25 Best Things to Do in Cancun for Every Traveler (2027 Guide)

What is there to do in Cancun besides hit the beach? Plenty. From Cancun you can sail by catamaran to Isla Mujeres, swim in cenotes, see Chichén Itzá, spend the day at the Xcaret parks or have dinner aboard a pirate ship. In this guide we've rounded up 25 things to do, organized by type of experience, with what each one costs, how much time you need and which ones work best depending on who you're traveling with.

Quick answer: the Cancun must-dos

• If you only have one day for a tour: the Isla Mujeres Catamaran, with snorkeling, a buffet lunch and an open bar.
• To experience Maya culture: Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
• For a park day: Xcaret if you want culture and a show, or Xel-Há if you want snorkeling and everything included.
• For the evening: the Captain Hook pirate ship or the Mexican party at Xoximilco.
• Free: the public beaches in the Hotel Zone and downtown Cancun.

In Cancun: beaches, lagoon and city

1. Explore the public beaches in the Hotel Zone

All beaches in Mexico are public, and Cancun has access points where you can get in without going through a hotel. Playa Delfines, with its lookout and the Cancun sign, is the most photographed; Playa Tortugas and Playa Langosta, on the Bahía de Mujeres side, have calmer water and are good for kids. To pick the right time, check the seasons in our guide to the best time to visit Cancun.

2. Cruise the mangroves on the Jungle Tour

On the Jungle Tour you drive your own two-person speedboat through the channels of Nichupté Lagoon and finish with snorkeling on the reef. It lasts about three hours, so it fits into a morning or an afternoon. From 79 USD. We cover everything in our Jungle Tour guide.

3. Get to know downtown Cancun

Away from the hotels is the Cancun where people actually live: Parque de las Palapas, with street-food stalls at night, and Mercado 28, for crafts and souvenirs. It's a good choice for a cheap dinner and a look at another side of the city.

4. Visit the Cancun Maya Museum

Right in the Hotel Zone, the museum displays archaeological pieces from the region and gives you access to the San Miguelito archaeological site. It's a good pick for a rainy or very sunny afternoon, and a solid introduction before you head to Chichén Itzá or Tulum.

Islands and sea

5. Sail to Isla Mujeres by catamaran

This is the most popular tour from Cancun. The Isla Mujeres Catamaran includes snorkel gear, a buffet lunch, an open bar with domestic drinks and a guide, from 79 USD. If you'd rather go on your own, compare the options in ferry, catamaran or yacht to Isla Mujeres, and plan your day with our guide to things to do in Isla Mujeres.

6. Charter a private yacht

For celebrations, groups or a marriage proposal, a private yacht to Isla Mujeres is the most comfortable way to go: the boat and the schedule are yours alone. We have several options, like the Sea Ray 44 Sundancer, priced per boat.

7. Swim with whale sharks

From May 15 to September 15, the world's largest fish arrives in the waters near Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy. On the Whale Shark Tour you leave early by boat, swim with them and have lunch off Isla Mujeres. From 195 USD. There are no departures outside that season.

8. Go snorkeling in Cozumel

Cozumel has some of the most famous reefs in the Caribbean, like Palancar. The Cozumel Cielo Catamaran from Cancun includes the ferry, snorkeling and a day at a beach club, from 169 USD. More options in our guide to Cozumel from Cancun.

9. Escape to Holbox

Holbox is a laid-back island north of the peninsula, with sand streets and shallow water. The Holbox Plus Tour takes you on a full-day trip to two islands and a cenote, from 123 USD. We explain how to get there and what to do in our guide to Holbox from Cancun.

Theme parks

10. Xcaret: culture, nature and the big show

Underground rivers, wildlife, the Maya Village and the evening show "Xcaret México Espectacular." The Xcaret Plus tour includes transportation and a buffet meal, from 225 USD.

11. Xel-Há: all-inclusive snorkeling

A natural inlet for snorkeling without waves, with unlimited food and drinks. The Xel-Há tour starts at 166 USD with transportation. Can't decide between the two? Read Xcaret or Xel-Há.

12. Xplor and Xplor Fuego: adventure by day or by night

Ziplines, amphibious vehicles and swimming through stalactite rivers. Xplor from 199 USD and Xplor Fuego, its nighttime version, from 175 USD. We compare the two in Xplor vs Xplor Fuego.

13. Xenses: a half day for the senses

Xenses is the shortest and most affordable park, with more than 15 activities that play with your perception. From 139 USD.

14. Eco-Adventure Park: ATVs, ziplines and a cenote

If you're after adrenaline in small groups, the Extreme Eco-Adventure Park combines ATV riding through the jungle, ziplines, a suspension bridge, a jump into a cenote and a show by Maya dancers. Compare all the parks in the best adventure parks in Cancun, and their prices in our guide to Xcaret park prices.

Maya ruins and cenotes

15. Chichén Itzá

The Pyramid of Kukulcán is the most famous image of Mexico. The Chichén Itzá Deluxe tour includes a federally certified guide, entrance fees, a buffet meal, a swim in a cenote and a stop in Valladolid, from 139 USD. Read our complete Chichén Itzá guide.

16. Chichén Itzá with a cenote and Valladolid

The Chichen Itza + Cenote Combo adds a cenote and a quick visit to Valladolid, the nearest of Mexico's designated "Magic Towns," from 172 USD.

