17 Things You Should Avoid When Visiting Cancun

There is an amount of risk and circumstance in every trip, no matter how well planned your vacations is. There will always be those things we just can’t plan for, can’t avoid and can’t control. Here are 17 things you should avoid to make your trip smooth and enjoyable.

17 Things to avoid are:

Time-Share
Spring Brakes Season
Bring Expensive Jewelry
Too Much Luggage
Too Much Cash
Drinking-Water From The Tap
Exchange Money At The Airport
Crossing The Street
Harassment At The Airport
Bring Fruit Into The Country
Too Much Electronic gadgets
Unnecessary Documents
Getting Sick
Spicy Food
Sunburn
Using a Mobile Phone without a plan
Leaving Your Valuables in a Restaurant

1.- Time-Share

When you arrive at the airport in Cancun after the customs area, there are numerous agents selling timeshare and offering tours, breakfast and lunch for free. Also at the resorts, you will find them, they are everywhere. There are only timeshares mandatory presentations if you choose one of the discounted stays.

If you rent a week from a timeshare owner or pay the resort directly, there isn’t a mandatory presentation. They’ll ask if you want a tour, and you say no thank you. Sometimes folks need to say no thank you more than once.

Many visitors just for curiosity accept freebies, worth mistake. However, I recommend not to give timeshare sellers your personal information, cellphone, home, or work phone numbers, nor your email address. Under no circumstance, give anyone your credit card information and do not sign anything.

Nothing is mandatory, and no one would force you to do it. Just say No and sometimes you will have to be rude if they push you, then you will have to push back, to avoid a bad experience.

2.- Spring Break Season

Worth nightmare ending up on a beach full of spring breakers if you are a vacation to relax. Late February through mid-April is peak season for Spring Break travel. So, avoid going to travel to a beach destination during that time. Cancun is one of the favorites and biggest spring break destinations, so choose your hotel carefully if you can`t change your vacation dates

3.- Expensive Jewelry

It`s great to have your favorite jewelry when you are on vacation. However, many common problems come with traveling with jewelry.

You might lose important pieces of jewelry while on vacation. This jewelry might have been costly or have sentimental value, it happened a lot with wedding rings. Bridal sets and rings can easily get lost while swimming. Unless your ring is very tight and is even harder for you to take it off and you want to take the risk.

Wearing flashy jewelry, a fancy watch can attract the wrong kind of attention, so play it safe and pass on the chunky bangles and statement rings. If you are staying in Cancun just for a few days you do not need to show that you are wealthy, nobody knows you. To avoid losing them on the beach or get it stolen.

Wearing jewelry onto a plane can be a pain for a few reasons. Getting through security is already a nightmare, don’t make it harder on yourself by setting the metal detectors off. If you take jewelry, keep it to a minimum or pack it in your luggage.

On the plane, your layered necklaces are only going to be uncomfortable, and you’ll likely end up taking them off anyway.

Bring cheap comfortable accessories. Be realistic about what you need on your trip and what your trip will entail. Only bring what you need. Bringing stud, hoop, and dangle earrings, pendants, a few bracelets, and a watch will offer a lot of versatility an may be all you really need

4.- Too Much Luggage

Packing light when traveling is hard. But it’s totally worth it! Once you force yourself to pack smarter and lighter, your life on the road becomes so much easier. The best way to avoid overpacking, It’s to get a smaller bag. It will reduce the temptation to keep adding more things, and it will force you to prioritize.

Most carry-on size bags have a capacity of around 40 liters is all that you need to travel to Cancun for a weekend or a week. You do not need to pack heavy cloth, you will need only light cotton clothing, walking sandals, pair of trousers, bathing suit and a couple of t-shirts. Check out the packing list.

5.- Avoid Bringing Too Much Cash

Carrying a large amount of foreign currency can be a mistake. Even if you’re not going to a Cancun where pick-pocketing is not common, it’s easy to lose cash.

