Discover the Best Vacation Rental Apartments in Cancún, Mexico

Experience Cancún from a local's perspective with a stay in your own rental apartment | © RooM the Agency / Alamy Stock Photo

Alex Robinson

18 August 2021

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Cancún has far more to offer than spring break parties and all-inclusive hotels. Scratch below the surface and explore the city beyond the hotel zone by booking a vacation rental in Cancún with Culture Trip.

Although it wouldn’t be a trip to Mexico without a few margaritas, in Cancún – at the northeastern tip of the cenote-scattered Yucatán Peninsula – it’s worth wandering away from the bar-lined seafront. Discover ancient displays at the Museo Maya de Cancún, El Meco’s iguana-dotted Mayan ruins and a multitude of local ceviche spots and taco joints. Here’s our pick of the best vacation rentals and airbnb apartments in Cancún.

Marina Beachfront 2 Bdr – Amazing Oceanview

A balcony with a table and two chairs looks over a pool towards the ocean.

Flaunting a beachfront location, you’ll need no other convincing to stay at this fantastic Cancún vacation rental apartment. The water is always in view no matter if you’re prepping lunch in the kitchen, binging TV in the living room or savoring a drink on the balcony. You’re welcome to use the outdoor pool, but once you slip on a swimsuit, you’ll want to head straight to Playa Puerto Juarez. Fresh ceviche and tequila sunrises will keep you calm, cool and comfortable as the sun sets on Cancún.

Beachfront Penthouses at Brisas by the Spot

Beachfront and penthouse combine for a Cancún stay like no other. This vacation rental apartment has three bedrooms, so you can share the views with your closest friends or favorite family members. Grill up shrimp tacos and have a picnic outside if you’re not keen to dirty your kitchen stovetop. Slide on a pair of comfortable sandals and your feet will glide you to Delfines Beach and El Rey Ruins in 15 minutes. For a quicker pace, hail a taxi and hit Aquaworld for adventurous water sports action.

Luxury 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments

You’ll feel lucky in these luxury two- and three-bedroom apartments – and that’s not because you’re within a 15-minute drive of the Dubai Palace Casino. Furnished balconies and extra living space offer more than enough room for you and your crew to have a laid-back stay. Afternoons spent poolside are equally enjoyable, unless you’d prefer to take an easy 20-minute rideshare to the beach. With a dedicated children’s pool, your kids won’t mind staying close to this vacation rental.

Cancun Jr Suite En Resort Vista Al Mar

A luxury pool deck with ocean views and three jacuzzis sunken beside the pool.

The Casino Macao, Yamil Lu’um ruins and the beach are among the many hotspots within walking distance of this one-bedroom airbnb in Cancún. Small yet more than sufficient, a kitchenette is all you’ll need to reheat delicious leftovers from the nearby waterfront restaurants. Retail therapy awaits at La Gran Rueda Cancún, a perfect place to pick up a few new swimsuits for the inevitable hours you’ll spend sunbathing at the Chac Mool Beach.

Stunning Suite Ocean View

The serene ocean views alone make this Cancún vacation rental apartment worth more than a quick night’s stay. Coffee, tea and cocktails are easy to stir in the kitchenette – and even easier to imbibe on the private furnished balcony. You’ll see the sea from new vantage points with a 15-minute walk to Forum Beach or a bit longer of a hop to the Punta Cancún Lighthouse. That is, if the seaside bars along the way don’t set you off course.

Paradise Beachfront & Nightlife Heart

Cancún locations don’t get much better than this. These three vacation apartments-with-a-view sit right over the beach at the northern end of the hotel zone. The Coco Bongo, one of the city’s busiest clubs, is outside the front door, and the surrounding streets are packed with bars, burrito stalls and restaurants. The apartments have ample space – especially in the two-bedroom Panoramic Studio, with its wraparound balcony offering 270-degree ocean views, which sleeps seven.

City Suites Cancún Aeropuerto Riviera

These simple suites are next to Highway 307, just over 1km from the beach, but only a 10-minute drive from Cancún International Airport. Rooms are simple but contemporary – with wood laminate floors and warm neutral tones. They sit over a large swimming pool with ample sun-lounging space. Stays come with complimentary breakfast and a free airport shuttle. The Xoximilco Mexican theme park – offering night cruises and kitschy themed cultural shows – is on your doorstep.

Apartamento de Lujo en Cancún

An ocean front pool with sun loungers lined up against the shoreline.

Courtesy of Apartamento de Lujo en Cancún / Expedia

These Puerto Juarez apartments – some of which are big enough for families – are only a 15-minute cab hop from Cancún’s busy center, yet they’re quiet enough that only the music of the waves and calling gulls will disturb your sleep. While the beach isn’t as long as on Cancún’s hotel strip, the sand is still powdery and pearl-white, plus the apartment has access to a big, free-form infinity pool and children’s paddling area.

Extended Suites Cancún Cumbres

These economical, contemporary Cancún airbnb apartments feature queen-size beds and kitchenettes within Extended Suites Cancún Cumbres, an aparthotel in Cancún’s southern suburbs. Off the main state thoroughfare, Highway 307, it’s an ideal stay for those on a budget who want to be close to the airport. Digital nomads will appreciate the in-room workstations, while downstairs is a small pool and sundeck for lazy afternoons. Stock up on groceries at the large supermarket across the street – there’s also a string of US chain restaurants, cafes and takeaways if you don’t want to cook. Downtown Cancún is less than a 20-minute drive away.

Molly Codyre and Nick Dauk contributed additional reporting to this article.
On a budget? Check out our guide to the most budget-friendly hotels in Cancún, bookable on Culture Trip.

These recommendations were updated on August 18, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh.

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