Are you planning to visit Cancun as a solo traveller? Cancun is one of the best places to travel alone in Mexico this Cancun solo travel guide will give you all the information you need to know about visiting Cancun solo. You’ll get tips for the best things to do in Cancun for solo travellers as well as some of the best places to stay in Cancun when you’re travelling alone and lots more besides!
This is a guest post written by Amy from Plain2Plane who spent 3 months travelling in Mexico, with edits and additions by Claire who spent 6 months travelling around Mexico solo
Know Before You Go to Cancun
Before travelling to Cancun, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
🛌 MY FAVOURITE SOLO ACCOMMODATION IN CANCUN:
$$ Casa HIKURI – cute guesthouse with friendly host & swimming pool
$ Mezcal Hostel – hostel in downtown Cancun with a swimming pool
$ Mayan Monkey Cancun – across the street from the beach in the Zona Hotelera
⭐ TOP 3 CANCUN ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1. Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour
Why Visit Cancun as a Solo Traveller?
Cancun is one of the most popular places to visit in Mexico whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, family or group of friends. Tourists flock from all over the world to Cancun so you certainly won’t be alone here, and after spending some time in Cancun solo, you will find it is an excellent destination for solo travellers.
While it can get busy during the peak spring season, there is plenty to do in Cancun to keep you entertained all year round, from tourist favourites to more cultural activities, we’ve got everything you need. After backpacking solo in Mexico for 3 months, I’ve created this guide to give you all my tips for enjoying your adventure and meeting other solo travellers in Mexico.
Where is Cancun?
Located in the Quintana Roo state of Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is on the Caribbean Coast and visitors flock here to enjoy a beach vacation and a break from reality.
Just off the coast of Cancun is a small island called Isla Mujeres which is easy to get to from Cancun. This makes for a great day trip from Cancun and you’re able to enjoy a different area of Mexico without having to go too far.
When to Go to Cancun
The best time to visit Cancun is generally from December to April when the weather is typically warm and dry, with minimal rainfall and plenty of sunshine. This period also coincides with the peak tourist season, so you’ll find the beaches bustling with activity and numerous events and festivals happening around the area.
However, keep in mind that this is also the busiest time, so expect higher prices and larger crowds. If you prefer fewer tourists and don’t mind a bit of rain, visiting during the shoulder seasons of May to June or September to November can offer a more tranquil experience with still pleasant weather – but look out for Spring Break.
During Spring Break, students from America will fly over to let their hair down and party the week away. If you’re looking to party it can be lots of fun, but very busy so if you prefer something a bit quieter then avoid Spring Break and other peak holiday periods!
How to Get to Cancun
If you’re travelling internationally, the most common way to reach Cancun is by flying into Cancun International Airport (CUN), which is one of the busiest airports in Mexico. There are daily international flights from several airports in the US as well as the UK and various other countries around the world.
Once you arrive at the airport, you can easily take a taxi, shuttle, or rental car to your accommodation in Cancun or surrounding areas. The new Maya train has also opened up travel options in the Yucatan Peninsula if you plan to visit Cancun from other cities in the Yucatan, or are travelling north from Belize.
If you’re already in Mexico or nearby regions, you can also reach Cancun by bus, with several long-distance bus companies offering routes to the city from other Mexican destinations. ADO buses are usually the quickest and most reliable, you can buy tickets from the bus station for travel in the coming days.
Additionally, if you’re already in the Yucatan Peninsula, you can drive to Cancun via well-maintained highways. Whether you’re arriving by air, bus, or car, travelling to Cancun offers various convenient options to suit your preferences and budget.
Is Cancun Mexico Safe for Tourists?
When people are travelling to Mexico, one of the biggest concerns that they have is about safety. I spent 3 months exploring different areas of Mexico, you’ve come to the right place when it comes to safety in Mexico.
Cancun is a very touristy area of Mexico so generally speaking it is quite a safe spot for you to visit. However, there are a few things to be careful of whilst you’re exploring Cancun as a solo traveller.
Fake Police
One of the most common scams in Cancun is people pretending to be police officers. They will often ask for a bribe and this is where our advice of not carrying large amounts of cash and separating your money can come in handy.
It can be scary if someone approaches you pretending to be the police so the best thing to do is pay the bribe and leave. If you’ve separated your cash then you will be able to try and lower the price of the bribe by explaining that the money you have in a certain area is all that you have on you.
Speaking from personal experience, this has come in hand in Cancun and saved a good amount of money!
