Things to do in Cancun for adults during your vacation (Ideas for couples & groups of friends)

Cancun boasts gorgeous beaches, crystalline waters, and tons of activities to keep the whole group entertained for days.

By Nicole Muto
Published: July 18, 2024
Cancun

Whether you're headed to Cancun to kick back and relax or go full-throttle on a jet ski, you'll find that there's plenty of fun to be had. If you're looking for the best activities and landmarks to add to your itinerary, check out our list of Cancun must-sees, including...

  • Chichén Itzá and Valladolid
  • Dolphin Encounter and Maroma Beach Club access
  • Columbus Sunset Dinner Cruise
  • Snorkel an Underwater Museum
  • Parasail Cancun
  • Tulum Express Tour
  • Shipwreck Snorkeling Experience
  • Paradise SubSee Excursion
  • and more...

Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá is one of the most famous Mayan temples in Mexico. It's definitely worth a visit to see the famed structure with your own eyes. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the area to take in the historical ruins. As you explore, you'll learn more about the Mayans' advancements in math, science, and architecture.

The temple is one of the most uniquely built historic structures in the area. After you explore Chichén Itzá, it's time for a typical Mexican buffet lunch at Hacienda Selva Maya followed by a cooling dip in the natural cenote Saamal. You'll have plenty of time for a refreshing swim.

On your way back to Cancun, you'll also stop at the colonial town of Valladolid where your guide will provide some top tips and leave you to explore its impressive architecture and quaint pastel-colored buildings.

Getting in: Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid Day Trip tickets are included on the All-Inclusive pass as a premium option.

Chichén Itzá

Dolphin encounters

Interacting with dolphins will be a dream come true! Learn all about the playful creatures in your briefing, hop in the pool, and suit up in your life vest ready for your unforgettable experience with these intelligent and gentle mammals.

The dolphins will make you part of their performance. You'll get handshakes, kisses, foot pushes, and maybe even get towed across the pool by their dorsal fin! On top of that, you'll have full access to Maroma Beach Club.

Getting in: Dolphin Encounter and Maroma Beach Club Access is included on the Cancun Explorer Pass.

Swimming with dolphins

Columbus Sunset Dinner Cruise

This one is perfect for couples in Cancun looking for a romantic night out. Cruise around the lagoon as the sun sets and enjoy a relaxing evening together. The cruise is complete with a 3-course steak and vegetable meal with delectable desserts. Soak in the sights and dance to the music provided by a live saxophone band. 

Getting in: Columbus Romantic Dinner Cruise tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Columbus sunset dinner cruise

Snorkel around an underwater museum

This isn't your typical trip to a museum. Journey out to Paraiso Nizuc for a once-in-a-lifetime experience under the surface. The Underwater Museum is a collection of 16 unique statues that reside below sea level off the coast of Cancun. Hop aboard a motorboat and head to the reef! Aside from this underwater sculpture garden, you'll also see lots of local fish and marine life. You'll have a great time exploring this one-of-a-kind museum. 

Getting in: Underwater Museum Snorkel at Paraiso Nizuc tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Underwater museum

Parasailing fun

There's truly no better view of Cancun than the one you'll get from a personal parasailing trip. If you've been parasailing before, you'll know how thrilling the ride can be. If you haven't, you need to add this to your bucket list. It's the only way to experience what it's like to fly! Once you're strapped into the safety gear, you'll take flight from the back of the boat. 

Glide through the air over the crystal blue water and see the view of Cancun's gorgeous beaches unfurl from the highest point. If you're brave, you can even choose to have the captain dip you in the water at the end of your ride. 

Getting in: Parasailing Adventure in Cancun tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Parasailing in Cancun

Isla Mujeres adventure

Isla Mujeres is a small island located 20 minutes off the coast of Cancun where you'll find some of the best white sand beaches. While the island is only 10 miles long, there's plenty to see and do here. The island exudes a vibe of relaxation and enjoyment. Spend the day at the Beach Club where you'll have access to the pool and all of the club's amenities. Once you've lounged to your heart's content by the pool or at the beach, grab a bike and explore the island fully. 

Bike up one of the many cliffs for picturesque views of the island on the coast of Cancun. If you pedal into the heart of downtown Isla Mujeres, make sure to stop at a few of the local-owned shops and pick up souvenirs. 

Getting in: Isla Mujeres Discovery Sail tickets are included on Go Cancun pass. 

Isla Mujeres

Tulum Express tour

Cancun is full of beautiful beaches and tons of activities, but that's not all there is to it. There are many ancient Mayan temples and ruins in the surrounding areas that serve as a large part of Mexico's history. Journey to nearby Tulum to see some of the ruins for yourself. 

