Mexico
Cancún
Essential facts
Currency
Mexican Peso (MXN)
Language
Spanish
Time zone
Eastern Standard Time · UTC -5 (no daylight saving)
Typical weather
Tropical at 24–33°C year-round. The rainy and hurricane season runs June to November; December to April is drier.
Plug type
Type A and Type B · 127V
Getting around
The R1 and R2 buses run the length of the Hotel Zone cheaply. ADO coaches connect Cancún to Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Use authorised taxis with agreed fares.
Local customs
Tipping of 10–15% is expected in restaurants, and small tips are usual for porters and housekeeping. Spanish basics are appreciated outside resorts.
Travel tips
Pay in pesos rather than dollars for better value, and decline dynamic currency conversion. Use reef-safe sunscreen — regular sunscreen is banned in cenotes and some parks.
Entry requirements for British citizens
- Visa
- British citizens do not normally need a visa for tourism. An immigration officer decides the length of stay granted on arrival, up to 180 days.
- Passport
- Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
- Return ticket
- You must show proof of onward or return travel.
- Accommodation
- You must give your accommodation address on the arrival form.
- Health
- Check recommended vaccinations. Mosquito-borne illness is present in the region.
- Customs
- Declare cash of USD $10,000 or more. Strict rules apply to e-cigarettes.
Always check before you travel