To think of Cancun is to imagine a little piece of paradise in the Caribbean. A place full of dreamy beaches to get lost in, unique sunsets to share with someone special, warm waters to swim in with tropical fish, and magical corners to discover in this beautiful Mexican land.
Want to know everything there is to do in Cancun during your vacation and the best time to visit Cancun? Don't miss the list I have prepared to start exploring the city.
Bathe in an ancient Mayan cenote.
Hidden in the jungle and shrouded in mysticism, the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula are beautiful natural freshwater basins that had deep religious significance for the ancient Maya, as they were considered the abode of the rain gods and ancestor spirits.
To honor them, the Maya made offerings of jade, obsidian, gold or copper, as well as sacrifices of maidens who were thrown into the depths of these cenotes, as they believed that their blood was the best gift that could be given to the deities seeking their favor.
Today, cenotes have lost their sacred connotation and are excellent natural underground pools where you can bathe and relax while contemplating the beautiful nature that surrounds them or even where you can enjoy activities such as diving, kayaking, abseiling or zip-lining.
Cancun is a land of cenotes and there are many to discover during your stay. Some of the most popular are the cenotes of Chilim Balam, Siete Bocas, La Noria and Boca del Puma, among others.
If you want to experience swimming in one of them, then I recommend taking a tour of Cancun's cenotes, they are incredible!
Admire the magic of Chichén Itzá
Walking around the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá is like taking a trip back in time to one of the largest and most powerful pre-Hispanic cities of the enigmatic Mayan civilization, where we can still contemplate its magnificent architecture and imagine what life was like here in 600 AD, its heyday.
Chichen Itza is located in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula and is considered one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. It is a huge archaeological site whose most important buildings are well preserved despite the passage of time, such as the Temple of the Warriors, the Ball Game, the Castle, and the famous stepped pyramid of Kukulkan, among other monuments.
Not surprisingly, Chichen Itza is one of the essential places to see in Cancun. However, to know its history in detail, to walk inch by inch through the enclosure in which it is located, and to discover the causes of the collapse of the Mayan civilization that caused the disappearance of the city, I recommend that you join a tour to Chichen Itza from Cancun, because accompanied by a guide, no mystery of this ancient city will resist you and you will be told very interesting anecdotes.
The best beaches and archaeology in Tulum.
If you like history and have always had an adventurous spirit, another archaeological site on the Yucatan Peninsula not to be missed is Tulum, an ancient Mayan walled city considered one of the most beautiful because of its prime location on the Caribbean Sea, which is in a formidable state of preservation.
Tulum is simply breathtaking. Contemplating its ruins among beautiful palm trees, one feels like a real Indiana Jones just looking at the many stone structures (more than 70!) and imagines the city's importance as a trading center for minerals between the 13th and 14th centuries.
Buildings such as the Temple of the Descendant God, the Castle, or the Temple of the Frescoes are among the most important, but if there is one thing that stands out in Tulum it is its city walls, being one of the few Mayan cities with this feature.
Although this peculiarity alone is worth the visit, the fact is that the landscape surrounding Tulum is another attraction to consider, as it sits on the edge of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean and in front of it is the second most important coral reef on the planet. A dream coastline among dense vegetation surrounding the ruins of an extinct civilization.
There is no doubt that one of the activities to do in Cancun that I recommend most is the excursion to the ruins of Tulum, where you can take some of the most beautiful photos of your trip to Mexico! If you want to learn more, check out the article Excursions to the Tulum Ruins from Cancun, where I made a selection of the best tours to Tulum.
The Caribbean dream at Isla Mujeres.
Another of Cancun's most picturesque spots, just 12 kilometers away, is Isla Mujeres. A little corner of paradise on earth to enjoy a few days of well-deserved rest.
Despite its small size, it has everything you need to relax and have fun with your family, friends, or partner: excellent restaurants, lovely craft stores, Mayan ruins, and a spectacular natural environment where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as walking along its beautiful beaches under the Caribbean sun or diving, hiking, kayaking, among other sports.
There are many ways to explore the beauty of Isla Mujeres, but doing so aboard a catamaran is unique. Sail the warm Mexican waters and dive with your snorkel gear to contemplate the wonders beneath the waves: tropical fish, manta rays, sea turtles, and beautiful coral. But that's not all: did you know that this is home to the Museum of Underwater Art (MUSA) with hundreds of sculptures on the seafloor? It is an absolutely amazing place!
