Best things to See and do in Cancun Mexico

Welcome to one of the Best things to See and do in Cancun Mexico by the Riviera Maya side, This is a perfect setting for some great vacations some miles away from the always partying Cancun.

Best things to See and do in Cancun Mexico

Latest Best things to See and do in Cancun Mexico Guides & Articles

Dinning

Whatever your inclination or budget, there are several dining options available to all tourists.

After a long day of sunbathing, Cancun’s more than 200 eateries will entice your taste buds.

In one of the area’s romantic five-star restaurants, you can have a flavorful steak or delicious seafood dish along with fine wine.

There are many possibilities for ethnic cuisine, and families can have a lunch at one of the exciting theme restaurants or less expensive fast-food establishments.

A conventional American lunch can be had at establishments like the Hard Rock Cafe, Tony Roma’s, Pizza Hut, or TGI Friday’s if you are not as adventurous.

In Cancun, there is no shortage of lovely outdoor cafes.

A light supper and people-watching are both enjoyable activities, as are a cool Margarita and a romantic tropical sunset.

Trying Regional Food

We advise you to check out at least one neighborhood eatery in the downtown area if you want to experience traditional Mayan food for real.

Most people agree that Yucatan cuisine is among the best in all of Mexico.

From panuchos, delectable tortillas stuffed with spicily chicken, pickled onions, and fried black beans, to cochinita pibil, a suckling pig roasted in banana leaves.

Authentic markets in Cancun include bustling food vendors where you can also experience regional specialties.

A romantic dinner cruise is an additional popular choice.

Enjoy a wonderful meal while sailing the Caribbean Seas while admiring Cancun’s stunning skyline, dine on fresh lobster onboard a Captain Hook pirate ship, or take a dinner cruise to the adjacent island of Isla Mujeres to catch an exciting Caribbean entertainment.

You can try your hand at battling the local marine life and then enjoy the day’s catch prepared by one of the chefs during night fishing expeditions, which also offer a very distinctive eating experience.

Mexican Holidays

Not to be forgotten are the Mexican fiestas.

A trip to Cancun wouldn’t be complete without attending an entertaining real dinner show.

You can savor a delectable buffet and mouthwatering margaritas while listening to mariachi and marimba music and dancing that are typical of Mexico.

Diner and a dance

Purchase tickets for a traditional Mexican buffet meal followed by a vibrant and energetic performance by the Ballet Folklorico de Cancun if you appreciate music and live performances.

This gifted dance group performs traditional regional dances with live music.

Nightlife in Cancun

Each year, a large number of visitors—especially younger ones—flock to Cancun to find out if the city’s nightlife lives up to expectations.

This is particularly true around Spring Break, when protracted lines and nonstop festivities are the norm.

If you want to indulge in some alcoholic beverages, listen to any kind of music, or dance the night away, you won’t be let down.

Cancun has a wide variety of bars and clubs with everything from salsa to electronica.

Many provide outrageous theme parties, eye-catching laser light displays, and well-known DJs.

You’ll be amazed by some of the interesting clubs, but be ready to pay a steep amount to enter them—many clubs ask $10–$40 US per person to enter! Cancun also has a ton of off-track betting options and interesting comedy clubs if dancing isn’t your thing.

Places to See and Visit

Cancun offers so many amazing sites to explore that it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. You can spend the day seeing some of the unusual tourist sites or admiring the breathtaking natural scenery, is a part of the Maya World or Mundo Maya area, which encompasses more than 3,000 significant architectural sites.

See the Mayan Ruins

The magnificent Mayan ruins are a must-see tourist attraction. Among the most visited places are the ancient archeological sites of Chitzen Itza, Coba, Uxmal, and Tulum. They are incredibly lovely and provide you a window into the past of the region and the pre-Maya.

Chitzen Itza

Chitzen Itza, which is 2.5 hours from Cancun, is one of the most well-known and often visited Mayan ruins in the world.

To explore these magnificent Mayan ruins, visitors can rent a car, use a local bus, or plan a trip.

