Cancun in 7 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Cenotes, beaches with crystal clear waters, Mayan ruins... In Cancun there is always something to see and do, as it offers a lot of activities. However, don't worry: with this itinerary you will be amazed with your tour of the Riviera Maya.

This plan takes you to the famous Isla Mujeres and the best of the Caribbean Sea in the area. You'll stroll through ancient ruins, such as Chichen Itza. And don't forget the classic cenotes, tasting authentic Mexican tequila, extreme sports and ecological parks. The itinerary I propose is an all-inclusive tour of Cancun's main attractions, will you join me?

Once you have made the transfer from the airport, take your welcome cocktail (almost all if not all hotels in Cancun have this courtesy), leave your bags and get going to make your first visit in the area:

Isla Mujeres

This former fishermen's island seduces and enchants its visitors. Thanks to its goodness, it is known as Pueblo Magico, a 15-km space where travelers can disconnect in the middle of the Caribbean vibe.

It is best to go to Puerto Juarez, in downtown or to Marina las Perlas and hire one of the best catamaran rides in Cancun.

This type of excursions to Isla Mujeres from Cancun are everyone's favorite and usually include:

• Transportation service to and from the hotel.
• Snorkeling equipment.
• The advice of a professional guide.
• Catamaran ride
• Buffet style lunch.
• Open bar.

The ferry transfer takes about 20 minutes, while the stay on the island often lasts between 5 and 7 hours. I encourage you to jump into the water and enjoy that well-deserved swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean while admiring its coral reefs.

You will be able to see the Bronze Cross of the Bay and a variety of multicolored fish all around you.

During this excursion you will be able to walk, shop, swim with dolphins, kayak and, above all, get to know one of the best beaches in Cancun.

Visit the MUSA: Underwater Museum of Cancun

Once you return from Isla Mujeres, you can go to Boulevard Kukulcan, at km 13 of the Hotel Zone to make the most of the day with a visit to the Underwater Museum of Cancun, an ambitious ecological initiative from Mexico to the world.

In 2010 it was officially inaugurated with around 500 life-size sculptures submerged under the crystalline waters of the site. Among the works in its 3 galleries you will find:

• The Last Supper.
• The Urban Reef.
• The Collector of Dreams.
• The Gardener
• No turning back

The works in this museum are made of marine cement and their designs were conceived to be non-invasive in the surrounding ecosystem. In fact, each sculpture features the flora and fauna of the site as a sort of "natural adornment".

I advise you not to miss this museum, a must-see Mexican gem in the area.

And at night

You can dine at your hotel or at the restaurants in the area, such as the exclusive restaurant El Fish Fritanga and its famous whiting, or perhaps the signature cuisine of Entre Fuegos.

If you prefer to combine Latin joy with an explosion of Caribbean flavors, I encourage you to visit the RosaNegra restaurant where you can experience Cancun' s party nights in a bohemian space that stimulates the senses. All these places you will find on Kukulcan Boulevard.

On the second day of your trip, I encourage you to explore Cancun's landmarks in one place: Xcaret Park. In Mayan culture, Xcaret means "little cove", a precious hidden space, and this day you will discover the treasures that encompass this eco-archaeological park.

Activities in Xcaret Park

This park occupies about 80 hectares of land. I recommend you to go with a tour so you don't lose track of anything.

Here you can hike through the tropical jungle; participate in the night shows; explore sacred caverns and dive into the natural pools and rivers, as well as swim with turtles.

There are about 50 activities available for your family's enjoyment. Not for nothing is it on the list of the best activities in Cancun.

Information about the park

Excursions to Xcaret Park from Cancun usually take between 6 to 10 hours.

It is open from Monday to Sunday, from 08:30 am to 10:30 pm and for about 140 ¤, you open the doors to entertainment and fun. Here you can see a preview of this ecological park.

• Address: Carretera Chetumal - Puerto Juárez km 282, Int. B Colonia Rancho Xcaret, Playa del Quintana Roo. Approximately 75 minutes from Cancun's hotel zone and 15 minutes from Playa el Carmen.

You've been to a theme park, now it's time to explore the Caribbean nature in a more relaxed atmosphere.

For the third day of your itinerary I propose a boat trip around Cancun to take you directly to Cozumel Island, the second largest island in Quintana Roo.

Boat ride to Cozumel

The boat ride takes about 1 hour and drops you off at the Cozumel Fiscal Pier, right in the heart of San Miguel, the main town of the island.

Despite being a tourist destination, like neighboring Playa del Carmen, much of Cozumel is a Protected Natural Area. There are fewer hotels and more spaces to get to know its natural diversity.

In its surroundings you will find 40 dive sites and the most beautiful beaches are in the south of the island. Although there is no public transportation, I have a plan to propose you.

A complete dolphin experience

How about coming to Dolphinaris Cozumel and meet, train or swim with the dolphins? The experiences last from 60 minutes.

To get there just follow the coast along Rafael E. Melgar Avenue and in 20 minutes you will have arrived. During the tour you can stop for a drink at one of the restaurants or take pictures at the Mayan Sunset Park.

