Essentials
- City
- Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Population
- Approx. 950,000
- Internet Speed
- Reliable fiber in Centro and Hotel Zone; 50-150 Mbps average via Izzi or Telmex
- Currency & Banking
- Mexican Peso (MXN); 1 USD ≈ 17.10 MXN, 1 EUR ≈ 18.50 MXN (March 2026 estimate)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water or 20L 'garrafones' (approx. 45 MXN)
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz; 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Telcel (best coverage), AT&T Mexico. 4GB data package approx. 200 MXN ($12 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- BBVA Mexico, Santander; Revolut/Wise highly recommended for ATM withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Apartments in Centro (cheaper) vs Condos in Hotel Zone (expensive). Airbnb, Facebook Marketplace, and Vivanuncios
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly in Hotel Zone and supermarkets; Centro markets and street food still require cash (Pesos)
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Selina Cancun Downtown, and VRBO
- Budget Accommodation
- Nomads Enigmatic Hotel & Hostel, Mayan Monkey Cancun (approx. 400-700 MXN/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) for beaches and nightlife
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Avenida Huayacán or SM 11-19 (Centro/Downtown) for better value and local amenities
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- nest (Av. Tulum) - $250 MXN/day; Selina Downtown Cowork - $350 MXN/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Rooster (Marina Town Center) or Ah Cacao Chocolate Café (Puerto Cancun)
- Networking Events
- Cancun Digital Nomads Facebook Group meetups; monthly mixers at Selina
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Cancun and Cancun Expats Group weekly coffee mornings
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (now operational but tense with taxis), Didi, or Cabify
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- BiciPerro (Centro); rentals approx. 250-400 MXN per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Delfines (Public, iconic view) or Playa Norte (Isla Mujeres, 20 min ferry)
- Top Regional Airline
- Volaris and VivaAerobus
- Top International Airline
- Aeroméxico, American Airlines, United
- Highway Access
- Highway 307 (Carr. Federal 307) connecting Cancun to Playa del Carmen and Tulum
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- ADO Bus Station (Centro) and Tren Maya Cancun Airport Station
- Public Transport Passes
- R-1 or R-2 buses to Hotel Zone (12 MXN per ride); no multi-day pass system
- Regional Travel
- Tren Maya for travel to Merida/Campeche; ADO Buses for Playa del Carmen (approx. 110 MXN)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Galenia (private, high tech) or Amerimed Cancun
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Company (Centro) or Yoga by the Sea (Puerto Juarez)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Smart Fit (Multiple locations, approx. 500 MXN/month) or AnyTime Fitness
- Laundry Services
- Tintorería Max or local 'Lavanderias' (approx. 20-30 MXN per kg)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Rappi
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cochinita Pibil (slow-roasted pork) and Sopa de Lima
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Vegan Planet (SM 15) or Sirena Morena (Centro)
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Habichuela (Centro) for traditional desserts or Tere Cazola (Bolobanes)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado 28 (Souvenirs/Food) or Mercado 23 (Local groceries)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon Mexico (fast delivery), Mercado Libre
- Grocery Delivery
- Cornershop (by Uber) or Chedraui Selecto online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Punta Cancun (Hotel Zone) for clubs (Coco Bongo); Avenida Yaxchilán for local bars
- Local Brewery
- Cerveza Akumal or Pescadores (available at Hunter Bar Cancun)
- Wine Bars
- L'Escargot (Downtown) or The Wine Store (Puerto Cancun)
- Street Food Stalls
- Parque de las Palapas (Centro) - tacos and marquesitas
- Popular International Cuisine
- Peter's Restaurante (International/Fusion) or Du Mexique (French-Mexican)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- El Meco Archaeological Site and the Scenic Tower (Torre Escénica)
- Museums & Art Venues
- MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art) - requires diving/snorkeling
- Historical Sites
- El Rey Ruins (Hotel Zone) and San Miguelito Ruins
- Religious Sites
- Parroquia de Cristo Resucitado (Hotel Zone)
- Annual Events
- Cancun Carnival (February); Day of the Dead (Hanal Pixán) in October/November
- Cultural Districts
- Downtown (Centro) and the artsy Nader Avenue area
- Theater Venues
- Teatro de Cancún (Hotel Zone)
- Local Markets
- Mercado 23 for authentic local experience; Mercado 28 for tourists
- Music Scene
- Live jazz at Roots and Roadhouse; Caribbean beats at Mambo Café
- Street Art
- Murals on Avenida Bonampak and Avenida Nader from 'Sea Walls' project
- Cooking Classes
- Mexico Lindo Cooking (Road to Puerto Morelos)
- Art Galleries
- Galeria de Arte Mexicano and various kiosks in Marina Town Center
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Municipal (City Hall) in Centro
- Local Heritage
- Strong Mayan influence blended with Caribbean/Pirate history
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Isla Contoy (Protected National Park) and Nichupté Lagoon
- National Parks Nearby
- Puerto Morelos Reef National Park (30 mins south)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Cycling path along Blvd. Kukulcan (Hotel Zone) approx. 20km long
- Scenic Viewpoints
- El Mirador (Playa Delfines)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Nichupté Lagoon (mangroves) and nearby Isla Holbox for flamingos
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Limited; mostly private beach clubs in Puerto Juarez allow evening fires
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Estafeta, FedEx Mexico, DHL
- Tech Repair Services
- Steren (Parts) or iShop (Apple repairs) in Plaza Las Americas
- Table Tennis Spots
- Various community parks in Sm 15-20 or select youth hostels
- Language Classes
- International House (IH) Cancun or Don Quijote Spanish School
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública Municipal 'Erik Paolo Martínez'
- Community Centers
- Casa de Cultura de Cancún
- Gaming Lounges
- Arena The Place to Play (Plaza Las Americas)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Dubai Palace Casino or Casino Palace (Centro)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $45,000 MXN per m² ($1.8M MXN / $105k USD for 40m²)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $30,000 MXN per m² ($1.2M MXN / $70k USD for 40m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $42,000 MXN per m² ($2.5M MXN / $147k USD for 60m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $28,000 MXN per m² ($1.68M MXN / $98k USD for 60m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $40,000 MXN per m² ($3.2M MXN / $187k USD for 80m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $25,000 MXN per m² ($2M MXN / $117k USD for 80m²)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Federal Income Tax - ISR)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents and non-residents
- Tax System
- Residents taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on Mexican-sourced income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 16% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'REFIPRE' rules apply to low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Yes, 'Predial', generally very low (often under $300 USD annually for standard homes)
- Property Transaction Tax
- ISAI (Acquisition Tax) ranging from 2% to 5% depending on municipality
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Temporary Resident Visa (Residente Temporal) allows 1-4 years stay without local tax on foreign income if requirements met