Best Things To Do in Cancun

Would you like to know everything there is to do in Cancun during a vacation? Dream beaches to get lost in, unique sunsets to share with someone special, warm waters to swim with tropical fish and magical corners to discover in this beautiful Mexican land? Don't miss this list I've prepared so you can start exploring the city.

Hidden in the jungle and shrouded in mysticism, the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula are beautiful natural freshwater pools that had a deep religious significance for the ancient Maya as they were considered the abode of the rain gods and the spirits of the ancestors.

Nowadays, cenotes have lost that sacred connotation and are excellent natural subway pools where you can take a bath and relax while contemplating the beautiful nature that surrounds them or even do activities such as diving, kayaking, rappel or zip line.

If you want to live the experience of swimming in one of them, then I recommend you to book an excursion to Saamal cenote that includes a visit to Chichen Itza and Valladolid from Cancun. Not to be missed!

Walking through the archaeological site of Chichen Itza 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 even today we can contemplate its magnificent architecture and imagine what life was like here in 600 AD, its time of maximum splendor.

Chichen Itza is located north of the Yucatan Peninsula and is considered one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. It is an enormous archaeological site whose most important constructions are well preserved despite the passage of time:

• The Temple of the Warriors.
• The ball game.
• The castle.
• The famous stepped pyramid of Kukulkan.

Now, to know its history in detail, to walk inch by inch through the enclosure in which it is located and to find out the causes of the collapse of the Mayan civilization that caused the disappearance of the city, I recommend you join an excursion to Chichen Itza from Cancun because accompanied by a guide, no mystery of this ancient city will resist you and will tell you some very interesting anecdotes.

If you like history and have always had an adventurous spirit, another archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula that you can not miss is Tulum, an ancient walled Mayan city considered one of the most beautiful for its privileged location next to the Caribbean Sea, which has a formidable state of preservation.

Tulum is simply amazing. That is why one of the activities I highly recommend is an excursion to Tulum from Cancun. Contemplating its ruins among beautiful palm trees you will feel like a real Indiana Jones!

Constructions such as the Temple of the Descending God, the Castle, the Temple of the Frescoes and its wall are some of the most important, but also the landscape surrounding Tulum is a dreamy coast of turquoise waters in front of which is the second most important coral reef on the planet. Unmissable!

Another of the most impressive places to see in Cancun, just 12 kilometers away, is Isla Mujeres. Despite its small size, it has everything to relax and have fun with family, friends or couples: good restaurants, cozy craft stores, Mayan ruins and a spectacular natural environment in which to do outdoor activities such as walking along its beautiful beaches under the Caribbean sun or snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, among other sports.

There are many ways to explore the beauty of Isla Mujeres but doing it aboard a catamaran is unique. When you take an excursion to Isla Mujeres from Cancun you will sail the warm Mexican waters and, in addition, you can snorkel.

If you are looking for the most amazing 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 enjoy adventure sports, to jump from a zip line over the sea, take a peaceful walk or just relax on a hammock watching the magical Caribbean sunset.

Cancun is also a dream destination for sports and adventure lovers. Thanks to its great weather and dream beaches, one of the things to do in Cancun that you will enjoy the most is to take an underwater excursion to see the enormous biodiversity that inhabits the waters of this area of the Caribbean Sea.

Did you know that this is the second largest reef on the planet after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia? It is known as the Mesoamerican reef and is an absolutely fascinating site that you have to see. If you sign up for a snorkeling cruise, you'll be able to gaze at the seabed like a little fish and swim among turtles, dolphins and other creatures.

If you have ever imagined what it would be like to swim with huge marine animals such as whale sharks, no doubt booking a snorkeling excursion where you can swim with these and other animals such as rays or chimeras is the perfect plan for you.

How many times have you imagined yourself in the Caribbean lying on a hammock with a piña colada in your hand enjoying doing nothing? Probably thousands! Those paradisiacal beaches of white sand bathed by turquoise waters and adorned with endless palm trees are a wonderful attraction that few can resist.

That is why, another of the indispensable places to see in Cancun, and above all to enjoy, are its almost 22 kilometers of coastline that seem inspired by Eden itself:

• Playa Langosta: in the middle of the hotel zone, in this busy beach you can swim, play sports or take a stroll along the pier under the sun. It is a very familiar beach and at its entrance there is a children's playground.
• Playa Tortuga: the waters of this beach are calm and shallow, making it ideal for families. It is located in Cancun's hotel zone and is a great place for snorkeling, jet skiing or bungee jumping.
• Playa Delfines: it is far from Cancun's hotel zone and is a quieter place to enjoy the sound of the waves. Here is the famous colorful Cancun sign for selfies and you can see dolphins in freedom from the shore.
• Punta Cancun: with fine sand and gentle waves, it is perfect for the whole family. Nearby there are other tourist attractions such as the Punta Cancun lighthouse or the archaeological site of Yamil Lu'um.

If you are looking for more tranquility, a trip to Holbox from Cancun is a perfect plan because in this Caribbean island you will escape the crowds and enjoy spectacular beaches. Can you ask for more?

One of the things to see in Cancun that I recommend is the city itself, so don't hesitate and take a bus to walk its streets from top to bottom, there are many places to explore away from the most touristy areas!

• Las Palapas Park, in the center of the city.
• The Tequila Museum, where you can learn about its history, its manufacture, its varieties and even have a tasting.
• Market 28, with craft stalls that are highly recommended.
• The hotel zone, where international restaurants, large hotels, nightclubs and other entertainment venues are concentrated.
• The Scenic Tower, which you can climb to contemplate Cancun from no less than 80 meters high.

Just keep in mind that at some point you will get hungry and due to the delicious and varied Mexican cuisine, my recommendation is to book a gastronomic tour of Cancun, where you will taste carnitas tacos, barbecue, Yucatecan food, even ice cream and traditional popsicles and much more. Delicious!

Cancun has plans for all tastes and ages since we are talking about a city designed exclusively for tourism. Hence, over the years, an infrastructure that combines fun with the beautiful nature of the region has been configured. We are talking about theme parks. There are many throughout the region that can delight the most adventurous.

For example, visiting the XPlor Multiadventure Park is a unique experience in the middle of nature where you will be able to:

• Bathe in subway rivers
• Paddle in a raft through stalactite caves on a guided tour.
• Descend on breathtaking zip lines more than 30 meters high.
• Cool off in an authenticcenote.
• Drive an amphibious vehicle on a 5-kilometer trail to the water.

And, when you finish, you can relax in a hammock among the trees and enjoy a great buffet lunch with unlimited drinks. Great plan!

It is true that having a tropical climate and being in an area prone to hurricanes, rain in Cancun can spoil your plans. For this reason, I recommend that you choose the date of your trip carefully and find out which is the best time to visit Cancun, thus avoiding major problems once you are in your destination.

As a suggestion, I leave you a list with the most recommended activities month by month:

• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in January
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in February
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in March
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in April
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in May
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in June
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in July
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in August
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in September
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in October
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in November
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun in December
• 10 things to see and do in Cancun at Christmas time

Or maybe you are also interested in these itineraries we have prepared depending on the length of your trip:

• What to see and do in Cancun in 3 days
• What to see and do in Cancun in 5 days
• What to see and do in Cancun in 7 days

Another tip I give you is to plan your airport transfers to avoid wasting time once you get there and spend as much time as possible to enjoy this paradise in the Mexican Caribbean.