Cancun Travel Guide for First-Timers: What No One Told Us (but Should Have)
Real talk from two people who just got back (and learned a few things the hard way when traveling to Cancun for the first time). Here’s our Cancun travel guide for first-timers to help you avoid common pitfalls.
So you booked the trip to Cancun for the first time… YAY! You’re now dreaming of turquoise water, fruity drinks, and sleeping in without an alarm. But if you’re traveling to Cancun for the first time, there are quite a few things we wish someone had told us before we started our vacation. If it’s your first time going, there are some things we wish we’d known upfront, and not just the picture-perfect parts, but the little logistics and moments that could’ve made day one smoother and day five even better.
We just got back from six days at an all-inclusive in Cancun, and while we genuinely loved our time there, we also had a handful of “wait, no one told us that” moments. So here’s everything we wish we had known before our first trip and honest guide for first-timers in Cancun: what to expect, what to avoid, and what we’ll do differently next time.
Let’s start with Cancun’s airport
Let’s set expectations right now: Cancun International Airport isn’t hard to navigate, but it’s definitely chaotic, especially if it’s your first time. The signage is decent, the process is pretty straightforward, but the energy is loud and a little overwhelming. If you like to know what’s coming, here’s how it all goes down from the moment your plane lands.
Once you deboard the plane, you’ll follow signs through immigration. This part was surprisingly smooth for us. We didn’t save to fill out any physical forms on the plane (they’ve digitized most of that now), and the line moved quickly. Have your passport ready, and if you’re traveling with someone, you’ll likely be called up together.
After immigration, you’ll walk toward baggage claim. There’s a big board showing what carousel your flight’s luggage will be on and it’s usually easy to find. Be patient here. Cancun airport baggage claim is not known for speed, and the luggage often takes longer than expected. Ours took almost 40 minutes, which felt like forever when you’re eager to get to the beach.
After grabbing our bags, we headed toward the taxi areas. In 2024, we walked between customs officers, and they randomly selected individuals for their bags to be scanned. Luckily, we weren’t selected, so we literally grabbed our bags off the carousels and headed toward the airport exit.
Cancun airport’s “shark tank”
You’re so close to getting to the taxi area, but first, you’ll walk into a long, enclosed corridor where dozens of people are waiting to get your attention. You have to get through the “shark tank”. That’s what we’re calling the section between baggage claim and the airport exit. It’s a hallway full of people aggressively trying to sell you tours, rides, and (mostly) timeshares. It feels official, but it’s definitely not. Some might say they’re your shuttle, but unless you booked with them directly and know their name, they’re probably not. Just smile, say “no gracias,” and keep walking.
Here’s the trick: keep walking. Seriously, don’t stop. Don’t make eye contact. Don’t grab a brochure. Don’t get roped into the “free breakfast” offer that ends up costing you two hours at a timeshare presentation. Keep it moving until you’re outside. Your actual transportation (if you pre-booked it which you should 100% do) will be waiting outside. That’s where the legit companies are.
Use a legit transfer company
We’re not big on chaos or surprises, especially right after landing. We pre-booked private resort transportation with USA Transfers and it was so worth it. Private van, cold AC, super friendly driver, and most importantly, no stress. They were waiting right where they said they’d be, in distict shirts and signs that we were in the right spot, and the representatives promptly greeted us and called for our van. They asked for our name, then waited about 15 minutes for the van to arrive, and once we got into the car and leaving the airport, our driver got us to our resort in about ~30 minutes depending on traffic.
TallSavvyTip: ALWAYS allow for extra time when heading back to the airport to depart from Cancun. Traffic can be hit or miss, and for us, we gambled our chances and wish we wouldn’t have. Construction is always going on, among other potential delays, so it’s worth departing your resort roughly 3.5 hours prior to your departure to ensure you have PLENTY of time to get through security and such.
Since we were staying at a RIU resort, they offer a free shuttle to/from the airport to the resort and vice versa if you book through their website. Although this is very convenient, these shuttles often wait until they have enough people to fill up the entire vehicle before departing. After waiting for your baggage (which is a pain in itself), having to wait for others to arrive, which could take minutes or hours, is the last thing you want to do.
We were on the fence of booking the free shuttle service through RIU, but after we saw the line of people waiting for the RIU shuttles, we knew we made the right choice in booking private transportation.
