There’s little doubt that Cancun Mexico is thought for its unimaginable white sand seashores and delightful water, however there are extra issues to do in Cancun than spending a day on the seashore. This stunning vacation spot is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Mexico!
Hundreds of thousands of vacationers flock to this coastal space every year to take in the solar, catch some waves and really feel the sand between their toes and I’d be mendacity if I stated that wasn’t my intention on my first journey to Cancun.
Cancun is an space that’s biodiverse and very wealthy in tradition and historical past. With mystical ruins that take you again in time and fashionable adventurous actions that get your adrenaline pumping, there really is one thing for everybody.
Cancun is a significant vacationer vacation spot, and for the reason that finest time to go to Mexico for Canadians and People is the chilly winter months, Cancun’s excessive season runs from December to April. It’s a straightforward place for North People to fly to and is comparatively low-cost relying on what you’re doing (lots of excursions might be on the dear aspect, nevertheless).
It’s a good suggestion to ebook your lodging and a few of the actions on this checklist forward of time to make sure you get a spot. Reserving on-line can prevent cash too, as firms provide discounted charges once you pre-book.
Heading to the seashore and simply taking a day to calm down shall be one of many many actions that you just’ll take pleasure in. However, Cancun isn’t only a winter getaway vacation spot, and these 21 issues to do in Cancun show simply that!
Getting To and From The Cancun Airport
You’ve completely different choices for attending to and from the Cancun airport — you’ll be able to take a bus, taxi or non-public transportation booked previous to your arrival.
Many individuals decide to take non-public transportation with Cancun Airport Transportation, as that is the quickest, most secure, and most comfy mode of transport.
The automobile offered is a van, and the journey is non-public — if you happen to ebook it, you get the automobile to your self. It’s also possible to share with a bunch of individuals to scale back the fee. The vans embrace a bilingual driver, air-con, and insurance coverage. One other fashionable choice is with Etransfers. Click on right here to match prices.
Greatest Issues To Do in Cancun
Now that you understand how to get from the Cancun airport to your lodge, right here’s our checklist of the most effective issues to do in Cancun.
1. Swim in an Underground River
Cancun and the encompassing space are actually well-known for his or her hidden underwater world. In actual fact, the underground rivers that circulate within the Yucatan Peninsula are the longest community of underground rivers and caves on the planet.
Goats On The Street Choose: #1 Greatest Journey Exercise
Journey Day in Cancun: Kayak, Rappel, Zipline, Snorkel and Cenotes…this journey is a should! Spend the day within the water whereas having fun with a number of actions alongside the best way. A unbelievable picnic lunch is included (with drinks), as is transportation and extra. E book your spot right here.
There are just a few locations close to Cancun the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in this community of crystal clear water, the preferred place being Xcaret (which is house to a plethora of distinctive actions).
Xcaret has three rivers you’ll be able to float down and the slow-moving water is ideal for laying again and enjoyable. An important break from the seashore with out being too removed from the water. On this journey (which is eco-certified), you’ll rappel, kayak, go snorkeling, go ziplining, and float in interior tubes in pure swimming pools.
Plus, you’ll study in regards to the cenotes you go to and the way they’re being conserved. Throughout the day, snacks and drinks are included, in addition to a pleasant picnic for lunch (together with wine or beer).
Click on right here to study extra about this enjoyable exercise in Cancun, which is ideal for {couples}, teams, households or solo vacationers.
Swimming within the underground rivers might be executed any time of the 12 months as nicely, making it an awesome exercise year-round, and one of many prime issues to do in Cancun.
Swimming in an underground river is one in every of our bucket-list issues to do in Cancun
2. Take a Catamaran Cruise
In case you’re eager to take part in actions in Cancun that mean you can simply sit again and calm down with out getting sand all over the place, take a catamaran cruise.
Whether or not you are taking one in the course of the day to benefit from the sights, go snorkelling, or just bask within the solar with a chilly grownup beverage, a catamaran will get you offshore with none stress.
On this catamaran journey, you’ll go to the Nationwide Reef Park of Puerto Morelos, swim on the seashore, and do some snorkelling. All tools and lunch are included…plus, there’s an open bar. Discover out extra right here.
Higher but, rent this small yacht and revel in a non-public boat journey across the beautiful Caribbean sea. Snacks, drinks, and snorkel gear are included. The value of reserving this non-public boat is just like becoming a member of a bunch catamaran journey! E book your non-public yacht and revel in this enjoyable day journey in Cancun.
