I’ve spent my fair share of time in Cancun and the Riviera Maya; my husband and I seem to wind up visiting at least once a year, either for a wedding or for some kind of group trip with family or friends. The region in general, and Cancun in particular, are known for the ubiquitous all-inclusive hotels, but there is plenty to do and see outside of the hotels. Here are some ideas for those days when you start to feel stir crazy in your hotel and want to get out and explore.
Near
Even you don’t want to deal with the hassle of renting a car or getting on a bus tour, there are still plenty of things to do and see outside of your hotel in Cancún.
Visit Mayan Ruins
Sure, there are the well known sites like Chichen Itza and Tulum, which are spectacular and well worth the drive, but there are also several small sites right in Cancun’s hotel zone: San Miguelito and El Rey.
San Miguelito is part of the Cancun Maya Museum’s grounds. One ticket gives you access to the ruins, as well as the museum’s rotating exhibitions on Mayan and other pre-hispanic cultures. The El Rey site is on the lagoon side, is just across the road from Playa Delfines, on the edge of the hotel zone.
Eat Out
If you’re staying in an all-inclusive, you may want to avoid spending money on meals outside of the hotel. But, when you get sick of the buffet, there are some great options for eating out in Cancun. If you’re looking for seafood, try Navíos for nice cocktails, good food, and romantic atmosphere on platforms over the lagoon.
Far
If you do decide to rent a car, you can use it to visit some of the sights farther from Cancun’s hotel zone.
Visit the Beaches
The Riviera Maya has some spectacular beaches. While the water near the Hotel Zone is bright blue and pretty clear, if you head south you’ll find spots with clearer water, finer sand, and a more authentic Mexican vibe. I’ve read a lot of good things online about Tulum, but the reality always seems to disappoint. Try Xpu-Ha instead.
Xpu Ha is known as one of the calmest beaches in the area, and the water is crystal clear. Find a beach club that suits you, and pay a couple hundred pesos per person for the use of a beach chair, umbrella, music and restrooms. The waiters will be happy to offer a menu of food and drink, in case you get hungry. If you want to do something active, there is a little shop renting snorkels and equipment for water sports like stand up paddle boards.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is not the sleepy beach town it might have once been. Today it’s a city, with big super markets and gas stations that you can see from the main highway. In the center of town, you’ll find several modern shopping centers, boutiques and restaurants along the pedestrian-only Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida). While Playa is on the coast and has it’s own beach clubs, I’d visit in the evening since it’s an ideal spot for a stroll, a little shopping and dinner. For after dinner drinks and dancing, Playa also has outposts of Mandala and Coco Bongo, both nightclubs that also have big, flashy establishments in Cancun’s hotel zone.
Farthest
If you don’t mind driving for over 3 hours each way, there are several spots that are worth visiting on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Isla Holbox
Holbox Island is reachable by ferry from Chiquilá, which has departures every 30 minutes. The island itself is much less developed than other places you’ll probably see during your trip – Cancun or Playa del Carmen for example. It has a laid-back hippie vibe, without the cool-kids’ New York veneer of Tulum. My dad said, “This is probably what the old Caribbean was like…” While the island is worth a visit all on it’s own, you can make a day trip from Cancun and spend enough time there to get a feel for the place. It has nature reserves, hammocks over the waves, and the taxis are golf carts. What more could you ask for?
Merida
Merida is the Yucatan Peninsula’s colonial capital about 3 and a half hours from Cancun by car. The center of the city features colonial architecture, and I hear that the food is unforgettable. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it there on this trip, but stay tuned! We’ll be visiting next year…
Locations: Cancun Mayan Museum: Blvd. Kukulcan km 16.5, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R. closed Mondays // El Rey: Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Quintana Roo // Navíos: Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 19.5, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R. // Xpu Ha Beach: Carretera Chetumal-Cancun Km. 265, Xpu-Ha