If you didn’t pre-book a ride, there will be official taxis available, but prices can vary depending on who you talk to. Make sure you confirm the price before getting in the car, and know that rides from the airport to the Hotel Zone often cost more than you’d expect. That’s one of the reasons we recommend scheduling a private shuttle ahead of time because it removes the guesswork and saves you from getting overcharged before you even check into your room.
Keep your room cool with no humidity
When we arrived at our resort, we were hit with the immediate wall of humidity. It’s Cancun. It’s expected. But if you’re staying somewhere for more than a few days and your room doesn’t have the world’s strongest A/C, bring DampRid or pick some up at the local store. The air can feel heavy and everything — swimsuits, clothes, your favorite pair of sandals — stays damp longer than you think. After day three, our DampRid bag was halfway full of moisture it had captured by simply hanging up in the closet. Trust me, it makes a difference.
Leave expensive items at home
Speaking of things we packed: cheap sunglasses. Seriously. We brought one pair of $10 backups and one pair of designer Quays, and guess which ones survived the trip? Not the $90 pair. My husband wore them on a jetski excursion, hit a wave, flew off, and watched my sunglasses sink into the ocean while we laughed so hard we nearly forgot we had to climb back on. Somewhere out there, a sea turtle is absolutely rocking those shades right now. If you plan on doing any excursions, just bring sunglasses you won’t get upset about losing because you just never know what can happen.
Beach expectations vs. reality
Sargassum (seaweed) is unpredictable and can wash up depending on the season. Some resorts clean it up constantly; others don’t. Ask your resort or check recent reviews before booking. If clear water is a must, this can be a dealbreaker. We went in May and there was barely any seaweed, and if there was, crews at the resort worked hard to clear it before guests starting arriving at the beach. Riu Palace Las Americas has private beach access and seaweed is a minor issue at this location specifically.
Let’s talk excursions
You’ll be offered a ton of them through your resort, and while it’s convenient to book that way, it’s usually more expensive than booking with a trusted company online ahead of time. We compared prices after the fact (rookie mistake), and some of the same activities were 20–40% cheaper on sites like Viator. That being said, booking through your resort can give you added peace of mind in case something goes wrong or needs to be rescheduled. But if you’re trying to stretch your budget, do some research beforehand. We recommend choosing one “splurge” activity — like a catamaran tour or cenote swim — and planning the rest of your time to just relax.
The good water vs. the bad water
Let’s talk water. This might sound dramatic, but it’s not: do not drink the tap water. Like, ever. Most resorts filter what comes out of the ice machines and serve purified water in restaurants and bars, but just to be safe, use bottled water to brush your teeth. We kept a bottle by the bathroom sink and used it every morning and night. It’s one of those small precautions that can save your whole trip from being ruined by an upset stomach.
TallSavvyTip: Pack some Imodium, just in case, and a travel sized bottle of Poo-Pourri. It’s not glamorous, but it’s better than trying to find a pharmacy when you’re not feeling 100%.
Your resort is a bubble
Resorts in Cancun are incredible. We stayed at the Riu Palace Las Américas, and honestly, the views were insane, the food was better than expected, and we’d 100% go back. Our resort was within the “Hotel Zone” of Cancun, which is full of many resorts specifically for tourists. Because of this, the Hotel Zone is completely safe.
And I know what you’re thinking… safe? Even at night? Yes. We, too, were skeptical, but the front desk reassured us that everything we’d want to do at night (clubs, nightlife, etc.) was within a 10-15 minute walk and was 100% safe. We were SO shocked, but it was true, we didn’t have any problems walking back to the resort after our night out (we’ll talk about that in a little bit)
But once you’re checked in, it’s easy to stay in the resort bubble the entire trip. And for some people, that’s perfect. But Cancun has more to offer if you’re up for leaving the resort for a few hours or want to explore the city. Our tip: Plan one day or night off the resort. Even if it’s just to experience something different like Coco Bongo or Señor Frogs.
Make dinner reservations
All-inclusive doesn’t always mean everything is included. At our resort, certain restaurants required reservations — and those filled up fast. We missed out on one of the nicer steakhouse options because we didn’t know you had to book it on the day of arrival. So check your resort’s app or concierge desk early and figure out how their dining setup works.
$20 for sunscreen? Absolutely not.
