Things to Do in the Cancun Hotel Zone

Whether you're looking for total relaxation in paradise or aqua adventures, the beloved Cancun Hotel Zone has so much to offer.

Published: July 18, 2024
Cancun

Visit the Cancun Hotel Zone and you'll see why so many tourists come each year to this exciting vacation spot. From enjoying serene nature walks, and making the most of the glittering water, to big adventures, let's find out what you can do for fun in Cancun without even leaving the surrounding hotel zone. 

  • Xcaret Park
  • Moonlight Bioluminescence Snorkeling Tour
  • Underwater Museum
  • Columbus Lobster Dinner Cruise
  • and many more

Xcaret Park

Xcaret Park

With crystal clear water, infinity pools, and all the natural beauty Cancun has to offer, Xcaret Park is an oasis you don't want to miss. The park has 40 different attractions, including a Mayan village and old Mayan temples. Visitors to the park receive roundtrip transportation and complete access to all attractions.

Moonlight bioluminescence snorkeling tour

Bioluminescence

Check out guided moonlight bioluminescent snorkeling tours around Cancun's coral reefs - it's possible to see twinkling squid, eels, lobsters or sea turtles. The full bioluminescent experience with plankton and small particles lighting up all around you will be unforgettable.

Underwater museum snorkeling at Paraiso Nizuc

Cancun snorkeling

Take some time to go snorkeling in the crystal blue waters of Paraiso Nizuc. You'll get the chance to take a motorboat ride to Punta Nizuc reef and visit the floating platform that offers beer and snacks. Where you snorkel depends on your hotel location. Afterwards, you will be granted access to the Underwater Museum at Paraiso Nizuc.

Parasailing adventure

Parasailing

If you have ever wanted to try parasailing, it's time to check out Cancun's Parasailing Adventure. You'll get 10-12 minutes of time up in the sky. During your flight, you'll have a walkie talkie and you will be able to speak with the people on the boat.

You'll get to decide how high your flight goes, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the 3-mile ride along the beach. While in the air you will see Isla Mujeres, Nichupte Lagoon and the Cancun Hotel Zone.

Catamaran sail

Catamaran

Check out the Albatros Luxury Catamaran "Get Up and Go" Catamaran Sail that brings you from Cancun and Isla Mujeres. You'll get the chance to snorkel on the El Farito reef and then explore downtown Isla Mujeres. During the sailing tour, you'll also get a buffet-style lunch and a domestic bar. Your tickets include access to the Isla Mujeres Beach Club.

Columbus Lobster dinner cruise

Colombus dinner cruise

Relaxation, great views, and amazing food... could there be a better way to spend a romantic evening in Cancun than the Columbus Dinner Cruise? Listen to the music provided by a live saxophone band, enjoy appetizers, and take in the beautiful sights of the island on your 2.5 hour dinner cruise. You'll have the choice of steak or vegetarian-friendly dishes and there is an open bar available for all during the cruise. Dessert is also included.

An amazing sunset, plus an excellent dinner aboard a yacht - bliss!

Extreme Adventure Puerto Morelos snorkelling

Puerte Moralos

Explore the second-largest barrier reef in the world right off the coast at Puerto Morelos. It's a popular surfing destination and people come from all over the world to check out the barrier reef and catch some waves. Marine life is extensive on the reef; it's home to sea turtles, brightly colored fish, and more.

You'll have the chance to snorkel in two locations and get to ride an ATV between the two areas. This adventure includes up to two hours of snorkeling. Before you leave Puerto Morelos you'll have the opportunity to have a local meal or check out the beach. Complete snorkeling gear is provided.

Reef, turtle and shipwreck snorkeling tour

Reef snorkel Cancun

Enjoy a stunning four-stop Reef, Turtle and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour with bilingual guides and snorkeling equipment included. Visit part of the Great Mayan Reef at the first stop and see many different schools of fish in all their kaleidoscopic glory.

At stop number two, 98% of visitors will be able to see a sea turtle - how's that for good odds? Visit the MUSA Underwater Museum at stop number three, and explore the coral engulfed shipwreck with a dizzying array of fish and other marine life. 

With roundtrip transportation provided from any hotel in Cancun.

Take a surf lesson

Surf lesson in Cancun

If you have ever wanted to learn how to surf, here is your chance. Your 90-Minute Surf Lesson will help you catch some of those famous Cancun waves. Learn how to surf from some of the best instructors around - assistant instructors will also be on hand throughout to help you stay safe and enjoy the experience. You'll learn about safety equipment and head out to the waves for your first lesson. 

Surfboard and a lycra top with UV protection is included and water or juice is provided during your lesson.

Paradise SubSee excursion at Paraiso Nizuc

Sub see Cancun

The Aquaworld Paradise SubSee gives you a full view of the ocean floor - it's a submarine-like vessel that includes a glass-lined cabin below deck. Be in the water without having to snorkel and get a full view of the coral formations, see the Cancun Underwater Museum statues, and view the colorful sea life.