The region, which was established around 445 B.C., was inhabited until 1204 A.D., when it was abruptly abandoned.

The site is home to a number of fascinating locations, such as the Ball Court, the Sacred Well, the Temple of the Warriors, the Observatory, and the amazing Kukulkan Pyramid, which rises to a height of 75 feet.

Every year, on the equinoxes of the spring (March 20 or 21) and fall (September 21 or 22), thousands of tourists congregate to view a breathtaking light display.

Lights in the form of Kukulcan, the legendary Mayan snake God, descend the main pyramid during this celebration.

the theme park Xcaret

Another must-see attraction for tourists is this 25-acre theme park.

Given that Cancun is only an hour away, you could easily spend a whole day exploring all of the attractions.

Visit a Mayan town, trek through a rainforest, get up close and personal with animals at a wildlife breeding facility, or check out the butterfly pavilion or an aquarium of coral reefs.

If you like the ocean, you can snorkel, swim in the lagoon with bottlenose dolphins, or simply unwind on the beach.

The underground river, where you may swim through underground channels and caverns, is one of the most unusual attractions.

At night, one of this attraction’s attractions takes place in the park’s grand outdoor theater, which has a capacity of 6,000 people.

The Xcaret Spectacular Mexico Night Show, an evening performance, opens with a recreation of an old Maya ballgame and a lovely horse-riding competition before culminating to the 90-minute grand finale.

The vibrant costumes and upbeat music performed by 300 skilled performers who represent the various areas of Mexico will astound you.

Your entrance cost includes access to this outstanding performance.

Xel-Ha

Another aquatic theme park, Xel-Ha, is described as the largest natural aquarium in the world. The wonderful array of vivid tropical fish found in the area’s lagoon will enthrall visitors of all ages.

The day can be spent lounging in a hammock, snorkeling in a big, shallow lagoon, feeding tropical fish, or scuba diving in old caves.

You can also go dolphin swimming if you’re seeking for a special experience. Renting an inner tube and floating down a lengthy river that starts in a field of mangroves is an additional choice.

Nizuc Water Park

Visit Cancun’s lone water park if you’re searching for a fun, rejuvenating way to pass the day.

The hotel district’s convenient 18-acre park has 9 entertaining attractions for both children and adults.

Tube slides, water toboggans, and other thrilling water slides are available.

Prepare yourself for the Double Space Bowl if you’re truly daring.

You’ll plunge at 30 mph into an elevated chute, spin in a huge bowl, and then plunge into the water below.

The Kids Park, which has certified lifeguards, will be enjoyed by young children.

If you’d rather unwind, you can take a leisurely stroll along the park’s Lazy River.

You have the extraordinary opportunity to swim with joyful sea lions or dolphins at the Atlantida animal research center!

Interactive Aquarium

The aquarium in Cancun is a fantastic place for people of any age to have fun and learn about marine life.

This is not your typical aquarium with glass walls enclosing the water life.

You may interact with sting rays, sea urchins, conches, and sea turtles in the open-air area of the Interactive Aquarium Cancun, swim with dolphins, and have your picture taken with a vibrant macaw.

You may even feed ravenous sharks from a secured, covered cage if you’re daring enough!

Public Beaches

Almost everyone who travels to Cancun is astounded by the region’s abundance of stunning beaches.

The Caribbean’s turquoise, crystalline water is in and of itself a draw.

The renowned sandy white beaches of the hotel zone have ten public entrances.

In the warm, clear water, you can swim, sail, snorkel, or enjoy a variety of other water sports.

There are miles and miles of beaches, so wherever you choose to unwind throughout your stay, you can find it.

Activities

Aquatic Sports

No of your age, interests, or level of fitness, there are a ton of fun things to do in Cancun.

With a vast range of water sports available, including sailing, deep sea fishing, windsurfing, swimming, snorkeling, parasailing, and jet skiing, the region is a heaven for outdoor enthusiasts.

The diving in the crystal-clear seas of Cancun is among of the best in the entire globe.

