In the height of the tourist season between December and March, traffic in Cancun can get easily congested as thousands of visitors flock to its sandy shores. Driving through Cancun Island is fairly straightforward as there is only one street which passes by most of the tourist hotels. To drive into Cancun city and other Yucatan Peninsula sites, take the Mexico Highway 307. This road follows the coast southwards to Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and Chetumal. As always, when driving abroad make sure you understand each countries rules of the road to avoid any misunderstandings. Before leaving for Mexico, make sure to download the CANCUN wx app for information regarding weather and traffic in the area.
Sixt Tips
Cancun is Mexico's premiere tourist destination sporting luxury all-inclusive beach resorts, outdoor activities, and many nearby historical sites. The island gets its name from the Mayan goddess of love and fertility after the Spanish arrived in 1517 to find the goddess's offerings laid out in the sand. The offerings were arranged in the shape of a woman, which caused the Spanish to name the place the Island of Women. Cancun is located on the Yucatan Peninsula and is very close to the ancient ruins at Tellum, Chichen Itza, and the Ek Balam ruins. For an authentic taste of ancient Mayan cuisine, try the Cochinta Pibil. A slow roasted pork marinated in a blend of achiotte spices and wrapped in banana leaves, the dish can be eaten with a warm fresh tortilla or by itself as a main course. While many come to explore the ancient Mayan remains, many more come just for the weekend to relax at one of the many resorts on Cancun Island. Whatever your reason for visiting, Cancun is the perfect place from which to explore both the modern and ancient culture of Mexico.
If you're looking to go green while in the area, check out the options for Ecotourism in Cancun featured in SIXT Magazine.