Your tour guides will take you to some of the most notable sights and provide a background of their importance. You'll learn more about the Mayan civilization and how it shaped so much of what we know today. Once you've had your fill of the temples, take some time to explore the beaches. Relax on the coastline or take a leisurely walk up to the cliffs for unbeatable views. 

Getting in: Tulum Express Tour tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Mayan temples

Underwater shipwreck snorkeling

Don't miss the opportunity to snorkel over the only shipwreck site in Cancun. Whether you're an expert swimmer or a newbie, this is perfect for adventurers of every skill level. Once aboard the boat, you'll head out to reefs just 5 minutes off the coast for two hours of uninterrupted snorkeling exploration.

Start off at El Meco, the best-preserved reef on the Great Mayan Reef. As you swim around, you'll see colorful fish, local marine animals, and maybe even sea turtles. 

Your next stop will be the Underwater Museum, where you can admire the 16 different statues that reside under the water. And of course, save the best for last! The final stop of your snorkeling adventure will be at the shipwreck site. You'll be able to swim over the ship and explore the ruins of the wreck below. 

Getting in: Reef, Turtle, and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Shipwreck snorkeling

Paradise SubSee excursion

Hop aboard this half-boat, half-submarine hybrid for a unique ride in the water. The submarine-like vessel will allow you to see all the wonders of the water without having to get wet. The SubSee will take you past gorgeous reefs and the Underwater Museum. The guide on board will point out notable structures and local fish as you cruise by. 

Getting in: Paradise SubSee Excursion tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Subsee

Shopping in Playa del Carmen

One of the most famous spots in Playa Del Carmen is lively Fifth Avenue. The 22-block shopping oasis is full of popular restaurants, souvenir shops, and activities. Head down to Playa del Carmen from Cancun for a day full of exploration. Your tour guide will bring you to all the best shops, from locally-owned craft shops to name-brand stores like H&M. There's an endless amount of stores to visit - shoppers will love this trip. 

Even if shopping isn't your ideal vacation activity, this is still a great tour to take - Fifth Avenue is more than just stores and restaurants! There are a few different public parks and beaches that line the street that are all easy to get to. 

Getting in: Shopping in Playa Del Carmen Tour tickets are included on all Cancun passes.

Playa del Carmen

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Nicole Muto
Go City Travel Expert

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Cancun's hotel zone beaches in February
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Reasons to visit Cancun in February

