Cancun has a long history as one of the very best locations to commemorate Spring Brake with university student gathering to its white sand beaches. However there are lots of things to do in Cancun besides strutting down the beach or partying into the wee hours of the early morning. We have actually returned to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula once again and once again given that the year 1999 and we constantly discover something brand-new to see and do.
Cancun is the entrance to the Mayan Riviera with unlimited hotels stretching along the coast of the Caribbean Sea keeping an eye out at its clear blue-green waters. There is an unlimited list of Cancun activities to be had and we have actually done our finest to attempt them all!
Things to do in Cancun
If you are preparing a journey to Cancun make certain to leave your high-end hotel to check out the charm and culture of this little piece of paradise in Mexico. So let’s start to assist you discover all the very best activities in Cancun that will make your journey a trip to keep in mind.
Searching for transport from Cancun Airport to your hotel? Take a look at eTransfers for the very best rates. They use shuttle bus to the Hotel Zone, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and all along the Mayan Riviera.
There is no doubt that the majority of people book a minimum of among numerous excursion from Cancun. With simple access to the Mayan Riviera and southern Caribbean Coast, a lot of the leading things to do in Cancun are while out on trips that leave from the Hotel Zone. We are going to discuss our preferred excursion from Cancun in addition to the very best things to do in the Hotel Zone. Plus we have a complete short article on The very best Outing from Cancun.
For day trips in Cancun, we utilize Get Your Guide. We utilize them for all our excursion worldwide and have actually utilized them for a lot of our Cancun journeys. It provides transfers, tourist guide, and access to a lot of the leading locations to check out in Cancun with complete refunds if canceling within 24 hr of trips. Plus, they take last-minute reservations too. We’ll be suggesting the Cancun trips that we have actually done to assist take the uncertainty out of reservations for you.
If you are searching for suggestions on where to remain in Cancun, we have a whole post breaking down all the very best locations. Learn more at: Where to Remain in Cancun: Finest Hotels and Locations For Each Budget Plan
Finest Things to do in Cancun– Hotel Zone
The Hotel Zone, (Zona Hotelera) is among the most popular locations to remain in Cancun and with excellent factor. It is an unlimited stretch of sand filled with hotels lining the beach. These are the very best things to do near Cancun to take pleasure in a day out where you do not require to get on a trip bus or book a trip from your hotel. From watersports to a natural amusement park, Mayan ruins to undersea rivers, you are going to fall for Cancun.
Walk the Hotel Zone
Simply strolling along the hotel zone of Cancun is an experience unto itself. This zone is 22km (14 miles long) and filled with dining establishments, bars, going shopping malls, and complete mega-resorts.
You do not need to remain at a complete to have an enjoyable time, we as soon as remained in a budget plan hotel in downtown Cancun and had a lot enjoyable checking out by foot, delighting in the night life, and having a more immersive experience.
Maya Ruins of El Rey
It might not be as huge as Chichen Itza or as well-known as Tulum, however the El Rey Ruins is an appropriate Mayan archeological website near downtown Cancun. There are 47 ruins to check out with a burial website and ancient murals.
The star destination of this website is the nest of iguanas that live in the ruins. They are utilized to individuals so the possibilities of seeing one is excellent! Not all visitors to Cancun will wish to take a bus flight for hours to see Mayan Ruins, so this is the next finest thing.
Coco Bongo
If you are searching for enjoyable things to do in Cancun in the evening, you can go to a club and destroy the dance flooring all night long. Cancun is understood for its celebration scene and there are a great deal of clubs to celebration in however Coco Bongo is a club offering home entertainment consisting of acrobats, a light program, and gogo dancers. It’s genuinely an extravaganza with a circus on steroids ambiance. It’s an all-night occasion so be gotten ready for a hangover in the early morning.
Coco Bongo is just one of the numerous bars downtown. Other locations to check out for night life are Mandala, Congo Bar, Palazzo and obviously, you can never ever miss out on a chance to celebration it up at Senor Frogs!
Playa Delfines
Cancun beaches are is well-known for their unlimited stretches of white sand. From the Cancun Riviera to Playa del Carmen, and Playa Mujeres, you’ll discover a few of the very best beaches in Mexico here. The beaches right in front of the hotel zone are great with soft white sand that goes on for days. Opportunities are when you check out Cancun, you’ll be remaining at a complete resort with its own beach. However a few of you might be at a hotel on the lagoon and others might wish to leave the resort.
Playa Delfines is the only public beach that is totally devoid of hotels and dining establishments. It offers you that regional experience providing a quieter day out in the sun. There are complimentary beach umbrellas to utilize and lifeguards on responsibility. It’s name states everything, Playa Delphines equates to Dolphin Beach and you’ll have an excellent possibility of finding dolphins here.
