Cancun Holidays

The headline news for Irish travellers is the direct Aer Lingus flight from Dublin, operating three times weekly on an A330-300 from January to April 2026. Just over ten hours and you're stepping off the plane into the Mexican Caribbean.  

Where to stay is your first big decision, and it shapes the whole holiday. The Hotel Zone is that iconic 22-kilometre strip of high-rise resorts, beach clubs, and restaurants, with public beaches the whole way.  

This is where first-timers should base themselves - you're only metres from the water's edge, everything is on your doorstep, and the energy is infectious. Downtown Cancún (El Centro) is a different proposition altogether, cheaper, more authentic, it's the place where locals actually live and eat.  

You'll find proper taco stands, markets like Mercado 28, and you'll experience the daily rhythm of local life. However, the trade off means that there's no beach access - you'll have to bus it or taxi to the Hotel Zone each day.  

Make your choice based on whether you want convenience or authenticity, and just in case you're still confused, the experts at Cassidy Travel are ready to give you the hands-on advice you need.  

When to visit depends what you're after from your from your Cancún holiday. December to April is the best time: mid-20s, low humidity, calm seas, and barely any rain. But, it's also peak season, so book well ahead.  

May and June get a lot warmer, but the good point is that it marks the start of the whale shark season - swimming with these gentle giants is an experience you'll never forget. Summer is hot, humid, and afternoon storms are common, but hotel rates drop and the cenotes offer perfect for cooling escapes from the humidity. September to October is hurricane season - travel insurance is non-negotiable, but you'll find serious bargains if you're flexible and open to adventure.  

Getting around Cancún is straightforward. The R-1 and R-2 buses run the length of the Hotel Zone for about a dollar, frequent and easy to manage. Taxis are everywhere but notorious for inflating fares, so be sure to always agree the price before you get in. Uber works but they're not allowed to pick up from the airport or hotel taxi stands due to union pressure. For day trips to Chichén Itzá or Tulum, ADO buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and budget-friendly.  

When it comes to spending, the Mexican Peso is king - though US dollars are widely accepted in tourist spots. However, you'll get a better rate using pesos. ATMs are plentiful; but avoid the exchange kiosks at the airport (order some from your local bank before you leave). Cards are accepted in hotels and restaurants, but carry cash for markets, taxis, and smaller cafes and restaurants. Tipping is customary in Cancún, 10-15% in restaurants, plus a few pesos for housekeeping and guides (the equivalent of one or two dollars is enough).  

One honest heads-up is that 2026 has brought increased fees at archaeological sites like Chichén Itzá, and flight taxes are also slightly higher. Book attraction tickets online in advance - it's cheaper and saves queuing. Also, pack strong insect repellent and reef-safe sunscreen (regular sunscreen damages the cenotes).  

And finally, it's good to know that Cancún is an amazing holiday destination, full of resort comforts, ancient wonders and attractions, kid-friendly beaches and activities, parties until sunrise, and everything in between.  

The best advice is to come prepared, and you'll leave already planning your return. 

You've arrived in Cancún and you've settled into your sunbed, the margarita has arrived, and the Caribbean is doing that thing where it looks more turquoise than should be legally allowed.  

It sounds perfect, right? And it is. But here's the thing about Cancún and the Yucatán Peninsula, eventually, that beautiful blue water starts to blur, and you'll feel that itch to see what else this corner of Mexico has hiding in the nearby jungles.  

A day trip to Chichén Itzá is an absolute must, you can't visit Cancún without a pilgrimage to this stunning centre of Mayan culture. It's a two hour ride away, it's going to be hot, and sweaty, but standing before El Castillo at sunrise, watching the first light hit the limestone steps exactly as it did for people a thousand years dead, will justify the entire experience.  

For the best vibes, go early, hire a guide, and save your energy for a swim at Cenote Ik Kil afterwards - the cool, vine-draped water is nature's antidote for the humid heat.  

