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Tourism in Cancun is synonymous with splendid beaches, considered the most beautiful in Mexico, magnificent hotels, fantastic ecological parks and archaeological sites to learn about the brilliant Mayan culture. Keep reading so you know everything about Cancun.

Where is Cancun?

To locate where Cancun is, it is best to position yourself on a map of the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun is located near the northeast tip of the peninsula, facing the Caribbean Sea, in the state of Quintana Roo.

We must distinguish between the city of Cancun and the island of Cancun. A good description of Cancun Island is that it is a thin strip of land in the shape of a number 7, located between the Caribbean and the Nichupte Lagoon. The island is linked to the mainland by bridges located over the channels that connect the lagoon with the sea.

On the island is the famous Cancun Hotel Zone, which is one of the largest concentrations of high-end tourist accommodation in the world. Cancun city is on the mainland and is connected to the island through various bridges.

Below the map of Cancun:

 

What are the best hotels in Cancun like?

Cancun is a destination with hundreds of hotels. The most luxurious and expensive establishments are located in the Hotel Zone, facing the Caribbean, while those located on the island, but not facing the beach, have lower rates.

The cheapest accommodations are in the city of Cancun and most are located a few kilometers from the beach.

Most of the 5-star hotels in Cancun operate under the all-inclusive modality. These establishments are right on the beach and include outdoor swimming pools, a spa , a gym, restaurants with different options of national and international haute cuisine, bars, and rooms superbly equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Among the many lodging options in Cancun, there are the following:

5-star hotels in Cancun

4 star hotels in Cancun

3 star hotels in Cancun

What are the best beaches in Cancun?

In Cancun, tourism means beaches with soft, fine sand and crystal-clear waters with a dazzling turquoise blue color, more intense in those found in the open sea. Among these beaches are the following:

Pearls Beach

It is a family beach with clear and calm waters located at km 2.5 of Bulevar Kukulkan, 1 km from downtown Cancun. It has parking, bathrooms, showers, restaurants and bars.

See photos of Pearl Beach

lobster beach

This beach is perfect for swimming and splashing around with the children due to its calm waves. It is located in Bahía Mujeres, with access through km 5 of Kukulkan Boulevard. It has a parking lot and a pier from which ferries leave for Isla Mujeres.

See photos of Playa Langosta

Turtle Beach

It is located at km 6.5 of Bulevar Kukulkan and has a very lively atmosphere, with a variety of restaurants and bars. It is usual to see visitors bungeejumping and snorkeling and swimming in its calm waters.

See photos of Playa Tortugas

Snail Beach

Like all the beaches on the North Side of the Hotel Zone, Playa Caracol has calm waters, great for families with children. It has a picturesque pier and its access is through km 8.5 of Bulevar Kukulkan.

See photos of Playa Caracol

Blue Gull Beach

It is located near the beginning of the Caribbean Side of the Hotel Zone, where the waves are more intense and the turquoise blue of the sea is more dazzling. It is perfect for water sports such as surfing and has sun loungers, beach tables and umbrellas. It is at km 9.5 of Bulevar Kukulkan.

 

See photos of Forum Beach

Chac Mool Beach

Its name comes from a pre-Hispanic sculpture of a human figure with a reclining body, called chac mool. It has intense waves as it is in the open sea, being frequented by surfers.

It has parking, lifeguard service, showers, bathrooms and has a wide range of restaurants, grocery stores, hotels and bars nearby.

See photos of Chac Mool Beach

Marlin Beach

It is another beach with respectable waves, good for surfing. It has lounge chairs, umbrellas and wooden benches. In the sand there are bars and restaurants to drink a tropical cocktail and savor dishes from different cuisines. It is in front of Plaza Kukulkan in the Hotel Zone.

Whale Beach

It is a good beach for sunbathing, playing in the sand and surfing, although its strong currents advise taking precautions when doing this sport and swimming. It is located between Playa Cancún and Punta Nizuc, at km 14 of Kukulkan Boulevard.

See photos of Playa Ballenas

Dolphin Beach

It is one of the beaches on the island of Cancun that is away from the busiest sector of the Hotel Zone, making it ideal for people who prefer quiet environments.

Tourist brochures for Cancun beaches describe Playa Delfines as one of the best for surfing due to its intense waves. It gets its name because it is possible to see dolphins, especially in the mornings.

See photos of Playa Delfines

north beach

This beach is located on Isla Mujeres, which is 7 km from Cancun and has easy transportation by ferries that make several daily departures and returns.

It is considered one of the best beaches in Mexico due to the transparency of its turquoise blue waters, its long extension to the sea where the water barely reaches the waist and its white sand with a soft texture. Your services are top notch.

See photos of North Beach

Watch a video of a drone with the best beaches in Cancun:

Do you want a list with all the best beaches in Cancun?:
If you want to know an updated list with the best beaches in Cancun , read our guide

What to visit in Cancun – Tourist places

Apart from its extraordinary beaches, Cancun has museums, archaeological sites, monuments and other attractions to round off a varied and entertaining trip.

Cancun Mayan Museum

The remarkable Mayan civilization, with incredible advances in its time in fields such as mathematics and astronomy, developed in Mexico and Mesoamerica and had its main stage in the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Mayan Museum of Cancun exhibits an interesting collection of art, crafts and objects from the brilliant Mayan civilization.

See below a video of the Mayan Museum of Cancun:

Direction

Km 16.5, Kukulkan Boulevard, Hotel Zone.

