Cancun is famous for its coastline, characterised by wide picture-perfect Caribbean beaches, and is dotted with world-class resorts, entertainment centres and waterfront boulevards. Just offshore, the sun-drenched Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy offer top-notch diving and a slower, salt-kissed pace of life. Yet, head inland, and you enter a different world entirely: a deep green interior where spider monkeys are the vigilantes of ancient Mayan ruins and mysterious cenotes (natural sinkholes) shimmering with crystalline waters. So from the water to the jungle, you’ll find plenty to occupy your time here.
All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Cancun. Find out more below, or for further Cancun inspiration, see our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and beaches.
Find by activity type:
Best for nature
El Rey Archaeological Site
Retrace the footsteps of the ancient Mayans
Amidst the modern resorts of the Hotel Zone lies an unassuming archaeological site, El Rey. Once a vital maritime link in a coastal trade route, the site is now a glimpse into the region’s Mayan past with 47 stone structures, including a small pyramid and ceremonial platforms. Bring your camera for the resident photogenic iguanas, but remember, they are wild animals, so admire them from a respectful distance. If you don’t fancy a day trip to Chichén Itzá (a three-hour drive away), El Rey makes a good alternative.
Insider tip: Arrive just after opening (8am) to explore in the cooler morning air. Leafy trees provide shade, but it can get very humid here.
Website: mexicoescultura.com
Price: £
Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA)
Snorkel alongside art sculptures
One of the world’s most sublime and surreal art installations, this submerged gallery is a haunting collection of more than 500 life-sized sculptures. Standing in silent congregation on the seabed, they are a powerful testament to the symbiosis between art and nature, designed to be slowly transformed by the sea into a vibrant artificial coral reef.
Insider tip: While a glass-bottom boat offers a glimpse, the true magic is experienced underwater. If you don’t have a diving license, you can take a lesson here.
Website: musamexico.org
Price: ££
Whale shark snorkelling tour
Come face-to-face with the biggest fish on Earth
Just off the coast of Cancun, you can have a truly humbling, once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the gentle giants of the ocean. Each summer (June to mid-September), these magnificent creatures gather in the plankton-rich waters off the coast north of Cancun. After a briefing with your guide, you’ll don wetsuits, slip into the deep blue and swim alongside the largest fish on earth as it glides silently through the water. Choose a small, eco-conscious tour operator like Carey Dive Center for a more intimate and responsible experience.
Insider tip: If you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication beforehand, as the boat ride to the feeding grounds can be choppy.
Website: careydivecenter.com
Price: £££
Ruta de los Cenotes
Swim in stunning natural pools
This jungle route, running west of Puerto Morelos (a 30-minute drive south of Cancun), is your gateway to the Yucatan Peninsula’s subterranean world. Mexico is home to more than 6,000 cenotes, most of which are concentrated in the Yucatan Peninsula. Cenotes are natural limestone sinkholes filled with cool, glassy water – they range from vast, open-air swimming holes to cavernous systems dripping with stalactites. The ancient Mayans believed cenotes were sacred portals to the underworld known as Xibalba.
Insider tip: Cenote Zapote and Boca del Puma are two personal favourites as they offer pristine natural pools and rarely get crowded.
Website: cenoteszapote.com; bocadelpuma.com.mx
Price: ££
Puerto Morelos Reef National Park
Snorkel among rich marine life
Off the coast of the sleepy fishing village of Puerto Morelos lies a protected, pristine section of the world’s second biggest reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The coral formations here are remarkably healthy and sit in shallow waters, making it an ideal, accessible spot for snorkelling amongst vibrant shoals of parrotfish, angelfish and blue tangs in their natural habitat. It’s advisable to snorkel with a licensed guide, easily booked from the town pier. This not only ensures the reef’s protection but also guarantees you are taken to the best spots.
Insider tip: The use of non-biodegradable sunscreen is strictly forbidden, so pack sun protection shirts and rash guards.
Website: conanp.gob.mx
Price: ££
Isla Mujeres
Hop to a nearby island
A 30-minute ferry ride from Cancun delivers you to this laid-back island antidote to the mainland’s bustle (book ferry tickets at ultramarferry.com in advance for discounted fares). Here, life moves at a slower pace and beaches are far quieter. The best way to explore the island is on a golf cart, the primary mode of transport. Discover rugged, windswept cliffs at Punta Sur before heading to the legendary Playa Norte, a vast sandbar of powder-soft sand and impossibly calm, shallow turquoise water.
