7 Things Travelers Need To Know About Visiting Cancun In 2023

It’s the new year, and travel as we know it is constantly evolving and even the most experienced of travelers have something new to learn and the latest hack to share. Whether it’s avoiding the latest taxi scam or knowing the best beaches to visit, there’s always something to learn about one of the most popular destination in the world. So, if you are planning on a trip (or two, or three?) to Cancun this year, here’s 7 things travelers need to know about visiting Cancun, Mexico in 2023.

Cancun beach panorama aerial view. Aerial view of Caribbean Sea beach. Zona hotelera top view. Beauty nature landscape with tropical beach. Caribbean seaside beach with turquoise water and big waves.

1. What Are The Extra Fees Tourists Have To Pay In Cancun?

The Cancun Visitor Tax that was added in 2021 was one of the few tourist taxes and fees that were approved by officials over the past two years. There’s also the Environmental Tax for hotels in Cancun, where an additional (29 MX pesos)/$1.50USD per night will be added to your hotel bill. Plus, don’t forget about the 3% city tax and 16% VAT tax in Cancun.

The goal for the new tourist taxes like the Visitor Tax and the Environmental Tax is that the extra money will be invested towards improvements in the region that will benefit travelers as well as locals, including infrastructure and safety and sustainability practices.

Beautiful tropical beach with good weather in Cancun

2. Know The Latest Cancun Taxi And Driver Laws And Regulations

Cancun taxi drivers haven’t had the best reputation in the local news, especially in the last few months of 2022. Whether it was about traffic accidents, scamming or insulting tourists, something was being reported about local drivers in the region.

Back in August, it was reported that 60 Cancun drivers were fined for overcharging passengers. While the state of Quintana Roo was put stricter measures in place to make sure that local drivers follow protocol, it’s important for all travelers in Cancun to know when they are being overcharged (and what to do about it). As an extra tip, here’s how you can identify whether a taxi is fake or not while traveling in Cancun.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

tourists standing in front of and taking pictures of the Cancun sign

3. Try Not To Visit Cancun When It’s Sargassum Season

Sargassum is the reality for any travelers looking to enjoy the beaches in the Mexican Caribbean and surrounding regions. But, if you want to try your best to avoid masses of it ruining your beach time, you’ll have to do some research to know the best times to visit your favorite beach destinations (like Cancun) during sargassum’s off season.

The latest projections for early 2023 show that beaches in Cancun and the Riviera Maya will be basically sargassum-free for the first three months of the year.

Sunset Cruise in Cancun with the Sun Setting in the Background.

4. Check Out The Hottest New Hotels And New All-Inclusive Stays

This past year, there was certainly no shortage of new hotels and all-inclusive accommodations launched in Cancun and nearby towns in the Riviera Maya. From the Royal Uno, the Riu Latino, the Riu Palace Kukulkan, and more, there’s never been so many choices on where to stay in Cancun.

If you’re looking for luxury but traveling on a bit of a budget, it’s possible to snag a deal on some amazing all-inclusives in Cancun, depending on the month you travel.

Cenote with beautiful turquoise water for snorkeling at Xel-Ha, Cancun.

5. Tourists Visiting Cancun Can Save Money With The GoCity Pass

Want to escape the beach for a bit and discover some amazing Cancun attractions? The best way to check everything off of your bucket list and save some money along the way is to get the Go City Pass and book your excursions online with the pass, which can save you up to 55% on top attractions in Cancun. Travelers can get discounts on cenote tours, snorkelling at the Underwater Museum, Selvatica Park, food experiences, and more.

Tourists Checking in at Cancun Airport, waiting in line and talking on the phone.

6. Electronic System At Cancun Airport Will Speed Up Arrival Process

Just last month, a new electronic immigration system was launched at the Cancun International Airport where international arrivals can opt out of manually filling out forms and instead getting their information processed in as little as 30 seconds. Especially during busy travel days, this will mean less waiting around once you’ve landed at the airport and just want to get through immigration and start your vacation.

Tropical landscape with coconut palm on caribbean beach, Cancun, Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

7. Beware Of Vacation Rental Online Scams

Not only do thousands of travelers in Cancun stay in hotels and all-inclusives on a weekly basis, they also opt for booking a vacation rental when visiting the region. This past year however, it was reported that tourists should urge an extra amount of caution when booking such rentals, as online scams were up by 40% from the previous year.

view of plane window looking out at Cancun beach during the day.

Plan Your Next Cancun Vacation:

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

Choose From Thousands of Cancun and Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties


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