Below the map of the Mayan Museum:

 

Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc

These two points are found at the ends of the vertical line of the number 7 that shapes the island of Cancun. Near Punta Cancun is the picturesque Cancun lighthouse and both points have fantastic reefs for snorkeling and diving.

Kabah Urban Park

It is an ecological park and animal refuge where you can see crocodiles, monkeys, coatis and other representatives of the Yucatecan fauna. It is frequented by walkers, joggers and cyclists.

Direction

Nichupte Avenue 13.

Do you want to know which are the best parks in Cancun?
You have to read our detailed guide to the best parks in Cancun , tips, what to do and special discounts

 

The looker

It is located in front of Playa Delfines, offering beautiful views of the Caribbean, the Nichupté Lagoon and the El Rey archaeological site. During the day it is animated by beach visitors and it is a night meeting place to walk, talk and have a few drinks.

Nichupte Lagoon

It is a beautiful ecosystem, essential for the survival of Cancun as a tourist destination. It has a varied and beautiful biodiversity. Near its shores there are hotels, docks and yacht clubs.

Women Island

This beautiful island is in the Caribbean 7 km from Cancun. It has spectacular beaches, particularly Playa Norte, reefs for diving and snorkeling, archaeological ruins, water parks and excellent hotels and restaurants.

Ferries and boats for the short trip to the island board in Puerto Juárez and at various points in the Hotel Zone.

See photos of Isla Mujeres

What are the best cenotes in Cancun?

Any program of tourist activities in Cancun must include these wonderful bodies of water characteristic of the Yucatan Peninsula, due to their beautiful, fresh and crystalline waters, populated by species of fauna and the beautiful green landscapes that surround them.

The Ruta de los Cenotes, on the Puerto Morelos-Leona Vicario Highway, is the main territory of the cenotes near Cancun.

Seven Mouths Cenote

It is at km 15 of the Ruta de los Cenotes and is completely natural, since it has no infrastructure. It receives the name for its seven entrances, through which the sun’s rays penetrate, reflecting beautifully in the water mirrors.

Below a video:

Cenote Las Mojarras

It is an immense cenote with a diameter of 65 meters and a depth of 14 meters, which is the first of these bodies of water found on the route, leaving Puerto Morelos. It has a diving tower, zip line, hammocks and bathrooms.

Kin Ha Cenote

To get to this beautiful body of water you have to take a detour on the Ruta de los Cenotes and travel 5 km to reach the site. It is 40 meters deep and has some curious bell formations that are unique to this place.

Cenote Chilam Balam

The journey from the Puerto Morelos-Leona Vicario highway to this cenote is an adventure through the dense tropical jungle of Quintana Roo for which you need a four-wheel drive vehicle. The prize upon arrival is the beauty of the surroundings and the freshness of the waters.

Jungle Cenote

It is located at km 18 of the Ruta de los Cenotes and has several zip lines that cross the water mirror. If you fall, the cool waters ease the impact. It also has a ledge for bungee jumping.

Do you want a list with all the 20 best cenotes in Cancun?:
If you want to know an updated list with the best cenotes in Cancun , read our guide

What to do in Cancun – Best activities

Tourists in Cancun have a wide variety of activities to enjoy as a family, as a couple, among friends and even alone.

Ride on a pirate ship

Captain Hook Cancun offers a fun ride on a pirate ship commanded by Captain Hook, with a show on board and dinner. The night tour of the Caribbean coast lasts approximately three hours and includes an open bar, deck dancing, pageants, a mock naval battle and other entertainment. The price is from 35 USD (669.8 MXN).

Swim with whale sharks

The whale shark is the largest fish in nature and one of the oldest on the planet. It can measure 12 meters but it is harmless and playful.

EcoColors Tours takes you to swim with these friendly giants in an excursion that includes observation of dolphins, turtles, manta rays and other species of marine fauna. This experience that will confront you with wildlife in the sea has prices from 144 USD (2755.7 MXN).

Take a jungle journey by land, water and air

This triple experience through the Quintana Roo jungle is offered by the operator Top Travel Connection Tour.

The fast-paced tour by land is in a one or two-seater ATV, arriving at a spectacular cenote for the experience in the water. You will have the aerial experience in a zip-line circuit in which you will fly over the treetops like an eagle.

It costs from 55 USD (1052.5 MXN) and they pick up the participants at Cancun hotels in comfortable vans.

Dive through the Underwater Museum

Off the coast of Cancun, in the Caribbean Sea, is one of the most unique museums on the planet.

It is a submerged museum that houses hundreds of large-format works made with ecological materials by artists from Mexico and abroad. You can get to know these monumental works of art by taking a scuba diving excursion or a glass-bottom boat ride.

Archaeological sites of El Meco, El Rey and Yamil Lu’um

These three archaeological sites testify to the presence of the Mayan people in Cancun. From El Meco, a plaza has been preserved that must have been its political and ceremonial center and El Castillo, a quadrangular structure that offers splendid views of Bahía Mujeres from its upper part.

In El Rey there are ruins of palatial, religious and administrative buildings and it owes its name to a sculpture of an ornate head found on the site and preserved in the Mayan Museum of Cancun. Yamil Lu’um dates from the late Postclassic period and its most important building is the Temple of the Scorpion, in reference to a spider-like figure found on a wall.

Direction

El Meco: Km 2.7, Highway Puerto Juárez – Punta Sam.

