If you’re traveling to Cancun in the near future, chances are some relaxation and week-round pampering in a five-star resort are top priorities for you, and listen, we totally get it:
Cancun is practically synonymous with hassle-free tropical vacays, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little culture and nature exploration to the mix.
Our friends at the Cancun Sun, the top experts when it comes to Cancun and all things Mexican Caribbean, have ranked the 5 best day trips from the Hotel Zone, from discovering monumental Mayan ruins to visiting wild sanctuaries home to endangered species.
Bottomless brunches and mimosas are great, but trust us when we say these will make your trip even more memorable! Plus, be sure to check out our quiz at the bottom of the article to determine which day trip is best for you.
5. Akumal
A short 1h20 drive south of Cancun, Akumal is a small, laid-back beach town located in a scenic bay shielded by an offshore reef. This helps keep the water that hugs the shoreline calm, shallow, and clear, and makes the area a gathering hotspot for marine life.
It’s no wonder Akumal is one of the best destinations in the Mexican Caribbean for snorkeling: you can book guided tours to spot wild green sea turtles, rays, and colorful reef fish, and if you feel the main beach in Cancun is too crowded, you should try the much more peaceful Half Moon Bay.
The Cancun Sun also recommends you check out the nearby Yal-Ku lagoon, a natural wonder still unspoiled by mass tourism.
4. Tulum
A Mayan stronghold on the resort-packed coast, Tulum is like a gateway to the mystical, long-lost empire: straddling the turquoise sea, this archaeological zone is dotted with well-preserved temples and palaces, and it even overlooks a scenic beach.
The most beautiful structure around here, El Castillo, a fortress-like Mayan ceremonial center perched right on the edge of a cliff, and in a way, it’s the Mexican Caribbean’s most iconic postcard shot, so make sure you get the camera out.
It’s worth noting that, although visitors arriving by car reach in around 90 minutes from Cancun, tour buses typically take around 2 hours.
3. Ruta de los Cenotes
Just 30 minutes south of Cancun, the otherworldly Ruta de los Cenotes cuts right through the heart of Mexico’s tropical jungle, leading you to untouristy Mayan ruins, turquoise sinkholes, and thrilling adventure parks.
There are tour operators that offer day trips here, but for maximum flexibility, we’d advise you to rent a car (from a well-reputed company, of course).
This will allow you to drive deeper into the route, where locals go, beyond the bus stops, like Cenote La Noria, an open-air cenote with bright blue water, and Cenote Popol Vuh, with minimal development, only a handful of eco-cabins and a small camping site.
2. Isla Contoy
If you love the Mexican Caribbean for its wild nature, then you can’t miss Isla Contoy:
A national park, this tiny island located roughly 25 miles north of Cancun has powdery white sands, untouched reefs home to colorful marine life, and a bird sanctuary attracting over 150 species, including the Magnificent Frigatebird.
However, due to the island’s status as a protected reserve, you can’t just hop on a ferry and go there without advance planning. Unless you’re a park ranger or a scientist conducting on-the-ground reserch, access is limited by licensed tour, with a daily visitor cap set at 200 people only.
But hey, this is great news if you like crowd-free beaches!
1. Isla Mujeres
The number one day trip from Cancun according to the experts, Isla Mujeres is an effortless 20-minute ferry ride away from the Hotel Zone.
It boasts white-sand beaches backed by tall palm trees, boutique hotels and family-owned cantinas overlooking teal-colored waters, and even Mayan archaeological sites with perhaps half the Tulum crowds.
The most beautiful beach on the island is, without question, Playa Norte, and regardless of the time of year, you can bet sargassum levels will be minimal up there.
For those keen on an expedition, rent a golf cart by the port, and set off to Punta Sur, the undeveloped south, for dramatic coastlines, the Ixchel Temple (dedicated to the Mayan goddess of the moon and fertility), and lush jungle.
Isla Mujeres is also one of the safest destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, with far lower rates of pickpocketing and crime compared to the mainland, so you can put your worries to rest and truly unwild.
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