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Forum By The Sea

4.4
·9k reviews·Cancún, Mexico

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

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more relaxed

CrowdLow
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Forum By The Sea

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more relaxed

CrowdLow
Highlights

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.

4.4
(9k reviews)

"It's a busy area with a free public beach, but be prepared for aggressive vendors and a less-than-appealing mall."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 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.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Public Beach Access

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

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

Forum By The Sea can get incredibly busy, especially the public beach area. Be prepared for aggressive vendors and a lively atmosphere. Having a clear plan for what you want to see can help you navigate the crowds more effectively. Reddit

Beyond the Shops

While it offers a public beach and photo opportunities, some visitors find the mall itself lacking in appeal and cleanliness. Focus on the external areas and beach if you're looking for a more enjoyable experience. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoons
Why
Golden hour for photos
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

#cancun #cancunbadbunny #badbunny #viral #mexico #playagaviotaazul #playaforum #playaforumcancun #viral #quintanaroo #cancunmexico #pyf
@rogeliovq
394.9K likes • 3.5M views

🎯 Have a Plan

With aggressive vendors, know where you're going to avoid being overwhelmed. Reddit

📸 Exterior Photo Ops

The outside offers better photo opportunities than the noisy interior. Reddit

Cancún hoy 11 de agosto #PlayaForum
@diana_saa_
53.6K likes • 773.7K views
A packed Fan Forum by the sea! 🫡
scuderiaferrari
38.6K likes • 689.8K views

🏖️ Beach Vibes

The adjacent public beach is free and fun, but expect it to be busy. Reddit

🍽️ Skip the Mall Food

Rooftop bar food received poor reviews; consider dining elsewhere. Reddit

Join child welfare leaders at the "Symposium By The Sea," a Leadership Forum on Policy Reform Strategy, December 8-10 at the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort in Delray Beach, FL. Don’t miss out! #FLChildren #SymposiumByTheSea #2024Symposium
flcoalition4children
2 likes • 48 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Have a Plan

With aggressive vendors, know where you're going to avoid being overwhelmed. Reddit

📸 Exterior Photo Ops

The outside offers better photo opportunities than the noisy interior. Reddit

🏖️ Beach Vibes

The adjacent public beach is free and fun, but expect it to be busy. Reddit

🍽️ Skip the Mall Food

Rooftop bar food received poor reviews; consider dining elsewhere. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.4
(9k reviews)

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

Free public beach
Busy atmosphere
Photo opportunities

What People Dislike

Aggressive vendors
Noisy mall interior
Poor food quality

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

🎫 🎫 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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

🎫 🧭 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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ 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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Families visiting Forum By The Sea can enjoy the free public beach, which offers space for children to play. However, be prepared for the beach to get very crowded. Reddit The aggressive vendor presence might also be a challenge with younger children, so keeping a close eye on them and having a clear plan is essential. Reddit While there are dining options, the negative reviews about food quality at the rooftop bar mean you might want to seek out more family-friendly eateries elsewhere in Cancun. Reddit

💰 Budget Travelers

Forum By The Sea offers a budget-friendly option with its free public beach access. Reddit Utilizing local buses to get there is also an economical choice for transportation. Reddit While the mall itself might not offer the best shopping value, the ability to enjoy the beach without cost makes it an attractive spot for those watching their spending. Be mindful of aggressive vendors, as they can be persistent, but a firm 'no' usually suffices.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Navigating the Vendors and Crowds

Forum By The Sea is known for its vibrant, and at times overwhelming, atmosphere. The adjacent public beach is a major draw, but it can become extremely crowded, especially during peak times. Visitors frequently report being aggressively approached by vendors trying to sell them goods or services. Many advise having a clear plan of what you want to do or see to avoid feeling pressured or harassed. Reddit It's a place where you'll likely encounter a lot of activity, so mental preparation for this lively environment is key.

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. Reddit 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

When it comes to dining at Forum By The Sea, the feedback is notably mixed, with strong negative sentiment directed towards specific establishments. The rooftop bar, in particular, has been singled out for its poor food quality. Reviews mention burnt fries, mushy burgers, and dried-out chicken strips, leading to a general recommendation to avoid it. Reddit

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. Reddit For those seeking a culinary experience, it might be wiser to explore dining options outside of Forum By The Sea.

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