Find out everything about the best things to do in Cancun. Stay on top of great tips and attractions to enjoy in this destination. Read this article until the end and get to know some beaches, shopping malls, parks, reserves, islands and ruins that are a must-do there. Have a good time!
After reading this article, check out our tips about how to save a lot of money on your trip to Cancun. It is the most accessed article on our blog and will help you a lot with all the trip planning. There are several unmissable tips that will save you A LOT of cash and set up your entire trip to Cancun.
Visit Chichén-Itzå
As one of the seven wonders of the world, the tour to Chichén-Itzå cannot be left out of the list of best things to do in Cancun. This archaeological site will take you directly to the ancient times of the Mayan civilization, which lived in what today is Mexico between the centuries 1000 BC and 900 AD. This is an unmissable tour, because the energy of the place is simply inexplicable!
The main attraction is the KukulcĂĄn pyramid, where the Mayans played ball games, among other activities. It is there that everyone takes thousands of photos, for example. In this place, they also sell a lot of Mayan handicrafts.
Visiting hours are between 8 am and 5 pm, and tickets for the tours cost around 80 Mexican pesos. To get to the ruins you can rent a car, and this trip takes a little more than 3 hours from the Hotel Zone. But, you can also opt for a bus – which usually take longer. When going to ChichĂ©n-ItzĂĄ, don’t forget to go in fresh clothes, carrying a hat, sunscreen and lots of water.
Visit Tulum
Tulum is another archaeological site near Cancun where you can visit ruins of the Mayan civilization. At the site, there was a port city that was an important commercial hub at the time. And the view you will have of the sea is chilling!
From Cancun to Tulum are a 2-3 hour drive, which will be worth it when you arrive at your destination, since the landscape is breathtaking. The region is small, but you can enjoy eating in one of the delicious restaurants and bars in the surroundings. Good news: the ticket is cheap, it costs around 20 pesos.
Visit the Cenotes
For nature lovers, this tour will be paradise! The crystalline water caves that were used by the Maya in their rituals carry a renewing energy! There, you will feel close to the culture and beliefs of these people.
There are several cenotes in the Cancun region, some of which have lakes with warm waters, perfect for relaxing. The most famous are: Dos Ojos, Casa Cenote, Gran Cenote, JardĂn del Eden, Yokdzonot, Chac Mool. Enjoy and buy the tour through Cancun’s cenotes.
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Visit Isla MujeresÂ
Very close to Cancun is the famous Isla Mujeres, a small island paradise that is very popular with tourists who want to be close to nature and discover new Caribbean beaches. There, you can either relax or enjoy more lively activities, such as diving, parties, parks and the underwater museum.
There are several boat trips with parties and stops to dive with the animals. To get to the island, you need a boat. All hotels sell this tour, which is worth including on your list of the best things to do in Cancun.
In the center of the island you can walk and take the opportunity to do some shopping at the local stores, or even have lunch in the various rustic and charming restaurants and bars.
You can also choose to spend the day at GarrafĂłn Natural Reef Park; where you can dive in the sea, enjoy the pool, zip line, kayak, or simply relax on the sun loungers and hammocks that are in the park.
Normal admission costs from US$ 62.30 per person, including the activities we mentioned and also breakfast, buffet lunch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, showers, lockers, snorkel equipment and transportation to and from Cancun.
The VIP ticket, starting at US$ 76.30 per person, includes all items and a few more perks, such as a differentiated lunch, imported drinks, towels, a bicycle and a VIP area with a hot tub.
Visit Xcaret Park
Xcaret is a park and nature reserve where you can see and get close to wild animals that are loose in the woods – a ride that children will definitely love!
There, several trails are offered, the main one being that it travels an underground river using vests and masks to dive with the fish. In addition, the park has aquariums, spa and diving groups. By paying the Plus entry, you are entitled to lunch and other facilities.
And, if you think the tour ends when the sun goes down, you are very wrong! At night, the park holds various events and shows for its visitors! Tickets cost on average between US $ 98.99 and US $ 156, but this price can vary depending on the package you choose – remembering that children under 59 centimeters or under 4 years old enter for free.