☞ SEE ALSO: 21 Greatest Issues To Do in Cozumel
3. Go Snorkelling (one of many prime issues to do in Cancun)
Snorkelling is likely one of the extra fashionable issues to do in Cancun, as it’s in lots of locations around the globe with stunning water and reefs.
Goats On The Street Choose: #1 Snorkelling Journey!
Speedboat and Snorkel Journey: Drive your individual 2-person speedboat by way of stunning canals, snorkel at Punta Nizuc, and end off with a go to to the underwater museum. This enjoyable, 2-hour journey may be very fashionable, ebook your spot right here.
Cancun is house to one of many largest reefs on the planet, the Nice Mayan Reef. The reef stretches over 1,000 kilometres from the Yucatan Peninsula to Belize and Honduras.
Top-of-the-line websites for vacationers to expertise this underwater world is simply on the finish of Cancun’s lodge zone in an space generally known as Punta Nizuc.
Punta Nizuc is a peaceful and quiet location that has an array of coral, fish and some underwear sculptures from Cancun’s underwater museum, MUSA.
It’s a must to ebook a tour to Punta Nizuc (it was open to the general public however sadly isn’t anymore), the excursions embrace the boat out to sea and rental tools for round $50. Click on right here to order your spot.
Assembly Level Tackle: inside de estacionamiento del restaurante fred´s home, okay.m. 14.6, Blvd. Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico. Click on right here for instructions.
Alternatively, if you happen to pay for admission to Xcaret or Xel-Ha there are snorkelling areas within the parks which are additionally spectacular. Convey an underwater digital camera to be sure you can seize the motion below the ocean!
Xel-Ha Tackle: Chetumal – Puerto Juarez Federal km 240, Q.R., Mexico. Get instructions right here.
4. Go Zip Lining
Ziplining was one in every of my favorite actions in Cancun!
In case you’re in search of extra thrilling issues to do in Cancun then you definately completely must go zip lining. Selvatica is an journey theme park that provides 4 completely different zip strains in a single bundle.
On their Excessive Cover tour, you’ll soar above the jungle, splash into cenotes, fly like Superman, and expertise the rollercoaster of zip strains on their Tarzania Zipline.
There are a complete of 10 completely different zip line circuits, so you might be assured to have a blast.
The Excessive Cover Tour at Selvatica is round $95 . Click on right here to study extra and to ebook this tour which incorporates transportation, lunch, ziplines, cenotes and extra. Ziplining is likely one of the prime issues to do in Cancun with children — however, it’s enjoyable for adults as nicely!
Ziplining can be one of the fashionable issues to do in Puerto Vallarta, if you happen to’re planning a visit to the west coast of Mexico, be sure you test it out!
Tackle: Selvatica, Ruta de los cenotes Km 18 Carretera, Quintana Roo Puerto Morelos – Leona Vicario, Sin Colonia, 77580 Puerto Morelos, Q.R., Mexico. Get instructions right here.
5. Go to Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is arguably one of many largest tourism attracts close to Cancun and was even named one in every of the brand new 7 Wonders of the World.
This historical Mayan website was one of many largest Mayan cities and was a significant financial energy within the area. On prime of all of it, Chichen Itza is regarded as one of many nice legendary cities of Mesoamerica.
Chichen Itza is house to many historical buildings which are nonetheless in nice situation together with the Nice Ball Court docket, The Temple of Warriors, El Caracol (an historical observatory) and the preferred – El Castillo (The Citadel).
El Castillo is often known as the Temple of Kukulkan — a snake deity which in Chichen Itza’s case is believed to represent divinity within the Yucatan. On the base of the temple are two snake heads that are carved from stone and are a bodily illustration of Kukulkan.
Twice a 12 months on the Spring and Autumn equinoxes the afternoon solar casts an uncanny shadow down the aspect of the temple, a shadow that replicates the physique of a slithering snake.
Lots of of 1000’s of individuals go to Chichen Itza every year throughout this time to see this uncommon incidence. It will be a good time to go to if you happen to aren’t afraid of crowds and need a distinctive expertise at Chichen Itza.
The temple additionally holds yet another thriller that everybody who visits the location can expertise, a mysterious noise. In case you clap your arms on the base of El Castillo you’ll hear a really distinct bird-like noise.
After years of analysis, scientists matched this noise with that of the Quetzal. The Quetzal is an elusive and vibrant chook that lives in Central America whose feathers have been extra useful to the Mayans than gold.
