Practical information about Cancun

A sand and sea holiday in Cancún can be exciting and some useful information can help you transition to your temporary home much more easily. You will need to have some important information handy such as emergency numbers, the currency you will need and where to find the local government offices.

It's helpful to know local temperatures, what clothing to pack for your holidays, and whether it's a good idea to pack rain gear or thermal garments. Mostly it is still an island paradise with white sandy beaches and turquoise sea - but it's good to be prepared.

Finally, knowing what electricity fittings you will find in your hotel room, means you can prepare by bringing the right appliances and adaptors and knowing what health information you need and what travel documents are required is vital. Check out the overview below on the things every traveller should know when travelling to Cancún!

Essential Cancún information for visitors

Emergency numbers: To contact the police department in Cancún, dial 884 1913. To call the federal highway police in Cancún, call 884 11 07 / 884 1542 and contact the Mexican Red Cross on 884 16 16 or 885 22 77. For a fire emergency call 884 1202. The state judicial police can be reached on 884 11 71 / 881 71 50. The dialing code is +52.

Government Office opening hours: The Canadian Embassy is located in Mexico City, however, the Consular Agency of Canada is located at Centro Empresarial Oficina E7 Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 12, Zona Hotelera, 77599 Cancún, Quintana Roo. Contact for the Consular Agency and the Canadian Embassy are: 55-5724-9795 and 55-5724-7900. The Consular Agency is open between 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Temperature: The weather in the city is nothing less than idyllic with summer temperatures reaching the mid-20s (June to August). The warmer winter months are the ideal time to travel as this season is hurricane-free. December to April is the peak holiday season in Cancún. The summer can be very hot and humid and hurricanes are possible between June and November. The hottest month of the year is July and the cold season lasts from December to March. Most rain occurs between May and October.

Currency: Cancún accepts both the US dollar and Mexican pesos. Using pesos is probably the better choice as most cheaper items will be priced in pesos. Tours and nightclub prices are usually priced in US dollars so it may be smarter from a financial point of view to get a favourable exchange rate. US dollar denominations are $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes, and Mexican Peso banknotes come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 pesos, while coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 pesos, and 20 and 50 centavos.

Local time: The time zone in Cancún is Eastern Standard Time and it is five hours behind GMT/UTC. There is no daylight savings time. Cancún is one hour behind Ottawa.

Electricity: The standard voltage in Mexico is 127 V and the frequency is 60 Hz. Any appliance suited for outlets of between 110 - 127 V (US, Canada and South America can be used in an electrical outlet in Cancún. If the standard voltage in your country differs from this, you will need an adapter or can make use of the hotel appliances where available.

Language: The official language in the region is Spanish but locals who work in hotels and restaurants in the tourist zones speak fluent English. Indigenous local people often speak Mayan languages when talking to each other.

Required travel documents: Any foreign national entering Mexico will need a valid, current passport. Certainfrequent travellers to the area may be able to use a NEXUS card to enter Cancún but it is advised to carry your passport, you will need it to check in at the airport and when going through Customs and Immigration.

Health: Make sure all your routine vaccinations are up to date before travelling. In particular, the WHO recommends the hepatitis A and B vaccinations as well as the measles, mumps and rubella, and Dtap vaccinations. You should also be vaccinated for typhoid, cholera and rabies. Malaria and Zika virus are prevalent in some parts of Mexico, but the risk is low in Cancún​.

Tipping and taxes: A tip of 15-20% is considered acceptable. Some bills will have the value added tax of 16% included. You should tip at least 10% for five guests or less and 15% or more for large parties and extra services.

Now you've got the necessary information, it's time to book your flight. Be sure to check BudgetAir's list of flight and hotel deals to ensure you get our best deals on your trip to Cancún​.