Overview
Cancun sits on Mexico's Caribbean coast, the gateway to the Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya. You get powder-white sand, warm turquoise water and easy access to ancient Maya cities and freshwater cenotes. Direct flights from the UK make it one of the more manageable long-haul beach trips, and it is a firm favourite for winter sun. If you are searching for cheap flights to Cancun, use the price charts on this page for live fares.
Best time to fly to Cancun
The dry season runs roughly from December to April, with reliable sunshine, lower humidity and calm seas. This is also the busiest and priciest period, so check the When to book chart above. Hurricane season officially spans June to November and is most active in September and October, though rain often arrives in short, heavy bursts rather than all day. May and late November are pleasant shoulder months with thinner crowds.
Airlines and routes
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly direct from London to Cancun, and TUI Airways operates direct services from Gatwick as well as several regional airports. From Manchester, TUI flies direct, with seasonal Virgin Atlantic services too. The direct flight time from London is around 10 hours outbound; the return is usually about an hour shorter thanks to favourable winds. Connecting options include Iberia via Madrid, KLM via Amsterdam, Air France via Paris, or US carriers such as American Airlines (a US connection requires an ESTA).
Things to do in Cancun
Cancun works as a resort base and a springboard for the wider region.
- Chichen Itza: UNESCO-listed Maya city and its great pyramid, an easy full-day trip inland.
- Isla Mujeres: laid-back island a short ferry from Cancun, with calm swimming beaches and golf-cart hire.
- Tulum: clifftop Maya ruins overlooking the Caribbean, often combined with a cenote swim.
- Cenotes: natural limestone sinkholes such as Dos Ojos and Ik Kil, perfect for cool swims and snorkelling.
- MUSA Underwater Museum: submerged sculptures off Cancun and Isla Mujeres, viewed by snorkel, dive or glass-bottom boat.
At Cancun International Airport (CUN)
The airport lies about 20 km south of the Hotel Zone and downtown Cancun, a 20 to 30 minute drive in normal traffic. Pre-booked private transfers are the simplest option; official ADO coaches run from the terminals to Cancun's downtown bus station and on to Playa del Carmen; and authorised airport taxis sell fixed-price vouchers inside the arrivals hall. Ignore the timeshare and tour desks near the exit. Car hire is available if you plan to explore the coast.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Cancun
- Book roughly three to six months ahead for winter travel, when demand for direct seats is highest.
- Fly midweek and avoid the Christmas, Easter and school summer holidays, when fares peak.
- Keep your dates flexible and compare a few days either side using the price charts on this page.
- Compare British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and TUI, and weigh a one-stop European connection if it is noticeably cheaper.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa to visit Mexico for tourism for up to 180 days; you receive an entry stamp on arrival, so carry proof of onward travel and accommodation. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. The state of Quintana Roo charges a small visitor tax (Visitax) that you pay online before departure. The currency is the Mexican peso; US dollars are accepted in tourist areas but at poor rates, so pesos or card are better value. No vaccinations are required, but check NHS Fit for Travel before you go and pack insect repellent.
