Things to do in Cancun with Teens During Your Vacation

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
Cancun snorkeling

We all know that planning vacations with your teens can be tricky. They don’t love the things they used to as kids but aren’t quite always ready for cultural attractions adults enjoy. What should you plan to keep them happy?

So, if you’re looking for things to do in Cancun with teens that don’t just involve them sunbathing on a beach, check out our list of recommended activities and attractions, including:

  • Swimming with Dolphins at Isla Mujeres
  • Xcaret Park
  • Paradise Snorkel at Paraiso Nizuc
  • Isla Mujeres Discovery Cruise
  • Chichén Itzá adventure
  • And more!

Swimming with dolphins

Isla Mujeres swimming with dolphins

If your teens have ever dreamed of having a chance to get up close and personal with the friendliest creatures of the sea, then Swimming with Dolphins at Isla Mujeres is their perfect opportunity. They’ll swim in the open water with these intelligent creatures, then spend even more time with manatees and sea lions – what a great experience!

Finally, they’ll have the chance to relax in the lounge afterwards and enjoy some lunch and (non-alcoholic) tropical drinks to cool off.

A full day of adventure at Xcaret Park

Xcaret Park

If there’s anything teens need on vacation, it’s something to keep them screen-free and engaged in the world around them. Send them on an all-day adventure to Xcaret Park, which features dozens of top attractions and activities all in one amazing area.

Explore a Mayan village. Tour an underground river. Enjoy dance and musical performances unlike anything else. Swim along the beach. And so much more! Your teens will have the time of their lives here.

Snorkeling a tropical reef

Snorkeling in Cancun

Take full advantage of the wealth of natural beauty around Cancun with a snorkeling trip to the Paraiso Nizuc Reef. Your teens will relish this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get out onto the ocean and among this impressive reef. Plus, they’ll get to see 16 fascinating statues that make up the unique Cancun Underwater Museum.

While the excursion is guided, your teens will have freedom in their snorkeling adventures, so it’s a good way to give them some vacation flexibility.

Cruise around Cancun

Isla Mujeres Discovery Sail

Your teens will appreciate the opportunity to spend more time on the water – especially on a cruise like this one that combines excitement with relaxation. Enjoy a sail out to Isla Mujeres aboard a luxury catamaran, spend a little time snorkeling, explore downtown Isla Mujeres, and then return to Cancun. This attraction offers the option for teens to explore on their own at Isla Mujeres, and is a good choice for those who want another whole-day adventure.

You could opt for this cruise over the Paradise Snorkel if you think just a little bit of snorkeling would be enough for your teens. Please note that this adventure will keep you busy until around dinnertime.

Catch some waves

Surfing in Cancun

Take the opportunity to try surfing in Cancun and they'll emerge feeling like a pro! (Well, at least your teens will kind of know what they’re doing afterward). They’ll spend some time on the beach learning techniques and moves, and then head out along the shore.

And for concerned parents out there – don’t worry! Experienced instructors will be close on hand just in case.

Explore archaeological wonders

Chichen Itza

If your kids enjoy history or have dreamed of fabulous adventures in far-off lands, then a trip to the archaeological wonderland of Chichén Itzá is a must-do for the whole family. 

This pro-Colombian city is believed to have been among the most legendary Mayan cities of its time, and today is the most significant architectural site in Mexico. You’ll get round-trip transportation from your Cancun hotel (so no hassle of maps and directions!) plus a few hours to explore engrossing ruins at your leisure. A must for fans of Indiana Jones, young or old! 

What's more, on the trip you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a cooling dip in the natural cenote, Saamal, where you'll have plenty of time for a refreshing swim. 

Parasail over the ocean

Parasailing Cancun

Another bucket list item that both you and your teens will enjoy is a Parasailing Adventure over the gorgeous tropical waters off the coast of Cancun. Soar over the ocean and get unbeatable aerial views of the Cancun Hotel Zone, Isla Mujeres, and Nichupté Lagoon. Once you’re airborne, the boat below you will cruise for about 3 miles, or a little under 15 minutes of air time for you. 
 

Save on admission to teen-friendly Cancun attractions

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.  

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

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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A couple on a white sand beach in Cancun
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Cancun in January