Be Cautious After Dark
If you’re travelling solo, you need to be careful wherever you’re travelling when you’re venturing out late at night. Where possible, try to make some friends whilst you’re travelling and avoid wandering around on your own after dark. Keep your wits about you and where possible, take a taxi or an Uber to where you need to go.
There can be issues with taxi driver’s threatening Uber drivers and their passengers, in particular from the airport. I’d recommend either taking the bus from Cancun airport to your accommodation or booking an airport transfer to avoid any issues.
Watch out for Pickpockets
No matter where you’re travelling, you should always be mindful of pickpockets everywhere you go. Keep your valuables close by and consider investing in some pickpocket proof clothing.
I love hidden pocket clothing like this travel scarf for stashing my cash and passport or a belt with a hidden pocket to hide some notes. Read more about how to hide money while travelling and keep your belongings safe.
Don’t Carry Large Amounts of Cash
It is never wise to carry around large amounts of cash with you when travelling. If something bad is to happen then you will have a lot more to lose. You run the risk of being pickpocketed, mugged or just generally losing your money.
Separate your Money
When you’re out and about in Cancun, keep your money stored in different areas. We recommend keeping some of your money in your purse or wallet, and a small amount in another section of your bag or pocket.
Can You Drink the Water in Cancun?
This is another major concern with all visitors to Cancun. Generally, the tap water in Cancun is potable, but your stomach may not be used to it so I would advise drinking bottled water or using a water bottle with a filter to make sure you can drink the water in Cancun safely without getting sick.
I have partnered with Water-to-Go to offer all Tales of a Backpacker readers a 15% discount on the purchase of a Water-to-Go bottle to save you even more money! Simply choose the water bottle you want to buy, and add in the code BYORB for a 15% discount on your purchase. Read my full Water to Go bottle review here, or click to buy your own on the Water to Go website.
BUY A FILTER WATER BOTTLE
Is Cancun Safe for a Solo Female Traveller?
Even though there are quite a few safety tips you need to be aware of for travelling to Cancun, that doesn’t mean that it is an unsafe destination to visit.
A lot of the tips for keeping yourself safe would apply to any destination, and Cancun is no different. Cancun is safe for solo female travellers especially if you’re staying at hostels and surrounding yourself with other solo travellers.
There are female-only dorms in most of the hostels so you will be able to sleep with this comfort also. When you’re heading out to enjoy some nightlife in Cancun, keep a watchful eye on your drink like you would in any destination.
Other than avoiding walking on your own late at night, there are not many safety tips that you need to keep in mind for specifically being a female solo traveller.
Cancun is a pretty safe destination for solo female travellers so just keep your wits about you when you’re travelling anyway, and most importantly enjoy your Cancun experience.
The Best Things to Do in Cancun Alone
Tour of Downtown Cancun
To start off your time in Cancun the right way, you should head on a tour exploring the downtown area of Cancun. Tours also give you the chance to meet fellow travellers, or you could explore alone. Some hostels offer a city tour for free and the Mayan Monkey is one of them.
You will be able to wander around the highlights of downtown Cancun. This is a great tour especially if you’re staying in the Hotel Zone and haven’t had a chance to see the downtown yet.
One of the highlights of this tour was a visit to the International Jewelry Center & Outlet Shopping Mall. In the jewellery store, they made an engraved necklace with my name in Mayan hieroglyphs which was an incredible keepsake.
If you’re not staying at Mayan Monkey then this bus tour includes a tequila tasting, or you can ask your accommodation for recommendations for other tours of downtown Cancun.
Join a Food Tour
If you prefer something more food-orientated (and who doesn’t love Mexican food??) then a food tour in Cancun can be a great way to get your bearings and give you the chance to try some incredible Mexican food.
This Street Food, Local Market and Urban Art Tour stops at 4 street food stops for tacos and tamales, and you’ll check out the local market in town, to find handmade crafts and traditional foods, and sample some local delicacies. You could also join a cooking class to learn how to make some Mexican dishes!
Day trip to Isla Mujeres
Without a doubt, one of the most incredible things to do is take a day trip to Isla Mujeres. This beautiful island is a paradise with golden sandy beaches and a small town with a large soul.
You can choose to take a party boat over to the island or a more relaxed cruise depending on what your vibe is. Most of these tours often include snorkelling within Isla Mujeres too. If you decide to take a party boat then you will meet plenty of new people and may even end up exploring a bit more with them back in Cancun too!