The King: Km 18, Boulevard Kukulkan.

Yamil Lu’um: Km 12.5, Boulevard Kukulkan.

Below is a video of El Meco:

Cancun House of Culture

If after a delicious beach swim in Cancun you want to give yourself a cultural one, stop by the Casa de la Cultura at night. There is always some activity, such as theater, music, cinema and conferences.

Direction

Yaxchilán Avenue extension, 21.

Cancun City Hall

Unlike other cities in Mexico, whose municipal palaces are historic buildings from the colonial era, the one in Cancun is an attractive building with modern architecture. It is in front of the Plaza de la Reforma, where there is a statue of Juárez.

Direction

Tulum Avenue, Reforma Square, downtown Cancun.

Monument to the History of Mexico

The sharp Mexican sense of humor baptized this monument as La Licuadora because it resembles the blades of one of these old model kitchen appliances. It is an attractive construction with figures of Mexican characters in high relief and engraved historical phrases.

Direction

Roundabout of Tulum and Uxmal avenues, downtown Cancun.

Monument to Jose Marti

The Mexican wit continued with this contemporary-style monument reminiscent of immense banana trees, baptized as Los Plátanos. It was dedicated to the apostle of Cuban Independence, José Martí, and its author was the Cuban sculptor José Delarra.

Direction

Cobá Avenue, Supermanzana 4.

Kukulkan Fountain

It is made up of several structures that represent the Feathered Serpent, the main incarnation of Quetzalcoatl. At night it offers a beautiful show of lights and water.

Direction

Roundabout of Cobá and Bonampak avenues.

Calinda Bridge

Its official name is Puente Nichupté, but it is known as Calinda because of the old Calinda Beach hotel, which changed its name to Oasis Palm Beach. It offers spectacular views of the sea, the lagoon and the city.

At the beginning it was a wooden bridge and the only connection between mainland Mexico and the island of Cancun.

Direction

Km 4, Boulevard Kukulkan.

scenic tower

Any Cancun tourist guide will tell you that this tower that rises 85 meters is the best place to admire the Cancun landscapes in 360 degrees. It is the tallest building in the city-hotel zone and as you go up, you learn information about Cancun and the places you see.

Direction

Km 4.5, Boulevard Kukulkan.

What to do around Cancun?

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico due to its size, the beauty and grandeur of its buildings and the symbolism surrounding them.

It is located in the Yucatecan municipality of Tinum and is visited annually by more than two million people, most of them on tours that leave mainly from Cancun and the Riviera Maya. The main attractions of Chichen Itza are:

Pyramid of Kukulkan

The temple dedicated to the god Kukulkan, the Mayan equivalent of Quetzalcoatl, is the most important building in the complex.

Its four symmetrical facades each have 91 steps, which adds up to 364 steps, which, adding the upper platform, provides the first great symbolism of the pyramid: the duration of the solar year in days.

During the equinoctial days, the silhouette of the Feathered Serpent is formed on one of the pyramid’s facades, in an incredible play of light and shadow.

wall of skulls

It is a tzompantli (public altar) in which the pre-Hispanic indigenous people placed the skulls of the sacrificed, strung on pointed sticks. The tzompantli of Chichen Itza has an impressive high-relief decoration.

Sacred Cenote

In this cenote, the Mayans of Chichen Itza worshiped Chaac, the god of rain, and made offerings and human sacrifices. He was visited on pilgrimages from very distant points. It has been dredged three times and the extracted heritage is managed by the INAH.

Other relevant buildings of Chichen Itza

Other buildings in the complex that are relevant for their artistic, scientific, symbolic or ceremonial importance are the El Caracol observatory, where the Mayans controlled 20 astronomical events; the largest ball court and in the best condition that has been discovered and the Temple of the Warriors.

Xcaret

In Cancun, tourism also means spectacular ecological and adventure parks, and Xcaret is the most complete.

It is visited annually by thousands of people from Mexico and abroad, many of whom go especially to enjoy wonderful parks in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, such as Xcaret, Xplor and Xel-Há. The main attractions of Xcaret are:

Main square

Visitors come to this beautiful square where the changing rooms, toilets, cafeteria, pharmacy and other service facilities are located. Beneath the square is a superb wine cellar, one of the most complete in Mexico.

Underground rivers

They are three rivers of fresh and crystalline waters that come from the bowels of the earth, passing through caves and tunnels. It is a delicious experience to go with the flow admiring the beauty of the natural environment.

Beach, lagoon and sea pools

In these spaces you can swim, as well as snorkel and dive with the most modern equipment.

Caves and Mayan Village

Visit a replica of a Mayan village to learn about the traditions and daily life of this celebrated culture. On the way to the town you can explore some caves.

Kid’s World

Space designed for children under 12 years of age, with tunnels, suspension bridges, slides, nets, labyrinths, obstacles, cenote, wading pool and sandpit.

scenic tower

It is an 80-meter-high tower to admire the beauties of the landscape from a privileged point and take great photos.

Henequen Farm

It is a trip to the golden age of henequen in the Yucatan Peninsula, to learn about the extraction, processing and uses of this natural fiber. The hacienda is also the entrance to the Museum of Mexican Popular Art.

Archaeological sites

Learn more about the famous Mayan civilization by visiting the archaeological sites found in Xcaret.

Mexican Cemetery “Bridge to Paradise”

It is a replica of an authentic traditional cemetery, to appreciate the unique Mexican culture related to death.

