What To Do In Cancun Mexico
If You Want Way More Than Just Beaches And Booze
If you’re Cancun-bound, let’s be clear. There’s a lot more to it than all-inclusive resorts and endless margaritas. The beaches are great, sure. But if that’s all you do, you’re missing the place’s true soul. This guide cuts through the fluff and tells you what’s really worth listening to.
Sick Of Crowded Beaches? These Hidden Cancun Shores Will Blow Your Mind
More people than not touch down in Cancun believing that every beach they hit will imprint their memory in Technicolor. Some do, though others are filled with overpriced beach chairs and jarring hotel rock music.
Start with Playa Delfines. This one is not affiliated with any hotel, which makes it not as much of a zoo. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you pass the giant, colorful Cancun sign, which everyone’s clamoring for a photo in front of. The water is that wild and bright blue. Not a filter in sight.
If you prefer gentler waves and smoother vibes, go to Playa Caracol. It’s in the Hotel Zone, yet, in a sensibility sense, feels half-cooked. Great for a calm swim or for kids who are liable to get beaten up by the waves.
If You Think Cancun Is Just Beaches... Wait Until You Try These Adventures
Beaches are all well and good, but after two days, you will be yearning for something other. This is where Cancun really struts its stuff.
Hop on a 15-minute ferry to Isla Mujeres. Rent a golf cart there, that’s how you’ll get around. Go straight to Playa Norte. It’s won awards for being among the world’s best beaches. The water is clear as glass, and shallow for miles.
And then there’s MUSA, the underwater museum. It’s chock full of sculptures down on the floor of the world’s oceans, and you can snorkel or take a dive around them. An art gallery that fell down.
Swim Here Once And You'll Never Go Back To A Hotel Pool Again
Cenotes are freshwater-filled sinkholes that have formed naturally. They’re everywhere in this part of Mexico, and they beat a hotel pool any day.
Among the best close to Cancun are Cenote Azul and Cenote Verde Lucero. They’re less polished than the big touristy ones, and that’s why they feel special. Think jungle vibes, rope swings into beautifully cool cave walls.
Tip: No showing up with regular sunscreen. In fact, many cenotes will ask for biodegradable sunscreen to protect their water.
You’ll Regret Skipping This Once-In-A-Lifetime Day Trip From Cancun
Yes, it’s not actually in Cancun. And yes, it is a two and a half hour drive to get there. But if you traveled all the way to the Yucatán and don’t visit Chichen Itza, you’ll regret it.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. That’s not just hype. The stepped pyramid known as El Castillo has been there for more than a millennium. If you go during the spring or fall equinox, the sun creates the shadow of a slithering serpent on the steps.
Get there early, about 6 a.m., to avoid the heat and the masses. More than 2 million people visit annually, and you don’t want to be the 2 millionth person in line after a busload of tourists.
This Part Of Cancun Will Make You Ditch The Hotel Zone Forever
The majority of tourists lodge in the Hotel Zone and never experience El Centro, or downtown Cancun. Big mistake.
Go to parque de las palapas at night. There’s always something going on. Food stands, live music, families hanging out. Get a taco from a cart that looks like it’s been there 20 years. It’s very likely the best meal you’ll have.
Dinner downtown is almost always a lot cheaper than in the Hotel Zone. We’re talking less than 10 bucks for a full plate, a drink, and maybe dessert if you’re extra lucky.
Think Cancun Is Just Wild Clubs? These Nightlife Spots Will Surprise You
OK, Cancun is famous for insane clubs. Coco Bongo is the biggest and wildest of them all, Vegas with a touch of Cirque du Soleil. If you want to party, freaking party. Just understand it’s not your only choice.
There are also rooftop bars where you can chill and small lounges where you can watch local bands live, and even mezcal tastings in tiny hidden places. There’s a place in Cancun for the club scene and the people who just want a club soda and to watch the sunset in peace.
Don’t Even Think About Leaving Cancun Without Doing These Things
If you’re traveling for a brief time, don’t cram in a lot. Here’s the quick version:
A day at the beach at Playa Delfines or Playa Caracol
Take the ferry to Isla Mujeres and visit Playa Norte
Swim in at least one cenote
Rise and shine for an early visit to Chichen Itza
Eat truly downtown at night, skip resort food for one meal
Party if that’s your jam, or relax with a mezcal if it’s not
Cancun is what you want to make it. Skip the brochure version. The good stuff is there to be had if you just know where to look.
