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You can find things you should do in Cancun all over the internet; take tours, go all-inclusive, don’t go all-inclusive, visit Chichen Itza, but what about the things you shouldn’t do? If you want to save a little money and have a great Mexican vacation, here are some suggestions for things you should not do in Cancun.
1. Don’t take a private taxi from the airport.
Regular street taxis are not allowed to enter the airport to look for fares, so the private taxi you take from the hotel will set you back about 60 U.S. Dollars. Oh my! You can take a collectivo (shared taxi) for about 15 U.S. Dollars per person. It may stop at a few hotels before yours to drop off other visitors, but what’s the hurry? You’re on vacation. In addition, it’s kind of fun to see other hotels that you might want to give a try on your next visit.
2. Don’t spend all your time in the pool.
The pool is nice, but look towards the east. You will see a white sand beach and that aqua blue water is the Caribbean Sea! It has a year round temperature between 78 and 84 degrees fahrenheit. You might get some salt in your hair, you might get some sand on your skin, but there is nothing like a dip in the ocean. If the sea is too rough in front of your hotel , walk down the beach and look for a calmer area.
3. Don’t over research and over plan.
You can research and you can plan, but if you schedule every moment of your vacation, you will be disappointed when plans have to be changed (and inevitably they will have to be changed) and you will miss out on the spontaneity that is the fun and exciting part of being on vacation.
4. Don’t overdo it.
When you’re on vacation it’s tempting to overindulge in the sun, the food and the drinks. However, do you really want a terrible sunburn? Heartburn? A hangover? These are things that can ruin days of your treasured vacation, so by all means, partake, but in moderation.
5. Don’t lose your tourist form
During your flight to Mexico you will receive an FM-T, a tourist immigration form, which you will need to fill out and present to Mexican immigration. They will return the bottom portion of the form to you. Keep it in your passport and don’t lose it. You will need it to exit the country and there is a hefty fine if you can’t present it at the airport.
Can you think of any other things to NOT do in Cancun?
Is an American expat who has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2001. A mother, singer, salsa dancer and now writer and community manager, she has worked in many different industries but is currently enjoying exploring the Yucatan Peninsula and sharing her expertise and experience with readers around the world. Follow Kristin on Twitter
COMMENTS
20 Responses to “Things NOT to do in Cancun”
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Andii
Don’t stay at the resort!! Explore as much as you possibly can, visit the historical sites, eat from the vendors and local cafes, there is so much more to this beautiful country!
Kristin Busse
You’re right Andii, and if you don’t leave the hotel you miss it all.
Courtney
I agree on NOT overdoing it. I did not heed that good advice and laid out in the sun for hours with no food as I missed the buffet time and continued to drink my fruity drinkds and thus spent way too much time in the loo!!! But I did learn my lesson!! Unfortunatley the hard way.
Kristin Busse
Live and learn, right Courtney? 🙂
Ann
Don’t forget to tip the locals!
Kristin Busse
Good point Ann. The locals are very hard workers and will do anything to make sure you have a wonderful vacation.
Marcie
My experience is that the best food is where the locals eat. Don’t drink so much that you pass out on the beach! Beet red tan lines are not sexy…neither is being called Red Lobster! I won’t tell you how I know this…haha!
Kristin Busse
hahaha Pictures Marcie? 😉
Olivia Martinez
One day went for snorkeling at some point and I put my sandals on the beach bag that my boyfriend put it at the car then try walking around the hot sand and stones was a difficult experience but fun finally 😉
Kristin Busse
Ouch! Next time make your boyfriend go back to the car for your sandals Olivia! 😉
Lisa Chatroop
I completely agree with #4!
A)Don’t forget to use sunblock! I STILL have weird scars on my shoulders from an ill-fated boat trip in Florida… at least I can say the marks give me character! 🙂
B) I’ve been on several trips where I’ve been so busy running to do one thing or another that I never took the time to relax. If you come back from a trip even more tired than you were when you left, you did it all wrong.
Kristin Busse
Yes! You are supposed to come back relaxed, rested and refreshed!
Christi Glaser
DON’T blog about your trip while you are there. Take lots of notes, but wait until you get home and the whole experience settles in before you write your blog post. It makes for a more interesting post, and you’ll remember every detail in more depth, making it truly a trip of a lifetime. Also, don’t plan your activities using brochures. Ask your concierge who’s more likely to be a local and can cut through all of the marketing hype.
Kristin Busse
Great points Christi…you can also ask locals about their favorite places to go.
Lisa Chatroop
That’s a great point Christi! That being said, don’t forget to save notes, brochures, etc! I did it for my last trip and I love having a blog of things that I would have forgotten by now 🙂
Gina Pedroni
Explore! Don’t be afraid to try something different, so many people I know are afraid to try the local food or see the culture. There’s so much to see and do!
Kristin Busse
There really is Gina, and those things add so much to your vacation experience.
stacey novello
Last time I was in Cancun was 7 years ago with my boyfriend, I can honestly say it was the best vacation of my life! We truly did overindulge in everything from the sun to shopping,food and clubs it was so much fun. The one overindulgace i could have done without though is the sunburn from not wearing sunscreen the first 2 days because i wanted to get some color, i was fine though..a lil aloe ..and some spf 30 and i was back on my way enjoying my beautiful vacation. && now 7 years later me and that same boyfriend our engaged to be married.
Kristin Busse
Aw that’s lovely Stacey! Congratulations!!
Lisa Chatroop
I agree with Gina! Get out, explore, see the ruins, etc. No matter how absolutely wonderful your resort is – explore the culture that surrounds it!