Other attractions of Xcaret

Casa de los Murmullos, chapels (Virgen de Guadalupe and San Francisco de Asís), coral reef aquarium, jungle trails, aviary, butterfly farm, living museum of orchids and bromeliads, and wildlife observation.

Cancún tourism Xcaret (cultural shows): the park promotes the preservation of Mexican cultural stamps by presenting shows such as the Voladores de Papantla and traditional dances.

Xplor

This park is located next to Xcaret and is oriented towards extreme entertainment, offering exciting tours in amphibious vehicles and the highest zip lines in the Riviera Maya. Its great attractions are:

Underground exploration of jungles and rivers

This experience will take you to the depths of the Earth, going through underground rivers and caves full of beautiful rock formations (stalactites and stalagmites), an exciting ride in which you will walk, swim and row with your hands on a raft.

Exploration of jungles and rivers in amphibious vehicles

The experience on the surface of the earth is no less exciting, since you will be shot in an amphibious vehicle, avoiding obstacles, splashing water and mud and admiring the beauties of the tropical Mayan jungle.

Exploration of jungles and rivers from the air

Put on your helmet, secure your harnesses and fly over the treetops and the beautiful bodies of water of the Riviera Maya, sliding on the highest zip lines in the Mexican Caribbean.

Food

After living these vibrant experiences you will surely have a terrible hunger, which you can satisfy at El Troglodita Restaurant, whose buffet is unlimited. In El Oasis and El Manantial you can enjoy churros, sweet bread, chocolate champurrado and exotic fresh waters.

Xplor Fire

Can you imagine living the same experiences of the daytime tours, but at night, in the light of the torches and the Moon? This mysterious and fun experience is Xplor Fuego, which begins as soon as the sun begins to hide.

Where to eat in Cancun?

In Cancun, tourism is also synonymous with good food. In the Hotel Zone and the city of Cancun there are magnificent restaurants of all the cuisines of the world, headed by the Mexican cuisine of the coast. A Cancun tourist guide of restaurants should include the following establishments:

Calypso’s Mexican Restaurant

It specializes in Mexican, Latin and seafood cuisine and is located in a small plaza in a quiet corner of Cancun. The seafood grill is worth a try, as is the mixed fish, shrimp, and octopus ceviche. The portions are generous, the service is excellent and the prices are reasonable considering you are in Cancun.

Direction

Km 8.5, Boulevard Kukulkan, Hotel Zone, in front of Playa Caracol.

Chianti restaurant

It is one of the best Italian cuisine options in Cancun. The atmosphere is fantastic, the food is delicious and the staff is extremely attentive.

The pasta, salmon and tuna are among the most praised dishes of this restaurant. Of course, you can’t miss a Chianti red, Italy’s most famous wine.

Direction

Km 11.5, Block 52, Boulevard Kukulkan, Hotel Zone.

Samura Japanese Cuisine & Bar

The union of the fascinating Japanese culinary art with the freshest Mexican products has its maximum expression in Cancun in this restaurant in the center of the city.

The mixologist has wonderful creations and the food and atmosphere feel authentically Japanese. It has a large terrace and a play area that comes in handy for people who go with children.

Direction

Avenida Xpuhil Sur, Manzana 2, Lot 25, Supermanzana 19, Cancún Centro.

Taqueria Coapenitos

If you have a hard time being without your tacos, the ones at this taqueria are amazing and the service is excellent. It is a delicious Mexican food option in Cancun, the service is fast and the pocket appreciates the visit.

Direction

Avenida Nader 25, Tapachula Building, Supermanzana 2, Cancun.

Where to go shopping in Cancun?

In Cancun there are many tourist attractions and one of them is its sensational shopping malls, where you will find stores for anything you need, beauty salons, perfumeries, jewelry stores, cafes, bars, restaurants and shows for the entertainment of children, young people and Adults.

Plaza Las Americas Cancun

It is perhaps the most famous mall in Cancun. It has a luxurious casino, movie theaters, children’s entertainment, haute cuisine and fast food restaurants, pharmacies and a hospital.

It houses more than 200 brand name stores, such as Zara, Benetton and Bershka, for a fantastic shopping tour .

Direction

Avenida Tulum Sur 7, Cancun.

La Isla Cancun Shopping Village

It is a beautiful commercial plaza in Cancun, with open spaces, water canals for boat rides, an interactive aquarium, a wax museum, a Ferris wheel and boutiques and establishments with the most prestigious world names, such as Liverpool, Ultrafemme, Benetton, Zara, Thai, Starbucks, Massimo Dutti and Italianni’s.

The Ferris wheel has normal and VIP gondolas and offers wonderful views of Cancun.

Direction

Km 12.5, Boulevard Kukulkan, Hotel Zone.

Kukulkan Plaza Shopping Center

It is an important Cancun reference in shopping centers. It works in a modern building on Bulevar Kukulkan and has stores specializing in clothing, footwear, accessories, handicrafts, antiques, jewelry, optics, lingerie, and travel and tourism agencies.

Among the brands present are Lacoste, Boss, Carolina Herrera, Di Lusso and Wayan.

Direction

Km 13, Boulevard Kukulkan, Hotel Zone.

Plaza Forum Cancun

It is located in a 3-story building facing the sea, very close to the beach, in the heart of the Cancun Hotel Zone. It offers varied options of clothing stores, crafts, silverware, restaurants and bars.

