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North America Mexico Cancún Do & See Downtown

Overview

Downtown

The guide was updated: 2024-04-14

Downtown (El Centro) is the actual backbone of Cancún. What it lacks in history, it makes up for being a true melting pot — an exciting mix of the old traditional Mexico and an ultra-modern urban sprawl. Avenida Tulum, the main street, passing through the heart of the city, is easy to reach by public transport. The street is lined with shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants. Be sure to stop by Parque de las Palapas, on the market square, where locals come to chat and watch the entertainment provided by various local groups. The lively atmosphere and the sound of Mexican music are infectious, and any worries will quickly be postponed to "mañana." Browse around the artisan stalls and try some of the local sweet delicacies or visit the "Hippie Market" around the corner. In the evenings, the place to be is Avenida Yaxchillan with its lively restaurants and bars, popular with locals and tourists alike.

Useful Information

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Mayan Ruins

Mayan Ruins

A visit to Cancún is not complete without a trip to the famous Mayan ruins. Chichen Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is an absolute must. Equally stunning is Cobá, currently the only ruin that can still be climbed, offering a breathtaking view over the jungle and Tulúm, with its spectacular backdrop of the clear turquoise water of the ocean.

Dolphinaris Cancún

Dolphinaris Cancún

Is swimming with dolphins a dream for you? Then make it a reality at the Dolphinaris Cancún. Here, you get to interact with these beautiful and smart creatures, become a trainer for a day, and follow the daily routines of a dolphin's life. An unforgettable experience for both the kids and the grownups.

Cenotes

Cenotes

Cenotes (sinkholes) are deep wells with crystal clear water that can be accessed when the roof of a cave collapses. Fed by underground rivers, the cenotes were the main source of freshwater for the Mayans and therefore are considered sacred. They are unique to the Yucatán peninsula, and still to this day, the underground cave system connecting all the cenotes remains largely unexplored. Witnessing the breathtaking beauty of the large clusters of stalactites and stalagmites being mirrored in the crystal clear cool waters is a unique experience. Every cenote has its own particular beauty, and putting on a swimsuit and snorkeling in the pool is an absolutely unforgettable experience. Some tour operators also offer cave diving excursions for very experienced divers.

Hotel Zone

Hotel Zone

Most hotels in the Hotel Zone or Zona Hotelera are located directly on Cancún's beautiful beach. The Hotel Zone itself is divided into kilometer-long sections, which make it easy to navigate. The heart of the area is undoubtedly Cancún's famous buzzing party zone (km 8), where the bars and nightclubs draw both young and old crowds until the early morning hours. The party also attracts performing and visiting celebrities so you'll never know who you might be rubbing shoulders with.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres

A 20-minute boat ride from Cancún lies the small island of Isla Mujeres with its laid-back Caribbean ambiance, tiny streets lined with stalls, and street cafés in pastel-colored houses. Golf carts and mopeds dominate the streets, and although the island is only 5 miles long and half a mile wide, it still offers plenty of things to do and see. Everything from a beautiful palm-fringed white beach on the north coast to a dramatic rocky shoreline on the eastern side to a sea turtle sanctuary and the remains of a Mayan temple at the southern tip. If you're into adventure, then you should visit the Garrafon Reef Park & Beach Club, where you can go zip-lining, snorkeling, and kayaking. Lastly, a must-visit for nature and wildlife lovers is a tour to Isla Contoy, a nature reserve only inhabited by a few biologists and restricted to 200 visitors per day.

Eco Parks & Tours

Eco Parks & Tours

If you're looking for a great family day out, don’t forget to visit the eco-parks of Xel Há and Xcarét. With shows and adventures set in stunning lush tropical vegetation with exotic wildlife, these parks offer an entertaining, educational, and fun day out for the young and old alike. For the slightly more energetic and adventurous, try one of the exciting eco-tours which will make you feel like a true explorer.

