Everything You Need to Know About The Cancun Hotel Zone

If you have had friends visit Cancun or if you have been looking into visiting this exotic destination, then you have likely heard of the Hotel Zone, or as the locals call it, the ”Zona Hotelera”. But what exactly is it? Is it worth visiting? Is it a good place to stay? 

The short answer is that the Cancun Hotel Zone is a tourist hub lined with restaurants, hotels, and shops where you can buy your vacation souvenirs. However, there is obviously a lot more to it than that. 

Join us as we walk you through everything you need to know about the Cancun Hotel Zone and the various things to do in this area. 

What Is the Cancun Hotel Zone?

Many tourists who visit Mexico talk a lot about the Cancun hotel zone. Why is that? It is because the Hotel Zone is what is also known as the tourist zone. Many vacationers who visit Mexico stay in the Hotel Zone and never leave its borders because it is densely populated with nearly 100 hotels, shopping malls, beaches, and restaurants.  

It is a six-mile strip of shopping, eating, and vacationing. This makes it an ideal place to visit to spend a day buying gifts and souvenirs, as long as you don't mind the number of people around who are doing the same.  

Additionally, the Hotel Zone is an energetic and alluring place for an active nightlife. For those wanting to keep busy once the sun has gone down, the Hotel Zone is a bustling hub of activity and evening entertainment. 

Where is the Hotel Zone in Cancun located?

The Cancun Hotel Zone is very easy to find since it borders the east coast of the main city. This narrow sandbar and tourist hub juts out from the mainland via Kulkulcan Boulevard, providing a 22 km-long barrier that separates Cancun from the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

This area is less than half an hour away from Cancun International Airport, only about 10 minutes away from the secluded shores of Playa Mujeres, and just over an hour north of the Riviera Maya. 

Is the Hotel Zone in Cancun safe?

As a tourist destination, it is in Mexico's best interest to keep all tourist areas as safe as possible, and as a result, this area is considered very safe for families and visitors from other countries. 

It is, however, a public area, so you may not be able to relax as much as you would in the comforts of your resort, but for the most part, this is somewhere you are unlikely to have any trouble. 

In your resort, on the other hand, you will have additional safety due to the measures that they take to protect their guests. This involves a security gate controlling who can and cannot enter the premises, nonacceptance of pushy vendors, established security protocols, and vigilant personnel.   

With that said, wherever you choose to go on vacation, you should still take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and your family. These may include simple actions such as:

• Stick with your group, with those you know, or a reputable travel/tour agency. 
• Obey all the rules and regulations of the area.
• Avoid carrying or displaying valuables in public areas. 
• Let someone know where you are going and prearrange your pickup if traveling back at night.
  

How to Get Around the Cancun Hotel Zone

This is a large built-up area that is six miles long and divided into several subdistricts. You can effectively walk the whole strip; however, you would be doing so in the high heat and humidity, which can make the overall experience less enjoyable. 

It is our recommendation, therefore, that you either select the main area for shopping or attractions where you want to visit, or acquire some form of transport to be able to move around more easily. 

If you are visiting the Hotel Zone for the day, it may be a good idea to plan out where you want to go and have your resort organize your transportation for you. Asking the concierge is often the best way to get the prime transport options for what you need, and it is also far easier than trying to work it out yourself. However, you can also request your ground transportation directly from Seasons Tours.

Should you stay in the Cancun Hotel Zone?

Many people choose to stay in hotels in the Cancun Hotel Zone, but that can also be why it may not be the best choice for a relaxing vacation. With an influx of other tourists, families, and people around you, enjoying your time off in peace and tranquility can be a challenge. As much as you may love the shopping and busy atmosphere, everyone needs a break away from the hustle and bustle eventually. 

For this reason, it would be a good idea to look for a resort that is close enough to visit the Hotel Zone but far enough away from it to avoid the public beaches. With this in mind, we have three recommendations where you can enjoy playful elegance whilst still getting a chance to visit the Hotel Zone. 

1. Firstly, there is the contemporary resort of Excellence Coral Playa Mujeres. This high-end escape is only 10 minutes away from the Cancun Hotel Zone and offers some unique luxury experiences for those seeking new levels of indulgence. 
   
   
2. The second option is Excellence Playa Mujeres, located half an hour northwest of the Hotel Zone, opposite Isla Mujeres. This is an excellent retreat that was awarded as the number one All Inclusive choice in North America, South America, and the Caribbean, and it is also only 23 minutes away from the airport.
   
   
3. The last option is in the opposite direction. The Excellence Riviera Cancun is just under 40 minutes southwest of the Hotel Zone and is one of the most exclusive havens for quiet relaxation in the area. 

In all of these All Inclusive resorts, you get the chance to recline in tranquility away from the heavily saturated tourist spots. However, it is also close enough to enjoy a day out in the Cancun Hotel Zone and do all the shopping you need without having to travel very far. 

Discover the authentic experience of Mexico!

To really get the most out of your vacation, you will need to step outside of the Hotel Zone. For a truly authentic experience, you should try exploring some of the other areas around Cancun. Quite often, the busiest tourist spots are not where you are going to find the most interesting activities, the most sumptuous food, or the most exclusive spots. 

Make your vacation everything it can be by broadening your horizons and traversing the wonders of Cancun in Mexico.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Cancun Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera)?
The Cancun Hotel Zone is a busy tourist area known for having many hotels and shopping areas for travellers visiting Cancun. 

Where is the Cancun Hotel Zone located?
The Hotel Zone is located just east of downtown Cancun on Boulevard Kukulcán, along a 22km sandbar that forms a barrier along the Caribbean Sea.  

Is the hotel zone in Cancun safe?
This area is known to be a safe area for tourists. Nevertheless, normal travel safety precautions should be taken. 

Is it worth staying in the Cancun Hotel Zone?
If you want to be in the center of the busy areas, for tourism and shopping, then this may be a good option. However, if you are searching for quieter relaxation, you should search for a resort outside of the main hotel zone.

What are the best things to do in the Cancun Hotel Zone?
Key activities in this area include the Maya Museum, the beaches, restaurants, La Isla shopping village, and various nightlife options.  

Where should you stay near the Cancun Hotel Zone?
Staying near the Cancun Hotel Zone will allow you more options for things to do during your vacation and will allow you to be close to good shopping areas and some of the popular Cancun water activities. Three perfect options near the Cancun Hotel Zone are Excellence Coral Playa Mujeres, Excellence Playa Mujeres, and Excellence Riviera Cancun.