Looking for things to do in Cancun with family? Then, you have come to the right place. This Mexican city is a popular tourist destination with many white sand beaches, water sports, Mayan ruins, and inclusive resorts. Visitors will have their hands full hopping from one attraction to another. In addition, this is one of the safest places for family vacations in the country.
Cancun is nestled on the Yucatan Peninsula, bordering the Caribbean Sea. It’s primarily composed of two areas, El Centro and Zona Hotelera. The latter is a hub of high-rise hotels, restaurants, shops, and nightclubs. Furthermore, this beautiful city caters to travelers of all ages. There are many kid-friendly things to do in Cancun, which we will discuss in this article.
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- Play with Sand at Playa Delfines
- Ride a Rollercoaster at Ventura Park
- Go For an Adventure at Xplor Park
- Enjoy Unlimited Snorkeling at Xel-Ha
- Ride a Zipline at Xenses Park
- Find Seashells at Playa Norte
- See What the Fuss is All About Selvatica
- Watch Your Kids Play at Parque de las Palapas
- Snap Photos in Front of Chichen Itza
- Take a Walk Around Coba Ruins
- Sign Up For an Unforgettable Rio Secreto Expedition
- Step Back in Time at Museo Maya de Cancun
- Learn a Thing or Two at Museo de Arte Popular
Play with Sand at Playa Delfines
- Address: 366C+HC Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 Hours
- Things To Do: Surfing, Swimming, Tanning
We begin our list of things to do in Cancun, Mexico, for families with the famous Playa Delfines. One of the most scenic beaches in the city, it is open 24 hours. Imagine basking under the sun with the endless ocean in sight and surrounded by magnificent views. You will have a wonderful beach day here with lots of swimming, surfing, and lounging on the sand.
This beach is away from hotels and businesses so that visitors can expect a peaceful and serene environment. You can take your kids to build sand castles or do anything else they like at the beach. Furthermore, Playa Delfines is also called Dolphin Beach, and travelers will often spot these beautiful creatures from the shoreline. Finally, don’t forget to snap pictures for keepsakes.
Ride a Rollercoaster at Ventura Park
- Address: Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 25, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
What would kids like to do most on a vacation? The list continues, but they will mostly enjoy playing in theme parks. And, what better place than Cancun family amusement park, Ventura Park? It features many fun attractions, from roller coasters to zip lines, which are kid-friendly. In addition, it has activities for the whole family to enjoy.
This park offers three tickets: Platinum, Fun, and VIP Ventura Park Pass, ranging from $699.30 to $2,099. Speaking of attractions, Aah! Fortune offers a flying experience on a zip-line circuit. You can also test your fear of heights at the high-altitude suspension bridge, the Skywalk. There is also a 250-meter-long Grand Prix, where parents can ride karts with their little ones. Furthermore, the Underworld section is an online battle zone with cutting-edge technology.
Go For an Adventure at Xplor Park
- Address: Carretera Chetumal, Puerto Juarez Km 282, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Are you ready for an epic adventure at Xplor Park? This adventure park is the most visited zip-line park with numerous attractions. You can experience flying across the sky on zip lines, surf the jungles on amphibious vehicles, and paddle your raft through an underground river. This underground expedition takes visitors to a beautiful cavern surrounded by crystal-clear water.
Try the 5-in-1 waterslide Toboganxote, which takes a four-person raft down 41 meters. Afterward, fill your stomach at the smoothie and snack station, which offers a cavemen-worthy buffet. You can have as much as you want. In addition, visitors can purchase photo packages from the ticket counter. The cost for souvenirs, transportation, and photo packages are separate from the admission fee.
Enjoy Unlimited Snorkeling at Xel-Ha
- Address: Puerto Juarez Federal Highway, km 240, Premises 1 & 2, Module B, Xel-Há, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 7 AM – 12 AM; Saturday-Sunday: 7 AM – 10 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram, Official X
The next one on our list of things to do with kids in Cancun is to visit Xel-Ha Park. This place is suited for the whole family and features many water activities, restaurants, and natural attractions. In addition, it offers the best snorkeling experience in the town. There are also diving and snorkeling combos, such as Snuba Caleta and Snuba Cenote.
