One Day in Cancun Itinerary – Experience Cancun in a Day for Under $100

If you find yourself with a quick layover in Cancun – perhaps only a day to explore – then you’re probably looking to make the most of your short time in paradise. To help you plan your one day in Cancun itinerary, we’ve put together a suggested list of what we’d do during our limited time in this delightful city.

This one day in Cancun itinerary includes:

  • Extreme Adventure Park Snorkel
  • Parasailing Adventure
  • Mercado 28 (free!)
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise

Spending more time in Cancun? Check out our weekend in Cancun and three days in Cancun itineraries for more inspiration.

Save on Attraction Admission

With a Go Cancun Card attraction pass, you can visit these exciting attractions and save up to 45% on combined admission fees to these and other great Cancun attractions. Of course, this one-day itinerary is only one of many ways to enjoy your limited time in Cancun. The Go Cancun Card gives you the flexibility to totally customize your vacation – just pick and choose what you want to see during your one day in Cancun and save on admission. It’s that easy!

Stop #1: Extreme Adventure Park Snorkel

happy-little-kid-snorkeling-mask-jump

Did you know that the world’s second-largest barrier reef is located a mere 15-minute drive from Cancun off the coast of lovely Puerto Morelos? Head here for the snorkeling adventure of a lifetime, during which you’ll get to see a diversity of vibrant tropical fish, sea turtles, marine plants, colorful corals, and much more. You’ll get to snorkel two different locations along the reef, then spend some time on the beach or wander the charming little town of Puerto Morelos. Finally, end the morning with some lunch at a local restaurant. Getting In: Puerto Morelos Snorkeling Adventure is included with the Go Cancun Card.

Stop #2: Parasailing Adventure

parasailing-blue-ocean-cancun

Start off your afternoon with one of the activities on my personal bucket list – parasailing! Soar over the beautiful waters off the coast of Cancun and enjoy feeling the freedom of flight. Some of the sights you’ll see on your amazing aerial journey include natural sandbars, the striking structures of the Cancun Hotel Zone, and natural wonders like Nichupté Lagoon and Isla Mujeres. You’ll spend approximately 10-12 minutes in flight, covering about three miles as the boat travels. Bonus: you’ll get free round-trip transportation from the dock to the main boat. Getting In: Canun Parasailing tickets are included with the Go Cancun Card.

Stop #3: Mercado 28

boy-buying-mexican-souvenirs-market

If you’re looking for a place to do your souvenir shopping, then Mercado 28 and Plaza Del Carmen are your best bet. Mercado 28 is a flea market that’s been around in Cancun for a long time, so it’s got a great reputation among locals and visitors alike. You’ll find everything from basically any souvenir you could think of to clothing, toys, books, crafts, and more. There are also food stalls with authentic local street food on offer; a great way to truly get a taste of Mexican cuisine without the expense of what can sometimes be touristy restaurants. Plaza Las Americas offers higher-end stores in a more traditional mall atmosphere for a one-stop shopping experience. Getting In: Mercado 28 and Plaza Las Americas are free to explore; any purchases you make will not be covered by the pass but you can get roundtrip transportation with a guided shopping tour in Cancun with the Go Cancun Card.

Stop #4: Sunset Dinner Cruise

 

Finally, you’ll want to end your one day in Cancun on a memorable dinner cruise. Enjoy a delightful evening sailing around the azure waters off the coast of Cancun, with two and a half hours to enjoy the sights and your meal. Savor tasty appetizers, a delicious surf-and-turf dinner, and delectable desserts on this relaxing sunset cruise. There’s also a bar on board, should you want to enjoy a few adult beverages while you watch the sun set. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy a live saxophone band while soaking up the sights – what’s not to love? Getting In: Cancun Lobster Dinner Cruise are included with the Go Cancun Card.

Let’s Recap

If you follow this one day in Cancun itinerary with the Go Cancun Card, you’ll save on admission versus paying at the gate. Consider adding a few, or all of these attractions to your next Cancun adventure, and we’re sure you’ll make memories to last a lifetime. Happy travels!

