The most popular area of Cancun for tourists is and always has been the Hotel Zone, but a surprising part of Cancun is also now growing popular with tourists.
According to reports, the downtown area is increasingly becoming popular and has had 80 percent occupancy during certain periods of the summer months this year.
So why the increase in tourists gravitating to this area?
There are six reasons in particular.
Improved Safety In Cancun’s Downtown Area
Security operations like the installation of cameras, patrols by police and military officials, and monitoring of bars and restaurants in Cancun’s downtown have greatly improved the safety of the area.
Tourists can feel comfortable enjoying the nightlife without fear of being a victim of a crime.
This has led more tourists to explore the area, especially those that don’t visit just for the beaches.
@airplanespottingvideos Down town Cancun is packed with people from all over the world
♬ original sound – Manny Moreno
Opportunity For A More Authentic Vacation
Staying in the downtown area of Cancun provides tourists the opportunity to immerse themselves in with the locals.
This makes for a more authentic vacation, where visitors can mingle with locals and experience a more cultural side of Cancun.
This is also where visitors will find more authentic restaurants, street food, and handmade goods to take home as souvenirs of their Cancun vacation.
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@theflyygirlexperience This spot is across the street from the ADO station in downtown Cancun at the colletivo stop. You can usually find me here after every yacht party 😂 the birria just do somthin to my soul 😂 its so flavorful and can be made as spicy as you like! #MexicanSoulFood #birria #cancun #streetfood #lifeinmexico ♬ original sound – Flyy Girl
Plenty Of Downtown Hotels To Choose From
There are more than 50 highly rated hotels, hostels, and other accommodations located in the downtown area of Cancun.
And while you may not find the all-inclusive resorts that can be found in the Hotel Zone, there are some great properties that offer some terrific amenities, like complimentary breakfast, beautiful pools, and close proximity to transportation to get to the beaches.
Suites Malecon Cancun, Adhara Hacienda Cancun, Nomads Party Hostel, and Wyndham Garden Cancun Downtown are just a few of the options.
@wyndhamgardencun Hotel Wyndham Garden Cancún Downtown
♬ original sound – Wyndham Garden
Cheaper Accommodations In The Downtown Area
In addition to having plenty of accommodations to choose from, there are also many cheaper options in the downtown area of Cancun.
Some of the most highly-rated downtown hotels are going for as little as $50 a night this summer.
That’s compared to $300 and up per night for an all-inclusive in the Hotel Zone and even more for the exclusive gated resort communities on the outskirts of the city, in places like Costa Mujeres.
@postcardsfromayana Wondering where to stay on your trip to Cancun? This boutique hotel has it all 😍🫶🏽 @Nomads Experience #cancun #wheretostay #traveltips #hostellife #budggettravel #blackgirlstravel #solotravel #travelguide ♬ Cool Kids (our sped up version) – Echosmith
No Shortage Of Things To Do In Downtown Cancun
While the downtown area of Cancun might not have the miles and miles of beaches, beach clubs, and restaurants that the Hotel Zone has, there is no shortage of things to do in downtown Cancun.
Bars, cantinas, Mexican eateries, and nightclubs are spread out around the area, in addition to markets, parks, and shops where there is often something going on too.
Parque de las Palapas, Mercado 28, Mercado 23, Malecon Tajamar, and Malecon Americas are all worth exploring in the downtown Cancun area.
@_juvssss Mercado 28, Cancun 🌴🇲🇽 They have amazing seafood and great entertainment! #cancun #cancunmexico #cancun2022 #cancunmex #tequila #tequilashots #vacation #vacaciones #vacationmode #mexico ♬ Alaska – Camilo & Grupo Firme
Close Proximity To Cancun Airport
Downtown Cancun is only about 7.5 miles from Cancun International Airport, making it a convenient place to stay for tourists not set on staying in the Hotel Zone.
This is particularly convenient for those planning on spending their days exploring beyond Cancun rather than at the beaches anyway.
It also makes getting to and from Cancun Airport much easier at a time when transportation from the Hotel Zone often runs into delays.
@3days3noches The bus stop was right in front of our hotel!! Took it to the ferry stop for #islamujeres! Only $1 each way 🤗🤗 #cancunmexico #traveltips #travel ♬ Lucky – Britney Spears
Which Part Of Cancun Is Best For You?
Which part of Cancun is best for you to stay in depends on what you’re trying to get out of your Cancun vacation.
If you want to spend your days at the beaches with a complimentary beverage in hand and have a wide array of options for food, then an all-inclusive in the Hotel Zone is the better option for your Cancun vacation.
But if you want to experience what it’s like to be a local and prefer a more laid-back vibe, then downtown Cancun may be the best choice for you.
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