Insider tip: For lunch, skip the tourist traps and find a simple local joint like La Justicia de Don Pino for pescado tikinxic – a whole fish grilled in traditional Mayan achiote marinade.
Website: isla-mujeres.net
Price: ££
Isla Contoy
Take a day trip to paradise
A fiercely protected nature reserve and bird sanctuary, this uninhabited island north of Isla Mujeres is the epitome of a Caribbean paradise. Access is strictly limited to 200 visitors per day to make sure its powdery white beaches and lush ecosystems remain untouched. Independent travel is not allowed; you can only visit on a boat tour. Guided day trips here include snorkelling, lunch on the boat and spectacular birdwatching opportunities.
Insider tip: Tours are all-inclusive and must be booked in advance with the operator, Isla Contoy Experience. The boat journey can take over an hour, so choose a larger, more stable vessel if you are sensitive to motion on the water.
Website: islacontoy.org
Price: £££
Best free things to do
Playa Delfines
Hit the best beach in town
By Mexican law, all beaches are public – even the sand fronted by resorts. Still, there are “public beaches” that are more popular with locals, equipped with free-to-use picnic tables or palapas (thatched roof shades). Playa Delfines’s vast expanse of brilliant white sand, met by pounding turquoise waves, is one of the best. Beware, though, the surf here has a strong undertow, so exercise caution if you decide to swim. It’s the perfect backdrop for stunning photographs, long walks and getting a snap with the colourful, life-sized ‘Cancun’ sign.
Insider tip: Pack a picnic lunch as there are no restaurants on this beach, although vendors will offer snacks and coconuts.
Address: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 19.5, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancun, QR
Opening hours: 24 hours
Isla Blanca
Escape to a pristine sandbank
A remote, rugged sand spit separating a saltwater lagoon from the open sea lies on the far northern end of Costa Mujeres. This is the Cancun of 40 years ago: a pristine, undeveloped stretch of coastline beloved by locals and kitesurfers. Drive to the very end of the dirt track to find rustic seafood shacks and the feeling of true escape. Bring plenty of pesos, as the few simple restaurants only accept cash. Check the wind forecast if you’re hoping to watch the kitesurfers.
Insider tip: You’ll need to hire a car to reach this secluded spot. The road can be bumpy, so a higher-clearance vehicle is advisable.
Address: Isla Blanca, 77400, Quintana Roo
Opening hours: 24 hours
Mural art
Admire the alternative street art
Venture into downtown Cancun to discover the city’s vibrant, artistic soul splashed across forgotten walls. Away from the resort strip – on the streets of Avenida Yaxchilán and the streets surrounding Parque de las Palapas – local and international artists have created a sprawling outdoor gallery of large-scale murals, often depicting Mayan mythology, environmental themes and sharp social commentary.
Insider tip: Downtown Cancun is relatively safe to visit; that said, avoid strolling around alone at night. The best time to explore here on foot is in the morning, when the light is better for photos and the city is cooler.
Address: Downtown Cancun, specifically around Avenida Yaxchilán
Opening hours: 24 hours
Malecón Tajamar
Take an evening stroll along the waterfront
This wide, waterfront promenade lining the Nichupté Lagoon is where Cancun locals come for their evening run or stroll. It offers a peaceful, well-manicured space to catch the sunset, with fantastic views back across the water to the glittering skyline of the Hotel Zone. The boulevard becomes far livelier as the sun sets, buzzing with street performances, vendors selling handicrafts and street food.
Insider tip: Rent a bike from Bike Rentals Cancun on the Hotel Zone for a leisurely pedal to the boulevard, but keep an eye out for crocodiles that sometimes bask near the water’s edge.
Address: Malecón Tajamar, 77500 Cancun, QR
Opening hours: 24 hours
Parque de las Palapas
People watch in the evenings
This is the main town square and the true social heart of downtown Cancun. In the evenings, it comes alive with local families, food carts selling elote (grilled corn with mayonnaise and tajine chilli) and crispy marquesitas (a Yucatan dessert similar to a crepe with sugary toppings). There’s a small stage for public performances, and children can drive miniature electric cars. It is an authentic and delightful slice of local life.