For something closer, that doesn't require a full-day's commitment. The El Rey ruins sit right in the Hotel Zone, a small Mayan site where iguanas sun themselves on the stones while tourists do what tourists do everywhere. The Museo Maya de Cancún houses remarkable artefacts from across the region, excavated from settlements right there on site.  

The cenotes are where Cancún reveals its hidden heart, and lets you feel like the star in some lavish adventure movie. These freshwater sinkholes dot the landscape like nature's swimming pools. Cenote Dos Ojos offers cavern diving and Cenote Ik Kil is the postcard-perfect version with vines cascading down to touch the cooling waters.  

If you plan on swimming, take reef-safe sunscreen, shower before entering, and float in water the Maya believed was a gateway to the underworld.  

For families, and thrill seekers, the eco-parks are an amazing experience for young and old. Xcaret offers underground rivers, wildlife exhibits, and a cultural show that crams 500 years of Mexican history into two unforgettable hours. Xel-Há is a natural aquarium where you snorkel through inlets and lagoons with everything included (snorkels, masks, etc.). They may be a little 'touristy' but they're also genuinely well-run, and the kids will talk about them for years.  

The outlying islands offer a great opportunity to see a different side of Cancún.  

Isla Mujeres is just a twenty-minute ferry ride away. Or why not rent a golf cart and explore Punta Sur's cliffs, or spend the afternoon at Playa Norte, where the sea's water stays shallow for what feels like miles (perfect for families with small kids).  

And when the sun sets, the night adds yet another dimension to your Cancún holiday. 

The nightlife in Cancún goes way beyond the spring-break stereotypes. Coco Bongo is still legendary - part nightclub, part circus, part organised chaos, and all fun. Within a stone's throw of Cancún central there are even several Irish bars (if you're missing home's little comforts). 

Avenida Nader downtown offers craft cocktail bars and live jazz for a more grown-up entertainment vibe. However, if its food that you're looking for, Downtown's Mercado 28 offers traditional handicrafts that sit right next to proper authentic Mexican taco stalls. You should also look out for cochinita pibil - pork slow-cooked in achiote (a local culinary spice), served on fresh tortillas. La Habichuela has been serving cochinita pibil  since 1977, plus, their signature habichuela soup is a local institution.  

Cancún gives you the beach holiday you came for, but it also offers a whole lot more: the chance to paddle or swim in cenotes where Maya princesses supposedly bathed, to eat fish grilled over charcoal while a man three tables over plays guitar simply because the evening demanded it. That's just what happens when you visit Cancún. 

Cancún's coastline stretches for over 20 kilometres of powdery white sand and that impossible Caribbean turquoise sea. The beauty of Cancún is that many of the best spots are public, free to enter, lifeguarded, and dotted with all the facilities you need.  

Beyond the Hotel Zone, you've got islands, cenotes, water parks and eco-parks offering hundreds of unique and entirely different ways to experience the whole region.  

The following are just a few of the places locals and savvy travellers actually love.  

