Things to do in Cancun

All about Cancun

When to visit

For warm, but not too hot, weather, visit Cancún from December to April. This is the high season, however, so prepare for crowds, especially in spring when Cancún turns into a hub for rowdy college students. Summer and fall are typically more humid and rainy, but the tail end of the hurricane season (mid to late November) can be a good option.

Getting around

A good public bus system travels through the Hotel Zone along Boulevard Kukulcán and around downtown Cancún. There are also regional buses that can get you to attractions such as Chichén Itzá, as well as the nearby resort towns of Tulum and Playa del Carmen. If you are planning to explore the area, taking a guided tour with hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off is ideal.

Traveler tips

When landing at Cancún International Airport, you will likely be met by a group of taxi drivers vying for your business. You’ll save money and hassle by pre-booking your airport transfer service and walking straight past the crowd to meet your driver, who will be waiting for you when you land. Most services offer a round-trip option so you don’t need to worry about booking your trip back to the airport.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cancun best known for?

Cancún is beloved by spring breakers and families alike for its white-sand beaches and Caribbean water like that found at Playa Delfines. The city’s excellent resorts, many of them all-inclusive, typically offer direct access to the beach, making Cancún an excellent destination to wind down on the sand with a margarita in hand. And, after hours, the nightlife is always hopping.

What kind of fun things are there to do in Cancun?

The resorts of Cancún’s Hotel Zone offer water sports aplenty, from snorkeling, scuba diving, and paddleboarding to speed boating, jet skiing, and flyboarding. Xcaret adventure park, where you can go ziplining and river rafting, is a popular day trip, as is Isla Mujeres, which is best reached by catamaran. Swimming with whale sharks is one of the most popular things to do in Cancun.

What is the best month to visit Cancun?

The weather in Cancún is perfect almost all year round but at its very best between December and April—ideal for escaping the wintery weather of North America’s more northerly climes. While winter does bring many travelers, the crowds are not as heavy as those of mid-March to early April when spring breakers arrive en masse.

Is it expensive to go to Cancun?

No, Cancun isn’t expensive. How much money you spend in Cancún depends on how you choose to spend your vacation. While you can splash out on luxury hotels, fine dining, and late nights in the city’s clubs, you can just as easily keep costs low by booking all-inclusive packages and combination tours.

Is 3 days enough in Cancun?

Yes, things to do in Cancún in three days include spending a lazy day on the beach, doing some water-based activities, and exploring some of the Riviera Maya’s cultural attractions such as Maya ruins and cenotes. It doesn’t leave a lot of time for relaxing however, so you may want to add on another day or two.

What is there to do in Cancun besides beach?

Cancún is a gateway to the ancient Maya ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza. You can also swim in the cool, clear waters of the Yucatán peninsula’s cenotes, including the crystal caves of Rio Secreto, and go scuba diving off Isla Mujeres: all can be easily reached on a day trip from Cancún.

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