12 Best Tourist Places to Visit in Cancun 2023

Cancun is a gateway of the Yucatan Peninsula to the magical world of Mayan pyramids and ruins, beautiful crystal caves at Rio Secreto, pristine beaches, and much more. You can lounge next to turquoise Caribbean Sea water with a margarita in hand, trek nearby forests and landscapes, or experience adventure sports at Extreme Adventure Eco Park.

Cancun offers something for everyone. Make a plan and explore what awaits you!!

List of 12 Places to Visit in Cancun that Gives a Glimpse of Mayan Legacy

Get ready to fall in love with these captivating destinations in the Cancun region as we take you through 12 places to visit in Cancun for an experience to cherish forever.

Chichen Itza | One of the Seven Wonders on the Earth
Isla Mujeres | An Island in the Caribbeans
Playa Delfines | A Quiet Beach
Playa Tortugas | A Popular Beach for Turtles and More
El Rey Ruins | A Mayan Archaeological Site
The Maya Museum | A Large Convention Complex
Cancun Underwater Museum | Seabed-Based Attraction
El Meco Archaeological Site | A Prominent Mayan Trade Centre
Interactive Aquarium | Marine Life of Cancun
Xcaret and Scenic Tower | A Theme Park and Other Facilities
Urbano Kabah Park | The Natural Oasis in Cancun
Extreme Adventure Eco Park | Adventure Sports, Trekking and More

1. Chichen Itza | One of the Seven Wonders on the Earth

A must-visit site for history geeks and culture lovers, the Chichen Itza has several amazing facts you should experience first-hand. UNESCO named it World Heritage Site in 1998. During a global survey, the ancient Mayan city was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Prominent monuments within the ancient city premises are El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulkan, a rotund observatory, a ball court, a market, and the Temple of Warriors.

Location: Yucatan Peninsula, around 200 km from Cancun resort town
Best Time to Visit: November to April
Entry Fees: 533 Pesos (26 US Dollars)

2. Isla Mujeres | An Island in the Caribbeans

Want to experience the pure island environment? Head to Isla Mujeres to explore the unique island for everyone in the Cancun region. It is a perfect place to spend with friends and family or unwind for precious ‘me’ time. The island offers white sand beaches and water sports, including snorkelling, diving, and serene turquoise Caribbean waters.

Location: The meeting point of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, around 13 km off the Yucatan Peninsula
Best Time to Visit: December to March
Entry Fees: 30 Pesos

3. Playa Delfines | A Quiet Beach

Cancun is popular for its beautiful picturesque beaches. Playa Delfines, or Dolphin Beach, is the local’s favourite among tourists who want an uninterrupted beach view. In the early morning, you can view dolphins, once common sightings, from El Mirador (a lookout platform).

Major highlights of this beautiful beach are a long stretch of white sand with endless views and turquoise waves, thatched-roof shade structures known as Palapa, traditional Mexican food, sandcastlers, surfers, and more.

Location: Southernmost Point of Zona Hotelera
Best Time to Visit: March, April, May and August are best for pleasant weather, and July is perfect for swimmers
Entry Fees: Free

4. Playa Tortugas | A Popular Beach for Turtles and More

If DJ playing on the beach, high-rises in the backdrop, and crowd are not your thing, the calm atmosphere of Playa Tortugas is just the place for you. It is the second-best beach destination in Cancun, a favourite among locals and tourists alike. Highlights of the beach are clean white sands, a relaxed atmosphere, water sports, open-air restaurants, an excellent evening dining experience and much more.

You can also hire umbrellas and chairs on rent and travel to Isla Mujeres through ferries departing daily.

Location: Northern Part of the Cancun
Best Time to Visit: December Holidays to Spring Breaks
Entry Fees: Free

*It is advisable to check weather conditions before stepping out to the beach to avoid surprises)

5. El Rey Ruins | A Mayan Archaeological Site

Visiting El Rey Ruins is one of the best things to do in Cancun to explore the rich history and culture of Mayan Civilisation. And also, photo-session with hundreds of Iguanas around here. The ancient Mayan city is easily accessible to tourists and locals. El Ray town was a central hub for maritime trade in its heydays around 1200 A.D.

Highlights of this pre-Columbian Mayan Cultural site are a pyramid temple, around 50 buildings and ruins, ancient architecture, large tiered designs, columns, and more.

Location: Kukulkan Blvd., 17 km from Zona Hotelera
Best Time to Visit/ Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; visit early morning to avoid crowds and rush.
Entry Fees: 55 Pesos

6. The Maya Museum | A Large Convention Complex

From traditional cuisines to culture to festivals, the Mayan civilisation has had a deep impact on Mexicans. Learn and explore everything you need to know about one of the greatest civilisations of the human race, renowned for art, mathematics, architecture, calendar, and astronomical system. Highlights of the Maya Museum are Mayan art and history exhibits, a collection of over 3500 Mayan artefacts, a forest path to San Miguelito, La Mujer de las Palmas and many more.

La Mujer de las Palmas (The Woman of the Palms) is the 12000-year-old skeleton of a woman unearthed near Tulum in a cenote. Once a thriving Mayan community, San Miguelito is now left with crumbling stone structures, dwellings, stone temples, etc.

Location: Southern Area of Hotel Zone in Cancun
Best Time to Visit/Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)
Entry Fees: 90 Pesos (internal and external exhibits)

7. Cancun Underwater Museum of Art | Seabed-Based Attraction

Museo Subacuatico de Arte (MUSA) is a beautiful display of underwater sculptures. MUSA opened to the public in 2010 and is one of the most-visited tourist spots in Cancun. Explore the underwater museum for more than 500 well-reserved sculptures, most made by Jason deCaires Taylor. Two galleries of the museum are submerged between 2 to 10 meters deep.

You can enjoy glass-bottomed boats and snorkelling with family, friends and kids. It’s a great option to have fun while exploring these preserved sculptures.

Location: Quintana Roo
Best Time to Visit/Visiting Hours: Daily 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Entry Fees: Starts from around 513 Mexican Pesos