If walking is not your thing, you can also rent a scooter or a car from 25 € per day. There are several options such as Avis, Rentadora Isis and Fiesta Car(the best rated) near the port, so you can explore the island at your leisure.

Sail on a submarine

After saying goodbye to the dolphins, I invite you to dive into the Caribbean depths in a submarine. From Dolphinaris to Atlantis Submarines Cozumel is 2.5 km along Quintana Roo on the same avenue Rafael E Melgar.

Once there, you can park your scooter or car until the end of the day, because they take you to a private beach.

Atlantis Submarine offers you the option to combine the submarine expedition with the stay at Nachi Cocom beach, a private beach where you have all the services included (open bar, 4 courses of Caribbean culinary specialties, use of sun loungers, outdoor pool, outdoor jacuzzi and more).

The Atlantis allows you to appreciate the tropical environment, a sunken ship, coral reefs and hundreds of animals submerged between 20 and 30 meters from sea level.

During the 2-hour tour, a crew member accompanies the experience with narrated anecdotes while guests enjoy the view through the 26 skylights of the submarine until reaching the famous Cozumel wall (a 600-meter waterfall that delimits the island).

Walk along the bottom of the sea

If you feel like you need more adventure, raise the stakes, strap on your special helmet and dive 7 to 8 meters and make room for yourself among the marine life.

It's all about walking among fish and coral with the Sea Trek experience.

This activity frankly made me very excited, as it is a truly memorable adventure. It is important to note that no swimming skills are required to participate in the experience. Anyone who can walk and is at least 90 cm tall can participate in this activity.

Snorkeling

When you leave Atlantis Submarine, you will be taken to Nachi Cocom Beach, where you can dive in its private beach and practice snorkeling, an activity considered one of the best snorkeling experiences in Cancun.

Shoals of manta rays, curious frogfish, incredible corals and sea turtles are just some of the marine treasures you will find while snorkeling.

In addition to these activities, you can also take a tour of the town. You may want to learn about its history at the Museum of Cozumel, stroll through the coral monuments, capture the best views of the island from the Benito Juarez Park or a tequila tasting, a great way to end the day. Afterwards, board the ferry to Cancun.

For the fourth day, I propose you to get to a place a bit far from downtown Cancun. After the long trip to Mexico, I think it is worth visiting its emblematic places avoiding the crowds.

Don't worry, you will visit Chichen Itza, but first I suggest you to go along the Caribbean coast to Tulum. You can get there via Chetumal-Cancun. It will take you 1 hour by car from Playa del Carmen and about 2 hours from Cancun Hotel Zone.

If you prefer not to go to the trouble, you can always book one of the organized tours that take you to both sites.

What to see and do in Tulum

The excursions to the Tulum Ruins are simply amazing.

Tulum was one of the busiest trade routes during the Mayan era between the 13th and 14th centuries. Among its spaces, ceremonies of worship to the descending God were offered. Its walls were a fortress for the ancient settlers, in fact, Tulum in Mayan means wall.

These ruins are located on a cliff flanked by the Caribbean Sea and its calm waters. Playa Paraiso, Playa Santa Fe and Playa Pescadores are some of the beaches in the area. Nearby there are also some caves.

Because of the geography of the place, it is best to hire a tour to keep track, there are options from 33 €.

The visit to the place requires about 3 hours, the ruins are small but charming, you will not want to leave the place.

I think this visit should not be missing among the itineraries of travelers interested in enjoying the best beaches and Mexican history from its roots.

What to see and do in Coba

Once you finish touring the archaeological area of Tulum, have lunch in the area. The cochinita pibil and garnachas there are famous. With a full stomach, continue on your way to Cobá, 40 kilometers north of Tulum.

This place is impressive. This archaeological site is home to the Nohoch Mul Pyramid, the tallest Mayan work in Yucatán. Admire the Mayan footprints along with the local wildlife. You can also swim or snorkel in the Sac Actún cenote or on the beaches, where you may stumble upon some sea turtles.

All year round you can encounter these beautiful little animals, but if you travel between May and September, you will be in the middle of the best time to visit Cancun and increase the chances of an encounter. Before going to Chichen Itza, this is an essential stop.

The Caribbean Sea is known for its calm crystalline waters, but in the Riviera Maya theme parks don't skimp on extreme sports.

Dedicate a day to explore one of these options: Xel-Ha Park, Xplor or Extreme Adventure Eco Park.

To enjoy each park we recommend between 6 and 8 hours, perfect time to push your senses to the limit in the Riviera Maya.

Option 1: Xel-Ha Park

Xel-Ha in Mayan language means "where the water is born" and in this park they take it very seriously. When you buy your tickets for Xel-Ha Park in Cancun you will have the opportunity to do the following activities:

• Jump on a vine to a cenote with the Chuck Kay experience.
• Practice canopy with landing in the Xel-Ha River.
• Relax in the Bay of Caprichos, a natural pool that surrounds the mysticism of the place.
• Navigate through 4 types of mangroves, namely, the Red, Black, White and Botoncillo Mangroves. The adventure in inflatables or swimming allows you to enjoy one of the largest natural barriers in the world.
• Swim in an intimate space inside the Cueva del Dorado and the Ixchel Rift.
• Cross a floating bridge.

