One of the largest resort towns in Mexico is located on the coast of the Riviera Maya. Once upon a time, the land of Cancun was inhabited by the Mayan people. Numerous ruins of their cities and temples have survived to this day, which are now open to tourists. The name of the city also comes from the Mayan language. It translates into Russian as “the throne of the snake.”
Cancun consists of two sectors: it is the downtown area and the hotel zone, which is adjacent to the coast. You can get around the city on foot, and for country walks it is most convenient to use a taxi. Until the end of the 20th century, Cancun was just a small fishing village. And now it is one of the five best resorts in the world, which is worth visiting during a tour to Mexico.
➤ Maya Museum
The opening of the Mayan Museum in Cancun was timed to coincide with the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar, which was supposed to come in 2012. The area of the museum covers about five thousand square meters. It is divided into several sections: the Quintana Roo Hall, the Mayan Hall and the Hall for Temporary Exhibitions. There are many bright exhibits, including unique specimens. For example, the skeleton of a woman over ten thousand years old.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: the museum can be comfortably reached by taxi.
➤ City of El Meco
< p>El Meco is located near the coast. It is believed that the city was formed around the III century and existed for eight centuries, after which it was abandoned. There is a pyramid in El Meco, from the top of which an amazing view of the city opens.
Its height is more than 12 meters. The pyramid was of great strategic importance, it was the highest point on the coast, from which it was possible to observe the sea space and control the flow of ships.
- Opening hours: every day from 8 am to 4 pm;
- Cost: entrance ticket costs 70 Mexican pesos;
- How to get there:the most convenient way to get to the sights is by private car or taxi.
➤ El Rey Ruins
The ancient ruins of El Rey are located near the city of Cancun. In the 1st century AD, people lived here, and now colonies of iguanas inhabit the ruins. Of the ancient buildings, only the remains of forty-seven buildings have been preserved. At the top of the central building rises a pyramid. This is the main point where all significant rituals were held.
It is especially interesting to look at the walls. Some of them have preserved ancient paintings, where you can see images of rulers, national heroes and all those who became famous in their era. Although the images are heavily faded, they are still legible.
- Opening hours: every day from 8 am to 5 pm;
- Price : entrance ticket costs 80 Mexican pesos;
- How to get there: you can get to the ruins by bus or taxi.
➤ Chak Mool Beach
White sand sets off the pure blue of sea water. This is a calm and picturesque place that is suitable both for a group of young people and for family pastime.
A distinctive feature of the sea in this area is – constant presence of waves. Therefore, it is especially important to supervise children while swimming. Lifeguards are constantly on the beach. There are numerous hotels behind the beach, so there are almost always a lot of people here.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Fee: free;
- How to get there:can be reached by buses number R-1, R-2 and R2-94.
➤ Dolphinarium in Cancun
A stunningly beautiful dolphinarium is located on the coast. On its territory there are several pools, separated by narrow passages. There are photographers at the dolphinarium who are ready to take a picture or make a video of you at any time. But keep in mind that their services are expensive, although the photos are excellent!
Every day, the Dolphinarium organizes shows and events for children and adults. There is also a small restaurant on site where you can relax comfortably.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 5 pm;
- < strong>Cost: The visit will cost a minimum of USD 60 per person;
- How to get there: You can get there by bus or taxi.
➤ Cancun Planetarium
Another amazing place in Cancun – planetarium. It is especially pleasant that the creators of the place thought about their visitors. At the entrance there is a cozy children's area where a child can play and solve puzzles for free.
The farther, the more interesting. One of the points of the excursion program – a working telescope through which everyone can study the sky. The tour also includes a movie showing the history of our system and how the Indians saw the world.
- Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 12 noon to 6 pm ;
- Cost:free of charge;
- How to get there: you can take a bus from anywhere in the city, but the most convenient – by taxi.
➤ Xplor Extreme Park
Every year the park is visited by thousands of lovers of extreme adventures and thrills. This location is also notable for its history of origin. Once upon a time, a meteorite fell on the place where the park is now built, forming a vast crater.
