‘Just because we can’t travel doesn’t mean we can’t dream‘ has become the new motto around here and today I am excited to share the 5 best things to do in Cancun. The Caribbean is one place I am yet to venture too and as soon as we are allowed to travel internationally, I intend to hit at least two places; Cancun and Grenada both unique in their own right. I am excited for a time when I can book a flight somewhere warm and get lost in the country’s unique offerings but for now I want to focus on sharing the 5 best things to do in Cancun on your next visit.
Cancun a Mexican city on the Yucatán Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places to visit, from wonderful landscapes worthy of postcards to incredible beaches and resorts. When you visit Cancun, you will want to do everything but most people often love to see places like downtown Cancun, the Hotel Zone, and the city’s surroundings. In this post, I will tell you everything about Cancun and the 5 best things to do in Cancun, places that are most emblematic of the area, where to eat and where to stay and everything to make your trip to Cancun one of the best yet.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post
The 5 Best Things To Do in Cancun
As a frequent traveller who has not travelled 4-months, I pride myself in doing research on new destinations and refreshing my mind on older destinations no matter how familiar I am with them. Research before the trip takes the hustle and stress when travelling to a new destination. One of the main research points before travel is transportation and associated costs from the airport to the hotel, around the city and back to the airport, this is standard for me as I prefer being prepared.
Before you travel to Cancun, in your search for transportation you will find an endless number of options, from cab services, bus services, Cancun Airport Transportation services, car rentals, and more. It is important that you compare prices and know the benefits each of these services offers; this could be a key piece to make your trip a success. As for your flights, general expenses such a meals including accommodation, you should always stay within your budget but allow wiggle room to accommodate unexpected expenses that you might have overlooked.
Visit the Cancun Hotel Zone
Cancun’s hotel zone is one of the city’s busiest and most popular places with first-timers because of the beauty that characterises it. The area is lined with all-inclusive resorts, international restaurants and much more but the main biggest attractions are the beaches, where you can enjoy a pleasant rest at any time of day or party until late.
There are also places to visit in the Hotel Zone besides the beaches, like the shopping centers. One of the most famous is Plaza la Isla, which I recommend visiting in the afternoon since the sunset at the pier shows that will leave more than one person breathless.
Some of the attractions in the Cancun hotel zone are
- Mayan Museum of Cancun
- El Meco Archaeological Zone
- Port Cancun Marina Town center
- El Mirador Cancun
- Cancun Theater
- Dolphins, Marlin, and Seagulls beach.
Visit the Nichupté Lagoon
The Nichupté Lagoon enters the top of the list of sites that you have to visit at least once during your trip to Cancun, where you can relax for a while, enjoy a boat tour on a motorboat, or yacht. One of the most beautiful places that is highly recommend during your visit at the Nichupté lagoon is, without a doubt, the Art Garden. This site is ideal for spending an afternoon picnic with friends, family, or alone. It is a quiet place that you will love to visit during your stay in Cancun.
In this site, swimming is prohibited due to the number of crocodiles that inhabit this lagoon’s waters. You can reach this site quickly by bus, private transportation, or car rental. In Kilometer 0 of Cancun, you can also find bicycles for rent, which can also be a healthy alternative to reach this site.
As for food: there are no restaurants nearby, so you can prepare your own food and take it with you. The only rule is not to leave any waste or contaminants in the area.
Get to know downtown Cancun
Downtown Cancun is one of the favorite places for tourists who want to know more about local life in the city. In the center of the city, you can find activities such as bars, restaurants, shopping malls and best of all: the markets. Mercado 28 will be a paradise for anyone who loves creativity and crafts. It is advisable to visit this site from 9 am to 6 pm; after this time, you will not find many options to buy open to the public.
Cancun Downtown is the result of a multi-culture that has been formed over the years, which means that not only will you find typical food from the state of Quintana Roo, you will also enjoy international dishes at an excellent price.
Venture into the water parks of Cancun
Cancun has beautiful beaches, but not everything is sand and sea, which is well known by frequent visitors to this paradisiacal destination. In Cancun, you can visit theme parks and beautiful eco-parks that you will want to visit even on your next vacation.