Finest Cancun Beaches
There’s absolutely nothing we like more than strolling on the soft white sands for our early morning walk. What I like is the length of time the beaches remain in Cancun, we can stroll for hours. Hotels have gorgeous beaches straight off of the home and you can stroll from hotel to hotel to take pleasure in the stunning setting. If you wish to go beach hopping around Cancun, here are a few of the very best beaches to absorb the sun near and around Cancun. A few of the very best Cancun beaches besides Playa Delfines are are Playa Tortugas, Playa Online Forum and Chac Mool.
Finest Beaches Near Cancun for an outing
Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres– routine Cancun Isla Mujeres ferryboats will take you to this gorgeous beach. Or you can reserve an Isla Mujeres excursion. This is an excellent island to check out from Cancun. This Isla Mujeres Trip takes you to the “Island of females to snorkel in its clear blue waters. Playacar Beach in Playa del Carmen– an excellent excursion from Cancun is to hang out in Playa del Carmen and it has a great beach!Tulum Beach– When checking out the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, you typically have an opportunity to unwind on its gorgeous beach. It has a few of the most incredible views in the Mayan Riviera.
Cancun Scenic Tower
If you aren’t blessed with a high hotel space dealing with the water, make your method to Torre Escenica (Aka Cancun Scenic Tower) for among the very best views in Cancun. Found simply in from the Hotel Zone near Playa Tortugas, it has scenic views where you’ll have the ability to see the rows of complete resorts, Cancun and the Caribbean Coast
See the Cancun Indication (Letras Cancún)
There’s no doubt that a person of the most popular things to do in any location nowadays is to get a selfie in front of the location’s indication. Well, you’ll discover a vibrant Cancun indication like all over else on earth awaiting you. It has actually quickly turned into one of the most popular traveler destinations in Cancun and is a should when marking off your list of Cancun activities. The well-known Cancun indication lies on Playa Delfines. We have it pinned on our map above.
Museo Maya de Cancun (Mayan Museum)
If you wish to include a little culture to your journey however do not wish to hang around on a bus going on an outing to Tulum or Chichen Itza, you can get the Mayan destroy experience closer to the Hotel Zone at Museo Maya.
The Maya Museum in Cancun is an excellent location to learn more about history of the pre Columbian Maya. As we age, we take pleasure in going to museums be it in Cancun, or Paris France. We have actually found out that museums are an excellent enhance to going to locations in reality.
If you are intending on going to locations like Tulum or Chichen Itza, this will assist you comprehend the Mayan history and culture much better prior to you go.It is a more recent destination opening in 2012 and lies right in the hotel zone.
Downtown Cancun
If you wish to experience some genuine Mexican culture, make your method to downtown Cancun. The fantastic feature of this location, is that hotels are more affordable and a lot of trips will choose you up at your hotel. This Modern 2-bed House provides simple access to regional markets, going shopping districts, and dining establishments from this contemporary house.
Avenida Tulum is the primary street of Cancun that is filled with dining establishments, shopping, and night life. It is here that you’ll discover a few of the very best markets and searching for a keepsake from your time in Mexico. If you desire a genuine taco, this is the location to attempt Tacos al Pastor, (shepard design) Taqueria Coapenitos, (pub-style) This gastronomy strolling trip takes you to 4 regional Taquerias (taco dining establishments) to sample regional street food and a range of delicious tacos. Attempt a standard drink and a dessert.
Outdoor Markets Cancun
Cancun is a contemporary city with shopping center, a Walmart and even a Costco. I do not learn about you, however when I take a trip, I wish to check out more standard markets.
Among numerous markets in Cancun is Mercado 28. It is an outside al fresco market that offers keepsakes, crafts, and precious jewelry. It is a covered market so you will not be burnt by the sun, however it has that standard feel of an old flea market. Hone your bargaining abilities and prepare yourself to purchase some Mexican keepsakes at discount rate rates. Market 23 is among the most gone to markets in the city too.
Water Activities in Cancun
Tackle a Flyboard
If you are all set for an excitement of a life time, attempt flyboarding in Cancun’s hotel zone. There are just a handful of operators in Cancun that will let you fly over the water like a snowboarder.
Go Out with a trainer on a wave runner for thirty minutes to assist you master flying through the air! We didn’t have the nerve to do this, however we enjoyed enjoying the insane tourists attempt their hand at it.
Go Kayaking
Think it or not, you do not need to go far from downtown Cancun to experience a little bit of nature. Nichupte Lagoon is a natural reserve near Cancun that has mangrove forests and 7 lakes that you can go kayaking through its mangrove jungle.
There are likewise lots of water sports to be had from taking boat trips through the jungle lagoon, snorkeling, and diving. Nichupte Lagoon is an excellent method for visitors to experience a little bit of the jungles of the Yucatan without needing to go far.
