Cancun snorkeling

Best Cancun snorkeling spots

Whether you're looking to swim with tropical fish and turtles, see underwater art, or even explore a real shipwreck, you can do it all in Cancun.
By Casey Makovich

Cancun, Mexico is home to the Great Mayan Reef. The coastal waters of Cancun offer some of the best snorkeling anywhere on Earth. You can swim out right from your hotel beach to snorkel, but you are likely to see more of the seafloor than sea life.

For offshore trips, boats staffed with English-speaking guides bring you to the reef areas with the most magnificent snorkeling spots.

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Child snorkeling

The Extreme Adventure Puerto Morelos is a snorkel trip of a lifetime, with luminescent fish and bright coral. The Puerto Morelos beach is a key breeding spot for sea turtles. An off-road vehicle takes you between two great snorkel spots where you'll spend about an hour at each one. Then there's free time to walk through the lovely village of Puerto Morelos, with its beach and its charming cantinas.

Tip: the leaning lighthouse is the backdrop for selfies!

Underwater Museum Snorkel at Paraiso Nizuc

Take a boat out to Cancun's Underwater Museum, and visit some of the best sea turtle hangouts along the Mayan coast. Snorkel to your heart's content, then take an aquatic sightseeing trip through the 16 statues.

Elier Amado Gil, a local artist, founded this quirky collection and dedicated it to the sustenance of the Great Mayan Reef and its living communities. There's a floating refreshment stand where you can grab a beer or cold drink. Then it's out to the shallow waters of El Cielo, to meander through the places where starfish congregate.

Nizuc

Reef, Turtle, and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour

The Reef, Turtle, and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour is a truly mesmerizing snorkel experience. It's a must-see place, and whether you’re an experienced swimmer or a newbie, this snorkel tour is great for people of all skill levels. Gaze at the breathtaking marine life at four reef stops, each with its unique features.

See Cancun's big, beautiful sea turtles, and an awesome variety of fish. Revisit Elier Amado Gil's undersea art collection. Then there's the grand finale! Explore the shipwreck and meet the fish who dwell inside, as their coral habitat slowly takes over the ruins.

Snorkel plus SubSee experience

The Snorkel in Musa Nizuc plus SubSee Experience is a combined tour. First, it features an excursion in the SubSee Explorer from Aquaworld. This unfolds in an air-conditioned yellow submarine! Marvel at the sea life and the Underwater Museum from a totally different perspective – you're dry, moving through the waters in a transparent enclosure.

Bilingual guides narrate, so you can learn a great deal about Musa Nizuc on this tour. Arrive at Punta Nizuc and snorkel through the brilliant reef waters. Return to your ride and take in the onboard entertainment, drinks, and relaxing atmosphere.

Snorkeling family

Dancer Cruise Cancun with snorkeling

This delightful Dancer Cruise with snorkeling day trip is like a trolley tour you can jump on and off – only with a snorkel and a catamaran! Cruise over the ocean, enjoying a casual breakfast, a hearty buffet lunch, and the boat's open bar. Stop at three different places to swim, snorkel, and admire the timeless Caribbean.

Back on the double-decker boat, enjoy the music and dancing, and the vistas of the Isla Mujeres and Cancun seacoasts. Your Dancer Cruise Cancun with snorkeling is all-inclusive: snorkeling, food and drinks, games, contests, dancing and even dance lessons. Your three stops in the cruise involve:

● The beautiful Meco Reef – one of the best snorkel spots to view Mexico's aquatic life.

● A pause in calm waters, during which time the boat's diving board, waterslide, and trampoline all get a workout. Climb back on board for a delicious lunch.

● Isla Mujeres – a four-mile island where you'll disembark and enjoy two hours of exploring. Hang out in the village, or luxuriate on the beach. Or you might opt to spend your time taking a walk to the breathtaking cliffs, where you'll find an unforgettable island and coastal vistas.

