9 of the Top Day Trips from Cancun

Riding the ferry between Cancun and Isla Mujeres won’t take more than 30 minutes, but taking a day trip from Cancun to the island, which includes a catamaran ride to and from the island and opportunities to snorkel, is an easy choice. Once there, check out the island’s famous Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), home to more than 500 pieces of submerged art. The north of the island is home to some trendier beach clubs, or you can head south to visit Punta Sur Park, which has hiking trails, impressive viewpoints, and various fauna and flora to admire.

If you’re in the market for a cultural day trip from Cancun, Chichen Itza gives visitors a chance to see how the Maya people once lived centuries ago. It’s one of Mexico’s largest and most well-preserved archaeological sites. Explore El Castillo, a massive pyramid, and the ball court, where the Maya played Pok Ta’ Pok, a team ball sport. Many day trips to Chichen Itza include a stop at Cenote Xtoloc, a non-swimmable sacred body of water that the Maya once used for sacrifices, and Cenote Ik Kil, an inviting swimming hole you can dive right into.

Tulum often feels calmer and more elevated than Cancun, home to expansive beaches and the Tulum Archaeological Site, which is part of the Tulum National Park. The ruins overlook crystalline sands and clear waters, swathed in overgrown grass and jungle foliage. After you explore them, head down to Playa Ruinas, the beach that sits just below the cliff. While Tulum makes for an excellent adventure tour from Cancun, downtown Tulum has a lot of restaurants, boutiques, and bars that make a day trip to the area more multifaceted.

While the island of Cozumel is popular as a cruise ship stop, it’s also surrounded by coral reefs, making it the perfect snorkeling day trip from Cancun. Some of its best snorkeling and diving spots— the colorful Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef for its turtles and nurse sharks, and the toadfish of Paradise Reef—are part of the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park. Visitors can also head to the Punta Sur Eco Beach Park to snorkel, swim, and see wildlife and flamingos.

Insider tip: Don't miss the nearby the archaeological site El Caracol, which is home to a Maya temple.

Some of the best Cancun day tours include visits to cenotes, cavelike sinkholes that contain freshwater. Although some aren’t swimmable, many are, and they’re an excellent way to refresh after a morning exploring Maya ruins in the sunshine of Quintana Roo. The most popular cenote tours from Cancun include Cenote Ik Kil, known as the “Sacred Blue Cenote;” Cenote Hubiku, complete with limestone rocks and hanging vines; and Cenote Zazil Tunich, known for its stalagmites.

There are many beach day trips from Cancun, but Akumal is one of the most popular. The sandy beaches of the area, which are located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, are known for their robust turtle population. Don’t miss Playa Free Tortugas, an entry where you can pay a fee or take a guided tour to snorkel, swim, and spot sea turtles. Nearby, the Yak-Kul Cenote is another spot ideal for splashing around and spotting underwater marine life.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's ideal for a day trip from Cancun if you want to see wildlife. The park is massive (about two times the size of Rhode Island), so it's best to organize what you plan to do and see ahead of time. The reserve offers many tours and activities, from fly fishing to sunset kayaking.

Did you know?: Although the park has more than 300 species of butterflies and more than 100 mammals, there are also more than 300 species of mosquitoes, so it’s best to wear bug repellent when visiting.

The all-inclusive natural water park Xel-Ha is perfect for families that love being in the water, with many different activities, such as snorkeling, river floating, hiking trails, cycling, ziplines, rope lines, waterslides, a lighthouse to explore, and games. Entrance fees include access to the buffet restaurant and non-alcoholic drinks, so you won’t have to worry about spending extra on lunch, drinks, or snacks. It’s also fairly close to Tulum, so it’s an easy full-day trip from Cancun.

Insider tip: Only reef-safe sunshine is allowed into the park.

If you don’t just want to do water activities, Xcaret offers more options, including cultural shows and performances, access to Children’s World (a water and land play area for kids), an aquarium, and a butterfly pavilion: It’s an eco-park, water park, and amusement park all in one. The 200-acre (81-hectare) theme park is ideal for travelers with smaller children who might not be able to spend a whole day in the water at Xel-Ha and want to combine several different types of activities in a day.