The most visited parks in Cancun are Ventura Park, Xcaret, Xel-ha, and Xochimilco. Although this last one is not considered an amusement park, you will be able to have an incredible meal and experience eating on a river in the famous trajineras. It is necessary to acquire a Cancun Airport transportation service or a Car rental Cancun to get to these parks since some of them are located quite far outside the city.
Travel to sites near Cancun
Cancun is beautiful, but you can’t miss the incredible places that Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal, and the Mayan Riviera have for you.
Known for being one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean Sea, the Riviera Maya has several main attractions, among which you can find 5-star resorts, eco-hotels such as Hotel Unico, and landscapes that you will want to keep forever in heart and pictures.
The most visited destinations in the Riviera Maya are
- Tulum – Archaeological Zone
- Playa del Carmen – Fifth Avenue
- Akumal – Yal-Kú
- Mayan Riviera – Cirque du Soleil
And there you have it the 5 best things to do in Cancun. Have I convinced you to add this incredible destination to your bucket list yet? I know personally it is high on my list and I can not wait for the opportunity to visit and explore such an incredible place.
Chetan Jadhav says
Cancun in Mexico looks amazing the pictures verifies that. Looks like a chill place to spent the vacation. Will surely be planning a trip to Cancun
Krizzia Scollon says
As soon as the pandemic is over… I am booking a ticket to go here!!! It’s one of my dream travel destinations!
Lyosha Varezhkina says
Cancun seams dreamy! Your top 5 makes it even more attractive in my eyes
marjiemare says
I dream of going back to Cancun so bad. These are the best things to do indeed.
Cookappetite says
The view looks absolutely breathtaking. Can our leaders take us for a vacation after the pandemic? We deserve it.lol
Oscar P. Oganiza says
I haven’t heard Cancun before. This is travel should be great after this pandemic. I wanna taste their dishes in Cancun
Christianforemost.com says
That lagoon looks so beautiful from that angle! I’ve missed traveling too and i guess and i can use this time for researching as well for when we can all travel again. Haha
Miranda says
It sure does doesn’t it. I am the same, I am using this time to research and hopefully we can travel soon.
Monidipa Dutta says
I have been there. It is indeed a lovely place to explore. Great itinerary…
Fransic verso says
Awesome place. I like the trees and beach. The name itself sound unusual haha. Definitely will add this to the list for future family trips maybe. Thank you for sharing!
Jenny says
Visiting Cancun is already on my bucket list! Looks like such an amazing place to go on a sunny vacation. Seriously just can’t wait until the world goes back to normal, and we can start planning for some much needed holiday in the sun.
Miranda says
I hear you, I can not wait for travel to resume and we can get back to exploring.
Beth says
I have never visited Cancun but after reading this I really want to go. 🙂 What a beautiful place! 🙂
Di Hickman says
I haven’t been to Cancun, but yes I truly am dreaming my vacations lately. Like you I’m living vicariously through old trips, past vacation photo’s and video. Can’t wait to travel again!
Miranda says
Same, I think living through our old memories is all we can do right now.
Natasha Mairs - Serenity You says
Cancun looks so beautiful. I really wish I was somewhere hot right now, sipping on cocktails by the sea.
Samantha Donnelly says
I would love to visit Cancun one day, I have friends that have been and have lovd it there, great post for those who are planning to go
Rebecca Smith says
Sounds like there are so many fab things to do in Cancun – I’d love to visit one day, I’ve seen plenty of friends and family who’ve visited.
PrettyBigButterflies says
This looks and sounds amazing! I would LOVE to be there right now, this is a fab guide.
Jasmine E. says
I literally was just telling my husband that I want to go to Cancun! This blog post is amazing, and I’m definitely saving this for when we finally go! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Miranda says
Thank you, I hope you make it there soon.
yeahfoodie says
These photos of Cancun look amazing! I can’t wait to travel again to see these wonderful destinations for myself, some fabulous things to do there indeed
Miranda says
I hear you, I can not wait to venture to Cancun one day soon.