Things to do in Cancun

Riviera Maya Day of the Dead Celebrations with dinner

Celebrate like a local on Mexico's biggest and most vibrant holiday with this Day of the Dead outing. You'll dive into ancient traditions, and get a memorable glimpse into one of Mexico's most significant cultural events. Lucas, one of our local expert guides, says, ‘Dià de los Muertos is like a family reunion – but with an otherworldly twist. It's a joyful celebration where families honour loved ones through storytelling, music, dancing and of course, delicious food.' Kick off your journey by plunging into the crystal-clear waters of Mexico's mystical cenote – an underground river that's the perfect refreshing start to your adventure. After your swim, you'll sample traditional festival foods like 'pan de muerto', a sweet bread baked in the shape of skulls or bones, as well as savoury tamales, both believed to comfort the souls of the departed. Throughout the day, you'll also learn about cool traditions like ‘offrendas' – offerings to loved ones – and the significance of bright orange marigold flowers. Next, roll up your sleeves and get hands-on with Mexican culinary magic by making your own guacamole. Sip on local wines while a chef spills the secrets behind regional flavours and cooking techniques. Lucas adds, ‘We whip up all the favourite foods and drinks of our loved ones to show we still care. Plus, we even set out their favourite snacks on the altars – you know, just in case they get hungry!' The tour wraps up with a dinner that captures the essence of the day, offering unforgettable memories and a whole new appreciation for Mexico's rich cultural heritage.

Tour of Chichen Itza’s Maya ruins and Cenote Tsukán with lunch

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Guided tour of Tulum and visit to a modern Maya community entrance

Exploring ancient ruins and swimming in underground caves make this an action-packed morning of adventure. A guided tour of one of Mexico's most important historical sites is followed by a visit to a traditional Mayan community. What's more, you'll get the chance to take a refreshing dip in a cenote too.

Tulum Private Tour with a Local Guide and Maya Community Visit

This exclusive private tour ensures you'll be one of the first visitors through the gates to explore the Yucatan's best-preserved archaeological site – the ancient ruins of Tulum. A guided tour is followed by a swim in an underground cave and a stop by a typical Mayan community.

Tulum, cenote swim, turtle snorkelling and beach club combo entrance

Exploring Mexico just got a whole lot easier. On this full day adventure, you'll tick off no less than four different activities. Start with a guided visit of the archaeological site of Tulum, then head to a cenote for a swim. Next, it's off to Akumal for a spot of snorkelling. Round off your day with lunch at a beach club. Carmen, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The most photographed structure in the archaeological site is the Castillo, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The Castillo might be the most famous, but there are plenty of other ancient Mayan ruins to explore, such as the Temple of the Descending God and the Temple of the Frescoes.'The marvels of the Mayan culture will be revealed on your guided tour around Tulum. You'll learn about it's past as a walled city, and its former role as a trading hub. After the tour you'll have free time to explore at your leisure. Next, prepare to be dazzled by colours at an ancient Mayan cenote, a natural cave with a freshwater pool fed by underground water sources and considered sacred by the Mayans.After a cooling swim, we'll head for the picturesque seaside community of Akumal, known for its laid-back atmosphere, natural beauty, and abundant marine life. With its intriguing underwater world, Akumal offers one of the best snorkelling experiences in the Riviera Maya. Encounter an array of tropical fish, corals, and perhaps even sea turtles. To complete your day, unwind and indulge in a tasty meal at a nearby beach club. What is the itinerary for this experience?The itinerary for this experience is...- 9:00am – arrive at the archaeological zone of Tulum- 9:15am – guided visit to Tulum- 10:00am – free time to explore the archaeological site- 10:45am – depart for the cenote- 11:10am – arrive at the cenote and explore- 12:00pm – depart for Akumal- 12:30pm – arrive in Akumal for a snorkelling activity- 1:30pm – depart for the beach club- 2:00pm – arrive at the beach club and have lunch- 3:30pm – transfer back to your hotel Please note, the times and schedule may vary on the day

Private Holbox Island boat and buggy tour in Mexico

Holbox Island is a holiday within a holiday. On this private tour, you'll visit Isla Pasion on a boat trip, enjoy lunch at a five-star eco resort and enjoy a golf buggy tour of the island. Ariel, one of our local guides on this tour, says, "Holbox is a habitat for more than 300 endemic and migratory bird species. It's also something of a playground, with activities such as speedboats and beach buggies."Board your small private boat at Chiquila – piloted by a local fisherman – and be whisked off on a two-hour coastal tour. Every other company uses the local ferry. Your guide will point out places known for their wildlife – some 150 bird species have been spotted on the island – and explain what efforts are being made to preserve this habitat. For three decades, Holbox has been part of Yum Balam Nature Reserve. And if you're doing the tour between June and September, you may be lucky enough to catch sight of the island's flamboyant flamingos.Plus, you'll discover the beauty of the secluded beaches of tiny Isla Pasion – Holbox itself boasts 36 kilometres of white-sand strands – before heading to the eco-resort for lunch followed by downtime on the sunloungers. Once your batteries are recharged, you'll hop into a golf buggy – the island's 1,000 residents don't use cars – for some fun exploring the surrounding area. To round off your visit to the island, we'll make our way to Holbox's main square for some free time – it's a great opportunity to pick up some souvenirs or sample local food.