Don’t miss Chichen Itza, it’s among the finest day excursions from Cancun. To ebook a highly-rated journey to Chichen Itza, click on right here.
Tackle: Get instructions to Chichen Itza right here.
6. Go to Tulum
In case you haven’t fairly reached your quota of historical issues to see in Cancun, then you could wish to go to Tulum. Tulum was as soon as a walled port metropolis that was protected against invasion and continued working usually for almost 70 years after the Spanish Conquest.
Sitting on the cliffside overlooking unimaginable seashores and ideal blue water, Tulum was one of many largest cities constructed by the Mayans. A journey to Tulum and its ruins is one thing you don’t wish to miss, it’s additionally one of many prime issues to do in Playa del Carmen.
Make sure that to carry your swimsuit and take a dip within the beautiful sea. Click on right here to see excursions from Cancun to Tulum.
7. Go to Downtown Cancun
Downtown is likely one of the many locations in Cancun most vacationers appear to skip in alternate for seashore visits or different actions.
However in order for you a extra genuine really feel of the town away from the Cancun Lodge Zone (which typically feels just like the Vegas strip) then you definately’ll wish to head downtown.
Downtown is house to a plethora of actions and eating places providing a glance into native life, a visit right here is likely one of the higher issues to do in Cancun for certain.
In case you are trying to do a little bit of memento procuring in Cancun, Mercado 28 (Market 28) is the proper place. Mercado 28 is a flea-market-style procuring space that has an abundance of handmade objects, pottery, t-shirts, and souvenirs.
Count on to discount with the store house owners, most of them might be aggressive with their pricing however if you’re prepared to haggle you may simply handle to search out your self an awesome deal.
Tackle: Mercado 28, Xel-ha Mz 13, 77509 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico. Click on right here for instructions.
8. Go Paddleboarding
In case you’ve by no means been stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), you must undoubtedly take into account it when planning your checklist of issues to do in Cancun. Paddleboarding is a straightforward exercise that anybody can do, even if you happen to don’t really feel like you may have good stability!
Wheether you’re a newbie or extra superior, it’s a good suggestion to ebook a SUP journey with a information. On this journey, you’ll be able to select to paddle at dawn or sundown, whichever you like.
Paddleboarding is a soothing exercise in Cancun that’s additionally an awesome type of train after consuming a bunch of tacos! A real win-win. Discover out extra about paddleboarding journeys in Cancun right here.
☞ Planning a visit to La Paz Mexico? Take a look at our submit – 21 Issues To Do in La Paz
Assembly Level Tackle: Blvd. Kukulcan km 3.5, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico. Click on right here for instructions.
9. Spend a Night time Out (Issues To Do In Cancun For Partiers)
Discussion board By The Sea is a big space with tons of retailers, eating places (just like the Laborious Rock Cafe) and a few of Cancun’s most well-known nightclubs.
Coco Bongo is arguably the preferred vacation spot for individuals trying to expertise a present and disco (dancing, not a 70’s disco).
The present at Coco Bongo is nothing in need of superb with flying acrobats, musical tributes and a celebration environment that you just received’t quickly overlook.
Tickets for entry can vary in worth relying on the place you wish to sit and whether or not you simply wish to attend the occasion.
Click on right here to study extra about tickets, which incorporates the superb exhibits, entrance charge, snacks, and premium drinks. Partying at Coco Bongo is likely one of the finest issues to do in Cancun at evening. E book your spot right here.
Tackle: Coco Bongo, Blvd. Kukulcan 30, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico. Click on right here for instructions.
10. Go to The Lodge Zone Retailers & Eating places
Haven’t gotten your procuring repair or wish to see extra locations in Cancun to buy and eat? Discussion board by the Sea (the place Coco Bongo can be situated) is the place you’ll wish to go.
The Discussion board is extra of an American-style procuring and eating space which options eating places like Hooters, The Laborious Rock Cafe, Häagen-Dazs and a number of retailers that promote swimwear, sun shades, clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs.
More often than not, nevertheless, you’ll discover higher offers in your souvenirs at Mercado 28. Having stated that, procuring continues to be one of many prime issues to do in Cancun lodge zone.
Tackle: Discussion board by The Sea, Blvd. Kukulcan, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico. Get instructions right here.
11. Discover the Cenotes
Not solely is Cancun well-known for its underground rivers but it surely’s additionally well-known for its unimaginable Cenotes.