Parque de las Palapas

Parque de las Palapas

The lively and friendly atmosphere of Parque de las Palapas is worth a visit, especially on the weekend evenings. Watch a local performance on the open-air stage, browse around the artisan stalls, visit one of the bars and cafés around the park, or just come here to observe and soak in the atmosphere. Just across the adjacent car park, next to the church, you'll find the so-called "Hippie Park" offering hand-made jewelry, lamps, and tie-dyed clothing.

Puerto Cancún

Puerto Cancún

Puerto Cancún is a mixture of residential, commercial, and tourist areas. An 800-acre upscale development next to the ocean featuring a large marina, a golf course, a waterside promenade with a luxurious outdoor shopping complex, eateries, and cafés, as well as hotels.

Las Coloradas & Río Lagartos

Las Coloradas & Río Lagartos

Discover candy-colored lagoons and high salt hills and capture beautiful photos of the resident flamingos on this fun day trip from Cancún. First, visit Las Coloradas, Yucatan's famous pink-algae salt lakes. Then, ride a boat through the Río Lagartos reserve, looking for local species including flamingos, pelicans, eagles, and crocodiles. Learn how salt is made, enjoy a Mayan mud bath, and feast on a seafood lunch prepared by local villagers.

Rotating Scenic Tower

Rotating Scenic Tower

To fully appreciate the beauty of Cancún and its surrounding area, do ride the 360° rotating scenic tower where you'll get a spectacular birds-eye view of the entire Hotel Zone and beyond from the 100-metre tall tower. A different experience during the day and night time, the view is unsurpassed.

Cancún Theatre & Mexican Folk Art Museum

Cancún Theatre & Mexican Folk Art Museum

Discover one of Cancún’s little treasures, the Mexican Folk Art Museum brimming with excellent examples of Mexican folk art and crafts. You can also experience the traditions and culture of Mexico at Xcaret Park, which offers an incredible show with advanced technology, amazing costumes, and an impeccable set design.

Downtown

Downtown

Downtown (El Centro) is the actual backbone of Cancún. What it lacks in history, it makes up for being a true melting pot — an exciting mix of the old traditional Mexico and an ultra-modern urban sprawl. Avenida Tulum, the main street, passing through the heart of the city, is easy to reach by public transport. The street is lined with shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants. Be sure to stop by Parque de las Palapas, on the market square, where locals come to chat and watch the entertainment provided by various local groups. The lively atmosphere and the sound of Mexican music are infectious, and any worries will quickly be postponed to "mañana." Browse around the artisan stalls and try some of the local sweet delicacies or visit the "Hippie Market" around the corner. In the evenings, the place to be is Avenida Yaxchillan with its lively restaurants and bars, popular with locals and tourists alike.

Aquaworld

Aquaworld

What better way to enjoy water sports than in the warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters of Cancún? Whether you choose to go swimming, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, kite sailing, jet-skiing, parasailing, diving, or snorkeling along the second-largest reef in the world, you'll not be disappointed. Maybe you prefer to stay on the surface and experience the thrill of deep-sea fishing or just relax on a sunset cruise — there is literally no water sport imaginable that you won’t find here. Aspiring and advanced divers should not miss a dive in the famous diving paradise of Cozumel. Another must is the popular jungle tour through the nature reserve of the Nichupte Lagoon where you can be a captain of your own boat.

Interactive Aquarium

Interactive Aquarium

Unlike most aquariums, at the Interactive Aquarium of Cancún, you'll get a chance to get up close to sea creatures and even interact with some of them. Here, you can touch starfish and sea urchins, swim with dolphins, or watch them put on a show. There are over 140 species on display here and the Aquarium is open 365 days a year.

Swim with Whale Sharks

Swim with Whale Sharks

Do you dare to swim with these ocean giants? From around May to September, sharks appear close enough to the coast of Cancún, and several tour operators let you observe them and even swim and snorkel with them (all safety precautions, naturally, in place).

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