Written by: Patty M. Vanegas July 21, 2025
- Quick changes in weather.
The rain often comes and goes quickly in Cancun. We were on the beach in July when a storm came up. We stayed at the outdoor restaurant until it passed us. Then, returned back to the beach.
Another day it began to rain while we were driving through downtown. I made a remark about, ‘there goes the day!’. My nephew started laughing and said to me, ‘No, no Aunt Patty the rain pours fast and then it is sunny again right away.’. Sure enough less than fifteeen minutes later we were back in sunshine. It was a brief reprieve from the intense sun.
2. Protect yourself from intense sun exposure and enjoy your trip!
Be sure to pack your sunscreen, aloe, and sun sleeve tops. Even those in our family who are naturally tan find themselves burned in this sun. My husband, Enrique, enjoyed his first day. Then, he suffered the second day with a bad sunburn for the first time ever. So, our family, especially my sister in law, continually checked that both me and my great nephew had our sunscreen on AND reapplied often. I go from ghost to lobster in Wisconsin when we camp there. Take no chances like this in Cancun. Enjoy your stay!!
3. Transportation
How to get around when you don’t have a Mexican friend or nephew to drive you. You can parasail?! While this is a fun excursion, Cancun has plenty of practical ways to get around town.
A bus. The Ado buses are affordable, clean, and comfortable. The desk inside the airport has all the information for the buses. However, you can check it out online before you go too.
The Ado Bus service lines. They are located throughout Mexico. The buses are an affordable and safe way to get around all throughout Mexico.
Hotel transportation services. These are often included with the hotel. But, be sure to check your hotel’s individual policies. Their services typically are safer than a random street option.
4. Let’s talk money
Whenever possible, try to bring pesos and pay in pesos rather than in dollars or your home country’s currency. First, there is an issue of locals needing to exchange dollars for pesos. This often creates hardships for them. They have to pay more for things such as transportation to get to the money exchange places. If you truly care for those who provide you great service, then the best option is local currency. This will let their earnings go further for their families.
Also, pesos are handy to avoid foreign card usage fees, or additional charges at local restaurants and mercados (Mexican stores). If going to the tourist restaurants and malls this may not be so much of an issue. However, pesos are best for tips at the hotel bars, restaurants, and for the cleaning persons. Of course, all tips are welcome regardless of the money type, but pesos are simply easier for people who live and work so hard here.
Sharky malarkey! (Shameless tote bag plug here.) Conveniently carry all your beach favorites and day essentials with you in this fashionable bag. Printed photo on the bag is taken by Patty personalized for you!
5. Give yourself time to get to the airport on time!!
I thought my nephew was exaggerating when he said the drive from his home to the airport can be crazy. So much traffic. Sometimes construction delays. They dropped three of us off all together, although we were departing at different times. This worked out as we took the van instead of the car, so I could stretch out my legs. But, I was also the last one to board of our family that day. I thought what am I going to do at the airport with so much time!
Well, it gave me time to explore the airport and reflect on my trip to Cancun. I grabbed lunch.
I browsed through the various stores.
I picked up some drinks and snacks at the convenience store for my flight. Thankfully, I did this as the return customs line was three hours long!! Everyone was in the same line from multiple flights = citizens and visitors, singles and families! Ah O’Hare. This was after customs into Cancun was such a breeze. Next time I am flying from Midway.
So, yes with construction or during rush hour expect delays.
A gentle reminder. When leaving your hotel or residence be sure to give yourselves time to get to the airport. The airport adventure does offer things to see for leisurely browsers. Get a souvenir if you didn’t already at the local markets. Also, it is good to walk around before boarding a flight and sitting for hours. This way you can leave feeling relaxed for a bit longer.
6. Practice patience and be grateful for the experiences.
We practiced patience when coming in early. It is not as much of an issue as check in at the hotel can take a bit of time when you arrive early or right on time. Our women’s two day retreat took three hours for the hotel to check us in! If we knew this we would have brought snacks and drinks. Or, spent those few hours exploring somewhere else for a bit. But, we were in good company. We took turns waiting in line and sitting to chat.
Fortunately, the room – first floor direct access to the beautiful beach, an open beach access with family day passes, two poolside options, the ocean itself, and multiple onsite restaurants included with our stay made up for this wait time. The hotel offered tour packages too. However, we already had prearranged local family packages.
Welcome to the end! Our regulars were waiting for this moment!! A video of Cancún parasailing on a beautiful sunny day! Thank you for being here!!!
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