Cenotes are underground caverns which are fashioned after limestone caved in leaving a large gap within the earth. This gap usually results in a pool that most often has stunning aqua-coloured water.
Swimming, snorkelling, strolling and scuba diving in cenotes are a few of the issues to do in Cancun which are loved each by vacationers and locals.
Ik Kil is likely one of the hottest cenotes for swimming and is situated close to Chichen Itza and Valladolid. This tour will take you there on a full day journey. One other fashionable one is close to Valladolid named Cenote Zaci.
12. Expertise Xoximilco
On the lookout for a Mexican fiesta? Look no additional than Xoximilco, one of the conventional issues to do in Cancun. This Mexican occasion takes place on board an ornamental and vibrant Mexican gondola.
The gondola takes you thru unimaginable canals that showcase the surroundings. The night continues with scrumptious Mexican delicacies paired with dwell music, tradition, and traditions.
E book your tickets to this enjoyable occasion and revel in an evening out! Take a look at this highly-rated, fashionable tour to study extra and reserve your spot.
☞ In case you’re planning a visit to different locations in Mexico, be sure that to take a look at our journey information to Manzanillo Colima, 10 superior issues to do in Guanajuato and 15 cool issues to do in San Pancho. Mexico is such a various vacation spot, backpacking Mexico shall be a visit you always remember!
13. Ferry to Isla Mujeres
A brief ferry journey will take you to Isla Mujeres, a small island within the Caribbean Sea that’s solely 7km lengthy and round 650 metres vast.
Isla Mujeres is fashionable for its unimaginable seashores, recent seafood, giant sea turtle inhabitants, and spectacular snorkelling and scuba diving. In case you’re in search of snorkelling journey on Isla Mujeres head to the Garrafon Nationwide Reef Park.
Maybe you don’t wish to snorkel however wish to get nearer to the native turtles go to the island’s turtle sanctuary and rehabilitation centre, Tortugranja. It’s also possible to take a glass-bottomed boat journey to see the underwater world with out getting moist!
Click on right here to ebook your return ferry tickets from Cancun to Isla Mujeres with the Ultramar ferry. Another choice for going to Isla Mujeres is to hitch a day journey. On this catamaran tour, you’ll take pleasure in snorkelling, an open bar, and lunch.
Lastly, if you happen to’d like to observe the sundown, don’t miss this sundown sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. This is likely one of the extra romantic issues to do in Cancun. E book your spot right here.
14. Get a Image With The Cancun Signal
Simply accessible by bus (that are protected, pleasant and usually fairly fast) the Cancun signal is situated on the Playa Delfines seashore. This is likely one of the extra touristy actions in Cancun however makes for an awesome photograph to carry again house.
Behind this vibrant and vibrant signal is an unimaginable white sand seashore with vibrant blue waters, making it not solely an awesome photograph alternative but in addition an ideal cease in your checklist of issues to do in Cancun that don’t take a complete afternoon.
Additionally it is an awesome place to have a picnic and watch the attractive Cancun sundown! This is likely one of the finest free issues to do in Cancun.
Tackle: Punta Nizuc – Cancún 335, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico. Discover it right here.
15. Go to Valladolid
Of all of the locations in Cancun and its surrounding area, Valladolid is arguably probably the most magical and quaint, making it the proper vacation spot for a day journey. We beloved our journey to Valladolid and would gladly return.
Positioned about an hour and a half to 2 hours from Cancun, Valladolid channels its Spanish roots in appears to be like but in addition showcases its Yucatan historical past and tradition.
A lot of the city’s structure consists of huge blocks of buildings and homes with lavish, inexperienced courtyards within the center.
These stunning courtyards make superb locations to seize some lunch and examine the Spanish-inspired structure. The preferred website within the small city is the towering Cathedral of ‘San Servacio o Gervasio’. Study extra about journeys to Valladolid right here.
16. Be part of a Temazcal Ceremony
A Temazcal is an historical Mayan ceremony that’s meant to be a supply of power and well being. The ceremony takes place in a hut the place volcanic rocks are heated and glow at the hours of darkness because the hut turns into a sauna.
The aroma of herbs surrounds you as you chill and soak all of it in. You’ll then be taken by way of numerous phases of accelerating and lowering warmth when you hearken to dwell music.
It’s indubitably among the finest locations in Cancun to really sit again and calm down. Sometimes the ceremony concludes with a refreshing dip in a chilly bathtub and lightweight fruit snacks and pure drinks.