Dance to the DJ and live entertainment on deck en route back to the hotel!

Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park Adventure

Complement your snorkel trip with the 30-minute boat ride to Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park and then back to Cancun. The natural reef area is bordered by cliffs. As they come into view, you'll be finishing a continental breakfast on the boat. Disembark and receive access to the Beach Club and its luxury pool.

From the beach, you can take a kayak out to the Isla Mujeres reef, and snorkel in the sparkling waters. Build up your appetite for the midday buffet, meander around the cliffs of Punta Sur, and visit the Mayan ruins. And do try the pre-Hispanic steam bath known locally as the temazcal. It's an indigenous sweat lodge – Mayan style.

Girl snorkeling in Cancun

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Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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New Year's Eve in Cancun
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New Year's Eve in Cancun

Are you heading to Cancun for NYE this year? Check out our picks of the best ways to spend New Year's Eve in the city and make it one to remember. From daytime splashes to nighttime parties, we've got you covered. Including: Is Cancun good for New Year's Eve? Is Cancun busy during New Year's? Can you swim in Cancun in December? Things to do before New Year's Eve in Cancun Things to do on New Year's Eve in Cancun Is Cancun good for New Year's Eve? Cancun is a hugely popular spot - especially for tourists - over the New Year. Could they all be wrong? Perhaps. But would they keep coming back, year after year, to experience New Year's Eve in Cancun? Probably not. So, yes, you'll have a damn good time if you choose to go. Is Cancun busy during New Year's? However, due to Cancun's popularity on New Year's, you'll be sharing the sunny spotlight with many a traveler. This works both for and against spending New Year's Eve in Cancun. If you want to rub shoulders with like-minded, likely English-speaking individuals, you're in luck. However, if you were hoping to avoid massive crowds and queues, that's not going to happen. Due to Cancun's peak weather season landing from November - March, NYE just happens to be smack bang right in the middle of it. Can you swim in Cancun in December? You sure can! The water over New Year's Eve is as warm as anything in Cancun. You'll be more than comfortable swimming, snorkeling, diving, or any other number of water-based activities. How warm? Well, the average sea temperature is 80°F. So, yeah, warm. As with most New Year's Eve celebrations, festivities in Cancun don't tend to kick off until the later hours, so you'll have the whole day to make the most of your trip! With that in mind, check out our picks of the best things to do before New Year's Eve in Cancun! Things to do before New Year's Eve in Cancun: Parasailing Speaking of warm weather, why not make the most of the day before the night and go parasailing? Whether you're brand new to it or a seasoned veteran, you'll be taken care of. Your ride lasts over 10 minutes, and you'll be decked out in state-of-the-art safety equipment. And, with a walkie-talkie in hand, you'll be in constant contact with the captain of the boat if you need to speed up or slow down. After all that, and with your parachute pulled, you'll soar into the sky and experience some of the best views of Cancun around. It's a great way to get your blood flowing before the evening's main event! Things to do before New Year's Eve in Cancun: Ventura