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Things to do in Valladolid
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Culture
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All-terrain writer specialising in tourism, fashion and trends. A curious soul, traveller, reader and sports enthusiast, keen to discover every corner of the world.
There are destinations in the world that have earned the title of earthly paradises, and Cancún is, without a doubt, the undisputed king of the Mexican Caribbean. As one of Mexico's most famous tourist destinations and the holiday epicentre of Quintana Roo, this oasis combines white coral-sand beaches, turquoise waters, Mayan archaeological vestiges, protected nature reserves and a legendary nightlife that attracts millions of international travellers every year.
Strategically located in the northeast corner of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo, Cancún underwent a radical transformation: it went from being a solitary fishing island surrounded by virgin jungle in the 1970s to becoming the most vibrant and coveted tourist development in Latin America.
If you are planning to travel to this destination, take note. In this expert guide, we discover what to see in Cancún so you can make the most of your stay beyond the all-inclusive luxury resorts.
Culture
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The list of things to do in Cancún is as vast as the ocean itself, and the good thing is that there are options for all tastes and ages. From families looking for tranquillity to adrenaline junkies or lovers of archaeological history.
Here, boredom is not an option. You can spend the morning on a paradisiacal beach, visit an ancient Mayan city in the afternoon and end the day enjoying the local cuisine or the city's nightlife.
The activities in Cancún exceptionally combine the luxuries of modern life with the purity of Caribbean nature. In addition, its excellent location should be highlighted, making it the perfect starting point to visit some of the most spectacular places on the Yucatán Peninsula.
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Located at kilometre 18 of the Hotel Zone, El Rey is an ancient Mayan city that is consolidated as the most important archaeological settlement in the coastal sector. Although its dimensions are notably smaller than those of large inland cities, this complex stands out among the main sites to visit in Cancún for its accessibility. The tour reveals ceremonial plazas and palaces inhabited between the years 1200 and 1550 AD, today guarded by a famous colony of iguanas.
Located next to the Mayan Museum of Cancún, the San Miguelito Archaeological Zone is one of the few Mayan sites that can be visited within the tourist area of Cancún. The settlement was inhabited for centuries and reached its greatest development between the 13th and 15th centuries, forming part of the network of communities dedicated to maritime trade and the exploitation of the coastal resources of the Caribbean.
The site preserves several ceremonial and residential structures distributed among the native vegetation, highlighting a pyramid more than eight metres high that constitutes the main building of the complex. Visiting it is especially interesting when combined with the Mayan Museum of Cancún, allowing for a better understanding of the history and importance of the Mayan civilisation on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula.
Located in one of the main roundabouts that connect Avenida Tulum with Avenida Cobá, the Monument to the History of Mexico is one of the most recognisable sculptural works in the centre of Cancún. Designed by the Cuban artist José Delarra, it was conceived as a tribute to the most important moments in the country's history.
The complex is formed by large limestone blocks sculpted in high relief that represent different stages of Mexican history, from pre-Hispanic civilisations to the Independence and the Mexican Revolution. Although it often goes unnoticed in front of the attractions of the Hotel Zone, it constitutes one of the main cultural and monumental references of the urban centre of Cancún.
Among all the places to see in Cancún, Playa Delfines is one of the most beautiful and extensive beaches in the city, famous for its spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and for housing the well-known Cancún tourist sign.
Here I want to make a special mention of the Playa Delfines Lookout, a wooden platform on the sand that offers a simply incredible panoramic view of the vast turquoise sea.
This popular beach stands out for its calm and shallow waters, which makes it one of the favourite options for families and travellers looking for a relaxed environment. Playa Tortugas is an ideal place to swim, practice water sports or enjoy the restaurants and piers located next to the coast, in addition to offering maritime connections to Isla Mujeres.
Located on Isla Mujeres, very close to Cancún, Playa Norte is regularly listed among the best beaches in the world thanks to its crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sand and shallow depth. Its excellent conditions for swimming and its paradisiacal setting make it one of the most recommended excursions for those visiting the Mexican Caribbean coast.
The Laguna Nichupté is the name given to this huge system of lagoons and mangroves of more than three thousand hectares, which surrounds a good part of the Hotel Zone and constitutes one of the most important ecosystems in Cancún.
Its canals, lagoons and mangroves house a rich biodiversity that includes crocodiles, turtles, herons, pelicans and numerous species of fish. In addition to its ecological value, the lagoon is a very popular place for boat trips, kayaking or contemplating some of the most spectacular sunsets in Cancún.
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One of the main places to visit near Cancún is Isla Mujeres, a small island located off the coast that combines paradisiacal beaches, coral reefs and an atmosphere much more relaxed than that of the city. In addition to enjoying Playa Norte, visitors can go snorkelling, tour the island in a golf cart or discover unique spaces such as the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA). Thanks to its proximity, it is one of the most popular day trips in the region.
