Things to do in Cancun in Winter

Instead of playing in the snow, you'll be playing in the sand. Cancun experiences some of the best weather in the winter months, particularly from December to February.

Published: July 18, 2024
Cancun in Winter

Cancun in winter typically has less rain, gorgeous, balmy weather, and sunny skies. You'll be able to stay toasty and tan all while mixing in a few holiday events here and there. We've put together a list of the best winter attractions and events for your trip to Cancun, including...

  • Xcaret Park
  • Romantic Dinner Cruises
  • Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park
  • Bioluminescence Snorkeling Tour
  • Shopping Tours
  • Chichén Itzá Tours
  • Interactive Aquarium Cancun
  • Parasailing Adventure
  • Tulum Express Tour

Posadas at Xcaret Park

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Celebrate Posadas, a traditional Mexican holiday celebration, while exploring gorgeous Xcaret Park Posadas takes place on the nine days leading up to Christmas, honoring the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. It is celebrated with holiday carols, a parade through the park, and the breaking of piñatas as a grand finale of sorts.

This eco-archaeological park is just south of Cancun and is truly an oasis of relaxation. Explore over 40 different attractions like Children's World, the Old Mayan Temple, and the Village, and take a look at the Xcaret México Espectacular night showThis stunning performance by 300 talented artists displays the folklore of ancient Mexico represented in La Charrería, Papantla Flying Men, and Pre-Hispanic Dances.

Romantic dinner cruise

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If you're spending some quality time with a loved one on this Cancun trip, definitely hop aboard a Columbus Dinner Cruise to commemorate the holiday season. Sail around Cancun's lagoon as the sun sets, soaking in the picturesque views of the Caribbean for 2.5 blissful hours. Dine on an exquisitely-prepared steak or vegetarian meal and enjoy an open bar as you cruise through the water.

Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park

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Take a trip to Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park, an island 30 minutes off the coast of Cancun. Fill up on the continental breakfast provided on the ferry, because you're in for a long day of fun and exploration. Kayak, snorkel, and splash around in the crystal clear waters off the coast.

Kick back and relax at the Beach Club lounge or take a trip into downtown Isla Mujeres to explore the shops and local restaurants. No matter what you do, you'll be surrounded by gorgeous views.

Moonlight Bioluminescence Snorkeling Tour

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Swim along the shallow waters of the Great Mayan Reef and discover the unique and colorful sea life of Cancun’s waters on this awe-inspiring Moonlight Bioluminescence Snorkeling Tour.

Bioluminescence is the biochemical emission of light by living organisms such as fireflies and deep-sea fishes. In other words, it’s what makes certain fishes and jellies appear to be neon! On this snorkeling tour, you'll explore three different areas over the span of an hour and a half.

Your guides will direct you to all the best spots where you'll have to keep your eyes peeled for sea turtle, jellyfish, and tropical fish sightings.

Shopping Tours

Get into the holiday spirit with a shopping spree through Cancun or a trip to Playa del Carmen where you can find all your Christmas gifts at the craft shops. In Cancun, you'll visit Mercado 28 and Plaza Las Americas. Mercado 28 is a flea-market-style shopping area with booths and restaurants owned and operated by locals. It's the perfect place to find unique souvenirs.

Plaza Las Americas, on the other hand, has all your favorite brands - from Victoria's Secret to Adidas to Sears. In Playa del Carmen, you'll shop famous Fifth Avenue, often called Quinta by residents, a 22-block stretch filled with all types of shops. You can find souvenir shops full of trinkets and jewelry, or you can shop from your favorite brand names. Fifth Avenue has it all, including incredible views of the water and beach as you walk.

Chichén Itzá

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While visiting Mexico, make sure to carve out some time to see its famous archaeological sites like Chichén Itzá. Chichén Itzá, a pre-Colombian city built by the Mayan people, was the largest city of its time and is believed to be one of the mythical Great Cities referred to in Mesoamerican folklore. Explore the temples and structures at your own pace and take a chance to admire some of the oldest buildings in Mayan history.

Interactive Aquarium Cancun

The Interactive Aquarium Cancun is the perfect place to go with the whole family, especially if you're tired of the beach or pool (although, how could you be?). Located in La Isla Shopping Mall, this aquarium is home to over 140 different species of fish, sharks, jellies, and more.

The expert animal trainers host shows throughout the day, where you can watch them feed and interact with dolphins. In addition to live animal shows, you can also catch screenings of ocean-related films in the auditorium.

Parasailing Adventure

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Fly right over the beach on a Parasailing Adventure in the sky. Soar into the clouds on a 10-12 minute journey over the coast and bright blue waters of Cancun. You'll be safely strapped in to your parachute and harness, so enjoy the ride and really soak in the view. As you begin your descent, you'll have the option to land directly on board or be dunked quickly in the water. On a hot day, we recommend the latter.

Tulum Express Tour

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Tulum is another great historical site you can visit while in Cancun. Once thought of as a fortress, the ruins of Tulum once were a busy site of commerce. This was a walled city of laborers, astrologers, farmers and nobility. There are three walls to protect the city from outsiders, the remains of several house type structures, burial sites for the kings. On this Tulum Express Tour you'll cover the entire grounds and hear about the intricate history of the structures.

