Cancun has a protracted historical past as among the finest locations to rejoice Spring Break with faculty college students flocking to its white-sand seashores. However there are many issues to do in Cancun in addition to strutting down the seashore or partying into the wee hours of the morning. We’ve gone again to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula many times for the reason that yr 1999 and we at all times discover one thing new to see and do.
Cancun is the gateway to the Mayan Riviera with countless accommodations sprawling alongside the coast of the Caribbean Sea looking at its clear turquoise waters. There may be an countless listing of Cancun actions available and we’ve accomplished our greatest to strive all of them!
Prime Issues to do in Cancun
If you’re planning a visit to Cancun be sure that to get out of your luxurious lodge to discover the sweetness and tradition of this little slice of heaven in Mexico. So let’s get began that will help you discover all the very best actions in Cancun that may make your journey a trip to recollect.
In search of transportation from Cancun Airport to your lodge? Take a look at eTransfers for the very best costs. They provide shuttles to the Lodge Zone, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and all alongside the Mayan Riviera.
There is no such thing as a doubt that most individuals ebook at the least certainly one of many day journeys from Cancun. With easy accessibility to the Mayan Riviera and southern Caribbean Coast, lots of the prime issues to do in Cancun are whereas out on excursions that depart from the Lodge Zone. We’re going to speak about our favourite day journeys from Cancun in addition to the very best issues to do within the Lodge Zone. Plus we’ve a full article on The Greatest Day Journeys from Cancun.
For day excursions in Cancun, we use Get Your Information. We use them for all our day journeys all over the world and have used them for a lot of of our Cancun travels. It gives transfers, tour guides, and entry to lots of the prime locations to go to in Cancun with full refunds if canceling inside 24 hours of excursions. Plus, they take last-minute bookings too. We’ll be recommending the Cancun excursions that we’ve accomplished to assist take the guesswork out of bookings for you.
If you’re on the lookout for suggestions on the place to remain in Cancun, we’ve a complete submit breaking down all the very best areas. Learn extra at: The place to Keep in Cancun: Greatest Motels and Areas For Each Funds
Greatest Issues to do in Cancun – Lodge Zone
The Lodge Zone, (Zona Hotelera) is likely one of the hottest locations to remain in Cancun and with good motive. It’s an countless stretch of sand stuffed with accommodations lining the seashore. These are the very best issues to do close to Cancun to get pleasure from a day trip the place you don’t must get on a tour bus or ebook an tour out of your lodge. From watersports to a pure theme park, Mayan ruins to underwater rivers, you’re going to fall in love with Cancun.
1. Stroll the Lodge Zone
Simply strolling alongside the lodge zone of Cancun is an journey unto itself. This zone is 22km (14 miles lengthy) and stuffed with eating places, bars, buying malls, and all-inclusive mega-resorts.
You don’t have to remain at an all-inclusive to have a enjoyable time, we as soon as stayed in a finances lodge in downtown Cancun and had a lot enjoyable exploring by foot, having fun with the nightlife, and having a extra immersive expertise.
2. Maya Ruins of El Rey
It might not be as large as Chichen Itza or as well-known as Tulum, however the El Rey Ruins is a correct Mayan archeological website close to downtown Cancun. There are 47 ruins to discover with a burial website and historical murals.
The star attraction of this website is the colony of iguanas that inhabit the ruins. They’re used to individuals so the probabilities of seeing one is superb! Not all guests to Cancun will wish to take a bus journey for hours to see Mayan Ruins, so that is the following neatest thing.
3. Coco Bongo
If you’re on the lookout for enjoyable issues to do in Cancun at evening, you may go to a membership and tear up the dance ground all evening lengthy. Cancun is thought for its get together scene and there are lots of golf equipment to get together in however Coco Bongo is a nightclub providing leisure together with acrobats, a light-weight present, and gogo dancers. It’s actually an extravaganza with a circus on steroids vibe. It’s an all-night occasion so be ready for a hangover within the morning.
Coco Bongo is just one of many many bars downtown. Different locations to go to for nightlife are Mandala, Congo Bar, Palazzo and naturally, you may by no means miss a possibility to get together it up at Senor Frogs!
