Hello friends! It is an absolute no-brainer that the beaches in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico are completely fabulous. Our family loves a good beach day as much as the next person. But my gosh, if you go all the way to Cancun and just sit on a beach chair the whole time, you are missing out on so much magic!

There are so many awesome and unique things to do in and around the Cancun region. Today, we want to share our complete guide to the absolute best things to do in Cancun beyond the beach. Because let us be honest, the white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters are already a given!

When we travel as a family of six, finding activities that keep everyone from the teenagers down to the youngest kids happy can be quite a task. Jason and I are always looking for a balance of relaxation and adventure. We want our kids to experience the local culture, see incredible wildlife, and learn about history, all while having the time of their lives.

Whether you are staying right in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, venturing down to Playa del Carmen, or exploring the wider Riviera Maya, this list will give you the perfect itinerary for your next Mexican vacation.

Going on a family vacation in Mexico but not sure where to stop? See our Top 5 Reasons why Cabo San Lucas is perfect for families - Top 5 Cabo.

Quick Take: Our Essential Cancun Travel Tips

Before we dive into the fun activities, there are a few logistical things you need to know to make your trip successful.

The Early Wake-Up Call

Get to the sites early. I am talking specifically about places like Chichen Itza, Tulum, and the other famous ruins. I know that sounds like a major bummer while you are on vacation, but believe me, it is completely worth it. I would recommend this strategy to everyone. This tip alone can really enhance your experience.
I felt so incredibly happy when we were walking out of Chichen Itza or Tulum having already finished our visit, only to see MOBS of people just walking in. The same goes for when we were enjoying the famous North Beach on Isla Mujeres with only a few other people around. An early wake-up call also provides some great photo opportunities as the sun will be in a better position, the heat is not as intense, and there are fewer people to compete with. Sounds like a win to me!

Where We Stayed

We have stayed at many places over the years when visiting the Yucatan Peninsula, but on our last few visits to the region, we stayed at the fabulous Banyan Tree Mayakoba. We highly recommend it, and you can book on points as well! 

The accommodations, resort grounds, amenities, and service were all top-notch at both properties. My kids LOVED the Mayakoba area. It is not a loud and raucous party resort. Instead, it is more subdued, quiet, and upscale, making it a perfect place for some serious rest and relaxation. Families are very welcome here, and we loved the kids' activities at the Conrad.

One thing we loved at Mayakoba was the complimentary bikes provided for getting around the sprawling resort property. We had a lot of fun riding those through the jungle paths. Also, because I am traveling with celiac disease, I am always hyper-aware of cross-contamination. The executive chef and the staff at both resorts went absolutely out of their way to ensure I had safe, delicious, gluten-free meals at every restaurant. 

*To see how we budget for our trips and save up for our travel click - 10 Simple Ways to Save Money for Travel !

Paying for Your Flights with Points and Miles

Before you book your flights to Mexico, make sure you are optimizing your daily spending to earn travel rewards! Our blended family of six simply could not travel as much as we do without using points and miles to cover our airfare and hotel stays.

→If you want to start earning points for your own Cancun adventure, we highly recommend one of these four cards for beginners! We break down the pros and cons of each and help you decide which one might be right for you! 

For booking luxury hotels, we also love using our American Express Platinum Card® to access fine hotels and incredible airport lounges on our travel days! If you want to learn exactly how we travel on points and miles every single year, be sure to check out our free Points & Miles Crash Course.

Check out our favorite cards for Mexico here!
If you aren’t sure what card is right for you, you can get a free email card consult by filling out this form.

1. Explore Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is an absolute must. Having visited there several times before, we are always so excited for a return trip. Do not skip Chichen Itza! If you have time for only one day trip while in the Yucatan, it should be the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá.

It is no wonder that Chichen Itza was named a New World Wonder. It is also a protected UNESCO world heritage site and will give your whole family incredible insight into ancient Mayan culture. The scale of the main pyramid (El Castillo) is simply spectacular.

When you go, we recommend hiring a local guide at the entrance. They can explain the fascinating acoustics of the ball court and how the ancient calendar system works. The ancient ruins of the Mayan people are exceptional, and seeing them in person is an educational experience your kids will never forget.

2. Swim in a Sacred Cenote

So, what exactly is a cenote? A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes the groundwater underneath. There are over 5,000 of them scattered across the Yucatán Peninsula, and you MUST visit one or two of them while you are in this region of Mexico.

Cenotes were deeply sacred to the Mayans because they were a primary source of fresh water in the jungle. The word cenote actually translates to "sacred well."

On our last trip, we visited Selva Maya. It is a beautiful open-air cenote filled with lush greenery, hanging vines, and a small rushing waterfall. It is rather large, and the water is a refreshing, vibrant aquamarine color. Jumping into a Mexican cenote is hard to beat! The water is crisp and cool, making it the perfect remedy after a hot morning exploring an archaeological site.
We are not saying you have to visit this particular cenote, but the idea is to pay a visit to at least one while you are in the area. Some are completely underground in caves with stalactites, while others are completely open like swimming pools.

