Exploring Abroad: Caught Off Guard in Cancun, Mexico

Edd:  We had vacationed in Cancun before but arrived with no idea what it would be like to live abroad there.

Cynthia:  You’re right. On an anniversary trip years ago we only left the property where we were staying for one night. And even then we remained in the hotel zone.

E:  Cancun’s development began in the 70s, around the same time the area where we live in Cuenca called New Town started to be built. We were caught off guard to experience how similar downtown Cancun felt to our neighborhood.

C:  Especially after weeks walking throughout historic Mérida where the walls and doors are built right to the edge of the sidewalks. Then the contrast of countless mid-rise condos with rooftop pools in Playa del Carmen.

E:  Of all the places we’ve been so far, who knew we would feel the most at home in Cancun of all places!

C:  Not only because of the architecture, but also by the small family-run shops and restaurants serving mostly locals that were everywhere. You’re right, Cancun was a refreshing reminder of being back home.

E:  All the “daily life” stuff we needed was within walking distance, which was great. And that included our very first visit to a Walmart in a country outside the United States. 

C:  Funny story about how that came about. We asked a local where to buy the best fresh fruits and vegetables, expecting him to direct us to a nearby mercado. Instead he said, “Go to Walmart!”

E:  So that’s what we did. Confession time—our attitude had always been, “How lame to move to a foreign country and shop at Walmart.” Well, our minds immediately changed when we walked through the doors.

C:  My goodness, we were shocked. This store could have been anywhere in the States. Except for the signage in Spanish, of course. With virtually everything under one roof, no wonder they’ve been successful beyond U.S. borders.

E:  Say what you will about Walmart putting small merchants out of business. When personal convenience meets ideology, guess who wins. We certainly got all our shopping done there, as did a slew of locals.

C:  It was fun to ride the city bus to the hotel zone, wasn’t it?

E:  Yeah. The stop was a short walk from our rental, and the fare was cheap—around 50 cents. Even though technically all beaches in Mexico are “public,” access is a different matter. If you’re not staying at a beachfront property, we learned there are only a few spots where you can actually get to them.

C:  The seaweed problem plaguing Tulum and Playa del Carmen was in full force on the beaches of Cancun too. What a sad situation for vacationers maybe traveling for the first time since COVID restrictions started.

E:  They somehow seemed to be making the most of it. We were told nearby Isla Mujeres was pristine so a day trip there is definitely on the schedule. Since we didn’t eat at any high-end resort restaurants, what did you think of the food choices close to where we were staying?

C:  Who knew a top-rated TripAdvisor French bistro with outstanding filet mignon would be a couple of minutes from our Airbnb?

E:  Plus Pescaditos, one of the city’s best seafood places, was right up the street. Massive portions for so little money. Will we ever forget the food stands at Parque de las Palapas? 

C:  Wow, that was totally unexpected. After dinner with a local expat he said, “Come with me. You’ve gotta check this place out.”

E:  We’d seen the park on a map and knew it was nearby, but thought, “We’ve visited lots of parks. If we don’t make it there, no big deal.” So glad he insisted.

C:  What a scene! Tons of people eating, socializing, laughing. It was like nothing we’d experienced anywhere else in our travels.

E:  Sure, we’d wandered along 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen at night with all the vacationers, but not such a large gathering of locals.

It was so much fun we got a little carried away. 😄 

C:  And we returned for a yummy and ridiculously inexpensive lunch a couple of days later. So what’s the verdict on Cancun?

E:  Honestly, my expectations were low. How could Mexico’s top vacation mecca be a desirable expat destination? I was blown away by what Cancun has to offer.

C:  Me too. Rents are reasonable. Public transportation is readily available. Health care is top-notch. And a major international airport being right there is a big plus.

E:  In an odd way, Cancun reminded me of when we lived in Las Vegas.

C:  Didn’t see that comparison coming. How so? 

E:  For starters, both places were created out of nothing, right? And I’d say most visitors never venture beyond Cancun’s beaches or The Strip in Vegas. 

C:  Just like we admitted doing on our visit to Cancun years ago. 

E:  Yep. They forget, or aren’t interested in knowing, there’s a whole city nearby with schools, parks, hospitals, and offices. For the reasons you listed, plus the excellent food choices we discovered, I’m kind of surprised to say Cancun was my favorite of all the places we’ve been to so far.

C:  I wouldn’t have predicted it either, but I agree. Mérida was an attractive expat destination, but too hot for us. Tulum’s poor infrastructure was a turn off. Playa had a lot going for it, but there’s no real separation from the tourism and rowdy nightlife on 5th Avenue. To get away from it you would need to own a vehicle and live west of the highway.

E:  Well, we still have other locations to explore. I’m excited to take the ferry over to Isla Mujeres. We’re meeting an expat who’s lived on the island for over seven years and says he loves it. 

C:  Apparently, several hundred other expats either live or “snowbird” there, and we’ve read rave reviews. Will it make us change our minds about Cancun?

E:  Who knows, but it’s certain to be an adventure!