Save on Cancun attractions this winter

So that's our brief list of the top things to do in Cancun during the winter. 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.  

Please note: some of these special Christmas & holiday events may be separately ticketed and not included on the pass.

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

Nicole Muto
Go City Travel Expert

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A colorful Cancun sign standing by the ocean
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Great reasons to visit Cancun in September

Lying deep within the low season, September is rarely considered for visits to Cancun. The lack of crowds makes Cancun in September as budget friendly as it comes, with great deals on offer on flights and hotel stays. What’s more, September brings in one of the biggest days in the Mexican calendar, as well as events which only occur two days a year. These are in addition to the usual mix of water sports and beach fun. Join us as we explore the many things to do in Cancun in September! Hit the beaches When it comes to Cancun, it’s sparkling waters are always a good place to start. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula’s east coast, this modern city with an ancient heart faces out into the warmth of the Caribbean Sea. Edged by the world’s second longest coral reef system, its hotel zone is draped with a ribbon of white sand beaches totalling no less than 22 kilometers in length. It catches the gentle breezes to one side and looks out across the jungle around Nichupte Lagoon on the other. Although it’s one of the quieter beaches, Playa Chacmool is still a great example of what you can expect. Beside the sun loungers and parasol rentals there’s plenty of opportunities to enjoy the waves, with swimming and water sports including parasailing possible. The neighboring Playa Gaviota Azul – better known as Playa Forum – is one of the region’s top party beaches, whilst Playa Tortugas (Turtle Beach) on the spit of land connecting the hotel zone with downtown Cancun has a local family vibe that’s hard to resist. Delve into the history Undeniably, the best place to absorb the culture is at the Palacio Municipal (Town Hall) on Avenida Tulum on the evening of September 15 – Mexican Independence Day. Commemorating the start of the fight for liberation against the Spanish in 1810 – taking place with little more than clubs and catapults – the festivities begin with the reenactment of a speech given by Don Miguel Hidalgo, now seen as the father of the country. The celebrations continue with mariachi music, dancing, feasting and a late-night fireworks display. Dating back much further is the abandoned Mayan city of Chichen Itza, founded sometime around AD 600 and home to the magnificent El Castillo pyramid. Although one of the top attractions in the region, we wouldn’t usually recommend a visit at this time of year because some travelers can find the humidity levels in land hard to bear. However, who could resist the chance of seeing the appearance of a snake on the pyramid’s sides during the autumn equinox around September 20, given it’s a phenomenon only occurring a couple of times a year? Cool off in a cenote Likewise, jungle adventures are often avoided at this time of year because of the humidity. Follow this trend and you’ll be missing out on some of Cancun’s other major attractions – its cenotes (flooded naturally-occurring sinkholes). Extending underground for thousands of kilometers by some estimates, they are accessed through the collapse of cave walls and ceilings, resulting in open, semi-open and pit-like cenotes. Sought out at this time of year because of their fresh water, which remains pleasantly cool, cenotes are a unique experience. Surrounded by jungle and held sacred by the Maya, their incredibly clear waters are reached by steps, ladders passed through gaps in the rock and even by plunging several meters. Amongst our favorites are Cenote Yaxmuul beside Jungle Maya Native Park and Gran Cenote, richly decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. Its waters host both fish and small turtles, whilst bats hang out (very literally) around the cave walls. Go turtle spotting The much-larger cousins of Gran Cenote’s reptiles – green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles – arrive in their hundreds on the protected eastern beaches of Isla Mujeres during the Cancun low season. Egg-laden females push their way across the sands to the tideline most evenings in order to deposit the yet-to-be-born next generation. Males and immature females fill their stomachs amongst the reefs, making them a regular sighting on snorkeling and scuba diving expeditions. But that’s not all! With nesting turtles comes hatching turtles a couple of months later, meaning those eggs laid in June and July will be hatching out right about now. Most hatchings take place towards nightfall, bringing a wonderful end to any day on the island. Do a little window shopping Mention any trip to Cancun in September and the inevitable response will be ‘what about the rain?’ We’re not going to pretend the climate at this time of year is wall to wall sunshine, but nor can we say it’s continuously raining – because it isn’t. Statistically, September is the wettest month of the year, and yet two thirds of its days are entirely rain free. Those days which do see rain generally save it up for a heavy downpour lasting two to three hours in the afternoon. Check the local weather forecast and you can time these moments to coincide with a visit to one of Cancun’s indoor attractions. Join a shopping tour of Cancun and you’ll get to browse the stalls of Mercado (market) 28 as well as the boutique stores located within the Plaza Las Americas shopping mall. Providing two contrasting experiences, Mercado 28 is a great place to pick up local art, decide on a souvenir and eat in authentic restaurants. Plaza Las Americas is where the middle and upper classes shop for the latest brands to make a name internationally. Save in Cancun in September Know what you’re doing and a vacation in Cancun in September can be as epic as one during the high season. Only – you’ll be saving a bunch of cash in the process. Flight and accommodation deals aren’t the only way to stretch your budget either. Check out Cancun’s attractions with Go City, and you’ll get incredible savings on admission costs without having to do much more than turn up whenever you fancy and show your pass on entry.
Ian Packham

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