OMG You Are Going to Have the Best Trip Ever!

I am so excited for you! Seriously, you are going to love it. I went last year and I still think about the food every single day. You asked for the scoop on how to do it right, and I got you. I’m not going to give you any of that boring travel book stuff. This is the real deal from your best friend! Get ready, because we are going deep into how to have the most fun without stressing out.

First Things First: Getting Out of the Airport

Okay, listen to me. This is the most important part. When you land and get your bags, you have to walk through a long hallway. There are going to be a lot of guys in fancy shirts trying to talk to you. They will offer you “free” drinks or “cheap” rides. DO NOT STOP. They are trying to sell you timeshares and it takes forever. Just keep walking until you get outside into the hot air.

Once you are outside, look for the big red buses. They are called ADO buses. It costs exactly $12 to get a ticket to the main station. The seats are huge and the air conditioning is freezing cold, which feels amazing because it is so sweaty outside! If you want a private ride, it’s going to cost you $60. Just take the bus and save that money for extra tacos later. Trust me on this one!

Where to Eat (The Yummy Stuff!)

You cannot go to Mexico and eat at the hotel every night. That is a huge mistake! You have to go to a place called Tacos Rigo. It’s in the downtown area. It’s not fancy at all. It looks like a regular house with some plastic chairs outside. But man, the food is incredible!

What to order: Ask for four “Al Pastor” tacos. This is pork that they cook on a big spinning stick with a pineapple on top. They flick a little piece of pineapple right into your taco. It is sweet and salty and so good. Also, get a “Horchata” to drink. It’s a sweet milk drink made with rice and cinnamon. It costs about $1.50 for a taco and $2 for the drink. You can eat like a king for $10!

Pro Tip: They have three different sauces on the table. The green one is usually okay, but the orange one? Dude, be careful! It is made of Habanero peppers. It will make your tongue feel like it’s on fire. Just use one tiny drop to start!

The Island Day Trip: Isla Mujeres

You HAVE to go to the island. It’s called Isla Mujeres, which means “Island of Women.” You take a big boat called the Ultramar ferry. It costs $25 for a round-trip ticket. The boat has a band playing music on the top deck and it’s a total party!

When you get off the boat, don’t walk. Everyone rents these little golf carts. It’s the coolest way to see the island. It costs $60 for the whole day. You just drive around and look at the ocean. There are no real rules, just stay on the right side of the road!

Drive all the way to the “South Point” or Punta Sur. There are these big cliffs and the water hits them and makes huge splashes. It’s $5 to walk down the path. It’s so pretty and the wind feels great. Then, drive back to “North Beach” (Playa Norte). The water there is so shallow you can walk out for a hundred yards and it only hits your waist. It’s like a giant swimming pool!

Where to Take Your Best Photos

I know you want those awesome pictures for your feed! Here is exactly where to go.

1. The Big Colorful Sign: In the Hotel Zone, there is a beach called Playa Delfines. There is a huge sign that says “CANCUN” in rainbow colors. The line is always super long. Do not go at noon! Go at 7:00 in the morning. The sun is coming up over the ocean behind the sign and the light is perfect. Stand right in front of the letter “N.” Put your hands up and smile! It looks amazing because the blue water is right behind you.

2. The Swing Bars: Go to a beach bar called Coco Bongo Beach Club. They have these swings instead of chairs at the bar. Sit on the swing with a coconut in your hand. Have your friend take the photo from the side so you can see the ocean and the swing. It looks so cool and everyone will be jealous!

3. The Underwater Museum: If you go snorkeling (which costs about $45), they take you to see statues under the water. If you have a waterproof camera, take a picture next to the “Man on Fire” statue. It’s spooky and cool at the same time!

The Secret Swimming Holes (Cenotes)

You can’t leave without going to a Cenote. These are big holes in the ground filled with fresh water. The water is super clear but it is very cold! It’s like $20 to get in.

Go to one called “Dos Ojos.” It means two eyes because there are two big pools. You can swim through a little cave to get from one to the other. There are tiny bats hanging from the ceiling, but don’t worry, they don’t bother you! They just hang out while you swim. It feels so cool to be underground in the jungle. Make sure you bring a towel because you will be shivering when you get out!

Budget vs. Balling Out

I made this table for you so you can see how much money you need to bring. I used real prices from my trip!

A Few More Bestie Tips

Don’t drink the water from the sink! Not even to brush your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach. Use the bottled water the hotel gives you. It’s only $1 at the store, so buy a big gallon jug and keep it in your room. Also, wear way more sunscreen than you think you need. The sun down there is like a giant heat lamp and you will turn into a lobster in twenty minutes if you aren’t careful!

When you go shopping for souvenirs, like little magnets or blankets, never pay the first price they tell you. If they say “This is $20,” you say “I’ll give you $10.” They will say “No, $15.” Then you say “Okay, $12!” It’s like a game and it’s actually really fun once you get the hang of it.

I am so jealous that you are going! You are going to have the time of your life. Take a million pictures and send them to me every single day. I want to see everything you eat and every beach you sit on!

If you want more tips or want to see where other people are going, you HAVE to join our group! It’s full of people who love to travel for cheap just like us. Go here right now and join: https://www.facebook.com/CheaptravelVIP.FL

Love you! Have the best trip ever!