• Playa Delfines (Hotel Zone) - The iconic public beach with the colourful "CANCÚN" sign. Wide, undeveloped, free parking, and lifeguards. Waves can be stronger here.  
• Playa Tortugas (Hotel Zone) - Calm, shallow waters near the ferry terminal. Beachfront restaurants, free parking, and that classic Cancún energy.  
• Playa Norte (Isla Mujeres) - Ranked among the world's best beaches, with powder-soft sand, water like a swimming pool, and beach clubs with sunbed service.  
• Playa Gaviota Azul (Hotel Zone) - Quiet stretch with palapas (palm cabins) for shade and very gentle waves. Popular with couples seeking less chaos.  
• Playa Chac Mool (Hotel Zone) - Mid-Hotel Zone spot with good snorkelling and beach bars. Waves are suitable for bodyboarding; arrive early is good advice.  
• Playa Langosta (Hotel Zone) - A delightful sheltered cove with calm waters, close to shopping and restaurants. A perfect choice for families with young children.  
• Playa Caracol (Hotel Zone) - This shallow, protected bay near the convention centre is perfect for wading, and has nearby facilities and shade.  
• Playa Marlín (Hotel Zone) - Lively beach with volleyball nets, jet ski rentals, and lots of wave action. A really great place for people-watching.  
• Playa Ballenas (Hotel Zone) - Popular with locals for its consistent waves and fewer vendors. It is lifeguarded, has palapas, but it also has strong currents.  
• Playa Paraiso (Isla Mujeres) - Quieter than Playa Norte, but just as beautiful. Shallow, clear water, casual eateries, and that Caribbean peace and calm.  
• Punta Sur (Isla Mujeres) - Where rocky cliffs meet turquoise water. Not for swimming, but for photos, sunsets, and the temple of Ixchel.  
• Xpu-Ha Beach (Riviera Maya) - Broad stretch of sand 30 minutes south of the centre with clear, calm waters, shady palapas, and far fewer crowds.  
• Cenote Ik Kil (Near Chichén Itzá) - An open-air cenote with hanging jungle vines, and cool, deep water that's perfect for cooling down after exploring the ruins.  
• Cenote Dos Ojos (Near Tulum) - This crystal-clear cavern system is magical for snorkelling or diving. Dazzling sunbeams pierce the caves like mini light shows.  
• Xel-Há Park (Riviera Maya) - A natural aquarium where you snorkel through inlets and lagoons. This is an all-inclusive, family-friendly, utterly unique experience. 

Cancún's food scene is easy to miss if you never leave the resort. There are plenty of people who don't leave the resorts, and that's fine too (it's your holiday). The all-inclusive buffets serve acceptable tacos, the swim-up bars keep the margaritas flowing, and you can go home perfectly satisfied. But if you're curious - if you've ever wondered what Mexicans actually eat when they're not performing for tourists - there's another amazing world waiting, just outside your hotel. 

Once you leave your hotel, find a local restaurant and start with cochinita pibil - that's a must. This is the dish that defines Yucatecan cooking to perfection; pork slowly marinated in achiote and sour orange, wrapped in banana leaves, and slow-cooked until it surrenders completely.  

The version at El Poblano in downtown Cancún has devotees who've been coming for decades. You eat it on fresh tortillas with pickled red onions and habanero salsa. Somewhere around the third taco you'll start to wonder why you've been eating buffet pasta all week long.  

The markets are where Cancún locals actually shop. Mercado 28 draws tourists for souvenirs, but the food stalls at the back are the real draw deal - proper antojitos like panuchos and salbutés, fried tortillas piled with shredded turkey and avocado. Mercado 23's food market sees almost no tourists, and that's the attraction. This is where Cancún's ordinary working class buy their meat, their vegetables, and their tortillería fresh every morning. Just wander around, point at things that look interesting, and trust the process.  

If you want something that feels like a real and local event, drive south to Puerto Morelos. Here, the local fishermen still bring in the catch each morning, and the beachfront restaurants will grill whatever arrived that day. El Pelícano does a pescado a la talla - butterflied fish slathered in achiote or garlic, cooked over charcoal until the skin blisters. You eat with your hands, drink beer, and watch the Caribbean do its thing. You'll want to keep it a secret.  

The cenotes hold more than just cool water, the Maya believed these sinkholes were cenotes sagrados, gateways to the underworld, and places of communication with the gods . Swimming in one isn't just a dip - it's a connection to a worldview that shaped this land for millennia. Cenote Dos Ojos is truly spectacular, but Cenote Siete Bocas near Puerto Morelos sees fewer crowds and feels more like a real discovery.  

When it comes to local - or tourist - culture, the Coco Bongo show is touristy chaos but is absolutely worth experiencing once. But for something quieter, seek out a jarana performance - the traditional music and dance of Yucatán, a fusion of Mayan and Spanish rhythms that somehow captures the region's spirit.  

If you holiday in Cancún in November, Hanal Pixán - the Mayan Day of the Dead - transforms the region with altars, marigolds, and a genuinely heartfelt sense of remembrance.  