Cenotes

The many cenotes or sinkholes can be be explored by swimming, diving, or snorkeling.

More than 3,000 of these unusual underground rivers and lakes can be found in the state of Yucatan.

You can visit a variety of cenotes, including those that are on the surface, partially underground, and underground cenotes.

When you explore these mysterious locations, you’ll quickly understand why the ancient Maya believed cenotes to be sacred.

Activities on Land

You can ride a horse, a scooter, or walk about Cancun if you’d rather keep dry.

For those who like to play tennis, the region has many courts.

If you consider yourself to be an adventurous person, you can reserve a land or aerial tour of the rainforest, a journey beneath the ocean, or a race around the Go Karts Cancun circuit.

Also conveniently close by, the islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres can be reached in a short boat journey.

At the Plaza de Toros, don’t miss to watch a classic bullfight.

Shopping

Cancun also has fantastic shopping for all tastes.

You can spend the day exploring the regional markets that sell handcrafted goods or looking for deals in hip shopping centers or upscale stores.

More than 50 retailers, as well as a number of restaurants, a book store, a video arcade, and 8 movie theaters, can be found at Plaza Las Americas!

A must-see in Cancun’s downtown is Mercado 28.

Everything is available, from exquisite silver jewelry and delectable cuisine to vibrant apparel and interesting mementos.

One of the best places in Mexico to find exquisite handcrafted pottery is here.

playing golf in Cancun

Cancun has a wide variety of top-notch golf courses, making it a golfer’s paradise.

You’re sure to enjoy the breathtaking landscape of the nearby courses whether you’re a complete amateur or a seasoned expert.

Golfers of all ages can appreciate many of them because they were designed by some of the top designers in the world.

Weddings

Cancun is always a fantastic option if you’re looking for a stunning, sunny location for your next wedding.

You can exchange vows in a quaint chapel inside one of the opulent resorts or on a white sand beach with blue Caribbean waves as a backdrop.

Many businesses will organize every aspect of your wedding and handle every necessary detail, allowing you to unwind and enjoy the day.

You can plan a little ceremony for just the two of you or a big party for all of your loved ones.

Options for Honeymoons

After the ceremony, you can party the night away at one of the fun nightclubs or spend a romantic evening with your special someone while watching a tropical sunset.

You can unwind, explore the area, or engage in thrilling activities throughout your honeymoon.

Every age group of guests has a wide range of alternatives.

Many hotels provide exclusive romantic excursion alternatives or honeymoon packages for couples.

Lot of things to do in the Riviera Maya Mexico

Beaches all over are family friendly friendly with warm water and soft tides, it is one of the perfect locations in the area.

For a Family day at the beach.

Lots of watersports all around to keep you fun busy, or just sit back and relax in a palapa, any shade.

Many restaurants will provide any food and beverages in case you want to try some margaritas by the beach or try some local fresh seafood.

It´s location, away and secluded it is a blessed location with great beaches, very swimmable and safe.

It is a great for surfing, check among locals experts which one could be perfect for you, as a beginner or as a very experienced surfer.

There are some beaches all around, in which you could find nice spots to try and practice your skills.

Or just to learn new tricks.

Enjoy a day walking thru nature in a very safe environment where you will get professionally travel advisory by local experts.

Lot´s of birds, animals, and insects. Hours of fun in the wild awaits you.

Grab some guide in town to walk you for the best paths of the trail, so you won´t get lost.

It is a nice and safe tour if you want to try something different than what the local beaches offers.

Best Things to do in Cancun Mexico

Of course, the Caribbean Sea, with its stunning white-sand beaches and azure waters, is one of Cancun’s biggest tourist attractions.

Scuba diving, jet skiing, and parasailing are just a few of the water sports that are available.

Cancun will keep you busy with its array of excursions, including cruises, diving and snorkeling trips, and touring the countless Mayan sites nearby.

No matter where you stay or how far you go from the Hotel Zone, there is something to enjoy for everyone.

There just isn’t enough time to see everything there is to do in Cancun.

