Cancún is a tropical paradise famous for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear Caribbean waters, and vibrant nightlife. But beyond the luxurious resorts and all-inclusive hotels, there's a world of adventure, culture, and natural beauty waiting to be explored.
As someone who has spent years uncovering the best hidden gems and must-visit attractions, I’ve compiled the ultimate guide to the best places and day trips in Cancún—perfect for every kind of traveler.
Whether you’re looking for ancient Mayan ruins, stunning cenotes, or pristine islands, Cancún is the gateway to some of Mexico’s most breathtaking destinations. Take a short trip to Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, or dive into the sacred cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula. If you’re craving a laid-back island escape, Isla Mujeres and Holbox offer tranquil beaches and incredible marine life. For adventure seekers, the famous Xcaret Parks, Cozumel’s coral reefs, and the Tulum Ruins deliver thrilling experiences steeped in history and nature.
I’ll walk you through the top Cancún attractions and best day trips, giving you insider tips on how to make the most of your visit. From off-the-beaten-path destinations to tourist favorites, this guide will help you experience Cancún like a pro. Get ready to explore the Riviera Maya’s best-kept secrets.
Excursions from Cancun
From Mayan pyramids to Caribbean islands, from legendary villages to cenotes with waters as cold as they are rejuvenating. Are you ready to discover the best Cancun excursions?
1. Tulum
Tulum is a paradise for lovers of the eco-chic concept , with gorgeous boutique hotels, Instagrammable spots, and restaurants for every budget. In recent years, it has also become one of the most sought-after destinations for digital nomads . So you can imagine that there are quite a few things to do in Tulum .
But we must remember that hundreds of years ago it was the Mayans who chose this place bathed by the Caribbean Sea to establish one of their cities. From that time, the archaeological site of Tulum is preserved in perfect condition , one of the most beautiful in the entire Riviera Maya and the only one that stands on the seashore.
It is located just 130 km from Cancun , which makes it a perfect day trip if you don't have more time. Ideally, you would go in your own vehicle, but if you don't have one, you can take an ADO bus. It takes about 2.5 hours and the ticket costs about €8.
The alternative is to hire a tour that includes a guide and transportation , especially recommended to have someone who can explain the history and curiosities of the site. There are several tours that combine several stops, these are the best:
- Tulum and Coba Tour from Cancun
- 2-day tour to Tulum and Chichen Itza , super complete!
2. Chichen Itza
If we had to choose one excursion from Cancun, it would be the one that will take us to discover the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza , an archaeological area of almost 7 square kilometers, where the Temple of Kukulcan stands out , dedicated to the God of the "feathered serpent." It is, nothing more and nothing less, than one of the 7 wonders of the modern world and a must-see on our trip to the Riviera Maya.
As such, you can find many tours that offer guided tours from Cancun, these are the two that we find most interesting:
- Chichen Itza Day Trip + Sacred Cenote
- 2-Day Tour to Chichen Itza and Tulum
If you prefer to go on your own , the same bus company ADO offers a direct route to the site for about €15 (2.5 hours), although we recommend confirming for your specific date. And once there you can hire the services of an official guide or visit on your own.
3. Isla Mujeres, another of the best day trips from Cancun
In general, the beaches of the Riviera Maya disappointed us a little, but we were able to get our fill of disappointment on Isla Mujeres, a beautiful island just 13 km from the coast of Cancun with everything you need to spend some incredible days . From beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters where you can snorkel, to panoramic coastal roads, top restaurants and a great nightlife.
Our advice is to take this ferry to Isla Mujeres and spend at least one night there . This way you will have time to rent one of the typical golf carts and tour the whole island, stopping at the many places we recommend in our Isla Mujeres guide .
Do you prefer to book a tour from Cancun for a longer period of time? These are the best options you have:
- Visit Isla Mujeres on a catamaran tour
- Tour of Isla Mujeres and Contoy with which you can combine a visit to both islands in one day.
4. Cozumel
Another highly recommended island to visit from Cancun is Cozumel , popularly known for its diving and snorkeling spots around the coral reef, the second longest in the world ! Although the island, the largest in the Mexican Caribbean, hides a few more surprises , such as beautiful cliffs, dense jungle and mangrove natural parks, Mayan ruins... And of course, all its underwater life.
To get there on your own, you first have to travel to the port of Playa del Carmen , as it is the only available route. And once there, rent a car (or a bike if you prefer to pedal a few kilometers in the sun) or sign up for one of the activities offered, such as this jeep tour of Cozumel + Jade Cave and cenote. However, the ideal would be to stay there for a couple of nights and enjoy the island more calmly.
There are also tours that leave from Cancun and take you to the most beautiful aquatic spots on the coast, with Cielo de Cozumel being the most famous and charming area. Check out this boat tour to Cozumel from Cancun.
5. Cenote route
Taking a dip in the cool and mysterious waters of one of the cenotes in the Riviera Maya will be one of the goals of your trip. At first, you might have a hard time getting in, but once your body gets used to the temperature, you'll want to stay there for hours! You'll come out with skin so smooth that you'll look 10 years younger XD Come on, a full-blown rejuvenation therapy !
And not only that, the surroundings are usually very cool and if you put your mind to it, you will feel a certain connection with nature , which is not easy in a destination as touristy as the Riviera Maya. Some of the most beautiful cenotes near Cancun are: Cenote Azul , Cenote Dos Ojos , Cenote Suytun (the one in the photo), or Cenote Ik Kil.
Visiting them on your own is quite easy if you have a car, just mark their locations on a map and drive to them. Keep in mind that there is an entrance fee and at certain times of the day they can be very crowded (so try to go early).
For the more adventurous, there is this cenote tour from Cancun that includes activities such as kayaking, ziplining, rappelling... Plus it is highly rated!
6. Route of the colonial cities (Valladolid, Izamal and Mérida)
One of the strengths of the Riviera Maya is that, in addition to its beaches, islands and incredible nature, it also has a good handful of colonial cities to complete a perfect trip. In them you can discover the Hispanic past in cathedrals and convents, in cobbled streets and colorful facades, in porticoed plazas and defensive bastions.
If you like this plan, there's nothing like renting a car and planning a road trip of at least a couple of days to visit Valladolid , Izamal and Mérida . Being more realistic, the trip should last about 3-4 days, but just visiting Valladolid (very close to Chichén Itzá) will be worth it.
7. Archaeological ruins of Cobá
Another very nice excursion is the one that will take you to the Mayan ruins of Cobá, one of the most interesting archaeological sites in the Riviera Maya. Between the thick jungle, the sound of the trees swaying in the wind and the clatter of bicycles, you will reach the pyramid of Nohoch Mil , one of the tallest Mayan pyramids. And when you stand in front of it, it really impresses, although keep in mind that climbing to the top is no longer permitted .
We visited it by car from Tulum, since it is relatively close to that town, but it can also be visited from Cancun.
- If you don't have a car, sign up for this tour to Cobá that also includes a visit to Tulum
As you can see, Cancun is a great base for some of the best Riviera Maya day trips and it would be a complete mistake to spend days and days lying on the beach… Get your asses moving! If you only have time to do a couple, our advice is this: go for Chichén Itzá, as it is amazing, and dedicate another day to an island. Although it all depends on your tastes, of course 🙂
We haven't talked about Holbox because you will need at least 3 days to get to know this beautiful island, as it is quite far away and the daily excursions leave very little time to enjoy it.
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