SUP– Stand Paddleboarding
Many hotels in Cancun use complimentary stand-up paddleboarding with their plans and SUP along the coast is among the very best cost effective activities in Cancun. The waters at Cancun’s hotel zone are calm making it an excellent location to provide it a shot. Stand paddleboarding is an enjoyable method to check out the coast and get a little workout in.
You can even do some arranged trips into the mangroves. When searching for enjoyable activities in Cancun on the water think about as SUP journey, you might find your brand-new preferred pastime!
Part 2 Cancun Trips
We have a whole post devoted to the very best excursion in Cancun, however if you are going to for the very first time, these are the journeys that we extremely advise. For a more thorough guide and other concepts check out: The very best Cancun Day Trips
Go Diving
The reef off the coast of the Riviera Maya and Cancun is among the very best worldwide. In 1961 Jacques Cousteau found the stunning diving here and stated the location as one of the most gorgeous dive websites worldwide. Thanks in part to the appeal of diving in these waters, they were stated a nationwide marine park in 1996. This has actually enabled the reef to prosper and the wildlife to grow, producing among the most marvelous diving experiences you’re most likely to ever have.
Cozumel is the leading area in the Yucatan Peninsula for diving, however you can reserve diving trips from Cancun to explore its crystal clear waters with exposure reaching over 100 feet. Even if you are a newbie you can attempt diving in Cancun. Lots of resorts use PADI accreditation and check out dives.
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks and Sea Turtles
If you aren’t all set to go diving, snorkeling is among our preferred things to do in Cancun. There are numerous snorkeling experiences near Cancun. Isla Mujeres is among the very best locations worldwide to see sea turtles and simply off the Yucatan Coast is among the very best locations worldwide to identify whale sharks. Swimming with whale sharks is by far among the most interesting activities in Cancun To see these mild giants up close is one for the pail list.
Swimming with Whale Sharks– This seasonal activity is a must. If you remain in Cancun in between May and October, make certain to reserve a trip to swim with Whale Sharks.
Rio Secreto Cenote
Among our preferred things to do in Cancun is to explore its numerous cenotes. The Riviera Maya is understood for its underground rivers streaming through limestone caverns, called Cenotes and brave tourists will wish to make certain to enter a minimum of one on their check out to Cancun. There are numerous Cenotes to check out near Cancun. Among the very best Cenote trips is Rio Secreto and we extremely advised it. However Rio Secreto is just one of numerous Cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Throughout our last journey to Cancun, we hugged the charming Puerto Morelos situated in between Playa del Carmen and Cancun and there are a number of Cenotes in Puerto Morelos. Verde Lucero Cenote is a cenote you can check out by yourself and do some zip lining too. You can reserve a 4 Cenotes trip through Viator.
Lu’um Cenote was our preferred with a complete day of water sports from Rappeling into the Cenote, and doing numerous experiences like a zip line over a cenote, swimming in a Cenote and kayaking through the underground rivers. Learn more: 15 Enjoyable Truths About Mexico
Zip Lining through Jungles and Cenotes
If you are searching for daring things to do in Cancun, include zip lining to your list. Individuals who brought you Xcaret, have actually developed an experience amusement park that houses the most gone to worldwide! Zip lining is an excitement to overlook the jungle. Mexico is the only location where we ever had a damp water landing and Xplore has 2 of them!
There’s not just ziplining here though, you will have a blast on the ATV experience, rafting through the Cenotes and swimming through underground caverns.
Schedule this extremely ranked trips– ATV Trip, Zip line and Cenotes Trip all in one. The fantastic feature of the Maya Riviera is that numerous trips integrate the leading destinations all in one day.
Isla Mujeres
A fantastic excursion from Cancun is investing a day at Isla Mujeres, it is simply a brief boat flight from the mainland. Isla Mujeres, aka the “Island of Females” got its name from the numerous pictures of Goddesses on the Island. The island was spiritual to the ancient Mayans who worshipped it as the goddess of giving birth. Today, Isla Mujeres is a stunning escape simply a brief thirty minutes boat trip from downtown Cancun.
Lots of people invest the day at the Garrafon Reef Park. This natural park is filled with water sports like snorkeling in the reef, at Gararafon Natural Reef Park, kayaking, treking and even ziplining. Simply a 15 minute ferryboat flight from downtown Cancun, this is a popular location to check out.
You can invest the day delighting in all the numerous activities, however make certain to check out the turtle preservation center situated on the island too where you’ll have the ability to witness sea turtles being hatched! The center is making fantastic makes every effort in their sea turtle preservation efforts.
Schedule this extremely ranked trip– complete Isla Mujeres Catamaran cruise– Consists of an open bar, food, and stops at El Meco reef, downtown Isla Mujeres and gorgeous views of the Riviera Maya coast.
