21 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN CANCUN
The ultimate tropical experience with our Cancun travel guide.
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Cancun, our βmero moleβ as they say in Spanish. Which translates to βvery moleβ. It refers to a niche, or rather, your βthingβ. Something youβre especially good at, something that comes naturally to you.
Living here for more than 25 years makes us officially locals you could say. Its not only nightlife and beaches, there are so many things to do in Cancun. Such as exploring hidden archeological sites, wandering off the beaten path to cenotes and beaches, day trips to islands, zip lining in the Mayan jungle, the list goes on.
The regionβs Mayan history is still very much alive today, as evidenced by the name of the city itself: Cancun KAAN = snake KUN = nest or pot. This translates roughly to βPlace of the Golden Snakeβ, which makes perfect sense when you consider that from an aerial view, Cancunβs island (yes, ISLAND!) has a serpent-like shape, with the sunβs reflection creating a golden hue.
Enjoy slow mornings with a sunrise over the water. While you venture into afternoons filled with exploring ancient ruins and trying local Mexican food. Embrace evenings with dinner, drinks and entertaining shows, or simply unwind while watching an unforgettable sunset.
Our Cancun travel guide with a list of unique things to do is tailored to suit any travel style. Our curated recommendations are here to guide you through your time visiting this tropical paradise.
This is 21 Unique Things To Do In Cancun.
THINGS TO DO IN CANCUN
GO TO A BEACHCLUB
If your visiting Cancun, you are probably looking to have at least one passionfruit margarita on the beach. Beach clubs can provide a great way to gain privileged access to some of the most stunning beaches in Mexico.
Especially if you are staying in a hotel or Airbnb. One of our favorite weekend activities is to try out different beach clubs. Donβt get these confused with day passes, we will talk about those later.
Tip | We highly recommend visiting these during the weekdays for less crowds and you’ll have these little slices of paradise all to yourself!
For more advice on our favorite beach clubs read, Discover The 7 Best Beach Clubs In Cancun & Riviera Maya | coming soon.
SNORKEL AT MUSA UNDERWATER MUSEUM
MUSA Underwater Museum offers a unique and exciting opportunity to explore the underwater world in an entirely new way. Visiting the museums is like discovering a hidden world of sculptures, artworks and marine life right beneath the surface of the Caribbean Sea.
The museum has 500 sculptures by international and local sculptors. All located between three and six meters deep in Cancun National Marine Park.
Whether youβre an experienced driver or just getting started, there are three ways you can explore this amazing site. Whether it be; snorkeling or scuba diving, taking a boat tour with a glass bottom boat, or embarking on an exciting jungle tour.
There are 2 different ways to get to MUSA, one is by going through a guided tour boat. The second is renting a private yacht for the day and exploring at your own pace, we talk about this below.
VISIT XCARET GROUP PARKS
Visiting any of the handful of Xcaret parks has become an annual tradition for us. This is definitely a must do on our top things to do in Cancun, Mexico. Any of the Xcaret park never seem to disappoint no matter how many times you visit.
We thoroughly enjoy the captivating blend of Mayan tradition and natural beauty. Its no surprise that these parks are renowned as premier attractions in Cancun-Riviera Maya.
The company currently operates 8 adventure parks; Xcaret | Xplor + Xplor Fuego | Xenses | Xel-Ha | Xavage | Xochimilco | Xenotes. The also have 4 tour operating experiences. We can guarantee that each one is magical in its own way.
Cant decide what park you want to go to? Check out our Best Guide To The Xcaret Parks where we review each park at detail | coming soon.
EXPLORE THE ANCIENT RUINS OF CHICHEN ITZA
Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, is among Mexicoβs most popular archaeological destinations. The renowned Kukulcan Pyramid, designated as one of the seven wonders of the world in 2007, fills Mexico with pride.
You can expect to spend the whole day there. The ruins can mostly be accessed on your own. However, if you would like to enjoy the site with a guide who can explain the history as you go you can too.
We have a post all about How to Visit Chichen Itza From Cancun + Travel Tips | coming soon. From how to get there, ticket prices, open times and how to spend the best day exploring the ruins.
ADVENTURE HIDDEN CENOTES
If you’re looking for an adventure that’s off the beaten path, then a visit to the cenotes of the Riviera Maya is a must! In general, you can find them all over the place in the Riviera Maya. Undeniably, some of the best ones are hidden away in the jungle. Accessible only by dirt roads and a healthy sense of adventure makes it one of our favorite things to do.
Although, there is an Xcaret tour we highly recommend if you are looking to explore without the hassle of driving – Xenotes. With a plethora of unique cenotes to choose from all over the Yucatan Peninsula, we can promise that this adventure is worth exploring.
