Cancun is one of the most popular destinations in the world due to its many fine white sand beaches, turquoise waters, natural attractions, and exclusive resorts. Some of the best activities in Cancun include visiting the archeological sites, relaxing on the picturesque beaches, enjoying some water sports, and even touring the underwater museum.
A visit to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or the Riviera Maya will give you an incredible opportunity to experience unique landscapes and learn about the Mayan culture.
The most popular area in Cancun among travelers is the Hotel Zone, with its upscale hotel chains and eccentric nightlife. The area is located just 24 km from Cancun International Airport. It offers plenty of restaurants, malls, tours, and brand-name stores.
Here are the best activities in Cancun that will amaze you, your friends, and your family.
For Adventure Travelers
Cancun is one of the best places to visit for those who want to do adrenaline activities and feel like Indiana Jones. There are so many exciting activities designed for travelers wishing to enjoy the best adventures. Here are some of our favorites:
Zip Line through the Jungle
If you genuinely want to feel free and like you are flying, then zip lines are the way to go, as they will always be one of the most attractive and thrilling outdoor adventures you can do. Cancun zip lines offer some of the most beautiful views, and they are pretty fast and long. Soar through the air, and experience an adrenaline-pumping adventure that will definitely bring out your courageous side. From start to finish, the experience will be amazing.
Scuba Dive in the Caribbean
Come to be mesmerized by the amazing underwater world of the Mexican Caribbean. Enjoy cenote dives at various sites, allowing you to explore mysterious limestone caverns that make up part of Yucatán’s vast underground cave systems. Gleaming with natural beauty and wonderful marine life, Cancun is the perfect place for scuba diving. The clear turquoise waters offer outstanding visibility and the possibility to witness some of the most fascinating fishes and mammals, including whale sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays.
Splash and Play at the Aqua Park
Are you ready to have an amazing day? Garza Blanca Resort offers complimentary resort activities including a Wibit brand Aqua Park that features slides, jumpers, hurdles, and twisting beams, where you’ll have endless amounts of fun and laughter while playing in the gorgeous Caribbean Sea. The Aqua Park is located on the ocean right in front of Garza Blanca’s sister resort, Villa del Palmar Cancun, and just a short swim from the white sand beach. It is the ultimate playground that offers a new sense of excitement and thrill instead of just a typical day at the beach. It is by far one of the best activities in Cancun you can enjoy with your friends and family.
Explore the Underwater Museum
Feel like Nathan Drake and explore uncharted territories. Punta Nizuc is a marine park located at the southern tip of Cancun’s hotel zone that is famous for diving thanks to a spectacular coral reef teeming with exotic fish. It is also home to MUSA, the Cancun Underwater Museum of Art, which you can explore while scuba diving, snorkeling or aboard a glass bottom boat. The underwater museum boasts over 500 magnificent sculptures.
For Wellness Travelers
There are plenty of activities to help keep you fit and well during your vacation in Cancun. Below are a few of the health and wellness options for travelers who want to get exercise and have fun while exploring the outdoors and connecting with nature.
Do Some Yoga
You will find plenty of places to practice yoga either at your hotel, in a yoga studio, or on the beach. How would you like to do the cow pose, corpse pose, or crane pose? Well, you can practice yoga just about anywhere and there are several bilingual yoga instructors that teach the classes in both Spanish and English.
Chill on the Beach
By far one of the best activities in Cancun you can do is go to the beach and just enjoy it. Arrive, lie down, and relax. Simple as that. If you want to combine your trip to the beach with wellness, you can listen to some guided meditations on your personal device whether that be an Android, iPhone, or iPad. You can even do push-ups in the sand and jump into the ocean to cool off.
Have a Spa Day
Let yourself be pampered. If you want complete relaxation, it is a great idea to indulge in healing and holistic pampering at Villa del Palmar Cancun’s Village Spa.
You can choose from the spa menu options to enjoy a warm stone massage, an ancient reflexology massage, or rejuvenating body treatments like the hydrating mud wrap for the ultimate hydration and exfoliation experience, while being surrounded by lush palm trees.
Don’t miss out on the premium rituals, including an immersive hydrotherapy experience and nutrient-rich facials at this luxury spa.
For Sightseeing Travelers
Cancun offers so many beautiful places to explore with some of the best sightseeing both on land and under water. From ancient archeological sites, to cenotes, and coral reefs, your eyes will be amazed by everything you see.
Visit Archaeological Sites
The ancient Mayan civilization is acknowledged worldwide for its art, architecture, and scientific accomplishments. Cancun has many locations to explore, like El Rey, the largest archaeological site in Cancun, and also El Meco, San Miguelito, and Yamil Lu’um (also known as Templo del Alácran “the Temple of the Scorpion”).
Explore Ek Balam
These climbable Mayan ruins are in the middle of the jungle ––about two hours west of Cancun. The site holds several large structures, including the main tall pyramid, along with beautifully preserved carvings. Ek Balam is a great way to experience the ancient Mayan culture.
Visit Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites and probably the most famous of all the Mayan ruins in Mexico. The main highlight is the famous “El Castillo” pyramid ––one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Still, the colossal city also has many other jaw-dropping constructions like the “Observatory” and the “Temple of the Warriors”; the only downside is that you can’t climb on these structures.
Go Underwater
Discover Cancun’s stunning coral reefs and be amazed by the marine life. You can explore them while diving or snorkeling to witness the beauty of Cancun’s underwater world and the exotic tropical fish that inhabit it.
For Foodie Travelers
Exploring the varied cuisine on offer in Quintana Roo is another one of the best activities in Cancun. From authentic Mexican cuisine to every other type of cuisine, your palate is sure to be thrilled.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen offers many unique experiences for the food lovers out there, such as La Cueva del Chango, Choux Choux Cafe, Nativo, El Sangha-Rito, and La Senda. Enjoy good food while chilling next to the beach.
Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya offers several options perfect for foodie travelers. Looking for sushi? Then Nao is for you. Looking for healthy food? Great, then Fresco’s is for you. Looking for chicken and ribs? Ferron’s Jerk Chicken will make your stomach happy. Want to enjoy great Mediterranean food while enjoying a picture-perfect view? Then Norita Tulum is for you.
The Hotel Zone
The Hotel Zone or Zona Hotelera is where most of the large all-inclusive luxury chain hotels are and some of the best restaurants. It’s on a beautiful strip of beach and is an excellent place if you just want to relax on the beach and eat at pricier oceanfront restaurants. If you want to eat at some of the best restaurants in Cancun, then you must go to Cambalache, an Argentine steakhouse, Porfirio’s, for the best Mexican cuisine, and Harry’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar for beef prepared to perfection.
Garza Blanca Cancun
For the best foodie vacation ever, reserve your stay at Garza Blanca Cancun. This brand-new all-inclusive luxury resort offers the best in gourmet dining experiences. While it is currently on a soft open, the Grand Opening is scheduled for later this fall and guests will have the option of enjoy fine cuisine all day long, with a Food Truck Raw Bar on the beach, a snack and swim up bar, Blanca Blue, for authentic Mexican cuisine, Hiroshi for Japanese, Dao for Oriental, Bocados for dry-aged steaks, plus a gourmet food hall with several other dining options, you can just spend your entire vacation in foodie heaven.
So, whether you are an adventurer, an avid sightseer, a wellness guru, or you just enjoying eating good food, or perhaps you are a combination of all these things, Cancun is the place to go. You won’t be disappointed and you will discover there is more than enough for you to do, so much in fact, you will need to come back!
