Cancun is one of those places that gets a bad wrap as a “tourist trap.” And, to be clear, it is. It totally is. But no more than Las Vegas, Mount Rushmore, or my beloved, Jersey Shore. Google the definition and tourist trap means an establishment (or group of establishments) created or re-purposed with the aim of attracting tourists and their money. Ummm… isn’t that lots of places? Don’t many destinations mean to attract tourists and money? But I digress. Today, I’m not here to talk about the definition of tourist traps as much as I am to talk about how to avoid tourist trap vacations— more specifically how to avoid a tourist trap vacation in Cancun.
I’ll be the first to say that I was not sure how our family trip to Cancun would play out. In our time living in the Dominican Republic, I preferred the less visited beaches of Cabarete and Las Terrenas over Punta Cana (the Dominican equivalent to Cancun) so I get it. But here’s what I’ve learned from practice—whether your experience is a “tourist trap experience” or not is highly up to you. If you visit Cancun looking for it to be “kinda like home” but with a Mexican twist then— yeah—you’ll have a very touristy experience (not that there’s anything wrong with that). And if you want a more local flavor and not-so-similar-to-the-familiar experience, then venture out a bit and you’ll find something that moves beyond the touristy destination.
And if that’ what you’re looking for—how to avoid a tourist trap vacation in Cancun— then here’ a few tips.
Ask the Locals
…but make sure to ask someone who has no affiliation to what you do. We had a pre-arranged ride to our hotel so at the airport I asked someone at Guest Services where to meet the van transport. Apparently, she was not Airport Guest Services but rather Guest Services for Cancun because before I knew it she was sputtering off all the tours and experiences and packages available. Lady, I want to get to my hotel first.
On the other hand, I asked our driver where he recommended eating that was inexpensive and local to the area. There was nothing in it for him so he could give us his actual opinion. One, in particular, El Fish Fritanga, sounded like our kind of place—not too fancy, seafood, moderate price marina view so we went the next day. The food was good, the kids were entertained by the restaurant’s swing set, and we ate with our flip flops off and our feet in the sand.
ASK THE CONCIERGE / EXperts
The last time we used a concierge was at the Steamboat Springs Sheraton in Colorado. Not only are Lisa and I still friends but she had such good suggestions that we had one of the best trips ever. She delivered… big time. (And let me say we had a lot of checkboxes to tick—cheap/free, good for all ages—because we were multi-generationally traveling, and things that would be wheelchair-accessible.) I can’t say our concierge experience in Cancun was as good as Lisa, but we still got some takeaways.
If you aren’t staying at a place with a concierge, like an Airbnb, ask the owner or host. Most likely they are super familiar with the place and will have some really good suggestions to offer.
AND then ask some more
Going back to our concierge experience in Cancun—she did give us suggestions on how to enjoy Isla Mujeres. She told us to rent a golf cart and to check out a spot called Playa Lancheros that many people go to to try the Tikin Xik, fish done in the typical Isla Mujeres flavor and style. “There are plastic tables in the sand… if you like that sort of thing. Not everyone does.” Husband’s and my eyes lit up. This is totally our style.
“That is exactly what we’re looking for!” We said. “Where else could we find places like that here?”
“In Cancun…” she answered, “you won’t really find much of that here.” Well that was disappointing.
After a few days of rough ocean water in front of our hotel, we googled calmer beach options in Cancun. I found one called Playa Tortuga. Husband called down to the concierge and asked as well. A different person down there also recommended Playa Tortuga so we took the local bus, and a few stops later—about 15 minutes away— we found exactly what we were looking for—both in calmer ocean and more of that local beach, plastic table/feet in the sand feel.
My point is, had we taken the first person’s word for it, we would have never discovered Playa Tortuga which was a highlight of our trip.
have the “Venture Out” mindset
In continuing with the above story, it’s also important to undersand that if we were never willing to venture out of our comfort zone (aka the resort) we would have never found Playa Tortuga or Fish Fritanga. While Cancun is filled with lots of places made specifically for tourists, you can find spots that ooze local flavor if you change your mindset about exploring out. Additionally, prices are way less expensive when you step out of your resort.
The Buses are your friends
The R-1 and R-2 buses are everywhere and will get you from the hotel zone to downtown for less than $1 (12 pesos) which opens you up to see a lot more. There is no Uber in Cancun which means taxis can take super advantage of tourists and charge 5x the amount. Nothing makes my blood boil more as the taxi driver who ripped us off us could tell you after I called him a thief. We had groceries and no choice but to take a taxi but believe me, I never took another taxi in Cancun again. I’ve also heard from friends about some pretty bad taxi experiences, so make friends with the R-1 and R-2 and use them.
Pay with local money
Often the exchange rate and ATMs in tourist destinations are way more expensive so bring local money and pay for things that way. You’ll avoid paying extra charges and fees this way.
You don’t have to say yes
If you’re looking to do some shopping at a Cancun market, first, assume it will be a touristy experience. That’s ok. Just know it and move on. Secondly, don’t feel obligated to buy what you want at your first stop or at the given price. Check out other places, ask other vendors for prices, and negotiate.
just because it’s touristy doesn’t mean it isn’t awesome
In my opinion, this one is important. Just because something is popular and touristy doesn’t mean it isn’t worth checking out for yourself.
Two words: Isla Mujeres. Take one look at the ferry line and you’ll see that this is a popular day trip but if you take one thing away from this post, it is GO TO ISLA MUJERES (more on Isla Mujeres in another post). There is a reason people go here and a reason that the ferry is usually full. It’ s worth it! And definitely—DEFININTELY— rent a golf cart to get around.
Another example is Xel-há. We did not go but everyone I spoke to—both locals and visitors—recommended this place over and over again. It’s a waterpark in a tourist destination so I’m sure it would be considered touristy but people love it, rave about it, and revisit it so it can’t be all bad.
And of course, there’s Chichen Itza. There are lots of tours that go here and thousands of tourists, but, guys, it’s Chichen Itza! Possibly one of the most famous archaeological sites in the whole world. Just because it’s “touristy” doesn’t mean it isn’t worth seeing.
Overall
If we had listened every time people told us not to visit somewhere because it was ” so touristy” we would have missed Mount Rushmore, San Miguel de Allende, Sayulita, and so many more. Stop listening to what others have to say about a place and experience it yourself. I’ve now been to a number of “touristy” places that people warned us about, and honestly, I’m surprised every time by how much we enjoy it. Step away from others’ opinions and form one for yourself; your experience is your own.
P.S. Don’t believe that Instagram filtered life and 30 Shots of Mexico
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