1 Day in Cancun: Your ultimate guide to adventure and relaxation

Have you arrived in Cancun and have little time to spare? Read on and explore our list of activities you can do in a single day in this beautiful destination and its surroundings.

The Mexican Caribbean area looks small on a map. The coastline stretches for more than 900 kilometers along Quintana Roo. But it's not all beaches and sea! Ninety percent of the territory is covered with Mayan jungle, and there are fascinating places to visit, such as Cancun, Costa Mujeres, and the Riviera Maya.

Don't stop reading. We will present you with a list of activities you can do in a single day in Cancun and Riviera Maya. It will help you create the ideal itinerary for visiting the Mexican Caribbean. Take a look!

Take a look at our table of contents and click on the option you are looking for 👇

• Aquatic activities in Cancun
• Nautical activities in Cancun
• Jungle activities in Cancun
• Cultural activities in Cancun
• Entertainment in Cancun

Aquatic activities in Cancun

Paddle Board

Welcoming the sunrise in Cancun while paddleboarding in the sea is one of the most sought-after experiences in this destination. You can find this sport in different variations, such as paddle yoga, paddle racing, and recreational paddling, in one place that is ideal for everyone.

If you have your equipment, you can enter the beaches and do it on your own (respecting the flags and the instructions of the lifeguards). You can also paddleboard the Nichupté lagoon to admire the mangroves with an ecological tour.

If you are staying at a hotel in the Hotel Zone or Riviera Maya, ask in the lobby if this activity is available at the water activities desk. 

Estimated duration of the activity: 2 hours approximately.

Snorkel

Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities in the Mexican Caribbean area because it is part of the second-largest barrier reef in the world. That means you will find many beautiful snorkeling sites near the coast of Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

For snorkeling in Cancun, you can use your equipment and go to the public beaches for a quiet experience. If you prefer to visit a reef, many boat tours include stops at the most famous reefs in the area. If you are staying at a hotel, ask at the water activities desk.

Estimated duration: 1 hour on the beach. 30 to 40 minutes in the open sea. 

Scuba Diving

Like snorkeling, scuba diving is very popular because of the numerous coral reefs in the area. To dive in the reef, you must own at least the PADI Open Water Diver certification. You can find tours that will help you get a certificate. If you are already certified, you can go on excursions to different reefs.

If you are looking for a dive instructor job, sites like Jooble can help you find it and get back in the water!

The most common sites to do this activity near Cancun are:

• Diving at MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art)
• Diving in a sunken ship site in Cancun
• Diving in cenotes near Cancun

Estimated duration of the activity: This may vary. Commercial tours offer 6 hours of activity, including the preparation time and the immersions.

Watersports

With a little research on the internet, you can easily find surf schools and bodyboarding groups in Cancun. If you are directly on the beach, you may find watersports counters or people offering activities such as Kitesurfing, Windsurfing, and Wakeboarding in Cancun.

Estimated duration: Varies per activity. Most of these sports are managed by classes that last 1 hour and complete courses of up to 9 hours.

Go to the beach

If you are one of those travelers who come to Cancun for business or are just passing through and have only one day off, we suggest you spend that day at the beach. The plan is simple: visit a public beach, bring food, a towel, some friends, and relax.

Cancun is world famous for the beauty of its beaches of fine white sand and turquoise waters. Some of the beaches you can visit here are:

• Langosta Beach: The water level is so low on this beach that it is ideal for small children or people just looking to relax by the sea.

• Tortugas Beach: It is a small and slightly rocky beach. It has a bungee jump, restaurants and tables and is usually frequented by locals.

• Marlín Beach: It is a broad, clean beach with a relaxed atmosphere. The swell is somewhat firm, so be careful when swimming there. This beach has a Blue Flag badge.

• Forum Beach: This beach is located opposite Cancun's Party Center. Visitors usually relax here before or after a wild night at the area's nightclubs.