Over time, the crater was filled with ocean water, and the bottom changed: caves and underwater rivers appeared in it. Now all of them are equipped for tourists and are available for research. There are many instructors on site who are ready to help at any time.
- Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm, some programs are available from 18 pm to 11 pm;
- Price: We recommend checking the price of tickets on the day of the visit;
- How to get there:the park can be reached within an hour by bus from Cancun.
➤ Bullring
Every week the arena puts on a show for everyone. Adults and children gather here to enjoy the dancing of the man with the bull. The culture of bullfighting was formed about five centuries ago, and it is still developing.
The shape of the arena is round for a reason. Traditionally, the arena was rectangular, but then, to prevent the bulls from driving into a corner, the shape was changed to a circle.
- Opening hours:opening times to be checked before visiting;
- Cost: 400 Mexican pesos is the entrance ticket;
- How to get there: you can get to the arena walk from the city center or take a taxi.
➤ The Island of Women
The territory got its name at the beginning of the 16th century. The first European to visit the island was Francisco Hernandez de Córdoba. Here he saw statues of half-naked girls and decided to call the island “Isle of Women”.
The island stretches for 8 km, and it is half a kilometer wide. It's a cozy and magical place. Sandy beaches are located on one side of the island, and on the other – cliffs rise above the sea.
- Opening hours: 24/7;
- Price: Admission is $65;
- How to get there: The resort can be reached by ferry from Cancun.
➤ Xel Ha Park
Xel-Ha is located at some distance from Cancun and goes straight to the coast. Lagoon of natural origin – a cozy place that has become a home for manatees and other marine life. For lovers of water activities, there are several especially interesting services here.
For example, you can swim with dolphins or rent a scuba gear to enjoy the underwater world, watching its inhabitants in their natural environment. The park contains the ruins of an ancient Mayan port, which you can also visit.
- Opening hours:every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
- Price: entrance ticket costs from $40;
- How to get there: the park can be reached by taxi or by intercity bus that leaves from the bus station.
➤ Delfines Beach
Delfines is deservedly considered one of the most picturesque beaches in the city. You can often see dolphins here. This feature gave the name to the beach. Pure white sand and clear blue water. It is important to remember that in this segment of the coastal zone there are almost always waves and sometimes they are quite large. The beach is equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay: there are toilets, a sports and playground, umbrellas and a lifeguard service.
- Opening hours: opening hours need to be clarified before visiting, beach may be closed during storms;
- Price: free;
- How to get there:it is most convenient to take a taxi to the hotel closest to the beach, and from there walk.
➤ Las Perlas Beach
Like almost all the beaches of Cancun, Las Perlas is very beautiful . The sand here is almost white, the water – clean and transparent. Waves are rare here, and the water depth is shallow. Las Perlas is considered the safest beach in Cancun, where you can comfortably relax with children. In addition, there is always warm water and relatively few people. Mostly families with children of different ages relax here.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: you can walk to Las Perlas beach walk from the city center in about half an hour.
➤ Ventura Amusement Park
The famous water park in Cancun – a great place to relax for both adults and children. There are many attractions that can tickle your nerves. A slide where you can develop tremendous speed, a six-story pipe and a pool with real waves. But this is all for adults.
For children, there is a separate area with safe rides, which is called the “Children's Park”. You only need to take a swimsuit with you, everything else can be rented or bought on the spot for little money.
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 5 pm;
- Price: Admission starts at $30;
- How to get there:the park can be reached by bus or taxi.
➤ Coco Bongo Night Club
Noisy night parties have been held here for almost a quarter of a century. Professional musicians, acrobats and dancers perform every night at Coco Bongo. Bright shows attract both tourists and locals. The club building can accommodate almost 2,000 people!
- Opening hours: every day from 22 pm to 5 am;
- Price: The minimum ticket price is $90;
- How to get there: the most convenient way to get to the – get there by taxi or private transport.