This park has many kid-themed attractions, such as Children’s World, Manatee Encounter, Stingray Encounter, and Snuba Caleta. It also offers a 25% discount for children from 5 to 11 years old and free entry for kids below four. Finally, visitors can relax in a hammock and landscapes or stroll along the jungle pathways.
Ride a Zipline at Xenses Park
- Address: Carretera Chetumal – Puerto Juárez km 282 MZA 021 Lote 062 Colonia Xcaret, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 7 AM – 12 AM; Saturday-Sunday: 7 AM – 10 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Would you like to try a scary zipline like the one in the picture? This Xenses Park offers a thrilling experience for adrenaline junkies. If you are not into zip lines, you can try other attractions, as this place offers over fifty fantastic scenarios. You will rely on hearing, sight, touch, smell, and touch while exploring them.
At first, visitors will arrive at Pinwheel, which offers two activity paths. The first option is the Path of Feeling, where you rely on other senses besides your eyesight to understand your surroundings. It includes Way of Dwarfs and Giants, Xensatorium, Labyrinth of Underground Arteries, The Eden, and Xitric Garden. Moreover, the second option is the Path of Doing, which makes visitors lose their grip on reality. It comprises The Heartbeat, Town, Slip, Bird Flight, Riverlaxing, and Sludgerie.
Find Seashells at Playa Norte
- Address: Rueda Medina 130, SM 001, Centro, 77506 Isla Mujeres, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official X
One can never have enough of the beaches in Cancun. So, we recommend Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres. This public beach offers free entry and is located off the coast of Cancun. You can take a ferry from Cancun, Puerto Juarez, or the Cancun Hotel Zone to reach here.
Visitors can take a day trip to this beach and enjoy water activities with their kids. They can also lounge on a beach chair and work on their tan. Furthermore, this place has many restaurants, which travelers can explore at their own pace. They can also enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming with Whale Sharks.
See What the Fuss is All About Selvatica
- Address: Ruta de los cenotes, Km 18, 77580 Puerto Morelos, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Take part in extreme adventures at the Mayan Jungle of Selvatica Park. This adventure park is in the vast lands where ancient Mayans once ruled and lived. It is easily accessible from Downtown Cancun, Cancun Hotel Zone, Puerto Morelos, Akumal, and Tulum. You can take AV or other public vehicles to reach your destination.
Selvatica offers many attractions, such as ten Zipline Circuits, Tarzania, 4×4 ATVs, a Bungee Swing, a Superflight, an off-road Circuit, and a Cenote Swim. The Selvatica Platinum offer, which costs $139.30, allows you to enjoy all seven activities. The Selvatica Gold offer is a pass for five activities, costing $118.30. Finally, Selvatica Silver tickets cost $76.30 and include four activities.
Watch Your Kids Play at Parque de las Palapas
- Address: 77500, Tulipanes LB, Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Social Media: Official Facebook
If you are looking for budget-friendly things to do in Cancun, Mexico, you can include visiting Parque de las Palapas. This paved city park has many playground structures, perfect for small kids to spend their time. Adults can also take a seat at shaded tables and do sightseeing.
This place is also best for those looking to experience the local culture. Locals often hang out here during the evening and occasionally host dance and traditional performances. Furthermore, visitors can try delicious Mexican food like marquesitas, esquites, churros, gordita, empanadas, sopes, and quesadillas. They can also buy local handmade goods as souvenirs.
Snap Photos in Front of Chichen Itza
- Address: 97751 Yucatan, Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: Sunday-Saturday: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
You must have seen the pictures of Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This pyramid is frequently featured in movies and documentaries. It was a vibrant pre-Columbian city with a diverse population of Mayan people. Today, the archaeological site only has a few remnants of Mayan structures, including the gigantic El Castillo.
