The Best Things to Do in Cancun, Mexico: The Most Visited City in Latin America
Cancun is a hot travel destination for a reason. There are innumerable resorts worthy of a stay, ideal weather almost year-round, and there are actually a ton of things to do in Cancun beyond just laying out in the sun. It’s a fun place to visit if you arrive with the mindset that it’s well worth exploring.
Sunrise over the seemingly neverending beaches of Cancun. Photo Credit: Bri Mitchell
I’ll be honest, a lot of the travel I aim to do is an attempt to get off the beaten path, and avoid some of the places that are already well-visited. However, I also see the value in heading to a place like Cancun, finding a place for Bri and I to base ourselves and enjoy the wondrous weather, and actually taking the time to explore the city to establish what exactly makes the city tick on a deeper level.
Recently, Bri and I had a golden opportunity to head on down to Cancun, Mexico. We’ve absolutely loved our experiences visiting other places in the country, like Holbox, San Jose del Cabo, Tulum and Guanajuato City. But we know that Mexico is full of boundless opportunities when it comes to travel, so we were very excited to check out Cancun.
All that to say, we arrived with an open mind, a ready smile, and an adventurous spirit, ready to explore. If you’re looking to do the same, here are some of the best things to do in Cancun on your next visit!
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission for some of my honest recommendations at zero additional cost to you.
A Bit More About Cancun
You’ll find Cancun in the southeastern part of Mexico. It’s located on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. It’s a city which sits right on the Caribbean Sea, which is part of what explains why it’s such a large tourism hub.
In fact, it’s not located all that far from Mexico’s famed resort area that many will know: the Riviera Maya.
Cancun is very much a city planned to be a tourism beacon for the world. In fact, when they started the tourism development of Cancun in the early 1970s, there were only a few hundred residents who actually lived in the area. These were mostly folks who fished, worked on the coconut plantation, or were stationed at the small military base. This city was literally created for tourism as it exists today.
Of course, the city enjoys a tropical climate. The temperature doesn’t change all that much during the year, but there are pronounced rainy and dry seasons. One thing that’s nice about Cancun—the sea breeze tends to keep things quite a bit cooler than some other parts of Mexico that get downright sweltering.
Generally speaking, the most popular time to visit Cancun is between December and April, and it’s at its busiest during spring break in March. We most recently visited in November, and it was absolutely lovely.
Planning Your Trip to Cancun
The most common way travellers access Cancun is by air. Cancun International Airport is one of the top ten busiest airports in Mexico, so there are flights from so many different international destinations arriving daily.
Getting Around Cancun
Once you’ve arrived at the Cancun airport, there are a few different options for transportation to help you get around town.
If you’re having a long travel day, or you’re just looking for a little reprieve from the heat and other travellers, hiring a private airport transfer is recommended. Depending on where you’re staying in Cancun, accommodations are fairly spread out, and it’s by no means a small, walkable city. Hiring a private transfer will allow you to feel relaxed on arrival.
Another great option for getting to and from Cancun airport is to take the ADO Bus. This is the public bus service that operates between Cancun Airport and its depot in downtown Cancun. A one-way ticket costs around $5 US, so it’s a relatively inexpensive option.
Ride share services are also available in Cancun, but they’re not allowed to pick passengers up from the Cancun Airport. We used Uber a few times to get around Cancun once we were in town, and it worked well for us.
Recommended Packing & Travel Gear to Bring to Cancun
Cancun is a destination where there are so many opportunities for adventure, but also excellent ways to relax. Really, packing for your trip to Cancun is going to depend a lot on what you’re looking to get out of it. There are two classifications of items I’d recommend packing for this trip:
Beach Angle:
A good book. This really depends on your reading preferences. I always like to go more the literary route over a “beach read”, and some recent fiction favourites of mine are Klara and the Sun and The House in the Cerulean Sea. If you’re travelling with kids, then I have to also recommend that you bring a copy of my kids book, Travel the World Around You, too!
Sunscreen. Of course this is important no matter what your plans in Mexico are. I know a lot of people recommend buying sunscreen when you land, but Bri and I have learned that not all sunscreens are created equally or work as effectively. We are always testing out new products in search of one that’s deemed mineral and reef-safe, but our tried and true sunscreen for years has been Coppertone Sport SPF 30. It might not sound as fancy as some other brands on the market, but it doesn’t feel greasy (which is a big bonus for me), it has no white cast, and it is completely waterproof and sweat resistant, which makes it perfect for travel for us.
