20 Best Things To Do In Cancun, Mexico - Cancun Activities & Tours

Things to do in Cancun & Where to stay in Cancun

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission when you use the links and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. We also run ads to keep this blog running. All opinions are always our own. Many thanks for supporting our website.

Cancun is THE vacation destination of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and has lots of amazing things to do and see. In this post, we share our 20 best things to do in Cancun, Mexico. Including the best places to visit in Cancun itself as well as ideas for day trips from Cancun to amazing places around the Riviera Maya and useful infos to plan your Mexico beach vacation.

What To Do In Cancun, Mexico?

Table Of Contents

TOP THINGS TO DO IN CANCUN
DAY TRIPS FROM CANCUN TO NEARBY ISLANDS
DAY TRIPS FROM CANCUN TO NEARBY BEACH DESTINATIONS AT THE RIVIERA MAYA
DAY TRIPS FROM CANCUN TO EXPLORE ANCIENT MAYAN HISTORY AND MEXICAN CULTURE
WHERE TO STAY IN CANCUN
GETTING AROUND IN CANCUN
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR MEXICO

TOP THINGS TO DO IN CANCUN

Endless ocean views at Playa Delfínes public beach in Cancun

Enjoy The White Sand Beaches Of Cancun

Sun bathing at the white sand beach in Cancun with turquoise water — White sand beach and turquoise water, what more can you ask for?!

The Yucatán Peninsula has many unique and amazing beaches. Out of all of them, though, Cancún has the best beaches when it comes to the most turquoise water. The water is just so blue, it’s incredible. And isn’t that what you are here for?! We wrote a post about our favorite beaches with the bluest water in Cancun.

Explore Mayan Ruins Right In Cancun’s Hotel Zone

Maya ruins archeological site at Cancun hotel zone

The hotel zone in Cancun is home to remains of ancient Mayan temples and the Maya Museum of Cancun. Click below to see where they are located, your hotel might be just right next to one of these ruins.

El Rey Archeological Site

San Miguelito Archeological Site

Museo Maya de Cancún y Zona Arqueológica de San Miguelito

Yamil Lu’um Archeological Site

Cancun Nightlife: Coco Bongo

The infamous Coco Bongo! While it was never something I considered going to during my many visits to Cancun, I’m glad I finally went when the opportunity arose again. The show is really amazing and the people watching is also something that’s quite interesting and an entertainment in itself.

There are different tiers for tickets and prices can get very expensive. I was fortunate enough to go with local friends that had connections, so we had a table and bottle service, which made our time at Coco Bongo even better.

If you want to spend the money, I definitely recommend the show.

Stroll Through La Isla Shopping Village

Fashion harbor at La Isla Shopping Village — Fashion Harbour at La Isla Shopping Village

La Isla is located in the center of the Cancun hotel zone and invites for some shopping and strolling around the village.
When at La Isla shopping village we can recommend Ah Cacao Chocolate Café. They sell handmade, locally sourced and produced varieties of chocolate. Their chocolate bars and chocolate mouse are just amazing!

Take A Picture With The Cancun Sign

DAY TRIPS FROM CANCUN TO NEARBY ISLANDS

Make A Day Trip To Isla Mujeres

White sand beach at Isla Mujeres island near Cancun, Mexico — White sand beach at Isla Mujeres island near Cancun

Isla Mujers is a beautiful island right off the coast of Cancun. It’s known for snorkeling and it’s white sand beach and crystal clear water. There are no cars on Isla Mujeres. You can rent golf cars, scooters or bikes to explore the island. It’s super fun!

Check out our guide about Isla Mujeres here.

You can get to Isla Mujeres by ferry or take a day tour.

Take The Ferry To Cozumel

Cozumel is an island off of Playa del Carmen and known for scuba diving, snorkeling and adventure parks.

On Cozumel you can rent old Volkswagen beetle convertibles and explore the island. It’s super fun!

Take A Day Trip To Beautiful Isla Holbox

Hammocks in the ocean at Holbox beach — Hammocks in the water at Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox is a little rural island about 2 hours from Cancun off the coast of Quintana Roo. In recent years Isla Holbox in Mexico has become more and more popular as an alternative to Tulum.

You can take a day trip from Cancun to Holbox and explore the island and see the famous flamingos or stay there for some days. Check out our Isla Holbox travel guide for more infos on the island.

