Cancun · Mexico
Things to Do in Cancun: Tours, Tickets & Day Trips
The best things to do in Cancun, ranked by real traveller reviews: climb into history at Chichén Itzá and swim a cenote on the way, sail a catamaran to Isla Mujeres, snorkel the underwater museum, swim with whale sharks in summer, explore the clifftop ruins of Tulum, party at Xoximilco and Coco Bongo, cook Yucatecan food and lie on Playa Delfines. Compare 3,000+ tours, tickets and day trips side by side — most with free cancellation.
3,598 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Cancun
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Cancun
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Typical tour price in Cancun: €44 per person, 27% below the global medianHow much do tours cost in Cancun? →
Browse
Explore Cancun by interest
Whatever brings you to Cancun — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Chichén Itzá
The Maya pyramid wonder.
ExploreTulum ruins
Clifftop Maya by the sea.
ExploreIsla Mujeres
Catamaran island days.
ExploreCenotes & snorkel
Jungle pools and reefs.
ExploreEco-parks
Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor.
ExploreATV & adventure
Quads, ziplines, cenotes.
ExploreWhale sharks
Seasonal gentle-giant swims.
ExploreDay trips
Ruins, islands and more.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in Cancun
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Chichén Itzá
The Maya pyramid wonder.
400+ toursView tours
Tulum Ruins
Clifftop Maya by the sea.
300 toursView tours
Isla Mujeres
Catamaran island days.
350 toursView tours
Cenotes
Crystal jungle pools.
500 toursView tours
Xcaret Park
Nature, culture and show.
250 toursView tours
Xel-Há
Natural snorkel lagoon.
150 toursView tours
ATV Adventures
Jungle quads and ziplines.
400 toursView tours
Cozumel
Reef diving and snorkel.
200 toursView tours
2 days
Cancun in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Chichén Itzá
- 2Day 2: Isla Mujeres
- 3Cenote & beach
- 4Caribbean evenings
3 days
Cancun in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Chichén Itzá
- 2Day 2: Tulum & cenote
- 3Day 3: Isla Mujeres
- 4Ruins, cenotes & sea
Full day
Cenotes & ruins
- 1Chichén Itzá at opening
- 2Swim a jungle cenote
- 3Tulum ruins by the sea
- 4Valladolid colonial stop
Full day
Reef & islands
- 1Catamaran to Isla Mujeres
- 2Snorkel the Mesoamerican reef
- 3Beach club & open bar
- 4Xel-Há or Xcaret eco-park
2.5 hrs awayChichén Itzá
The Maya pyramid wonder.
from €50View trips
1.5 hrs awayTulum
Clifftop Maya by the sea.
from €40View trips
1 hr boat awayIsla Mujeres
Catamaran island days.
from €45View trips
1 hr awayXcaret Park
Nature, culture and show.
from €90View trips
1.5 hrs awayCozumel
Reef diving and snorkel.
from €60View trips
1 hr awayCenotes
Crystal jungle pools.
from €45View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Cancun visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
The dry season (December–April) brings sunny, warm weather ideal for ruins, cenotes and the beach — the prime time to visit Cancun.
Dry season (Dec–Apr)
Warm, sunny and drier, perfect for the beaches, Chichén Itzá and catamarans; it’s the busiest, priciest season.
Wet season (May–Oct)
Hotter and humid with short afternoon showers and a hurricane risk (peak Sep–Oct); cheaper and quieter, still plenty of sun.
Whale-shark season
From roughly June to September you can snorkel with whale sharks off Cancun — a summer highlight.
Sargassum seaweed
Seaweed can wash up on Caribbean beaches mainly May–August; cenotes, islands and pools are unaffected.
Spring break & holidays
March and the December holidays are very busy with festive crowds; book ahead and expect higher prices.
One day
Enough for Chichén Itzá and a cenote.
Two days
Add an Isla Mujeres catamaran.
Three days
The sweet spot: Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Isla Mujeres.
Four to five days
Add eco-parks, ATV adventures and more beaches.
A week or more
Explore the whole Riviera Maya at a relaxed pace.
Travelling with kids
Mix eco-parks, cenotes and calm beaches gently.
Tour transfers
Most ruins, cenote and eco-park tours include hotel pickup across the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Buses & colectivos
Frequent public buses run along the Hotel Zone and to downtown; colectivos serve the Riviera Maya.
Taxis & ride apps
Taxis are widely available; agree the fare first, as meters are rare.
Ferries
Ferries and catamarans reach Isla Mujeres and Cozumel from Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Car hire
A rental car gives freedom to explore the Riviera Maya and cenotes at your own pace.
From the airport
Cancun Airport is about 20–30 minutes from the Hotel Zone by transfer or taxi.
Start ruins early
Visit Chichén Itzá and Tulum early to beat the heat and the biggest crowds.
Mexican peso & US dollars
Mexico uses the peso, though US dollars are widely accepted; carry some cash for tips and small vendors.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Cenotes and parks require biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen to protect the water and marine life.
Book whale sharks in season
Whale-shark swims run June–September only and sell out — book ahead if visiting then.
Stay hydrated
The Yucatán sun is strong; bring water, a hat and sun protection for ruins and tours.
Respect the sites
Climbing the Maya pyramids is not allowed; follow guides to protect these ancient wonders.
Chichén Itzá tours
Popular full-day Chichén Itzá tours sell out — book ahead.
Isla Mujeres catamarans
Catamaran cruises fill up, especially in season — reserve early.
Eco-parks
Xcaret, Xel-Há and Xplor tickets sell out on busy days — pre-book.
Whale-shark swims
June–September whale-shark tours have limited places — book ahead.
Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ
Show tickets are popular — reserve in advance.
High season
December–April and spring break are very busy — plan and book early.
Chichén Itzá tours
Around €50–90 for a full-day Chichén Itzá tour with cenote and lunch.
Isla Mujeres catamarans
About €45–80 for an all-inclusive catamaran with snorkel and open bar.
Eco-parks
Roughly €90–130 for an Xcaret, Xel-Há or Xplor day with transport.
ATV adventures
Around €40–70 for an ATV, zipline and cenote adventure.
Whale-shark swims
About €120–160 for a seasonal whale-shark snorkel tour.
How to save
Share group tours, combine ruins with a cenote, and use public buses in the Hotel Zone.
When to visit
Cancun through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Dry (Dec–Feb)
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- Beaches and ruins.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak season; book ahead.
Dry (Mar–Apr)
Mar–Apr
- Best for
- Sun and all tours.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Spring break is very busy.
Wet (May–Aug)
May–Aug
- Best for
- Whale sharks and value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm, humid; some seaweed.
Wet (Sep–Nov)
Sep–Nov
- Best for
- Quiet and cheaper.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hurricane risk; fewer crowds.
People also ask
Cancun travel FAQ
What are the top 10 things to do in Cancun?
Ranked by traveller reviews: 1) the Chichén Itzá, cenote and Valladolid day trip, 2) a catamaran to Isla Mujeres with snorkelling and open bar, 3) swimming with whale sharks off Isla Mujeres (June–September), 4) a hands-on Yucatecan cooking class, 5) a taco and tequila food tour in downtown Cancún, 6) the Xoximilco floating fiesta with mariachis, 7) the Tulum ruins with a cenote swim, 8) snorkelling the MUSA underwater museum, 9) Xcaret or Xel-Há eco-park and 10) a beach day at Playa Delfines.
How many days do you need in Cancun?
Plan five to seven days. Day one: Playa Delfines and the Hotel Zone. Day two: Chichén Itzá, a cenote swim and Valladolid — leave early to beat the heat. Day three: Isla Mujeres by catamaran, or the whale sharks in summer. Day four: Tulum’s clifftop ruins and the cenotes of the Riviera Maya. Day five: Xcaret or Xel-Há. Day six: a cooking class or food tour, then Xoximilco or Coco Bongo. Day seven: beach and shopping at La Isla or Mercado 28.
What to do in Cancun for free?
Playa Delfines and the Mirador viewpoint, Playa Chac Mool, Playa Langosta and Playa Tortugas (all public), Parque Las Palapas for evening food stalls and dancing, Mercado 28 and Mercado 23, sunset on the lagoon side of the Hotel Zone, the Malecón Tajamar, the Cancún sign photo, snorkelling from shore at Playa Caracol and Punta Nizuc (reef entry fee at Nizuc), and the Sunday evening street events in downtown. Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte is free once you pay the public ferry.
What are the best day trips from Cancun?
Chichén Itzá with a cenote and Valladolid (2.5 hours; tours from about $30–49), Tulum’s ruins and the cenotes Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote (two hours), Isla Mujeres by catamaran or public ferry (30 minutes), Xcaret, Xel-Há and Xplor parks (one hour), Playa del Carmen and Cozumel by ferry (one hour plus 45 minutes), Isla Contoy’s bird sanctuary (boat, full day), Holbox for whale sharks and flamingos (three hours) and Ek Balam and Río Lagartos with a cenote (three hours).
What to do in Cancun at night?
Coco Bongo’s acrobatic show, Mandala and The City in the Party Center at Punta Cancún, the Xoximilco trajinera boats with mariachi and tequila, a Captain Hook pirate dinner cruise on the lagoon, the free music and marquesita stalls of Parque Las Palapas downtown, sunset at a lagoon-side restaurant, the Lorenzillo’s lobster house, mezcal bars in the Centro and the Xcaret México Espectacular show. Nightlife runs late — clubs open at 10pm and peak after midnight.
What is there to do in Cancun in winter?
Winter is peak season: dry, 80°F days, calm seas and almost no sargassum seaweed on the beaches. Every tour, park and boat runs; the whale sharks are away (June–September only) but sailfish season is on for anglers, and the cenotes are blissfully cool. Christmas and New Year and the American spring-break weeks in March are the most expensive and crowded — book flights, Chichén Itzá tours and Coco Bongo well ahead.
What are the best things to do in Cancun with kids?
Xcaret’s underground rivers and shows, Xel-Há’s all-inclusive snorkelling lagoon, the Isla Mujeres catamaran, Ventura Park and the Interactive Aquarium in the Hotel Zone, turtle snorkelling at Akumal, a cenote swim with life jackets, the Crococun Zoo, the pirate dinner cruise, Playa Delfines’ gentle sand (watch the waves) and, for older children, Chichén Itzá, the Xoximilco boats and the Tulum ruins with a beach stop.
When is the best time to visit Cancun?
December to April — dry, sunny, calm seas and clear beaches, with the lowest sargassum. Late April to June is hot but cheaper, with whale sharks from June. July to October is the humid, rainy hurricane season with the heaviest seaweed, offset by the lowest prices; November is a good shoulder month.
Is Chichén Itzá worth it from Cancun?
Yes — the Kukulcán pyramid, the ball court and the Sacred Cenote form the most visited archaeological site in Mexico and one of the New Seven Wonders, and the standard day tour adds a swim in a cenote and the colonial town of Valladolid for about $30–49 including transport and a guide. It is a long day (12–13 hours); take the earliest departure or a sunrise tour to arrive before the heat and the coaches.
3,598 Cancun experiencesfrom $20 · free cancellation
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