Sandals. As a Canadian there will be no surprises here, but my go-to has been Birkenstocks for years. Bri’s also a big fan of her waterproof Birkenstock sandals. They’re made in men’s and women’s sizes, and they’re perfect for being in and around sand, and even going into the water or wet areas with.
Adventure Angle:
Waterproof dry sacks. These bags come in so handy on trips, and Bri and I carry at least one on every trip. Our go-to is about as small as a 2L. You never know when you’re going to need one to keep valuables in for a boat trip or a wet hiking, biking or sightseeing day. If you plan on taking any snorkel, kayaking, or scuba outings, then you’ll definitely thank yourself for packing a rolled up 20L dry sack, too.
Packable day pack. These are the best because they help you keep your carry-on bags free from water, sand, sunscreen, etc. when you’re on the road. This packable, waterproof day pack also packs up nice and small, so it doesn’t take up much space.
A functional hat. The heat and sun can be quite oppressive in the Yucatan. If you’re heading out for a long day on the water or wandering around ruins, it’s important to make sure you have some extra protection from the sun if you need it. Tilley is an excellent brand with durable hats designed to last you a lifetime.
Where to Stay in Cancun
The view from our room at the SLS Cancun. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
When you visit Cancun, there are essentially three different areas that are the most popular for visitors to stay in. These areas are:
The Hotel Zone: This is the most popular section by far, and it includes a long stretch of all-inclusive hotels and beaches. The zone can essentially be divided into three parts—North, Middle and South. The North Hotel Zone has lovely beaches and shallow waters, but is also home to Punta Cancun, which is where all of the famous clubs and crowded beaches are located. Middle Hotel Zone has beautiful sand beaches, and the South Hotel Zone is quieter and closer to the nature preserve.
Puerto Cancun: This is a more modern and upscale part of Cancun, with more private residences and condos, in addition to several smaller hotels, many with a la carte offerings. The beach is smaller, and more peaceful.
Downtown Cancun: This is the most affordable area to stay, and is the most common place to go for backpackers. There are several good local restaurants and food trucks in this part of town.
As you might imagine, with a city that was built with tourism in mind, there is no shortage of hotels in Cancun that will catch your eye.
We treated ourselves to a nice hotel stay, and opted to stay at the SLS Cancun in Puerto Cancun. It was a beautiful hotel with stunning views, and its location in Puerto Cancun meant we were a little further away from the hustle and bustle of the Hotel Zone, which we liked. They also had an incredible a la carte restaurant, with excellent, nourishing options available for all meals, and their beach club bar was intimate and so great for relaxing by the ocean or pool.
This was, for us, a special treat, but we had plenty of options to work with if we wanted to go in another direction. In destinations like Cancun especially, there will be no shortage of different places to stay, in all sorts of different price ranges. You can feel free to use this map to find the accommodation that works the best for you on your trip to Cancun.
What to Do in Cancun, Mexico On Your Next Visit
Hit Up Cancun’s Beautiful Beaches
There are a lot of beaches in Cancun that are worth having on your radar but here are a handful that, in my humble opinion, should be at the top of your list.
Playa Delfines: Playa Delfines is probably the most famous beach in Cancun, and that has a lot to do with the silky white sand and picturesque turquoise waters. It’s located in the Hotel Zone, and yet there are plenty of chances to snap a photo here without a high-rise hotel in the background. Somehow, it still feels a bit removed from some of the more chaotic sides of Cancun, especially if you’re spending the day under a palapa (thatched roof used for shade). You’ll also find a large, multicoloured “Cancun” sign here for photos.
Playa Langosta: Located in the north end of the Hotel Zone or Zona Hotelera, Playa Langosta is a favourite among swimmers, and those looking for a public beach that is a little less trafficked than other Cancun beaches, yet checks all the boxes for locals and tourists alike.
Playa Tortugas: Not far from either of the two beaches mentioned thus far, Playa Tortugas is the place where you’re going to feel a hum from the nearby shops, restaurants, vendors and more. It’s a well-trafficked public beach that remains one of Cancun’s most popular public beaches because it’s got its own vibe.
Playa Marlin: It’s located in the central part of Cancun’s eastern strip (in the Hotel Zone, like many on this list), and it’s postcard pretty. There are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, but it still feels like an escape when you park yourself on the warm sand.
