Cancun Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Cancun tours, the Maya wonder of Chichén Itzá, the clifftop ruins of Tulum, catamaran cruises to Isla Mujeres, swimming in jungle cenotes and snorkelling with whale sharks, jungle ATV and zipline adventures, and the eco-parks of Xcaret, Xel-Há and Xplor. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Riviera Maya itinerary.
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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.
ExploreTop 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.
Tulum Ruins
Clifftop Maya by the sea.
Isla Mujeres
Catamaran island days.
Cenotes
Crystal jungle pools.
Xcaret Park
Nature, culture and show.
Xel-Há
Natural snorkel lagoon.
ATV Adventures
Jungle quads and ziplines.
Cozumel
Reef diving and snorkel.
Cancun in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Chichén Itzá
- 2Day 2: Isla Mujeres
- 3Cenote & beach
- 4Caribbean evenings
Cancun in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Chichén Itzá
- 2Day 2: Tulum & cenote
- 3Day 3: Isla Mujeres
- 4Ruins, cenotes & sea
Cenotes & ruins
- 1Chichén Itzá at opening
- 2Swim a jungle cenote
- 3Tulum ruins by the sea
- 4Valladolid colonial stop
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.
1.5 hrs awayTulum
Clifftop Maya by the sea.
1 hr boat awayIsla Mujeres
Catamaran island days.
1 hr awayXcaret Park
Nature, culture and show.
1.5 hrs awayCozumel
Reef diving and snorkel.
1 hr awayCenotes
Crystal jungle pools.
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.
Cancun through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Beaches and ruins.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak season; book ahead.
- Best for
- Sun and all tours.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Spring break is very busy.
- Best for
- Whale sharks and value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm, humid; some seaweed.
- Best for
- Quiet and cheaper.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hurricane risk; fewer crowds.