30 Things to Do in Cancun – Activities, Itineraries & Day Trips

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Backpacking Mexico isn’t complete without a stopover in Cancun. If you’re visiting Cancun for a short time (which you should), check out the table below for my top picks of the unmissable things to do in Cancun!

If you want to make the most of your time here, I recommend coming up with a rough itinerary for Cancun before you start your travels so you don’t miss out on anything! Read on for some insider info on the best beaches, Mayan ruins, and unique and free things to do in Cancun. Vamos.

1. Do Sweet F*ck All at a Beach!

There are a bunch of sweet beaches in Cancun, and choosing one to sit on all day is my favourite thing to do in Cancun. The most popular beaches include…

• Playa Caracol
• Playa Chac Mool
• Playa Tortugas
• Playa Marlin
• Playa Xcacel
• Playa Ballenas

Whilst these beaches are cool, sitting on the undeveloped Playa Delfines and catching a sundowner is easily one of the best things to do in Cancun. It’s a great way to end the day (or start off the night).

It’s an easy bus ride from the city, making it convenient if you’re staying on the other side of town. There’s also a wooden lookout where you can get some great shots of the sun setting over the ocean. It’s pretty stunning.

Best of all, chilling on the beach is completely free! Bring some snacks, some suncream and a friend and sit back and do f*ck all, you deserve it.

2. Stuff Your Face with Some Street Food

Stuffing your face with street food is usually one of my favourite activities wherever I go. But I’ll be 100% honest with you, the street food in Mexico is easily the best I’ve ever had in my experience travelling to nearly 40 countries.

Tacos, tortas, quesadillas, burritos, ceviche, enchiladas… should I go on? All 10/10.

Eating street food sometimes splits opinion, with concerns of a lack of hygiene or professionalism. Well, folks, let me tell you that this is the home of authenticity. And whilst yes, some things may not be up to scratch, my best meals ever have all been off the street and not at fancy restaurants.

3. Explore the Hotel Zone

Most people come to Cancun to stay in Mexico‘s fanciest hotels in the hotel zone. And well, to be honest, I don’t blame them. The hotel zone is definitely not my kind of thing but there’s no denying it’s pretty cool.

The hotel zone is a 22.5 km strip with beaches on each side located in arguably the best place in Cancun, hence why they built all the best hotels there. Bit of a shame they ruined the natural paradise, but hey.

The good thing about the hotel zone is that it’s got everything you need, and if you stay here, you probably won’t need to leave. Even if you don’t stay here, I would recommend checking this place out as it’s super unique.

4. Watch the Acrobatics at Coco Bongo

Coco Bongo is a nightclub in the hotel zone that’s famous with locals and tourists alike. And it’s a pretty epic club at that! The reason for Coco Bongo’s fame is the acrobatic shows it hosts as part of its crazy parties. It’s more of a nightclub disco/ show than a regular club night.

It is NOT cheap though, a night in Coco Bongo can set you back $90 for just a standard ticket. It should be noted that this does include unlimited drinks though (be careful with this).

If you’re looking to splash the budget, let loose, be entertained and have an unforgettable night, Coco Bongo is a must-do in Cancun. If you’re a broke backpacker like me, it’s probably best you skip this one…

5. Dive Into a Stunning Cenote

A trip to Cancun isn’t complete without a trip to the cenotes. These are natural pools created by sinkholes, and swimming here is a pretty unforgettable experience.

There are a handful of cenotes actually located in Cancun, but the best ones require a bit of a journey. My favourite cenote in Mexico was Ik Kil Cenote (above) because they had a rope swing which entertained me for hours! Tours here are often part of the Chichen Itza package and make for an exciting day.

You should head to Cenotes earlier in the day. This means you won’t have to share the water with dozens of other people, and it’s a great time for some atmospheric shots. The dramatic sinkholes surrounded by lush jungles around gives them a very Lost World feeling.

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6. Visit a Modern Wonder of the World – Chichen Itza!

