10 Best Activities in Cancun

You have so many great options of things to see and do in Cancun that you have to plan your itinerary very well so you don't miss the most important things. Cancun's Caribbean waters and its exotic marine life is a spectacular place for water sports. Snorkelling and scuba diving are some of the activities you can do in Cancun, considered an excellent destination to practice them.

If you like adventure, this is your ideal destination. Go horseback riding through the Mayan jungle, take a ride in a submarine, go parasailing or jump on one of the best zip-line circuits in the world. These are just some of the exciting activities that await you in Cancun.

Going deep into the Mexican jungle and breathing the magical air should be one of the must-do plans on your trip to Cancun. That's why I suggest this full-day excursion to two cenotes and a tour of the Yucatan jungle with activities.

Connect with nature through the caves hidden in the Mexican Caribbean and visit Sac Actun and Nohoch Nah Chich, two of its incredible cenotes. You will be able to dive through them among stalagmites. In addition, with this complete tour, you will cross the jungle aboard a 4x4 truck and make stops to do other activities such as zip-lining and abseiling.

If you are by nature adventurous and you are lucky enough to be in Cancun for several days, whether three days or five, do not give up any activity and take advantage of a tour organised in small groups to dedicate a day exclusively to have fun with these incredible experiences.

Details of interest

• How to get there: Forget about locating the place because this excursion includes pick-up and drop-off at the hotel once the tour is over.

• Timetable: You will be picked up at 7am and the full tour lasts 6 hours - Prices: From 104 euros.

Can you imagine discovering the Mexican marine life with an immersive experience in the waters of the Caribbean? With this scuba diving course in Cancun you won 't need full certification to explore the open sea.

First you will be trained in a resort pool, as you will learn how to breathe with the oxygen tank. Then you will dive into the deep sea where coral reefs, unique marine species and a fascinating experience await you.

Take advantage of your trip to Cancun to do your first dive. With this complete 6 hour course you will get the basic knowledge for a first contact with this sport. But I'm sure it will be just the beginning of your relationship with the underwater world, as there is a whole complex system of diving courses and certifications to learn at a recreational and technical level.

Details of interest

• Directions: AquaWorld, Boulevard Kukulcan, Km 15.3 Zona Hotelera, Cancun 77500 Mexico.
• Schedule: 11:00 AM (Total duration of the course is 6 hours)
• Prices: About 118 €.

Unlike a traditional museum, the Underwater Museum of Art is composed of concrete structures scattered along the seabed.

This unique museum is located between Isla Mujeres and the Hotel Zone. The MUSA is divided into three different areas: Manchones, Punta Nizuc and Punta Sam. The main peculiarity of this attraction is that the more than 470 sculptures found in Manchones are only accessible by scuba diving. That's why you can take advantage of your diving initiation to put it into practice in this place.

But if you don't like diving and prefer to stay on dry land you can stop by the small gallery of the MUSA located in the centre of Cancun. I recommend you to visit the Underwater Museum of Cancun, it is an unforgettable experience.

Details of interest

• How to get there: you can get there by taxi, public transport or car.
• Opening hours: from 9am to 2.30pm, but it is advisable to check before you go because there may be changes.
• Prices: there are different types of tickets which vary in price, the most basic experience costs approximately 42 euros per person.

A visit to Isla Mujeres is a great way to escape the hectic pace of Cancun's nightlife and beaches. There is little to do on this small 6 kilometre island, located just 30 minutes by ferry from Cancun, but that's just the virtue of Isla Mujeres, tranquillity. I recommend you take a day trip to Isla Mujeres and spend the day there enjoying the tranquillity and beauty of the area.

The island is home to a few places worth visiting. One option is to rent one of the golf carts, which are available on the island and drive to Punta Sur, the landscape, which houses an ancient temple in honour of the Mayan moon goddess, is surrounded by steep cliffs and spectacular views of the bay. The area is also home to the Garrafon Reef Nature Park, which offers a variety of activities such as a swimming pool, zip line, kayaking and snorkelling.

As if all this wasn't enough, Isla Mujeres is also popular for its sea turtles and you'll be able to see them in all their glory. If you visit between August and October, you will have the privilege of witnessing the hatching of the baby turtles. If you want to relax on the sand, you can go to Playa del Norte, considered one of the best beaches in Cancun.

Details of interest

• How to get there: You can get to Isla Mujeres by ferry from different terminals in the Hotel Zone, such as Playa Tortugas and Playa Caracol, as well as from downtown Cancun.
• Opening hours: the island is always open to the public, but the transport services to the island have limited opening hours, so it is advisable to take a guided tour to ensure your transport.
• Prices: Excursions start at 46 euros per person.

The adventure continues in Cancun with this activity with which you can explore the Mexican jungle from the heights. We're talking about the largest zip-line circuit in North America, where the thrill is guaranteed.

Leave vertigo -if you can- aside and go fly over the Yucatan jungle with an extra dose of adrenaline, with this circuit of 12 zip lines of 3 km that lasts a total of 4 and a half hours and also includes transport, local guide and snacks.

