Located on the east coast of Mexico, Cancun offers pleasant weather throughout the year, as well as a fantastic choice when it comes to things to see and do. The ideal holiday destination for couples and families alike, Cancun is full of environmentally-friendly educational parks, wildlife reserves and ancient sites which are sure to please any nature lover. For those who want a more traditional holiday experience, the resort also offers a number of theme parks, shopping and boat trips, ensuring something for everyone.
Day trips
One of the most popular excursions in Cancun, Captain Hook Pirate Ship is a hit amongst visitors of all ages. This boat trip takes place in the Caribbean Sea and includes a realistic pirate show, complete with sword fights, interesting tales and cannons being fired. Those on the excursion get to enjoy an open bar and lobster dinner alongside a salad bar, vegetables, rice, baked potatoes, chicken, steak and dessert.
Exotic Rides Mexico is a must for any car enthusiast and is sure to result in a day out you'll never forget. This company owns a number of luxury cars which you can drive as part of several different programmes, including track day, road tour, hot lap and drifting. If you're not a fan of cars, you can choose to drive a go kart or even go on a speedboat jungle tour through lagoons, mangroves and the open sea.
If you feel like going on an excursion during your holiday in Cancun, Mexico, take a look at Ultramar. This boat leaves the port at Cancun and travels to Isla Mujeres in around 15 minutes, making it one of the fastest boat trips available in the resort. During the journey there are several buskers onboard to entertain and you can choose to sit in the air-conditioned interior or feel the wind through your hair on the seats outside.
A must-visit for animal lovers, Dolphinaris provides you with the opportunity to swim and play with dolphins. There are several programmes available, including the dolphin swim and ride, interactive programme and trainer for a day. The dolphin swim programme is the most popular and includes a foot push or dorsal ride, fin shake, kiss, personal time with the dolphins and a brief lecture about the animals' behaviour and physiology.
Sightseeing
Found in the centre of the resort, Iglesia de Cristo Rey is one of the most popular sites to visit in Cancun, Mexico. This small church hosts several open-air masses throughout the week which are given in both Spanish and English, catering to the locals as well as tourists. There are various beautiful statues to be found inside and outside the church, so don't forget to bring your camera.
Torre Escenica is a fantastic site to visit for incredible views which stretch across the resort and out to sea. The tall tower features a large observation deck which acts like a lift and transports you to the top of the structure, 80 metres above the ground. There is a multi-lingual recording played on the deck which tells you all about the views as well as information on Cancun and the surrounding areas.
A must-visit for history lovers, El Rey Ruins are where the past meets the present in the centre of Cancun's hotel zone. This small archaeology site provides information about each section in both Spanish and English. As well as the ruins, this site is also home to a number of large iguanas, so it's worth bringing along some fruit if you want to feed them. The entrance price for adults is affordable and children can enjoy the attraction for free, making it a popular place for families to visit.
One of the most popular attractions in Cancun, Mexico, Temple of the Warriors is located in Chichen Itza, close to many shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. This site is made up of four platforms and is surrounded by 200 columns and 324 carvings of soldiers who are ready for battle. Open every day from 8am until 5.30pm, the layout is like an open-air museum with a myriad of photo opportunities, so don't forget your camera. There isn't much information available in English, so joining a guided tour comes highly recommended.
Parroquia de Cristo Resucitado is an open-air church just a short distance away from the hotel zone in Cancun. Easily reached by bus or taxi, this chapel takes you back to the time when there was only Latin mass, with an impressive alter overlooked by a painting of Jesus and one of Our Lady of Guadalupe. There are eight Spanish masses held on Sundays, as well as English confessions from 8am until 9am, followed by an English mass at 9am on the same day. Throughout the week you'll find a number of locals outside the church selling a selection of homemade Mexican delicacies.
Golf
Golfers won't want to miss the chance to enjoy a round or two at Riviera Cancun Golf Club. Tucked into the centre of an ecological reserve, this course is 7,060 yards long and features 18 holes. Open from 6am until 7pm every day, the club house provides golfers with a wealth of amenities and services to enjoy, including golf shop, restaurant, showers, practice facilities and a golf academy.
The 18-hole, par-72 Iberostar Cancun Golf Course is popular amongst golfers of all abilities and guarantees a wonderful game. The course stretches on for 6,734 yards and incorporates tropical vegetation, waters from the Nichupte Lagoon and a variety of wildlife, including exotic birds, iguanas and even crocodiles. There is a handful of amenities available for golfers to enjoy, such as club house, pro shop and buggy rental.
