Built to be one of the world’s best tourist attractions and home to one of the new world wonders, Chichén Itzá, Cancun, Mexico, is famous for its great weather, beaches, monuments, and numerous cenotes.
The beaches and nightlife here are major diversions for many tourists in Cancún. But the area also earns praise for its rich culture, ruins, and monuments like the Chichén Itzá, the El Rey ruins, and the underwater sculpture museum.
Watch on as we take you through some of the best things to do in Cancun, Mexico.
Chichén Itzá
Chichen Itza is a Mayan language term for “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” The Mayan city of Chichen Itza, famous for its pyramid ruins, was dubbed a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the seven New Wonders of the World. The ancient city dates as far back as the 5th century. Its most impressive structures were built in the 9th through 12th centuries. The 98-foot tall pyramid Temple Of Kukulkan known as “El Castillo” is the best-known pyramid.
Tourists will also find the Mesoamerican ball court with its intricately carved rings and unique audio qualities. Many other impressive structures and landmarks are here, including El Caracol- the ancient observatory, the Sacred Cenote, the tzompantli- where skulls of captured warriors were displayed, among many others. Chichen Itza is an epic collection of temples and monuments with a lot of history behind them.
Chichen Itza is well maintained, so you can catch a sight of how the ancient Maya people lived; if you want to discover the strong cultural roots of the Yucatán, there’s no better place. To get the best experience, it is advisable to hire a tour guide to explain the history and significance of the site.
The fact that the site is one of the new seven wonders of the world speaks for itself, and for that reason and more, it is number one on our list of things to do in Cancun.
Have a Beach Day
Many of Cancún’s top resorts are built with access to the beaches, known in Spanish as “playas.” You can relax with stunning views over the sparkling, lucid waters that make this destination popular with tourists seeking a memorable Mexico vacation. Cancún consists of several long stretches of beach, and while regular visitors may have their preferences, they’re all nice and have something great to offer.
The most popular beaches in Cancun include the Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach), Playa Tortuga, Playa Chac Mool, Playa Forum, Playa Caracol, and Playa Del Nino, all of which have different features which makes them attractive.
Playa Delfines is one of the most extensive beaches in Cancun. You can find the iconic Cancun sign here, making it a perfect spot for photos. There are also water sport rentals and a playground for kids.
Playa Tortuga and Playa Del Nino are the two best beaches for families because it has small and calm waves that allow swimming. Playa Tortuga is known for its relaxed atmosphere and clean sands. Several open-air restaurants make for great evening dining; the beach also features a pier, where brave visitors can bungee jump.
Chac Mool Beach is the best place to dive into the Caribbean waters. Plenty o operators rent water sports equipment, making this beautiful beach a haven for water sports lovers.
Playa Forum is the perfect blend between a vibrant atmosphere and a tropical retreat. It is also famous for its party scene.
There are quite a lot of beaches to pick from, but regardless of what you choose, it’s certainly hard to go wrong.
El Rey Ruins
Named after a mask discovered here that was believed to be dedicated to the sun god, the El Rey Ruins include the remains of about 47 buildings, including a pyramid temple that dates back to about 250 A.D., along with numerous tombs built by the Mayans from AD 900 onwards. It is also known for once being a center for maritime trade.
While these ruins may not have the awe factor of Chichén Itzá, the El Rey Ruins have convenience on their side. These ruins are accessible to visitors due to their proximity to the residential area known as the “Hotel Zone,” The site’s small size makes it easy to see in a short time.
But for many past visitors, the ruins themselves were not the primary attraction: people flock to El Rey to mingle with the hundreds of iguanas that have invaded the former Mayan town, saying the iguanas make for some unforgettable photo-ops.
Touring the El Rey ruins is definitely one of our top things to do in Cancun.
Visit Isla Mujeres
The Isla Mujeres (or the Island of Women) is a small, 4-mile island. Home to an ancient temple as a tribute to the Mayan moon goddess, it is surrounded by spectacular bay views and cliffs – in fact, this is where the rising sun first greets Mexico.
