Things to do in Cancun

When you think of Cancun, the first things that come to mind are the endless white beaches and the warm blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. And parties, lots of parties. But there's much, much more to this top resort, from family friendly activities to getting back in touch with nature. Let's take a look at just a few of the things you can do in Cancun.

Have a fantastic time on the beaches of Cancun

Cancun has over 21 kilometres of white coral sand. The options include no less than seven Blue Flag beaches, and there's even one where pets are welcome. Lying just off the main boulevards, beaches like Las Perlas are understandably busy, with watersports like kayaking and kiteboarding adding to the upbeat atmosphere. But if you prefer to bronze yourself in a more low-key environment, try outlying beaches like Isla Blanca instead. Or for an even quieter experience, take the hydrofoil to the tranquil sands of the Isla Mujeres 13 kilometres from Cancun.

Immerse yourself in Mayan culture

If you want to learn about the area's pre-Colombian past, a good place to start is the Museo Maya de Cancun. This boasts around 400 amazing artifacts, and the price of admission also gets you into the adjoining San Miguelito archaeological site. Just two kilometers outside town is El Rey, a complex of 47 Mayan buildings, including temples and tombs dating back to AD 900. Chichen Itza is a three hour coach ride west of Cancun, but it's well worth the trip as it's one of the most spectacular Mayan ruins in the whole of Mexico, offering iconic sights like the 1000 year old Chac-Mool statues and the El Castillo pyramid.

Cancun theme parks

Cancun has several great theme parks to appease thrill seekers, but the most spectacular of all is arguably Xcaret Centrally located off Kukulcan Boulevard, this has over 50 attractions, including a beach, lagoon, eateries, underground rivers, museums, an aquarium and shows featuring live music and horse riding, Literally topping off it all is the 110 metre tall Scenic Tower, which commands breathtaking views of the hotel zone. If your tastes are slightly higher octane, try ziplining at [Ventura Park[ instead.

Getting back to nature

If you're visiting with kids, then you'll certainly want to visit the Kabah Ecological Park. This lush oasis of palm trees in central Cancun has a petting zoo, and you can also see monkeys, miniature pigs, coatis, lizards and other cute indigenous critters. Another real treat is the turtle farm on the Isla Mujeres, which also has some stunning reefs offshore. Meanwhile, more serious nature buffs should take the 35-kilometre boat ride from Cancun to the Isla Contoy National Park, where you can go hiking and birdwatching to your heart's content.

Go diving and swimming in Cancun

The city has multiple companies offering diving instruction and tours – [[Scuba Diving Cancun](https://www.scubadivingcancun.com)[ to name but one. The area is rich in reefs and underwater caves, and there's even the opportunity to go swimming with whale sharks. Another unique underwater experience is the [[Museo Subacuatico de Arte (MUSE for short)](https://musamexico.org)[, a museum of lifesize sculptures submerged at depths of three to six metres. There are also several places in Cancun, such as the [Dolphin Discovery[ and the [Interactive Aquarium](https://www.interactiveaquariumcancun.com/en)[, that allow you to go swimming with dolphins.

Hit the bars and clubs

Cancun has a well-deserved reputation as a party town. If you like to keep things simple, stray outside the hotel zone for 24-hour entertainment. Perhaps the best-known club is Coco Bongo, with its glitzy Vegas style floorshows. Also very popular is Senor Frog's, a dance club with a water slide and plentiful tequila shots. For something more authentically Latin, venture out of the hotel zone to Yaxchilan Avenue. Here you'll find a less touristy scene at hangouts like 77, El Pabilo and Los 4 Elementos.

Eating out in Cancun

Cancun has a wide choice of places to eat, from beachside shacks to trendy downtown venues and smart restaurants in the hotel zone. By day, Senor Frog's serves family favourites, like pasta and pizza. Meanwhile, Mocambo and the Crab House are two of the hotel zone's best seafood joints. Another good place to eat is the open-air food court in the Parque de las Palapas, one of the city's most beloved meeting spots. Or to combine eating with a bit of retail therapy, try Market 28. Here you can load up on souvenirs and refuel at some top Mexican diners too. If you're ready to sample the delights of Cancun, be sure to browse the great deals on flights and hotels from BudgetAir, we'll compare prices across airlines so you can concentrate on planning the perfect trip.