It houses well-known cafes (Hard Rock, Rainforest), as well as Coco Bongo Show & Disco, one of the most famous nightclubs in the Caribbean area.

Direction

Km 9, Boulevard Kukulkan, Calle 9, No. 30, Hotel Zone.

What are the best bars and clubs in Cancun?

Travel to Cancun and at the end of your stay you will need another vacation to recover from the hustle and bustle of its beaches and adventure parks during the day and its fantastic clubs and bars at night.

Coco Bongo Show & Disco

It is the most famous nightclub in Cancun and a place of reference and appointment for the most inveterate partygoers who live in the city or who visit it frequently.

The Coco Bongo brand has become famous in the Caribbean and the Pacific for its locations in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Los Cabos and Punta Cana.

If you reserve a VIP table you will have a privileged view of the show, quick access and bottle service.

Direction

Km 9, Boulevard Kukulkan, Calle 9, No. 30, Plaza Forum Cancun Shopping Center, Hotel Zone.

Nightclub The City Cancun

It has the reputation of being the largest nightclub in Latin America, capable of gathering more than 6,000 enthusiastic partiers between 10 pm and dawn.

The explosive parties at The City have become famous in the city and many visitors have a night-time visit to the venue on the program as an unavoidable activity. It is characterized by the large number of concerts it presents, taking advantage of its capacity.

Direction

Km 9.5, Boulevard Kukulkan, Hotel Zone.

Mandala Night Club

Its Asian decoration gives it an exotic atmosphere. Its Mardi Gras parties (New Orleans-style Shrove Tuesday) are famous, as are its shows with different themes and its hot bikini contests.

Its location in the very heart of the Hotel Zone makes it easily and quickly accessible from anywhere on the island or from the city of Cancun.

Direction

Km 9, Boulevard Kukulkan, Hotel Zone.

The little cow

It is a popular nightclub in Cancun that is distinguished by its original and fun concept. The atmosphere of the place is like a stable, with a cow that attends to the public between jokes and jokes. Open bar drinks are served in one liter glasses.

Direction

Km 9, Boulevard Kukulkan, Punta Cancun, Hotel Zone.

What to do in Cancun with children

Cancun offers fabulous water and theme parks for children to have a great time.

Ventura Park Cancun

It is a place facing the sea for the fun of the whole family. Its VenturaJump attraction includes flights on three zip-line circuits, a suspension bridge, a bungee swing and a free fall station.

At VenturaSplash there are pools with waves and slides, a lazy river and a children’s water park. Other fun spots have a roller coaster, a carousel, crazy chairs and a 250-meter go-kart track.

Direction

Km 25, Boulevard Kukulkan, Hotel Zone.

Xenses Park

It is a park to enjoy wonderful sensory experiences in its more than 50 settings that mix fantasy and reality. Vortexes, mirror labyrinths, optical illusions, kaleidoscopes and balance games are some of the experiences that your senses will experience in Xenses.

Direction

Km 282, Highway Chetumal – Puerto Juarez.

Delphinus Punta Cancun

Dolphins are beautiful, friendly and clever animals that amuse children and provide them with an unforgettable experience.

At Delphinus Punta Cancun you can interact with these clever cetaceans with the accompaniment of a guide who provides information about the nature of these animals. They offer individual and group experiences.

Direction

9 Quintana Roo Street, Kukulkan Boulevard, Hotel Zone.

Interactive Aquarium

Jellyfish, sharks, lion fish, eels, piranhas, rays, octopus, clown fish and many other beautiful species of fauna from the salt and fresh waters of the Yucatan Peninsula swim in the 13 huge ponds of this aquarium.

They offer evening shows with dolphins and have a display of marine ingenuity.

Direction

Km 12.5, Kukulkan Boulevard, La Isla Cancun Shopping Village, Hotel Zone.

float fun

It is a park of dynamic games on the water, jumping on jumpers. Parents and adults get to jump with the children and the whole family has fun and burns calories.

Direction

Kukulkan Boulevard, Langosta Beach, Hotel Zone.

What are the best tours in Cancun?

In Cancun there are many tourist activities and tour operators have designed excursions so that you optimize the use of your time and money.

Snorkel Xtreme Tour (Cancun Adventures)

This excursion from the Cancun Adventures operator contemplates snorkeling in the best underwater settings in Cancun and flying on zip lines above the treetops of the Quintana Roo jungle.

You will also rappel and go through an underground river with cenotes, to close with a delicious buffet of regional dishes in a typical palapa. The price is from 112 USD (2142.1 MXN).

All Inclusive Tour to Chichen Itza, Ik Kil Cenote and Valladolid (Viator)

Includes a tour of the famous archaeological city of Chiché Itzá, with impressive Mayan monuments and a visit to the Yucatecan Magical Town of Valladolid, with its beautiful colonial architecture.

Then there is a stop to refresh the body in the beautiful Ik Kil cenote. The excursion lasts approximately 12 hours round trip from your hotel in Cancun and its price starts at €40.21 (873.7 MXN).

Full day tour to Tulum, Coba and a cenote (Get Your Guide)

Tulum is an important archaeological site that offers one of the most extraordinary postcards of the Riviera Maya, with the ruins on the shores of a dazzling beach with turquoise blue waters. Cobá is another pre-Hispanic site located in the jungle in the Tulum municipality, with a 42-meter-high pyramid. After the sweaty tours you will cool off in a cenote. The excursion has prices from 63.22 USD (1209.2 MXN).