Full-day boat and golf buggy tour of Holbox Island from Chiquila

Holbox Island offers 36km of pristine white beaches washed by emerald-green seas. On this exclusive excursion, you'll discover spots like Isla Pasion on a private boat and enjoy lunch at a five-star eco-resort. There's also a golf buggy tour of the island to look forward to. Ariel, one of our local guides on this tour, says, ‘Holbox is a habitat for more than 300 endemic and migratory species. It's also something of a playground, with activities such as speedboats and beach buggies.'Board your boat at Chiquila – piloted by a local fisherman – and be whisked off on a two-hour coastal tour. Every other company uses the local ferry. Your guide will point out places known for their wildlife and explain what efforts are being made to preserve this habitat. And if you're doing the tour between June and September, you may be lucky enough to catch sight of the island's flamboyant flamingos. Plus, you'll discover the beauty of the secluded beaches of Isla Pasion and Punta Mosquito, before heading to the eco-resort for lunch followed by downtime on the sunloungers.Once your batteries are recharged, you'll hop into a golf buggy for some fun exploring the surrounding area. To round off your visit to the island, we'll make our way to Holbox's laidback main square for some free time – it's a great opportunity to pick up some souvenirs or sample local food. You'll then return by ferry to Chiquila and on to Cancun.

Ek Balam Deluxe Tour

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Full-day tour of Mexico’s Maya Coba ruins with a traditional ceremony and lunch

A journey deep into the Yucatán jungle to discover the ancient Maya city of Coba. You'll learn about their enigmatic culture, see the Great Pyramid, meet local villagers and swim in a sacred cenote

Chichen Itza Private Tour with Transport and Local Guide

The ruins of ancient Chichen Itza are a must-visit when in Cancun. This private tour lets you discover the site before the crowds arrive. Better still, you'll explore the complex with one of our local experts, who'll share in-depth knowledge with you. Argelia, one of our guides, says ‘You'll learn about the calendars in the Temple of Kukulkan and its sacred staircase, where each equinox the shadows represent the descent of the feathered snake.' Afterwards, you'll enjoy a cenote swim and visit a Maya village for lunch.It's an early start so as to be the first to arrive at this UNESCO World Heritage Site – the perfect time to snap a few selfies. The stillness adds even more mystery to the magnificent Maya monuments. There's the mighty Kukulkan Pyramid, the Temple of the Jaguars and the macabre Tzompantli, among many landmark sites. ‘The bas-reliefs that tell us about the magical beliefs inspired by their interpretation of the stars,' says Argelia.Next, head to an underground cenote for a swim in its clear waters. Then it's on to the village for lunch. All the food is locally grown and prepared to traditional recipes. Argelia says, ‘You'll taste typical Yucatecan food such as chaya empanadas, cochinita pibil, chicken in axiote rice and black beans and steamed vegetables.' You'll also see the locals show off their skills hand-weaving hammocks – an age-old craft – and find out how this cottage industry helps support the community.

Full-day adults-only Riviera Maya boat trip with open bar and lunch from Playa del Carmen

There's nothing quite like that holiday feeling, and this boat trip delivers all the little luxuries that take your holiday to the next level. Crafted and designed with you in mind, this cruise is just for grown-ups, so stretch out and enjoy the peace and the scenery gliding by – a new perspective on Mexico. Alejandro, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Among the special touches you can find on board are fresh fruit, a tasty lunch and, of course, swim stops and water sports so you can make the most of all that stunning water.'From the moment you step onto the catamaran and you're sipping a welcome drink, there's nothing more to do but unwind. Feel the sea breeze on your skin, the warm sun on your back and soak up the wonderful views of the Riviera. There'll be ample space on board to sunbathe and admire the view, so sit back and enjoy the pure relaxation as you sail from Riviera Maya to a secluded spot.It wouldn't be a cruise without a swim stop, so that's on the agenda for your trip, and there's snorkelling and paddleboard equipment for you to try out too. Jump into the tempting waves and test your balance on the SUPs or check out the underwater world. Afterwards, a tasty late lunch and free-flowing drinks will be served on board, then it's time to kick back and relax some more.

Akumal Monkey Sanctuary with ATV tour and snorkelling in Riviera Maya

Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is loaded with wild landscapes, and you'll have a chance to dive into them on this full-day itinerary. You'll tick off everything from a visit to a monkey sanctuary to an ATV ride in the jungle, with some snorkelling in Akumal Bay thrown in for good measure. Javier, an expert local guide, says “this activity is perfect if you want to leave the big cities and hotels behind for a while and experience Mexico's greener side. Cenotes, wildlife, beaches, jungle – you'll encounter them all.”You'll start your day with a visit to the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, a place where rescued animals from around the area are looked after and treated. You'll be shown around by one of the people who work here, and you'll be introduced to some of the primates and birds currently being cared for. Then, you'll switch things up a few gears for an ATV ride through the jungle. You can get behind the controls of a vehicle as you head to a cenote tucked away within the greenery. These natural, freshwater sinkholes are unique to this part of Mexico, and your guide will tell you about their cultural significance before your chance to hop in for a swim.When you're done here, you'll make your way to today's final stop, Akumal Bay. This sandy spot is known from Tulum to Cancun as one of the area's top snorkelling spots. And that's exactly what you can do here. To make things even better, Akumel Bay is known for its native turtle population, so it's likely you'll share the waters with these gentle reptiles during your visit.