This Is How To Book The Perfect Hotel In Cancun According To Experts

Due to the short-distance flights, visa-free access, and plethora of getaway deals, Cancun is the most convenient tropical getaway for Americans, but we can all agree that the most difficult part is finding the right hotel:

With over 200 accommodation providers operating in the city, with a wide range of amenities each, and narrowing those down to the single, most perfect resort.

Adults-only, family-friendly, with or without beach clubs, there are a myriad of options. However, one thing all travelers can agree on is that a must-have in Cancun is the widely marketed views of white sands hugged by turquoise seas.

As it turns out, not all hotels in Cancun offer that, so simply opting for the least-expensive ones, without taking into consideration location, could leave you looking at unappealing seas of a darker shade, oftentimes covered in a mat of sargassum.

As the Cancun Sun, the leading English-language source for Cancun-based news, geography here is key:

How To Find The Best Hotel In Cancun

Just in case you’ve been wondering, those turquoise-blue waters Cancun is famous for are indeed real, and not a result of some color-enhancing filter. However, they are not exactly found everywhere along the Caribbean coastline.

That’s the number one mistake travelers heading south of the border make, as they oftentimes presume that as long as it’s a coastal location, it will be ‘like the pictures’. In fact, most of the coastline is bathed by deep-blue, as opposed to crystal-clear waters.

It’s not like it isn’t gorgeous, either way: seas that are a deeper navy or royal blue can be very inviting, especially in Playa Mujeres and other offbeat spots along the Riviera Maya, but it’s still not the glowing, crystalline hue that helped Cancun achieve worldwide fame.

According to the Cancun Sun, there is a simple way to avoid the disappointment, and wasting time and money on an underwhelming vacation: just look for the famous ‘7′ shape above.

As you can see on this map, the ‘7′ represents the east-facing stretch of the Hotel Zone. You might be wondering why this area stands out. It’s because its coral-like white sands, together with the shallow waters, allow the sunlight to refract into a million shades of blue.

Here are 3 ways to ensure you get the clearest seas, and the best possible Cancun hotel experience, according to the Cancun experts:

3 Tips To Save Your Cancun Vacation

Look For The Long Strip

As we have noted previously, geography plays a huge part, and usually, hotels lining the ‘Long Strip’, as in the vertical part of the ‘7′ shape, are the ones facing the open Caribbean Sea, and where most of the iconic postcards are taken.

In local terms, that’s roughly Kilometers 8–25 on Boulevard Kukulcán. Some of the best hotels in this area include:

• Hard Rock Cancun: very on-brand for HR, with music memorabilia and the usual rock-star vibes
• Iberostar Selection Coral Level: an adults-only haven offering 24-hour gourmet eats
• NIZUC: a landmark spa resort best known for its Maya-inspired treatments and chilled atmosphere

Check The Satellite View

An easy way to ensure your hotel has that breathtaking view and easy access to a spotless Caribbean beach is to use the satellite view on your preferred map app. We use Google ourselves, and it rarely ever gets it wrong.

Simply tap on any given hotel address, select Google Street View, and use your finger to look around the scene. Usually, you’ll be able to see the shade of blue on the water beyond the sandy strip, and the further north you go of the Hotel Zone, the darker they tend to get.

This will take literally 30 seconds.

Use The Cancun Resort Finder

You know what else will take only a few seconds?

Using Travel Off Path’s newly-launched Cancun Resort Finder, already a must-have tool for every Cancun-bound traveler, this 20 to 30-second quiz helps you find the best hotels based on your own preferences in 13 different areas of the Mayan Riviera.

For instance, you can tell the Resort Finder whether you’re a solo traveler, traveling as a couple, with a group of friends, or with family, and what kind of vibe you’re looking for (party, relaxation, ultimate luxury), your budget, and it will shortlist the most likely matches.

Let’s give it a whirl, shall we?

Let’s say you’re a solo traveler on a budget going to the Cancun Hotel Zone. You’re looking for some peace and quiet, and being right on the beach is non-negotiable. Additionally, you’re not exactly on a tight budget, but you can’t go on a splurging spree, either.

You also don’t mind staying in a pay-as-you-go property if it helps you save a little more money, compared to an all-inclusive hotel, so long as it’s comfortable enough, and there is a pool and other nice amenities.

In that case, the best match is Ocean Spa Hotel.

Check Entry Requirements For Mexico In Advance

So now you know the top tricks for finding the perfect teal-colored seas and best-value accommodation in Cancun, but it doesn’t stop there!

It’s an increasingly complex world to navigate as a U.S. traveler, especially now that different countries are tightening visa rules for Americans, and as far as bureaucracy goes, Mexico is no different:

Use our new TOP Entry Requirement Checker to verify entry rules at your destination, be it Cancun or anywhere else, and avoid any unpleasant surprises at the airport.