10 Things to Do in Cancun in January

If you decided to travel to Cancun in January, I can tell you one thing in advance: you made a great decision. If you haven't yet and you're still hesitating: what are you waiting for? Even though January is high season, which means that there are more people and prices are higher than the rest of the year, there is no better month to get to know Cancun in depth and enjoy all its tourist attractions.

Start the year with a party on the beach; take part in the annual Barracuda Tournament; experience the Arena Festival and much more!

Join me on this tour where I'll tell you about 10 must-do activities and all the essentials to make your trip the best of your life. Let's get started!

If you chose to travel to Cancun in January, this is the perfect opportunity to welcome the new year by celebrating on the white sands of one of its best beaches. In the sky, you will be able to see the fireworks indicating 00:00 and enjoy this unforgettable moment with your loved ones.

Ana's Traveller Tip

Remember that, as it is a public holiday, restaurants will be working at maximum capacity. Therefore, I advise you to make a reservation in advance if you plan to dine at one of them.

On the last days of the month, one of the most exciting sport fishing competitions in the world takes place: the annual Barracuda Fishing Tournament. This international event attracts thousands of anglers from around the globe.

The winner of the competition is the participant who manages to catch the most fish in a given time.

The fish, after being caught, are thrown back into the sea without any harm being done to them. And you, would you dare to throw the rod?

From the last week of January onwards, the fabulous Arena Festival takes place.

This festival, which brings together the best electronic music DJs, lasts 6 days and you won't be able to stop dancing and enjoying yourself for a second! Moreover, this festival is one of the most chosen by members of the LGBTQ+ community who travel from all over the world especially for this occasion. Beach, party, music and good atmosphere, make this an impossible plan to miss.

Between the third and last week of January, experience four exciting days at Crash my playa, the world's largest country music event. It is organised by the famous country musician, Luke Bryan. To enter the show you must buy one of the different tour packages offered by the organising company. These packages are designed so that you can relax completely and think of nothing else but enjoying your stay at the Crash my Playa.

If you have just arrived in Cancun, they will pick you up from the airport and take you to the wonderful Moon Palace Cancun resort where you will have everything included for the duration of your stay. En-suite rooms, room service, unlimited drinks, etc. During the day, you can enjoy walks along the paradisiacal beaches of Cancun, taste first class meals, enjoy some good massages in a Spa session and at night end up singing and dancing with renowned international artists and other country fans like you.

In the month of January in Cancun, you will also have the unique opportunity to swim in the open sea with the incredible sailfish and hundreds of other tropical fish. This season is the best time to see the sailfish due to the high concentration of sardines.

This fish is considered the fastest fish in the ocean, reaching speeds of 110 km per hour. Its long, flexible and powerful body helps it to turn around easily, deceive its prey by camouflaging itself and capture them.

Don't miss this underwater adventure that you will remember forever.

If you are one of those who enjoy outdoor walks and are passionate about history, you cannot miss a visit to "El Rey". This archaeological zone, formerly inhabited by the Mayan civilisation, is one of the most attractive and extensive in Cancun. Its ruins invite us to imagine the life of its ancient inhabitants and to learn about the incredible techniques with which they were built.

The month of January is an excellent time to hike the length and breadth of the area. With temperatures averaging 21 degrees Celsius, you won't suffer from the stifling Mexican heat and humidity. However, I recommend you take:

• Personal water bottle.
• Cap.
• Sunscreen.

In Cancun, love is in the air. Thousands and thousands of couples choose this destination in January when there are no extreme temperatures, to enjoy a romantic getaway, enjoy their honeymoon or get married in the Mexican Caribbean. Who hasn't dreamt of saying "yes, I do!" to the love of their life on these paradisiacal beaches?

Whatever your reason for going to Cancun with your partner, you can't miss the opportunity to get on board the Columbus Cruise. Without a doubt, this is one of the best boat trips you can take on the island.

