Cancun in 3 days

Trip at a glance

Your first day

Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.

Day 1: The Hotel Zone and downtown

An early swim at Playa Delfines, Maya ruins and the museum, lunch at Mercado 28, the calm bay beaches, then dinner at Parque de las Palapas.

Check the weekday. Museo Maya de Cancún is closed on Mondays.

1
8:30 AMPlaya DelfinesSwim early, while the sun is low and the beach is quiet. The waves can be strong here: swim only where the flags allow it.About 2 hours here
Free to visit
Walk about 5 min
2
10:30 AMOptionalEl Rey archaeological zoneA quick, shaded walk around the ruins.About 45 min here
Foreign visitors: MX$145 (about $8) · Mexican nationals: MX$80 (about $4)
Official fees: INAHLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Bus or taxi north, about 5 min
3
11:15 AMMuseo Maya de CancúnSmall, air-conditioned and a good primer for Chichén Itzá on day 3. Allow about 1.5 hours with the ruins in its grounds.About 1 hour 30 min here
Foreign visitors: MX$210 (about $11) · Mexican nationals: MX$105 (about $6)
Official fees: INAHLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Bus or taxi downtown, about 30 min
4
1:15 PMMercado 28Lunch in the courtyard restaurants of the craft market: try cochinita pibil or sopa de lima, both from the Yucatán.About 1 hour 30 min here
Pay as you go
Bus or taxi, about 15 min
5
3:00 PMOptionalPlaya LangostaThe calm water on the bay side is easy for swimming; allow about 2.5 hours.About 2 hours 45 min here
Free to visit
Bus or taxi, about 15 min
6
6:00 PMParque de las PalapasEat from the food stands among local families: tacos, esquites and marquesitas, the Yucatán's rolled crepes.
Pay as you go

Before you go

Ride the Hotel Zone busesLocal buses run the length of the Hotel Zone and into downtown all day. Taxis have no meters, so agree on the fare before you get in.
Respect the beach flagsWaves and currents on the Caribbean side can be strong: swim only where the flags allow it.
Follow the cenote rulesCenotes ask you to shower before you swim, and many ban ordinary sunscreen, so bring a biodegradable one or skip it.
Pay in pesosDollars are often accepted, but prices in dollars usually come with a poor exchange rate.
Drink bottled waterDon't drink the tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which hotels provide.

Where to stay for this plan

The Hotel Zone works for all three days: ferries to Isla Mujeres leave from Puerto Juárez and the Hotel Zone, and most Chichén Itzá tours pick up at Hotel Zone hotels.

Hotels in Cancun

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