TPC Cancun at Cancun Country Club is perfect for golfers looking for a quality course during their holiday in Cancun, Mexico. Just minutes away from the hotel zone, this club features two 18-hole courses which boast several challenging lakes and bunkers. As well as the superb courses, TPC Cancun at Cancun Country Club also offers a complete pro shop with golf balls, gloves, clothes and accessories, bar, restaurant, equipment rental, driving range, practice facilities and golf academy with various instructors and programmes.
Family friendly
Families holidaying with children won't want to miss the chance to spend the day at the Interactive Aquarium in Cancun, Mexico. Here you can wander amongst the tanks which are full of aquatic species, including jellyfish, moray eels, clown fish, scorpion fish, dolphin skeleton, seahorses and piranhas, some of which you can even touch. As well as the extensive aquarium, this venue also gives you the opportunity to swim with sea lions, dolphins and sharks.
Parque Kabah is a must-visit for families during their holiday in Cancun. This huge ecological park covers 39 hectares and allows visitors to get in touch with nature through jungle vegetation and a small zoo where you'll find crocodiles, ducks, monkeys, turtles, roosters, birds, rabbits and a taking parrot. As well as the animals, Parque Kabah also offers a playground, pond, regular workshops and plenty of walking trails.
For even more nature and wildlife, spend the day at El Eden Ecological Reserve the first private eco reserve dedicated to biodiversity conservation and research in Mexico. Here you can explore several ecosystems, including semi-deciduous tropical rainforest, secondary semi-deciduous forest, seasonally inundated forest, palm grove, savannah, wetlands and cenotes. You'll also find a research facility onsite, with observation tower, lab areas and greenhouse, as well as rustic trails and permanent monitoring plots.
Open every day from 10am until 5pm, Wet'n'Wild Cancun is a fantastic place for families to spend the day together. This water park offers something for everyone, with a wave pool, twister, lazy river, kamikaze, bubble space bowl and bumper boats. Animal lovers won't want to miss the free dolphin show, nor the opportunity to swim with the gentle creatures. The price of the ticket includes all-inclusive food and drinks at the various cafes, restaurants and kiosks available throughout the park.
Just a short drive away from the centre of Cancun, Tres Rios Ecopark is always a hit with families. With 326 acres of tropical rainforest divided by three freshwater rivers, this park offers a wealth of things to see and do, including botanical gardens and nursery, more than 90 animal species and several cenotes. Onsite activities are extensive and include bike, snorkelling and kayak tours, as well as boat trips, culinary explorations and Segway excursions.
Shopping
If you're looking for somewhere to pick up some gifts for friends and family back home or want to find a souvenir for yourself, visit Avenida Kukulkan. Here you'll find a vast array of shops, boutiques and small kiosks selling everything from handicrafts and artwork to local produce and clothes. Peppered amongst the shops is a number of cafes, bars and restaurants where you can pause for a coffee or spot of lunch.
A fusion of historical sites and shopping district, Avenida Tulum features a number of interesting ruins, as well as a vast array of shops selling a variety of items. Haggling is expected by the locals, so search around before you buy never buy the first thing you see for the first price. If you bring your camera with you, you'll be able to take some amazing sea and beach photos from the ruins on the cliff. As well as the shops, there are also supermarkets, cafes, bars and restaurants so you can stock up on the essentials and enjoy a meal while you're there.
Museums
History buffs won't want to miss the chance to visit the Mayan Museum. Here you'll find loads of exhibits and displays full of artefacts, alongside descriptions written in both Spanish and English. Outside the museum you'll find a genuine excavation of an ancient village and a small pyramid. Flash-free photography is permitted throughout the museum, so don't forget to bring your camera with you.
Tequila Herradura Sensorial Museum is the perfect place for foodies to spend an hour or two. This interesting museum details the traditional methods of making tequila and shows you just how complicated it is. You'll also be able to find out the history and legacy of Hacienda San Jose del Refugio at Amatla, as well as indulge in some tequila tasting.
Casinos
A popular place for tourists who want to try their luck, Royal Yak Casino allows visitors to enjoy gambling on slot machines, roulette tables and bingo. This casino is found on the second floor of the Las Americas shopping centre and also features a sports bar with giant TV screen showing a variety of live sports. If you're feeling a bit hungry you can dine at the onsite restaurant which is open throughout the day and evening.