Travel Guide | Cancún: Where to Stay & Eat

This is the second part of my Cancún guide—let’s dive into accommodation and food! Since we didn’t plan to “lounge at the hotel all day,” we skipped all-inclusive stays. But we still wanted access to a nice beach, so the 7-shaped Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) was non-negotiable. When I researched, options for “non-all-inclusive + Hotel Zone beach access” were surprisingly rare—we finally booked Emporio Cancún, and overall, it worked for us (with some caveats!). 🏨 Accommodation: Emporio Cancún – Beach First, Room Second Let’s start with the pros—because the beach and views are why we stuck with it: ❤️ The Pros Spacious Beach & Stunning Ocean Views: The beach here is wide (no cramped towel-to-towel chaos!) and the sea views are top-tier. The hotel itself is older but large—way better than those narrow, long “strip hotels.” There are tons of terraces around the property, so you can stop and admire the ocean from almost anywhere. Even the breakfast restaurant is right by the beach—eating pancakes while watching the waves? Chef’s kiss. Evening Entertainment: Like most Hotel Zone hotels, Emporio has nightly activities—live music, theme nights, or casual shows. It adds a fun vibe without being over-the-top. 👎 The Cons Outdated Room Amenities & So-So Cleanliness: The rooms feel old—furniture is worn, and the overall cleanliness was just “average.” During our 7-day stay, the WiFi was down for half a day (super frustrating when you need to plan trips!). Slow Front Desk Service: The hotel is huge (so many rooms!) but only 2–3 staff at the front desk most of the time. Waiting in line to ask for extra towels or fix issues took forever. My Honest Take When I first walked into the room, I was disappointed—for the price, the interior felt underwhelming. But by the next day, lying on the beach, soaking in the sun, and swimming in the sea? I felt better. Book this hotel only if you’re willing to prioritize beach access and views over room quality—think of it as paying for a private beach pass with a place to sleep attached. 🍴 Food: Cancún’s Hits (and Misses) – Way Less Authentic Than Puerto Vallarta Let’s be real: Cancún’s food scene is a letdown, especially compared to Puerto Vallarta. Most restaurants feel “watered down” (super “gringo-friendly”), and I often felt like I was eating Tex-Mex instead of real Mexican food. But here are a few spots that stood out: La Organica It’s still pretty “whitewashed” (not super authentic), but the flavors are balanced—unlike other places that drown dishes in cheese and heavy sauce. The only downside? Service is slow—go when you have plenty of time (like a lazy afternoon after the beach). La Lupita Located in the night market square, this tiny spot serves the best beef soup ever—it tastes just like Chinese braised beef noodle soup (but with a Mexican twist!). Portions are huge, and prices are cheap—perfect for a filling, budget-friendly dinner. Night Market Treats: Mexican Crepes & Churros Don’t leave the night market without trying these! The crepes are filled with sweet or savory toppings (try the Nutella + banana one), and the churros are crispy, sugary, and way better than the ones you get in the US. Just writing this makes me crave them again 😋. That’s it for stay and eat! If you have questions, drop them in the comments. If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like and save it! #Cancun #Mexico #CancunTravel #CancunHotels