Mayan Monkey Cancún

Mayan Monkey is the budget traveller's way into Cancún's Hotel Zone. Most of the city's hostels are downtown, but this one sits at kilometre 9.5 of Boulevard Kukulcán, on the edge of Punta Cancún, about 200 metres from Playa Chac Mool. That makes it the only hostel on the beach strip, according to the hostel reviewers at Hostelgeeks and Cancún Trip Insider, and it puts the bars of Punta Cancún and the Ultramar ferry at Playa Caracol within easy reach.

The building faces the lagoon on one side, and its pool has views over the water. The best-known feature is a slide that drops guests from the pool area into the lagoon. There is a bar and snack bar, a sun terrace, a shared kitchen, lockers and a tour desk, and guests mention free yoga sessions and a daily happy hour. The bar is separated from the sleeping areas.

Accommodation covers dormitories of six, eight, ten and twelve beds, including a twelve-bed dorm for women only, and every dorm bed has its own power socket, reading light and privacy curtain. For more privacy there are double rooms, some with lagoon views, and a suite with a balcony that sleeps four. Breakfast is a buffet available at an extra charge, and there is free WiFi and free parking.

Mayan Monkey suits solo travellers, party-minded backpackers, beach lovers and digital nomads who want a social atmosphere and a beach a short walk away. It is adults only, so families will need to look elsewhere. On booking platforms it scores well overall, with location and service ranked highest, but some guests have reported damp on the ground floor and mix-ups with room assignments, so check your booking details on arrival.

Getting to the downtown bus station means taking an R-1 or R-2 bus along the boulevard, the same buses that serve the rest of the Hotel Zone. In return, you can walk to Playa Chac Mool and Playa Gaviota Azul and to the nightlife around Plaza Forum and Coco Bongo. Published nightly rates for the hostel vary between sources, so confirm the price when you book.