Without a doubt, a great plan if you are travelling to Cancun with children, as this activity is suitable for children over 3 years old as there are specific areas for them. However, it is recommended that adults who practice the zip line or canopy, as it is known there, should be in average physical shape, as although safety is guaranteed, some skill is required. Dare and jump into the void!

Interesting details

• How to get there: The starting point will be in Leona Vicario, Quintana Roo, Puerto Morelos.
• Schedule: Confirm pick up time, starting at 6:00 AM.
• Prices: From 96 euros

Snorkelling is a trendy activity and not only in Mexico. If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend it. And what better time to try it for the first time than on an organised tour where you can sail the waters of the Caribbean aboard a submarine and then dive underwater and marvel at the marine life there?

Thanks to the glass bottom of the boat you can see the coral reefs and the exotic species that abound in the area, with the explanations of a guide who will help you to better understand "what's cooking" at the bottom of the sea.

And if you're up for it, when you finish the boat trip and arrive at Punta Nizuc you can snorkel for about 45 minutes, thanks to the snorkelling equipment that you'll be provided with.

If you want more information about these activities I leave you this post about the Best Snorkelling experiences in Cancun and this one about Boat trips in Cancun, the best options.

Interesting details

• How to get there: Aquaworld, Blvd. Kukulcan, Hotel Zone, 77500 Cancun, Q.R., Mexico
• Schedule: Agree on the time when booking the activity. In total the tour lasts 4 hours.
• Prices: From 46 euros.

Thanks to its tropical climate and luxurious resorts that attract guests from all over the world, it's no wonder that a world-class golf industry has developed around Cancun.

One of the best golf courses in Cancun is the 18-hole Playa Mujeres Golf Club, which is described by most experienced players as a satisfying blend of challenge and scenery, but be aware that the course is expensive if you're not a guest at the Dreams or Secrets resorts.

You should bear in mind when choosing your hotel that many of Cancun's resorts offer affiliated golf course options, so staying at a particular property can be discounted. Also, with golf courses scattered throughout downtown Cancun, the Hotel Zone and south of the airport, finding a golf course is as easy as going for a walk and stumbling across one along the way.

Details of interest

• How to get there: you can get there by car, taxi or public transport, depending on the course you choose.
• Opening times: will depend on the course, but generally the opening hours are long.
• Prices: Prices vary from course to course: Prices vary from course to course, with additional fees charged for golf carts and club hire adding to the price.

Imagine the feeling of freedom that can come with a parachute attached by a harness to a speedboat that, propelled by the speed of the boat, lifts you into the air and flies over the sea. This is parasailing, a relatively young water sport but one that is gaining a lot of fans for the views it offers from the heights.

If you are thinking of practising this activity during your trip to Cancun, I suggest a parasailing experience. It includes a boat ride, a professional instructor who will explain in detail what you need to take into account for safe practice and a life jacket.

However, bear in mind that the flight lasts between 10 and 15 minutes and that good weather is essential for the activity to take place; although don't worry, if it is cancelled you can change it to another date or ask for a refund. It can be practised together with several participants, maximum 4, so it is ideal to go in a group with your friends or family.

Details of interest

• How to get there: Aquaworld, Blvd Kukulcan, Hotel Zone, 77500 Cancun, Q.R., Mexico.
• Opening times: Total duration including boat ride and parasailing is 30 minutes.
• Prices: From 62 euros.

This is one of my favourite activities in Cancun. The Delphinus Punta Cancun, located in the Hyatt hotel complex, allows you the unique experience of swimming with dolphins.

Multiple programmes are offered, each focusing on a different type of interaction with the dolphins. For example, the "Dolphin Ride" programme allows you to swim with the dolphins, while "The One" gives you the chance to meet a specific dolphin and bond with it for 45 minutes.

This activity is especially suitable for children, the little ones will love it. Besides having the possibility to interact with the animals, you will learn about dolphins and their environment through a presentation. The prices are high, but it is worth it if your budget allows it.

Interesting details

• How to get there: the Hyatt Cancun located on Punta Cancun Blvd. km. 5 is easy to find, you can go by public transport, taxi, car or on foot.
• Opening hours: 9am to 5.30pm.
• Prices: vary depending on the activity, but you can get experiences from around 97 euros per person.

Horseback riding is always a good plan but doing it through the Mayan jungle with its incredible fauna and in a purely Mexican style is an experience not to be missed in Cancun.

The Bonanza ranch, specially designed for beginners in the world of horse riding and with rehabilitated and very tame animals, awaits you on this 2-hour excursion. After the relaxing horseback ride you can also take a dip in a natural cenote with crystal clear water.

Combine both adventures on a tour through the exotic Mayan nature, where a guide will explain the history of each native species. You can also try the handmade chewing gum! Yes, as you can hear, there are zapote orchards in the area, the tree from which chicle is extracted. Are you going to miss it?

Interesting details

• How to get there: Forget about locating the site because this tour includes transfer to and from your hotel.
• Timetables: Check the starting times of the activity and meet the driver at a meeting point. The duration of the whole activity is 2 hours.
• Prices: From 108 euros including transfers, horseback riding and all equipment, swimming in a cenote, water and snacks.