Cancun Day Trips: Things to do in Cancun

Cancun is a gorgeous city in Mexico and every year, millions of travelers visit this place so, there must be something special about it. You can have various places to visit in Cancun and here, I brought the list of best Cancun day trips for you.

My Cancun City Favorites (Cancun Day Trips)

Swim in Cenotes: Various cenotes (natural sink holes) are located in Yucatan. If you love swimming then must visit this place to get an ultimate experience.

Day Trip to Chichen Itza: I would highly recommend to visit the iconic ruins at Chichen Itza that include platforms, temples, columns and ballcourts.

Trip to Valladolid: The romanesque architecture of Valladolid makes it stands out from the rest of places. So, take your time out to visit this place and try their traditional foods such as hake (fish) and lechazo (suckling baby lamb).

Mayan Museum: This museum is rich in Quintana Roo’s Mayan history and is very close to the hotel zone of Cancun. Moreover, you can also explore the nearby San Miguelito ruins.

Boat Adventures: You can do this by renting a yacht or sailing through sunset cruise. For the best experience Kayak through the mangroves.

Beach Hop: Cancun is popular due to its beaches so never miss a chance to explore its mesmerizing and lively beaches.

Where to Stay: Here are few luxurious and high rated places to stay at Cancun;

• Oceanview penthouse located at the Nizuc Resort & Spa and provides and facility for private pool. Swim out suite located at beachfront luxury Atelier Playa Mujeres (adults only place).
• Lagoon view suite located at Casa Tortugas.
• La Villa du Golf à Cancun, that is a budget friendly option.

Best Cancun Day Trips

Chichen Itza

It is a very beautiful place just 25 hours away from the Cancun and is considered among the new seven wonders of the world. So, I would recommend you to plan a day trip here for an ultimate fun.

Although you have visited various archaeological sites before, but Chichen Itza has to offer something different and it has a unique architecture. The important features of the site include stone pillars, cenotes (where human beings were sacrificed), and astronomical viewpoint.

There is also a temple worth visiting here that is known as El Castillo and it is a lovely Meso-american step-pyramid. It is a very popular and a crowded place so, well plan your tour and you can also take help from the tour operators and it would be better to visit in the morning (Chichen Itza tours).

Valladolid

People usually stay at Valladolid for some time during their trip from Cancun to Chichen Itza but it’s a beautiful and large place and it is recommended to stay here for an entire day.

The government of Mexico officially nominated it as a magical town (pueblo magico) because it is a very attractive and vibrant place and is very different from Cancun and surrounding areas.

I really liked the cenotes of Valladolid and apart from this, there are various activities you can perform here during your day trip, some are mentioned below;

Wander along Calz. de Los Frailes

It is a street ful of cafes, vintage shops, bars and buildings. Take an hour or two to roam around this street and enjoy the Mexican culture.

Cenote hopping

Cenote and Cenote Secreto Maya are my favorites, but they’re also Cenote Saamal, Xcanahaltun, Xkeken and Secreto Maya are the best options for hopping.

Uayma church

This a grand church and located 15 minutes away from the Valladolid so, if you have time try to visit it as well.

Convento de San Bernardino de Siena

It is a historic abbey (religious foundation) that is beautifully painted in white and pink combination and attracts the attention of visitors.

Tulum and Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve

Day trip from Cancun to Tulum is popular however, there is a resort near Tulum that is still less explored and it is known as Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve (one of the Cancun hidden gems).

I would suggest you to must visit it. Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is a huge area that is full of wild life such as jungle trails, lagoons, and ancient ruins and above all you will find here, Muyil River.

Muyil River is a beautiful, slow river and also know as a home of lagoons. Floating at Muyil River is a very unique and lively experience.

You can spend some time at Muyil River and then explore other areas of Tulum and here a some of my favorite things to do in Tulum.

Brunch at a Garden Café

There are various spots in Tulum where you can have a good brunch, coffee and breakfast and some of these places include; Ki’Bok Coffee, Botanica Garden Café, Raw Love Tulum, Brew Tulum Specialty Coffee, DelCielo, and Café Don Tomás.

Beach Day: Must spend some time at the Tulum beach and relax at the public spot where you will get a chance to meet local and foreign tourists. If you do not want this you can book a day pass for the club or stay at the waterfront hotel.

You can also experience riding a bike from downtown to the beach but it could be hot.

Cenote Hopping: It is fun hopping at the three different cenotes located in the Tulum. This is a less explored site so you will definitely enjoy.

Rooftop pool bars: Let me tell you a about a very relaxing activity at Tulum, spend some time in roof top pool bars with a fresh drink or coffee. Casa Vegana is a very good option for this activity.

Coba and Tulum Ruins

Mayan ruins are of historical importance for Tulum thereby spend some time at Tulum and nearby Coba ruins to immerse in the history and architectural essence.

Chemuyil & Xcacel Beach

These two are the less explored spots in Cancun so, these are also less crowded. Chemuyil is a small place present between Akumal and Tulum and is full of beautiful cenotes and turtles. I would suggest you to place it at the top of Cancun day trips because it is worth watching.

At a small distance from Chemuyil is the Xcacel Beach that is serene and sandy and a bit underdeveloped beach. However, the peace and tranquility you will feel here is unmatchable therefore, try to take some time out to explore this place. There is an entry fee of 97 pesos and parking is free.