So much so, we have a whole designated post on our top rated cenotes that you just can’t miss: Our Favorite Cenotes in Cancun | coming soon.
EXPERIENCE ZIP-LINING IN THE HEART OF THE MAYAN JUNGLE
If you are up for some more adventure, we would definitely recommend a zip lining experience through the lush Mayan Jungle. It’s not just about the ride- the journey itself through the jungle is an experience to be savored. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife too – you may spot a colorful toucan or playful monkey swinging from the branches. And with various zipline options to choose from, there’s something for every skill level.
This is one of our favorite activities. You get a whole different perspective of the jungle, known for its abundance of lush green tropical trees.
One of our favorite zip lining experiences are definitely the ones at the Xplor + Xplor Fuego parks.
SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT
Whale shark season runs from May to September in Cancun. There are plenty of reputable companies that offer whale shark tours. We recommend you have good sea legs for this adventure for you will sail out in to open sea.
Not only is swimming with whale sharks in Cancun an adventure you’ll never forget it’s one of the most unique things to do. None the less, it’s also a great way to support responsible tourism.
These tours are heavily regulated in this region. Ensuring that they’re sustainable and that the welfare of the whale sharks is always a top priority. By participating in a tour with a reputable operator, you’re helping to support conservation efforts and provide a sustainable livelihood for locals.
TOUR NICHUPTE LAGOON
This serene body of water stretches across 7,000 hectares. It connects to the Caribbean Sea, making it an ideal spot for a range of water activities. You can take a guided boat tour that explores the lagoon’s hidden inlets, mangroves, and birdwatching opportunities. However, we wouldn’t recommend exploring by yourself as for it can be dangerous. We highly recommend a guide who knows all the inβs and outs of the mangroves.
If you’re in the mood for a great water adventure, there are exciting water sports such as jet skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking. The jetski’s and wave runners tend to make noise which can scare the animals. If you are interested in seeing wildlife, we personally recommend the kayak tour. You can look to spend a couple of hours here. Making it a good activity for either early in the morning when the animals are out or in the evening for sunset.
RIDE CANCUNβS SCENIC TOWER
Heading up to the Scenic Tower you will experience unique views of Cancun. Standing tall at an impressive height of 262 feet and offering a 360ΒΊ panoramic view of the stunning surroundings. This tower is definitely worth a visit. But here’s the thing, you don’t have to go out of your way to visit the Scenic Tower, because it just so happens that the Xcaret Ferry to Isla Mujeres boards from the very same location.
When purchasing you Xcaret Xailing Ferry ticket, it includes a ride on the Scenic Tower. We recommend visiting the Scenic Tower on your Day Trip to Isla Mujeres. By just arriving a little bit early to the ferry you can do both activities.
DAY TRIP TO ISLA MUJERES
Among the things to do in Cancun, Isla Mujeres is 20-30min away depending on where the ferry you end up taking leaves from. The island is only around 4.22km long and can easily be explored in a day.
Our favorite and recommended way around the Island is by golf cart. It is the best way to roam the island at your leisure. If you want to know more about visiting Isla Mujeres check out our complete Isla Mujeres day trip itinerary on everything you need to know | coming soon.
SAVOR CANCUNβS TRADITIONAL TAQUERIAS
Hands down one of the best things about Cancun is the Mexican food. This is something that canβt be missed in my opinion when visiting. Tacos are one of my favorite foods and I highly recommend going on a taco tour. However if you are looking to eat where the locals do, I have a whole list you can check out of my top taquerias in Cancun.
BEST TAQUERIAS IN CANCUN
Soon we will have a “Best Taquerias in Cancun guide” rated by a local, but in the meantime here is a list of our top 5 personal favorites.
Tacos La Amiguita – Authentique Mexican breakfast tacos
El Socio Naiz – Original tacos with a twist
Tacos Rigo – Traditional taqueria since 1988
Taco Grill –
Chavito Bien Taqueria – Trendy taqueria
EXPERIENCE THE HEALING POWERS OF A TEMAZCAL
Enjoying a Temazcal is something you have never experienced anything like. These are traditional ceremonies, dedicated to the well-being and purification of the mind, body and soul. In a traditional ceremony, participants enter a sweat lodge, often constructed in an igloo shape using volcanic stone, wood or cement.
Each ritual varies, but these ceremonies typically take anywhere from one to two hours. They are mostly led by a shaman, who is charge of guiding you through with chants and burning sage or copal for cleansing.
Get ready to sweat!
Tip | If you are already visiting the Xcaret park, you can add on for an extra fee their Temazcal experience, its amazing!
VISIT DOWNTOWN CANCUN
El Centro or Downtown Cancun is where the locals live. Cancun isn’t the best place to walk around mostly because of the heat, but pretty much any type of public transportation can happily guide you to the popular places such as mercado 28 or even parque las palapas. These are some great areas to enjoy the vibrant city and eat some amazing local cuisine.
