the day. If you buy food though from the restaurant, you won't have to pay that fee.

We ended up going with an organization that was tip based. Look for blue lounge chairs and yellow umbrellas with the corona label, and there will be men lingering around usually with buckets full of drinks. You can ask them where the kiosk to get the blue chairs is. You will have to leave some form of ID, but don't worry it's a safe organization.

Isla Mujeres 

If you are in Cancun, you MUST take a day trip to Isla Mujeres. I don't think my pictures do it justice, but seriously GO.

To get to the island you must take a boat or a ferry. We went with a guided tour. Don't feel pressured to go with a tour, honestly you will have so much more freedom going on your own!

Again, the boat ride to Isla Mujeres was magical! My goodnes the water was heavenly and some of the prettiest colored water I have ever seen. Amanda and I got to kayak, which was pretty fun. Mostly we ate and lounged with all the other tourists on the tour ( there wasn't too much time to explore). That's why I don't recommend tours! Your time is always limited.

Fortunately, we had time to explore Playa Norte on the island! My favorite part of the tour! We only had an hour (boo!), but my mom, Amanda and I made the most of that hour.

We quickly started exploring the busy streets of the island. Remember if you go during summer time, you are most likely going to find the streets flooded with tourists!

There were tons of scooterists and many tourist on golf carts! I've heard this is the best way to explore the island. If you have time, you must look into it! Just within an hour, Amanda and I were enchanted by the busy vibrant streets.

There were so many vendors. It was a big party. Oh and they had shaved ice, or what I grew up calling them, raspas, one of my favorite childhood treats!

If we had more time, I'd have so many more picture of this lovely island.

The pastel colors contrasted with the dark ruby reds or the deep aqua hues fascinated me. I wanted to take pictures in front of everything!

I took the opportunity to take some pictures of Amanda in front of the pretty buildings. How pinterest and instagram worthy is this photo?

Y'all. Just visit Mexico.

 

Chichen Itza

My goodness, this is another MUST do thing when in the Yucatan. Mayan culture at its finest! The summer before, I got to witness the grandiosity of the Aztec's Teotihuacan, and this time I experienced the Mayan's world wonder.

Again, try and visit this landmark on your own! There are tons of blogs out there that will tell you how. Again, we fell into the trap of doing a guided tour. Had Amanda and I not escaped the walking tour around the pyramid, we wouldn't have had time to take photos!

My mom loves a good walking tour loaded with history facts. So if history is your jam, she recommends doing a guided walking tour when visiting this world wonder.

Cenote Ik Kil

   There are so many cenotes in the Yucatan region! This was one of the ones we visited because it was only a 15 minute drive from Chichen Itza and was included in our tour guide package. Unfortunately, we only had one hour to hang out. Ugh. Wish I could have had more time. I decided to just observe it from the top! Everybody was enjoying themselves, it looked like so much fun!

 

Valladolid 

This old spanish town was also in proximity of the cenote and chichen itza! I'd recommend taking a visit. We weren't there for long, but it was very enchanting. Walking around the main plaza was great! It has so much Spanish influence in the architecture.

It was a very tranquil town I'd go back to and explore a bit more!

So many fun memories made in Cancun and its surrounding areas. I have to say don't have any hesitations about going to Cancun or exploring Mexico. The media loves to make Mexico seem like a dangerous place, but as long as you’re smart and not engaging in risky behaviors you will enjoy all the amazing culture Mexico has to offer.

Tips

If you are arriving late into Cancun, know that a taxi is the only way you will be able to get to your hotel/airbnb/hostel. The Ado bus (the local public transportation) stops running at around 10pm. Cab fare will generally be about 40 USD from the airport.

Use the public transport! It’s soooo cheap and very efficient. You can pay for your ticket upon entering the bus terminal, so make sure to have change with you at all times.

Yes, UBER is available in Cancun. It's actually illegal to use it due to the Taxi Union there. We didn't have any trouble, but know that if you are caught using/riding with Uber, there can be a fine you will have to pay.

Yes, you CAN haggle with the Taxis! It's pretty awesome that you can do that! So do engage in exercising your haggle skills.

PS.

The rest of the time in Mexico was spent in Tulum, read more about it on my Tulum blog post!