Your Cancun bucket list: 10 things to do on your next getaway

Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is a dream destination for travelers seeking nature, culture, archaeology, history, and a party scene too. The Mexican Caribbean truly has it all – miles of powdery sandy beaches, mysterious underwater caves, fascinating Mayan ruins, exciting nightlife, great eats, sunshine all year round, and more. Get ready to fall in love with Mexico’s most vibrant city–here’s a bucket list of 10 must-do and must-see things in Cancun.

Picture yourself relaxing on a white sandy beach with a yummy mai tai in hand, enjoying the beautiful azure sky and stunning turquoise waters in six shades of blue as far as the eye can see. From the stunning Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach), the highest-rated beach by our Tripadvisor community, to Playa Langosta and Xcacel Beach, there’s a stretch of sand just steps away. Soak in the sun, walk along the lookout point, take selfies, or party it up till the sun sets over the Caribbean Sea. You know you’ve come to Cancun for this.

Exploring the Yucatan Peninsula’s top underwater sights is a huge must-do in Cancun. Splash around Yal-ku Lagoon with its clear, sparkling emerald waters, vibrant marine life, and unique rock formations. There are many day tours such as the 5-in-1 Cancun Snorkeling Tour which packs in a range of activities, from swimming with turtles, discovering reefs, visiting an actual underwater shipwreck, marveling at submerged artifacts whilst snorkeling at MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art), as well as exploring cenotes (natural sinkholes). With a guide on hand at all times, the tour has been designed with nervous swimmers and first-time snorkelers in mind, so everyone can join in the fun.

The Yucatan Peninsula is famed for its cenotes or underwater sinkholes and caves. Cenotes have a sacred place in Mayan culture and were considered as the doors to the underworld. One of the more impressive caves is Cenote Azul, a large open-air swimming hole with dazzling turquoise waters, a cliff jump and several pools to explore, including one with shallow waters suitable for families. We also recommend the stunning Cenote Ik Kil, 90 feet below ground level with an entirely collapsed roof and tree roots cascading into the waters. Yes, it’s hugely Instagrammable. Leap into the pool Tarzan-like or access the waters via a stairway to the platform below.

Hop onto an ATV for a thrilling, bumpy ride through the jungle. It’s muddy and it’s messy but it’s a lot of fun, too. Or take a shot at ziplining through the treetops, all whilst admiring the scenic views from above. You can do all these activities in one day with this tour, which includes swimming at a cenote. Lung-busting screams guaranteed.

Have butt-kicking Lara Croft fantasies? There won’t be any tomb-raiding, but you could absolutely take in history and archaeology at the UNESCO World Heritage site Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan city that thrived from around A.D. 600 to the 1200s. Abandoned in the 15th century and now a complex of ruins, the main attraction is a massive step pyramid known as El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcan). Travelers aren’t permitted to climb to the top of this behemoth anymore, but it’s still a must-visit. The Chichen Itza all-inclusive tour includes a visit to the colonial town of Valladolid, a swim in a cenote, and tequila tasting to top off a memorable day.

Located 81 miles south of Cancun, the Tulum ruins is an archaeological site at Tulum National Park, overlooking the Caribbean sea. A huge plus is you can take the staircase down to Tulum beach for a refreshing swim after exploring all the ruins. Don’t forget to visit the two most popular pyramid-shaped temples—Temple of the Frescoes and Temple of the Descending God—with views over the surrounding jungle. Consider an action-packed 3-in-1 discovery combo tour that includes the Tulum ruins, reef snorkeling, and hikes along jungle trails that lead to hidden cenotes.

Island hop to popular Isla Mujeres, once revered by the Maya as a holy place. Located across from Cancun, the tiny, idyllic Isla Mujeres sits on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (the second-longest coral reef system in the world) and is known for its white sandy beaches, excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and luxe resorts. Party it up on a catamaran, or enjoy a sumptuous lunch at an exclusive private beach club before exploring Isla Mujeres on a golf cart. Don’t forget to try the local street food at the shacks lining the beach.

The Mayan Museum of Cancun is one of the largest museums in the country, which aims to protect and preserve Mexico’s most significant archaeological collections of Mayan culture. The museum displays a vast range of emblematic pieces from the state of Quintana Roo and important artifacts recovered from the sites of Palenque, Chichen Itza, and Comalcalco amongst others. The diverse collections will appeal to visitors of all ages, making this a must-visit for families.

Party animals, hit up Cancun’s wild nightclubs such as Mandala, Congo Bar, Palazzo, La Vaquita, and The City. Rated #1 by our Tripadvisor community is Coco Bongo, which is a big hit thanks to the spectacular shows they put on, complete with flying acrobats performing with an explosion of streamers, balloons, and bubbles. Dance up a storm and join their bar-top conga lines for an unforgettable night out in Cancun.

Exploring Cancun will leave you ravenous; thankfully, there are lots of must-try local treats to sample, from marquesitas (rolled-up crispy crepes filled with melted cheese and sweet fillings) and castacan (fried pork belly) to panuchos (open-faced tortillas with refried beans). According to our Tripadvisor community, Divina Carne is the #1 restaurant in Cancun for their “amazing, fresh, greatly seasoned” food and “super delicious, high quality meats”. Is your mouth watering already?

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