• Delfines Beach: Better known as El Mirador. This beach is an important meeting point for enjoying the sunrise or practicing wellness activities. It also has a Blue Flag distinction.

• Coral Beach: This beach is famous for being pet-friendly. Although it is small and far from the central area, it is an excellent spot to relax with your pet. Playa Coral is also a Blue Flag beach.

Remember that in Mexico, there are no private beaches, even if they are on hotel grounds. Most have showers and restrooms, and some offer chairs, tables, and umbrellas for an additional price.

Maritime activities in Cancun

Catamaran tour to Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a must-see destination when visiting the Caribbean. It is a small island just 7 kilometers long, ideal for a one-day visit.

There are catamaran tours to Isla Mujeres that include a buffet, snorkeling, and free time on the island. These packages are designed to give you a fun, full-day experience without worrying about anything.

Tour to Isla Contoy

Imagine having access to a private, virgin beach in the Mexican Caribbean! Isla Contoy is a protected area inhabited only by scientists and park rangers. Only 200 visitors per day can enter through an ecotourism tour. 

There are tours to Isla Contoy with navigation and access to Isla Contoy, a buffet on the island, an open bar, and an ecotour. Remember, only authorized agencies can sell them since, being a protected area, they require a special permit.

Sport Fishing

The Caribbean Sea is one of the favorite places for sport fishing because of its diversity of species. If you go fishing, you can choose between a private or shared tour. The trips usually last 4, 6, or 8 hours, and you can choose between trolling or bottom fishing. Remember to research the best fishing seasons in Cancun and the restrictions and closures.

Private yacht rental

You can rent your boat if you want a comfortable and private experience. Usually, these rentals include navigation, crew, open bar, and freedom of movement, such as visiting a restaurant with a dock or swimming in a white-water beach. The best part is to choose the boat that best suits your taste, needs, and budget. 

You can rent a private catamaran for the day to enjoy the sun and the beaches or a sailboat at sunset in a more romantic atmosphere. The choice is yours!

Nature Activities in Cancun

Nature parks

The jungle is the type of vegetation that covers most of Quintana Roo; therefore, many activities occur there. Throughout the Riviera Maya, there are several ecological and adventure parks that you can visit in a single day. Below are some options:

• Grupo Xcaret: Xcaret is a famous company in the Mexican Southeast that has diverse natural and cultural attractions. Some of Grupo Xcaret's parks are Xcaret, the most popular park mainly based on historical-cultural attractions in Mexico, Xel-há, a natural water park located in a cove, and Xplor, an adventure park with zip lines and ATVs.

  These parks are large, so it will probably take more than a day to tour them all. Xenses is a good option for a fast itinerary with sensory scenarios you can tour in half a day.

• Selvática: A natural adventure park with different kinds of zip lines, all-terrain vehicles, swimming in cenote, and lunch. This park is suitable for all climates, and the estimated time is 6.5 hours plus transfer time to your hotel.

• Rio Secreto: Is a park located in a nature reserve whose main attraction is an underground river covered with geological formations that tell the story of the earth´s evolution. The tour in the park lasts approximately 3 hours and includes a guide, equipment, and buffet.

• Garrafon: Located in Isla Mujeres, this eco-park offers activities such as reef snorkeling, kayaking, zip lines, temazcal, and an infinity pool with a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea, as well as tours around the island. To get to Garrafon Park, take a ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and then take a cab from the marine terminal to the park.

To learn the prices of cabs in Isla Mujeres, check out our blog, Taxi in Isla Mujeres.

Cenotes near Cancun

Cenotes are one of the most unique attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula and something you can't miss if you come from a different climate. Not only are they beautiful, but they also hold many historical and cultural mysteries. 

Near Cancun, you will find the route of the cenotes, which has more than 57 natural formations, among which are the Siete Bocas cenote, the Zapote park with four different cenotes, and Dos Ojos Park, where you can dive into a cenote.