February is a great month to visit Cancun. Slap bang in the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula’s dry season, the wardrobes of many visitors don’t extend much beyond swimwear – though there are some excellent shopping opportunities should the need arise. Temperatures are warm but not too hot by both land and sea, whilst the clear blue skies of Cancun in February are sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone coming from cloud-covered nations further north and east. But there are plenty of other reasons to consider visiting Cancun in February, as you’ll discover below. Perfect conditions for a beach break A beach destination par excellence, February sees the sands of Cancun’s 20 kilometer coastline at their very best. Its almost endless ribbons of beautiful white sand receive an average of nine hours of sunshine per day, which sees average temperatures range between 24 – 29°C and daily lows still into the twenties. The cool temperatures of evening make the hours around sunset a good time for a stroll or bike ride along the coast, whilst the Caribbean Sea is warm enough for both swimming and snorkeling without having to resort to a wetsuit. There is a limited chance of seeing some rain when visiting Cancun in February, but totaling just 44 mm split between five non-consecutive days, showers are easy to avoid even if they do develop during your stay. Ideal for sea-based adventures Mexico’s Caribbean shores around Cancun have a commanding presence above and below the surface. And it’s not just their dramatic contrast against the white sands or the phenomenal temperatures of around 24°C that draws people into the water at this time of year. February is also known to be a month with fantastic underwater visibility. It’s not surprising then that snorkeling and scuba diving are so popular in Cancun in February. Although sea turtles don’t generally appear in large numbers for another few months, as part of the world’s second-largest reef system there’s still plenty of life to become absorbed by. Soft and hard corals provide habitats for around 2000 individual species, ranging from lobster and clown fish to shark and rays. The best snorkeling locations require a short trip out by boat, so look out for tours to El Meco, one of the best-preserved areas of reef. If you’re yet to earn your water wings, you can take in the beauty of Cancun’s underwater worlds without getting wet onboard the glass-bottomed boat which forms the centerpiece of the Paradise SubSee Excursion at Paraiso Nizuc instead. Unique sinkhole adventures Not very far from the coast lie other spectacular watery discoveries, Cancun’s cenotes. There are somewhere in the region of 30,000 of these entirely natural sinkholes, each one of which is unique and offers something different to those visiting. You can think of them as underground caves with the roof or a side wall peeled away, which is exactly what has happened to most of them after thousands of years of freshwater flowing through them weakened the limestone rock they’re made of. Between them, they contain dramatically-shaped formations, large fish and turtle-filled ponds, tiny pools hidden in the jungle and grand cenotes complete with cabanas, restaurants and changing facilities. With something for everyone, cenotes become the favorite part of a trip to Cancun in February for many. Cenote Azul is a great example, with two swimming areas and a cliff-edge platform used for jumping and diving. Slightly further away, Cenote Chichen Itza (also called Cenote Ik Kil) feels fully enveloped by the surrounding jungle. Cenote Tankah Ha is ideal for cooling off after climbing to the summit of the Mayan’s tallest pyramid – Coba. Celebrations galore Romance may not be the first thought that comes to mind when thinking about a trip to Cancun, but with Valentine’s Day on February 14 there’s a good chance you’ll be in the region on what’s often hailed as the most romantic day of the year. Have no fear – Cancun’s got you covered! A luxurious catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres is sure to set the mood perfectly with its mix of snorkeling, feasting and island views. Alternatively, you might like to enjoy a two and a half hour dinner cruise with a multi-course meal set to sunset or moonlight. You’ll need your feet firmly on dry land to experience Carnaval. Marking the start of the Catholic fasting period of Lent, it echoes the celebrations that take place in Rio de Janeiro, with streets filled with colorful floats, richly-decorated performers shimmying along main avenues and the election of a carnival queen. Festivities can go on for a week, culminating on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras). If you’re in Cancun at the start of February, there’s also a chance to get involved with Candlemas celebrations (El Dia de Candelaria). Also known as Tamale Day, expect to see no shortage of these delicious menu items in restaurants and on the street food stalls, alongside the sight and sound of parties going on long into the night. Awaiting jungle adventures February is also a fantastic time of year to visit Cancun for anyone keen to explore the jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula. The limited rainfall ensures trails aren’t washed away, and lower humidity levels help to make jungle expeditions easier too. Although trekking on foot is an option, you might prefer to cut through the tree cover on the back of an ATV, something that’s easy to do at Extreme Adventure Park. Motor engines play an important role in yet another way of encountering the jungle just a short distance from Cancun’s hotel zone, with the chance to control a speedboat across the wildlife-rich Nichupté Lagoon. Getting the most out of your Cancun February vacation With so much to see and do in Cancun in February thoughts might invariably head to how to afford it all. Explore with Go City and you get the benefit of significant savings on admission to many of Cancun’s top attractions. Other advantages include the fact our pre-paid passes mean you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash on you. So don’t delay, buy one today!
Ian Packham
What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in Cancun
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What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in Cancun

Traveling to Cancun for the weekend and looking for something beyond the typical sunbathing and partying? If you’re in search of some fun things to do in Cancun with friends or family, then this suggested weekend in Cancun itinerary could be a helpful resource. With a variety of watersports and cultural activities, we hope to provide a balance of attractions to give you the best weekend getaway possible. We’ve put together a few of our favorite things to do in Cancun for a short trip, including: 90-minute Surf Lesson Moonlight Snorkeling Tour Interactive Aquarium Cancun Cancun Wax Museum Drinks at Fred’s And more! Save on Admission to Cancun Attractions Regular admission to many of these attractions is available with the Go Cancun Card. Save up to 45% on combined admission prices versus paying at the gate. Learn more about Cancun passes, attractions, and prices.
Dom Bewley
Things to do at Night in Cancun
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Things to do at Night in Cancun - Evening Activities