4. Playa Delfines
Cancun seashores are is legendary for his or her countless stretches of white sand. From the Cancun Riviera to Playa del Carmen, and Playa Mujeres, you’ll discover a few of the greatest seashores in Mexico right here. The seashores proper in entrance of the lodge zone are unbelievable with mushy white sand that goes on for days. Likelihood is once you go to Cancun, you’ll be staying at an all-inclusive resort with its personal seashore. However a few of it’s possible you’ll be at a lodge on the lagoon and others could wish to get off the resort.
Playa Delfines is the one public seashore that’s utterly void of accommodations and eating places. It provides you that native expertise providing a quieter day trip within the solar. There are free seashore umbrellas to make use of and lifeguards on responsibility. It’s identify says all of it, Playa Delphines interprets to Dolphin Seashore and also you’ll have a fantastic likelihood of recognizing dolphins right here.
Greatest Cancun Seashores
There’s nothing we love greater than strolling on the mushy white sands for our morning stroll. What I like is how lengthy the seashores are in Cancun, we are able to stroll for hours. Motels have stunning seashores proper off of the property and you’ll stroll from lodge to lodge to benefit from the beautiful setting. If you wish to go seashore hopping round Cancun, listed below are a few of the greatest seashores to absorb the solar close to and round Cancun. Among the greatest Cancun seashores in addition to Playa Delfines are are Playa Tortugas, Playa Discussion board and Chac Mool.
Greatest Seashores Close to Cancun for a day journey
- Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres – common Cancun Isla Mujeres ferries will take you to this stunning seashore. Or you may ebook an Isla Mujeres day journey. This can be a nice island to go to from Cancun. This Isla Mujeres Tour takes you to the “Island of girls to snorkel in its clear blue waters.
- Playacar Seashore in Playa del Carmen – a fantastic day journey from Cancun is to hang around in Playa del Carmen and it has a unbelievable seashore!
- Tulum Seashore – When exploring the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, you typically have an opportunity to calm down on its stunning seashore. It has a few of the most spectacular views within the Mayan Riviera.
5. Cancun Scenic Tower
When you aren’t blessed with a excessive lodge room dealing with the water, make your option to Torre Escenica (Aka Cancun Scenic Tower) for among the finest views in Cancun. Situated simply in from the Lodge Zone close to Playa Tortugas, it has panoramic views the place you’ll be capable to see the rows of all-inclusive resorts, Cancun and the Caribbean Coast
6. Go to the Cancun Signal (Letras Cancún)
There’s little question that some of the widespread issues to do in any vacation spot today is to get a selfie in entrance of the vacation spot’s signal. Effectively, you’ll discover a colourful Cancun signal like in every single place else on the planet ready for you. It has quick change into some of the widespread vacationer points of interest in Cancun and is a should when checking off your listing of Cancun actions. The well-known Cancun signal is situated on Playa Delfines. We’ve it pinned on our map above.
7. Museo Maya de Cancun (Mayan Museum)
If you wish to add just a little tradition to your journey however don’t wish to spend time on a bus occurring a day journey to Tulum or Chichen Itza, you may get the Mayan spoil expertise nearer to the Lodge Zone at Museo Maya.
The Maya Museum in Cancun is a superb place to be taught in regards to the historical past of the pre-Columbian Maya. As we become old, we get pleasure from going to museums be it in Cancun, or Paris France. We’ve realized that museums are a fantastic complement to visiting locations in actual life.
If you’re planning on visiting locations like Tulum or Chichen Itza, this may enable you perceive the Mayan historical past and tradition higher earlier than you go.It’s a newer attraction opening in 2012 and is situated proper within the lodge zone.
8. Downtown Cancun
If you wish to expertise some actual Mexican tradition, make your option to downtown Cancun. The beauty of this space, is that accommodations are less expensive and most excursions will choose you up at your lodge. This Fashionable 2-bed Condominium gives easy accessibility to native markets, buying districts, and eating places from this contemporary house.
Avenida Tulum is the principle road of Cancun that’s stuffed with eating places, buying, and nightlife. It’s right here that you just’ll discover a few of the greatest markets and searching for a memento out of your time in Mexico. In order for you an genuine taco, that is the place to strive Tacos al Pastor, (shepard fashion) Taqueria Coapenitos, (pub-style) This gastronomy strolling tour takes you to 4 native Taquerias (taco eating places) to pattern native road meals from native road distributors and a wide range of flavorful tacos. Attempt a conventional beverage and a dessert.
