With white sand beaches and aquamarine waves, it’s no mystery why Cancun is such a popular tourist destination all year round. Cancun is typically a favorite place to visit for partying and lounging on the beach. Also considered the gateway to other-worldly adventure destinations like jungles, caves, and deep-sea wonders. Whether you want relaxation or adventure, Cancun has it.
Located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Cancun boasts the warm waters of the Caribbean. Not to mention, the exotic depths of the Mexican wilderness. Think outside of the typical tourist box. Visit Cancun for more than just a margarita and a midday snooze on a beach blanket. For tips on all of the best things to do in Cancun, keep reading.
Top Attractions in Cancun
Tulum and Coba
Like most of Mexico, Cancun and its surrounding area are steeped in Mayan history. Book a tour like this one. An experienced guide can teach you all about the ancient history of the Mayan people who once lived there. Tulum and Coba boast archeological sites where you can climb a Mayan pyramid and explore the fascinating ruins.
Even if you aren’t an archeology buff or history fanatic, a day trip like this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Get a hands-on look at incredible ruins and literal pieces of history. Make sure to take plenty of photos for your memories. You’re not permitted to take a piece of that history home with you!
The tour also includes a buffet-style lunch, so no worries about packing your own. It also stops at a swimming hole, also called a cenote. Then return to your resort or hotel refreshed and with a brain full of interesting new knowledge. Transportation and all entry fees are included in the tour ticket price, so it’s really an unbeatable offer.
Nichupte Lagoon
One of the top things to do in Cancun is to visit the Nichupte Lagoon. It is home to stunning waterways. Consider purchasing a package like this one that allows you to be the captain of your own ship! Or rather, your own speedboat. Visitors rent a two-person speedboat and travel through the Nichupte Lagoon to Punta Nizuc where you’ll switch out your speedboat for a snorkel.
Dive into the sparkling depths of the Caribbean at Punta Nizuc to experience a beautiful undersea world completely unlike our own. Invest in a waterproof camera so that you can capture snaps of brilliant little fish and all the other fascinating things that the ancient Mexican waters might reveal to you. This experience is truly one for those who are adventurers at heart.
Emotions & Jungle Maya Native Parks
For thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies alike searching for what to do in Cancun, attractions like Emotions Native Park and Jungle Maya Native Park are unmissable. Get a package deal for both parks like this one and get your heart racing with all of the exciting adventures they hold.
Explorers can navigate paths via ATV in the jungle or wander through ancient caves on foot. You can even snorkel in an underground river! With zip-lining and swimming and so much more, native parks like these are a great way to let loose all of that energy you built up from relaxing on the beach. There’s no doubt about; Cancun really does hold the best of both worlds.
La Isla Shopping Village
If you’re a city slicker who loves shopping, Cancun can also cater to your needs. With a jaunt to La Isla Shopping Village, you can spend the day shopping until you drop with countless boutiques and stores with products ranging from reasonably affordable to lusciously luxurious. The shopping village also has fantastic options for dining with a view since it’s located on the Nichupte Lagoon.
For a well-rounded city excursion, get tickets for a tour like this one that will take you around points of interest in the city of Cancun and give you the chance to peruse all the shopping that La Isla has to offer. The best part is that this tour includes a stop at the Tequila Museum with a complimentary tequila tasting. How could anyone turn that down?
Flyboard Experience
It probably goes without saying, but some of the best things to do in Cancun involve the water. Whether you’re a water sports enthusiast or a first-timer, there are countless ways that you can get a thrill on the crystalline waves of the Mexican Caribbean. For example, consider a flyboard experience like this one through klook.com and give new meaning to the phrase “flying fish.”
If you aren’t familiar with them, a flyboard is a unique device that participants balance on while submerged in the water. Then, using hydro flight technology, the flyboard acts like a hoverboard and lifts you up high above the ocean, allowing you to fly over the bright blue depths with fascination. Even if you’ve never done anything like it before, you’ll be thoroughly prepared ahead of time by a knowledgeable guide.
Isla Mujeres
For Cancun visitors who are looking for a more relaxing excursion, consider this day trip to Isla Mujeres (“The Island of Women” in English). Isla Mujeres is a picturesque little island not far off the coast of Cancun. The aforementioned trip will set sail from Cancun via catamaran and includes the unbeatable opportunity to snorkel in the unbelievably clear waters of the Caribbean.
The adventure also includes lunch and an open bar, so all you really need to bring along with you is your bathing suit and sun protection. Spend the day exploring the fascinating ocean and relaxing on the beaches of Isla Mujeres, which are considered among the most beautiful in the world. Take a breather from your vacation and unwind even more on a dreamy island.
Xenotes Oasis Maya
If you’re wondering what to do in Cancun and you’re looking for a unique experience that you probably won’t come across anywhere else in the world, look no further than the Xenotes Oasis Maya tours. The entire Yucatan Peninsula is composed of limestone, which is a rock that crumbles quite easily, resulting in sinkholes that end up looking more like serene swimming holes connected via underground rivers.
Think how incredible it would be to paddle through underground waterways in the Mexican jungle. Explore caverns and caves, get to know the local wildlife, and even zip line right into the water! You can book tickets here and be on your way to paddling through the beautiful rivers that surround Cancun.
Taco Tour and Beer Tasting
Admit it; part of the reason you decided to take a trip to Mexico was because of the chance to eat as many tacos as you can throughout the limited course of your vacation. After all, Mexican food is incredibly delicious. Luckily, one of the best things to do in Cancun is to go on a food (and alcohol) tour.
Not only will you get to visit traditional taquerias, but you’ll also learn how to make tortillas from scratch. You’ll also get to sample a variety of delicious Mexican beers that go perfectly with your tacos. Not to mention, you’ll get the opportunity to watch a live Mariachi band perform while you munch and nibble on all the delicious eats that Cancun has to offer.
Jolly Roger Pirate Show
A great way to have fun with the whole family while in Cancun is to board a real pirate ship and enjoy dinner and a show. This experience available from getyourguide.com sets sail at sunset for optimal scenic views of the sun setting over the Caribbean. Enjoy your meal and watch with fascination as pirates board the ship and perform a fantastic show complete with fireworks and special effects.
Following the pirate show, set foot on the dance floor to let loose while a live band jams up on stage. One of the most exciting things about this sailing adventure is that tickets include access to the open bar. Still, this evening excursion is a great choice for younger travelers who adore pirate adventures and exciting firework displays.
Conclusion
Overall, Cancun is not just a luxurious, booze-filled destination for people who want to lounge on the pristine white beaches all day. It’s also a fantastic destination for adventure seekers and thrill enthusiasts alike. With opportunities for ancient Mayan explorations and jungle zip-lining, Cancun has so many diverse things to offer that it’s really not surprising that it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Cancun is rich with history and natural beauty that even the most stoic of travelers will be awed by. Even if that’s not your thing, the Yucatan city also boasts impressive shopping and numerous foodie tours to satisfy anyone’s cravings. Read through our list of the best things to do in Cancun for inspiration and built your own unique itinerary; we are certain you’ll find something that interests you!