If you’re planning a visit to Cancun in January you’ve hit the jackpot. Sure, Mexico’s top beach resort is probably at its most crowded, but with so much to see and do you’ll hardly even notice. Coming early on in the Yucatan region’s dry season, which starts in December, Cancun’s weather in January sees temperatures of 21 – 28°C matched by clear sunny skies. Warm evenings mean you can stay out in short sleeves long into the night, whilst sea temperatures aren’t all that different to what you can expect on the long ribbons of white sand. Humidity is also at its lowest levels of the year, especially towards the end of January. This makes the month an excellent time to explore the jungle, hit the waters of the Caribbean Sea in any number of ways or soak up the sun on beaches famed the world over. Is January a good time to visit Cancun? There’s no denying it is! Jungle adventures Take a snapshot of the Yucatan Peninsula from the vantage point of a quetzal bird or hornbill and you’ll soon realize just how much of it is thick subtropical jungle. So whilst it’s right to focus much of your attention on Cancun’s shoreline, be sure not to miss the delights of this other natural habitat within very easy reach. From Cancun’s hotel zone beaches the jungle is just one exhilarating speedboat tour across Nichupté Lagoon, whose opposite banks form an unbroken chain of trees providing important nesting spots for crocodiles as well as birds. Alternatively, you can experience the jungle by tearing through the canopy securely attached to a zip line at Jungle Maya Native Park before going on to take part in a traditional Mayan purification ceremony, abseil or snorkel. However, when it comes to zip-lining experiences, few can match that at Selvatica Park’s Extreme Canopy Tour. Here you’ll have the chance to tackle no fewer than ten zip-line circuits, a zip-line roller coaster and half-aquatic zip-line route. Prepare to get wet! Take to the waves If getting wet gets you smiling, your cheeks are going to get sore pretty quickly in Cancun in January. Water sports gear isn’t hard to find in the hotel zone, whether that’s a jet ski, stand-up paddleboard or banana boat. It’s even possible to hang above the turquoise waters by parasailing. Meanwhile, below the waves water visibility is excellent, making January an ideal month for scuba diving and snorkeling at one of the most important reef systems in the world – the Grand Mayan Reef. There’s an almost unlimited number of options when it comes to uncovering the underwater world, from Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park on Isla Mujeres to checking out the life that has adopted shipwrecks as their habitat of choice. But the unique diving and snorkeling opportunities don’t end there. Cancun’s warm waters are also home to one of the world’s few underwater museums. More correctly a gallery to display the specially-made sculptures of Mexican and international artists, MUSA consists of several galleries which have become home to around 500 different species of sea life. Beach life With over 20 kilometers of beachfront to choose from, Cancun is also a great destination for soaking up a little winter sun. Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach) is Cancun’s largest stretch of public sand, and is perhaps also the most beautiful even if the eponymous wild dolphins don’t make an appearance. For somewhere a little quieter to wile away the day check out Playa Chacmool, which rubs shoulders with the livelier Playa Forum. Elsewhere, Playa Tortugas is primarily used as a hangout for locals, but this takes nothing away from its stunning sands. A short ferry or catamaran sailing away you’ll also find the beaches of Isla Mujeres. Playa Norte (North Beach) is its best-known, and from here it’s possible to rent a golf-style buggy to explore the island further, peruse the souvenir stalls or sit down to a sumptuous meal all within earshot of the waves. If you’re already missing the hotel zone’s epic night spots, swap the catamaran sailing for a trip to Isla Mujeres by dancer cruise. A double-story water slide, open domestic bar, onboard entertainment and steady supply of foods might even rival the seascapes! Don’t forget about the Maya Cancun is probably unique in beach resorts because of the presence of internationally-important historic sites as well as celebrated beaches. The Yucatan Peninsula is the location of many of the Mayan civilization’s most important sites. Absolutely not to be missed is Chichen Itza, whose well-preserved step pyramid is one of the most impressive landmarks in the entire region and definitely worth exploring even if it requires giving up on the beaches for a couple of hours. Although Coba may be harder to visualize as a functioning city, since it has been partially reabsorbed into the jungle, it boasts the Maya’s tallest ever construction – a pyramid which it is still possible to climb. Nor should Tulum be ignored. Made even more special by its coastal rather than jungle location, this Mayan city’s outer walls still stand. Within them visitors are able to explore everything from laborers' homes to those of the nobility. Avoid missing out on the festivities Cancun in January is relatively quiet when it comes to special events, however no one is able to miss the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Cancun on December 31. Not only do fireworks erupt over the hotel zone on the stroke of midnight and into the first minutes of January, but many of the strip’s bars and clubs host special events to mark the coming of the new year. Also at the beginning of January is King’s Day on the sixth of the month. The Mexican equivalent of Epiphany, this largely religious festival commemorates the Biblical story of the Wise Men. During the first week of January keep an eye out for rosca de reyes – a special type of sweet bread in the shape of a ring or wreath. Decorated with candied fruits, it contains a small figurine of a baby hidden somewhere inside. The person who finds the figure is expected to host a Candlemas party on February 2. Save when visiting Cancun in January Because it lies within the high season, January is one of the more expensive times of year to travel to Cancun. However, there are still ways to keep your budget in check, not least by traveling with Go City! We provide you with massive savings on entry to many of Cancun’s top attractions and activities so you can see and do what you want without worry. Vacations are about having fun rather than keeping an eye on the finances after all!
Ian Packham
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 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.   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. So grab a Cancun pass and make it a new year to rememeber!
Dom Bewley
A couple enjoy the sea on a pier in Cancun
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Discover Cancun in August