Isla Contoy
Another Island not to be missed out on when looking for things to do in Cancun is to go bird enjoying at Isla Contoy. This island is typically integrated with journeys to Isla Mujeres and it is a beautiful safeguarded location to spy countless birds and sea turtles.
Isla Contoy has actually been designated a National forest and they just permit 200 individuals on the island a day. After checking out the island, its time to get in the water to do some snorkeling in Mexico’s stunning reef.
Schedule this island mix trip– Isla Mujeres and Islan Contoy trip where you’ll find 2 of the most gorgeous islands in the Yucatan Peninsula. Easy cancellation within 24 hr of activities.
Chichén Itzá
I believe the extremely first excursion everybody books when going to Cancun is a journey to the ancient Mayan Ruins of Chichén Itzá. Chichen Itza is the most well-known of all the Maya Ruins in the Yucatan and it is the biggest ancient city where you can visit its ancient pyramids most significantly El Castillo– the Temple of Kukulkan) and ball courts, the gorgeous vast premises and there is even a cenote.
It is so fantastic that it was called among the New 7 Marvels of the World. See them all at 7 Marvels of the World– the New, The Natural, and the Ancient
No journey to Cancun would be total without a see to this UNESCO World Heritage Website. Believe me, the very first time we went to Cancun, everybody asked us up on our return “did you go to Chichen Itza?” yes, yes we did! We in fact checked out Chichen Itza years back when you might still reach the top of El Castillo. See our list of preferred 42 Remarkable Ancient Ruins of the World
If you can lease or work with a vehicle to check out prior to the trip buses get here, we extremely advise it. This location gets hectic. Chichen-Itza– Chichen Itza is a long drive from Cancun, so integrate it with a complete trip stopping at a Cenote, and the Colonial City of Vallidoid.
Check Out the Undersea Museum
You do not need to go far to have a distinct undersea experience. Among the very best things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula is to go diving. And the undersea art museum of Cancun is a distinct diving experience.
This synthetic reef includes 45 statues making it the biggest undersea synthetic reef system worldwide. Residents positioned for these statues that were immersed to develop a base for coral to grow on.
Whether you scuba dive, snorkel, or simply wish to head out on a glass-bottom boat, you can see this museum on a three-hour journey from the Hotel Zone.
Even novices can dive at the undersea museum– Schedule this newbie’s diving experience where you’ll have a quick intro prior to going out to see the undersea statues and synthetic reef.
Where to Remain In Cancun
Besides Cancun, anywhere along the Mayan Riviera from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum is a great area to remain. We have actually remained in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cancun Riviera, Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, and Playa Mujeres. All of these areas work as trips, and transfers will get and drop you off here. (conserve for Cozumel which we feel is more devoted to diving. That was our objective when we remained on the island)
There are actually countless hotels in the location, and we can’t break them all down ourselves. You must take a look at TripAdvisor and Booking.com for rates, evaluations, and areas of hotels in Cancun that match your spending plan and requirements.
There are many hotels in the Mayan Riviera and everybody has a preferred. However these are hotels we have actually remained at in Cancun and trust.
When to See Cancun
We have actually been to the location at all various times of the year and for the a lot of part, anytime is a great time to check out Cancun.
High season in Cancun– December through to the end of April is the very best time to check out Cancun for the very best environment. It is when the weather condition is ideal and most steady. Particularly from January– March. It is the dryest season, however it is likewise comfy with humidity at its lightest producing an extremely comfy journey.
Summertime Season– We have actually been to Cancun in the dead of summertime and it was great. It’s a bit more damp and you might get a bit of rain every day however absolutely nothing to stop you from delighting in the sun.
These months are the rainy season in Cancun which implies that there is the periodic afternoon shower. Rates are more affordable and crowds are less in the offseason of Cancun. Summer season is likewise a good time to swim with whale sharks. The season is from June to September.
Shoulder Season– Throughout September and October, Cancun is simply beginning to prepare for the winter, so this is where you’ll discover the very best offers. However some trips are not running, you might discover building at your hotel and you might remain in the middle of cyclone season. Cancun does see less typhoons than the Caribbean though.
When to See Cancun for Diving and Snorkelling
We have actually done a diving journey to Cancun in the Spring, we swam with whale sharks in the summertime and gone diving and snorkeling in the dead of winter season.
Anytime is a great time to take pleasure in the water in Cancun. However as we stated above, whale shark season is from June to September. (September is getting late, however we were as soon as on the last journey of the year and saw plenty)
Sea Turtles are nesting in May and October, so you have a likelihood of seeing them on the beach. (Do not disrupt them however, they are laying eggs and are extremely threatened.
And these are the absolute best things to do in Cancun Mexico. What experiences will you attempt when you go to Mexico next?