Park Sticking with the water theme, how about visiting a water-filled theme park before your New Year's Eve celebrations in Cancun? Ventura Park has got you more than covered. With tons of waterslides, swimming pools, and other rides, you'll have a blast at arguably Cancun's best waterpark. For your white-knuckle spills, hit up Wet n' Wild World, where you'll find the park's best splashes. Wave pools, slides, rafting, and more relaxing poolside opportunities. Fancy drier entertainment? Aahventura World features a tree-load of zip lines, rollercoasters, and rope-swinging fun. For the little ones, Fun World focuses on things for them, but since you're spending New Year's Eve in Cancun, we'll assume you've left them at home! Make a splash, or don't, at Ventura Park, and cool off before the party begins. Right, that's enough pre-game - let's talk about the main event! Read on, and discover our picks of the very best New Year's Eve entertainment in Cancun! Things to do on New Year's Eve in Cancun: Congo Bar There are a ton of NYE events in Cancun. Too many to mention. But will any of them offer you a free bar for the whole night? No, they won't. So, why not hit up Congo Bar and have a night of free drinks and entertainment on us? You are very welcome. Pick from beers, wines, cocktails, and spirits, and ring in the new year without breaking the bank. And, with tons of entertainment on offer thanks to special DJs spinning anthems that'll make you jump, go-go dancers kicking up a storm, and plenty of conga lines flowing and elaborate dress-up gear to try on, you'll have a night to remember. Just remember to drink plenty of water through the night so you don't feel awful the next morning. Things to do on New Year's Eve in Cancun: Romantic Dinner Cruise Of course, New Year's Eve isn't all about partying. For some, it's a time to spend with our loved ones, away from the flashing lights and throbbing bass of the club scene. If you're planning on making your New Year's Eve in Cancun a romantic one, why not hit up this romantic dinner cruise and get a slap-up meal while you're at it? This 2.5-hour Cancun cruise includes a multi-course dinner with appetizers, dinner, drinks, and plenty of tempting desserts. Meat eaters and veggie lovers are equally taken care of, with steak and vegetarian options depending on your preference. Then, when your meal is over, you can have a few more drinks at the open bar on board, enjoy the dulcet tones of the live saxophonists, and admire the serene skyline reflecting on the water as the clock strikes midnight. As far as romantic nights go, it doesn't get much better than this. Things to do on New Year's Eve in Cancun: Lucha Libre Or, if you're looking for something more quirky and unusual this New Year's Eve in Cancun, why not hit up a Lucha Libre show and discover the joys, laughs, and tears that make Mexican wrestling one of the most captivating sports on the planet? Kick things off with a heaping of tacos filled with all your favorite ingredients, complimented by delicious, refreshing Mexican cerveza - that's beer to you and me. Then, when you've had your fill, skip the queue and witness the larger-than-life entertainment that can only be Lucha Libre. Extravagant masks, deep backstories, and brother backstabbing brother are just some of the many joys of this flamboyant fair. And that's everything you need to know about celebrating New Year's Eve in Cancun! If you want vacation inspiration for the rest of your stay, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of Cancun's best bits for one low price.
Dom Bewley
Things to do for Thanksgiving in Cancun
Blog