Another tip we learned quickly: bring your own sunscreen. We packed one bottle thinking it would last, but between beach days, pool time, and trying not to fry during excursions, we ran out fast. The resort gift shop sold sunscreen for over $20 — for a travel-sized bottle. Definitely not ideal when you’re already budgeting for tips, taxis, and extra guac. Next time, we’ll bring two full bottles from home and call it a day.
Keep your drinks cold and frozen
This is such an underrated tip that we learned before traveling to Cancun for the first time. We brought our own insulated tumblers, which turned out to be SUCH a clutch move. The resort bar cups are small, usually plastic, and warm up fast, but pouring your margarita into a Yeti-style tumbler? Game-changer. It stays cold, you don’t have to keep going back for refills, and the bartenders don’t mind — they’ll fill whatever you hand them.
Nightlife: Coco Bongo
We didn’t know what to expect, but people kept saying, “You have to go to Coco Bongo.” Since we were traveling to Cancun for the first time, we only had the people at the resort and some Tiktok videos to help us decide whether or not to go.
Here’s what you need to know: it’s not a club in the traditional sense. It’s part nightclub, part Vegas-style show, part fever dream, and a full-on sensory overload. Think acrobats, impersonators, dancing, and confetti everywhere. Not cheap, especially for VIP packages, but unforgettable to say the least.
TallSavvyTip: We purchased our tickets through the representative at our RIU resort. It’s not necessarily cheaper than if you pre-book online ahead of time, but one thing to note is the difference in seating. We chose the floor seats with “private” tables and bar, but it was not private at all. We were standing on the floor of Coco Bongo next to the stage for over two hours prior to the show starting, and if you wear cute shoes that may not be very comfortable, you WILL be miserable. If we go back, we will definitely be booking VIP tickets because you are guaranteed service and a seat (and a better view of the show).
It’s not everyone’s vibe, but it was weirdly unforgettable and actually way more fun than we thought it would be. (Plus, open bar.) Just don’t wear your best shoes — they will get stepped on.
But if you’re not into the party scene 24/7? That’s okay too. There are plenty of quiet resorts, relaxed beach bars, and sunset spots where you can unwind with a drink and zero foam parties in sight.
Tipping etiquette
Even though it’s an all-inclusive, tipping is appreciated, and in some cases, expected. We brought a bunch of $1 bills and tipped bartenders, servers, and housekeeping regularly. Not only is it good etiquette, but let’s be real: you get better service when you tip.
Pesos or USD?
When it came to money, both pesos and U.S. dollars worked just fine at our resort. But once we ventured into town, small shops and local spots preferred pesos, and sometimes gave you better prices if you paid in them. We didn’t bring any pesos when traveling to Cancun for the first time, but next time, we definitely will. You don’t need to convert hundreds, but having some local currency on hand is just smarter.
Try to avoid overpacking
And lastly, don’t overpack. We say this with love because we’re the same people who brought three pairs of shoes each and ended up wearing flip-flops 90% of the time. Swimsuits, coverups, a couple of dinner outfits, and a comfy travel set are all you really need. The vibe is relaxed. You’re going to spend most of your time either near water or headed to the bar. No one cares if you rewear the same breezy romper twice. Honestly, they probably are too.
Final thoughts
Our first trip to Cancun taught us a lot about what to pack, what not to stress over, and how sometimes the best parts of vacation are the ones you don’t over-plan. Yes, there were a few curveballs (RIP to the sunglasses, still thinking about you queen), but every hiccup gave us a story to tell and now, hopefully, a few you can avoid.
Cancun is vibrant and beautiful. It’s where lazy beach mornings blend into wild nights out, and where you can be sipping a $2 coconut one minute and riding a jetski the next. Whether you’re going for the party scene, the peace and quiet, or something in between, there’s space for it all here, and a few smart moves will make the experience that much better.
We’ll definitely be back, but with more sunscreen, cheaper sunglasses, and fewer pairs of shoes, of course! We hope this helped you feel more prepared on what to expect and pack if you’re traveling to Cancun for the first time.
Have a tip for traveling to Cancun? Let us know if we missed any!
Tall Savvy Travels is the personal travel blog of a couple who works full-time and travels thoughtfully. We’re here to share real experiences, honest reviews, and budget-friendly tips for people who want to see the world without breaking the bank or taking themselves too seriously. Want more from us? Follow along on Instagram @tallsavvytravels or browse our latest adventures at tallsavvytravels.com.
