Priceline Hotel: arrival & downtown Cancun questions

[TravelPhotographer]

Need 12/12 - 12/16, probably downtown Cancun.

Will probably use bus from airport & getting around city & beaches.

Is it correct bus only takes pesos? Must exchange at airport?

Any crime concerns roaming around "the real" Cancun during day?

(want to take photos of less touristy Mexican markets, Spanish signage, etc.)

Are all Zone 5 Downtown Cancun properties reasonably safe?

(what is lowest successful 3*, 2.5* bids, seems to be no bidding history for Zone 5?)

Why is nearby Zone 3 Cancun North Beach - (called) ALL INCLUSIVE

even though it offers only 3* & less?

Any Cancun advice from those who have been, appreciated.

[thereuare]

I haven't been to Cancun for nearly 10 years so i can't comment in regards to safety at all, but it's certainly an area where i would be as alert, if not more so, as i would be in any large city.

Wherever you end up i would ask the hotel (concierge if available) in regards to which areas should be relatively safe and which should be avoided. You may even be able to get a hotel staff member (valet, bellhop, etc) to relatively inexpensively show you around and be your guide on their day off, as you might not stick out as much 'off the beaten track' if you have a local with you.

I'm sure it's more populated now then when i went, but you might want to look into the town of Puerto Morelos just south of Cancun... we stayed there for a few days and it was certainly local (not sure if it still is though, you'll have to research this a bit)

Good luck.