Since we’ve been spending so much time in Cancun these past few months, I thought a little mini travel guide might be in order. We’ve had lots of friends and family visit, and even more send us messages that they’re planning a visit and want to know where to stay, where to go, and what to eat! For us, we tend to like the hidden gems a bit more than the typical tourist experience. And while Cancun is obviously a major tourist destination, it’s still not impossible to find some adventures off the map a bit. You still might see a few foreigners, but just keep in mind that you are one, too. 😉 So without further adieu, here are five things to do in Cancun if you’re looking for more than just a beach and a cocktail.
1. Mercado 23
Lots of people visit Mercado 28 that’s known for souvenir trinkets, bargaining with salesman, and traditional Mexican restaurants at its heart. It’s great, but I prefer Mercado 23, which is more of a farmer’s market style. There are shops with piñatas, fruits, kitchen goods, almost anything under the sun. To stroll through you really get the sense that you’re seeing every day life in Mexico, and you leave with a better appreciation for the culture.
2. Hire a private boat to Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is on most people’s radars these days, but most take a ferry across and hire a taxi to schlep them to the beach. We’ve done that plenty of times too, but my favorite way to do Isla Mujeres is to hire a private boat for the day. It’s best to do it if you’re traveling with a large group, or if you’re just rolling in that much dough, but it’s worth it for the luxury of going wherever you want to go. The shore at Isla Mujeres is so shallow the boat can literally drop anchor 100 yards away and you can walk up to the beach on your own. They’ll prepare lunch for you, and the sunset views on the way back to Cancun are not to be missed. On Isla Mujeres, Orlando’s favorite thing to do is go spearfishing, and we love a local restaurant called Barlito’s.
3. Ventura Park
This is probably the most touristy option on the list, but it’s such a great options for families with kids, I couldn’t resist. We visited Ventura Park when it was still called Wet ‘n Wild, but they’ve recently renovated the entire water park to include activities on land now, too. We loved that it was clean, all-inclusive, and there was a great mix of things for little toddlers and big kids to do. Make sure you book online beforehand to save off your ticket price. You might be in the Hotel Zone, but I still think this park is worthy of a visit. If a stroll through nature is your idea of the perfect park, I suggest Parque Kabah, an ecological zone in the heart of the city where native plants and animals are still in abundance!
4. Parque Palapas
Once the sun goes down, it often feels like the allure of Cancun lies in its party scene. But you won’t find any locals in the hotel zone strip unless they’re forced there by out-of-town visitors. Instead, I suggest heading to Parque Palapas downtown, where you’ll find a carnival type atmosphere almost every night. You can try unique snacks at the food stands, play festival games with the kids for just a few pesos, and head across the street to La Habichuela for dinner. This restaurant is a staple in Cancun, and while they have a hotel zone location, the downtown version is the original. It includes a Mayan garden for al fresco dining under the stars, and a menu that’s suitable for the daring and the mainstream.
5. Pioneros Basketball Game
Last but certainly not least, I couldn’t make this list and not include paying a visit to see Orlando’s basketball team, the Pioneros, play! If you’re here during the season (they’re in the Finals right now so hurry!), it’s a fun way to spend an evening. Seeing how basketball is played in Mexico, not to mention how wild the fans get, is something you won’t soon forget. I might be a bit biased, but I think they’re the best team in the entire country.
So there you have it! Cancun is a gorgeous place with plenty of things to do for any type of visitor. Any questions for me? Leave ’em in the comments!
XO,
A