Now this place is not actually in Cancun. But, if you’re in Cancun, and have some spare time, you should definitely take the two-and-a-half-hour drive to one of the modern wonders of the world – Chichen Itza.

A lot of people have told me they didn’t enjoy their trip here and that they think this place is overrated. I would disagree. I was amazed by this ancient Mayan structure and thought it was 100% money well spent.

Entrance to Chichen Itza costs around $28 and it’s best visited early in the morning to ensure you can get a good photo of the structure without an abundance of tourists in front of it (like mine). There are multiple structures on the site, (not just the famous one) and you can spend about half a day here learning about the Mayan civilisation.

7. Visit a Real Life Shaman in a Temazcal Ceremony

For a truly unforgettable Cancun travel experience, take a trip to a temazcal (shaman’s hut) and you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a shamanic ceremony with a real-life shaman.

A temazcal ceremony is a traditional Mexican ceremony that translates roughly to ‘house of heat’. Essentially, this is a Mexican extreme sauna that is undoubtedly one of the best activities in Cancun.

You’ll sit opposite the shaman as he burns aromatic herbs and copal (tree resin) to purify your thoughts and rid yourself of bad intentions. If you feel like you need a release and want to learn something about traditional Mexican culture, this is the place to come.

It’s a truly exhilarating and empowering experience, but beware it is very tough. I am somewhat of a regular sauna user and whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the experience overall and felt amazing afterwards, I would not want to do it again. This is not easy, but defo worth it.

8. Learn How to Cook Mexican Food

Cancun Food Tours is just one school on offer, that’ll actually take you to one of Cancun’s top restaurants. Learn to use traditional utensils, insider tips and tricks on cooking Mexican food, and ultimately have a recipe or two to take back with you.

Some of my personal favourites to learn to cook include chilli chicken tacos, and ceviche with a perfect pico de Gallo. Mmmm.

9. Discover a World Under the Waves

The underwater world is one of the best things about the Yucatan Peninsula. Being near some pristine coral reefs just offshore, it’s a prime spot for diving and snorkelling. It’s absolutely worth a trip, and if you’re not able to dive, take a glass-bottomed boat instead!

To make the marine world that much more weird and wonderful, the MUSA (Museo Subaquatico de Arte) have placed 500 statues and sculptures that help promote the growth of coral. It’s eerie, fascinating, and easily one of the most unique things to do in Cancun.

Exploring the underwater world is another activity that can be done on any budget. Snorkelling is often free (if you have the gear) and scuba diving can cost you an arm and a leg in some places.

10. Watch Some Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling)

Lucha Libre is a traditional style of wrestling entertainment that is famous throughout Mexico. And let me tell you, this sh*it is super entertaining.

The Luchadores (wrestlers) are masked and the shows are full of flips, tricks, acrobatics and a nice healthy dose of comedy. There is some serious talent on show here and it is definitely an unforgettable experience.

The locals can take it very seriously though, so beware to not turn up too drunka nd start laughing all the time (although I seem to think that’s the point). Why else would they have dwarves slapping each other in the face and being thrown onto tables?

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11. Take Some Surfing Lessons

Taking a surf lesson is always a great decision, no matter where you are. Cancun is not famous for having the best waves in the world, but it is a fantastic place for beginners to grab a soft board and learn to harness the power of the waves in a gorgeous location.

My favourite thing about surfing in Cancun is that the Caribbean sea is so warm you can just go in your bikini or swim shorts – no wetsuit needed!

I wouldn’t recommend surfing here for intermediates but I had a great time splashing around in the waves a bit hungover with my beginner mates and they loved it too. 🙂

12. Go on a Day Trip!

There are so many stunning places you can take day trips to in and around the Cancun area. Some of the most popular locations include Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Valladolid, Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox.