Visit the beaches and enjoying swimming with the dolphins
There are several beaches in Cancun where we can find these friendly animals. However, one already stands out for its name: Delfines Beach (Playa Delfines), translated as dolphin beach! There, you can enjoy the calm of the crystal clear waters and, if you’re lucky, come across these and other marine animals – a trip for the whole family!
Visit the nightclubs in Cancun
Now that weâve talked about day tours, letâs go to Cancunâs nightclubs! Definitely, the most famous nightclub in the city is Coco Bongo, which was famous for its appearance in the film âThe Maskâ. This is the perfect tour for those who like excitement and want to enjoy the best attractions, in addition to dancing all night! It is a fun place for all ages.
Admission is paid, but it is very worthwhile to spend at least one night at the nightclub! Even for those who do not enjoy nightclubs and excitement, it is worth it because it is a true spectacle, where they reproduce shows and performances of the most famous singers of all time. Enjoy a party in this magnificent nightclub.
Visit the restaurants in Cancun
For those who like good food, we now bring you the indication of what is considered one of the most traditional restaurants in Cancun: La Parrilla. It is located in the city center and offers a complete menu with very affordable prices for you to enjoy! Most people who go to this restaurant strongly recommend seafood and tasty Mexican nachos with guacamole. Don’t miss out on this and include it in your itinerary for a nice lunch or dinner there!
Important tips to enjoy much more your trip to Cancun
Now that we have given you all the tips about the best things to do in Cancun, here are some more suggestions that will make your trip even better. Cancun is a big city and its tourist spots and beaches are concentrated in some regions, so being well located makes all the difference. If you haven’t already booked your hotel, be sure to check out our article Where to stay in Cancun, with tips from the best regions and also how to get a great hotel at a great price (and find all inclusive hotels and resorts on sale).
Another good tip is that many people think it is not worthwhile to rent a car in Cancun, but it all depends on how your trip will be. If you are staying at the hotel every day, it really is not worth it. But, if you are going on tours, want to go to shopping malls and tourist spots, they are all a little bit apart and the car is great for getting around.
Even in the hotel zone that has everything there, the distance between the points is great, and without the car you need to take a taxi or public bus. With the car, you have more comfort and freedom, not to mention the economy, because with the value of the transport that you will spend from the airport to the hotel and vice versa, you have already paid the rent of a car for almost 5 days. If you want to know all the tips on the subject and how to get incredible prices, see our full article about how to rent a car in Cancun.
Where to buy the cheapest tickets for tours and tourist attractions in Cancun
A good suggestion to save money is to buy tickets, tours and excursions in advance online. It costs a lot less and you don’t waste time in lines there in Cancun. We have done a lot of research and the site that always has the best prices is this Cancun tickets website. They are the biggest tours tickets website in the world.
The unmissable tours that cannot be left out of your trip in any way are: the excursion to Isla Mujeres, excursion to X-Caret or Xel-Hå (two incredible natural parks), the Coco Bongo party and the excursion to Chichén Itzå, which is one of the seven wonders of the world. It also has the swim with dolphins which is incredible. Virtually all tours pick you up at your hotel and drop you back there.
Don’t forget about travel insurance to Cancun
Another tip is to not forget to take international travel insurance to Cancun, as it is very important and no one should leave the country without one. If you want, read our article about travel insurance for Cancun and see tips on how to get good insurance at an incredible price. It is super cheap and very worth it.
How to use your cell phone in Cancun
Being able to use the Internet from your cell phone in Cancun is very worthwhile. The tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping malls and beaches have great applications. In addition, you save by not having to rent a GPS for the car with the rental company, you can search the addresses and times of the places, see the weather forecast to plan for the tours and beaches, stay connected with everyone through applications and post your photos of Cancun on social networks.
If you want, see all our tips to use your cell phone in Cancun. It’s super cheap and you’ll be able to use your cell phone all day and anywhere. And, you can also search all about the best things to do in Cancun for when youâre there.
