10 Things to Do in Cancun in May

Although Cancun offers a great number of things to do in the city all year round, May is synonymous with partying, due to the arrival of American and Canadian college students, and sunshine, as the weather is ideal to enjoy the wonderful Mexican beaches.

Also, remember that if you want a contact of another galaxy with nature and let the water soothe you completely, you must visit the cenotes (sinkholes). And if you are still not surprised enough, Cancun even has an underwater museum at your disposal for you to dive and live a unique experience!

There are also more typical celebrations such as the "Day of the Holy Cross" that will allow you to get a little more involved in Mexican customs. In addition, a visit to the "Chichen Itza" pyramid awaits you for a first hand contact with the Mexican past that is still more present than ever.

At the end of May, you must attend the Sacred Journey. It is an event that will make you travel back in time, and in particular, of the Mayan culture. In addition, you will be able to see a very particular pilgrimage. Usually, up to 300 people are part of this ceremony that starts at Xcaret Water Park and culminates at Cozumel Island.

This is a celebration that used to be done to worship Ixchel who was the goddess of fertility. The Mayans would go in their canoes to the place where the oracle of the goddess was located in Cozumel to take offerings to her and later bring back the divine message to their people.

Without a doubt, this is one of the experiences that will allow you to travel back in time and connect with the spiritual aspects of this region with so many centuries of history. In this way, you will also be able to take part in the traditional music and dance that are included among the activities of this celebration. An exceptional way to discover Mayan myths and traditions, many of which are considered Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Another extraordinary event you can enjoy in May is the arrival of the turtles that are preparing to build their nests and then lay their eggs. To see it, you have several places to choose from. Among them, I recommend Isla Mujeres or Isla Contoy.

At the same time, you have an ideal option in Akumal Bay, better known as the "turtle bay". This place has been protected by the authorities for more than 20 years. Here you will have the opportunity to be so close to the turtles in their environment that you will not believe it.

This is one of the 10 best activities to do in Cancun, but remember to comply with all recommendations to keep the place intact and not to intervene or alter the natural development of turtles or any other animal found there.

The last week of May arrives the Cancun Jumpoff. The event par excellence where the party doesn't stop for 4 days.

It is an experience focused on adults where music, beach and celebration come together in an unparalleled party. This is the ideal place to go with your friends and disconnect and recharge your batteries with a very good vibe.

This event is recognized worldwide for the various proposals that you can find and where you can enjoy the night party that Cancun offers, although in this festival every night is confused with the morning, just so you can continue enjoying a few days of pure fun. You can check all the information about the event on its official website.

Santa Cruz Day is also known as the Feast of the Crosses. It is a celebration that is commemorated at the beginning of May. It is related to those people who work in the field of construction. For this reason, you can find these workers carrying crosses adorned with flowers and candles that they carry in procession or that decorate the houses of the towns in the area.

During this great celebration you can share with the locals many typical dishes and drinks that are made as part of the celebration, a celebration that also has its roots in the Mayan culture. It is a celebration in which the profane and the sacred seem to merge. It also marks the beginning of the sowing season for the farmers, since according to tradition, the divine entrusts the fertilization of the earth with the first rains of May.

This festivity takes place, specifically, in the Mayan area and in the parish of Santa Cruz in Cancun. Although there are many towns in the Yucatan region that trick out for these festivities, celebrating fairs, masses and processions.

The second week of May in Mexico is Mother's Day. If you are traveling as a family, this is the perfect day to treat your mother and pay her a small but heartfelt tribute.

There are countless options ranging from taking her shopping at the many malls to giving her a spa day to pamper her from head to toe.

And for the most romantic ones, watching the sunset on one of Cancun's best beaches can be an unbeatable postcard to remember Mother's Day.

In the first week of May, sport fishing lovers will also have their options. You can be part of the Don Andrés García Lavín Tournament in Puerto Morelos, an idyllic place for those who practice this activity. In addition, this team tournament offers attractive cash prizes and a vehicle for those who catch the biggest specimens.

