Splendid and sleepless—that’s Cancún, Mexico’s famous fiesta hotspot. From the country’s eastern tip, the city shifts with the sun: calm, palm-lined paradise by day, to seaside party hub by night. South of Cancún, the coastal district of Riviera Maya maintains day-to-night bliss with laid back towns or cities and brilliant beaches. Drift down its coast and experience what makes it a vacation fave.
Looking for more? Take a trip along the coast and find sizzling Costa Mujeres. Go a little farther north and see the stunning shores of Playa Mujeres. Top it all off with a quick boat ride across the sea to the secluded and pristine sands of Isla Mujeres.
Visit Cancún & Riviera Maya: get started
Get ready for an exciting Cancún trip! Aside from the legendary Cancún nightlife, explore the city’s restaurants and shopping options. Take a day trip to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza or snorkel from the beach. Discover the cenotes of Riviera Maya, or visit Playa del Carmen and , you can even bring your crew!
Browse to get there for less.
Cancún & Riviera Maya travel guide
Destination facts
Language
Spanish
What to bring back
Handmade jewellery, xtabentún (a honey and anise liqueur made in the Yucatán region) and ground achiote spice.
What to eat
Traditional dishes of the Yucatán Peninsula: sopa de lima (lime soup with chicken and tortilla), Cochinita pibil (pulled pork marinated in ground achiote seeds) and queso relleno (edam cheese stuffed with pork).
Fun fact
It might be hard to imagine, but Cancún was once practically deserted. Before the Mexican government decided to transform the area into a vacation mecca in 1970, only three people lived around the beach-clad coast—the caretakers of a coconut plantation. Today, there are a few more, about 700,000 inhabitants to be precise, with 5 to 10 million tourists visiting every year.
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents, visa, taxes and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