Cancún tourism : information on the best tours and packages

Cancun tourist boat tours: the operator Aqua Tours has a fleet of 17 boats of different types and sizes. The catamaran ride to Isla Mujeres is beautiful and fun.

Cancun tourism packages for Cozumel: The most important tourist island in Mexico is 48 km from Playa del Carmen. From Playa and from Cancun you can go to Cozumel in an all-inclusive package, to enjoy its spectacular beaches and admire its world-famous reefs.

Cancún archaeological tourism: another important Mayan archaeological site near Cancún is Ek Balam. It is located in the state of Yucatan and its most important attractions are the Acropolis, the Oval Palace and its mural paintings.

Cancun beaches of the Riviera Maya ( tours) : tour operators take you to the best beaches of the Riviera Maya near Cancun. Among these are those of Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Puerto Morelos.

Cancún Quintana Roo tourism: other state attractions that you can visit from Cancún are the incredible Laguna de los Siete Colores, in the municipality of Bacalar, and the Sian Ka’an Reserve, in the Felipe Carrillo Puerto municipality.

Do you want more tour options in Cancun?:
If you want to know more about cheap tours, see our updated list with the best Cancun tours , tips, what to do and special discounts

 

How is the weather in Cancun?

Visit Cancún between December and April and you will find the best weather of the year in this tropical corner of Mexico, with temperatures that vary between 23 and 26 °C. Another advantage is that during this period it hardly rains.

The coolest month is January, when the thermometer shows an average of 22.7 °C, with drops to 18 °C at night.

January is also the busiest month for visitors, as Cancun is swarming with Americans, Canadians, Europeans and Asians fleeing their countries in the middle of winter frosts.

If you want to visit Cancun between the end of spring and the beginning of autumn, you should be prepared for more heat and the possibility of rain. Between May and October, the mercury marks an average of 27 to 28 °C, with hot peaks of up to 33 °C. The rainiest months are June, September and October.

What to do in Cancun without spending a lot?

The first thing is to stay in a cheap establishment in Cancun city or in a hotel in the Hotel Zone that is not facing the sea. You will not be on the beach, but there will surely be several sandy areas near your hotel and public transport allows you to easily reach any public beach in the Hotel Zone. Among the most frequented public beaches in Cancun are Playa Delfines, Playa Ballenas and Playa Caracol. Cancun is an expensive city to eat, but if you talk to the locals they will surely tell you about some places to make it cheaper. And when you go to the beach, don’t forget your cooler with liquids and snacks.

How to get to Cancun

You can get to Cancun by plane and by land. Cancun International Airport has three terminals and is located 16 km from the Hotel Zone.

It is the second Mexican airport with the most passenger movement, after CDMX, and is the point of origin and destination for flights from the main Mexican airlines, as well as from well-known airlines from the US, Canada, Latin America and Europe.

The trip by land to Cancun from Mexico City is long (more than 1600 km / 20 hours), but the best transport lines (ADO) try to make it as comfortable as possible. Outside of Quintana Roo, the closest large city to Cancún is Mérida (Yucatán), which is located 304 km to the east on Federal Highway 180D.

How to move in Cancun?

Between the city of Cancun and the Hotel Zone there is a good public transport service by bus, with units in good condition and with acceptable frequencies. As the distances of the main routes are not very long (between the center of Cancun and the furthest end of the Hotel Zone – Punta Nizuc – there are 23.3 km) you do not have to wait too long for the buses.

There are three main transport lines (Autocar, Maya Caribe and Turicun). The units are well identified and signposted on their routes and road information in the city and the Hotel Zone is adequate. A trip on an average route costs about 9 MXN (0.47 USD).

In Cancun the taxi service is very good, but much more expensive than the bus. The minimum Uber fare is 35 MXN (1.83 USD).

How is the beach in Cancun?

Cancun has beaches for all tastes. Those in the first part of the Hotel Zone, called North Side, have calm waters because they are geographically more protected. Among these are Playa Las Perlas, Playa Tortugas and Playa Langosta. Those that are in the second and longest sector of the Hotel Zone (between Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc, called the Caribbean Side) face the open sea, their waves are more intense and the turquoise blue of the waters is more resplendent. Among these are Playa Gaviota Azul, Playa Chac Mool, Playa Ballenas and Playa Delfines.

Cancun tourist information

Officially, Cancun information on tourism is coordinated by the General Directorate of Municipal Tourism of the Benito Juárez Municipality, whose head is Cancun.

Cancún tourist information: General Directorate of Tourism, Municipal Palace, Avenida Tulum, No. 5, Supermanzana 5, CP 77500, Benito Juárez, Cancún. Phone: (998) 881-28-00.

How much does the entrance to Chichen Itza cost?

The entrance to the archaeological city has a total price of 202 MXN for Mexican citizens, of which 132 MXN are received by the government of Yucatan and the remaining 70 MXN are collected by the National Institute of Anthropology and History. Foreigners pay a total of 481 MXN (411 to CULTUR and 70 to INAH). Sunday is free entry day for Mexicans and foreign residents. Foreign visitors pay 481 MXN.

How much is parking at Chichen Itza?

The cost per vehicle is 33 MXN per day.

How much does the entrance to Xcaret cost?

online prices

Xcaret (entrance to more than 50 attractions): 112.49 USD (2193.57 MXN).