Chichen Itza’s entrance fee is MXN 614 ($36) for adults and MXN 272 ($16) for Mexican citizens. Visitors can also book tickets for Kukulkan Nights, an evening show with incredible light and sound. However, travelers can only explore the outer premises of the pyramid. The inner chambers and sacrificial altar, Chacmool, are inaccessible to the general public.
Take a Walk Around Coba Ruins
- Address: Coba archaeological site, 77793 Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Things To Do: Sightseeing, Taking photos
If you enjoyed visiting Chichen Itza, you will love Coba Ruins. Unlike the former site, you can climb the Coba Pyramid. The largest one is called Ixmoja, which is 42 meters tall. Moreover, this Mayan archaeological zone has four main structural groups and small individual structures. It also includes numerous stone slabs and white stone roads.
Visitors can easily reach Coba by traveling south from Cancun on Coastal Highway 307. Then, turn inland onto Highway 109 to reach Tulum. The other way is from Valladolid by taking 180 East Highway. Furthermore, visitors must pay $5.50 for entrance and $3 for parking. They can also rent a bike or taxi from the premises.
Sign Up For an Unforgettable Rio Secreto Expedition
- Address: Carretera Federal Libre Chetumal – Puerto Juárez Km 283.5, Ejido Sur, 77712, Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Are you looking for fun things to do in Cancun? Then, Rio Secreto is your destination. This stunning underground river looks mystical, making many question whether it is real or manmade. Furthermore, the Mayan people considered this place the holiest land on Earth and often conducted sacred rituals here.
While this underground river is kid-friendly, adults must supervise and be responsible for minors. Visitors can choose from the Rio Secreto Classic Tour, Rio Secreto Plus, Rio Secreto Wild Tour, Rio Secreto + Tulum Tour, Rio Secreto + Coba Tour, and Privilege. Each tour offers a transportation service, wetsuits, refreshments, and an expert guide.
Step Back in Time at Museo Maya de Cancun
- Address: Blvd. Kukulcan km 16.5, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Social Media: Official Facebook, Official Instagram
A museum visit might sound boring to children, but it isn’t without its perks. Visitors can learn about Mayan history and art at Museo Maya de Cancun. This sleek establishment has many exhibits on Mayan civilization and collections of Mayan artifacts. Behind it lies ruins of stone temples, pyramids, and dwellings of the now-extinct civilization.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico operates the museum and archaeological site. The exhibition halls are covered with high-hurricane-resistant glass and provide beautiful views of the Nichupte Lagoon and San Miguelito Jungle. The museum also houses many permanent and temporary collections.
Learn a Thing or Two at Museo de Arte Popular
- Address: Revillagigedo 11, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram, Official X
Next, we have Museo de Arte Popular, aka Museum of Folk Art. It is located in an old firehouse in the historic Mexican city. This establishment houses numerous collections of textiles, furniture, pottery, glass, alebrijes, and pinatas. Both temporary and permanent collections are on display for visitors.
The Museum of Folk Art has five themed halls: Las raices del arte Mexicano, Las raices del arte popular, Lo religioso, Lo cotidiano, and Lo fantasmagico. It also hosts weekly workshops for children between the ages of six and twelve. Furthermore, this museum organizes an annual parade of monumental alebrijes, which promotes the works of Mexican artists and artisans.
As you can see, families can do many things in Cancun. This city is rich with water sports activities and has many theme parks. Likewise, parents can take their kids to historic landmarks like Chichen Itza and museums like Museo Maya de Cancun for an informative expedition. To summarize, this place offers diverse options; all you need to do is choose.
Since Cancun is a popular tourist destination, it tends to be expensive. However, this place is also suitable for budget travelers as long as they follow budget-friendly travel options, such as avoiding peak tourist seasons, eating like locals, visiting free attractions, and choosing public transportation over private vehicles. Overall, you will have a blast in this beautiful Mexican city.