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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2 Days in Cancun - A Weekend in Cancun Itinerary for Your Trip

Traveling to Cancun for the weekend and looking for something beyond the typical sunbathing and partying? If you’re in search of some fun things to do in Cancun with friends or family, then this suggested weekend in Cancun itinerary could be a helpful resource. With a variety of watersports and cultural activities, we hope to provide a balance of attractions to give you the best weekend getaway possible. We’ve put together a few of our favorite things to do in Cancun for a short trip, including: 90-minute Surf Lesson Moonlight Snorkeling Tour Interactive Aquarium Cancun Cancun Wax Museum Drinks at Fred’s And more! Save on Admission to Cancun Attractions Regular admission to many of these attractions is available with the Go Cancun Card. Save up to 45% on combined admission prices versus paying at the gate. Learn more about Cancun passes, attractions, and prices. Cancun Wax Museum   Mix a bit of culture into your Cancun vacation with the trip to the well-regarded Cancun Wax Museum. Filled with amazingly life-like wax replicas of famous figures from around the world, this museum is the perfect place to snap those fun selfies. Some of the stars you’ll see here include Barack Obama, the Beatles, Queen Elizabeth II, Amy Winehouse, Cristiano Ronaldo, and many more. We recommend reserving about two hours for this attraction Getting In: Cancun Wax Museum tickets are included with the Go Cancun Card. Drinks at Fred’s End your weekend with a bit of time to kick back and relax. Fred’s House is a modern American seafood restaurant offering delicious adult beverages and tasty treats like oysters and more. Come here for a drink or two, and consider staying for dinner. Getting In: Drinks at Fred’s House Cancun are included with the Go Cancun Card. Remember to Save on Admission If any of these attractions seem like a good fit for your weekend getaway to Cancun, consider picking up an all-inclusive Go Cancun Card. You can save up to 45% on combined admission prices versus paying at the gate. It’s easy to use, convenient, and smart. Happy travels!
Katie Sagal
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Famous Cancun Landmarks & the Most Instagrammable Places to Take Pictures in Cancun

If you didn't Instagram it, did it even happen? Whether you want to show off your vacation photos or not, you most definitely will want to take pictures to remember all of the incredible things you did in Cancun. Cancun is a popular vacation destination because of its bright blue oceans, gorgeous beaches and warm weather. From days of relaxation pool or beach side to adventures at Chichén Itzá, there's something for everyone to enjoy (and photograph!). This is why we’ve had our team of city insider’s put together a list of some popular places to take pictures in Cancun. Best Ways to See Famous Cancun Landmarks There’s plenty of great places to snap the perfect Instagram photo of famous Cancun landmarks during your trip. Getting around Cancun is easy, especially when tons of attractions on the Go Cancun Card offer free round trip transportation. See all included attractions here. Many of the photo opps we listed below are located near some of the top attractions in the city – so you can combine the best sights with the best things to do. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Best Places to Take Photos in Cancun 1. Dolphin Discovery Cancun 2. Chichén Itzá 3. Xplor Park 4. Cruise the waters of Cancun A post shared by Dancer Cruise Cancun (@dancercancun) on Mar 10, 2018 at 7:27am PST One of the reasons Cancun is such a popular destination is because of the beauty of its oceans and beaches. The turquoise waters are something you have to see for yourself, and the best way to do so is aboard a cruise. Whether you hop on a sail boat or a catamaran, we guarantee you'll come across some of the most picturesque views you've ever seen. Keep your camera out! You can choose for a relaxed night on a dinner cruise or try the lively and upbeat Dancer Cruise, complete with a diving board and water slide on deck. Getting in: Columbus Sunset Dinner Cruise tickets, Isla Mujeres Discovery Cruise tickets and Dancer Cruise Cancun tickets are included on Go Cancun Card. 5. Garrafon Park 6. Parasail above Cancun 7. Explore a cenote 8. Snorkel Puerto Morelos 9. La Isla Shopping Village in Cancun A post shared by Elaine Resende (@elaineresende_) on Jun 5, 2018 at 8:05am PDT It may be called a shopping village, but La Isla Shopping Village is way more than that. The indoor-outdoor shopping mall is also home to attractions and rides. No matter what you're looking for, you're sure to find it here. You can peruse the racks at your favorite stores, like H&M and Victoria's Secret, or explore the souvenir shops owned by the locals. If shopping isn't your ideal vacation activity, not to worry - you can visit the aquarium, dine on authentic cuisine or catch a movie here too. Getting in: Shopping in Cancun tickets and Interactive Aquarium Cancun tickets are included on Go Cancun Card. Address: Blvd. Kukulcan km 12.5, La Isla, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico Let’s Recap While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does contain a bunch of our favorite places to take pictures in Cancun. From the most popular attractions to natural caves to snorkeling, there’s something to suit every taste when it comes to Cancun photo opportunities. Remember, a number of these famous Cancun sights and attractions are available with the Go Cancun Card, where you can save on combined admission prices vs. paying at the gate. If you have recommendations for other places to get the best photos in Cancun, feel free to comment below!
Nicole Muto

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