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When you think of Mexico, the stunning gorgeous turquoise beaches are often what first come to mind and the beaches of Cancun CERTAINLY do not disappoint. Whether it is your very first visit to Mexico or a place you come back to year after year, Cancun offers an array of adventures that are sure to keep you entertained.
A unique characteristic of Cancun is its placement on the Yucatan Peninsula. Unlike other parts of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula has a hot tropical climate year-round, surrounded by dense tropical forests and coastal jungles.
I have been to Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula region nearly every two years for the past decade - and I find no trip is ever the same. There are so many nooks and crannies to explore up and down the coast. From islands to inland towns and adventures.
This post will provide a list of all of the adventures you can get into during your next trip and stay tuned for future posts that cover food and transportation!
Your Ultimate Guide to Cancun
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Cancun to help plan your epic adventure!
Where to Stay
Secrets the Vine (adults only & lux)
Moon Palace (kid-friendly)
When to Visit
December - April the weather is warm, sunny and dry with minimal rain.
June - November is hurricane season. While I enjoy traveling in peak heat - I would suggest getting travel insurance and being flexible!
May or Late October you will find less crowds but may experience more seaweed in may.
Things to Do
Visit Chichen Itza
Explore Isla Mujeres
Relax on the Most beautiful beaches
Your Ultimate Guide to Cancun
Getting to Cancun
There is a reason that the Yucatan Peninsula sees more than 20 million visitors every year. This paradise if filled with SO many different types of adventures and is only a quick two-hour flight from Houston, Texas or..
4.5 hours from New York
4 hours from San Diego
3.8 hours from Chicago
The International Airport to fly into is Cancun is (CUN). Stay tuned for my series on transportation because we will explore all options for getting around Cancun. But for a quick and easy tip - one of the easiest things to do on arrival is pre-arrange your airport transportation to your resort. This will alleviate so much stress on arrival.
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Planning your trip last minute?
Explore a World Wonder - Chichen Itza
One of the most awe-inspiring things you can do is plan a day trip to visit a New World Wonder and UNESCO World Heritage site - Chichen Itza.
This ancient Mayan location is famous for its towering El Castillo Pyramid. Chichen Itza is a 2 hours trek from Cancun. While you may be concerned about safety, this trek is traveled by thousands every day safely. I would always advise to check national advisory boards here before planning international trips abroad.
There a few ways you can plan this trek:
Private tours
Private tours offer a lot of flexibility but can be a bit pricier.
Group tours
Group tours often offer tour guides and multiple stops along the route to visit neighboring cities.
Personally, I think this is such a fun and easy option to sit in a charter bus for a couple of hours and learn the history of a location.
Rent a car and go alone
I have not rented a car in the Yucatan region so unfortunately cannot offer much insight here - other than another option that is very flexible.
Explore the Beautiful Beaches
Typically, when I travel to beach locations, I seek out the most beautiful beaches and go out of my way to see them. But truth be told, the beaches in Cancun are something special. They are the most beautiful, turquoise, warm waters that is the gem of the Caribbean.
Most resorts offer an ‘all-inclusive’ option where you can pay a flat nightly rate for unlimited food and drinks. If you are seeking out a place to unplug and relax - you could do an ‘all-inclusive option’ and sit and enjoy the pristine beach of your waterfront property.
Take a Boat trip & Explore some of the Most Incredible Snorkel Spots in the Caribbean
I would be remiss if I did not suggest you take a boat trip and explore the most incredible snorkel locations in the Caribbean. One, in particular, is the underwater Museum of Art, where nearly 500 pH-neutral concrete sculpture installations are used as a means to provide homes for marine life and offer an incredible snorkel excursion.
A couple of other incredible snorkeling locations are along the local reefs:
National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos
This park is about 40 minutes away from Cancun and offers the chance to see one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, the MesoAmerican Reef System.
Punta Nizuc
Is located at the Southern tip of Cancun
It is best to snorkel in the morning and early afternoon when the water is calm and the sun is directly shining on the water.
The best way to get to most of these Reefs or out to see in less crowded areas by boat tour. There are plenty of tour companies to choose from and honestly, I’ve hopped around to different vendors during each trip. My best advice is to find a tour with good reviews and spend the day out to sea!
Explore a Local Gem - Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres stands as one of the prettiest islands imprinted in my mind now and for years to come. I have visited Isla Mujeres a handful of times and will continue returning as often as I can. This tranquil island is only about 5 miles long and half a mile wide but is surrounded by gorgeous turquoise waters for as far as you can see. The distance from Cancun offers the perfect low-key experience that relaxed sunbathers may seek.