ALL INCLUSIVE DAY PASS AT RESORT
We have to admit enjoying an all inclusive day pass here and there is a guilty pleasure of ours. I love to feel like a tourist once in a while and this is the best way to get pampered like on at a fraction of the cost.
Most of the all inclusive day passes are just that, you get to explore the hotel grounds and they usually have a time frame from 9AM – 11PM. So you really get all the perks and amenities as a guest, except for a hotel room.
You can see a list of our favorite all inclusive’s in Cancun below.
ENJOY LIVELY SHOW, DINNER AND DRINKS
Cancun definitely has a unique nightlife. Now that we are over the club scene, there are still some restaurants that have that nightlife feel with entertainment and great music. These are the most popular things to do in Cancun at night.
OUR FAVORITE DINNER & SHOW RESTAURANTS
These are great date night restaurants, or for any celebration for that matter. We listed a couple of our personal favorites.
Taboo Cancun – Tulum vibes, drinks and lounge tables, more of a dim nightclub atmosphere with a Mediterranean menu.
Ilios – Greek inspired restaurant, with Greek performances that are different each night.
Mono – Jungle inspired theme, with dancers and wild performances. They also have a upscale nightclub “MUN” which is right next door.
Tora – Probably our top contender on this list, Japanese cuisine with a twist. The party scene is more laidback here than the others.
Harry’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar – The best place to go for an upscale carnivore meal with live musicians throughout the night.
SHOP AT ONE OF THE OUTDOOR MALLS
Shopping in Cancun is a vacation on it’s own. There are a handful of outdoor malls that are great for all ages. Full of restaurants, activities and of course shopping. Most of them actual have some great scenic views and are nice to walk around and spend a couple of hours. If the weather is overcast this can be a great option to enjoy the day.
TAKE A WEEKEND TRIP TO ISLA HOLBOX
Isla Holbox, is the epitome of no shoes, no shirt island vibe. Situated just a two-hour drive from Cancun, the journey takes you to Chiquila, where then a 30-minute ferry ride transports you to Holbox.
Interestingly, the name “Holbox” originates from the Mayan language and means ‘black hole,’ inspired by the island’s dark lagoon waters. This charming island with its sandy streets provides an ideal setting for a relaxed and stress-free weekend getaway.
We do need to keep some secrets though, so you’ll have to read our Complete Travel Guide to Isla Holbox for all the details about this magical island | coming soon.
EXPLORE RIO SECRETO
Rio Secreto Nature Reserve is probably one of the coolest adventures and most underrated things to do in Cancun. It is actually recognized by National Geographic -as one of the top 10 activities in the Maya World, and it has the largest semi-flooded cave in the Yucatan Peninsula.
It takes you on a unique trip to the Xibalba (the mayan underworld), while you walk through caves and swim in underground rivers. The water in the caves are calm and only waist-high at the most.
KITE SURF AT ISLA BLANCA
Isla Blanca is a remote sandy beach off the beaten path, it is about one hour from the center of Cancun and is located at the most east tip of the island of Cancun.
For this reason you actually have the ocean on one side and the lagoon on the other. It is a great activity for any age, and is really easy to pick up. Kiteboarding season runs from November to May. If you are driving to Isla Blanca I highly recommend having a good car or a 4×4, the last end of the road is not paved and pretty bumpy.
CLIMB THE PYRAMIDS AT COBA
Taking around two and a half hours to get there from Cancun, you can choose to make it a day trip or spend a weekend nearby the ruins. We personally love these ruins because you can actually still climb them not like Chichen Itza archeological site. Also, one of our favorite boutique hotels are nearby, making it the perfect getaway.
Whether you decide to arrive by car or public transport we have written an Essential Guide to Coba Ruins. Including ticket prices, park hours and nearby hotels | coming soon.
RENT A PRIVATE YACHT
Renting a yacht for the day is definitely one of the top things to do in Cancun. It gives you so much flexibility on how you want to spend your day. The rentals usually are for 6-8 hours and include waters and some refreshments on board. We would recommend to bring some fresh fruit, snacks and any alcohol you would like.
Depending what marina the yacht you rent leaves from you can enjoy a mellow cruise through the lagoon. From there you can visit the MUSA Museum which we discussed above. After we would recommend traveling over to Isla Mujeres. You can decide to get lunch on the island, or there are small fishermen boats cruising by the yachts offering fresh ceviche and guacamole.
WHERE TO STAY IN CANCUN
Cancun has a large variety of accommodation types and locations. It really depends what you are looking for. All inclusive’s are great for people who don’t really want to worry about food all day, but I would recommend it more for people who aren’t looking to explore much. However, sadly in our opinion the food isn’t really that great at all the hotels.