3. Visit the Tulum Ruins

Tulum is another incredibly worthwhile Mayan ruin site. Unlike Chichen Itza, which is located deep in the jungle, the Tulum ruins sit high on a cliff directly above the shimmering turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean coastline.

The site faces the sunrise, and the location is simply stunning. The structures within the ruin complex maybe are not as towering or impressive as the ones in Chichen Itza, but the dramatic oceanfront location more than makes up for it!

Just a word of caution, it gets very hot here because there is almost no shade among the ruins, and it gets very crowded by mid-day. Go prepared with a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water, and bug spray. There is a public beach located nearby (and right below the ruins), so you always have the option to swim and hang out on the sand after your tour. Just be prepared with a towel, your swimsuit, and a change of clothes.

4. Discover the El Rey Ruins

If taking a full day trip out to Chichen Itza or Tulum feels like too much driving for your little ones, you are in luck. You do not actually have to leave the city to see Mayan history!

The El Rey archaeological site is located right in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. It is a fantastic, quick excursion that will not take up your entire day. While the ruins are smaller, the site is absolutely teeming with hundreds of wild iguanas. Our kids thought the iguanas climbing all over the ancient stones were the absolute coolest thing ever. It is a great place to spend an hour or two in the morning before heading back to your resort pool.

5. Experience Xel-Ha or Xcaret Eco-Parks

The family will love a visit to either or  The best way to describe these two places is a natural amusement park to enjoy the wonders of the Yucatan Peninsula.  They have activities like snorkeling, swimming, river rafting, cave tours, zip-lines, dolphin swims, underground river floats, games and even special children’s areas and activities.  They each have several restaurants. You can easily spend the entire day just lazying about in the sun or actively participating in the fun. It’s all up to you, and it is all included in one price. We love a good day at one of these places:). Check out their websites and decide which one is a good fit for you and your family.  This is for sure on the list of things to do in Cancun beyond the beach.

Your entire family will love a visit to either Xel-ha or Xcaret. The best way to describe these two places is as massive, natural amusement parks designed to help you enjoy the wonders of the Yucatan Peninsula.

They feature incredible activities like snorkeling in lagoons, swimming through underground rivers, river rafting, cave tours, zip-lines, and even special children’s areas. They each have several restaurants on-site. You can easily spend the entire day just lazying about in the sun or actively participating in all the high-energy fun. It is completely up to you!

Both parks are usually all-inclusive when it comes to food and drinks. As someone with celiac disease, navigating all-inclusive buffets can be stressful, but I was so relieved to find that the staff at Xcaret were very knowledgeable and helped point out safe, gluten-free options for me so I did not get sick.

Check out their respective websites and decide which one is a good fit for you and your family. If you want more water activities and snorkeling, Xel-Ha is usually the winner. If you want cultural shows, incredible animal exhibits, and the famous evening spectacular, Xcaret is the way to go. This is for sure high on our list of the best things to do in Cancun beyond the beach.

6. Play a Round of Golf in the Riviera Maya

The boys in our family will love me for adding this activity to the must-do list. The Riviera Maya has absolutely no shortage of world-class golf courses, boasting over a dozen of them along the coast.

The most famous is probably El Camaleon Mayakoba. It is located within the Mayakoba resort complex about 30 miles down the coast from Cancun. It is a brilliant Greg Norman design and regularly hosts PGA events. The course is immaculate and oh-so-beautiful if you like to hit around those little white balls. The fairways weave through the jungle, over mangrove swamps, and right up to the ocean.

Jason loves getting out on the course early in the morning. If this specific course is out of your price range or the distance to your hotel is too far, do not fret. There are many others to choose from right in Cancun!

7. Take a Day Trip to Isla Mujeres

The next few recommendations are all things to do on an excursion to and around Isla Mujeres. This small, vibrant island sits just off the coast of Cancun and is an absolute must-do.

To get there, you can easily catch a quick 20-minute ferry ride from Playa Tortugas or Puerto Juarez. Once you arrive on the island, the absolute best way to get around is to rent a golf cart! The island is small enough that you can drive the entire perimeter in a golf cart in just a few hours. The kids thought riding around in the open air was so much fun.

North Beach (Playa Norte)

Okay, okay, I know the title of this post specifically says "beyond the beach," but we just had to recommend this one as part of a day tour to Isla Mujeres. Our first recommendation on the island is Playa Norte (North Beach in English).

The sand here is beautiful, soft, and perfectly white, and the water is shallow and calm, making it ideal for young children. Go early, and you will pretty much be the only people on the beach, with the exception of the local vendors setting up for the day. Walk along the water, take some fun photos, and enjoy the sunshine.