9. Outside Markets Cancun
Cancun is a contemporary metropolis with buying malls, a Walmart and even a Costco. I don’t find out about you, however after I journey, I wish to go to extra conventional markets.
One in all many markets in Cancun is Mercado 28. It’s an out of doors open-air market that sells souvenirs, crafts, and jewellery. It’s a lined market so that you received’t be scorched by the solar, but it surely has that conventional really feel of an previous flea market. Sharpen your bargaining abilities and prepare to purchase some Mexican souvenirs at low cost costs. Market 23 is likely one of the most visited markets within the metropolis as properly.
Water Actions in Cancun
10. Deal with a Flyboard
If you’re prepared for a thrill of a lifetime, strive flyboarding in Cancun’s lodge zone. There are solely a handful of operators in Cancun that may allow you to fly over the water like a snowboarder.
Head out with an teacher on a wave runner for half-hour that will help you get the cling of flying by means of the air! We didn’t have the nerve to do that, however we beloved watching the loopy vacationers strive their hand at it.
11. Go Kayaking
Consider it or not, you don’t must go removed from downtown Cancun to expertise a little bit of nature. Nichupte Lagoon is a pure reserve close to Cancun that has mangrove forests and 7 lakes which you could go kayaking by means of its mangrove jungle.
There are additionally loads of water sports activities available from taking boat excursions by means of the jungle lagoon, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Nichupte Lagoon is a good way for guests to expertise a little bit of the jungles of the Yucatan with out having to go far.
12. SUP – Stand Up Paddleboarding
Most accommodations in Cancun supply free stand-up paddleboarding with their packages and SUP alongside the coast is likely one of the greatest reasonably priced actions in Cancun. The waters at Cancun’s lodge zone are calm making it a fantastic place to provide it a strive. Rise up paddleboarding is a enjoyable option to discover the coast and get just a little train in.
You may even do some organized excursions into the mangroves. When on the lookout for enjoyable actions in Cancun on the water contemplate as SUP journey, it’s possible you’ll uncover your new favourite interest!
Half 2 Cancun Excursions
We’ve a complete submit devoted to the very best day journeys in Cancun, however if you’re visiting for the primary time, these are the journeys that we extremely suggest. For a extra in-depth information and different concepts learn: The Greatest Cancun Day Journeys
13. Go Scuba Diving
The coral reef off the shore of the Riviera Maya and Cancun is likely one of the greatest on the planet. In 1961 Jacques Cousteau found the magnificent diving right here and declared the world as some of the stunning dive websites on the planet. Thanks partially to the recognition of diving in these waters, they had been declared a nationwide marine park in 1996. This has allowed the reef to thrive and the wildlife to flourish, making for some of the sensational diving experiences you’re prone to ever have.
Cozumel is the highest spot within the Yucatan Peninsula for scuba diving, however you may ebook scuba diving excursions from Cancun to discover its crystal clear waters with visibility reaching over 100 toes. Even if you’re a newbie you may strive scuba diving in Cancun. Many resorts supply PADI certification and discover dives.
14. Snorkeling with Whale Sharks and Sea Turtles
When you aren’t able to go diving, snorkeling is certainly one of our favourite issues to do in Cancun. There are such a lot of snorkeling experiences close to Cancun. Isla Mujeres is likely one of the greatest locations on the planet to see sea turtles and simply off the Yucatan Coast is likely one of the greatest locations on the planet to identify whale sharks. Swimming with whale sharks is palms down some of the thrilling actions in Cancun To see these mild giants up shut is one for the bucket listing.
Swimming with Whale Sharks – This seasonal exercise is a should. If you’re in Cancun between Might and October, make sure to ebook a tour to swim with Whale Sharks.
15. Rio Secreto Cenote
One in all our favorite issues to do in Cancun is to discover its many cenotes. The Riviera Maya is thought for its underground rivers flowing by means of limestone caves, referred to as Cenotes and intrepid vacationers will wish to be sure that to get into at the least one on their go to to Cancun. There are such a lot of Cenotes to go to close to Cancun. Top-of-the-line Cenote excursions is Rio Secreto and we extremely really useful it. However Rio Secreto is just one of many Cenotes within the Yucatan Peninsula.