As it is a hidden gem so try to visit this place with local guided tours to avoid inconvenience. People can opt for bike adventures and bike tours but again I would suggest it to do not do it by yourself and go there in a protective and planned manner.

Moreover, if you have some time and want to taste the local food you can have dinner at Puerto Morelos or Playa del Carmen.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is the land of vibrant streets, palm trees and beautiful beaches and is among one of best Cancun day trips. It is just at the 40 min distance from Cancun and is a busy place yet less crowded that Cancun. You can get here via walking, bike, or a golf cart and explore the place in a day.

It you are running short of time then take a trip of the sunset cruise from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and if you have a whole day then some of the best things to do here are listed here;

Snorkel and Sunbath at Playa Norte: It was listed among the 10 most beautiful beaches of the world in 2019. You can take a ferry ride and then walk toward this place for snorkeling and sunbathing.

You can also explore the island via golf cart.

Playa Centro: This beach is also very close to the ferry terminal and you can enjoy sunset here.

Coral reef snorkeling: If you are fond of snorkeling then take a boat ride for life time experience.

Note: People usually go there by ferries so, be aware of the latest fairy time table and keep checking it on Ultramar’s website, so you do not miss the last fairy, otherwise it would be very inconvenient.

Puerto Morelos

It is a good village for fishing and one of the most liked Cancun hidden gem. You can get there in 40 min from main Cancun and do a lot of fun things there.

Puerto Moreleos beach: People like this beach more than the one located in Cancun, so do not forget to spend a day there.

A day trip to Unico Beach: A good spot for eating, enjoying live music, spa and swimming.

Snorkeling: It is very close to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef so it is very good place for snorkeling.

Food tour to Puerto Morelos: If you want to experience the best local food, join this guided tour to the Puerto Morelos’s food secrets.

Bacalar

Bacalar is also a magical place and a very beautiful site for taking pictures and form memories. It is away from Cancun (about 5 hours travel), therefore, it is easily missed by most of the tourists. You can spend a day here (that could be very long) or plan a whole vacation for this spot.

The best activities include but not limited to the boating, cenote hoping, swimming, and visit to pirate museum, and Fort San Felipe.

Note: Please keep one thing in mind that boat traffic is closed on Wednesday so, try to avoid your visit on this day because you will miss paddle boarding, boat tours and kayaking. Moreover, some of the restaurants are also closed on some days so plan your trip on the day, when you can enjoy the most.

Los Rapidos is also a very good place near Bacalar and try to see it if you can manage time. It is a beautiful slow river with stromatolites (microbial reefs formed by blue-green algae).

Fort San Felipe is another site that is worth visiting. It is present in the main square and was initially built to save the Bacalar from pirates. There is a little museum inside the fort that describes the history of pirates and the Bacalar.

Bacalar Boat Tour (closed on Wednesday) is an amazing experience to see the seven colors of the lagoon.

You can take sun bath at Ecoparque Bacalar and it is also a good place for swimming. The ticket for this place is just 70 pesos and you can enjoy the swimming in aquamarine water, see the wild life and have some rest on the dock.

One of the most important things is that you can enjoy good food at the Bacalar so, must give it a try.

Cozumel

It is a common misperception that Cozumel is similar to the Isla Mujeres however, both places a different and worth watching.

It is a bit underdeveloped area therefore, less crowded but the roads are good and this place is very friendly for the tourists. You can get regular ferry from Playa del Carmen to this place therefore, it is not very difficult to go there.

You can enjoy various good activities at this place and those include;

Ride across the Cozumel island via buggy or scooter in 2 hours to see the beaches across the place.

You can also snorkel at El Cielo and visit the Cozumel museum.

Cozumel also has various Mayan ruins and hidden cenotes that can increase the attraction of this place.

Where to Stay in Cancun

Atelier Playa Mujeres: You can get the best beach experience by staying at this luxury resort. It is an all-inclusive place and specially designed for adults only.
Casa Tortugas: It is among the Cancun’s finest boutique hotels and is present in the hotel zone, so very easy to reach out.

Nizuc Resort & Spa: It is a good snorkeling spot and a beautiful place for staying and enjoying the private pool facility.

La Villa du Golf à Cancun: It is an economical place to stay in Cancun and visit the Cancun hidden gems. It has a gorgeous pool and a beautiful garden.

Getting Around Cancun

Private shuttle: Various hotels provide the options for private shuttle so check with your hotel for this service.

Renting a car: It is good if you want to explore various parts of the town in one day. Different local companies provide this facility so check the best one. Compare local rental companies here

Public bus: The bus system in Cancun in very good, efficient, cost-effective ($12 pesos) and safe. So, you can easily travel on bus between Cancun and other areas of Mexico.

Walking: Walking is a good option to travel the short distances.

Guided tours: Local guides is also a good option but check thoroughly and choose the best one such as Viator.

Taxi: Taxi is a convenient option but decide the fare before starting the ride to avoid inconvenience.

Final Words

I hope the guide about Cancun day trips will help you to visit Cancun in the best possible manner. Stay tuned for more tips and let us know about your experiences in the comments section.

FAQs about Cancun Day Trips