Day Trips are great because they force you to get up and go exploring, rather than sitting on your butt and doing nothing. To be honest, I would suggest you skip out of Playa Del Carmen as it’s super touristy and not that unique. Tulum is just a levelled-up Cancun (not too shabby) and a decent option, but Valladolid is a proper Mexican town as was my favourite place.

If you want to head to an island, I can recommend Isla Mujeres and its stunning white-sand beaches. Although it’s probably best to stay at least one night here to ensure you have a full experience.

13. Find out all about the Day of the Dead at Coba

You probably know about the Day of the Dead (or Día de los Muertos), Mexico’s best festival already. However, you may not be aware of the very special Day of the Dead festivities at Coba, an archaeological site just a stone’s throw from Cancun.

The local Maya community here, known as Tres Reyes, puts on the Hanal Pixan (‘Food of the Soul’) ceremony here. This involves candle-lighting, offerings of food to ancestors to continue their bond with the living, and picnics of traditional food of the region. Witnessing this genuine ceremony is one of the more unusual things to do in Cancun.

14. Speak to the Locals!

Now you may be thinking, what do you mean talk to the locals? Well, I mean have real, in-depth conversations (in Spanish if possible) with the local people of Cancun.

Despite getting something out of this being the wrong attitude, speaking to locals can open so many doors for you whilst in Cancun. For example, I met a young man about my age who showed me all his favourite street food stands. After hearing about his life we discovered a shared passion for fishing and he helped me organise a fishing trip for the next day.

I recommend this activity because it’s fun, interesting and free! You may just meet a friend for life too. All in all, it’s good to get to know what life is really like for the local people and try to find some recommendations or hidden gems that the locals keep for themselves.

15. Go for a Deep-Sea Fishing Trip

Cancun is an excellent sportfishing location all year round. And going on a deep-sea fishing trip in the Caribbean Sea is one of the coolest things to do in Cancun in any season.

From around April until August you can catch Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Tuna or even Blue Marlin which are some of the best-tasting and most famous sportsfish in the world. These things are super strong. If you are here between September and February, you can catch Barracudas, Spanish Mackerel and even Snappers, which are all great sport (and scran) too!

It’s not guaranteed that you will catch a fish every time, but boy is the thrill worth it. To top it all off, you can keep what you catch and cook up some yummy fish tacos afterwards!

16. Experience Tequila Tasting

Mexico is famous for many things, but there aren’t many things better in life than drinking Tequila in Mexico. Joining a bar crawl or taking a tour of the Tequila Factory is a great way to get yourself started.

Another budget-friendly way to try tequila is just to buy your own from liquor stores or ask to sample some shots at bars. I personally liked Patron and Don Julio tequila the most, but these weren’t cheap.

Make sure you know how to drink tequila properly if you’re going to do it – you will need lime and salt to create the full experience for your tastebuds.

17. Visit the Rooftop Pool at Nomads Hostel

I stayed at Nomads Hostel for my first ever night in Cancun and I had such an amazing time at their rooftop bar. They have a rooftop pool in a great location here with sexy views of the Cancun skyline making it a great thing to do in Cancun at night.

As Nomads is a hostel, this is also a great way to meet other backpackers. Hit up the rooftop bar and get chatting with your new mates with a little bit of social lubricant (tequila).

Make sure to bring your swim stuff and a good travel towel so you can jump into the pool and a camera to capture the views.

18. Discover the Mayan Museum of Cancun

A visit to the Mayan Museum of Cancun (Museo Maya de Cancun) is essential for anyone interested in the ancient Mayan civilisation. This is a great activity to do either before or after visiting some Mayan ruins as a way to learn a bit more about the Mayans and their way of life.

The museum costs around $4-5 and hosts some of Yucatan’s most prized and interesting Mayan artefacts. There is actually a ruins site (San Miguelito) just around the corner too which is a nice way to make a full or half-day out of this activity (probably a half-day).

19. Explore the Rio Secreto Underground River

The Rio Secreto Underground River is located in nearby Playa Del Carmen right next to Xcaret Park. Here you can discover the underground world of the Riviera Maya by entering a cave system and the ‘secret river’.