➤ La Isla Mall
La Isla Shopping Mall is not only one of the largest shopping centers in the city, but also one of the most beautiful. A wide channel flows through the trading floors, lined with low light buildings. It is crowded here both day and night.
By evening, a lot of young people gather in the center. The place is popular with both tourists and locals. There are many shops here, where everyone will find something to their taste and within their personal budget.
- Opening hours: It is better to check the opening hours of the shopping center before visiting;
- Fee: free;
- How to get there: Walking distance from the city center or taking a taxi.
➤ Mercado Market 28
A huge flea market is located near the business part of the city. This is the best place to find a memorable souvenir for a small price. Mercado 28 sells unique handmade items from a variety of materials: from silver to clay.
Almost everything here can be bought for dollars, because sellers have long adapted to tourists and tried to make the buying process easy and enjoyable. True, there are almost no card payments anywhere, so we recommend stocking up on cash.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 10 pm;
- Fee: free;
- How to get there: You can walk to the market or take the R-1 and R-2 buses.
➤ Mercado Market 23
If Mercado 28 specializes in souvenirs, then Mercado 23 – This is a food market popular with locals and tourists. Every day they sell the freshest fruits and vegetables at relatively low prices. It will be problematic to pay for something with a card, so it is better to withdraw enough cash before going to the market.
- Opening hours: every day from 8 am to 7 pm;
- Fee: free;
- How to get there: Walking distance from the city center or taking a taxi.
➤ Museum of the National Institute of Anthropology in Cancun
The Anthropological Museum of Cancun is considered part of the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. In fact, it is an independent division. The museum building is located in the very center of the city, so it is easy to get here. During the tour of the museum, you will be told about the history and features of the region, as well as specifically about Cancun.
Part of the exhibits of the museum – these are works of art by Spanish painters and sculptors. In addition, Mayan and Aztec artifacts that archaeologists found in Cancun are stored here.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 7 pm;
- Cost:We recommend checking the price of the entrance ticket before visiting;
- How to get there: The museum can be comfortably reached by taxi or on foot from the city center.
< h2>➤ Ruins of Yamil Luum
The name of the ruins is translated into Russian as “hilly land”. On its territory, the remains of two temples have been preserved: the temple of the Scorpion and the temple of the Hand. It is still not known exactly in honor of which deities these temples were erected.
Excavations were carried out in this area until the 19th century. We managed to find out an interesting fact: the pyramids here are built in a special way. Air currents, getting inside a complex system of buildings, were transformed into a whistle. This way you could tell by the sound if a storm was coming.
- Opening hours: every day;
- Cost : free;
- How to get there: the fastest way to get to the – take a taxi.
➤ Temple of the Scorpion
The ruins of the Scorpio Temple are located on the territory of an ancient Indian settlement. In those days, scorpions were considered sacred animals, paying tribute to their ability to survive.
It was found that the temple was built of stone and wood. More precisely, its lower part, which has survived to this day, was built of stone, and the upper part was wooden. Inside the temple was a room decorated with images of scorpions. Presumably, sacrifices were made to the gods in it.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: We recommend taking a taxi to the temple.
➤ Interactive Aquarium< /h2>
The aquarium was created in the early years of the 21st century. This is a huge building, containing a variety of marine life. For example, only five species of sharks are collected here. Most of the inhabitants of the aquarium live in huge tanks, so they can be viewed from close to all sides.
Each tank recreates the natural habitat of a particular species. As for those who like to tickle their nerves, a special service is provided for them – the opportunity to swim in the pool with sharks.
- Opening hours: every day from 11 am to 19 pm;
- Price: entrance ticket costs 520 Mexican pesos;
- How to get there: the aquarium building can be reached on foot from the center of Cancun.
➤ Wax Museum figures in Cancun
Cancun has rethought the concept of a wax museum. The institution was opened in the XXI century. At the moment, the collection includes more than 100 exhibits. They are divided into halls, each of which has its own atmosphere created with the help of special music and lighting.