Activities with animals

Cancun's jungle is full of life, and many animal conservation centers welcome visitors. Responsible places that manage protection programs should be mentioned. These are our recommendations.

• Rancho Bonanza offers tours that include horseback riding and interaction with rescued or rehabilitated animals in a natural and peaceful environment. The tour is suitable for people who have never ridden a horse and includes cenote swimming and wildlife observation.

• Whale shark swim: From June to September, you can swim with these giant (but harmless) fish near Cancun. Please book this tour at authorized sites with permits and avoid clandestine packages that may endanger the lives of these amazing sea creatures.

• Swimming with dolphins in Cancun: This memorable adventure combines interaction with these intelligent marine mammals in the clear, warm waters of the Caribbean. Participants can learn about dolphin conservation, experience thrilling rides, and enjoy playful moments with the dolphins. This activity is a highlight for animal lovers and those seeking a unique experience, emphasizing the importance of preserving marine life.

Cultural Activities in Cancun

Mayan Culture

The Yucatan Peninsula is the cradle of Maya culture. Here, you can find thousands of vestiges of this ancient and intelligent civilization, and many of its customs and traditions were inherited by modern people.

If you have a free day, you can buy a one-day tour to Mayan archaeological sites such as:

• Chichen Itza Tour: This is the most famous cultural tour, taking you to one of the new wonders of the modern world, Chichen Itza. These tours last between 7 and 12 hours.

• Tulum Tour: This archaeological site is famous for its oceanfront location and well-preserved buildings. You can also visit the beach and the boutique hotels nearby.

• Tour to Coba: This archaeological site contains the tallest Mayan pyramid of the Yucatan Peninsula, 42 meters high.

• Visit Ruinas el Rey: This small archaeological site is located at kilometer 18 of Cancun's hotel zone. A person of high rank was found buried here, along with several objects in the Mayan Museum of Cancun.

• Museum of Mayan Culture: The Mayan Museum is located in Cancun's hotel zone at kilometer 16.5 and exhibits more than 350 pieces recovered from excavations in Palenque, Chichen Itza, and Comalcalco. Inside the museum, you will find the ruins of San Miguelito.

Entertainment in Cancun

COCO BONGO

Do you have a night off in Cancun? One of the best options is to visit Coco Bongo. This popular place in Cancun offers a show with acrobats, live music, a party atmosphere, solos, and rhythm. 

Nightclubs and bar crawls in Cancun

Cancun is also famous for its nightlife. One of the liveliest places at night is Cancun's Party Center, located at km 9 of the hotel zone, where you will find dozens of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. Want to know more about Cancun's nightlife? Check out our blog: 9 places to enjoy a fantastic night in Cancun.

Visiting plazas and shopping malls in Cancun

If you want to go shopping or have an excellent time, you can visit a shopping mall in Cancun. In Cancun, shopping malls are known as plazas, and they are everywhere. These are the most popular plazas in Cancun.

• La Isla Shopping Village: It is located at km 12.5 of the hotel zone. Here, you will find international and Mexican brand stores, restaurants, and an interactive aquarium. The plaza's main attractions are a river that runs through it and the pier overlooking the Nichupté lagoon.

• Grand Outlet Riviera Maya: This is the first luxury outlet in the region. It brings together top fashion brands, gourmet dining, and unique entertainment options like go-karts and ice skating in a paradise destination. It's strategically located just 8 minutes from Cancún airport. 

• Malecon Americas: Cancun's largest plaza and most visited by locals due to its location in the city's center. You will find stores with affordable prices, a food court, a movie theater, and ample parking.

• Puerto Cancun: This is a modern open-air shopping mall with docks that receive different types of boats. It is located in an easily accessible area and has parking, a movie theater, national and international brand stores, a food court, a zip line, and is Pet-Friendly.

What did you think of our list of activities? Are you interested in doing something that is not on the list? Write to us if you think we missed an activity!