Best Cancun Adventures

Best Cancun Adventures – 2022

MUSA: Cancun Underwater Museum 

The Cancun Underwater Museum, also known as MUSA, which stands for Museo Subacuatico de Arte, is a unique artificial reef created by the British sculptor Jason Taylor and five other sculptors from Mexico. It is one of the top tourist attractions in Mexico and a must-see Cancun site for those interested in water activities and marine life.

MUSA was opened in 2010; it houses over 500 sculptures, all submerged at different depths in the ocean. MUSA has been a hot spot for snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world and a safe haven for many different species of marine life. The artwork was created with pH-neutral (non-acidic) and environmentally-safe concrete and then anchored to the ocean floor so that coral, algae, and seaweed could grow and develop on it easily. The statues also consist of holes, allowing marine life to colonize and feed off the coral.

Though also beautiful, the primary purpose of the art at this underwater museum in Cancun is conservation. The nearby reefs were being damaged by over-tourism. The art installations serve as an attraction for the divers and snorkelers to visit and a new habitat for marine plants and animals.

Eventually, nature will overtake the sculptures, and the artwork will be covered with coral that you will barely see the original pieces. The creators of MUSA expect the sculptures to become new art created by nature in the future.

There are many tours available to visit this fantastic underwater museum. You can choose to dive, snorkel, or even take a glass-bottom boat to be able to see and enjoy this fascinating place.

Families: Good for families with teenage kids that can swim.

Swim in Cancun Cenotes

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its unique cenote’s natural freshwater pools located in limestone caves. These pools are connected through the world’s most extensive underground river system.

Cenotes are created when the limestone surface collapses, creating a cave opening into this river system. There are four types of Cenotes.

There are supposedly over 6000 different cenotes located in Mexico, and some have been turned into swimming holes for tourists, others are used for technical cave scuba diving, and many more are simply inaccessible.

Open cenotes: You may see these called swimming pool cenotes, as they are completely open and look like a natural swimming pool.

Semi-open cenotes: These cenotes are semi-encased in their native limestone rock, with tall limestone walls surrounding the pool itself. The top has a large opening, so a lot of sunlight gets in.

Cave cenotes: Cave cenotes are precisely as the name says; these are located in a cave fully underground. To access them, you have to walk down some stairs.

Cave diving cenotes: These Cenotes are also located in a cave, but the water in these cenotes is much deeper, so they are sought out for diving.

Each type of cenote is unique and beautiful in its own ways, and many are home to a variety of fish and plant life; some even have turtles! So try to visit as many types of Mexican cenotes as possible.

Some of the best cenotes near Cancun are located along the Ruta De Cenotes (Cenote Route) near the city of Puerto Morelos, about a 30-minute drive away.

Read more about the Cenotes near Cancun, and if you want to explore more, check our article Cenotes near Merida.

Families: Good for families. Exercise caution in the water.

Xcaret Park

Xcaret, pronounced (sh-car-ret), is a destination in Cancun that makes your day if you are on a holiday.

Xcaret is an archaeological park and one of Cancun’s most kid-friendly places. The park embodies Mexican and Mayan culture and reflects the natural habitats of the region.

The size of Xcaret can be a little overwhelming. With 200 acres, this park rivals the size of any Disney property, and every inch of the ground is full of fun and educational things to do for everyone in your family.

Xcaret can be described as a giant playground where you will find ruins that can be climbed, underground rivers to swim, animals like manatees, jaguars, flamingos, etc., that you can see, and top-notch entertainment. At night, a cultural gala celebrates Mexican and Mayan culture history. This place is also great to help you acquaint your kids with the history and culture of the country they are visiting.

Xcaret’s impressive aquarium has over 500 coral reef structures and 5000 marine organisms, and visitors can even interact with a few of them. Just outside the aquarium, you can find sea turtles of all sizes kept as part of the park’s educational and conservation efforts.

If you’ve gotten a bit warm walking around the park, just jump into any of the several swimming areas, including a lagoon and natural pools.

As for entertainment, there are shows and demonstrations all day long. However, by far the biggest show and the one most people look forward to all day is the nightly Xcaret Mexico Espectacular. The show begins with fire effects as performers on a Mayan ball court play an ancient game to honor the Fire God. It’s hard not to be mesmerized by the incredible display will captivate youright from the beginning.

