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Cancún & Riviera Maya Pre-Arrival Travel Guide
Everything you need from now until you're on the beach, in the order you'll need it. Save this page on your phone. You'll want it at the airport.
Do these before your trip
Before You Go
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When you pack
Packing List
Tick things off as you go. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
In Your Carry-On0
General Items0
Clothes and Shoes0
Toiletries0
Small First-Aid Kit0
Convenient Extras0
Leave With Family or Close Friends0
Packing Advice
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen
- The cenotes and eco-parks require it and will make you swap regular sunscreen at the gate.
- Water-Friendly Camera
- Bring an underwater camera or waterproof phone case, or buy a disposable waterproof camera for snorkeling, kayaking or any water trip.
- Versatile Shoes
- Dressy sandals for dinners, good walking shoes with moisture-wicking socks, and water shoes for kayaking or other watersports.
Do Not Pack
- E-cigarettes and vapes, which get confiscated at customs
- CBD oil, CBD products, or anything cannabis related
- Drugs of any kind
- More than 1 laptop or iPad per person
- Weapons or ammunition
- Sharp objects in your carry-on
- More than 10 packs of cigarettes
- Anything of financial or sentimental value. It can be lost in the ocean, on excursions, or taken out of luggage while traveling.
Read this before you land
Travel Day
At Your Home Airport
- Check for anything on you that will set off a metal detector and slow you down.
- Make sure your carry-on has no banned items, and no liquids or gels over 3 oz (100 ml).
- Wear comfortable shoes you can get in and out of quickly. Many airports make you remove them.
- Stay hydrated. It's common to get dehydrated while flying, so fill a refillable bottle after security or buy water after security.
When You Land in Cancún
The Cancún airport arrival process has been simplified. You no longer need to fill out an immigration form before or on arrival.
Immigration
You'll be directed to, or can choose, one of two options.
- Standard lines. An immigration agent stamps your passport. Keep your physical or digital boarding pass handy until you clear immigration, in case it's needed.
- Electronic passport machines. Age 18 and up, Terminals 3 and 4 only. Scan your passport, wait for your photo, and collect your receipt with the QR code. Keep that receipt. You may be asked for it when you leave Mexico.
Baggage
Pick up your checked bags at the carousel.
Customs
On your way out of the terminal, customs may select you to have your bags searched.
The Hallway
After the secured baggage area, the hallway is full of people who will try to sell you airport transfers and timeshares. Keep walking and ignore everyone inside the building. Do not stop and talk to anyone inside the airport.
These Are Not Your People.
Outside the Terminal
All of your arrangements are already made and paid for (unless you're set up to pay your driver). Every airport transfer company waits outside the terminal, so don't stop until you're outside. You'll see reps holding name signs, company signs and hotel signs. Your itinerary says who your transfers are booked with.
Tip Your Driver
Tips aren't included in your airport transfer. If you're happy with the service, the recommended tip is $5 to $10 per guest, or 100 to 200 pesos.
Once you're there
At the Resort
- Check-In
- Between 3 and 4 PM. If your room isn't ready, the hotel gives you a place to change and store your luggage so you can enjoy the facilities right away.
- Dinner Reservations
- If your resort requires them for à la carte restaurants, try to make them on arrival to secure your preferred restaurants and times.
- Timeshare Pitches
- Most resorts have a timeshare or club program. They're typically pushy and will offer freebies like spa treatments or excursions in exchange for a meal, a resort tour and a short amount of your time. It's never short. It's a lengthy, high-pressure sales pitch. Be firm and tell them you're not interested.
- Sun and Water
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen and reapply often. Take breaks from the sun. Drink lots of water in between cocktails.
- Tap Water
- You can't drink the tap water in Mexico because of the high mineral content. All water and ice served at your resort and on excursions is filtered.
- Sargassum
- A free-floating seaweed that can wash up on beaches and sit in the ocean in front of your resort. The amount changes with the time of year, currents, weather, wind, tides and location. It's typically seasonal in the warmer months, but it can't be predicted. Resort staff do their best to keep the beach clean. Check the live beach webcams
- Your Room
- Expect a clean and tidy room. You're also in the Caribbean, so the air conditioning may not combat the humidity the way it does at home, and an occasional mosquito, bug or small lizard may sneak in.
- Room Safe
- Use it for all your valuables.
- Smoking
- Illegal in all public areas in Mexico. Each resort has its own rules, and most have designated smoking areas. Ask a staff member where they are.
