Things to do in Cancun in Winter

Instead of playing in the snow, you'll be playing in the sand. Cancun experiences some of the best weather in the winter months, particularly from December to February.

Cancun in Winter

Cancun in winter typically has less rain, gorgeous, balmy weather, and sunny skies. You'll be able to stay toasty and tan all while mixing in a few holiday events here and there. We've put together a list of the best winter attractions and events for your trip to Cancun, including...

  • Xcaret Park
  • Romantic Dinner Cruises
  • Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park
  • Bioluminescence Snorkeling Tour
  • Shopping Tours
  • Chichén Itzá Tours
  • Interactive Aquarium Cancun
  • Parasailing Adventure
  • Tulum Express Tour

Posadas at Xcaret Park

xcaret-beautiful-tourist-attractions-park-mexico

Celebrate Posadas, a traditional Mexican holiday celebration, while exploring gorgeous Xcaret Park Posadas takes place on the nine days leading up to Christmas, honoring the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. It is celebrated with holiday carols, a parade through the park, and the breaking of piñatas as a grand finale of sorts.

This eco-archaeological park is just south of Cancun and is truly an oasis of relaxation. Explore over 40 different attractions like Children's World, the Old Mayan Temple, and the Village, and take a look at the Xcaret México Espectacular night showThis stunning performance by 300 talented artists displays the folklore of ancient Mexico represented in La Charrería, Papantla Flying Men, and Pre-Hispanic Dances.

Romantic dinner cruise

dining-room-buffet-aboard-abstract-luxury

If you're spending some quality time with a loved one on this Cancun trip, definitely hop aboard a Columbus Dinner Cruise to commemorate the holiday season. Sail around Cancun's lagoon as the sun sets, soaking in the picturesque views of the Caribbean for 2.5 blissful hours. Dine on an exquisitely-prepared steak or vegetarian meal and enjoy an open bar as you cruise through the water.

Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park

garrafon-reef-park-beach-club

Take a trip to Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park, an island 30 minutes off the coast of Cancun. Fill up on the continental breakfast provided on the ferry, because you're in for a long day of fun and exploration. Kayak, snorkel, and splash around in the crystal clear waters off the coast.

Kick back and relax at the Beach Club lounge or take a trip into downtown Isla Mujeres to explore the shops and local restaurants. No matter what you do, you'll be surrounded by gorgeous views.

Moonlight Bioluminescence Snorkeling Tour

luminous-sea-turtles-depicts-enchanting-sight

Swim along the shallow waters of the Great Mayan Reef and discover the unique and colorful sea life of Cancun’s waters on this awe-inspiring Moonlight Bioluminescence Snorkeling Tour.

Bioluminescence is the biochemical emission of light by living organisms such as fireflies and deep-sea fishes. In other words, it’s what makes certain fishes and jellies appear to be neon! On this snorkeling tour, you'll explore three different areas over the span of an hour and a half.

Your guides will direct you to all the best spots where you'll have to keep your eyes peeled for sea turtle, jellyfish, and tropical fish sightings.

Shopping Tours

Get into the holiday spirit with a shopping spree through Cancun or a trip to Playa del Carmen where you can find all your Christmas gifts at the craft shops. In Cancun, you'll visit Mercado 28 and Plaza Las Americas. Mercado 28 is a flea-market-style shopping area with booths and restaurants owned and operated by locals. It's the perfect place to find unique souvenirs.

Plaza Las Americas, on the other hand, has all your favorite brands - from Victoria's Secret to Adidas to Sears. In Playa del Carmen, you'll shop famous Fifth Avenue, often called Quinta by residents, a 22-block stretch filled with all types of shops. You can find souvenir shops full of trinkets and jewelry, or you can shop from your favorite brand names. Fifth Avenue has it all, including incredible views of the water and beach as you walk.

Chichén Itzá

beautiful-pyramid-Chichén-Itzá

While visiting Mexico, make sure to carve out some time to see its famous archaeological sites like Chichén Itzá. Chichén Itzá, a pre-Colombian city built by the Mayan people, was the largest city of its time and is believed to be one of the mythical Great Cities referred to in Mesoamerican folklore. Explore the temples and structures at your own pace and take a chance to admire some of the oldest buildings in Mayan history.

Interactive Aquarium Cancun

The Interactive Aquarium Cancun is the perfect place to go with the whole family, especially if you're tired of the beach or pool (although, how could you be?). Located in La Isla Shopping Mall, this aquarium is home to over 140 different species of fish, sharks, jellies, and more.

The expert animal trainers host shows throughout the day, where you can watch them feed and interact with dolphins. In addition to live animal shows, you can also catch screenings of ocean-related films in the auditorium.

Parasailing Adventure

drone-video-colorful-parasail

Fly right over the beach on a Parasailing Adventure in the sky. Soar into the clouds on a 10-12 minute journey over the coast and bright blue waters of Cancun. You'll be safely strapped in to your parachute and harness, so enjoy the ride and really soak in the view. As you begin your descent, you'll have the option to land directly on board or be dunked quickly in the water. On a hot day, we recommend the latter.

Tulum Express Tour

-tulum

Tulum is another great historical site you can visit while in Cancun. Once thought of as a fortress, the ruins of Tulum once were a busy site of commerce. This was a walled city of laborers, astrologers, farmers and nobility. There are three walls to protect the city from outsiders, the remains of several house type structures, burial sites for the kings. On this Tulum Express Tour you'll cover the entire grounds and hear about the intricate history of the structures.