Airbnb’s on the other hand offer great options, in all budget ranges and in great areas such as the Cancun Hotel Zone and the main downtown center. If staying downtown, we would recommend staying the closest to the Hotel Zone as possible, near Plaza de Toros, Av Nader or Puerto Cancun.
Here are our recommendations on where to stay in Cancun:
CANCUN ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS
Our recommendations of the best all inclusive resorts in Cancun are based on quality food and amenities such as the pool and beach areas. We steer clear of party type resorts, avoiding the spring breakers and loud music.
Kempinski Hotel Cancun | This resort was once was the Ritz Carlton Cancun, so the property is guaranteed to have a superb location and grounds. All the rooms have been recently updated.
Le Blanc Spa Resort | Le Blanc is all about being stress free, the offer aromatherapy and other wonderful amenities to make your vacation all about relaxation. This resort is also adults-only.
Atelier Playa Mujeres | This resort is not located in the Hotel Zone, but it is a great option if you have a car, or just looking to stay at the resort. The design is like no other and it is also adults-only.
Secrets The Vine | All-inclusive, adults only with upscale design resort. Secrets is owned by Hyatt so if you have rewards you can use them here!
Paradisus by Melia | Price range is more accessible than the others on this list. The food rates in the top hotels for us, excellent value. Larger grounds, with a great beach club.
HOTELS IN CANCUN (NON ALL-INCLUSIVE)
The non all-inclusive hotels area great option for those who want to really explore Cancun like a local, and venture to trying different restaurants. Most hotels have restaurants on site for convenience but at an extra cost.
Nizuc Resort & Spa | Definitely on the higher end, but one of our favorites in the Hotel Zone. The food is on point and the grounds are luxurious.
Renaissance Cancun Resort & Marina | Located inside the outdoor mall of Puerto Cancun where you have great access to transportation, tours, shopping and restaurants. Great location, and budget friendly option.
SLS Hotel & Spa | Inside one of the most exclusive and high end residential areas of Cancun, with access to the beach. Nice breakfast included for an extra fee.
Canopy by Hilton | Also located inside of a mall Plaza la Isla, lagoon views and direct access to the Ferris wheel. Nice rooftop pool.
AIRBNBS IN CANCUN
Airbnb’s are like hidden treasures in Cancun, once you find the right one you will want to call it your home. Most of them are inside residential areas making it very tranquil compared to the big hotels. We have located our favorites based purely on location, location, location.
Cancun Beachfront Condos 101 | This Airbnb is newly renovated, clean and in a wonderful residential condominium located in the Hotel Zone, with privileged beach access. On site parking is also available and 24/7 security.
The same host also has 2 other units 204 | 404 in the same Condominium with equally stunning design and views.
Spectacular Apartment Facing The Sea | This apartment is located by Punta Nizuc and Nizuc hotel. Another very private residential condominium, located on the beach and close to the airport and Riviera Maya.
Trendy Apartment With A Balcony In Cancun’s Heart | Located in downtown Cancun, great area with ample restaurant options all walking distance. Nice rooftop for morning coffee or sunset views.
HOW TO GET AROUND CANCUN
Once you arrive Cancun, you will immediately feel the humidity and strong sun. Even though Cancun is walkable in some areas, the blazing sun and humidity make it somewhat the task. While strolling through the city, you’ll find plenty of taxis willing to pick you up. However, their pricing can be a bit uncertain since there are no taxi meter so prices are usually negotiated before hand. We recommend using the Uber app as a reference when negotiating the price.
During late-night hours, we suggest opting for Uber, which is now available in Cancun. Sometimes you’ll need to wait for a driver to reach you, but you can rely on the app to get you to and from your destination for a set price.
Most tour operators such as Xcaret include roundtrip transportation, so renting a car is definitely not a necessity. Although, if you are looking to adventure off the beaten path then renting a car is your best option.
CITY BUSES
The bus system is probably the most friendly, especially when going up and down the Hotel Zone you can’t go wrong. It is also the most budget friendly option at less than $1 USD per person. Remember to carry Mexican pesos with you, preferably change. You can always tell the bus driver where you want to get off and he will notify you of your stop.
CAR RENTAL – DRIVING IN CANCUN
Renting a car will give you allow you to be flexible with your itinerary, and explore beyond the tourist attractions in Cancun & the Riviera Maya. Even though almost all tour operators offer roundtrip transportation, having a car gives you the option to stay longer somewhere and not be on such a timed schedule.
Driving in Cancun can be a feat. But once your out of the city and on to the highway its pretty straightforward. Driving from Cancun to Tulum can take you two hours depending on traffic and departure times (rush hours). And from Cancun to Playa del Carmen around an hour and 1/2.
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