Entrance is not super cheap, but is only accessible through a guided tour. If you take a full three or four-hour tour of the cave system it is definitely worth the cash.

A tour of this type can cost about $89 per person and often includes lunch. Part of the profits go towards the conservation and maintenance of this magnificent natural site.

20. Visit Xcaret Park

Xcaret Park is an eco-tourism-focused amusement park situated nearby to the Xcaret Mayan ruins and Rio Secreto Underground River. They describe themselves as a ‘natural waterpark’.

A full-day ticket with a nightshow costs $95 and makes for a truly unforgettable day for the whole family. The Rio Secreto Underground River is often considered part of the park, but to fir all this into one day is tough.

Other great activities to try include taking part in an ancient Mayan game (like volleyball and football mixed together), adrenaline-pumping ziplining and admiring the butterfly pavilion.

21. Admire the View at the Cancun Scenic Tower

The Cancun Scenic Tower (Toree Escénsia) located near the Playa Linda dock in the Hotel Zone area has some of the best views in all of Cancun for you to feast your eyes upon. The Cancun scenic tower is a thin red structure with a rotating observational deck at 262ft. It provides breathtaking 360 ° views of the Hotel zone, Nichupte Lagoon and of course, the Caribbean Sea.

Tickets to the highest point in the Riviera Maya costs $7 for children and $15 for adults. The views are defo worth this price and shouldn’t be missed – especially on a clear day.

22. Practice your Spanish!

A trip to Cancun can be the perfect scenario for you to practise, brush up, or even begin to learn Spanish. I found the Spanish language spoken by the Mexicans much easier to understand than in other Spanish-speaking countries and really improved my listening skills here.

Learning a new language is always fun, and doesn’t have to be full-on. Just take it day by day, word by word, and you might just surprise yourself.

If you are more serious about wanting to learn more Spanish, consider checking into a language school or hiring a teacher of you own to accelerate your progress.

23. Kayak in Nichupte Lagoon

Nichupte Lagoon is situated in between the Hotel Zone area and the main part of Cancun. This lagoon is a natural site that really stole my heart with its astonishing beauty and wildlife.

The flora and fauna here amongst the mangroves is truly something to behold. Kayaking, SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) or taking a small boat tour is a popular way to experience this Cancun gem.

Keep your eyes peeled for exotic birds, try to catch some cool-looking and tasty fish like mangrove snappers, or arrive here for sunset to have a memorable moment to savour.

24. Find the City’s Street Art

In recent years the city has developed a healthy street art scene, with many doors and walls in Downtown Cancun being daubed with vibrant murals. Artists from all over the world have joined in, including Interesi Cazki from Ukraine, as well as Aaron Glasson (New Zealand) and Celeste Byers (USA).

This growing collection of street art reflects the vibrant culture of Cancun and have become landmarks in themselves. Discovering them on a stroll around town has got to be one of the coolest free things to do in Cancun. Oh, and don’t forget your camera!

25. Discover the Mayan Ruins of El Meco

It wouldn’t be a trip to Cancun without discovering the ancient history of the Yucatan Peninsula – that’s why they call this section the ‘Riviera Maya’.

I recommend heading to El Meco: an archaeological site close to the city that’s often missed by visitors, making for one of the more off-the-beaten-track things to do in Cancun. The ruins were first inhabited sometime around the 3rd century AD, and then grew again around the 11th century.

A trip to El Meco is a great thing to do in Cancun and the entrance fee only costs about $4 too, making it a good budget activity.

24. Get Your Adrenaline Pumping!

If you’ve ever wanted to fly through the air on a water-powered jetpack, here’s your chance.

Is this the future? Possibly. If you’re not so sure about it, heading to the Hotel Zone and watching others being propelled by jets of water can be pretty entertaining. You’ve got to be 12 years or older, which makes it a pretty fun thing to do in Cancun with older kids.

