What's up guys, we're here in Cancun and in this video we're going to show
you the best things to do in and around the area.
So there's beautiful cenotes, ancient ruins, and of course some really beautiful beaches too,
and we found a secret spot which we can't wait to show you. So enjoy this video!
We are Zac and Ine. Full-time digital nomads from the United States and Belgium.
We met while studying abroad in 2018 and have been traveling the world together ever since.
We're here to inspire your next adventure, whether it's hiking in the Canadian Rockies,
a road trip through the US, or backpacking across Africa. On our channel, you'll find
unfiltered videos of hiking guides and the best things to do in destinations around the world.
Located in the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun borders the Caribbean Sea.
It's known for its white sand beaches, turquoise sea, numerous resorts, and
nightlife. The city is composed of two distinct areas: the more local downtown area, El Centro,
and Zona Hotelera, a long beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops,
and restaurants. Cancun is known around the world as the party capital of Mexico, with great air and
ground transportation connectivity. But there's so many more things to do in Cancun besides just
the nightlife. In this video, we'll show you the top 10 things to do in and around Cancun.
The Cancun Scenic Tower is the highest attraction in the Riviera Maya. Here, you can take a ride up
to an altitude of 262 feet or 80 meters. You can take photos while the deck spins
giving you 360 degree views of the entire Hotel Zone. You can also learn a bit about the history
of Cancun through the audio commentary. The total viewpoint experience lasts about 15 to 20 minutes.
The ninth best thing to do in Cancun is to visit the downtown area. Downtown Cancun offers a great
taste of local culture, with delicious street food, small shops, and cute parks.
This is the area where the locals live and this is visible in the prices as well.
You'll find more affordable souvenir shops and eateries here than in the Hotel Zone, with prices
being sometimes three times cheaper. Wander down Avenida Tulum and experience the real Cancun.
At number eight we have a truly refreshing and unique experience:
swimming in the nearby cenotes. The Yucatan Peninsula in general
is well known for its cenotes, with as many as six thousand of them scattered around the area.
Our favorite cenotes near Cancun include the Cenote Azul, Gran Cenote, Sac Actun, and Calavera
Cenote. But, if you're looking for ones that are closer, head to the Ruta de los Cenotes. It's best
to rent a car for the day if you want to visit a few of them as most cenotes are in the middle of
nowhere. However, many day tours also combine at least one cenote with other attractions.
Yeah it's very cool like we're in a little cave here,
but you can also do a lot of really cool jumps from like the rocks above us.
The Hotel Zone is the primary tourist area filled with high-rise hotels,
shops, bars, and many restaurants. It's a 15 mile wide or 24 kilometer strip of beautiful
white-sand beaches and deep blue water and thus it's where most people decide to stay.
However, it can also get very crowded and expensive.
There's only one road, the Kukulcan Boulevard, which runs from one side to the other. Playa Chac
Mool is gorgeous, but it's very wavy. It's also a great place to print water sports equipment.
As briefly explained at the start of this video, Cancun is the party capital of Mexico
and so we can't talk about the city without mentioning the nightlife.
Most nightclubs are located in the Hotel Zone and can get pretty wild.
Coco Bongo is the most popular club in Cancun, featuring acrobats, cover bands, and DJs.
But, there are many other clubs such as Señor Frogs, Mandala Beach Club, and the City Nightclub.
All of them offer something different but can have long wait lines.
Located along a more quiet part of the Hotel Zone, Playa Tortugas is our favorite beach in the zone.
It has public access and offers a more local experience with a relaxed atmosphere and clean
sands. It's also better for swimming as the water is calm and there's generally less wind here.
Therefore, it's ideal for families with kids.
This beach also boasts several open-air restaurants with seafood dishes and drinks.
So besides relaxing or renting a jet ski at Playa Tortugas, you can also
bungee jump if you're looking for some adrenaline. So there's a guy about to jump right now.
The fourth best thing to do in Cancun is to go on a day trip to the nearby Isla Mujeres.
Only a 20 minute boat ride from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a peaceful paradise known for its
white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and the friendliest locals in the Mexican Caribbean. The
island is small so you can get around it easily by golf cart or bike. Make sure to watch the
sea turtles at the local turtle farm, visit the Mayan ruins and cliffs at Punta Sur, and watch the
sunset at Playa Norte. Find more details about a day tour to Isla Mujeres in the description below.
About 12 and a half miles or 20 kilometers north of the city of Cancun sits the stunning Isla
Blanca. You can get here by local colectivo, which leaves near the "Farmacia Canto" at the corner
of Avenida Lopez Portillo and Calle 7, about three times a day. We got off at the last stop
which is the thinnest part of the peninsula. This untouched peninsula is a true hidden gem,
with the turquoise Caribbean sea on one side and an immense laguna with kiteboarders on the other.
You feel a thousand miles away from the hustle and bustle of Cancun.
So we're walking the beaches of Isla Blanca here and it's so peaceful compared to the
rest of Cancun. It's really a hidden gem. One thing you should do though
is make sure you bring your own food and drinks, because there's literally nothing
out here. And you're kind of on your own. But it's really peaceful, you should come
A trip to Cancun isn't complete without visiting one of the 7 World Wonders.
Chichén Itzá is located about three hours away from Cancun by car or tour bus. It was once a
vibrant city with a diverse population of Mayan people extending well into the tens of thousands.
Today, it's one of the most visited archaeological sites in all of Mexico.
The "El Castillo Pyramid" in the site center is the most iconic and spectacular Mayan
ruin of the entire archaeological site. Find a link in the description below to
book your own Chichén Itzá day tour, which combines the ruins with a beautiful cenote.
The best thing to do in Cancun in our opinion is to go scuba diving or snorkeling at the MUSA
Underwater Museum of Art as well as the Manchones Reef. Located only 30 minutes away from Cancun,
this underwater museum is home to 500 life-size sculptures that are used to promote coral, algae,
and other marine life. It's arguably the largest museum of its kind anywhere on earth. But besides
this museum, there's also a beautiful reef nearby. The Manchones Reef is home to various types of
fish, sea turtles, and rays. Find more info about a dive and snorkel tour in the description below.
All right guys, that's it for our video on the best things to do in Cancun. We really hope you
enjoyed it. Make sure to check out our other video where we highlight five must-do day trips from
Cancun. Like this video if you found it helpful, subscribe to our channel for more Mexico videos,
and download our free giveaway in the description below. Catch you on the next adventure!