Travel resources for Cancún and the Riviera Maya

These are the services we recommend for every trip to Cancún and the Riviera Maya. Each link is an affiliate link — you pay the same price, and we earn a small commission that keeps this site running.

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Stay connected with an eSIM

Cancún and the Riviera Maya have solid 4G/5G coverage. Airalo lets you buy a Mexican eSIM before you land — no physical SIM swap needed. Works on any unlocked eSIM-compatible phone.

Browse Airalo eSIMs → (affiliate)

eSIM — Airalo

Cancún and the Riviera Maya have solid 4G/5G coverage across the Hotel Zone, Playa del Carmen and Tulum — and most of the main highway corridor. An Airalo eSIM lets you activate a data plan before you land, with no need to find a local SIM card on arrival. Plans start from a few dollars for a week of data.

  • Works with all iPhone XS and later, most modern Android devices
  • Multiple Mexican carriers compared in one place
  • Activate before departure, use immediately on landing
  • No physical SIM required — keep your home SIM active
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Travel insurance for Cancún

SafetyWing covers medical emergencies, trip interruptions and outdoor activities. Month-to-month plans from $45 — ideal for longer stays or multi-stop Mexico trips.

Get a SafetyWing quote → (affiliate)

Travel insurance — SafetyWing

Mexico has good private hospitals in Cancún and Playa del Carmen, but an international travel insurance policy is still strongly recommended. SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and activities such as snorkelling, cenote diving, and reef tours. Plans are monthly and can be paused or cancelled anytime.

  • Covers 182+ countries including Mexico
  • Adventure and outdoor activity coverage included
  • From $45/month for under-39 travellers
  • Claims filed online, 24/7 support
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Rent a car in Mexico

A car unlocks the Riviera Maya — the cenotes, Tulum, Valladolid and the Yucatán. DiscoverCars compares local and international agencies. Prices start from ~US$25/day for a compact.

Compare car rentals → (affiliate)

Car rental — DiscoverCars

Cancún's Hotel Zone is easy without a car, but a rental opens up the Riviera Maya's best day trips — the cenotes around Tulum, Valladolid and Chichén Itzá, the beaches south to Akumal, and the drive to Bacalar. DiscoverCars aggregates quotes from international chains (Hertz, Europcar) and reliable local Mexican agencies, often at significantly lower rates.

  • Compare 20+ agencies for Mexico
  • Prices from around US$25/day for a compact
  • SUV options for longer Yucatán road trips
  • Free cancellation on most bookings
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Manage money in Cancún

Cancún runs on US dollars and Mexican pesos. Wise lets you hold 50+ currencies in one account at the mid-market rate, with fees up to 6× cheaper than your bank.

Open a Wise account → (affiliate)

Money transfers — Wise

Cancún runs on two currencies: US dollars are widely accepted in the Hotel Zone, while the Mexican peso (MXN) is better value downtown and across the Riviera Maya. If you need to send money internationally or want to avoid bank card foreign-transaction fees, Wise offers mid-market exchange rates with low, transparent fees. You can hold USD, MXN and 50+ currencies simultaneously.

  • Mid-market exchange rate, no markup
  • Spend in pesos or dollars with your Wise card
  • Free ATM withdrawals up to a monthly limit
  • Send money home at low fees

All links on this page are affiliate links. We earn a small commission when you sign up or book through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we consider genuinely useful for travellers to Cancún and the Riviera Maya.