Xcaret Plus (entrance + buffet): 139.49 USD (2720.1 MXN).

Xcaret Total (entrance fee + buffet + one optional activity): 156 USD (3042 MXN).

Optional activities: Adrenaline (fast ride on the waves); Snuba (combination of snorkeling and diving with new equipment); Sea Trek (walk along the seabed).

Discounts of up to 15% for purchases made days in advance.

Where is the Xcaret Park located?

It is on the Chetumal – Puerto Juárez Highway, km 282, 77710, Solidaridad Municipality, 10 km south of Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. Telephone: +52 800 292 2738

What days is Xcaret open?

Xcaret opens every day of the year between 8:30 am and 10:30 pm

How much does the entrance to Xplor cost?

Xplor opens from Monday to Saturday between 9 am and 5 pm and then between 5:30 pm and 10:30 pm for Xplor Fuego. General daytime admission is priced at 130.49 USD (2544.6 MXN) and includes: two circuits of seven zip lines, an amphibious vehicle, a raft to navigate underground rivers, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and snacks , buffet food, changing rooms, bathrooms, rest area , parking and free WI-Fi.

What does the Riviera Maya encompass?

The Riviera Maya is a coastal corridor facing the Caribbean Sea in Quintana Roo that is 140 km long between Puerto Morelos to the north and Puerto Allen to the south. It houses fantastic attractions, such as dozens of beaches with fine sand and turquoise blue waters, ecotourism and adventure parks (Xcaret, Xplor, Xel-Há), notable Mayan archaeological sites (Tulum, Cobá), nature reserves (Sian Ka’an) and other places of interest. Its main cities are Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Cancun is 40 km north of Puerto Morelos.

What is the closest airport to the Riviera Maya?

The closest air terminal to the Riviera Maya is the Cancun International Airport, which is 26 km north of Puerto Morelos, 56 km from Playa del Carmen and 118 km from Tulum on Federal Highway 307.

What plans are there to do in Cancun?

In Cancun you can spend the day sunbathing and having fun on the most spectacular beaches in the Caribbean, enjoying its theme and adventure parks, visiting archaeological sites to get to know the remarkable Mayan culture in depth, touring museums and eating in world-class restaurants. At night, Cancun throbs in its nightlife centers, such as Coco Bongo and The City.

What is the best time of year to travel to Cancun?

The best period of the year to go to Cancun is from December to April, when the temperature is more pleasant and the rains are rare. The period from mid-December to February is the most expensive as it is the high season for international tourism in the Caribbean.

Where to go to the beach in Cancun?

In the Cancun Hotel Zone there are quiet, family-friendly beaches with calm waves, such as Playa Las Perlas and Playa Tortugas, and others with intense waves and good winds, ideal for surfing and sailing, such as Playa Chac Mool, Playa Marlín and Playa Dolphins.

What places to visit in Cancun?

In Cancun you can visit beaches, cenotes, islands (Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Isla Contoy) and Mayan archaeological sites. The water and adventure parks in Cancun and the Riviera Maya are the best in the country and guarantee days of exciting entertainment. Cancun’s museums are a magnificent complementary activity and among these the Mayan Museum, the Tequila Sensory Museum, the Ka’Yok’ Planetarium and the Wax Museum stand out. The fabulous Cancun clubs and bars are the owners of the night.

What is the hurricane season in Cancun?

Since the development of the city and the Hotel Zone, more than 40 years ago, Cancun tourism has been seriously affected by hurricanes in 1988 (Gilberto) and 2005 (Wilma). Officially, the hurricane season in the Caribbean and North Atlantic runs from June to November, although most events occur between August and October.

What is the lowest season to travel to Cancun?

In Cancun there are two low seasons, in which traveling is cheaper due to the promotions offered by airlines and hotels. The first is between the end of Holy Week and the beginning of the Mexican summer holidays (end of June / beginning of July) and the second is from the end of the summer holidays (mid-August) to the beginning of the Mexican holidays. Christmas holidays (mid-December). In Cancun’s low season, the weather is hotter and rainier. If you travel to Cancun in low season you will be at ease on the beach and there will be plenty of lounge chairs.

What is the official currency in Cancun?

The official currency in Cancun is the Mexican peso, although it is an intensely dollarized economy. Many prices are in dollars and the US currency is used as a means of payment almost everywhere.

What to do for free in Cancun?

You can enjoy free of charge the public beaches of Cancun (Playa Caracol, Playa Ballenas, Playa Delfines and many others). Going to the Punta Cancun lighthouse, spending some time at night at the Playa Delfines viewpoint and visiting the Cristo Rey Church are three other activities for which you do not have to pay an entrance fee in Cancun. The Mayan Museum of Cancun is free on Sundays for Mexicans and foreign residents.

How is the beach in Cancun?

The beaches on the North Side of the Hotel Zone have clear blue waters and calm waves, while those located on the open sea (Caribbean Side) have high waves and a spectacular turquoise blue.

Types of tourism in Cancun

The Cancun tourist area offers beach tourism, ecological and adventure tourism (ecotourism parks, cenotes, lagoons, reefs, national parks and biosphere reserves), archaeological tourism (Chichén Itzá, Tulum, Cobá, Ek Balam, El Meco, El Rey ), sports tourism (fishing, diving, triathlon and Cancun marathon); business tourism, mainly due to the tight schedule of events at the Cancun International Convention Center; and gastronomic tourism (Cancún has the first national offer in all-inclusive hotels with haute cuisine restaurants).