Throughout our final journey to Cancun, we stayed close to the stunning Puerto Morelos situated between Playa del Carmen and Cancun and there are a number of Cenotes in Puerto Morelos. Verde Lucero Cenote is a cenote you may go to by yourself and do some zip lining too. You may ebook a 4 Cenotes tour by means of Viator.
Lu’um Cenote was our favourite with a full day of water sports activities from Rappeling into the Cenote, and doing many adventures like a zipper line over a cenote, swimming in a Cenote and kayaking by means of the underground rivers. Learn extra: 15 Enjoyable Details About Mexico
16. Zip Lining by means of Jungles and Cenotes
If you’re on the lookout for adventurous issues to do in Cancun, add zip lining to your listing. The individuals who introduced you Xcaret, have created an journey theme park that homes probably the most visited on the planet! Zip lining is a thrill to soar above the jungle. Mexico is the one place the place we ever had a moist water touchdown and Xplore has two of them!
There’s not solely ziplining right here although, you’ll have a blast on the ATV journey, rafting by means of the Cenotes and swimming by means of underground caves.
Ebook this extremely rated excursions – ATV Tour, Zip line and Cenotes Tour multi functional. The beauty of the Maya Riviera is that many excursions mix the highest points of interest all in someday.
17. Isla Mujeres
An ideal day journey from Cancun is spending a day at Isla Mujeres, it’s only a quick boat journey from the mainland. Isla Mujeres, aka the “Island of Ladies”, received its identify from the numerous photographs of Goddesses on the Island. The island was sacred to the traditional Mayans who worshipped it because the goddess of childbirth. This Catamaran cruise to Isla Mujeres is a ravishing escape only a quick 30 minute boat tour from downtown Cancun.
Many individuals spend the day on the Garrafon Pure Reef Park. This pure park is stuffed with water sports activities like snorkeling within the coral reefs, at Gararafon Pure Reef Park, kayaking, mountaineering and even ziplining. Only a 15 minute ferry journey from downtown Cancun, this can be a widespread place to go to.
18. Catamaran Cruise
Getting on the water is our prime advice for journey to Cancun. The water is crystal clear, heat, and exquisite. Crusing alongside the coast actually provides you an understanding as to why this space was developed into such a vacationer Mecca. This entire customizable catamaran cruise permits you to select your individual itinerary as you sail aboard a 32 foot yacht. It holds as much as 25 of your closest family and friends with open bar. We advise, asking to go to the turtle conservation heart situated on the island too the place you’ll be capable to witness sea turtles being hatched! The middle is making nice strides in its sea turtle conservation efforts.
- Ebook this extremely rated tour – all-inclusive Isla Mujeres Catamaran cruise – Consists of an open bar, meals, and stops at El Meco coral reef, downtown Isla Mujeres and exquisite views of the Riviera Maya coast.
19. Isla Contoy
One other Island to not be missed is to go hen watching at Isla Contoy. This island is usually mixed with journeys to Isla Mujeres and it’s a pretty protected space to spy 1000’s of birds and sea turtles.
Isla Contoy has been designated a Nationwide Park they usually solely permit 200 individuals on the island a day. After exploring the island, its time to get within the water to do some snorkeling in Mexico’s beautiful coral reefs.
- Ebook this island mixture tour – Isla Mujeres and Islan Contoy tour the place you’ll uncover two of probably the most stunning islands within the Yucatan Peninsula. Easy cancellation inside 24 hours of actions.
20. Chichén Itzá
I believe the very first day journey everybody books when visiting Cancun is a visit to the traditional Mayan Ruins of Chichén Itzá. Chichen Itza is probably the most well-known of all of the Maya Ruins within the Yucatan and it’s the largest historical metropolis the place you may tour its historical pyramids most notably El Castillo – the Temple of Kukulkan) and ball courts, the attractive sprawling grounds and there may be even a cenote.
It’s so great that it was named one of many New 7 Wonders of the World. See all of them at 7 Wonders of the World – the New, The Pure, and the Historical
No journey to Cancun could be full and not using a go to to this UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Belief me, the primary time we went to Cancun, everybody requested us up on our return “did you go to Chichen Itza?” sure, sure we did! We truly visited Chichen Itza years in the past when you may nonetheless climb to the highest of El Castillo. See our listing of favourite 42 Wonderful Historical Ruins of the World
- When you can lease or rent a automobile to go to earlier than the tour buses arrive, we extremely suggest it. This place will get busy.