The event, where more than a hundred boats participate, brings together teams from various parts of Mexico, as well as from the United States and Canada. If you are interested in the world of sailing, you might be interested in our post on Catamaran rides in Cancun or this one on Boat rides in Cancun, the best options.

The Battle of Puebla is also celebrated at the beginning of May. This is a holiday throughout the Mexican territory. So you can take advantage of this celebration to relax and stay at the hotel and enjoy its facilities or go for a walk around the hotel zone.

Don't confuse this celebration with Mexico's Independence Day. This event has to do with the commemoration of the date on which the Mexican army defeated one of the most powerful armies, the French.

If you have to do any business at the bank or any activity in an official organization, keep in mind that they will be closed that day.

Another activity you should take advantage of in May is the opportunity to dive with a whale shark and have an unparalleled experience. This is the time when these sharks start to arrive in Cancun.

I know it sounds intimidating the idea of swimming with sharks! So I have good news for you, whale sharks are actually fish, the largest of their kind.

Imagine being able to swim with a fish that can reach up to 50 feet in length. Not everyone has that opportunity, take advantage of it!

Among so many beautiful beaches it's hard to choose one, I can assure you I know! So I'm going to recommend Isla Mujeres, no more than 20 minutes from downtown. With few hotels in the area, nature remains almost untouched.

With the white color of its sand and turquoise waters is a combination that invites us to relax and enjoy the tranquility of a paradise like this.

Take advantage of the good weather in May and enjoy Isla Mujeres. It is a perfect place for water activities such as snorkeling and kitesurfing. When you finish, you can change the atmosphere without leaving paradise and go golfing or play tennis at the Spanish Rafael Nadal's academy.

In this popular beach you can enjoy a unique place in the world, such as the Cancun Underwater Museum of Art, where you will discover more than 400 life-size statues submerged in the seabed. If you don't want to miss this incredible exhibition I leave you this post where I tell you how to visit the underwater museum of Cancun.

A cenote is like a small well made up of fresh water. Maybe it doesn't sound so appealing, right? But the interesting thing is where they are located, that's what will make you want to go for a swim in one and then you won't want to leave! And above all, with the temperatures so pleasant that it is usually in May.

The most striking are the ones located in a kind of caverns, but you have many others that are open. These places have become a reference for tourism not only in the Yucatan Peninsula but in all of Mexico.

In the cenotes, you will find species that only inhabit this place, whether they are plants or fish. And if there is enough light in the cenote you are in, you can snorkel or dive

I recommend you to do the well known route of the cenotes with one of the many excursions, where you can enjoy many of them practicing different activities. You will be surprised by all there is to do there!

The first thing you must include in your luggage, yes or yes, is your swimsuit and/or shorts. Without that, a trip to Cancun would be very strange, wouldn't it?

Comfortable sandals are a must in your suitcase to Cancun. For hiking, the best option will always be a sport shoe, which is more practical. A hat or cap is also a must for the intense sunny days, which will not be few at this time of the year.

Suntan lotion has to be part of this list. You must protect your skin, as you will most likely be under the scorching sun for many hours. When going to the beach, some towels will come in handy, although hotels in the area usually have a lending service so you have more space to store the souvenirs you buy.

The weather is a factor that you cannot leave aside. Especially if you want to enjoy sunny or at least clear days. That's why this May is the right month for you to forget about the rains and bring your suntan lotion to Cancun.

You will surely need an umbrella, but to protect yourself from the heat and full sun on the beaches. Beyond the heat, temperatures are usually in a range for full enjoyment, between 24 and 32 degrees.

So, what are you waiting for to pack your suitcase and embark on an unforgettable trip to Cancun? You will have plenty of options among the beautiful islands, the nightlife, the cenotes and the beautiful beaches!