The island is also known for its main beach, Playa Norte, consistently ranked among the best beaches in Cancun.
Isla Mujeres offers a variety of tempting options for beach lovers and is a bargain. You can snorkel with tropical fish amid coral reefs, windsurf along the shores of soft sandy beaches or skim the waters by kayak or boat. On land, you can sunbathe, dine on seafood, dance to Latin rhythms, tour on a moped or stop by the bar for fresh, delicious drinks.
You’ll also find the Garrafon Natural Reef Park, which offers a variety of activities, including a swimming pool, kayaking, and a zip line
You can also visit Punta Sur, on the tip of Isla Mujeres, which has large sculptures on a path overlooking the ocean and a lighthouse. You can also rent a golf cart and drive the entire length of the island, checking out the turtle sanctuary, Mayan ruins, great oceanside cliffs in Mexico, as well as do some snorkeling.
Isla Mujeres also remains famous for its sea turtles which is one of the top things to see on the island at the Tortugranja turtle conservation center.
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Explore the Underwater Museum and Cenotes
If beaches are not your thing, but you love being in the water, Cancun offers many scuba diving trips.
One of this town’s most popular and unusual points of interest is the Cancún Underwater Museum (MUSA). Set up in 2009 after a storm damaged the Cancun National Marine Park, this seabed-based attraction is dedicated to the “art of conservation” and is a thrill for divers to explore.
The museum’s core is the 500+ sculptures spread across two underwater galleries submerged at depths of between three and six meters with human figures in various poses, giant hands, statues of locals, and even a concrete car. The exhibits are surrounded by ocean wildlife, giving you a really unique experience; seeing fish and coral among the hundreds of works of art is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The museum is already the largest artificial reef in the world and it continues to expand as new installations are continually being added. If you are not keen on diving, this fascinating collection can be viewed from the comfort of one of the glass-bottom tour boats that ply the waters.
The Underwater Sculpture Museum has become quite a popular attraction in recent years, But there are plenty of other snorkeling and diving options as well, such as swimming in cenotes!
Cenotes are natural pools formed from limestone with sapphire and emerald waters. The entire city of Cancun is filled with cenotes, close to 7,000 in total. Some cenotes are in the open and surrounded by hanging vines and tropical trees – great for a swim, while others are parts of the vast underground cave and river systems, fun to scuba through on a guided tour.
Enjoy the nightlife
It is almost impossible to talk about Cancun without mentioning the nightlife. The city is known for its crazy nightlife, especially during Spring Break, when students from the United States travel to Mexico for a great time. The city comes alive at night, and with its culture, numerous clubs, shows, and the traditional tequila drink, you can be assured of a great time.
Considered the spot for nightlife in Cancún, Coco Bongo isn’t like your traditional, DJ-controlled nightclub. Instead, it is a club where nonstop performances from acrobats, conga lines, live bands, and musician impersonators occur. A night at Coco Bongo involves projected videos, balloons, soap bubbles, and confetti; some even describe it as a mix between nightclub and Vegas show! This often surprises and even upsets some tourists who expect a conventional nightclub experience; Coco Bongo is not the place for you if you just want to dance to a D.J.; there are plenty of other clubs for that.
Although some say the best club to dance and drink the night away is Coco Bongo, don’t let that sway your decision, there are many places to party, like Forum By The Sea, The City, and Daddy o’s Nightclub.
The City Nightclub, for example, features celebrity D.J.s like Tiesto, Fergie, and Paul Van Dyk, who perform regularly The club, which has three floors and nine bars, can accommodate up to 5000 people per night. The Mandala Beach Club also opens daily at 9:30 PM. This club is the place to go for a bikini party. This outdoor house music club offers excellent music and delicious tropical cocktails. Daddy O is where to go if you are looking for techno and house music, professional dancers, light shows, and body painting. The club has five bars and two floors where you can party until sunrise.
In Cancun, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a nightclub to party away the night.
That brings us to the end of the video; which of the places discussed is your favorite? What would be your first stop if you took a trip to Cancun? Let us know all these and any other thoughts you might have in the comment section below.