Cancun Tips & Advice

Written by Brant Boston. Brant has lived in Cancun for 6+ years and is the Owner of Entertainment Plus (The Cancun 2 for 1 Card). Additional Notes by Tim Sissel. Tim has vacationed in Cancun many times. Here are some Cancun tips and advice we have compiled for you.

Here are a few things that everyone should know (I hope)

Buses cost $6.5 pesos (NO American coins) per person / 1 way. You get a ticket, but, it is for their control. There are 4 buses R-1, R-2, R-15 & R 27. If you are traveling within the hotel zone then it really does not matter what bus you take (Wet'n Wild is the exception. It is in the hotel zone but only half the buses go there so ask before you get on). R-2 & R-15 go to Wal-mart & Mercado 28. R-1 you ask! Well, it now goes almost everywhere. You have to read the front right window of the bus as it lists where it ends up. R-1's will go to Puerto Juarez, Wal-mart, Plaza 2000, Mercado 23, the bus station & places I have never been. The R 27 turns left on Tulum Ave & goes to Plaza Las Americas (the local's mall).

Bus Tips a) Last man standing does not win anything. It means you will be flying soon. If you are the last person to pay the driver then before you can think about where you want to sit he will be going 78 miles per hour. b) Telling the bus driver where to get off is a good start but not always will it work. Most do not speak English well enough to understand you. Have an idea of where you are going before you get on. Look for landmarks. c) They will not stop to let you off unless you ask them to. Don't assume they stop at all the stops. d) To flag a bus down you need to wave one of your body parts. e) Cheapest tour in Cancun so enjoy it. f) Get on in the front and off from the back door whenever possible. g) Don't bring drinks on the bus as they will most likely end up on someone else. h) When getting off NO ONE moves for you so if the bus is packed, put your head down and push. i) 'The 'Official'way to alert the driver you want off is to press the Red Button on the handrail by the back door.

Exchanging money: All stores, restaurants will take US dollars and travelers checks.  Odds are however that the exchange will be in their favor.  It is best to exchange your money first in either the bank (best options), exchange places (casa de cambio) or in the hotel (check to rate as most do not give you a good rate).  NO ONE takes US coins, bills that are ripped, written on, taped up or glued back together.  
Helpful money converter

Live Music:

• Salsa: Shrimp Bucket, Batacha, Azucar, Mambo Cafe
• Rock'n Roll: Hard Rock Cafe, Carlos'n Charlie's, La Ruina
• Jazz: Blue Bayou (Fri/Sat), Roots
• Mariachi: Ok Maguey, Perico's

Just the way it is... Many times a day I just shake my head and end up walking away. The average employee makes about $400 US a month. Today I was in a store where the lady working in the store could not read off the menu. Just remember that the ocean & the beach are 2 of the very best in the world. I often shake my head at their beauty.  One other point...everyone here works on commission so the odds are they have a hidden agenda.  Just takes things as they come.

Happy Hours: Deli Mart back by the Camino Real 6 - 8pm   --  OK Maguey 2 x 1 tequila & wine tasting & 2x1 beers & margs Monday 7 pm on and only with your E Plus card. 11:30-5 pm daily also. --  La Ruina 11 - 5 $10 a beer & 2x1 drinks. 5 on all drinks 2x1, Bar del Mar from 6-8 pm....Philly Cheese Steak dollar beer from 1-9 pm

Stuff:

• Brant: Don't drink the water even if the hotel has a purified water syste, it tastes funny. Mexican bottled water is 1/3 the price. Tim: I disagree with Amigo Brant on this. Cancun has a water purification plant. Many of the hotels, malls & restaurants have further filters. If the sink at your hotel says Potable Water, trust it. Tourista is caused primarily by to much sun, to much fun, and a change in diet. Stay hydrated and you'll be fine.
• Avoid people on the street say " YO VIVO A KEY" means, I live here.
• Set taxi fares before getting in. If you have a problem, take his number off the car & report it to your hotel.
• Use environmentally friendly sunscreen when in national water parks
• Hard Rock Cafe is not downtown. Go explore. Prices are better downtown.
• DON'T let people change your mind about a restaurant. 'Oh that restaurant is closed' or 'My uncle owns a better one.' My favorite is 'Are you sure you want to eat there?' Every restaurant pays a commission to concierges, taxis, travel agents reps, bellboys, front desk clerks, maids, salesclerks, iguanas, sharks, monkeys etc. The commission could be as high as 15% of your bill and of course that fee is added to the menu price. 97% of restaurants pays. Another reason to buy the 2 x 1 card. You save the money!
• Most people speak 'JOB English' meaning they get by when you ask them questions that they answer daily. Speak slowly & clearly. Don't use uncommon words. Don't expect everyone to understand your accent.
• Ocean temperature year round is 80F so, jump in
• Crossing the street is not a right; it's a challenge. YOU DO NOT have the right of way even in a cross walk or at a red light. Be on the defensive. Taxi & bus drivers do not have any education and think that the road holds 3 things; 1) Their vehicle, 2) Their garbage & 3) Their right of way. So RUN when crossing the street.
• Use sunscreen even on an overcast day
• If you where 2 hours from the pyramids in Egypt would you go? If yes, go to Chichen-Itza.
• Ice is safe in the drinks. All restaurants wash the vegetables in purified water. Even the taco guy on my corner.
• Always carry change! 5, 10, 20 pesos. Amazing how many stores don't have change and it will be your fault.
• ATM machines, credit card slips are in pesos so DON'T PANIC when you see all those zeros
• Watch out for hot salsa! It's the next day that bites. Well, bites...
• How to speak better Spanish? Drink more tequila!
• Best thing to do? Get up at 6:30 am & walk on the beach. THE BEST!
• If someone says 'I understand', they don't. It is that simple.
• Tip your maid daily; a buck or 2.
• Exchange your dollars in exchanges houses, maybe your hotel or banks. You will get a better rate than the stores & restaurants. The best rate in the hotel zone is the Bancrecer bank in Plaza Flamingo
  

 

E T call home   Dial 001 - area code - #. Buy TelMex pre-paid phone cards (50 cents a minute). Use them at your Hotel, on cell phones, or at Ladatel phone booths. (The Ladatel phones are everywhere.) DO NOT call collect. Minimum charge is $40! You will find Ladatel phones in 50% of the hotel rooms, lobbies and on the street.