If you are looking for an immersive experience in the Cenotes Route, this is the park for you. Xel-Ha is a favorite for families with young children, so I recommend including it among the thingsto do in Cancun with kids. It will be a day to enjoy the marine benefits for a price of around 103 €.

• How to get to Xel-Ha Park: You can hire a direct tour from Cancun, take the ADO bus from the Hotel Zone or go by private car on the Chetumal-Cancun highway, 40 km from Coba.

Option 2: Xplor Park

Climbing, sailing, driving, exploring...you can do all this during your visit to XPlor Multiadventure Park. You will be able to join any of its activities.

• Amphibious car rides. Climb aboard the Xplor ATVs and ride the park's two sea and land circuits.
• Swim among the subway rivers. At your own pace, unhurried, discover caves and other rock formations among the underground cavities characteristic of the Riviera Maya.
• Flight between zip lines: 2 circuits with 7 sections each. At the end you will descend in a river.
• Rowing inside the earth in a single or double raft.
• Hacuamatization: If you said "Hacuamatization", you are not the only one. At Xplor you can zip-line 4 meters high sitting in a hammock, hence the name. Let's be honest, the name is as much fun as the activity.

XPlor, always on the cutting edge, renews its activities regularly. Experiences are available in day and night packages starting at 139 €.

• Where is Xplor Park: At 307 on the Tulum-Cancun highway, 2 hours from Cancun's Hotel Zone. You can arrive by private car or with the park's transportation if you buy your tickets with transportation included.

Option 3: Extreme Adventure Eco Park

This theme park is located on the Cenotes Route, 15 minutes from Cancun. You can go by private car or hire their transportation service.

When you visit Extreme Adventure Eco Park you can practice canopying among the jungle trees; go horseback riding through the jungle, snorkeling in the second largest coral re ef in Puerto Morelos: or get on board a motorcycle and take one of the best off-road tours in Cancun, the emblematic activity in this park.

Also, you will get to know the Mayan Jungle, where nature surprises you with two emblematic cenotes. There you can swim in transparent waters, dive from the cliffs and test your balance practicing canoeing.

After visiting the amazing cenotes, you can finish the adventure with a tequila tasting, all in a plan available from 70 €.

During the sixth day of the Riviera Maya itinerary, I recommend you to visit the destination longed for by all tourists, Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World today.

Chichen Itza

The protagonist in this scenario is clear, the Pyramid of Kukulkan, a construction that according to the ancient Mayan calendar, is composed of 364 steps that end in an upper platform to complete the 365 days of the year distributed in 6.5 km2. There is no way to remain indifferent after this visit.

Excursions to Chichen Itza from Cancun not only include that pyramid, but also offer the opportunity to see the Temple of the Warriors, the Great Ball Court, the Castle, the Platform of the Eagles and the Jaguars, churches and other monuments.

The natural light games are key among the site's attractions and have been part of Mexican history since 987 AD.

• Hours: Monday to Sunday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
• LocationChichenItza is located east of Yucatan, on the road to Cancun, 120 km east of Merida and 200 km west of Cancun.
• Price: starting at 39 €.
• Duration: Excursions last between 10 and 12 hours.

Valladolid

Once you have finished your tour of this site, I recommend that you explore Valladolid. Some excursions to Chichén Itzá combine both visits.

In Valladolid you can get to know the architecture of this famous town among spaces such as the Calzada de los Frailes, a charming street with old structures, the church of Candelaria or the church of San Lorenzo, patron saint of the city.

If you plan to visit the city during the ninth month of the year, make a note of this stop among the things to do in Cancun in September. It is the time of the patron saint festivities, a week where revelry, mariachis and Mexican parties celebrate the Virgin.

In case you are more interested in water activities, Valladolid also features some nice cenotes such as Suytun, Ik-Kil or the Saamal cenote. All perfect to cool off after the hike.

After this intensive itinerary to get to know the best of Cancun, on the last day I recommend you to take advantage of the hotel facilities to relax before returning home.

Tomorrow

I suggest spending the day on a beach near your hotel or simply relaxing by the pool.

In case you prefer to be in your bathing suit under the sun, but outside the hotel, you will be able to choose among a dozen beautiful beaches, such as Caracol, Tortugas or Gaviota Azul.

Afternoon

After a succulent lunch, -typical of Mexican cuisine-, the best thing to do is to take a stroll through Cancun's Hotel Zone. Visit the famous Mercado 28 and shop for souvenirs, or stroll through the Palapas Park.

In the hotel zone you will also find other sites of tourist interest, such as the Scenic Tower, the Mayan Museum of Cancun, the San Miguelito Archaeological Zone and the Interactive Aquarium.

Night

At night you can finish your trip aboard a night cruise in Xoximilco Park.

These boat parties are for small groups, include live music, open bar (with tequila included), the animation of a local guide and transportation to the hotel. Here the only occupation is to have a good time. The experience is perfect to close your trip.