The boat is air-conditioned and your tour will be narrated. Beer and soft drinks are available on the boat.

Snorkel in Musa Nizuc plus Subsee Experience tickets

Subsee Cancun snorkelling

Enjoy a day snorkeling by starting out on the Aquaworld SubSee Explorer and stop around Punta Nizuc to snorkel among all types of fascinating aquatic creatures. Take the 30-minute ride on the Subsee Experience to soak up the underwater views, then sit back and relax with a drink.

At your destination of Paradise Platform, check out the 16 different statues in your snorkeling gear. Stay close to the guides for your best shot at seeing a sea turtle.

Jungle Tour speedboat adventure

Jungle tour speed boat

Become the captain of your own ship with a two-person Jungle Tour Speedboat Adventure. Gear use is included, including a new snorkel to keep. You will have the chance to explore the area channels with 2.5 hours of speedboat time. Find out from the experienced guides to see where you should head for your exploration. Using the snorkeling gear, dive below the water and get a glimpse of the dizzying array of aquatic plant life. 

Dancer Cruise Cancun with snorkeling

Dancer cruise Cancun

A fiesta can be found on the Dancer Cruise Cancun with Snorkeling. The double-decker catamaran sails between Cancun and Isla Mujeres and onboard you'll enjoy food and beverages, dance lessons, contests, and activities.  The boat also includes a waterslide and diving board. You'll have three opportunities to jump in the water and explore the area as the boat stops.

Stop one is the Meco Reef, stop two is in an area with calm waters to give everyone a chance to swim, and the last stop is at Isla Mujeres, where you will have two hours to check out the island. On the way back to Cancun, have fun dancing with the DJ, have a few drinks and relax.

Royal Garrafon Natural Reef park adventure

Royal Garrafon reef adventure

The Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park Adventure includes roundtrip transportation from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and back. The boat ride is 30 minutes and includes a continental breakfast on the way to the island. You'll have access to the Beach Club and you can swim in the pool.

Check out the Pre-Hispanic Steam Bath on the island and head back to the Beach Club for a buffet-style lunch. While on the island, you can kayak or snorkel in the crystalline water and join the guided walking tour on the coast of Punta Sur.

Flowrider "ride the wave" experience of Aquaworld

Flowrider

If you have ever wanted to try surfing but you aren't ready for the open ocean, the Flowrider "ride the wave" experience of Aquaworld can't be missed. You'll be able to catch a wave with the help of an instructor. The surface is soft, much like a trampoline. No matter what your surfing capability, you'll have fun on the FlowRider. It's a great opportunity for experienced surfers to try out new tricks in a controlled environment.

Shopping tour in Playa del Carmen with hotel pickup

Shopping Playa del Carmen

On this awesome shopping tour, you'll get picked up from your hotel and spend the next hour in air-conditioned comfort on your way to one of the best beach towns in Mexico, Playa del Carmen. An English-speaking tour guide is on the bus to give you background, and you'll have access to complimentary ice-cold water on the trip.

In Playa del Carmen, it's time to start shopping. There are many locally-owned boutiques and also name-brand stores. You'll have plenty of choices when it comes to restaurants, and the chance to check out a wide variety of street performers and artists.

Save on admission to top Cancun attractions with Go City®

Discover our full line-up of Cancun attractions including Jungle Tour Speedboat Adventure, Extreme Adventure Puerto Morelos snorkeling, surf lessons, and more.

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.

Whichever Cancun pass you pick, you'll save as you sightsee

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

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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10+ Things to Do in Cancun with Kids for a Fun Trip to Mexico

Planning a trip to Cancún? This southeastern Mexican city has both natural landscapes ideal for outdoor adventures and exciting and innovative indoor attractions, making it perfect for families who want to do it all while on vacation. While Cancun may be known for its nightlife and spring-breakers, there are tons of kid-friendly attractions that the whole family will enjoy. With so many things to do and see, your Cancún vacation is sure to be educational, entertaining and of course, fun. If you’re looking for things to do in Cancún with kids, check out this list of our favorite kid-friendly activities, including... ATV, Ziplines and Cenote Combo Tour at Extreme Adventure Park – All Day Experience Swim Adventure by Dolphin Discovery Xcaret Park with Transportation from Cancun Snorkeling Adventures Cancun Wax Museum Parasailing Adventure in Cancun and more... Save on Admission to Kid-Friendly Attractions Many of these great kid-friendly attractions are available on the Go Cancun® Card. Choose as you go from more than 20 top Cancun attractions and save up to 45% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Or, build your own pass and save up to 20% off. See all available passes, attractions & prices. Snorkeling Adventures Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancún has miles upon miles of shoreline along the Caribbean Sea, making it the ideal destination for snorkeling. There are tons of snorkeling tours to choose from, so you can pick the one that interests you and your family most.   Free Kid-Friendly Activities in Cancun Parque de las Palapas - Experience local culture in Cancún’s city square, or the Parque de las Palapas. Admission to the newly-renovated park is free, and there’s plenty of space to both play and relax. There’s space to play soccer and lots of seating in the open-air food court. Try Mexican snacks like marquesitas and fried plantains. There’s live music on the weekends and street performances most days. The Parque de las Palapas is the great spot to relax and enjoy Cancún as Mexicans do. Urbano Kabah Park - Located downtown, Kabah Park brings the jungle to the metropolitan area of Cancún. Kabah Park has running trails, a kid’s playground, ponds and a small museum. The grounds are well maintained and safe, so it’s great for families. Keep an eye out for local animals—coatis, or raccoon-like animals that roam the park, while alligators and turtles can be found in the ponds. This urban oasis is a great way to spend a couple of hours outside of the city, without having to travel far.   Let’s Recap There you have it – some of our favorite things to do in Cancún with kids. Plan to add a few Cancun attractions to your vacation itinerary for a fun-filled trip! Remember, you can save on combined admission vs. paying at the gate to many of these popular family-friendly attractions and more with a Cancun Pass.
Shannon Balser
Cancun Rain
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Things to Do in Cancun When it Rains