Some travelers like to preorder foreign currency to be prepared when arriving and be able to have cash, but this can often only cause stress. It’s a good idea to have a little money on you right away for the taxis and tips, but you should only take your necessary debit and credit cards initially and use ATMs when you arrive. The fee is often worth not losing a large amount of money, also keep in mind that in Cancun you can use dollars, just try to have small bills.

6.- Drinking Water From the Tap

Water treatment and filtration systems have improved in some parts of Mexico over the years, with many resorts and major tourist spots like Cancun claiming water is safe straight from the tap. If you don’t feel comfortable consuming it, you will need to make sure your water is treated especially if you are out traveling in rural locations. The best recommendation is to always buy water bottled to drink.

It’s easy to forget while on vacation the many things cleaned or prepared with water — ice, salad, pasta, etc. In all of the accommodation, hotel, villas, bed, and breakfast, condos in the area would offer large bottled of water for drinking, brushing your teeth and for cooking.

7.- Exchange Money At The Airport

When it comes to the question of money, it’s oh so tempting to think that the most comfortable option of all is to use one of the many currency exchange booths you’re sure to find at the airport. After all, that’s what they’re there for. Well, But you probably won’t get a good deal.

You might well be better off finding one in the city or town rather than at the airport. The difference in exchange rates can be incredible. Pick the least tourist area you can find, and look for one there. ATMs surprisingly it is one of the best and easy ways to get cash. Here is more information on exchange currency in Cancun and finding ATMs.

8.- Crossing the Street

Quintana Roo is one of the states where there is more respect for a pedestrian than any other in Mexico. Pedestrian has to cross the street on the designated crosswalks and all of the drivers will stop immediately. Not like other states that you would have to wait or run to cross the street at any slight break in the traffic flow, so basically you have to run like hell to reach the other side.

In Cancun drivers respect the pedestrian, there are designated areas to cross, but even though you have to look both ways before crossing mostly if you are trying to do it on where is not marked fields, or traffic light, it can be dangerous if you are not paying attention.

Just a recommendation, when you cross the street make sure to give thanks to the driver that stopped, they will appreciate it.

9.- Harassment At The Airport

Harassment usually occurs at Cancun airport at the international arrival, international terminals to the passengers from car rental companies, transporters, timeshare vendors, tours company, etc. You are arriving from a long flight and from the moment you step inside the terminal until you take your transport, it is almost constant harassment.

If you have already your car rental or transportation reservation, then go straight to their booth. If you can`t find the car rental company or your name on the transportation sign, then do not despair, be patient and take your time, do not listen to any of the vendors and look for your information, they will try to trick you, offering their help you but the reality is that they will try to sell you their services and convince you to cancel the reservation that you already have.

Just say no thank you, and try not to look lost or confused, cause you would be their perfect target.

10.- Bring Fruit Into The Country

If you are the traveler that like to eat fruits on the flight, then there is good news for you, that you can still take it, as well vegetables, seeds, and nuts on most trips so long as you make sure that you eat it before you land in Cancun.

Travelers will know that trying to take produce through security will only cause headaches, even if you only forgot to eat that apple at the bottom of your handbag. There are dogs at the airport that will smell whatever food you have, and security agents will collect your bags, stop you, question you, and confiscate your snacks not only the apple.

11.- Too Much Electronic Gadgets

We tent to pack electronics and cables more than what we really need. If you vacationing for a week in Cancun, think about how often you’ll use your laptop, Kindle, tablet, smartphone, iPod, camera, etc. to mention the most common. You’ll probably be out experiencing the local culture instead of scrolling through social media on your computer.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t bring any electronics with you—perhaps you’ll need a laptop if you work from home or you read from a tablet. Bring the devices you’ll use the most with you to keep you busy on the plane, but leave any others at home. You`ll do with just a phone. Phones are lifelines—helping us navigate new places or get in contact with people at our destination. So, remember to pack your phone charger or any device charger you might need. If you forget the charger do not worry you will find dozens of shops and stores selling them in Cancun. Because they’re such a commonly forgotten item.

