“In the end you only regret the chances you didn’t take” – Unknown

For a backpacker like me who can’t afford to stay at one of the really nice super fancy resorts that line the beaches of Cancun, it is not worth spending more time in this city than is needed to get your flights in and out of the country (as there are much better places to explore on a backpacker budget).

However, as I am a stickler for making the most of my time wherever I am, I managed to find some really cool places to explore whilst waiting for my flight. I stayed at Hostel Mundo Joven which was right near the main bus-stop (the ADO Terminal, buses go from here to the airport and to other Mexican destinations). Not far from here was a large city square (Parque de Las Palapas) where during the day I ate cheap delicious Mexican food from the small street stalls. In the evening the square transformed to what I think was a huge Carnivale dance competition with spectacular costumes, lots of sparkle and feathers and several hundreds of cheering locals. I didn’t really know what was going on, but it was very entertaining and lots of fun. There were balloons, fairy floss, streamers, lots of glitter and I tried a strange crispy crepe-like treat filled with nutella and cheese made by a wide-smiling Mexican man. It was unusually delicious.

Before flying out I spent the last of my pesos on a delicious restaurant meal complete with a margarita! My short time in Mexico was such a great experience leaving me hungry to explore more of it!!

Read my posts on Tulum and Isla Holbox for some great escapes from the city.

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