Playa Caracol: You’ll find this beach around the northern end of Cancun. It’s not a big beach, in fact it’s very small, but it’s famous for its very delicate sand. It’s right beside the Hotel Riu and, heads up, sometimes the beach is shaded by the structure. It’s not my first choice, but it’s popular nonetheless, so I felt compelled to add it to my roundup here.
Playa Chac Mool: Another lively, stunning beach in the Hotel Zone that’s particularly popular for those looking to engage in water activities and water sports.
Set Eyes on the parroquia de cristo resucitado cancun
If you haven’t seen an open-air catholic church before, this is your chance. It’s still very much functioning, by the way, as they still offer regular English and Spanish mass services.
Personally, I was taken by the contemporary architecture, and the way in which greenery is woven into the church and the area immediately surrounding the exterior.
It’s a simple design for the most part, but it’s not like any other church I’ve seen prior, and I’ve seen a lot of churches, so I felt this had to be included on a list of the best things to do in Cancun.
Do a Little Shopping at Mercado 28
Mercado 28 is a long running market in Cancun that has your usual array of food stalls and shops. It’s a cacophony of colour and noise.
The most common complaint against Mercado 28 is that it’s become a little too touristy, which is true in some sense. But for every kitschy mass produced item, there’s a local handcrafted one. So yes, you’ll have the t-shirts, the lucha libre wrestling masks, the magnets and so forth, but that will be paired with ceramics, leather goods, art and more.
Don’t be scare to haggle here, by the way. This is a good place to have a little grasp on Spanish in your back pocket.
Use your visit here as excuse to peruse Downtown Cancun, which has plenty of street art to appreciate, plus parks, taquerias and more.
There are taquerias a-plenty in downtown Cancun. Photo Credit: Bri Mitchell
Head On Up the Cancun Scenic Tower
The Cancun Scenic Tower (Torre Escénica del Embarcadero de Cancún) is 80 metres high (262 feet), and thus offers sweeping views of the city and, of course, the beaches and Caribbean Sea.
Technically, it’s the highest viewpoint in the Riviera Maya.
One thing that’s nice is that it rotates, so you’ll get a 360 degree panoramic view from up there. It’s a favourite among families who are looking to do something a little different than just park themselves on the beach for the day.
It’s located in the Hotel Zone (a phrase I get to use a heck of a lot in this article), and, typically, it’s open from 9am to 9pm, which means you can choose if you want to see the city in the day or night. Both are cool—the water will be more striking during the day, but it’s also kind of neat to see Cancun lit up at night.
Check Out the Cancun Underwater Museum
The Cancun Underwater Museum (Museo Subacuático de Arte, known as MUSA) is a non-profit. Its main purpose it to promote the art of conservation. The main goal of the museum is to save the nearby coral reefs by providing a different kind of diving and snorkelling opportunity.
There are over 500 submerged sculptures from both local and international artists. In all, there are three galleries, all of which are located deep in the Cancun National Marine Park.
Grab Some Dinner in the Hotel Zone
Out for dinner at Taboo Cancun. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
You can grab dinner anywhere you want in Cancun, of course, but there’s an array off restaurants in the north part of the Hotel Zone that make things rather easy and will, in all likelihood, be located near where you’re staying.
The SLS Cancun, where we stayed, was maybe a 15-20 minute Uber from this area, since it was located in the Puerto Cancun.
We went out with some friends to Taboo, a Mexican/Mediterranean fusion restaurant that was such a fun time. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s an experience. Think live performances, special attention to serving drinks and atmosphere, and a loud, memorable events. It’s not the place to go for a romantic or quiet sit down dinner, but it’s certainly fun.
Other places that people enjoy on that strip include:
Fred’s (seafood)
Parole (Italian)
Tora (Japanese)
Harry’s (steakhouse/raw)
Puerto Madero (Argentinian)
Ilios (Greek)
Chianti (Italian)
Lorenzillo’s (Italian)
A lot of the restaurants here come with a bit of a price tag, but I didn’t find it too much more expensive than a night out in my hometown of Toronto, for example.
Visit the Museo Maya de Cancun
The Museo Maya de Cancun (Museo Maya de Cancún y Zona Arqueológica de San Miguelito) is a relatively small museum that offers a welcome respite from all the action that can be oh-so-present in Cancun. They’ve got one of the Yucatan’s most important collections of Mayan artifacts.
The exhibits aim to showcase Mayan history and art from a variety of angles, and with the context needed to appreciate its significance.
Behind the museum is a path that leads you to the San Miguelito Ruins. This collection of Mayan ruins includes stone structures adorned with intricate carvings amidst lush greenery, and shouldn’t be missed on a visit to this museum.