Bullfights

Plaza de Toros, a small bullring in the center of Cancun, is located close to Boulevard Kukulkan’s northern terminus. Bullfighting was brought to Mexico by the viceroys of Spain, and it is today as much a part of Mexican culture as tequila.

Boating Excursions

Every day, Cancun offers pleasure boat trips to places like the Nichupte lagoon, Isla Mujeres, Contoy Island, and others. Visitors can travel over the crystal-clear seas in contemporary motor boats, catamarans, and even vintage sloops. A stop for snorkeling, a continental breakfast, lunch, and a shopping trip are all included in certain itineraries. Sunset and nighttime excursions frequently include a Mexican buffet dinner and open bar. They may also visit the beaches of Isla Mujeres or feature pirate or Caribbean performances.

Diving

One of the most significant diving locations in the world is now Cancun. Don’t pass up the opportunity to practice this beautiful exercise with one of the various options offered. Explore underwater caverns and cenotes or view magnificent coral reefs in open water. Simply put, this is an incredible experience.

The second-largest reef in the world, the Mayan Barrier Reef, is located in the Mexican Caribbean. You may explore the Banderas and El Bajito coral reefs in Punta Cancun’s north, and if you are a seasoned scuba diver, we advise you to visit the San Miguel and Aristos reefs on the east side. Enter our diving mini-site if you like.

“El Rey” Archaeological Site Cancun

Given that it is situated in the resort district of Cancun, this archaeological site is worth a visit. You may admire the remains of one of America’s most intriguing and complete civilizations, the Mayan, here. The main archaeological site in Cancun is made up of these ruins, which offer a glimpse into Mexican history. Don’t miss these magnificently restored Mayan ruins that are part of a large resort complex.

Fishing

Fishing in Cancun is the perfect option if you want to have a wonderful day out, feel the breeze of the ocean on your face, and enjoy yourself greatly. Numerous marinas provide fishing tours that are tailored to your needs, whether you have never fished before or are an expert. You can catch species like Sawfish, Red Snapper, and Grouper, as well as Marlin, Sailfish, and Barracuda, whether you choose classic deep-sea fishing or exhilarating night fishing.

Golf

With world-class golf courses created by professionals like Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jr., and Greg Norman, Cancun is a golfer’s paradise. Get ready to play a very thrilling round against the natural, breathtaking beauty of the Caribbean Sea.

Interactive Aquarium

There are wonderful chances to engage with wildlife around the aquarium. You can pet sea urchins, stingrays, sea turtles, and conches in the open-air area. A large pool in another area allows you to swim with dolphins. Another offers a sizable covered tank where you can safely feed sharks while ensconced in a cage with a diving instructor and gear.

Parasailing

The majority of Cancun’s beaches provide visitors with the chance to tie themselves to a speedboat-pulled parachute and take in breathtaking vistas over the Hotel Zone. You’ll find that parasailing is a lot more thrilling than you anticipated!

Submarine Tours

For those who wish to see Cancun’s underwater beauty without getting wet, the submarine trip is ideal. It entails diving down into the Caribbean Sea’s remarkably transparent waters to view the magnificent coral reef. You may view a wide variety of tropical fish, manta rays, and perhaps even sharks from a secure vantage point. Remember to look at our list of tours.

Tours through the mangrove forest and the jungle

You can get up close to nature on the jungle tour. You can explore Nichupte Lagoon’s mangroves in beauty and get to view the variety of animals that lives in the jungle while operating your own two-person speedboat or riding a WaveRunner, all while being astounded by an outstanding coral reef. From the majority of Cancun marinas, you may take part in this wonderful journey.

Water Activities

On the serene Nichupte Lagoon, opportunities for water skiing and sailing are available. The Jungle Tour is the most well-liked pastime on this lovely lagoon. Take a 2-person mini-boat ride through the jungle before going snorkeling. Numerous beachfront hotels have water sports facilities where you can hire powered jet skis, kayaks, rubber rafts, wind-surfing gear, and snorkeling gear.