Evenings in Parque Las Palapas offers a glimpse of local life Cancún style. Families, couples, teenagers on dates, and food stalls selling marquesitas - crispy rolled crepes filled with Nutella or cheese, a real local delicacy. A marimba band might set up nearby, or a clown might entertain the kids, or you might just sit on a bench and watch the city breathe. No agenda, no entrance fee, just Cancún being Cancún.  

The resorts will take care of everything you need, but the real Mexico is out there, just past the lobby. And, it's well worth finding. 

Right, let's get the practical stuff sorted so you can focus on the important things - like whether to order another margarita or finally attempt that cenote swim. Cancún is wonderfully straightforward once you know the ropes.  

For Irish holidaymakers, in just over ten hours you'll arrive in Cancún, with no connections, and no pre-visa clearance. That's because Irish passport holders don't need a Mexican visa for tourist stays up to 180 days - just make sure your passport is valid for the whole duration.  

You'll complete a tourist card (FMM) on the flight or at immigration; hang onto it, as you'll need to hand it back when you leave. Do NOT lose it. 

The local currency is the Mexican Peso, (1 Euro - 20.3 Mexican Pesos), and while US dollars are accepted in almost all tourist spots, you'll get a far better rate using pesos .  

Once you arrive the golden rule is to avoid exchanging money at the airport, their rates will have you losing money before your holiday even starts. Instead, use ATMs inside banks or OXXO convenience stores once you're in town. Carry small bills - 20s and 50s - for tips, taxis, and market purchases. It might be a good idea to order a small amount of pesos at your local bank before you leave (ask for small notes). 

Thanks to the influx of American tourists over the years, tipping is genuinely part of the culture. In restaurants, 10-15% is standard if service isn't included (check your bill carefully). For hotel staff, a few pesos for bellhops and housekeeping. Tour guides appreciate 10-20% of the tour cost for a job well done, and yes, tip in pesos so the full value reaches them directly. 

Next you'll want to know, when is the best time to visit Cancún? Most people recommend you visit from December to April: you'll have temperatures in the mid-20s, low humidity, and calm seas. However, it's also peak season, so book way in advance. May and June is the whale shark season where you'll get the chance to swim with these giant, gentle creatures of the sea. 

High summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms, but the plus side is that hotel rates drop dramatically. Hurricane season officially runs from June to November, with September and October being the riskiest months - travel insurance is a must at that time (actually, travel insurance should always be a must).  

Getting around Cancún is really quite simple. The R-1 and R-2 buses run the Hotel Zone 24/7 for about 12 pesos - they're cheap, frequent, and easy to use. Taxis don't use meters; so always agree the fare before getting in. Uber works well in the Hotel Zone and offers transparent pricing.  

For day trips away from the resorts, ADO buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and connect Cancún to Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and beyond. And one last word about transport, pre-booking an airport transfer online, and in advance will save you hassle and money.  

When thinking about where to stay, choose based on whether you prioritise convenience or local flavour - but don't worry, the Cancún experts at Cassidy Travel will be happy to help you figure this out. 

You'll also need to pack a power plug adapter for you electronic devices. Mexico uses Type A and Type B sockets while Ireland uses Type G sockets 

Also, reef-safe sunscreen is essential (the regular stuff damages the cenotes), and bring strong mosquito repellent (and a soothing after-bite cream) for those amazing jungle excursions.  

When packing, go for lightweight, breathable clothes like linen, cotton, shorts, and sundresses. Don't forget to bring at least two swimsuits and it’s also a good idea to pack a light sweater or jacket. And of course, make sure to bring sandals, sunglasses, and a sun hat to stay comfy and protected. 

Here's something you may not know. It's best not to bring vapes or e-cigarettes. Mexico has tightened enforcement, and customs at Cancún Airport actively check for them. They will be confiscated, and you could even face a fine or delays.  

Your holiday in Cancún will be rewarded even more with a little advance planning. Get these basics right, and the rest is just sunshine, tequila, great food, friendly people and the magical blue waters of the Caribbean.