Save on Cancun attractions this winter

So that's our brief list of the top things to do in Cancun during the winter. With an All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, you can visit both attractions for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you could save up to 50% on all your Cancun must-sees. Or pick an Explorer Pass, if you've chosen your fave and have a specific bucket list you're dreaming of ticking off.  

Please note: some of these special Christmas & holiday events may be separately ticketed and not included on the pass.

☀️ Compare Cancun passes ☀️– 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈

Nicole Muto
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

A couple enjoy the sea views in Cancun
Blog

Things to do in Cancun in July

Take a quick turn around the web and you’ll soon discover that July falls within Cancun’s wet season. But although it’s low season, don’t give up your dreams of visiting Cancun in July just yet. The month’s wet season designation tricks many into believing July isn’t a good time to visit Cancun. However, the reality on the beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula is very different to what you might be imagining. Five days of rain is all you’ll experience on average, and even then, this generally consists of a nothing more than heavy afternoon downpour of as little as 15 minutes. They rarely last longer than two or three hours. And whilst there’s an outside chance of a hurricane making landfall at this time of year, the last time this happened was way back in 2005. Wet season? We hear you ask. What wet season? Here’s some of what you can get up to in Cancun in July. Seek out the sea breeze With temperatures on land maxing out at 34°C and humidity levels which can top 80%, sticking close to Cancun’s Caribbean shores is a good way to minimize the heat. Getting out onto the water is incredibly easy in Cancun, with catamaran cruises to Isla Mujeres, shipwreck snorkeling tours and even the galleries of an underwater museum to consider. Between them they offer an incredible array of ways to enjoy the region’s turquoise waters and teeming coral reefs. The Caribbean’s only seafront amusement and water park, Ventura Park provides a heady mix of high-octane rides and calmer ways to appreciate the water, such as its Lazy River and Wave Pool, making it a great shout for families. All ages are also welcome at the majority of Cancun’s cenotes. Natural sinkholes formed from collapsed limestone caves and flooded by a mix of underwater rivers and rain water, they are a stunning addition to the region’s geography. Ranging from simple holes in the ground to magnificent forms with diving platforms up to ten meters high, their cool waters will soon see you adopt the right frame of mine. Take a road trip With the Riviera Maya on your doorstep, Cancun is the perfect starting point for a coastal road trip in search of Mayan ruins and tiny coves. So why not rent a car for the day and head down Federal Highway 307? Whether you ramp up the air-con or wind down the windows is entirely up to you, as you head south from Puerto Morelos to the beaches, bars and boutique stores of Playa del Carmen and the archeology site of Tulum – where temples stand guard over the coast. Along the way, consider stopping for a couple of hours at the ecoparks of Xel-Ha or Xcaret. Xel-Ha counts jungle and river trails amongst its highlights, whilst Xcaret is best thought of as part water park, part cabaret show and part wildlife reserve. Meet Cancun’s most-loved creatures Animal lovers certainly won’t be short of things to do in Cancun in July. Since May at least three species of turtle have been dragging themselves up onto the beaches after dark in order to dig holes in which to lay their eggs. This continues through July, with the added bonus of the very first eggs to be laid starting to hatch, carpeting the sands of Isla Mujeres with newborns eager to reach the relative safety of the open ocean. Though the giants of the deep, the turtles don’t face any threat from the whale sharks which linger in Cancun’s warm tropical waters at this time of year, since they eat nothing larger than microscopic plankton. Swimming and snorkeling beside these magnificent creatures are unforgettable experiences, celebrated on the island at the annual Whale Shark Festival at the end of July. Discover the nightlife Another end of July celebration to mark in your diary is July 25’s El Día Fuera del Tiempo. Translating as ‘the day out of time’, it marks the Mayan year end, and is a traditional time to reflect on the past twelve months. There are festivities right along the Riviera Maya. Originally focusing on Tulum, they now include events in Cancun itself. But whatever day you turn up in July you can be sure of a good time. With a reputation as one of the best places to party south of the Rio Grande, Cancun’s hotel zone is awash with neon signs and dance floors just waiting to be filled. One of the top spots for many years has been Congo Bar, whose DJs spin the decks until close to sunrise. Take in some culture If the thought of those occasional afternoon downpours is still leaving you unsure of what to do in Cancun in July, remember that the city isn’t all about outdoor adventures. There’s also plenty to discover under cover, with a pick of great museums and galleries thanks to a thriving cultural scene. Museo Maya displays a wealth of important artefacts linked to the region’s historic inhabitants, including items discovered at Chichen Itza and Comalcalco. They reveal many of the secrets to the Mayans’ success and ultimate demise at the hands of the Spanish conquistadors. Forming part of Xcaret ecopark, the Mexican Folk Art Museum details the nation’s modern culture, including items such as ghoulish Day of the Dead dolls in a dazzling series of colorful galleries depicting everyday life. The 3D Museum of Wonders in Playa del Carmen lives up to its name and is a museum that will keep the kids entertained until the clouds clear. Filled with three-dimensional optical illusions, it is the work of artist Kurt Wenner, whose 60 creations literally leap from the walls in all manner of sizes and shapes. Save on Cancun July attraction admission Comparatively crowd-free by Cancun standards and budget-friendly to boot, July is a great month to visit despite being placed within the region’s wet season. Take it easy in the building humidity by sticking to the shoreline or heading to the range of water-based attractions and activities on offer. Take Go City with you and you’ll save big on admission costs at the same time!
Ian Packham

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.