Places like Museo Maya de Cancun have many Mayan artifacts on display. Photo Credit: Bri Mitchell
Spend Some Time at the El Rey archaeological zone
The El Rey Archaeological Zone (Zona Arqueológica de El Rey) showcases pre-Columbian Mayan culture. It’s located just south of the Hotel Zone, and if you’re staying in the southern part of the Hotel Zone, then you’ll be relatively close to it.
It’s widely considered to be the most important archaeological site in Cancun, since they’ve found remains and drawings dating from the post-classical period, and they found a burial site for someone they believe to have been very high rank.
In all, there are some 50 structures of varying sizes and functions. This is one of the things to do in Cancun early in the day before it gets too hot, if you’re sensitive to heat. Many people hire a local tour guide here as well to fill in the blanks if they’re history buffs.
Enjoy the iguanas running around during your visit as well!
Head Out On The Town
The nightlife in Cancun is, in a word, legendary. I’ll be first one to admit that at this point (newsflash: we’re not young anymore), Bri and I aren’t heading to these spots to stay out until sunrise. There was a point in our lives, though, where this was the case, in which case I’d be more than happy to do that here.
If you’re looking to dive into the party scene during your trip, this is a great place to do it. All of the nightclubs I’m mentioning here are located in a cluster in the Hotel Zone, not far from the Hard Rock Cafe resort.
Coco Bongo: Perhaps Cancun’s most notorious and wild nightclub/bar.
The City Nightclub: Only open Fridays from 9pm-3am, but if it’s Friday, you know there’ll be a live DJ on the decks.
D'Cave: A modern feeling club with DJs, live entertainment and surprisingly decent bar bites.
Mandala: Not my jam since they’re primarily focused on bottle service and some rather dicey and spicy live entertainment, but it’s a popular spot amongst others.
Congo Bar: A multi-level hangout with all the tropical cocktails on offer you could want, plus plenty of dancing.
Taboo is certainly fun for a night out, too! Photo Credit: Bri Mitchell
Consider Taking a Day Trip from Cancun
Cancun Mexico is the most direct way to access the famed Yucatan Peninsula and Quintana Roo at large. This country is chock-filled with amazing places to visit, but this corner of Mexico holds a very special place in both my heart, and Bri’s.
We’ve travelled to this peninsula a few times and know that while it is vast, often times taking a one or multi-day trip is very much worth it to experience some of its raw beauty, history and local attractions.
Popular day trips from Cancun include:
Visiting the ancient Maya ruins of Chichen Itza. In a peninsula filled with ruins, this is likely the most famous site in all of the Yucatan. It’s home to large, ancient temples, pyramids, and even early Mayan astronomical devices. It’s an excellent day trip for history lovers, while also offering an excellent opportunity to explore the dry inland of the Yucatan outside.
Boating across to the beloved Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy. This is a serene set of paradise islands off the coast of Cancun, known for their crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture. It’s a perfect destination to combine with a snorkel or scuba diving trip.
Heading out on a day cruise . Depending on the time of year, you can take a scuba diving tour, a snorkelling tour, or you can even take a tour to swim with whale sharks in the Caribbean Sea. Whale shark season typically begins on June 1 each year. This part of the ocean is also home to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef for snorkelling.
Checking out the fishing village of Puerto Morelos. Located south of Cancun, this is a tranquil coastal town that has stunning beaches and excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities.
Visit the famous Nichupte Lagoon. Known for its many bodies of water, stunning mangrove-lined canals and beautiful environment, this is a great place to visit for nature lovers.
Cancun’s Attractions Await!
Did I mention Cancun was sunny? Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Realistically, you can approach your trip to Cancun however you like. You can, of course, find yourself an ideal resort and not leave the entire time, but this article is a gentle reminder that, if you’re keen to embrace it, Cancun is more than just the resort you’re on.
At the very least, I think it’s worth checking out some of the downtown core to get a feel for the heartbeat of the city, as opposed to the Hotel Zone. I’d also choose at least one museum or archaeological site and give yourself a chance to learn more about Mayan culture.
When it comes to following travel guides and recommendations, there’s no right way or wrong way to experience Cancun. There’s only your way, and I can only hope this article has helped in planning your ideal trip to Cancun—Mexico’s enduring vacation destination.
I want to humbly thank Air Canada (and HotelSavers) for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own.
If you appreciated this article, you’ll love our newsletter, as well as our Facebook group!