travel and stay in Cancun
Top Cancun Day Trips
Adventure beyond your resort and discover the best day trips in Cancun
Top Cancun Day Trips – 2022
Tulum Day Trip
If you’re visiting Cancun, you shouldn’t leave without stopping by the beach town and ruins of Tulum, one of the largest cities built by the Mayans.
Tulum was once a sleepy beach town, popular with backpackers who camped out on the beach under the stars; however, it has become one of the top travel destinations and one of Mexico’s most famous beach towns in the last decade. It is now home to some of the best beaches in Mexico, beach clubs, and yoga retreats. The highlight is the ancient walled city perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Ocean.
Families: Great for families
Location: Tulum is in southeastern Mexico, in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is about two hours south of Cancun and about 45 minutes south of Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya.
Isla Mujeres (Women’s Island)
When looking for the best places to visit in Yucatan, Mexico, you can’t miss Isla Mujeres. The island gets its name from the temple of Ixchel, the Maya goddess of fertility.
Isla Mujeres is one of the best beach towns in Mexico and one of the 135 pueblos magicos (magic towns). It is considered seductive for its unique folkloric ties to Ixchel and its immense tropical beauty.
This sleepy fishing village offers a well-deserved pause from the crazy nightlife of Cancun. This island is the perfect getaway spot from Cancun’s more popular and crowded beaches. In fact, Isla Mujeres is one of the most popular and best Cancun day trips.
Isla Mujeres offers a lot of activities for adults and kids.
Get around Isla Mujeres by renting a bicycle, or you can even hop onto one of the golf carts that frequent the area. If you are able and enthusiastic, you can even cover the area on foot. It truly makes for a beautiful walk.
The stunning blue color water and the coral beaches are the ideal places to go snorkeling in, and kids will be able to learn about the coral reefs and life underwater.
Pack a picnic basket and make a day out of it! The area is very tourist-friendly and at no point do you need to be worried about being stranded.
There is a Turtle Farm that breeds sea turtles.
There are several souvenirs to take back from here and many fresh seafood delicacies to try.
Families: Great for families
Location: 20 minutes ride by ferry from Cancun by ferry from Hotel Zone.
Isla Contoy
Isla Contoy is a tiny island about a 40-minute speedboat ride from Cancun and is one of Mexico’s best snorkeling spots.
Isla Contoy gives you a unique opportunity to experience the planet’s natural marine beauty at its best.
As Cancun grows in popularity, so does Isla Contoy, so visit as soon as possible to avoid the impending crowds.
Families: Great for families
Location: 40 min speedboat ride from Cancun
Playa del Carmen
Next to Cancun is the lesser-known resort town of Playa del Carmen.
This little gem has just the right amount of tourist facilities and a sublime stretch of beach.
This small beach town is the perfect spot to stroll your way through the streets without caring about cars and traffic.
There is a typically Mexican feel in Playa del Carmen. Additionally, the people are welcoming and happy to help tourists navigate the town.
There are some fantastic coral reefs lying off the shores of Playa del Carmen, making it another excellent spot for snorkeling.
Families: Great for families
Location: 1-hour car ride by car from Cancun
Valladolid
If you want to explore something more cultural and away from the crowds, you will love Valladolid.
Valladolid is an incredible hidden gem in the Yucatan state of Mexico, known for its natural beauty, thousands of cenotes, and the iconic Chichen Itza.
Valladolid is a charming small city of 48,000 people with colorful homes, historic colonial buildings, and churches combined with a laid-back atmosphere and an authentic Mexican lifestyle.
Families: Great for families
Location: 2-hour car ride by car from Cancun
Akumal Bay
If swimming with turtles is on your bucket list, you can make your dreams come true at Akumal Bay.
This world-class snorkeling spot is famous for its robust population of sea turtles, coral reefs, and Cenotes.
Families: Great for families
Location: 1.5-hour car ride by car from Cancun
Cozumel
Cozumel is one of the most authentic of the Mexican islands. Cozumel preserves its cultural charm and natural beauty despite being a famous cruise ship port.
If you want to visit some of the world’s most incredible snorkeling and diving spots, you should make a day trip to Cozumel a priory.
Families: Great for families
Location: 2.5 hours from Cancun
Puerto Morelos
Once a fishing village, Puerto Morelos has experienced a surge in development over the past few decades; nevertheless, it retains much of its village charm.
Divers and snorkelers love Puerto Morelos for its crystal clear waters and marine wildlife.
Puerto Morelos also has dozens of Cenotes to explore. The most popular of them is Verde Lucero Cenote, closely followed by Las Mojarras.
Families: Great for families
Location: 40 minutes from Cancun