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

Continue reading

Cancun
Blog

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.
Casey Makovich
A view across a Cancun beach in the hotel zone
Blog

Cancun in October – a good time to visit?

Escape the crowds with a trip to Cancun in October! It may fall within both the low season and be the peak of the hurricane season – but don’t let this worry you unnecessarily. The last storm to come anywhere near Cancun was back in 2005, and still didn’t approach close enough to affect the beach life people visit this part of the Yucatan Peninsula for. As well as its extraordinary white sand beaches, there’s an incredible array of cultural sights to look out for, from the temples of the Mayan civilization to the kitchens of downtown Cancun. And then there’s the preparations leading up to the Day of the Dead, one of the most important dates in the Mexican calendar. Check out these incredible reasons to visit Cancun in October.   Save whilst on vacation in Cancun in October The low season still has an amazing number of things to do and see for anyone searching out vacation destinations. Plan with the changing weather in mind and Cancun in October won’t feel all that different from its high season months. What’s more, most of the attractions we’ve featured can be visited by making use of our All-Inclusive or Explorer passes. With Go City you get substantial savings on attraction admission without having to jump through endless hoops. For flexibility and discounted rates, you shouldn’t go to anyone else. So grab a Cancun pass and save while you sightsee!
Ian Packham
Cancun's hotel zone beaches in February
Blog

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

Have a 5% discount, on us!

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