Costs can fluctuate for these ceremonies however most are round $125 and take round 90 minutes. Click on right here to study extra about this purification ceremony and to ebook an expertise.
17. Strive Some Tequila
That is in all probability one of many issues to do in Cancun that you just’ve already added to your checklist. Tequila and tequila tasting is taken into account an artwork in Mexico and is one thing Mexicans take very critically, so why not take pleasure in this age-old custom?
The Restaurante La Destileria has a tequila museum that lets guests study in regards to the origins of tequila and provides some perception into the distilling course of. And sure, on the finish of the tour, there’s a tequila tasting.
Hacienda Sisal is one other restaurant that provides an array of tequila and even pairs them with objects on their menu for a extra distinctive expertise.
Doing a tequila tasting is one thing that may be loved anytime, making it one of many prime issues to do in Cancun when it rains.
18. Eat at Señor Frogs
This may arguably be one of many extra touristy issues to do in Cancun, but it surely doesn’t take a complete afternoon and fills you up with scrumptious meals. Even my dad and mom who took a trip to this notorious ‘enjoyable and party-filled’ restaurant had a good time.
The funky decor and an untraditional restaurant vibe, make Señor Frogs an awesome place to seize a meal and simply take pleasure in your self. It’s a little bit of an establishment.
In case you’re actually into the occasion scene or in search of a spot to spend an evening out, Señor Frogs additionally hosts occasions like foam events, seashore events, and an open bar.
Tackle: Señor Frogs, Blvd. Kukulcan km. 9.5, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico. Click on right here for instructions.
19. Stroll the Cancun Lodge Zone
As talked about earlier than, the Cancun lodge zone may be very harking back to the Vegas strip besides that it’s much more tropical and rather more humid.
Convey some sunscreen as a result of this is likely one of the issues to do in Cancun that may get you a ton of solar publicity and the Mexican warmth just isn’t forgiving.
The lodge zone has superb views of the ocean, a number of retailers (even somewhat procuring village with bridges and pathways), eating places, a Mayan museum, a water park, an aquarium, and even iguanas absorbing the solar!
20. Go to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is situated simply close to Tulum and was declared a UNESCO website in 1987 due to its distinctive biodiversity and Mayan heritage. Your entire reserve is about 1.3 million acres and is the most important protected space within the Mexican Caribbean.
Sian Ka’an is house to almost 115 species of mammals and over a thousand completely different species of bugs.
On prime of its extraordinarily uncommon and numerous animal inhabitants, the reserve has over 1048 species of flora. You are able to do boat excursions that take you thru the reserve making it one of the unimaginable issues to do in Cancun that your mates have in all probability by no means even heard of!
One of the best ways to go to on a day journey from Cancun is by tour. On this small group tour, the boat, information, lunch, and drinks are included. Transporation is included as nicely, but it surely prices a bit extra for a pick-up from Cancun. Click on right here to study extra.
21. Go ATVing
Loads of completely different firms provide ATV actions in Cancun, most of which take you thru the jungle – getting you nearer to nature whereas nurturing your thrill-seeking methods.
Xplor is a good place to go ATVing and their ATV monitor is included with their park entry pricing. Click on right here to study extra in regards to the Xplor day move.
Higher but, with this journey, you’ll go horseback using, ziplining and ATV’ing within the jungle. Three adventures in a single! Click on right here to study extra.
22. Bonus! Volunteer with Animals
In case you’re an animal lover and have some additional time to spend, volunteering with deserted, abused and exploited animals is likely one of the most rewarding and memorable issues to do in Cancun.
Positioned about 40 minutes from the town, you’ll discover Tierra de Animales. Right here, you’ll be able to volunteer with canine, and assist out across the sanctuary the place wanted.
Take a look at their web site right here for volunteer instances, and on their Fb web page for extra data.
Now You Know What To Do in Cancun!
Whether or not you propose on visiting Cancun alone, together with your partner, your mates, or your loved ones, you’ll find one thing distinctive and enjoyable to do.
I hope this submit showcases how numerous Cancun really is and breaks the everyday stereotype that it’s only a seashore vacation spot.
Simply because travellers usually go someplace for the seashores doesn’t imply that’s all there may be to see and do there. Plan a trip to Cancun to incorporate a few of the issues on my checklist, and also you’ll have a vacation you received’t quickly overlook!
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