Cancún is divided into two parts: the Zona Hotelera (hotel zone), an island shaped like a number 7; and downtown Cancún, known as El Centro, 4 km (2½ mi) west of the hotel zone on the mainland. Boulevard Kukulcán is the main drag in the hotel zone, and since the island is less than 1 km (½ mi) wide, you can see both the Caribbean and the Nichupté Lagoon from either side of it.

The hotel zone consists entirely of hotels, restaurants, shopping complexes, marinas, and time-share condominiums, with few residential areas. It's not the sort of place you can get to know by walking, although there is now a bicycle/walking path connecting the Convention Center at the northern tip of the island with downtown.

Motorized transport of some sort is necessary, as sights are somewhat spread out. Public buses are good, and taxis relatively inexpensive. Renting a car is an unnecessary expense.