Itineraries for Your Trip to Cancun
3 Days in Cancun for Families
I visited Cancun many times on my own before taking my children on vacation there. A food tour is my favorite way to kick off a visit, in order to get acquainted with Yucatecan cuisine and familiarize ourselves with this cultural hub of the Riviera Maya.
During three days in Cancun, you'll have time for snorkeling and a visit to some of the Yucatan’s archaeological sites, such as Chichen Itza. Or spend a lazy day on the white-sand beaches of nearby Isla Mujeres, where you'll find water sports galore. Here's my 3-day Cancun itinerary for families, including plenty of fun ways to experience the area with kids in tow.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a street food tour.
You'll find hot and muggy weather year-round in Cancun, with a chance of showers.
Cancun has a vibrant food scene, so step away from your Cancun resort today and check out the local taquerias and mercados. A guided culinary tour encourages kids to taste new dishes, and they’re nearly guaranteed a stop for paletas (fresh fruit popsicles) at the end.
Getting out on the water is a must-do activity when visiting this region of Mexico, and a private catamaran cruise to Isla Mujeres is an excellent start. You also have multiple options this evening, from sunset cruises to swashbuckling shows on a pirate ship that the whole family can enjoy.
On day two, take your family swimming in a cenote: underground cave systems that dot the Riviera Maya. Many tours visit the Rio Secreto Nature Reserve, about two hours south of Cancun in Playa del Carmen, and include the convenience of hotel transportation.
While you may have to skip Cancun’s nightlife when visiting with kids (save CoCo Bongo Cancun for next time!), there are plenty of festive spots where a meal feels like a party. Tonight, enjoy live music and local cuisine at Xoximilco Cancun as you float through man-made canals on a trajinera (gondola).
This morning, get your crew ready for another underwater adventure. Set sail on a snorkeling tour in the clear-blue Caribbean, where you’ll most likely spot sea turtles as you swim through coral reefs. Many tours include the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), another kid-friendly option.
