Cancún closes out September with movement in its hotel scene: new brands are arriving in the Hotel Zone just ahead of high season, and the October calendar already includes concerts and year-end events.

What's making news this week

IHG's voco Cancún debuts its 160 rooms at kilometer 5.5 of the Hotel Zone, overlooking Nichupté Lagoon, and the Grand Hyatt Cancun Beach Resort — a 500-room all-inclusive inside Puerto Cancún — is scheduled to open in December. On the cultural calendar, Mijares Sinfónico performs on October 2 at Cancún's Plaza de Toros, and AVA Resort Cancun has already announced its year-end Winter Festival, with a 12-meter tree, live music and a New Year's party.

Must-do activities

  • Nichupté Lagoon — sunset kayak or boat rides with the Hotel Zone skyline lighting up in the background.
  • Isla Contoy — protected nature reserve north of Isla Mujeres, ideal for birdwatching and snorkeling.
  • El Rey Archaeological Zone — a small Maya site inside the Hotel Zone, known for its iguanas and free walk-in access.
  • Parque de las Palapas — downtown plaza with street food, crafts and weekend live music.
  • Mercado 28 — a market for handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs, with room to haggle.

Best spots to visit

If you're staying in the Hotel Zone, set aside an afternoon for downtown Cancún: Parque de las Palapas and Mercado 28 show a more local side of the city, at prices far friendlier than the shopping malls and oceanfront restaurants.

Where to stay: the top-rated hotels

  • NIZUC Resort and Spa — understated luxury at the southern tip, with a private beach and one of the city's highest guest ratings.
  • Renaissance Cancún Resort & Marina — oceanfront with its own marina, very well rated by guests.
  • AVA Resort Cancun — luxury resort on the Caribbean with a seasonal events and dining program.
  • voco Cancún — brand new, overlooking Nichupté Lagoon — a different option from the beachfront all-inclusives.
  • Kempinski Hotel Cancun — elegant, with direct beach access in the heart of the Hotel Zone.

Where to eat

For classic Yucatecan cooking in a traditional setting, La Habichuela is a downtown must. Los Almendros has served cochinita pibil and poc chuc for decades, Puerto Madero offers steaks and seafood in the Hotel Zone, and for a lighter breakfast or lunch 100% Natural has locations all over the city.