- Excursions
- Use a reputable company that your tour operator or the hotel recommends, or book with me in advance. See my recommended excursions
- The Staff
- Make a point to chat with them and be friendly. They work hard and do a fabulous job in the heat and sun every day. Friendliness goes a long way.
- If Something's Wrong
- Speak to hotel management as soon as possible so they can fix it and you can get on with your vacation. Don't wait until you get home. They're on property, so they're your first stop. If it doesn't get resolved quickly, loop me in. I'm here to help.
Getting Around and Good to Know
- Power
- The same 127-volt flat-pin plugs used in the US and Canada, so no adapter is needed.
- Getting Around
- Uber isn't reliable here. If you take a taxi, agree on the fare before you get in.
The Weather
Dry Season
November to April
Highs in the mid-80s
Lower humidity and little rain.
Rainy Season
May to October
Hotter and more humid
Short afternoon showers rather than all-day rain. September and October are the wettest.
Before you go to the bank
Tipping and Money
I tip at every resort I stay at and I always recommend it. Minimum wage in Mexico is around 315 pesos a day, less than $20 USD, so tipping goes a long way and can really make a difference in a staff member's life. US dollars and Mexican pesos are both accepted and appreciated.
| Who | US Dollars | Pesos |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks and Dining | ||
| Drinks at the pool or beach | $1 to $2 per drink, or $3 to $4 per round | 20 to 40 per drink, or 60 to 80 per round |
| Served breakfast or lunch | $3 to $5 per guest | 60 to 100 per guest |
| Buffet meals | $2 to $4 per guest | 40 to 80 per guest |
| Served dinner | $5 to $10 per guest | 100 to 200 per guest |
| Room service | $5 to $10 per order | 100 to 200 per order |
| Hotel Staff | ||
| Housekeeping | $5 per day | 100 per day |
| Butler | $20 per day | 400 per day |
| Luggage handlers | $5 to $10 | 100 to 200 |
| Rides | ||
| Drivers and transportation | $5 to $10 per guest | 100 to 200 per guest |
These are just suggestions. Please feel free to tip more for exceptional service.
Money
- What to Bring
- Lots of $1, $5 and $10 bills if you're using USD, and 20, 50, 100 and 200 peso notes if you're using pesos. The front desk can likely get you change, but it's easier to bring it from home.
- Leaving the Resort
- For meals, shopping or excursions off property, bring and use Mexican pesos (MXN). It's the country's currency.
- Getting Pesos
- For the best rates, exchange money at your bank or a currency exchange at home, or take money out of an ATM at the airport. ATMs at the resorts typically only provide USD.
The day before you leave
Flying Home
Reconfirm Your Pickup
If you don't already know your transfer time, find your rep at the resort or call your transfer company to reconfirm 24 hours before departure.
Check Out
Between 11 AM and 12 PM. The resort stores your luggage so you can enjoy the facilities until your transfer picks you up.
Keep Your Receipts Handy
If you used the electronic passport machines, keep that QR receipt with your passport. You may be asked for it when you leave Mexico. Keep your Visitax QR code ready too.
When you feel like leaving the pool
Explore the Area
More From Me
- Riviera Maya GuideWhere everything is along the coast south of Cancún.
- Cancún Airport GuideTerminals, customs and passport control in more detail.
- Live Beach and Sargassum WebcamsSee what the beach looks like today.
- Recommended ExcursionsThe tours and parks I recommend around the Riviera Maya.
Spanish Time
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Hello | HolaOh-lah |
| Good morning | Buenos díasBway-nos dee-ahs |
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardesBway-nas tar-days |
| Good evening | Buenas nochesBway-nas noh-chays |
| Yes | SíSee |
| No | NoNoh |
| Please | Por favorPor fah-vohr |
| Thank you | GraciasGrah-see-ahs |
| You're welcome | De nadaDay nah-thah |
| Excuse me! | ¡Discúlpeme!Dees-cool-pay-may |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?Don-day ess-tah ell ban-yo |
| Do you speak English? | ¿Hablas inglés?Ah-blahs een-glays |
| Goodbye | AdiósAh-dee-ohs |
Anytime
Need Help?
I'm a Text Away
Resort issue? Talk to hotel management first, since they're on property, then loop me in. Anything else, big or small, you reach me directly.
Emergency Numbers
- Carry ID
- Have your passport or a copy with you in case of an emergency.
- Lost or Stolen Items
- Report a lost passport to the nearest US embassy or consulate, and file a police report for a crime reference number.
- Insurance Claims
- Keep all receipts and documentation in case you need to file a claim.
- Local Contacts
- Save the numbers for your resort and tour operators.