Cancun - Activities

Beautiful Beaches

Cancun has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.. The tropical jungles and fascinating archaeological sites set the backdrop for your Cancun adventures. Breezy beaches and powdery sand offer restful places for solitary sunbathing.

Most beaches in Cancun's Hotel Zone are spectacular, but there are subtle differences worth exploring. Because of the city's shape, similar to a number 7, the area offers two distinct beach experiences. The top of the 7, or northern side, faces the Bahia de Mujeres and has beaches prime for swimming and water sports. The lower portion of the 7 (its eastern side) is more open to the Caribbean Sea, and a place to watch the big waves roll excitedly onto the beach. 

For a change of pace, there are many equally spectacular but less frequented beaches scattered along the 100-mile-long Riviera Maya to the south of Cancun. 

Diving & Snorkeling 

Sooner or later, a dip in the warm turquoise waters will beckon. With the world's second largest barrier reef at its doorstep, off nearby Cozumel, no visit to Cancun is complete without a first hand view. Most hotels rent snorkeling gear if you don't bring your own. Dive trips can be booked through the hotels or at any of Cancun's 20 dive shops. Cancun's miles of fabulous beaches make for some great days of sun and the fun of all your favorite water sports, or for a truly exceptional underwater experience, make the short trip (about five miles) to beautiful Isla Mujeres.

El Garrafón National Marine Park, at the southern end of Isla Mujeres, is a haven for snorkeling and swimming with its shallow coral reef and diversity of marine life, including dozens of varieties of tropical fish. For a true experience of a lifetime, seek out some of the region's numerous freshwater cenotes (sinkholes) or underground caverns. The swimming, snorkeling and diving is spectacular. 

For experienced divers, the Cave of the Sleeping Giants is a fascinating discovery. Sixty feet down in the Caribbean Sea northeast of Isla Mujeres, the cave is home to immobile sharks that are a bizarre phenomenon, since sharks normally remain in constant motion in order to breath! 

For novice snorkelers, a great place to learn is at Punta Nizuc at the southern tip of Cancun's "7". For a day trip, the main bay at Akumal (or "place of the turtles"), 59 miles south of Cancun, is a great snorkeling spot with its shallow, calm waters and more than 300 species of tropical fish. There are also several opportunities in the area to experience swimming with a dolphin, also an encounter you will not soon forget. 

Water Sports 

The calm waters of the Nichupte Lagoon, Bahía Mujeres and Isla Mujeres are ideal for lovers of all kinds of water sports. Some of the great choices include windsurfing, sailing, jet skiing and water-skiing. 

Fishing 

Deep-sea and lagoon fishing are popular activities in Cancun. Catch red snapper and bonefish while fishing right in the sheltered bay, and you can charter a boat to go after bigger game. Sailfish and dolphin fish run from March through July, while blue and white marlin and bluefin tuna run from April to June. There are a variety of excellent daily fishing cruises available during the day and the evening. You can also charter boat trips for snorkeling, swimming, dinner or party cruises. Enjoy great times at sea, while the crew looks after the food and entertainment. 

Golf and Tennis 

Back on land, there's no excuse not to get active! Play an unforgettable round of golf! Pok ta Pok, Hilton Cancun, and Playacar Golf Club are just some of the beautiful 18-hole golf courses in the region to challenge and inspire you with their unique landscapes and beautiful views. 
Tennis courts are in plentiful supply and located in the larger hotels. 

Bird Watching 

There are several excellent spots for bird-watching, including the national wildlife reserve of Isla Contoy which is home to over 70 species of birds, and the archaeological site of Cobá. The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is a 1.3-million-acre park which is home to over 350 species of birds, including the rare Jabiru stork and over a million migratory songbirds from the U.S. and Canada.