Cancún enters the second half of October with good news for planning: more air connections heading into winter, clearer northern beaches and a cultural calendar that peaks on Day of the Dead.

What's making news this week

This weekend the Quintana Roo government presented the new routes for the 2026-2027 winter season: for Cancún, highlights include Calgary on Air Canada (from December 11), Edmonton and Montreal on Flair (December 16), Halifax on Porter (December 18), Tampa on Breeze (December 19) and, in January, Pittsburgh and Richmond; from Europe comes Verona on Neos (December 22), and domestically Acapulco and Los Cabos join the list. Total figures vary between outlets and dates depend on each airline, so it's worth confirming when you book. This same week, October 21–23, the Cancún Travel Mart takes place. And for Hanal Pixán in Puerto Juárez (October 30 to November 2), free registration for the altar and catrina contests closes Monday, October 26. As for sargassum, October monitoring reports show a general improvement, with the north and Punta Cancún among the cleanest beaches; it's worth checking the daily status before heading out.

Must-do activities

  • Playa Langosta — a gentle-surf beach near Punta Cancún, ideal for swimming with kids and among the clearest in October.
  • Playa Tortugas — a lively beach with a pier and ferry departures, good for combining beach time and a boat ride.
  • Mercado 23 — downtown's most traditional market, with fruit, spices and snacks far from the tourist scene.
  • Croco Cun Zoo — a conservation zoo on the road to Puerto Morelos, with guided tours and regional wildlife.
  • Altar contest in Puerto Juárez — if you travel at month's end, Hanal Pixán altars and catrinas fill the main avenue October 30 to November 2.

Best spots to visit

The Punta Cancún area, at the bend of the Hotel Zone, gathers several of the destination's calmest beaches, such as Playa Caracol and Playa Langosta, with clear water and little current. It's a good choice for a beach morning, followed by an afternoon stroll to the nearby bars and restaurants.

Where to stay: the top-rated hotels

  • Club Med Cancún — all-inclusive at Punta Nizuc with plenty of sports activities and a kids' club.
  • Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort — on a wide beach in the southern Hotel Zone, with several pools and family options.
  • Iberostar Selection Cancún — a classic Hotel Zone all-inclusive with a golf course and spa.
  • Riu Palace Peninsula — in the Punta Cancún area, close to calm beaches and the restaurant district.
  • Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancún — adults-only, with butler service and a focus on spa and rest.

Where to eat

For steaks and cuts, Harry's Prime Steakhouse is one of the Hotel Zone's best-known tables; downtown, Marbella Fish Market serves grilled fish and seafood in a relaxed setting, and Taquería El Fogón is a must for well-priced tacos al pastor.