Travel Guide of Cancún in Mexico by Influencers and Travelers

Cancún is a city in southeast Mexico on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is a significant tourist destination in Mexico and the seat of the municipality of Benito Juárez.

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The Best Things to Do and Visit in Cancún

TRAVELERS TOP 10 :

1 - Cancún Underwater Museum

   9 km away

The Cancún Underwater Museum is a non-profit organization based in Cancún, Mexico devoted to the art of conservation. The museum has a total of 500 sculptures, most by the British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and the others by five Mexican sculptors, with three different galleries submerged between three and six meters deep in the ocean at the Cancún National Marine Park.

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2 - Punta Cancun

   11 km away

Cancún is a city in southeast Mexico on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is a significant tourist destination in Mexico and the seat of the municipality of Benito Juárez.

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3 - Tours & Sightseeing | Chichén Itzá Day Trips from Cancún

During this day of adventure you’ll have the chance to enjoy some of Mexico’s most impressive historical sites close to Cancún. Plus, there’s swimming in a cenote and a delicious Mexican buffet lunch. After being picked up from your hotel, start your adventure with a visit to Coba. You’ll arrive early in the morning before crowds begin to form and learn about this ancient Mayan city. Coba is the only archaeological site that still allows you to climb its pyramids, so after you’ve learnt about its history and the people who lived in this magical space you can tackle the step pyramid. Next, enjoy a quick visit to Valladolid – famous for its Medieval religious sites – then tuck into a delicious Mexican buffet lunch. Once lunch has digested, you’ll head to the breathtaking Saamal Cenote, where you can swim and relax by its impressive waterfall.

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4 - Isla Mujeres

   14 km away

Isla Mujeres is an island where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea meet, about 13 kilometres off the Yucatán Peninsula coast. The island is approximately 7 kilometres long and 650 metres wide.

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5 - Playa Delfines

   14 km away
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6 - Morning | Day Trips from Cancún

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Holbox, a paradise situated in the far north of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Famous for being home to Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, this natural sanctuary is teeming with diverse birds all year round - from flamingos to pelicans and frigates. Take a boat trip to explore its stunning beaches and sandbanks, or wander around the island’s streets and admire its lovely murals. Enjoy a delicious meal with a refreshing drink of the day, then cool off and re-energize in the crystal-clear waters of Yalahau Lagoon - a truly unforgettable experience!

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7 - Puerto Morelos

   35 km away

Puerto Morelos is a town and seaport in Quintana Roo, Mexico's easternmost state, on the Yucatán Peninsula. The town is located in the northeast of the state, about 36 km south of the resort city of Cancún, and about 30 km north of the city of Playa del Carmen.

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8 - Diving & Snorkeling | Cancún Boat Tours

Start your adventure with the first stop: a snorkeling experience on a lively coral reef. Enjoy the clear, warm waters as you float above a bustling underwater world, 8-12 feet below the surface, without strong sea currents. The second stop takes you to two MUSA galleries, "Blessings" and "Vestiges," featuring beautiful underwater art exhibitions. Be amazed by the intricate statues sharing tales from beneath the waves. Next up, the third stop. With a remarkable 96-98% chance of spotting 1-5 turtles, prepare to make some shelled friends and perhaps frolic with playful rays. The fourth stop invites you to explore a shipwreck, now a vibrant home to corals and colorful fish. The pristine water and white sand create a natural turquoise pool experience. Finally, the fifth stop introduces the pièce de résistance – a cenote. Dive into the beautiful underwater cenote and discover this extraordinary natural wonder.

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9 - Snorkeling | Cancún

Enjoy a day of fun, relaxation, and adventure on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea on a catamaran tour to Isla Mujeres. Snorkeling, relax at the Albatros Beach Club, and explore Isla Mujeres.

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10 - Dolphin & Whale Watching | Mexico

Visit Dolphin Discovery on Isla Mujeres and experience a dolphin encounter where you can shake hands with some friendly dolphins. Afterward, enjoy a buffet lunch and soft drinks service.

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Pictures and Stories of Cancún from Influencers

20 pictures of Cancún from Joe Cooke, Spencer Watson, Caleb George and other travelers

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Why should you visit Cancún ?

Travel to Cancún if you like:

  🏖️ Beach     🏊 Swimming pool     🏘️ Town     🏖️ Ocean     🌴 Tropics     🏨 Resort  

How to visit Cancún ?

To get to Cancún, most travelers fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN), which is well-connected to major cities across North and South America, as well as Europe. From the airport, you can take a taxi, shuttle, or bus to your hotel or resort.