August is the last opportunity you have to experience Cancun’s big three animal encounters – nesting turtles, hatching turtles and whale sharks. A variety of cultural events bring even more color and frivolity to its streets than normal, and balmy evenings mean ‘pack light’ can become your new vacation mantra. So although August in Cancun is considered part of the destination’s low season, with some chance of rain and growing levels of humidity, you can still enjoy the long list of things to do in Cancun in August. Don’t miss any of them with our guide to the best of the summer. Cancun weather in August August is the school vacation period, and yet Cancun’s Caribbean shores, beachside lagoon and cooling jungle cenotes (sinkholes) are generally much less busy than at other times of year. US and Canadian citizens tend to enjoy the August weather back home. Others can be put off by August’s ‘wet season’ tag. Don’t be. Cancun in August is dominated by hot and humid weather, with average daily temperatures of 29°C. But nestled on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, this should hardly come as a surprise. The ‘wet’ is also quite misleading, with just six days seeing any rain at all, divided relatively evenly across the month’s 30 days, though heightening in the latter half of the month. Grab your swimwear... The rest of the time visits to Cancun in August will be a mix of sun and cloud. The long ribbons of white sand see enough of the sun to make renting a lounger and parasol a must. There’s even a festival of the beaches – Fiesta de la Playa en Cancún. At the same time, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to discover the secrets and solitude of the region’s cenotes. These naturally-occurring phenomena are found nowhere else in the world and provide a very different swimming and bathing spot to the Caribbean Sea. Several degrees below the Caribbean’s 30°C, many have intriguing histories dating back to Mayan times, such as Tankach Ha close to Coba pyramid. Even more have dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations. And don’t forget your snorkel Whilst some cenotes are home to fish, the undisputed giants of the deep – whale sharks – couldn’t even fit in many at up to 18 meters long. They can however be admired from both above and below the water on dedicated swimming and snorkeling tours. They continue into August from Cancun as the whale sharks gather to feed for the summer in large numbers. Other species of shark, most notably bull sharks, can be found swimming amongst the corals and tropical fish of the region’s Grand Mayan Reef at any time of year. Its 14 species of hard coral provide innumerable habitats for around 500 different types of fish, including eagle rays and barracudas. Despite their fearful reputation, they’re generally very welcoming of both scuba divers and snorkelers keen to explore the reef. Greet turtles on the beaches The Grand Mayan Reef drifts for almost 1200 kilometers from Isla Contoy down to Honduras. Set sail for Contoy island in August and you’ll come ashore as mature turtles from several endangered species drag their heavy shells up the beaches to lay their soft-shelled eggs, an event which can be witnessed most nights. Eggs laid in the sands earlier in the season are also hatching, making August one of just a couple of months when it’s possible to encounter two generations in the same place. Turtles nest and hatch on Isla Mujeres too. It can be reached by both ferry, and more romantically, by private catamaran charter. Only seven kilometers long, the island celebrates its founding in 1850 with special celebrations around August 17, encompassing exhibitions, music and culinary demonstrations. Admire incredible views Another feast to look out for is August 15’s Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Although primarily a religious festival, mariachi bands and festive food and drink all make an appearance. The warm evenings – temperatures rarely drop below 24°C – make it a great time of year for dining out. Given Mexico’s culinary brilliance, there’s plenty of options whatever your budget, with a multi-course dinner on board ship as the sun sets surely high on the list. You could instead settle for the romance of a gondola rising above the main strip on the Gran Rueda Cancun Ferris wheel. Over 50 m high – equivalent to a 16 story building – air-conditioning ensures you’ll never feel the heat as you check out 360° views that stretch as far as Isla Mujeres. Stop by the museums August humidity levels means it’s not the best time to leave the coast for day trips to colonial Valladolid and the Mayan masterpiece of Chichen Itza. However, Cancun’s museums are another option. Occupying a modern state-of-the-art building, the Museo Maya takes visitors on a whistle-stop tour of Mayan art and culture through a dazzling array of sacred and everyday objects. Just a few steps away you’ll also find the remains of San Miguelito, complete with temples, pyramids and an inquisitive population of semi-wild iguanas. Sticking with the sea theme, Interactive Aquarium Cancun allows the whole family to explore the Yucatan’s underwater worlds without getting their feet wet. Its impressive tanks and displays contain somewhere in the region of 2000 individual species, of which around a quarter are reef favorites. You’ll also come face to face with reptiles including crocodiles, as well as sea lions and dolphins. How to budget for Cancun in August It might not be the usual month to head to the Yucatan Peninsula but Cancun in August has a lot to recommend it. The sea is as warm as a bath, the beaches less crowded than at other times of year, plus there’s the chance for turtle and whale shark encounters. Forget any worries about August being hurricane season – it’s highly unlikely you’ll be negatively affected – and explore with Go City. We give you incredible discounts on admission to a huge array of attractions in Cancun whilst giving you the flexibility to pick and choose what you want to do each day of your vacation.
Ian Packham

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