Cancun Tips and Guide Page

Cancun condo rental info contact Steve at info@cancunbeachresortcondo.com or calling 201-926-9300

Car Rentals and airport transportation
Please visit our info/maps page on our web site for advice on airport shuttles, rental cars etc, that page is located here

If booking a shuttle we recommend using USA Transfers and you can book online by clickng here

Tour and Activities
Cancun offers many activities and tours for you to enjoy from the eco water parks of Xcaret and Xel-Ha to visiting the ruins of Chichen-Itza or in Tulum. For your convenience we have the majority of these tours listed directly on our web site and we provide you links to book your tours in advance online.

We highly recommend guest pre-plan their tours and activities before arriving so you will not have to spend time researching and planning while you are in Cancun and will have more time to enjoy your vacation.

Our tours and activities page is located here Cancun Beach Resort Condo Rentals Tour and Activities Page.

Money Exchange
Credit cards are widely accepted and we recommend you use credit cards whenever possible as the exchange rate is very favorable. For cash purchases it is best to exchange US$ for Mexican pesos. You get the best exchange rates at a real bank. Avoid the money kiosks as their exchange rates can be 5-10 percent lower then banks. There closest banks are located in Plaza Caracol shopping mall (see below).

Grocery Shopping In Cancun
Cancun has a Wal-Mart, Costco and a few local grocery stores. These are all located downtown. I recommend to guests for them to go to either Wal-Mart or Costco the first day and stock up on the larger type of items. If you rented a car you can drive there, and Alex will inform you of directions. It is about a 15 minute drive. Otherwise you can take the bus to the Wal-Mart which stops directly in front of Portofino at a cost of about 60 cents. The bus is the R-2 and will say R2 – Wal-Mart. Make certain it says Wal-Mart as there are several different R2 routes. If you take the bus you will need to take a cab back as you will obviously be bringing back groceries.

Driving Directions to Cancun Wal-Mart
Exit Portofino and make a right turn on Ave Kukulcan. Follow Ave Kukulcan towards downtown area KM zero. At Km zero begins the downtown area, you will eventually come to a traffic light at the intersection of Ave Kukulcan and Ave Bonampak. You will know when you are here because you will notice you are now in a downtown area.

Make a left turn on Ave Bonampak (There is a circle you must go around to effectively make the left on Ave Bonampak . Go about 1/4 of a mile and turn right on Ave Sayil. Turn Right on Ave Sayil. Continue straight about ½ mile and Ave Sayil merges with Ave Labna where you will need to beer to the right effectively making a right turn on Ave Labna.

Continue straight on Ave Labna for 2 -3 blocks and you will come to a stop sign and a circle intersection. Make a left turn by going around circle onto Ave Yaxchilian. Then the 1st right turn will bring you to Wal-Mart and Sams club.

To get to Costco when you get to Ave Yaxchilian continue straight on Ave Yaxchilian where you would turn right to get into Wal-Mart and it is on Ave Yaxchilian about ½ mile further down on right hand side

Shopping and Malls In Cancun

There are a bunch of malls in the Cancun area for your shopping convenience. Walking distance from Portofino are Plaza Caracol and Forum by the Sea Plaza .

Forum by the sea – exit portofino and go right about 3 blocks. Forum by the sea is the mall where Coco Bongo’s, Carlos and Charlie’s, and the Hard Rock café are.

Plaza Caracol – exit portofino and go right about 3 blocks to where forum of the sea is.
Cross the street and go through the alley by Daddyos to get to other side of Ave Kukulcan. Once you are on other side walk to the right towards the convention center. You soon will see across the street once more a large Starbucks. That is the Plaza Caracol Mall.

Plaza Kukulcan – A luxurious indoor mall located at KM 13.5. Exit Portofino and cross the street to take the bus going south. Plaza Kukulcan again is KM 13.5 and contains stores like the Chocolate Factory and Chris.

La- Isla Mall – A luxurious outdoor mall located at KM 12.5. . Exit Portofino and cross the street to take the bus going south. La- Isla Mall again is KM 12.5 and contains stores like the Planet Hollywood, Tommy Hilfiger, and Guess.

Plaza Las Americas – This is the closest thing to a USA type mall with similar stores. It has a Sears and other major anchor stores. It is located downtown. You can take the R-27 bus from Portofino directly there but the R27 only runs like once every 20 minutes. Driving directions is same as Wal-Mart except continue straight on Ave Bonampak and do not make the right run on Sayil and Plaza LasAmericas is only afew blocks further on right side.

Some Recommended Restaurants In Cancun

Mextreme – Km 9 walking distance from Portofino, on west side of Blvd Kukulcan. . Reasonable priced and lots of fun, with a DJ and waiters and waitresses that sing and dance.

Casa De Tequila – Km 9 walking distance from Portofino, on west side of Blvd Kukulcan. . Reasonable priced steaks, pork chops, Mexican dishes, chicken etc.

Viva La Vaca – Km 9 walking distance from Portofino, on west side of Blvd Kukulcan. . Reasonable priced steaks, pork chops, Mexican dishes, chicken etc.

Taco Factory – Km 9 walking distance from Portofino, In Alley of Blvd Kukulcan Part Zone by Daddyo’s night club. . Reasonable priced tacos made with real steak, chicken or sausage, tacos are like $2.90 each, great casual dining for lunch or dinner.

JW Marriott seafood/prime rib buffet. Inside JW Marriott KM 14, take bus from Portofino. Approximately $35 per person for a great buffet.

Mr. Papas – La Isla Mall – KM 13, take bus. bus from Portofino. Variety of everything sits on the lagoon with a beautiful view. We usually order the seafood/steak platter for 2 cost around $45 US. comes with 2 mini lobster tails, grilled shrimp, steak, chicken potatoes, rice, salads. Etc. Great Value.

Bubba Gumps – Plaza Flamingo KM 11.5- take bus. One of the few chains I would recommend, especially if you like shrimp.

Harry’s – KM 13.5 – take bus. Upscale steak house, one of the better restaurants in Cancun. Very expensive.

PUERTO MADERO – KM 13.5 – take bus – Steaks and Seafood, very expensive and rates #1 restaurant in Cancun

Day Trip to Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is old culture Mexico and is definitely worth the short trip there. It is a small island 7 miles off the coast of Cancun and has a wonderful beach called “Play Norte”. The water is very calm at Isla Mujeres as it is part of the Bay of Isla Mujeres.

Take the R1 bus marked “Porto Juarez from Portofino to Porto Juarez . Boats leave about every half hour from Puerto Juarez and take about 20 minutes to arrive on the Island. (A little bit faster if you get the bigger boat) you can buy your tickets at their desk or on board if you are running late. Each crossing costs 35 Pesos.

You can walk to Playa Norte from the ferry as it is only about 3 blocks. Simply walk to the left when you get to the main road when departing the ferry. There are a bunch of boutique bar and grills on Playa Norte who will allow you free use of umbrellas, chairs etc if you eat and rink there.