Although it is further away than other destinations in the area, Holbox is one of the most popular excursions from Cancún. This island preserves a relaxed atmosphere and its own identity marked by its sandy streets, the absence of conventional traffic and its extensive shallow beaches. In addition, it is one of the best places in Mexico to observe whale sharks during the appropriate season.
This protected island constitutes one of the most valuable natural spaces in the Mexican Caribbean and is part of a national park intended to preserve its ecosystems. Access to Isla Contoy is strictly regulated to protect its biodiversity, which includes important colonies of seabirds, mangroves, coastal dunes and coral reefs. Thanks to these conservation measures, it maintains an environment that is practically virgin.
Considered one of the most famous theme parks in Mexico, Xcaret combines nature, culture, archaeology, shows and water activities in the same venue. Among its main attractions are the underground rivers, the spaces dedicated to local fauna and the shows that showcase Mexican traditions and cultural manifestations. It is one of the most recommended excursions from Cancún, especially for families.
The natural park Xel-Há is one of the best places in the Riviera Maya for snorkelling and discovering the marine wealth of the Mexican Caribbean. Its large natural cove connects fresh and salt water, creating an ecosystem of great biodiversity where it is possible to observe tropical fish in a protected environment. Its crystal-clear waters and the variety of water activities available make it one of the most popular visits in the region.
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The Hotel Zone is the most international, luxurious and world-famous image of Cancún. It is a thin and spectacular tongue of land in the shape of a number seven that stretches for more than 20 kilometres, flanked on one side by the immense Nichupté Lagoon and on the other by the open waters of the Caribbean Sea.
It is one of those places that you have to visit in Cancún, where you will find the most spectacular resorts, international haute cuisine restaurants, cutting-edge open-air shopping centres and the legendary nightclub area that brings the Caribbean night to life.
To connect with the authentic, local and daily pulse of the population, it is essential to head into the city centre. Far from the luxury of the beach hotels, here you will discover avenues full of traditional shops, residential parks and taquerías where you can enjoy the best flavours of Mexican cuisine at much more affordable prices.
It is the most modern and stylish residential, tourist and commercial development in the city, strategically located at the junction between the Hotel Zone and the city centre.
Built around a spectacular sports marina with navigable canals, Puerto Cancún is an exclusive neighbourhood that features a spectacular open-air shopping centre, golf courses designed by professionals, premium cinemas and gastronomic terraces that offer privileged views of the yachts.
Located in the Hotel Zone, the Mayan Museum of Cancún houses one of the most important Mayan archaeological collections in the southeast of Mexico. It is a cutting-edge building designed by architect Alberto García Lascuráin. Its rooms display pieces from different sites on the Yucatán Peninsula, which allows for an understanding of the evolution, customs and importance of this civilisation in the region.
The Ka'Yok' Planetarium is a scientific, technological and astronomical outreach centre located in Cancún. Its main attraction is its immersive projection dome, where educational sessions on the universe, astronomy and the environment are held.
In addition to the projections, the space offers interactive exhibitions and educational activities, making it an interesting alternative within the city's cultural tourism, especially recommended for families or those looking for a plan other than the beaches.
If you are looking for experiences that go beyond being on the beach or at the hotel, here are some original plans to do in Cancún to inspire you:
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The culinary offer of Cancún is a tasty bridge between the Mayan traditions of Yucatán and the marine freshness of the Caribbean Sea. Among the most famous specialities are:
In addition to these recipes, the region's gastronomy includes other very representative dishes such as panuchos and salbutes, two typical preparations of Yucatecan cuisine based on lightly fried corn tortillas, filled or accompanied by ingredients such as chicken, cochinita or avocado, and topped with pickled red onion. Also noteworthy are papadzules, tortillas filled with hard-boiled egg bathed in a pumpkin seed sauce, very present in the Mayan culinary tradition. In the sweet section, the three-milk cake (pastel de tres leches), very popular in celebrations throughout Mexico, and marquesitas, a typical street dessert from the Yucatán Peninsula, similar to a crispy crêpe that is usually filled with ball cheese, condensed milk or chocolate, stand out.
In addition to its tourist attractions, the festivals and popular traditions in Cancún reflect a vibrant syncretism between Mayan culture and Mexican folklore.
The most iconic event is the Cancún Carnival, held annually in February with floats, troupes and live concerts that fill the city centre (on Avenida Tulum) and the Hotel Zone with Caribbean music. If you travel at the end of October, you can also witness the iconic Day of the Dead festivities, where squares like Parque de las Palapas are transformed with traditional altars, catrinas and typical gastronomy.
Travelling as a family to this destination is a safe bet. If you are looking for what to do with children in Cancún, the city offers a catalogue of safe, educational and extremely fun activities. Here are the best options:
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If you are only going to be able to stay for a weekend, I have prepared this two-day itinerary for Cancún so you can make the most of your trip:
📍 So that you don't get lost during your tour, here is our map with all the tourist points of interest in Cancún. In it, you will find all the archaeological zones, family beaches and key sites mentioned in this guide geolocated.
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