What to do in Cancun at night

The masters of the Cancun night are the nightclubs, clubs and bars, among which Coco Bongo, The City, Mandala, La Vaquita, Cuncrawl, Palazzo and Dady ‘O shine. If you prefer something quieter, you can participate in a nightly purification ceremony in a Mayan temazcal. Xplor Fuego is an exciting nocturnal jungle tour in amphibious vehicles in the Xplor park. Xcaret Park offers a superb seven-course dinner while you enjoy Mexico Spectacular, an exciting journey through the country’s musical traditions.

What to do in Cancun in 4 days

A four-day program in Cancun could be the following:

Day 1

Beach

Day 2

Chichen Itza

Day 3

An ecotourism and adventure park (Xcaret, Xplor or Xel-Há) during the day and Coco Bongo at night.

Day 4

Craft market, beach and farewell dinner.

Cancun Map

To find out where Cancun is, orient yourself with this map of its location in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Cancun tourist map

The following map shows the main beaches of Cancun tourist area and other places of reference.

Brief history of Cancun

During pre-Hispanic times, Cancun was part of the Mayan networks for commercial and cultural exchange along the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula, and the archaeological ruins of El Meco and El Rey, towns that were still inhabited in the 16th century, confirm this hypothesis.

It is known that the Cancun and Isla Mujeres area was explored by the Spanish conquistadors in 1517, but the first formal reference to the Cancun island appeared on a map from 1776.

During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, Cancún remained a virgin territory, until the formulation, in the 1960s, of the tourism development project that would change its history.

 

a difficult decision

By 1967, the only relevant beach destination in Mexico was Acapulco and the tourism authorities set out to undertake a fully planned development that would become the country’s main international attraction on the sea.

Six possible locations were considered: Loreto and Los Cabos (Baja California Sur), Huatulco and Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca), Ixtapa (Guerrero) and the island of Cancún (Quintana Roo).

Finally, the island in the shape of a seven with dazzling turquoise blue beaches and fine white sand seduced bankers and entrepreneurs and Cancun was selected as the territory for the megaproject.

At the time, Isla Mujeres only had 117 inhabitants and Cancún was inhabited by a few self-sufficient fishing families (Maldonado, Hernández, Garrido), currently considered the founders of the town, who lived from fishing and coconuts.

The construction of Cancun

Although it was technically an island, Cancun was connected to the mainland by narrow channels, while the system of brackish lagoons, fed by the sea and by a network of cenotes and underground currents, was infested with mosquitoes.

It was decided to install long rows of hotels on the thin island, facing the Caribbean Sea, expanding and cleaning up the canals and lagoons and building bridges to join continental Mexico.

On the mainland, the city would be developed to support the operation of the Hotel Zone, crossed from one end to the other by a wide boulevard (Boulevar Kukulkan), to provide access to hotels located in front of the sea and other tourist service establishments.

The first movements of machines took place on April 20, 1970, which is held by the Association of Pioneers as the date of foundation of Cancun, although the date that appears in the official gazette of Mexico is August 10, 1971.

The airport was originally a simple runway with a control tower installed in a palapa-type building. The international airport was opened in 1974.

How is Cancun

Cancun is a territory with a tropical climate where it is hot during the day, which means you spend all the time on its beaches with crystal clear waters or enjoying the food and facilities of the all-inclusive hotels. At night it cools down and the restaurants, cafes and entertainment centers of the Hotel Zone fill with people.

Cancun tourist areas

Cancun has two well-differentiated areas: the island of Cancun and the city of Cancun. The island of Cancún, located between the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupté Lagoon, is home to the Hotel Zone, where the beaches, the overwhelming majority of the hotels, and the main restaurants and entertainment centers are located. The city of Cancun is on the mainland, very close to the island and communicates with it through several bridges. It houses attractions such as the Church of Christ the King and the Municipal Palace, as well as the main sports facilities (Beto Ávila Stadium, Andrés Quintana Roo Stadium, Cancun Bullring).

How many hotels are there in Cancun

Cancun has hundreds of hotels that as of 2019 total 35,590 rooms, the highest concentration per square kilometer in Mexico and one of the largest in the world. After its accelerated development, there is almost no space left on the island of Cancun to build hotels, so construction priorities in the Mexican Caribbean have been transferred to the Municipality of Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen). This area has already surpassed Cancun in number of hotel rooms, with 39,845 (year 2019).

What state is Cancun in?

Cancun is located near the northeast corner of the state of Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula. The state is named after the Insurgent Andrés Quintana Roo (1787–1851) and its border to the north is with the state of Yucatán, to the south with Belize, to the east with the Caribbean Sea, and to the west with the state of Campeche. .

Is Cancun a city?

The name of Cancun is used to identify an island, a city (which is not on the island, but on the mainland) and the combination of both. The city has approximately 630,000 inhabitants, being the largest in Quintana Roo, although not its capital, a designation that corresponds to Chetumal.

 

In Cancun, tourism is equivalent to saying dream beaches, the most beautiful in Mexico and we hope that very soon you will be able to visit them or spend new unforgettable moments in them. Share this guide with your friends and friends so that they also save this information so you know what there is to do in Cancun.

 

See also:

  • See our guide on the top 20 best beaches in Cancun that you have to visit
  • See our guide to find out how much money to travel to Cancun with
  • We leave you our guide with the 12 things to take to the beach in Cancun

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