Things to do in Cancún: beaches, day trips and Holbox

What are the best things to do in Cancún's Hotel Zone?

The Hotel Zone is a long strip of sand between the Caribbean and the Nichupté Lagoon. Playa Delfines is the big public beach, with wide sand and the colourful Cancún sign, but its surf can be strong, so check the flags. On the calmer northern side, Playa Tortugas and Playa Langosta suit families.

For a break from the beach, the Museo Maya de Cancún has an excellent collection of Mayan artefacts and the small San Miguelito ruins in its grounds. Mangrove tours and boat trips run on the lagoon. Local buses run the length of Boulevard Kukulcán, which is the easiest way to get around.

How do you plan an Isla Mujeres day trip?

Passenger ferries leave Puerto Juárez, just north of downtown, about every half hour and take around 20 minutes; some also leave from the Hotel Zone. Head straight to Playa Norte, with its shallow turquoise water and beach bars, then walk the small town centre.

Rent a golf cart or take a taxi to Punta Sur at the island's southern tip for cliff views and a sculpture garden. Snorkelling trips visit nearby reefs when the sea is calm. Allow a full day and check the last ferry back.

Which cenotes and Mayan ruins are worth visiting?

Cenotes are freshwater sinkholes, and the Ruta de los Cenotes near Puerto Morelos, about 40–60 minutes from Cancún, has several in a row. Rules differ at each one: many ask you to shower first and skip sunscreen, and some require life jackets.

Chichén Itzá, home to the El Castillo pyramid, is the big archaeological day trip. Arrive early to beat the heat and the coach groups, and many tours add a cenote swim on the way back. Tulum's ruins, on a cliff above the Caribbean, are about two hours away and smaller, so they combine well with a beach or cenote. Bring water, a hat and walking shoes.

Can you visit Playa del Carmen and Cozumel from Cancún?

Playa del Carmen is about an hour south by road. Its pedestrian Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) is lined with restaurants and shops, making it an easy day out from a resort.

Ferries from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel take around 45 minutes. The island's reefs are some of the best in the Caribbean for diving and snorkelling. Doing both in a day is long, so families may prefer one or the other. Wind can cancel crossings, so don't plan Cozumel the day before a flight.

How do you get to Holbox from Cancún?

Holbox is a laid-back island off the northern tip of the Yucatán with sandy streets, shallow water and, in some seasons, flamingos on the sandbars. It's best as a two- or three-night add-on rather than a day trip.

Drive, take a bus or book a shuttle to the port of Chiquilá, about 2.5–3 hours from Cancún, then take the passenger ferry, which crosses in 20–30 minutes. Cars aren't allowed on the island, so leave yours in a paid car park in Chiquilá; golf-cart taxis meet the ferry. Bring some cash, as card machines and ATMs can be unreliable.

On the island, walk to Punta Mosquito at low tide or take a boat trip to Isla Pasión and the bird islands. Whale-shark tours run only in summer, roughly June to September.

When is best for excursions, and what about seaweed?

December to April is the most comfortable time for ruins and day trips, though Christmas, New Year and spring break are busy. Summer is hotter and more humid, and Atlantic hurricane season runs June to November.

Sargassum seaweed washes up on Caribbean beaches mostly in the warmer months, and it varies day to day and beach to beach. Some resorts clear it, but no hotel can promise seaweed-free sand. Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres faces north and is often less affected. For a 5–7-night stay, mix beach days with two or three excursions, and check your government's travel advice before you go.

Frequently asked questions