While you are in Cancun, you will have a chance to try as many of the restaurants in the hotel zone as you like, but for a one of a kind taste of Cancun you can head off the hotel zone and into downtown.   There you can find more variety than is available on the hotel zone and something else that you are not likely to see in the touristic areas: street vendors!   Most people from the United States might cringe at the thought of eating something from a street vendor, but it is usually a very safe and fun experience.

Here are a few samples of what you can commonly find out on the streets of Cancun!

Tacos – Tacos, tacos, tacos! You can find all kinds of tacos available from street vendors and these are usually some of the best because most of the vendors in Cancun use the same tricks and recipes that have been handed down through the generations and that is not something that you will be likely to find in any restaurant!

Fruit with chili – This is a very cool and refreshing treat that you can buy almost anywhere.   This is most definitely safe to eat and very healthy!  The chili used is typically not spicy but gives the fruit a unique flavor.  You will usually find melon slices, papaya slices and jicema slices.

Tamales – Street tamales are some of the best that you can find in Cancun.   Just like the tacos that you will find, the tamales are made with the secrets and recipes passed down through the generations.   And these are also very safe to eat.   The tamales are cooked to very high temperature and that prevents illnesses.   You can eat these alone or with salsa.

Food from the street vendors in Cancun is truly a unique experience because unlike the restaurants in the hotel zone, the food from the street vendors is completely home made!  Although I know there are concerns about food borne illnesses, there is very little risk of contracting something here in Cancun.   Just use your judgment and take a look before you buy.   If you see that there are many people eating, then the food is probably trust worthy.   If you see that the food looks very well cooked and is stored properly, then it is probably trust worthy.   Use careful judgment, but don’t let fear keep you from this one of a kind taste of Cancun!