Our perfect day on the island included renting a golf cart, riding around the island, seeing Mayan Ruins, renting a day bed at a private adult-only day club and having private beach access. There are day clubs available for families and child-friendly as well - for the most part entry is free or a nominal fee with the understanding that you will purchase food/drinks from the establishment.
Pro tip: Rent the golf cart (we paid $60 USD for a full days use) and it made getting around the island so much easier!
Consider a day trip to Xcaret Parks
This is a TOTALLY OPTIONAL excursion and I tend to say for those seeking a one-stop Ecological / Adventure park, this is a great option. Xcaret is made up of 5 different parks each with its own signature set of adventures.
At Xcaret you will find a cenote you can swim through amidst a plethora of Mexican cultural activities, dances, and sites. Some of the activities we experienced were pottery making, visiting the Bridge to Paradise Cemetery, and an incredible show of over 300 performers exploring the rich history and culture of Mexico.
At Xel-Há you get an immersive experience where you can ride bikes through the jungle, float down a natural river, cliff-dive, and unlimited snorkeling in an inlet of water that is connected to the Caribbean Sea.
I’ve done this experience myself and I enjoyed the ability to purchase a day pass and roam around, freely, not be charged hourly snorkeling rates, eat at the buffet provided, and zip-line.
Here you can explore networks of cenotes, zip-line, and drive ATV style vehicles through the jungle.
My honest opinion of the Xcaret parks is that certain ones can feel a bit ‘manufactured’. The park I enjoyed most for freedom of movement and activities was Xel-Há Park. The Park I enjoyed for its cultural touches was Xcaret.
Will you be missing out if you do not attend any of the parks above? No absolutely not!
You can find natural experiences by visiting local cenotes, taking a boat trip to snorkel, or riding ATV’s through the jungle.
Explore a Natural Cenote
If you are like me and appreciate the most authentic experiences you can find locally - then I would say consider booking an excursion with a local tour guide to explore the natural wonders of underground Cenote’s.
Cenotes are natural sinkholes that contain groundwater and are found in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. They are formed when limestone bedrock collapses, exposing underground rivers and cave systems. The water temperature is usually a cool temp of 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
These delicate ecosystems were once used by ancient Mayans as a water supply. With so many to explore, my recommendation would be to search out a vendor with great reviews and spend half a day exploring.
Ride ATVs through the Jungle
Similar to experiencing a Cenote in a natural environment - riding ATVs through the jungle is another bucket-list experience. This was one of my favorite activities during my first trip to Cancun!
This was a half-day tour we took with a pickup service from our resort. We trekked out into the middle of the jungle and were taught safety rules for riding ATVs. Once you and your crew are ready, you ride through the dense jungle and are given either a meetup point or an instructor to ride behind and get everyone back to the starting point.
Some tour operators also offer combined tours with a Cenote stop along the way and a lunch with traditional Mexican food. So an easy way to see or do it all is pick an operator with combined experiences and create a whole day trip out of it!
Other Tips for Your Visit to Cancun
What to Wear
Cancun is similar to many beach destinations, meaning casual / beach wear is the norm.
In general, when eating at restaurants most wear cover-ups (as you will not see many eating in swimwear). But flip-flops are absolutely the norm.
Cash or Card?
Cards are widely accepted throughout the Cancun region.
It is not necessary to bring a wad of cash with you during your visit.
Tipping Culture
Tipping is much appreciated (and I personally encourage it).
Much like in the U.S., tipping is appreciated in local establishments like restaurants, taxis, etc.
Planning your days
With all the things to do - I highly recommend setting at least one day aside to do absolutely nothing but enjoy the warm waters of the Caribbean and beautiful white sand beaches.
And of all the things to do on this list - choose the ones that speak to YOU! Do not feel the pressure to every item on this list because whatever you do will give you the essence of Cancun.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are going to Cancun for a weekend getaway or a weeklong adventure - you may find yourself planning your return trip before you even leave your first trip!
I did not get to EVERY activity on this list during my first visit - it took me a couple of trips to see and do it all! So my advice is to choose the activities you MUST see and put the rest on to your next trip.
What I love most about Cancun is how close it is to the U.S. making it an easy destination to return to!
I hope this list was helpful and you are ready to plan the ultimate Cancun vacation! Adios!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
A Texas-born traveler exploring life abroad and documenting all the travels in between.
Meet Priscilla Wanders