- Chichen-Itza – Chichen Itza is a protracted drive from Cancun, so mix it with a full tour stopping at a Cenote, and the Colonial Metropolis of Vallidoid.
21. Discover the Underwater Museum
You don’t must go far to have a novel underwater expertise. Top-of-the-line issues to do within the Yucatan Peninsula is to go scuba diving. And the underwater artwork museum of Cancun is a novel scuba diving expertise.
This synthetic reef consists of 45 statues making it the most important underwater synthetic reef system on the planet. Locals posed for these statues that had been submerged to create a base for coral to develop on.
Whether or not you scuba dive, snorkel, or simply wish to exit on a glass-bottom boat, you may see this museum on a three-hour journey from the Lodge Zone.
- Even novices can dive on the underwater museum – Ebook this newbie’s scuba diving expertise the place you’ll have a quick introduction earlier than heading out to see the underwater statues and synthetic reef.
The place to Keep in Cancun
In addition to Cancun, wherever alongside the Mayan Riviera from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum is an efficient location to remain. We’ve stayed in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cancun Riviera, Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, and Playa Mujeres. All of those areas work as excursions, and transfers will choose up and drop you off right here. (save for Cozumel which we really feel is extra devoted to diving. That was our aim once we stayed on the island)
Take a look at our article devoted particularly to The place to Keep in Cancun for extra solutions!
There are actually 1000’s of accommodations within the space, and we are able to’t break all of them down ourselves. It is best to try TripAdvisor and Reserving.com for charges, evaluations, and areas of accommodations in Cancun that fit your finances and wishes.
There are numerous accommodations within the Mayan Riviera and everybody has a favourite. However these are accommodations we’ve stayed at in Cancun and belief.
- Excellence Cancun Riviera – This all-inclusive adults-only lodge is ideal for a romantic getaway or big day. We had a non-public pool on our rooftop and loved the unbelievable spa.
- Moon Palace Grand – We spent every week right here and loved the completely different ranges for households and {couples}. Verify TripAdvisor and Reserving.com for evaluations and charges
- Hyatt Zilara – We love the Hyatt Zilara resorts they usually additionally supply completely different ranges of accommodations for households and {couples}. Verify TripAdvisor and Reserving.com
- Barcelo Maya – We beloved our keep right here on the Mayan Riviera. Take a look at TripAdvisor and Reserving.com
- The Fives Azul Seashore Resort – All-Inclusive Luxurious Resort – 10 Minutes from Playa del Carmen. Take a look at TripAdvisor and Reserving.com
When to Go to Cancun
We’ve been to the world in any respect completely different occasions of the yr and for probably the most half, anytime is an efficient time to go to Cancun.
The excessive season in Cancun – December by means of to the tip of April is the very best time to go to Cancun for the very best local weather. It’s when the climate is perfect and most secure. Particularly from January – March. It’s the dryest season, however it is usually snug with humidity at its lightest making for a really snug journey.
Summer time Season – We’ve been to Cancun within the lifeless of summer season and it was unbelievable. It’s just a little extra humid and it’s possible you’ll get just a little little bit of rain every day however nothing to cease you from having fun with the solar.
These months are the wet season in Cancun which implies that there’s the occasional afternoon bathe. Charges are cheaper and crowds are fewer within the offseason of Cancun. Summer time can be 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 gear up for the winter season, so that is the place you’ll discover the very best offers. However some excursions will not be working, it’s possible you’ll come throughout building at your lodge and it’s possible you’ll be in the midst of hurricane season. Cancun does see fewer hurricanes than the Caribbean although.
When to Go to Cancun for Diving and Snorkelling
We’ve accomplished a diving journey to Cancun within the Spring, we swam with whale sharks in the summertime and gone diving and snorkeling within the lifeless of winter.
Anytime is an efficient time to benefit from the water in Cancun. However as we stated above, whale shark season is from June to September. (September is getting late, however we had been as soon as on the final journey of the yr and noticed lots)
Sea Turtles are nesting in Might and October, so you’ve likelihood of seeing them on the seashore. (Don’t disturb them although, they’re laying eggs and are very endangered.
And these are the perfect issues to do in Cancun. What adventures will you strive once you go to Mexico subsequent?