TravPa

Cancun

Caribbean beaches, all-inclusive resorts and easy day trips to Maya ruins, cenotes and Isla Mujeres.

Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026

Itineraries

The north staircase of El Castillo rises through stepped limestone terraces at Chichén Itzá.
El Castillo stands above the grassy plaza at Chichén Itzá in Yucatán.
Cancun in 3 daysPlaya Delfines, Museo Maya, Mercado 28, Parque de las Palapas, Isla Mujeres, Playa Norte, Chichén Itzá, Valladolid3 days, MexicoBalanced pace

Where to stay

The Hotel Zone for beachfront resorts, downtown for value and local food, Isla Mujeres or Puerto Morelos for something quieter.

The areas: Hotel Zone, Downtown (El Centro), Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos.

Where to stay in Cancun: areas and adviceHotels in Cancun

Places to see

All things to do in Mexico
FoodAvenida Hidalgo, Isla MujeresThe pedestrian main street of the island town, lined with restaurants, bars and shops.Entry: Pay as you go
FoodBazar Municipal, ValladolidA food court of small kitchens on Valladolid's main square.Entry: Pay as you go
NatureCenote Ik KilA deep, round cenote with hanging vines, near Chichén Itzá.Entry: Life vest, locker and parking included
NatureCenote Zací, ValladolidA large cenote partly roofed by rock, a few blocks from Valladolid's main square.Entry: MX$[fee]
RuinsChichén ItzáThe great Maya city and its El Castillo pyramid, about 2.5 hours west of Cancun by road.
ChurchConvent of San Bernardino de Siena, ValladolidA fortress-like Franciscan convent from the 1500s, at the end of Calzada de los Frailes.Entry: MX$[fee]
RuinsEl Rey archaeological zoneSmall Maya ruins in the middle of the Hotel Zone, home to many iguanas.
TransportGran Puerto ferry terminalFerries to Isla Mujeres leave from here, in Puerto Juárez north of downtown.Entry: Ferry: MX$[fare]
MarketMercado 28A downtown craft market with restaurants around an inner courtyard.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketMercado Municipal, Isla MujeresThe island town's small municipal market, with counters serving inexpensive Mexican food.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumMuseo Maya de CancúnMaya artifacts from across the region, with the San Miguelito ruins in its grounds.
FoodParque de las PalapasDowntown Cancun's main square, where food stands open in the evening and local families gather.Entry: Pay as you go
BeachPlaya DelfinesA wide public beach with no resorts on it and the colorful Cancun sign above the sand.Entry: Free to visit
BeachPlaya LangostaA calm beach on the bay side of the Hotel Zone, a short ride from downtown.Entry: Free to visit
BeachPlaya Norte, Isla MujeresCalm, shallow turquoise water at the north tip of Isla Mujeres.Entry: Free to visit
ViewpointPunta Sur, Isla MujeresCliffs and a sculpture garden at the southern tip of the island.Entry: MX$[fee]
NeighborhoodValladolidA colorful colonial town on the way back from Chichén Itzá.Entry: Free to visit