A tour of all the halls lasts more than two hours. You'll see celebrities from the real world as well as favorite characters from movies and books.
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 10 pm;
- Cost:entrance ticket costs $27;
- How to get there: The museum building can be comfortably reached by public transport or taxi.
➤ Cenote Hubik
“Iguana Nest” or “Great Lord” – The name of the cenote can be translated in different ways. This is a well of natural origin, which has a spherical shape. Its depth reaches 30 meters. In the cenote there are small fish that do not interfere with swimming. The water here is cool, but not cold. During the day, the sun shines brightly through the ceiling of the grotto.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 6 pm;
- Price : entrance ticket price starts from 200 pesos;
- How to get there: we recommend taking a taxi to the cenote.
➤ Cenote Seven Mouths
The cenote is a system of wells, which is eventually assembled into a single cave. For the Mayan people, this place was sacred. Now it is open for free visiting by tourists. Here you can dive with special equipment to better understand the inhabitants of the cenote.
The maximum depth of the cenote reaches almost 150 meters. The name of the cenote came from the natural features of the shape. There are seven holes in the vault. Three of them were equipped as entrances and descents, and four were left intact, they serve to illuminate the cenote.
- Opening hours:every day from 9 am to 7 pm;
- Price: entrance ticket costs from 200 pesos;
- How to get there: the most popular way – take a taxi to the cenote.
➤ Xcaret Park
Xcaret Park can be safely called the symbol of Mexico. This is a unique monument of history and culture, on the territory of which the ruins of ancient Mayan settlements have been preserved. “Shkaret” translated into Russian as “little bay”. Various shows are regularly held here, and a ticket to the park can be bought almost a whole month in advance with a significant discount.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 10 pm;
- Cost: entrance ticket costs almost $100;
- How to get there: There is a special bus from the bus station to the park which is free.
➤ Selvatica Amusement Park
Fans of extreme entertainment simply must visit this place. The picturesque area is covered with jungle. Here you can challenge yourself by exploring the many attractions. For example, you can fly on a zipline or bungee jump, or test your skills on suspension bridges.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 5 pm;
- Price: We recommend checking the price of the entrance ticket before visiting;
- How to get there: The most convenient way to get to the park is by taxi.
➤ Pirate party on the Captain Hook ship
If you or your child has ever dreamed of feeling like a pirate, here it is – your chance! Journey on a galleon, which is more than three centuries old! The show program takes place on three galleons that belonged to Spanish sailors in the 18th century.
Each of the ships is now equipped with modern systems, so navigation will be not only exciting, but also comfortable. The program includes a variety of games and meals.
- Opening hours: every day from 19:00 to 22:00;
- Fee: check the ticket price before visiting;
- How to get there: Boats leave every day from the promenade, accessible by taxi.
➤ Torre Escenica Viewpoint
Here is the highest point of the city, from where you can see the whole district. The observation deck is located at an altitude of more than 100 meters above sea level. There are always a lot of people and queues here, because the observation deck is designed for only 60 people. We recommend hiring a guide for the ascent. During a short tour, you will learn a little more about the history of the city and the sights that can be seen from the lookout.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 9 pm;
- Price: Admission is 200 pesos;
- How to get there: You can take a ferry to the site.
➤ Cancun Tequila Museum
The traditional Mexican drink is known all over the world. The museum will tell you about the history of its creation and the peculiarities of its preparation. The tour also includes a tasting of different variations of tequila.
- Opening hours: from Wednesday to Monday, from 10 am to 19 pm;
- Price: Admission starts at MXN 50;
- How to get there: You can take a taxi to the museum.
➤ Museum of Underwater Sculptures
The abbreviated name of the museum is MUSA. This is the largest underwater museum in the world. It was created in the XXI century. Now there are more than 450 sculptures at the bottom. An underwater tour of the museum will leave a lasting impression. It is available for both beginners and experienced divers.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 5 pm;
- Price: Admission starts at $35;
- How to get there: You can take a ferry to the museum.