DAY TRIPS FROM CANCUN TO NEARBY BEACH DESTINATIONS AT THE RIVIERA MAYA

Swim With Turtles In Akumal

Sea turtles of Akumal, Mexico — Snorkeling with turtles in Akumal

Akumal is a little beach town along the Riviera Maya. The bay of Akumal is one of the best snorkeling spots between Cancun and Tulum and is known for its sea turtles. We wrote a post about swimming with turtles in Akumal here.

Take a Day Trip To Tulum And Visit The Tulum Archeological Zone

Tulum ruins archeological zone at Playita Tortuga Tulum — Tulum ruins archeological zone and beach

From Mayan ruins, pyramids and cenotes to white sand beaches and eco chic hotels and top notch restaurants, Tulum is the boho travel destination of Mexico.

There are day trips to Tulum from Cancun to see the ruins, swim in cenotes and climb ancient Mayan pyramids.

We wrote a Mexico travel guide to visiting Tulum with some helpful insights and inspiration for a Tulum vacation.

Cool & Affordable Beach Hotels In Tulum – Where To Stay In Tulum On A Budget

Swim In The Clearest Water In Mexico At The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Boat tour to Sian Ka'an biosphere in Tulum — Boat tour to Sian Ka’an biosphere in Tulum

Sian Ka’an is a biosphere reserve South of Tulum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The reserve is home to many different species and has archaeological sites from the Mayas and a coral reef. The biosphere spans over land and the Caribbean Sea and has the clearest water we have ever seen.

We went to Sian Ka’an via a guided Jeep tour. After being dropped off in Tulum you drive your own Jeep for three hours over a bumpy dirt road until you arrive in paradise. We have seen different bird species, dolphins and snorkeled in the clearest water there is. It was an incredible tour! Check out our post about our Sian Ka’an Jeep Safari.

Bacalar Lagoon

The Bacalar Lagoon is a 42km long lagoon in the South of Yucantán with jaw dropping clear blue water.

Tulum is with 3 hours by bus the closest town to Bacalar, but there are buses going as well. The ride will be about 5 hours by bus with ADO. If you decide to go, you should plan a few days as the ride there is taking quite some time.

Stroll Through The Shopping Street In Playa del Carmen & Watch The Voladores

Playa del Carmen has a really nice and long shopping street – La Quinta Avenida. We will find lots of shops and restaurants only a block away from the beach. It’s a nice change of scenery.

From here you can also take the ferry to the nearby island of Cozumel. And while waiting for the ferry you might see the famous Voladors go for a flight.

Over the years Playa del Carmen has become the vacation destination in Yucatan known for its rooftop pools. From up there you will have an amazing view of the city and ocean if you are lucky. All of that while floating in an infinity pool over the roofs of Playa del Carmen.

We wrote a post about some of the best vacation rentals and hotels with rooftops pools in Playa del Carmen. Check it out, they are amazing!

Spend A Day Exploring And Snorkling At Xel-Ha Park

Explore Adventure Parks: Xcaret Park, Xplor, Xavage and Selvatica Park

DAY TRIPS FROM CANCUN TO EXPLORE ANCIENT MAYAN HISTORY AND MEXICAN CULTURE

Take A Day Trip To Colonial Town Valladolid

Parroquia De San Servacio church in Valladolid, Yucatan Peninsula — Parroquia De San Servacio church in Valladolid

Visit The Chichen Itza Pyramid

Chichen Itza Mayan Pyramid in the Yucatán Peninsula

The ancient Mayan pyramids and ruins of Chichen Itza, a must visit when in Cancun. It’s easy to get there with day tours from Cancun. These tours usually combine a visit to Chichen Itza with cenotes and/or a visit to Valladolid. Check below for tours.

Explore More Maya Temples & Pyramids In the Yucatán Peninsula

The Yucatán Peninsula is home to many Maya archeological sites. In the following is a list of more pyramids and temples. Most of these are not reachable with a day tour from Cancun though.