Cancun is known as a beach paradise with endless sunshine and warmth, but every so often you may catch a rainy day. Just in case you are in Cancun when it rains, you might want to have a backup plan. Here are our favorite indoor activities and rainy day trip ideas for Cancun. Interactive Aquarium Cancun Shopping Tours Taco and Beer Tasting Tour Bars and Restaurants Museo Maya de Cancun Interactive Aquarium Cancun Located right in the Isla Vista Shopping Mall, Interactive Aquarium Cancun is the perfect place to take the whole family if the weather isn't all sunshine and beaches. Instead, bring beach life inside and discover Cancun's exciting marine life. You can easily spend the day here, with plenty of touch tanks, fish tanks, and volunteer-led presentations. Watch as dolphins splash around their habitat or get to know the feeling of a sting ray's slimy back as they zip around the tanks. You'll forget you're indoors and not at the beach. Shopping tours While these shopping tours aren't completely out of the rain, you might find it worthwhile to endure a drop or two as you pop in and out of the shops. Shop the streets of Playa del Carmen or peruse the booths at Mercado 28 in Cancun (or do both!) on a guided tour of these two city's shopping districts. What better excuse to spend a couple of hours shopping than rain? Playa del Carmen Hop aboard the bus and head down to Playa del Carmen, another popular resort destination just outside of Cancun. Your tour guide will lead you down Fifth Avenue, the longest stretch of shops and goods in the area. You can shop anything from local-owned boutiques to popular international brands like H&M. Cancun On this guided tour, you'll find other places to shop besides La Isla. Your guide will take you to Mercado 28 and Plaza Las Americas - a shopper's paradise. Mercado 28 is set up just like a flea market, with locally made goods and gifts perfect for friends back home. Plaza Las Americas offers well-known stores like Victoria's Secret, Sears, and Adidas Take your tastebuds on a food tour Immerse yourself in the local cuisine on a Colors of Mexico Taco Tour and Local Beer Tasting. This fantastic foodie tour will keep you out of the rain for an evening whilst you indulge in the best taquerias in town. You'll stop at four local restaurants, all chosen to take you on a journey through Mexico. Feast on tacos de cochinita, tacos coapeñito, tacos de surtido, and tacos al pastor as you explore the best food Cancun has to offer. With a perfectly paired beer (or soft drink) at every stop, you'll never want this tour to end! Your knowledgeable guide will make this unique experience all the better, on-hand to give you a complete history of Mexico's culture, food traditions, and little-known facts about their most delectable secret ingredients. Hit the bars and restaurants  There are plenty of local bars and restaurants in Cancun to explore if your trip to the beach is canceled at the last minute. Find somewhere to settle down for the afternoon to enjoy some delicious seafood and perfectly refreshing drinks. Fred's House is just the place for a bite and a drink. This American-style seafood restaurant offers beautiful views and private cabana seating that keeps you out of the weather's way. Being inside doesn't have to mean missing out on Cancun's views! If you're just stopping in for a quick drink, grab a seat at the bar and use your pass for $20 towards drinks. Will you sip on a piña colada or a beer? Museo Maya de Cancun Check out one of Cancun's best art and anthropological museums: Museo Maya de Cancun. This museum holds one of the most important collections of Mayan artifacts, from jewelry to ceramics and sculptures. There are nearly 400 pieces on display, all showcasing Mayan culture. This museum is definitely worth a visit. You'll head home with a wealth of knowledge – not just a tan! Rainy day savings galore See? You can stay dry all while having plenty of fun indoors in Cancun when it rains. We hope these ideas helped inspire you to create a fun-filled indoorsy itinerary for your trip! It's always good to have a backup plan, just in case. Save up to 50% on Cancun attractions   Discover our full line-up of Cancun attractions, from Xcaret Park to parasailing adventures. 🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.     😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 
Nicole Muto

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