If you are looking for the most beautiful views of Isla Mujeres, you have to go to Garrafon Park, famous for its beautiful cliffs and reefs. It is also a perfect place to practice adventure sports, jump from a zip line over the sea, ride a bike, or simply relax in a hammock while contemplating the magical Caribbean sunset.
An adventure tour
Cancun is also a dream destination for sports and adventure lovers. Thanks to its wonderful climate and dream beaches, one of the things to do in Cancun that you will enjoy most is to take an underwater excursion to discover the enormous biodiversity that inhabits the waters of this area of the Caribbean Sea.
For example, did you know that this is the second largest coral reef on the planet after Australia's Great Barrier Reef? It is known as the Mesoamerican Reef and is an absolutely fascinating place to see. If you sign up for a snorkeling cruise, you can observe the seafloor like a little fish and swim among turtles, dolphins and other creatures.
Once you have conquered the sea, return to the mainland to visit the Mayan jungle. Venture into the lush vegetation for an off-road tour and enjoy the speed and mud. Perhaps you want to add a little adrenaline to your Cancun vacation? how about flying like a bird over the jungle on a zip line or walking on bridges suspended in the treetops? Do you want to dare?
Taking a tour or excursion to Cancun is the best way to explore the city and its surroundings and all the attractions it has to offer. If you are planning a trip to Mexico, I recommend taking a look at the tours and excursions in Cancun that you can take during your visit.
Enjoy the beaches of Cancun
How many times have you imagined yourself in the Caribbean, lying in a hammock with a pina colada in your hand, doing nothing? Probably thousands! Those heavenly beaches of white sand bathed by turquoise waters and adorned with endless palm trees are a wonderful attraction that few can resist.
For this reason, another of the essential places to see in Cancun and, more importantly, to enjoy, are its nearly 22 kilometers of coastline that seem inspired by Eden itself. Of all the beaches in Cancun, however, you cannot miss this one:
Playa Langosta: it is a very crowded beach on Kukulcan Avenue, in the middle of the hotel area, where you can take a refreshing swim, play sports or take a walk along the pier under the sun. It is also a very family-friendly beach, and there is even a children's play area at the entrance.
Tortuga Beach: the waters at this beach are calm and shallow, so it is ideal for families. It is located in the hotel area of Cancun and being a protected area, this beach has great marine diversity, making it a great place for snorkeling. Other activities that can be enjoyed here are jet skiing and bungee jumping.
Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach): is away from the hotel area of Cancun and is a quieter place to enjoy the sound of the waves. Here you will find Cancun's famous colorful sign for taking selfies and you can see dolphins in the wild from the shore, especially in the morning. I recommend it if in addition to swimming you want to take some nice pictures of the landscape.
Punta Cancun: is located on the geographic salient that separates the beaches on the north side of the city (such as Caracol beach) from those on the Caribbean side (such as Playa Gaviota Azul). With fine sand and gentle waves, it is perfect for the whole family. Nearby are other tourist attractions such as the Punta Cancun Lighthouse or the Yamil Lu'um archaeological site.
Stroll through the streets of Cancún city.
But Cancun is not just about nature. Besides the beaches, cenotes, jungle, or coral reef, there is plenty to do in the city for fun. That's why one of the things to see in Cancun that I recommend is the city itself.
Don't hesitate to take a bus to explore the streets from top to bottom-there are many places to explore away from the tourist areas!
For example, one of the most authentic areas of Cancun is the Parque de las Palapas, in the center of the city, where in addition to walking around you can enjoy the local cuisine at a very good price, as there are many small food stands (tacos, potatoes, esquites, marquesitas...) of the most varied.
Another treasure of Mexican gastronomy is tequila, a drink that was once considered a gift from the gods. Cancun is home to the Tequila Museum, where you can learn about its history, its production, its varieties, and even participate in a tasting-they have more than 400 kinds! You will leave the museum as a true expert.
If you feel like shopping in Cancun to find the perfect souvenir, I recommend visiting the handicraft stalls at Mercado 28 or the shopping centers Plaza de las Americas or La Isla Shopping Village.
To conclude your city tour, another fun place to visit in Cancun is the hotel area, where international restaurants, large hotels, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues are concentrated.
Some of the tourist attractions you can visit in this part of the city are Kukulkan Square, Nichupte Lagoon, or the Scenic Tower, which you can climb to contemplate Cancun from as high as 80 meters. Watching the sunset over the Caribbean from here is absolutely enchanting.