Other fun ways to get your adrenaline pumping on the water include renting jet skis or a boat and letting loose on the throttle. Just be careful… please.

27. Enjoy a Mexican Booze Cruise

One of the top things to do in Cancun, especially for solo travellers of course, is to party. Cancun is classic Spring Break territory, but it doesn’t have to be Spring Break for you to get involved in the action. Enjoy the sun, sea and atmosphere on a classic boat party.

Climb onboard one of the boats leaving from Marina Kaybal and prepare yourself for mayhem. There’ll be chances to snorkel, so we recommend getting boozy after your dive to stay safe. There’ll be plenty of chances to have a drink after, and watching the sunset over the city from the water is pretty special, too.

28. Stroll around Market 28

Coming in at number 28 we have… Mercado 28. There’s nothing quite like strolling around a market. They’re an awesome way to experience a culture, so you should definitely hit up a local market in Cancun such as Mercado 28.

Market 28 is a flea market in Downtown Cancun, a must-see if you feel like grabbing a few unusual knick-knacks. If you don’t fancy spending your money or you’re travelling on a tight budget, negotiating can save you a bit of cash. Alternatively, just walking around the market still makes for a great day out.

29. Get Drunk at Señor Frogs

It’s time to party. There are a bunch of pretty famous places to drink and dance until the early hours in Cancun, so definitely hit them up while you’re there!

Legendary Cancun drinking spot Señor Frogs in the Hotel Zone is my favourite spot, but it’s pretty full-on – the sort of place you can start busting out a few dance moves. Thursdays are not to be missed as it’s their salsa night, and it can get pretty wild (in a good way).

They also have some pretty nice food there and I’ve heard that their guac is simply divine. Go and try it.

30. Leave Cancun!

Cancun is cool, kinda. BUT, the rest of Mexico is so much better (in my opinion).

My final suggestion to any backpackers in Cancun would be to leave the city as soon as possible and head somewhere else. Especially if you don’t have much time in Mexico.

Don’t get me wrong, Cancun can be good fun, but trust me on this one. Go explore the rest of Mexico.

This isn’t an unpopular opinion either. Cancun is typically recommended by American Tourists who have no clue about what makes Mexico such a wonderful backpacking destination. I challenge you to find anyone who has travelled a lot of Mexico who says Cancun was one of the best locations.

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Cancun is an obvious stop for people arriving at Mexico’s second-biggest international airport. Finding cheap flights is easy – and that makes it even more tempting.

Here are some extra inside tips to consider before you visit Cancun.

• Invest in travel insurance! You never know what may happen on the road.
• Learn to haggle. Never accept the first price offered to you and haggle your way down to avoid getting ripped off!
• Don’t use taxis. Taxis charge a lot in Cancun, buses are a much cheaper alternative.
• Bring a good water bottle with you and avoid buying single-use plastic ones!
• Don’t get caught up in the Hotel Zone. Cancun’s Hotel Zone has everything you could possibly need, but make sure to trek beyond the area to make the most of your trip.
• That being said, avoid unfamiliar areas at night. While Cancun is relatively safe to visit, it’s best to steer away from non-tourist areas as these will have higher levels of crime.
• Find cheap flights. Every once in a while, a killer deal pops up.

Here are some quick answers to common questions about what to do and see in Cancun.

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Mexican travel insurance can be awkward, make sure your policy covers you for your stay in Cancun. You will probably need it!

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They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

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Cancun is known both as a party town and as a gateway to some admittedly stunning historical Maya sites. There’s so much to see and do in the area, so there’ll be something for you no matter your group size, budget, or interests.

To recap, my favourite activities to do in Cancun are to hit the beach, visit some Mayan ruins or a Cenote and then drink some yummy tequila before having a fun night out and stuffing your face with street tacos. Sounds fun, huh?

No matter where you stay in Cancun, you’ll be sure to find authentic and adventurous activities at every turn. I hope this guide has given you some inspiration for the best things to do in Cancun!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!