Things to do for Thanksgiving in Cancun

If you don't fancy a cold and awkward Thanksgiving at the in-laws, check out our picks of the best things to do in Cancun over the Thanksgiving weekend! Including: Is Thanksgiving a good time to go to Cancun? Is Cancun busy over Thanksgiving? Can you swim in Cancun in November? Things to do for Thanksgiving in Cancun Is Thanksgiving a good time to go to Cancun? If you're looking to escape the cold and wet climates you'll often find in America over Thanksgiving, then Cancun is just the ticket. With tons of sun, sand, and plenty of things to do, it's a welcome break from the usual family affair - if that doesn't float your boat. Having said that... Is Cancun busy over Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving falls on Cancun's peak tourist season, so expect plenty of other people to have exactly the same escape plan! November to April is typically the busiest time to visit, which just so happens to fall on ol' Thanksgiving. So, while it's a great time to get away, you may be queueing for things for longer. Can you swim in Cancun in November? Indeed you can! November is prime time for swimming in one of Cancun's many clear, pristine oceans. Average temperatures in Cancun hit 79°F in November, and the waters are typically even warmer at a stunning 82°F. So it's the best time to take a dip, which you can't say for many other places in America over Thanksgiving! Things to do for Thanksgiving in Cancun: Xcaret Park If you're looking for relaxing things to do in Cancun for Thanksgiving, why not take a trip to the gloriously laid-back Xcaret Park? Arguably the most unusual theme park in the area, Xcaret Park forgoes white-knuckle thrills for a more beach resort/explorer vibe. It may sound strange, but it works better than it has any right to. Inside, you'll find over 50 attractions that offer various ways to relax, explore, or do both. Explore the Mayan Village and Old Mayan Temples, take a ride down Paradise River as parrots fly overhead, visit the Vino De Mexico Wine Cellar, visit the kid-friendly waterpark at Children's World, or just relax on a beach. All of that, and much, much more, are ready to be experienced. So, if you fancy a more laid-back alternative to the usual theme park affair, check out Xcaret. You won't be disappointed. Things to do for Thanksgiving in Canvun: Xel-Há Park On the flip side, if you are a thrill seeker looking for more heart-stopping adventures, then Xel-Há Park has got you covered. Featuring a myriad of snorkeling spots, zip lines, river runs, and waterslides, it's one of Cancun's most unmissable theme parks. Take a tour of the nearby river and dive beneath the waves to see exotic creatures up close. Leap off a cliff into pristine waters below. Hack your way through a jungle trail like Indiana Jones, or zip along the treeline at breakneck speed. If any or all of the above sound good to you, you know where to go. Things to do for Thanksgiving in Cancun: Congo Bar Of course, one of the best ways to enjoy the newfound Thanksgiving sun is with a refreshing cocktail or three. While you'll find a number of parties popping off over the period, why not head to Congo Bar and skip the bill? Our treat. That's right - if you go with us, you'll have access to a completely free bar from 9PM til 3.30AM. Beers, spirits, wines, and more are all available, so pick your poison and party through to the early hours. But Congo Bar isn't just a bar - it's an entertainment paradise. DJs spin crowd-pleasing bangers, go-go dancers kick through the night, confetti showers on guests fairly regularly, and expect conga lines to form every minute. Sure, you could hit up one of the other parties over Thanksgiving, but why break the bank when you get it all and more at Congo Bar? Why indeed. Thing to do for Thanksgiving in Cancun: Dolphin Encounter in Isla Mujeres Have you ever hugged a dolphin? Don't lie, you haven't. Do you want to hug a dolphin? Of course you do! So why not go encounter some dolphins at Isla Mujeres and do just that? You'll spend 40 minutes learning and interacting with these fascinatingly intelligent creatures, all from the comfort of a floating platform. Even non-swimmers can enjoy this underwater festival of fun! Thanks to your guide/marine animal specialist, you'll learn what makes dolphins tick, what they eat, and how many people try to protect their natural environment. With us, you'll get your flipper meet-and-greet, as well as a slap-up brunch on the island itself. Relax by one of the nearby pools, hit the shops, or even go shark-watching. Easily one of the best things to do for Thanksgiving in Cancun. Things to do for Thanksgiving in Cancun: Dancer Cruise Cancun! Or, if you prefer being above the water rather than knee-deep in it, why not go on a Dancer Cruise? With a wealth of entertainment on board, and even opportunities for thrill-seekers to hop beneath the waves, it's a best-of-both-worlds situation that's hard to pass up. The boat -and your captain - make three stops on your trip. The first is Meco Reef, where you can head beneath the waves after a light breakfast to see colorful schools of fish, different corals, sea turtles, and more up close. Or, just stay on the deck for a dance lesson. Next is water activities, which include diving and waterslides for those inclined or a trampoline for those who don't fancy a dip. Finally, you'll explore the nearby Isla Mujeres, where you can shop til you drop, or just relax on the beach for a couple of hours. Then, when you're done, get back on board and head back to the mainland. Easy. And those are our picks of the best things to do for Thanksgiving in Cancun! If you're planning on spending a few more days on either side of the holiday, upgrade your itinerary with Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of Cancun's best bits for one low price.
Dom Bewley
Cancun beyond the beach
Blog

Things to Do in Cancun Besides The Beach or All-Inclusive Resort

With beautiful waters and beaches, Cancun has been a destination for vacationers for decades, and it's easy to see why. But what's a person to do if they can only enjoy so much time by the sand and the water? What is there to do that lets them stretch some muscles and even their brains?
Casey Makovich

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