Insider tip: The park comes alive after 7pm. Grab a snack from one of the vendors, find a bench and simply enjoy the people-watching. The food court at the back of the square serves cheap, delicious, and authentic local meals on plastic tables.
Address: Tulipanes, 77500 Cancun, QR
Opening hours: 24 hours
Parque Ecológico Kabah
Stroll around an urban jungle park
A protected pocket of jungle right in the middle of the city, this urban eco-park is the green lung of downtown Cancun. The trails are a favourite with local joggers and families seeking respite from the concrete. It’s a wonderful place for kids to go wild on the playground and spot local wildlife, including coatis and green iguanas.
Insider tip: Don’t miss the small museum dedicated to the history of the region’s development, located near the park’s entrance.
Address: Av. Nichupté, 77534 Cancun, QR
Opening hours: 6am-6pm
Best for culture
Cancun Mayan Museum
Peel back the layer of time
Housed in a modern building, this museum provides essential context to the ruins you’ll see across the region. It holds one of the Yucatán’s most significant collections of Mayan artefacts, including intricate jewellery and skeletal remains discovered at Tulum. The museum is fully air-conditioned, a welcome respite from the sweltering heat. The ticket also grants access to the San Miguelito archaeological site adjacent to the museum.
Insider tip: Visit before you go to Chichén Itzá or Tulum. Understanding the history, cosmology and artistry of the ancient Mayan first will profoundly enrich your experience of the larger archaeological sites later in your trip.
Website: mexicoescultura.com
Price: £
Temazcal ceremony
Cleanse your soul with an ancient ritual
Dating back to the pre-Hispanic era, the temazcal is an intense, purifying ritual that is still practised today. This ancient sweat lodge ceremony is led by a shaman who guides participants through waves of heat, steam, chanting and herbal aromatherapy inside a domed structure. It is a powerful, spiritual experience intended to cleanse the body and mind, connecting you to Mexico’s deepest indigenous roots.
Insider tip: This is not for the claustrophobic or those with respiratory issues – it’s a physically and emotionally demanding experience. Drink plenty of water before and after, and enter with an open mind and a willingness to surrender to the ancient process.
Website: temazcalcancun.mx
Price: ££
Mercado Ki Huic
Browse local artisanal handicrafts
While Mercado 28 is bigger and more famous, the smaller Mercado Ki Huic offers a more authentic and curated artisan shopping experience. This cooperative brings together vendors from across the region, selling high-quality and authentic handicrafts, from Taxco silver and vibrant textiles to leather goods and hand-painted ceramics, without the aggressive sales tactics found elsewhere.
Insider tip: While prices are more fixed here than at other markets, a polite and friendly negotiation on multiple items is still possible. It’s an excellent place to find genuine, quality souvenirs that go beyond the typical tourist trinkets found in the Hotel Zone.
Address: Av. Tulúm 1434, 77500 Cancun, QR
Opening hours: 9am-8pm
Price: £
Best for families
Xcaret Park
Family fun at an eco-adventure park
Xcaret is an exquisitely designed natural playground that celebrates Mexican culture and ecology. Families can spend a full day floating down gentle underground rivers, snorkelling in a calm inlet, visiting a vast butterfly pavilion and watching sea turtles and manatees. The day culminates in a spectacular two-hour show of music and dance from across Mexico.
Insider tip: The park is enormous, so grab a map and plan your must-do activities to avoid exhausted little ones. The “Plus” admission is well worth the extra cost for families, as it includes a buffet lunch, lockers and snorkel gear, simplifying the logistics.
Website: xcaret.com
Price: £££
Sky Wheel Cancun
Hop on a ferris wheel
Located in the heart of the La Isla shopping village, the Sky Wheel offers a gentle, revolving journey in modern, air-conditioned gondolas. It is particularly magical at sunset, when the lights of the Hotel Zone begin to twinkle against the fading light over the lagoon. The ride lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, comprising four full rotations. It’s a relaxing activity for families with kids of all ages.
Insider tip: For a more memorable experience, book the VIP cabin with its glass-bottom floor, offering a dizzying but unique perspective on the mall and lagoon below as you ascend.
Website: skywheelcancun.com
Price: ££
How we choose
Every activity or experience to do in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser-known corners, to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
About our expert
Nellie Huang
Nellie descended on the shores of Mexico four years ago after living in Singapore, the UK, Spain and the Netherlands, and finally found her happy place here. She has since written about Mexico for publications worldwide.