
Forum By The Sea
A bustling commercial center and public beach area in Cancun's Hotel Zone, known for its lively atmosphere and photo ops, but also for crowds and vend...

Highlights
Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed

Forum By The Sea
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A bustling commercial center and public beach area in Cancun's Hotel Zone, known for its lively atmosphere and photo ops, but also for crowds and vendors.
"It's a busy area with a free public beach, but be prepared for aggressive vendors and a less-than-appealing mall."

🎯 Have a Plan
With aggressive vendors, know where you're going to avoid being overwhelmed.
📸 Exterior Photo Ops
The outside offers better photo opportunities than the noisy interior.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Public Beach Access
Adjacent to Forum By The Sea
Enjoy a lively public beach with plenty of space, though it can get very crowded. Perfect for sunbathing and people-watching.

Photo Opportunities
Exterior of Forum By The Sea
The exterior of the complex offers some interesting architectural elements for memorable vacation photos.
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Planning Your Visit
Navigating the Crowds
Beyond the Shops
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Have a Plan
With aggressive vendors, know where you're going to avoid being overwhelmed.
📸 Exterior Photo Ops
The outside offers better photo opportunities than the noisy interior.
🏖️ Beach Vibes
The adjacent public beach is free and fun, but expect it to be busy.
🍽️ Skip the Mall Food
Rooftop bar food received poor reviews; consider dining elsewhere.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Have a Plan
With aggressive vendors, know where you're going to avoid being overwhelmed.
📸 Exterior Photo Ops
The outside offers better photo opportunities than the noisy interior.
🏖️ Beach Vibes
The adjacent public beach is free and fun, but expect it to be busy.
🍽️ Skip the Mall Food
Rooftop bar food received poor reviews; consider dining elsewhere.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Forum By The Sea offers a lively public beach with free access, making it a popular spot. However, visitors should be prepared for aggressive vendors and a potentially noisy, less-than-clean mall interior. Dining at the rooftop bar is strongly discouraged due to poor food quality.
"Very clean and rooms were large. The free Breakfast was a huge buffet, very good food. The rooftop bar food was horrible the twice I got it. Burnt fries, burger was a mushy odd meat. Dried out chick strips."
Reed Winter
"Fun area free public beach but is super busy."
Paul Carr
"You can take some cool photos outside. That's all. It was very noisy inside the mall. The music in the cafe inside was so loud that I don't understand how the poor salespeople inside worked there all day. The mall didn't look clean or nice. There were very few people inside. The selection of shops wasn't very big."
Nika Navi
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Forum By The Sea is located in the Hotel Zone of Cancun. You can reach it by local bus, taxi, or if you're staying nearby, it might be walkable. Buses are a frequent and affordable option for navigating the Hotel Zone.
Yes, Forum By The Sea is very accessible by public transport. Numerous bus routes run along the Hotel Zone, making it a convenient stop for visitors.
From Cancun International Airport (CUN), you can take a taxi or a pre-booked shuttle service directly to Forum By The Sea. The journey typically takes about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Forum By The Sea itself is a commercial complex, and generally, there's no entry fee to walk around the common areas. However, individual shops, restaurants, or clubs within the complex will have their own pricing. The adjacent public beach is also free to access.
The opening hours can vary for individual establishments within Forum By The Sea. Typically, shops and restaurants operate from late morning until late evening. It's best to check the specific hours for any venue you plan to visit.
No, the public beach adjacent to Forum By The Sea is free to access. You can enjoy the sun and sand without any admission charge.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The selection of shops at Forum By The Sea has been noted as not very large, with some areas appearing empty. While there are various retail outlets, the overall experience might be less extensive than expected.
Some reviews suggest that Forum By The Sea may not feel entirely safe or attractive, especially in the evening, with mentions of sketchy establishments. It's advisable to be aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit, populated areas.
The atmosphere can be very noisy inside the mall, with loud music. The exterior and adjacent public beach are described as busy and lively, but also prone to aggressive vendors.
Yes, the exterior of Forum By The Sea offers some good photo opportunities. However, the interior of the mall is described as not looking clean or nice, and the music can be excessively loud.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Forum By The Sea has dining options, including a rooftop bar. However, reviews for the rooftop bar food have been very negative, citing burnt fries and poorly prepared burgers and chicken strips.
Based on recent reviews, the food at the rooftop bar at Forum By The Sea is considered horrible, with specific complaints about burnt fries and dried-out chicken strips.
While there are dining establishments, the negative reviews about food quality, particularly at the rooftop bar, might make it less appealing for families seeking a good meal. It's advisable to research specific restaurants within the complex.
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Deep Dives
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Navigating the Vendors and Crowds
While the beach offers a free public access point, the commercial aspect of Forum By The Sea has received mixed reviews. Some find the interior of the mall unappealing, citing noise levels from loud music and a lack of cleanliness or desirable shops. This suggests that for some, the main appeal lies in the external areas and the beach rather than the shopping experience itself. If you're sensitive to noise or aggressive sales tactics, consider visiting during off-peak hours or focusing solely on the beach.
Food and Beverage Experiences
This suggests that while there are places to eat and drink within the complex, visitors should exercise caution and perhaps do further research on individual restaurants. The free breakfast buffet mentioned in one review was described as huge and very good, indicating that not all dining experiences are negative, but the specific rooftop bar is a point of concern for many. For those seeking a culinary experience, it might be wiser to explore dining options outside of Forum By The Sea.
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