Best Things To Do in Cancun

Would you like to know everything there is to do in Cancun on holiday? Dream beaches to get lost in, unique sunsets to share with someone special, warm waters in which 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, the cenotes have lost that sacred connotation and are excellent natural underground pools where you can swim and relax contemplating the beautiful nature that surrounds them or even where you can do activities such as diving, kayaking, rappelling or zip-lining.

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

Walking through 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 civilisation, where even today we can contemplate its magnificent architecture and imagine what life was like here in 600 AD, its period of maximum splendour.

Chichén Itzá is located in the north of the Yucatán 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, if you want to know its history in detail, go inch by inch through the enclosure in which it is located and find out the causes of the collapse of the Mayan civilisation 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 you will be told some very interesting anecdotes.

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

Tulum is simply breathtaking. That's why one of the activities I highly recommend is an excursion to Tulum from Cancun: contemplating its ruins amidst beautiful palm trees you'll 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 coastline of turquoise waters in front of which is the second most important coral reef on the planet. Not to be missed!

Another of the most impressive places to see in Cancun, just 12 kilometres away, is Isla Mujeres. Despite its small size, it has everything you need to relax and have fun with your family, friends or partner: good restaurants, cute craft shops, 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 diving, hiking, kayaking, among other sports.

There are many ways to explore the beauty of Isla Mujeres but doing it on board a catamaran is unique. When you take a trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun you will sail the warm Mexican waters and you can also snorkel.

If you're looking for the most amazing views of Isla Mujeres you have to go to Garrafon Park, famous for its beautiful cliffs and reefs. It's also a perfect place to enjoy adventure sports, to jump from a zip line over the sea, take a peaceful stroll or just relax in a hammock watching the magical Caribbean sunset.

Cancun is also a dream destination for sports and adventure lovers. Thanks to its great climate and dream beaches, one of the things to do in Cancun that you will enjoy the most is to go on an underwater excursion to discover 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 Australian Barrier Reef? It is known as the Mesoamerican reef and is an absolutely fascinating place to see. If you sign up for a snorkelling cruise you'll be able to gaze at the seabed like a little fish and swim amongst turtles, dolphins and other creatures.

If you've ever imagined what it would be like to swim alongside huge marine animals such as whale sharks, then booking a snorkelling excursion where you can swim alongside these and other animals such as rays and chimaeras 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.

For this reason, another of the indispensable places to see in Cancun, and above all to enjoy, are its almost 22 kilometres of coastline that seem to be inspired by Eden itself:

• Playa Langosta: in the heart of the hotel zone, in this busy beach you will be able to swim, practice 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 play area.
• Tortuga Beach: the waters of this beach are calm and shallow, so it is ideal for families. It is located in the hotel zone of Cancun and it is a great place for snorkelling, jet skiing or bungee jumping.
• Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach): It is far away from Cancun's hotel zone and is a quieter place to enjoy the sound of the waves. Here is the famous colourful Cancun sign for selfies and you can spot dolphins in the wild 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're looking for more peace and quiet, a trip to Holbox from Cancun is the perfect plan because you'll escape the crowds and enjoy spectacular beaches. What more could you ask for?

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

• Parque de las Palapas, in the city centre.
• The Tequila Museum, where you can learn about its history, its production, its varieties and even have a tasting.
• The 28th Market, with its highly recommended craft stalls.
• The hotel zone, where international restaurants, large hotels, discotheques and other entertainment venues are concentrated.
• The Scenic Tower, which you can climb to contemplate Cancun from no less than 80 metres above the ground.

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

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

For example, a visit to the XPlor Multi-Adventure Park is a unique experience in the middle of nature where you can:

• Bathe in underground rivers
• Paddle in a raft through stalactite caves on a guided tour.
• Descend on breathtaking zip lines over 30 metres high.
• Cool off in an authenticcenote.
• Drive an amphibious vehicle on a 5-kilometre trail to the water.

And when you're done, you can relax in a hammock in the trees and enjoy a great buffet lunch with unlimited drinks- great!

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 what is the best time to visit Cancun, thus avoiding major problems once you are at 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 you might also be interested in these itineraries we have prepared for you 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 is to plan your airport transfers to avoid wasting time once you get there and to spend as much time as possible enjoying this paradise in the Mexican Caribbean.