The show also brings key events in Mexican history to life, including the Spanish conquest and the peoples’ forced conversion to Christianity in a clear and engaging way. As the performances continue, more than 300 actors in elaborate costumes take you on a tour of the music, dance, and other cultural aspects of the regions of Mexico. Xcaret tickets include access to the show, but there’s an additional cost if you want to have dinner and premium seating.

Note: The basic entry Xcaret tickets include the use of life jackets, inner tubes, and access to 50 attractions and activities. Food, beverages, and snorkeling equipment are not included. In addition, there are 10 restaurants around the park that serve various types of food and drinks.

Additional activities such as Sea Trek, spa services, and several different animal encounters are available for additional fees.

This is a destination undoubtedly worth a visit by adults and kids.

Visiting Xcaret will take a whole day, and you will be walking a lot, so bring comfortable walking shoes, extra dry clothing to change after swimming, and biodegradable sunscreen. The use of non-biodegradable sunscreen is prohibited.

Families: Great for families

Xel Ha Park

Xel-Há means “where the water is born in the Mayan language.” So, expect a trip to Xel-Há to include plenty of time underwater.

Xel-Há is a natural aquatic network of rivers, caverns, caves, and inlets that visitors can swim and snorkel through, accompanied by schools of over 70 species of tropical fish. Xel-Ha is also home to 120 species of birds, numerous land animals, and over 300 species of plants, some of which are endangered.

Aquatic activities dominate your time at Xel-Ha. There are plenty of snorkeling and swimming options in the river and caves. Snorkeling equipment is included in the admission price. There are plenty of fish to see, and the currents are easy to manage, especially since a life jacket is required. Along the river you will be swimming in, there are plenty of platforms to stop and take a break, but the water here is so clear and calm that it has a way of pulling you back in once you think you’re finished.

There are plenty of things to do when you’re ready to stick to land. You can explore the trails and bike paths that run through Xel-Ha’s 200 acres of jungle where you will encounter iguanas, parrots, and some of the other animals that live in Xel-Ha. When you’ve had enough adventure, grab a hammock and relax.

There is also a special area for children. It includes a wading pool, water slide, and playground, among other activities.

All food and drinks are included with your admission. There are five restaurants and bars with different types of cuisine, non-alcoholic beverages, beer, and fruity cocktails open throughout the day. The admission ticket also includes towels, lockers, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and inner tubes–pretty much everything you need for the day.

Visiting Xel-Ha will take a whole day, and you will be walking a lot, so bring comfortable walking shoes, extra dry clothing to change after swimming, and biodegradable sunscreen. The use of non-biodegradable sunscreen is prohibited.

Families: Great for families

Xcaret or Xel Ha

Opinions are split between Xcaret and Xel Ha; several people say your preference will probably be determined by which park you hit first.

Xcaret and Xel-Ha are both great places to spend time on a trip. Which park is best for you depends on your specific interests.

Xcaret offers lots of entertainment, cultural attractions, exhibits for nature lovers, and water activities. It is an excellent choice for families with a broad range of ages and interests and is particularly easy if you’re already near Playa del Carmen.

The experience at Xel-Ha is focused on swimming, snorkeling, and generally enjoying all things water-related. A visit here is carefree, with food and drinks included in the admission price. It’s even easier if you’re staying close to Tulum.

Ziplining In the Jungle

Ziplining is one of the hallmark adventures in Cancun, so you can’t miss it, even if you think you’re afraid of heights. In fact, it’s even better if you are!

There are a couple of different theme parks near Cancun with zip lines. The closest theme park where you can enjoy ziplining is Selvatica. They offer multiple packages with 10 different ziplines.

Xplor Adventure Park also has two zip line circuits, each with 7 different routes, with the highest point at 45 m (147 ft). All these adventure parks usually have other activities too, like ATVs and cenotes.

Families: Questionable. Even though the minimum age is 5, I have seen lots of frustrated parents who can’t enjoy the park as young kids get scared at the very last minute. I personally recommend this for adults or parents with pre-teen children and older.

ATVing At Xplor Park

One of the popular things to do in Cancun is riding All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) through a dirt road jungle route. Many companies offer ATV tours of the jungle, one of them being Xplor Park.

Xplor Park ticket admission includes ATV rides, cave swimming, rafting, and ziplining, plus there is a lunch buffet and unlimited drinks.

Families: Questionable. Even though the minimum age is 5, I have seen lots of frustrated parents who can’t enjoy the park as young kids get scared at the very last minute. I personally recommend this for adults or parents with pre-teen children and older.