Mayan Ruins In The Yucatan Peninsula

Ek Balam
(near Valladolid)

Cobá
(between Tulum and Valladolid)

Becán
(South in the state of Campeche)

Uxmal
(an hour South of Mérida)

Calakmul
(in the South near Guatemala)

Mayapan
(near Mérida)

Muyil
(near Tulum)

…and more

Nohoch Mul Pyramid at Coba Ruins Mexico — Nohoch Mul Pyramid in Coba


*Shop Here*	*Shop Here*	*Shop Here*

Swim In Cenotes Near Cancun

The Yucatán peninsula is famous for its many amazing cenotes. Cenotes are natural sinkholes that expose the underlying groundwater. The water is usually crystal clear and cool. You can swim and snorkel in these cenotes and at some even go for a dive to explore the underwater caves. Taking a dip in the cool cenotes is a welcome refreshment from the summer heat.

We wrote entire cenote guides with maps about the best cenotes near Tulum, the best cenotes near Valladolid as well as amazing Playa del Carmen cenotes and cenotes close to Cancun.

Check them out to learn all about swimming and snorkeling in the coolest cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Guide & Map Of The 17 Best Cenotes Near Tulum

Amazing Cenotes Around Playa del Carmen

Cenotes Close To Cancun

Popular Cenotes Near Cancun

Cenote Azul
Blue open-air cenote near Playa del Carmen

Cenote Cristalino
Three crystal clear basin cenotes near Playa del Carmen

Cenote Dos Ojos
The “two eyes” cenote is probably the most famous cenote in the area

Cenote Nicte-Ha
Largely above ground with lots of lily pads

Cenote Calavera
Sink holes that you can jump into

Gran Cenote
Located between Coba and Tulum

Cenote Zacil Ha
Small cenote just a short drive from Tulum

Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman
Pit cenote in Valladolid with a swing & hanging tree roots

Cenote Angelita
One of the best cenotes around Tulum for diving

Cenote Ik Kil
Located at Chichen Itza

Cenote Xkeken
Underground cenote in Valladolid

Cenote Suytun
The Instagram cenote near Valladolid famous for it’s ray of light that hits the cave when the sun is at the right position

WHERE TO STAY IN CANCUN

Krystal Grand Cancún Hotel in the Northern part of the hotel zone

There are two main areas to stay at in Cancun, the hotel zone and downtown. Depending on your budget you will decide on one of those areas. The hotels in downtown are good if you are doing Cancun on a budget. At the hotel zone most of the hotels are directly by the beach and of course more expensive.

We liked the Krystal Grand Cancún. The beach is especially nice at this stretch of the hotel zone and the water is usually very calm.

If you are on a budget and don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a luxury hotel, check out the overview below for cool & stylish but affordable hotels in Cancun. Most of these hip hotels are in the center of Cancun, some are in the hotel zone. All have a pool.

STYLISH & VERY AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN CANCUN

Cancun Center

Oh! Cancun – The Urban Oasis

Gamma Cancun Centro

Hotel Blue Star Cancun

Ambiance Suites

Nomads Hotel & Rooftop Pool Cancun

Smart Cancun by Oasis

Hotel Selina Cancun Downtown

Cancun Hotel Zone

Mayan Monkey Hotel & Hostel Cancun

Hotel La Villa du Golf à Cancun Hotel Boutique

Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone

Casa Tortugas Boutique Hotel

Booking.com

Getting Around In Cancun

Getting around in Cancun is fairly easy. Your mode of transportation depends on where you want to go and the things you want to do.

Taxi

When you want to move around within Cancun, for instance between the hotel zone and the center, a taxi will be sufficient and an easy option.

Rental Car

If you are planning to visit different places around Cancun renting a car gives you the best flexibility. Cancún airport is the main rental car location. In addition, there are a few small rental car locations around Cancun as well.

We recommend booking a rental car ahead of time, to get the best price and make sure a car is available for you.

Bus

Another way to get around is by taking the bus. Within Cancun, there are many busses that go around town. For example, you easily take a bus from the hotel zone to the center of Cancun.

ADO Bus

If you want to go further, for instance to Playa del Carmen or Tulum, the best option to take the ADO bus. The bus network is very good and there are many bus stations around the peninsula connecting all the major hubs with each other. The ADO bus option is also very inexpensive and great if you are on a budget.

Travel Insurance For Mexico

What To Do In Cancun, Mexico?

20 Best Things To Do In Cancun

We hope you found our guide to the best things to do in Cancun, Mexico helpful and got some inspiration on activities and tours from Cancun that you can do. Be it a trip to an island, taking a dip in a cenote, or visiting Mayan ruins, we’re sure with so many things to do in Cancun and around you will have a great time!

Julia & Felipe

Follow our adventures on Instagram! @piscoandbier