It is highly recommended that you book your accommodations and any tours or excursions in advance to secure the best rates and ensure availability. Popular attractions like the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Chichen Itza, or Coba can sell out quickly, so booking ahead is essential.

In terms of costs, Cancún can cater to a wide range of budgets. Luxury all-inclusive resorts can be pricey, but there are also many affordable hotels and vacation rentals available. Expect to pay around $100 to $150 per night for a mid-range hotel, while meals in local restaurants can cost around $10 to $20 per person.

Some of the best things to do in Cancún include visiting the ancient Mayan ruins, swimming in the stunning cenotes (natural sinkholes), and taking a day trip to Isla Mujeres or Cozumel for snorkeling and scuba diving. For adventure seekers, consider trying zip-lining, ATV tours, or swimming with whale sharks.

When it comes to dining, Cancún offers a plethora of options. For delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine, visit La Parrilla, which is known for its succulent tacos and sizzling fajitas. For a more upscale dining experience, try Harry's Grill, where you can enjoy mouth-watering steaks and seafood dishes.

As for accommodations, some great options to consider are the all-inclusive Royalton CHIC Suites Cancún Resort & Spa, which offers luxurious amenities and breathtaking views, or the more budget-friendly Selina Cancún Laguna Hotel Zone, which provides a stylish and comfortable stay.

Off the beaten path:

For an unusual and unforgettable travel experience in Cancún, venture off the beaten path to the lesser-known Isla Contoy. This uninhabited island is a protected nature reserve, home to a variety of bird species and stunning beaches. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed per day, so it's essential to book a guided tour in advance. Once on the island, you can spend your day snorkeling in the clear waters, exploring the island's natural beauty, or simply relaxing on the secluded beaches. This hidden gem provides a welcome escape from the bustling crowds of Cancún and offers an opportunity to connect with nature in a serene and pristine environment.

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Cancun is a strip of land in the transparent waters of the Caribbean Sea.

But on this twenty-kilometer-long coastline, there are many hotels.

 If you give in to the unparalleled beauty of these turquoise waters and the tropical heat of this paradise for Americans, you will find nothing more or less than a banal setting for an international seaside resort, in short, a world without much flavor.

For a pleasant stroll, however, go to Tulum Avenue in the city's historic district.

Want to leave Cancun? Embark for 30 minutes on a trimaran. And head for Isla Mujeres, a small authentic island that can be visited in one day.
You can start with a day of diving in the lagoon of Cancun, but don't miss the unmissable Palancar, the second largest reef in the world located off the island of Cozumel, the largest in Mexico. It takes only 2 hours to get to this rustic stretch of land.

The Cancun area has the largest coral reef in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is thus under the surface of water that it is necessary to go to discover the territory. 
West of Cancun, in the center of the Yucatan, you will reach the archeological site of Chichen Itza, one of the main cities of the "new Mayan empire" founded in 987.

Another must-see is Tulum, where the façade of one of the main buildings from the 12th and 13th centuries dominates a cliff on the Caribbean Sea.
Couple this visit with a swim in the lagoon of Xel-Ha: a real natural pool, nevertheless frequented, where the fresh waters of the springs and the warm currents of the sea mix.

If you like to swim in the underground rivers (the famous "cenotes" dug in the limestone ground) and the lagoons with crystalline waters in the middle of tropical birds and butterflies in the bright colors, do not miss Xel-Ha: an eco-archeological park at 1 hour of way.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Cancún

Cancún : what to eat?

Rich and particular, the cuisine of the Yucatan peninsula is mainly composed of:

• Corn-based dishes (tortillas),
• A wide variety of meats, seasoned with more or less spicy "chile" (not very spicy in hotels), or coriander.
• The shellfish are excellent. The grouper is the fish that you will find most often at a good price in restaurants.

Cancún : what to do?

• Go for a swim in the famous "cenotes", galleries of fresh water-filled cavities dug in the ground of the peninsula. Agencies specializing in fair trade tourism offer day trips accompanied by more or less impressive zipline descents into the jungle.

• The archeological site of Chichen Itza, one of the main cities of the "new Mayan empire" was founded in 987. Don't hesitate to climb the 91 steps of the main pyramid to enjoy the amazing view of the surrounding jungle. Return in the evening.

• Otherwise, the site of Tulum and the ecological park Xcaret are good compromises.

Cancún : what to bring back?

• Yucatan hammocks, finely woven of nylon or cotton, make them comfortable.

you will find them in different widths, between 15 and 25. Avoid other materials that are rough on the skin.

• Corsages, shawls (masks, and leather sandals are common in the markets.

• Silver is worked in various styles and patterns.

   Where to Stay in Cancún

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Discover more travel spots to explore around Cancún

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