12.- Unnecessary Documents

The most important document to bring with you is the passport is all the identification you’ll need when traveling to Cancun. Before leaving your home to the airport, do your final check through your packing list should end with any necessary travel documents such as passport, insurance card, driver license, and credit cards. Check your wallet and purse to make sure you have everything, but not too many documents. Just as it’s essential not to take too much cash, don’t overstuff your wallet.

Only take the bank cards that you will use because if something does go wrong and you lose your wallet, you don’t want to be stranded with having to cancel all your cards.

13.- Getting Sick in Cancun

How to stay healthy while traveling to Mexico is the primary concern on your vacation.

The most common health problem when traveling diarrhea for food poisoning, bacteria or virus.

If you do end up sick, with diarrhea for more than 48 hours and experience severe symptoms, seek immediately for medical help because you might end up with a virus or bacteria in your intestine. Keep hydrated drinking electrolytes because just water is not enough so any of the sports drinks would do the job while you get to a hospital where they can administrate intravenous fluids.

At the resorts, there is always a doctor available, so ask the concierge or receptionist for assistance in this matter.

Take precautions when eating and drinking can help you avoid getting sick.
Always wash your hands before eating, use an antibacterial gel usually available at the convenient stores or at restaurants, if running water and soap isn’t available at the moment.
Avoid seafood if you are not sure is fresh
Watch out for street food if you are not used to it.

Hospitals in Cancun:
Hospital Galenia
Phone: 998 891 5200
Map

Hospiten Cancun:
Phone: 998 881 3700
Map

Hospital Amerimed Cancun
Phone: 998 881 3400
Map

14.- Spicy Food in Cancun

First always ask the waiter if the sauce is (Picante) meaning spicy hot, and always try a little bit before adding a full spoon to your dish. You do not want to have a bad experience with the spicy chili sauce on a meal and end up ordering a different meal.
The most common sauces serve on the table are the Pico de gallo, green sauce, red sauce, habanero sauce with lemon and onion, spicy tamarind sauce.

Not all Mexican dishes are hot—not by a long shot! Typical everyday fare like grilled meats, (breaded beef, pork, or chicken cutlets), soups, rice, and beans are usually entirely without chili, waiting to be garnished to the taste of each diner with hot homemade table sauces, bottled sauces, or other chile-based condiments. Folks who can stomach spicy dishes will naturally have a hay day with a good Mexican Meal, of course, while those who are hard-core hot pepper lovers can always add more to their dish.

15.- Sunburn

While many of us love to be tan, no one likes a sunburn, it will keep you away from the beach, but it also leaves a more permanent mark that you wouldn`t like.

Take the following steps to prevent sunburns on the beach in Cancun:

Apply biodegradable Sunscreen Every 2 Hours and after swimming
Avoid Sun Exposure During the Most Intense Times between 12pm-4pm
Morning sun is healthier, but just for a few minutes.
Do not fell sleep on the lounge chairs on the beach
Use sunglasses and hat
After sunbathing use a good Gel after the sun, your skin will appreciate it.
Use lips balm protection.
Even if you are not on the beach use in your face some protections anyways, in Cancun Sun will get you if you are outside. There is sunscreen protection makeup, you`ll love them as well as lipstick and for hair.

16.- Using Your Mobile Phone Without a Plan

There are so many useful travel plans that your phone company offers If you need your phone for voice or data while on vacation, however, we usually forget to call to find out how is the best way to use it in Mexico. Well, you can’t just turn on your phone and use it without incurring a couple of $$$ on phone bill. Before boarding the plane, put your phone in airplane mode to avoid unwanted charges and as soon as you land and research for a SIM card to buy at Telcel offices or any of the Cell phone stores in one of the malls, or just use free hotel and restaurant wi-fi.

17.- Leaving Your Valuables in a Restaurant.

Usually without thinking we just hang our purse over the chair at a restaurant, or cell phone on the table all the time. Nothing is worth losing your passport and credit cards or phone while on vacation. Always look around the table and chair of the restaurants before leaving. In Cancun are good on returning those items and if you go back to the table and you don`t see your belongings make sure to ask the waiter they would keep it at the management office and wait for you to return and pick it up.