You could also take the ferry and spend a couple of days in Isla Mujeres to make the most of the island and enjoy a beach party at Nomads Hotel, hostel and beach club in Isla Mujeres. With more time here you could hire a golf cart or a bicycle to visit the Mayan temple dedicated to Ixchel, the goddess of fertility.
If you’re visiting Isla Mujeres between May and September, don’t miss the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. Join a guided tour to snorkel alongside these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
Visit Chichen Itza
Even if you’re travelling solo, taking a trip to Chichen Itza is one of the best day tours from Cancun and an experience that you absolutely cannot miss out on.
Chichen Itza is one of the seven wonders of the world and it truly is a magnificent sight to behold. There are a lot of tours available from Cancun to Chichen Itza and often the tours include a trip to a cenote and visiting Valladolid as well.
This is an adventure that you don’t need other people to go on as you will easily meet new people whilst you’re on the tour. Your local guide will take you around the Chichen Itza site and teach you more about the Mayan people and how this wonder of the world came to be. Not to be missed!
A Boat Party in Cancun
For any solo travellers that love to party, you can’t visit Cancun without taking a boat party across the Caribbean water. Dance your way into the night in style by joining a party boat and of course make new friends whilst you’re at it!
There are a lot of tour options that have an open bar so even though they may seem a little more expensive, it is definitely worth it to have all your alcoholic drinks included. Check out these Cancun boat parties:
Party at Coco Bongo
Back to partying again, Coco Bongo is the ultimate spot for tourists to spend their evening. Located in the hotel zone, you will be able to enjoy a fun night dancing away at Coco Bongo.
As Cancun is a popular spot for spring breakers, you will find a lot of American tourists here to let their hair down. You’ll have an awesome time socialising, dancing and partying until the early hours of the morning.
It’s best to experience Coco Bongo and the other nightlife in Cancun in a group so have a chat with other people you meet at your accommodation or as part of a tour and arrange to go together. You can buy tickets for the Coco Bongo beach party or nighttime show online or when you arrive in Cancun.
Lounge on the Beach
Take a rest from all the exploring and partying by sunbathing on the beach – there are plenty of them but the beautiful Playa Delfines is one of the best beaches in Cancun.
It’s a perfect opportunity to take some time to yourself, where you can sunbathe (don’t forget some reef-safe sunscreen), take a dip in the Caribbean or just read a book and relax.
Scuba Diving
Whilst you’re visiting Cancun, you may want to take a new skill home with you and learn how to dive. Mexico is a great place for scuba diving and you will get to see some incredible marine life in the Caribbean sea.
Whether you decide to go in Cancun or you may want to take an adventure and experience diving in Isla Mujeres instead. Either way, you will get to see a lot of the same sights because they are so close together.
If you already have your PADI certification then there are lots of different diving tours from Cancun and Isla Mujeres to keep you occupied.
You will be able to see turtles, manta rays, stingrays, and eels, and if you’re lucky you may even see a whale shark or two if you’re visiting during the right season.
Enjoy the Underwater Museum (MUSA)
Whether come here to go diving or snorkelling, one of the most unique things to do in Cancun is taking a trip to the underwater museum (MUSA).
There are quite a few different sections to this museum so you can take this trip from either Cancun or Isla Mujeres and you will be able to see different parts of the museum.
You can’t help but be impressed by the beautiful underwater statues and you can also learn more about the great impact that the museum is having on the ecosystem too.
Take a Trip to Tulum
If you haven’t already visited Tulum then this is one of the best day trips from Cancun, exploring more of the Riviera Maya. Tulum is a cool town and the picturesque Mayan Ruins in Tulum are perched on a cliff above a beach, making for some excellent photo opportunities.
There are plenty of tours from Cancun that will take you around Tulum and some of it’s incredible cenotes without any hassle. This will save you finding your own transport and if you only want to do a day trip then this is a much cheaper option.
If you’re spending a bit of time backpacking in Mexico and you’re not sure whether Tulum is going to be for you then taking a day trip there is a great way to sample some of what it has to offer too! However, I’d also recommend spending several days in Tulum to really make the most of this lovely spot.
Explore More of Mexico
While you are in Mexico I’d highly recommend exploring more of this magical country instead of just Cancun. There are more beautiful places to visit in Mexico as well as Cancun and Tulum, whether you stay in the Yucatan Peninsula or go further afield.
If time allows then you could visit Merida, a more traditional Mexican city, or see more of the Caribbean Coast and visit Cozumel (another excellent solo travel destination), or head further south to the Laguna Bacalar, known as the lake of 7 colours.