Swimming with Whale Sharks

The Whale Shark is on the endangered species list, so having the opportunity to swim with these magnificent creatures will leave a strong impression. An adult whale shark can reach 12 m long and can weigh up to 20 tons, making them the largest known fish, and baby whale sharks are very playful and known to play with swimmers.

The Yucatan peninsula is one of the places where you can swim with these large harmless creatures. 

The best time to swim with the sharks is between June and September. Tours leave from Cancun, Isla Mujeres, or Isla Holbox.

Families: Questionable. Young kids can get scared if a bug whale is close to them, making it dangerous for both your kid and the whale.

Swim with the Turtles in Akumal Bay

Swimming alongside the giant green sea turtles they glide through the turquoise water of Akumal, Mexico, is truly a bucket list activity. Located only about 30 minutes from Tulum and 1.5 hours from Cancun.

Snorkeling with the turtles is a great way to see the natural side of this part of Mexico. However, the best way to swim with the turtles is by booking a tour, as the number of people allowed in Akumal Bay each day is regulated. Akumal turtle season runs from May to November.

Akumal turtle tours follow strict guidelines to continue conservation efforts to protect this endangered animal. Swimmers must maintain a 3 m (10-foot) distance from the green turtles and allow them to surface easily to breathe. Also, note that sunscreen of any kind is prohibited, as it harms the reef and sea life.

Families: Great for families

Scuba Diving Adventures

Cancun is located close to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef in the world. Home to dolphins, many kinds of tropical fish, eels, lobsters, nurse sharks, and majestic eagle rays; therefore, Cancun is a haven for water sports enthusiasts, and it’s the perfect place to learn scuba diving.

Isla Mujeres, the underwater MUSA museum, and nearby cenotes are the perfect spots, and there are several locations where newbies can learn scuba diving and get their PADI license.

Snorkeling is best at Punta Nizuc, Punta Cancún, and Playa Tortugas, although you should be careful of the strong currents at Tortugas. You can rent gear from many of the diving places as well as at many hotels.

When scuba diving in Cancun, look for a company that will give you lots of personal attention, ask to meet the divemaster, and check the equipment and certifications thoroughly.

Note: Some resorts offer one-hour courses free; however, such courses do not prepare you to dive into the open ocean. Those courses are designed to scuba dive only in shallow water, where you can easily surface without danger.

Families: No

Jungle Tour Adventure Cancun

Experience one of Cancun’s most popular water activities with an adrenaline-boosting, Speed boat and snorkel guided tour.

The adventure begins at a private dock. After getting specific but easy and quick instructions about riding your own speed boat, you will follow the tour guide on your speed boat at 36 Km/h (20 mph). While riding your speed boat, you will see wildlife and fauna while admiring the beauty in all the Nichupte lagoon mangrove canals.

This tour includes visiting an amazing shallow-water coral reef in Punta Nizuc, also known as The Great Mayan Reef. There, you will see part of the underwater museum MUSA surrounded by multi-color and size fish.

Families: Questionable. The minimum age is 4 years old; however, younger kids could get intimidated by the speed, and unfortunately, you need to maintain a minimum speed to keep up with the group. Also, younger kids who are not good swimmers could get intimidated by jumping to swim into the ocean.

Sunset Sailing Trip

Mexico’s Riviera Maya and Isla Mujeres offer some of the most beautiful sunsets in the Caribbean, and the best way to enjoy them is on a romantic sunset sailing trip off the coast.

Board a sailing catamaran and watch the colorful sunset as the breeze plays with your hair. Most sunset sailing trips out of Cancun also offer an open bar and snacks, so you can sit back and relax. 

These journeys generally last about 2 hours, and companies offer a bad-weather refund if it gets too stormy or rough.

Bird Watching at Isla Contoy

Isla Contoy is a bird watcher’s paradise. The small protected National Park sanctuary North of Isla Mujeres is home to more than 100 species of birds and four species of sea turtles.

The tropical breeze and bird spotting complete this amazing tropical heaven. Once here, you can relax and take some pictures of the wildlife before picking up your snorkeling gear and diving into the clear waters.

Isla Contoy can be reached via an all-inclusive cruise. However, tourists have to follow very strict rules and pick up after themselves to keep the inhabited island in pristine condition.

Race An Exotic Car

I love speed, and I’ve rented exotic cars in different parts of the world, including Cancun.

At Exotic Rides Cancun, you can rent out luxury and exotic cars, and they will teach you how to drive them around a race track; after that, just drive it like you stole it!

Their model selection includes the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Murcielago, Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi R8, and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.