17. Tulum, Cobá, a cenote and Playa del Carmen in one day

The Tulum 5X1 Deluxe tour takes in the oceanfront ruins of Tulum, the Nohoch Mul pyramid in Cobá, a Maya village, a cavern cenote and Fifth Avenue. From 159 USD. More details in our guides to Tulum and Cobá.

18. Tulum and the Casa Tortuga cenotes

The Tulum and Casa Tortuga tour combines the archaeological site with four cenotes, two open and two cavern. From 125 USD.

19. Xenotes: four cenotes with rappelling and kayaking

On the Xenotes Tour you visit four different cenotes with ziplines, rappelling, kayaking and swimming, from 165 USD. If that sounds like your thing, read our Xenotes guide and the list of the best cenotes in the Riviera Maya.

20. Tulum and Xel-Há on the same day

The Tulum + Xel-Ha All Inclusive tour pairs a guided visit to the Tulum ruins with an all-inclusive afternoon at Xel-Há. From 195 USD.

Nights in Cancun

21. Dinner show on the Captain Hook pirate ship

Galleons, contests, dancing, dinner and an open bar with domestic drinks: Captain Hook is the favorite night out for families. From 110 USD.

22. Pirate show and dinner on the Jolly Roger

A live pirate show aboard a galleon, with dinner and an open bar. Jolly Roger from 135 USD. Which one should you pick? Read Captain Hook or Jolly Roger.

23. Mexican party on a trajinera at Xoximilco

At Xoximilco you cruise the canals on a trajinera (a colorful flat-bottomed boat) to the sound of mariachi, marimba and banda music, with traditional dishes and an open bar of tequila and beer. About three hours in the evening, from 149 USD. We tell you everything in our Xoximilco guide.

24. Lobster dinner on the Columbus

For couples: the Columbus Lobster Dinner is a lobster dinner on board with live saxophone at sunset, from 159 USD. More ideas in our romantic things to do in Cancun.

25. Combine several tours in one package

If you're doing more than one tour, a combo takes care of several days at once: the Chichen Itza + Isla Mujeres Catamaran Combo or the Combo Xcaret Plus + Chichen Itza.

List prices per adult as of November 2026, normally with transportation from your hotel in Cancun. Promotions are common, so check the current price on each tour.

What to do in Cancun based on your type of trip

• Families with kids: the Isla Mujeres catamaran, Xel-Há, Xcaret and the Captain Hook pirate ship. Also read about common family travel mistakes.
• Couples: a private yacht, a lobster dinner on the Columbus, Holbox and a snorkeling day at Xel-Há.
• Friends: Jungle Tour, Xplor, Xoximilco and the Eco-Adventure Park.
• History lovers: Chichén Itzá, Tulum, Cobá and the Maya Museum.
• Ocean lovers: whale sharks (in season), Cozumel, Jungle Tour and Isla Mujeres.
• Tight budgets: the public beaches, downtown Cancun, the Isla Mujeres catamaran and the Jungle Tour, both from 79 USD. To work out the cost of the whole trip, see how much a Riviera Maya trip costs.

Suggested 5-day itinerary

1. Day 1: arrival, beach time in the Hotel Zone and dinner downtown.
2. Day 2: catamaran to Isla Mujeres.
3. Day 3: Chichén Itzá with a cenote and Valladolid.
4. Day 4: a relaxed morning, then the pirate ship or Xoximilco at night.
5. Day 5: Xcaret or Xel-Há.

Leave a free day between the long tours (Chichén Itzá, the parks, Tulum): they leave early and get back at night.

Tips for making the most of Cancun

• Book ahead in high season: December, Holy Week and summer.
• Use biodegradable sunscreen: it's required at parks, cenotes and reefs.
• Group your tours by area: Tulum and Xel-Há are close together, and so are Chichén Itzá and Valladolid.
• Bring cash for dock fees, tips and photos.
• Check sargassum and hurricane seasons before booking beach activities.

And to avoid the usual traps, read the 10 mistakes tourists make in Cancun.

Frequently asked questions

What can you do in Cancun for free?

Go to the public beaches in the Hotel Zone, stroll around Parque de las Palapas and downtown, and watch the sunset from the lagoon. Beach access is free throughout Mexico.

What is the best tour from Cancun?

The most popular is the Isla Mujeres catamaran, for its price and how much the day includes. For culture, Chichén Itzá; for a park day, Xcaret or Xel-Há.

How many days do you need to see Cancun?

In five days you can combine the beach, Isla Mujeres, Chichén Itzá, a park and a night at a show. With a week you have time for Tulum, Cozumel or Holbox without rushing.

What is there to do in Cancun at night?

Have dinner on a pirate ship (Captain Hook or Jolly Roger), go to the Mexican party at Xoximilco, do Xplor Fuego or enjoy a romantic lobster dinner on the Columbus.

What can you do in Cancun with kids?

Isla Mujeres by catamaran, Xel-Há, Xcaret, the Captain Hook pirate ship and calm-water beaches like Playa Tortugas and Playa Langosta.

Plan your trip

Pick your favorites and book them with transportation from your hotel: the Isla Mujeres Catamaran, Chichén Itzá, Xcaret Plus or Captain Hook. If you're doing several, message us and we'll put together a plan at the best price.