Mexico City is another incredible destination to learn more about the history and culture of Mexico, as well as sampling some of the best food in the country. This Mexico City solo travel guide will help you to make the most of your trip there.
Should You Visit Cancun Solo?
Travelling solo in Cancun is an incredible experience and it has a lot to offer solo travellers in Mexico.
Another perk about visiting Cancun alone is that you can pick and choose when you want to socialise and when you want to have some time to yourself. There are lots of different activities that you can do on your own or that give you opportunities to meet some new people.
Cancun is generally quite a safe destination for solo travellers as long as you keep standard travel advice in mind such as watching out for pickpockets and not flashing your cash around.
No matter how long you’re staying in Cancun, you will have an amazing time and you will be able to tick this epic destination off your solo travel bucket list!
Where to Stay in Cancun as a Solo Traveller
When you’re choosing somewhere to stay in Cancun as a solo traveller, it will ultimately depend on what you’re looking to get from your accommodation. Hostels can be a great way to meet fellow travellers, especially if you are visiting Cancun on a budget, but hotels and apartments can provide more privacy and luxury!
Best Hotels in Cancun for Solo Travellers
$ casa HIKURI
Casa HIKURI is a cute guesthouse which gets excellent reviews for the friendly host Paulina. It’s located between downtown and the hotel zone and has a terrace and outdoor pool. >>>READ REVIEWS & CHECK PRICES
This lovely hotel in Downtown Cancun is a short walk from the bus station so easy to access from the airport or if you plan on travelling around Mexico by bus. Guests love the quirky decor and friendly owners, there is an outdoor pool and all rooms have air conditioning. Breakfast is included in the rate as an extra bonus! >>>READ REVIEWS & CHECK PRICES
La Villa du Golf à Cancun Hotel Boutique
Stay in the hotel zone of Cancun but in a unique property instead of a bland high-rise! This lovely villa-style hotel has a swimming pool and is close to the major attractions in Cancun like the Coco Bongo, and is 200m from the bus stop or you can arrange a shuttle from the airport if you prefer. >>>READ REVIEWS & CHECK PRICES
Best Hostels in Cancun for Solo Travellers
There are 3 different hostels below that we recommend for solo travellers in Cancun. Whether you’re a digital nomad, looking for a party or even to stay in the downtown area of Cancun, we’ve got you covered!
Mayan Monkey Cancun
If you’re looking for a party and to enjoy Spring Break, then Mayan Monkey Party Hostel is a great choice. One of the best parts about this hostel is that the party area is kept away from the dorms so you won’t need to worry about too much noise.
The hostel offers activities such as beer pong in the evenings which is a great way to make new friends. There is also breakfast included which you will be able to select on a menu so if you’re on a budget then that is one less meal you need to worry about.
With an outdoor pool that looks over the lagoon, you will be able to enjoy your evenings watching the sunset and looking out for crocodiles too!
Mayan Monkey Party Hostel is also really good for digital nomads too believe it or not! There is a room dedicated for remote workers and free from distractions with fast wi-fi. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
Nomads Hotel, Hostel & Rooftop Pool
Located in Cancun’s downtown, this hostel comes with a very good reputation. You will be able to hang out on the rooftop of this hostel admiring the stunning views of Cancun.
It can get pretty hot in Cancun so taking advantage of their rooftop pool is one of the best ways to cool down. Due to it’s prime location, the bus stop is only a 3 minute walk away which makes it easy for you to get to other areas in Mexico using the ADO buses.
With great communal areas, a billiards table and a rooftop pool, it’s got everything you could want from a hostel. If sharing a dorm is not for you then you can also book a private room so you can enjoy the social activities and still get a peaceful night’s sleep. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
Mezcal Hostel
The Mezcal Hostel is also located in downtown Cancun and offers one of the most sociable atmospheres for solo travellers. You won’t have difficulty meeting new people from this hostel at all.
With an on-site restaurant and bar, there are different activities nearly every night from the hostel. There is also a pool available at the hostel so you will be able to work on your tan at the same time!
In the evening, the hostel really lights up and it becomes a cosy little spot making you feel right at home even if you’re surrounded by strangers. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
Cancun Airbnbs & Apartments
You can find apartments and Airbnbs in Cancun if you want more space and access to a kitchen while you are visiting Cancun, search for Cancun airbnbs here. Booking.com also has a range of vacation apartments available too, search for available options here.
Want More Mexico Travel Ideas for your Trip?
Check out these blog posts for your Mexico vacation inspiration, or click here to read all my Mexico blog posts.