Things to do and places to see in Cancun

1. Chichen Itza:  The capital of ancient Maya empire – the best Mayan Ruin archaeological site, rated top 7 man-made wonders of the world.  It is truly spectacular.  It’s about a 3 to 3 1/2 hour drive from the Hotel Zone.  May not be a good place for younger kids because of the long drive. However if your kids can sit a for a great deal of time while watching a DVD, then it would be a nice adventure for them as well.  I would highly suggest going with a tour guide bus because they do all the driving while you sit and relax and watch a DVD or sip a cervesa (that’s beer in espanol – ole!). 
   I booked through Best Day although I don’t know if I’d recommend them.  They promised all these things to us when signing up and they didn’t deliver – the bus was not as “luxurious” as they described (although it was satisfactory) and they made tons of stops so vendors can get on/off to sell us all sorts of useless trinkets.  The picture they showed us of the bus had a table and the booking agent told us that breakfast was included.  On the day the bus had no tables, no large windows and no breakfast.  Just remember to keep any brochures, pictures, and list of ammenities included so that if they change on you last minute (which happens often) you can show them and they can reimburse you for what they don’t deliver on.  Must See!

 
Photo by: Chica_de_LA

1. Xcaret - I can only describe this as a cross between the San Diego Wild Animal Park and a natural water park.  The best part about Xcaret is their underground rivers where you can snorkel and see the Mayan sinkholes, magical caves, rock formations and marine fossils.   There are also lagoons – between the jungle and the beach. The passageways, caves and coves are the perfect place to explore the lagoon’s crystal clear water, multicolored fish and tropical environment. Hammocks are hung along the banks for sunbathing and relaxing.  There are also inlets which Xcaret owes its name to; this sea water entrance which forms an Inlet of clear crystal water is home to hundreds of tropical fish and a sacred site for Mayan culture.  There’s also natural wild life such a native birds, jaguars, monkeys, deer and butterflies.  You can end your visit with the night show.  Although I haven’t seen the show, everyone who has seen it says it is amazing.  For me, after a full day of sight seeing, snorkeling and swimming I was pretty pooped and I wanted to go back to the hotel and go out for dinner.  Xcaret is defintely kid and adult friendly.  There are tons to do for the entire family – so much that you may need two visits to see everything.  I believe you can get the second visit half off if you keep your ticket stub.   Again booked through the same agent Best Day and they didn’t deliver as promised.  They told us to be at our hotel by 8 am and they didn’t show up until 8:50 am – 50 minutes late!  The driver who was to take us to the tour bus didn’t even apologize or offer an explanation – in fact he actually wanted a tip!  The nerve.  I don’t think so Senor!  He even yelled and slammed the door on us when we asked politely if we were going to make it to the bus on time.  After the inept driver said some nasty stuff to us in spanish (which I totally understood since I took espanol in high school – yo hablo espanol and comprendo todo estupido!)  he dropped us and a few of the other tourists (who were also waiting a very long time) off in the middle of the street to catch our bus.  Que??!! To Best Day’s credit the tour guide that met us on the tour bus was very nice and very professional.  Skip Best Day. 

        Must See Xcaret!

1. Garrafon & Isla Mujeres – Garrafon is located on the island Isla Mujeres.  It’s about a 25 min cruise from Cancun.  They have snorkeling, swimming with the Dolphins, kayaking and a tour of Isla Mujeres.  The island itself is tiny – the walking tour takes about 30  mins so that gives you an idea of the size.  Garrafon is even smaller with very little to do.  They have a limited number of restaurants so you almost have to get the “all-inclusive” plan.  Maybe it was the time I visited but there were maybe 2 types of fish.  The snorkeling is situated right next to the island in a tiny roped off area.  If you want good snorkeling this is not the place.  This was the only place I regretted visiting through out my trip.  Skip it.

Photo by: jessiadkisson

1. El Rey Ruins - Ruinas Del Rey or “El Rey”, is located on  Kukulkan Boulevard between 18 KM and at 17 KM in the Southern Hotel Zone in Cancun on the lagoon side, adjacent to the Hilton Resorts Golf Course.  The entrance is at 18KM so if coming by bus get off here instead of 17KM otherwise you’re in for a long walk.  The entrance to El Rey is 35 pesos or $3.50 US (at time of exchange).  They charge extra if you want to video camera your experience – yes, really.  Hours open between 8 AM and 5 PM for general admission.   These ruins are decimated so don’t expect to see tall pyramid like ruins that you’d see at Chichen Itza.  It’s a very small area filled with Iguanas roaming the grounds…and with the Iguanas you get a lot of giant sized Iguana poop so beware when you walk around.  I just thought it was interesting because this is somewhere you can visit in an hour, take pictures and say you’ve seen some ruins in the midst of modern Cancun’s hotel zone on your own without a tour guide/bus.   Okay if you have time. 

Here are a list of other adventures I’d recommend:

• Joe’s Jeep Adventure – drive your own jeep through the jungle and even zip line.  This is always highly rated on travel sites. 
• Tulum (ruins by the beach) & Xel-ha (natural water park) – Some people decide to do mayan ruins and water park both in one day.  If you don’t have two full days to spare for Chichen Itza and Xcaret, then this is a good alternative.   Xel-ha is only about 30 miles from Playa Del Carmen (which is about 20 mins from Cancun hotel zone) so it’s not far so taking the kids is easier. 
• An overnight or day trip to Cozumel for beaches and island tour – note this is not recommended as a day trip because it takes half the day travelling there and back.  You won’t get to see much if you go for the day.
• A day trip to Playa Del Carmen for shopping and resturants
• Coba – The tallest ruins (138 ft)  called Nohoch on the Yucantan peninsula and the only ruin they still allow you to climb to the top. Built between two lakes during 600 – 900 AD. 

If you have any comments or suggestions on adventures/activities in Cancun, please comment below.  Be descriptive – provide the name of the tour, agency (if any), month/season, fees, etc.  Thanks!

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