On the boat you will be invited to the perfect plan: dinner with good wine, accompanied by live music to make this moment an unforgettable memory. And this is topped off with the incredible scenery of the Nichupte Lagoon. The boat departs from Puerto Aquators, located in the Hotel Zone. We recommend booking in advance due to the high demand of the Columbus Cruise during the first months of the year.

This park is one of the most emblematic in Mexico and one of the most popular among tourists. You can reach it through the different excursions to Xcaret Park that are offered and enjoy more than 50 outdoor activities surrounded by the stunning beauty of its nature. Swim in the underground rivers of the park, stroll through the jungle interacting with the flora and fauna of the place and contemplate exotic animals such as jaguars, monkeys or flamingos. January's weather is ideal for all these activities.

In addition, if you are thinking of travelling with your family, there is also an area specially dedicated to activities that you can do with the little ones. In the Children's World, the older ones (from 6 to 12 years old) can enjoy swimming in crystal clear shallow waters. For the parents' safety: they are fitted with a life jacket which they must wear at all times. For children under 6 there are also fun interactive games for their age.

Here are some recommendations to make your visit to the Park an unforgettable experience: before going, study the map well so as not to miss any of the attractions you want to visit; wear loose-fitting clothes to move around comfortably; bring some extra trainers to change them in case you get wet; use sunscreen and get a good camera of your own, since the entrance fee to the Park does not include photos and if you want one, you will have to pay an additional fee.

To fully enjoy all that Xcaret has to offer, I suggest you dedicate a whole day to it. In addition to the attractions during the day, at night (at an additional cost) you will be able to taste gourmet dishes with flavours from all over the world. Are you going to miss it?

Whether you are a sport professional, amateur or have never practiced it before, you won't want to miss this experience. As I told you, January in Cancun is a great month for outdoor activities such as a round of golf. This course is surrounded by an incomparable landscape, surrounded by mangroves, cenotes and crystal clear lagoons.

Designed by the star professional golfer, Greg Norman, everything has been meticulously thought out so that you can enjoy yourself to the fullest.

In addition to on-course services and excellent golf clubs, you can also enjoy full on-course catering of food and beverages.

Wait, there's more... "El Camaleón" offers another luxury service to its visitors: personalised training at the prestigious Jim McLean Golf School, the only one the coach has in Mexico. It's definitely a plan not to be missed! P.S: I leave you the link to the official website of the course, so you leave nothing to chance and you can enjoy an unforgettable experience.

If you like outdoor sports activities such as running, cycling, skating or if you prefer to enjoy a quiet walk and a good chat, the ciclopista in January is your best option.

Located in downtown Cancun, it stretches for more than 22 km through the Hotel Zone to the "Toro Valenzuela" athletics track. While you exercise, you can contemplate the incredible landscapes that the island has to offer and, most importantly, without sweltering in the heat or drowning in the extreme summer humidity.

Although Cancun in January is in high season and prices for flights, tours and excursions are more expensive than the rest of the year, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. If you're on a tight budget, it doesn't matter! There are options to suit all budgets.

To keep costs down, I suggest you always book in advance for the attraction of your choice, as you can get great discounts and promotions.

As I mentioned before, January has the ideal weather to visit and enjoy all the attractions Cancun has to offer. Whether you choose to take a walk on the beach, visit the archaeological sites or party with your friends. In the Cancun winter, temperatures hover between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius, with a considerable decrease in humidity compared to the summer. I assure you, this is the best time to travel to Cancun

When the sun starts to set, you won't need anything more than a sweatshirt or a light jacket to help you combat the cool sea breeze. Rain is not common at this time of year, so you don't need to worry about bringing an umbrella.

In this box you can compare temperatures and climates in Cancun throughout the year:

Eternal queues at the airport to get a taxi to take you to your hotel? Forget about that! Hire a private transport service beforehand and don't waste a minute of your holiday. Here are the best and most reliable Cancun Airport Transfers for you to choose according to your taste.