By Emily Luie – Guest Contributor
When it comes to interesting vacation spots, Cancun may not be the first thing that comes to mind. After all, with so many amazing destinations, be they old cities of Europe, mysterious Asian jungles, or the plains down in Africa, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of possibilities and not notice what’s right under your nose. Cancun is close, easy to get to, and it’s an incredible vacation spot that’s just waiting for you to get re-discovered.
Located on the picturesque Yucatan peninsula, Cancun is famous mostly for its incredible vistas, its turquoise shores, sandy beaches, tropical jungles, ancient ruins, and more (spring break, anyone?). Needless to say, there are plenty of options when it comes to the types of tours and excursions you can go on while visiting. Here are five of what we consider to be the coolest ways to spend time in Cancun.
Chichen Itza Tour
If you’re big on landmarks and historical sites, it’s hard to top exploring one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. Cancun happens to have one of those just waiting for you to check it out. Chichen Itza has been recognized as one of the 7 Wonders since 2007. It’s an incredible structure – a Mayan city that was abandoned in unexplained circumstances. Its biggest draw, however, is a phenomenon that occurs only twice a year, during the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox. Due to the way the city is constructed, the position of the sun on those two days is such that you can see a shadow of a snake descending into the ground. While that’s definitely worth seeing, it only scratches the surface of how much mystery and wonder there is contained in this ancient city. Though it’s located pretty far in-land, meaning you’ll have to walk a bit to get there, it’s definitely a trip that’s worth taking. For the best experience, go with a guide who can tell you all they can about the site as you see it with your own eyes.
Cancun Jungle Tour
If there’s one thing about Cancun’s landscape that you won’t find a lot of stateside, it’s the jungle. Wild, untapped, and brimming with exotic life, the jungle is an incredible place to explore. Many companies combine routing the jungle with speedboating so that you can also explore the reef in all of its glory. Make sure you go prepared no matter what package you choose, however – the jungle may be exciting, but if you don’t come well-equipped, it can be pretty risky. Always plan these tours ahead, as vaccines become crucial since you never know what kind of plant or animal you’ll encounter and what disease you may get. And finally, always make sure you tour the jungle with a guide – not only will they keep you safe, but they’ll also help you get a much greater appreciation of the area.
Catamaran Tour
If you’re more into the sea than sightseeing on land, there are plenty of catamaran tours available in Cancun. Most of these take you to Isla Mujeres – the island just off the coast of Cancun that’s filled with some incredibly stunning sights, exciting attractions, and fancy cuisine. Not to mention the catamaran ride itself is an interesting, unique experience that’s definitely worth having first-hand.
Cancun Bar Crawls
Tired of nature’s splendor and ancient wonders? That’s fine – Cancun has a lot to offer to those looking for a more urban experience as well. With many bars, pubs, and clubs all around, Cancun’s nightlife is particularly thriving. You can, of course, tour the bars on your own and go at it at your own pace, but many travel agencies also organize bar crawls for their clients – those carry the benefit of having options that may normally be unobtainable for you, such as free drinks, VIP entrances, etc. Though a night out at a club on your own will be fine if you only do it once or twice, if you’re going to Cancun with the intention to party, it’s definitely a much better idea to take your agency on their bar crawl offer. That way, not only will you spend less money, but you’ll also meet new people more easily.
Whale Shark Tours
Cancun is quite famous for the abundance of whale sharks at the Isla Che Reef during the warmer months. If you’re into snorkeling and would like to witness some megafauna first-hand, this type of tour is just for you. The boat ride to the reef takes less than an hour, and once you get in, you can spend 2 to 3 hours with the sharks. Don’t worry, though – it’s completely safe. Though they are sharks, they are actually completely harmless, as they don’t even have teeth! These beasts – the largest known fish in the world – live off a diet that consists only of plankton. If you’re curious about these gentle giants, all that’s left for you now is to get to know them personally during a whale shark tour in Cancun.
So Get Out and Explore! If you go to Cancun, remember that there is so much more here then the famous all-inclusive resorts. Of course, you could sit poolside all day long, just looking at the blue waters and enjoying freedom – and that’s exactly what you should do for the first day or two. But once the peace of your vacation break has set in, get out and explore the adventures and activities that the Yucatan has to offer.
Emily Luie is a writer, a gardener and a mom of two. She is lucky enough to have a supportive family and travel solo from time to time, discovering new things about the world and about herself in the process.
Pariah says
I just came from the Yucatán and Quintana Roo area during the 4th of July week, and indeed there are so many things to explore and much more than just Cancun and its resorts. The whale shark experience was amazing, and another awesome excursion that I did was check out the cenotes! I checked out 5 of them during my 5 day trip and they all were incredible! I went from Cancun to Valladolid, then Tulum and back to Cancun. While the trip was non-stop on-the-go, each place was worth the trip. I stayed at the Grand Oasis and the fireworks were also amazing, not to mention the resort itself! This was my second time going and I’ll definitely go back in the near future.
sassystew says
It sounds like you’re the person I need to travel with next! I’m glad you enjoyed your vacay friend!!!😘
ปั้มไลค์ says
Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.