Looking for the best things to do in Cancun at night? You've found them! Below, we'll cover all the best experiences you'll find when the sun goes down. So have a nap, settle down, and strap in, because we're pulling an all-nighter! Including: Romantic dinner cruises Great views of Cancun's skyline Bar hopping fun Night time snorkeling and more! Columbus Romantic Dinner Cruise Ahoy there, lovers! If you've never boarded a Spanish Galleon and sailed the seven seas while having a romantic dinner for two, then this one's for you! Because that's exactly what this is! Soak in the breathtaking views of Cancun's glistening shoreline while gorging on a mouthwatering multi-course dinner. From succulent steak to veggie delights, your veggie/meaty need will be more than met. And with an open bar, you can keep the drinks flowing as you toast to the good life. But wait, there's more! There's even a live saxophone band onboard, so you can boogie the night away while sparks fly. And, if you want to capture the magic of the moment, you can get commemorative snaps for just $20. You can even get a lift to and from your hotel for a few bucks. And if you're celebrating a special occasion like your birthday or anniversary, just give them a heads up, and they'll add some extra sparkle to your night. If your trip to Cancun is a romantic one, this dinner cruise is easily one of the best things to do at night in the city! Sky Wheel Cancun Take a late-night ride through the sky and watch the sunset over the gorgeous ocean and beaches aboard the Sky Wheel. This colossal 177-foot-tall observation wheel offers a 20-minute breezy ride with some of the best views of the city. Each gondola is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate six to eight people, so there's plenty of room for your friends or family. These cozy capsules boast 360-degree crystal windows and air conditioning that keep you cool as a cucumber while you ride. As you rise to the top, feast your eyes on the serene lagoon on one side and the seemingly infinite, crystal-blue ocean on the other. Take a chill pill and enjoy the peaceful loop with your entourage as you complete four or five rotations on the wheel. And don't worry; that'll give you ample time to capture the ultimate Instagram-worthy shot! Drinks at Fred's House Take a break from the hustle and bustle of life and get your chill on at Fred's House. This hip and modern American seafood restaurant and oyster bar is situated on the lagoon side of Cancun's Hotel Zone, making it the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure. With Go City, your pass unlocks $20 to splurge on drinks from their fully stocked bar, where you'll find a plethora of tantalizing options. From refreshing cocktails to fine wines, you'll find something to take the edge off on your oh-so-strenuous vacation. They even do signature drinks that'll make you feel like a VIP, and their delicious local beer will quench your thirst like nothing else. Whether you're hanging out with your pals or having a chill night with the fam, this happening hotspot is definitely worth a visit. Go crazy at Congo Bar Cancun Located smack dab in the heart of Cancun's party central, Congo Bar Cancun is a mecca for the wild and crazy crowd. This open-air bar is always jam-packed with locals and tourists who are out to have a good time. Go-go dancers are on hand to entertain the crowd while DJs spin and scratch on the decks to keep your head bobbing. And, every now and then, get ready for a massive ballo n and confetti shower that will make you feel like you're living your best life. Get your conga line game face on, grab your party props, and get ready for an epic night of fun and entertainment. Plus, the cherry on top, your ticket includes a complimentary domestic bar from 9PM until 3.30AM, so you don't have to break the bank for a drink. Beers, spirits, and cocktails are all available, so really, you've no excuse! Moonlight Bioluminescence Snorkeling Tour Ever snorkeled with the devil in the pale moonlight? Dive into the shallow waters of the Great Mayan Reef and prepare to be amazed by the vibrant sea life of Cancun. Snorkeling at night is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will blow your mind! Your Moonlight Bioluminescence Snorkeling trip will take around 90 minutes in total and includes a briefing before you start, and then three stops at three unique reefs. The first reef is a coral reef, where you'll find octo us, moray eels, squid, lobsters, and crabs swimming around the unique reef formations. Reef two is where you have your best shot at swimming with a sea turtle or two. Most snorkelers consider this their favorite part of the Moonlight Snorkel Tour. And at the third, you'll switch off all lights and see the 'Tinkerbell Experience'; hundreds of tiny bioluminescent particles will provide all the wonderful, natural light you'll need! You'll be given a briefing prior to entering the water, so there's no need to worry if you're a newbie. And, when you're done, you'll get a free souvenir photo included in your trip to commemorate your undersea adventure. Easily one of the best things to do at Night in Cancun for nature lovers! Lucha Libre, Tacos, and Beer Witness the true power and key strength of Mexican wrestling! AKA Lucha Libre! Join the enthusiastic locals as you cheer on your wrestler of choice in an edge-of-your-seat match that will leave you breathless. But before the action-packed show, you'll need some fuel. How do five tacos sound? Juicy, melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked pork, marinated in a heavenly blend of spices and achiote paste and served in freshly made corn tortillas with all the trimmings. That'll do nicely. And, to wash it all down, enjoy a selection of refreshing Mexican beers. Once you're fueled up, your guide will take you straight to the skip-the-line entrance for the Lucha Libre show. Brace yourself for flying attacks, acrobatics, and larger-than-life displays of showmanship, as the técnicos (goodies) and rudos (baddies) face off in the ring, garbed in their iconic colorful masks and skin-tight spandex suits. For a perfect evening of entertainment, this Lucha Libre show is one of the best things to do in Cancun at night! And those are our picks of the best things to do in Cancun at night! Looking for some daytime distractions? Check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of Cancun's hottest attractions for one low price!
Dom Bewley

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