Filled with adventure and culture, as well as an environmental ethos and Mayan influences, Cancun is an exotic getaway that is just a short flight from most U.S. cities. The area’s warm year-round temperatures and the Caribbean Sea’s aquamarine hues have encouraged numerous all-inclusive resorts to offer their pampering services along the shoreline. Whether you like snorkelling in the sea or relaxing on the beach, there is no shortage of angles from which to explore the largest city, in Riviera Maya. Here are the four best things to do in Cancun.
Take a ferry to Isla Mujeres
Just a short 15-minute ferry ride from Cancun is a laid-back island called Isla Mujeres. As it’s almost completely car-free, people cruise around by golf cart or scooter, from which you can explore most of the highlights within a day. You can take a ferry from Terminal Maritima Puerto Juarez and Gran Puerto, ten minutes from Cancun by taxi, every 30 minutes from 5 am to 9 pm. Activities you may wish to consider here include exploring the murals on the seawall and kayaking at Garrafón Reef Park. If you have time to spend at least a few days here, you can enjoy the island’s charm after most of the others have left. Isla’s most popular beaches include Playa Norte, where you can spend the whole day floating in the calm, cerulean waters.
Go on a food tour
The nightly Taco Tour, which departs from downtown Cancun, fills your stomach with tasty food over four stops. Locals lead the 2 1/2 hour tour, conveying their knowledge of the local food scene, which they know inside out. There may be no shortage of fine-dining options at Cancun resorts but street-food is just as trendy, as well as being off the beaten path. One thing to note when needing cash for dining out, or any anything else, is that banking can be difficult in Mexico, due to mistrust in financial institutions and the government itself. That’s why the country is considered to hold such great potential for cryptocurrencies like Monero, a digital currency that emphasizes privacy, security, and untraceability. The up-and-coming currency is used in online casino FortuneJack and is even popular with musicians: it’s accepted by Mariah Carey, Lumineers, and The Backstreet Boys, among others.
Shop in the local markets
Leave the designer-label, luxury shopping malls for artisan-made home decor, fashion accessories, and crafts in downtown Cancun market. Mercado 28 features 100 shops so you’ll want to allow adequate shopping time. From hand-painted pottery to embroidered pillow covers, check off the items on your gifts and souvenir list and still have money left to buy that stunning scarf for yourself.
Snorkel with statues
This one sits right at the top of the list when it comes to the exciting list of things to do in Cancun. The best way to see MUSA, a 470-statue sculpture garden that resides underwater, is from just below the surface of the water. Aqua World-run snorkelling excursions include vests, masks, and fins, in addition to onboard tunes and drinks. You’ll also have the opportunity to see exotic and colorful fish.
Other things to do in Cancun include checking out the street art, swimming in a cenote, and exploring Xenses. It may be one of the world’s most popular beach resorts but there’s plenty more going on in Mexico’s most visited city.
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