StayAreas

Downtown Cancún

Cancún

The mainland city behind the Hotel Zone, with taco stands, markets, Parque de las Palapas and the cheapest rooms in Cancún.

Best for Budget

Transport
5/5
Sights
2/5
Value
5/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$90/night · 5 min to Downtown Cancún

See hotels in Downtown Cancún

Downtown Cancún on the map

Why stay here

  • The cheapest rooms in Cancún
  • Local food and markets
  • ADO buses to the whole Riviera Maya

Who should stay here

  • Budget travellers
  • Backpackers
  • Food lovers

Not ideal if…

  • You want a beach outside your door
  • You want a resort
  • You want polished surroundings

What it's like

Downtown, or El Centro, is where people who work in the Hotel Zone live, and it shows the everyday side of Cancún: Parque de las Palapas with its evening food stalls, Mercado 28's souvenir market and taquerías along Avenida Tulum and Avenida Yaxchilán. The ADO bus station is here for trips to Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Chichén Itzá.

It's the best base on a budget and for travellers who want local food, with buses to the beaches every few minutes. There's no beach, it's 20–30 minutes from the sand, and the streets are busy and unglamorous.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Avenida Tulum

    Main avenue with the bus station and shops.

  • Parque de las Palapas

    Square with evening food stalls.

  • Avenida Yaxchilán

    Restaurants and bars.

Getting around

Nearest stations
ADO bus station for the airport and the Riviera Maya, and R-1/R-2 buses to the Hotel Zone.
To Downtown Cancún
About 5 minutes
From Cancún International Airport (CUN)
About 25 minutes: ADO bus from the airport to the Downtown bus station.

Nearby attractions

  • Parque de las Palapas

    Street food and families in the evening.

  • Mercado 28

    Souvenir market with cheap local restaurants.

  • Puerto Juárez ferry

    Cheapest ferry to Isla Mujeres.

Where to eat and drink

  • Parque de las Palapas

    Marquesitas, tacos and tamales.

  • Avenida Yaxchilán

    Taquerías and cantinas.

Where to stay in Downtown Cancún

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Best value

Nomads Hotel & Rooftop Pool Cancun

Why we like it: Adults-only hotel and hostel with a rooftop pool.

Typical budget rate in Downtown Cancún: ~$50/night

Check availability

Best value

Fiesta Inn Cancun Las Americas

Why we like it: Business hotel next to the Las Américas mall.

Typical mid-range rate in Downtown Cancún: ~$90/night

Check availability

Best value

Krystal Urban Cancun

Why we like it: City hotel with a rooftop pool and a beach club in the Hotel Zone.

Typical mid-range rate in Downtown Cancún: ~$90/night

Check availability

StayAreas may earn a commission when you book through selected links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Hotels in Downtown CancúnMid-range from ~$90/night

See hotels