Quick answer: the best things to do in Cancún are the Hotel Zone beaches, a ferry to Isla Mujeres (110–120 pesos one way), a day trip to Chichén Itzá (697 pesos entry for foreigners in 2026), swimming in cenotes, and the Tulum ruins (265 pesos for the ruins and Jaguar Park). Most visitors combine 2–3 beach days with 2–3 day trips.
Cancún is more than all-inclusive resorts. Within two hours you can swim in underground rivers, climb through Mayan cities and snorkel over a sculpture museum. This list covers the 20 best things to do in Cancún, with prices and tips so you can plan without surprises. Prices are for 2026 and in Mexican pesos (MXN) unless stated.
Beaches and the Hotel Zone
- Playa Tortugas and Playa Langosta (km 5–6.5) — calm, shallow water on the bay side. The best Hotel Zone beaches for children, and ferries to Isla Mujeres leave from Tortugas.
- Playa Delfines (km 17.5) — the postcard view: wide white sand, turquoise water and the big CANCÚN sign. Waves are strong, so check the flag colour before swimming.
- Playa Forum and Playa Chac Mool (km 9–10) — central beaches next to Punta Cancún’s bars and clubs.
- Sunset on the lagoon — the Hotel Zone faces east, so for sunset go to the Nichupté Lagoon side; many restaurants around km 12–16 have lagoon terraces.
- El Rey ruins (km 18) — a small Mayan site inside the Hotel Zone, full of iguanas, and quiet compared with the big sites.
Islands and the sea
- Isla Mujeres — the UltraMar ferry from Puerto Juárez costs 110–120 pesos one way and takes 15–20 minutes; from the Hotel Zone piers it’s 170–200 pesos (source). Rent a golf cart (600–1,000 pesos a day) and swim at Playa Norte, one of the clearest beaches in the region.
- The underwater museum (MUSA) — hundreds of sculptures on the seabed between Cancún and Isla Mujeres, visited by snorkel or dive boat.
- Snorkelling at Puerto Morelos reef — a protected section of the Mesoamerican Reef 30 minutes south, usually calmer and cheaper than tours from the Hotel Zone.
- Isla Contoy — a bird sanctuary island with limited daily visitors; book a licensed tour.
- Whale sharks (June–September) — tours leave from Cancún and Isla Mujeres in season.
Mayan ruins
- Chichén Itzá — the pyramid of Kukulcán is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Entry is 697 pesos for foreigners with the single ticket introduced in March 2026 (source). See our Chichén Itzá day-trip guide.
- Tulum ruins — a walled Mayan port on a cliff above the sea. Since July 2026 foreign visitors pay 265 pesos for Jaguar Park plus the ruins (source).
- Ek Balam — a jungle Mayan city with well-preserved stucco carvings and far fewer visitors than Chichén Itzá; combine it with Valladolid.
- Valladolid — a colourful colonial town with a cenote (Zací) in the centre, a natural lunch stop on the way back from Chichén Itzá.
Cenotes and eco-parks
- Ruta de los Cenotes (Puerto Morelos) — a road lined with open and cave cenotes, 40 minutes from Cancún.
- Ik Kil and Suytun — two of the most photographed cenotes, both near Chichén Itzá and Valladolid.
- Xcaret — an eco-park with underground rivers, a Mayan village, wildlife and an evening show. It’s a full day; book online for a lower price than at the gate.
- Xel-Há — an all-inclusive snorkelling park in a natural inlet, good for families.
Food and nights out
- Eat in downtown Cancún — Mercado 28 and Parque de las Palapas have tacos, marquesitas and local prices a fraction of the Hotel Zone’s.
- Punta Cancún nightlife — the clubs around km 9 (Coco Bongo is the best-known show club) are busiest on weekends and during spring break.
Prefer an organised day? Compare Cancún tours and excursions.
How much things cost
| Activity | Price (2026) | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry to Isla Mujeres (Puerto Juárez) | 110–120 MXN one way | Half to full day |
| Chichén Itzá entry (foreigners) | 697 MXN | Full day |
| Tulum ruins + Jaguar Park (foreigners) | 265 MXN | Full day with transport |
| R-1 bus in the Hotel Zone | About 12 MXN | — |
| Golf cart on Isla Mujeres | 600–1,000 MXN/day | — |
| Chichén Itzá group tour with cenote | From about US$49 | About 12 hours |
Tips
- Start day trips early: Chichén Itzá opens at 8:00 and is hottest and busiest from 11:00 to 14:00.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen; many cenotes and parks ban regular sunscreen.
- Carry small peso notes for buses, ferries and cenote entrances.
- Check the seaweed forecast in summer — see the best time to visit Cancún.
- Pay the Visitax online before your flight home.
More Cancún guides
- Cancún itinerary
- Where to stay in Cancún
- Cancún airport to Hotel Zone
- Best time to visit Cancún
- Is Cancún safe?
- Cancún tourist tax (Visitax)
- Chichén Itzá from Cancún
- Cancún travel guide
FAQ: Things to do in Cancún
What is Cancún best known for?
White-sand Caribbean beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and easy day trips to Mayan ruins, cenotes and Isla Mujeres.
How many days do you need in Cancún?
Five days covers the beaches, Isla Mujeres and one or two day trips; see our Cancún itinerary.
Can you visit Chichén Itzá from Cancún in a day?
Yes. It’s about 200 km (2.5–3 hours each way by road), so leave by 6:00–6:30 to arrive at opening.
What is free to do in Cancún?
All beaches in Mexico are public, so you can use any Hotel Zone beach through a public access point. Downtown parks and markets are free too.
Is Isla Mujeres worth visiting from Cancún?
Yes. The ferry is cheap and quick, and Playa Norte has calmer, clearer water than most Hotel Zone beaches.
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