Punta Sur

After you leave North Beach, take your golf cart all the way to the southern tip of the island to visit Punta Sur. This is the highest elevation point in the entire Yucatan, and it features a beautiful sculpture garden and dramatic rocky cliffs where the ocean waves crash against the shore. It is a completely different vibe from the calm beaches on the north side.

8. Snorkel the Lighthouse (El Farito)

While visiting Isla Mujeres, we booked a boat tour and snorkeled by a little lighthouse called El Farito. The current was quite strong, so we just sort of floated along without having to do much swimming.

The water was wonderfully warm, and the underwater marine life was so beautiful. We saw all sorts of colorful fish (big ones and little ones) and also some cute little brown speckly rays! We even saw many barracudas just watching us from a distance. Some of them were quite large.

There was a great variety of coral to look at. We were really hoping to see a shark or two, but we did not spot any that day.

Hot Tip: If you are visiting Cancun between June and mid-September, you absolutely must look into booking a tour to swim with the whale sharks! These gentle giants migrate through the waters near Cancun every single summer, and swimming alongside them in the open ocean is a truly bucket-list experience.

9. Dive into the MUSA Underwater Museum

This is another incredible snorkeling and diving spot! We visited the Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA), which is a really cool and completely unique underwater museum. We have snorkeled in LOTS of different places around the world and have never seen anything quite like this.

In an effort to recover underwater life from a recent hurricane and to encourage new coral reef growth, artists placed nearly 500 life-sized sculptures submerged underwater on the ocean floor. Our guides told us the main gallery sits at a depth of about 30 feet (perfect for scuba divers), while another gallery at Punta Nizuc sits at about 13 feet, which is shallow enough for snorkelers to enjoy from the surface.

The statues are oddly cool and a little eerie at the same time. Most of the sculptures are human figures cast from local Mexican citizens. It is located near the Los Manchones reef. You can only snorkel or dive here from a boat. The waves were quite large on the boat ride out, but honestly, once we were in the water, we did not feel them that much. The reef and the underwater museum were fascinating, and our daughter Kenna (who is an AMAZING freediver) absolutely loved exploring it!

9. Dive into the MUSA Underwater Museum

This is another incredible snorkeling and diving spot! We visited the Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA), which is a really cool and completely unique underwater museum. We have snorkeled in LOTS of different places around the world and have never seen anything quite like this.

In an effort to recover underwater life from a recent hurricane and to encourage new coral reef growth, artists placed nearly 500 life-sized sculptures submerged underwater on the ocean floor. Our guides told us the main gallery sits at a depth of about 30 feet (perfect for scuba divers), while another gallery at Punta Nizuc sits at about 13 feet, which is shallow enough for snorkelers to enjoy from the surface.

The statues are oddly cool and a little eerie at the same time. Most of the sculptures are human figures cast from local Mexican citizens. It is located near the Los Manchones reef. You can only snorkel or dive here from a boat. The waves were quite large on the boat ride out, but honestly, once we were in the water, we did not feel them that much. The reef and the underwater museum were fascinating, and our daughter Kenna (who is an AMAZING freediver) absolutely loved exploring it!

10. Swim with Sea Turtles in Akumal

If your family loves wildlife, you cannot miss Akumal. Located about halfway between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Akumal translates to "Place of the Turtles."

The bay here is filled with seagrass, which attracts dozens of wild sea turtles every single day. You can rent snorkel gear on the beach and swim right off the shore to see them gently grazing on the bottom of the ocean. It is a highly protected area, so you must wear a life jacket and you are never allowed to touch the turtles, but just observing them floating gracefully through the water is magical.

11. Enjoy Live Music and Culture

If you want a taste of Cancun's famous nightlife while still keeping things appropriate for your group, there are some great options. While the famous Coco Bongo is internationally known for its wild, late-night party scene, they actually offer a family-friendly Sunset Show!

This earlier show features the exact same high-energy performances, acrobats, and audiovisual productions as the nighttime events, but it is designed specifically with families in mind. They offer unlimited soft drinks for the kids and a great atmosphere where everyone can enjoy the live music and dancing without the crazy midnight crowds.

If you prefer a quieter evening, head into downtown Cancun (away from the hotel zone) to visit Parque Las Palapas. This is a local public square where families gather in the evenings. You will find incredible local food carts, live music, and kids playing soccer. It is a fantastic way to experience the real Mexico City vibe right in Cancun and grab some authentic, naturally gluten-free street tacos!

The Bottom Line

While the beaches of Playa Delfines and the Hotel Zone are undeniably stunning, the best places and the most unforgettable memories are found when you step away from the resort.

Whether you are exploring an ancient archaeological site, swimming through underground rivers, driving a golf cart around an island, or eating incredible local food, the Yucatan Peninsula is the perfect place for a family adventure.

The tour company we used for many of these activities was Kay Tours. They offer private and customized excursions in this beautiful region of Mexico. We LOVED our tours with them; we loved our guides, and we can recommend them without hesitation!

For more tips on how we afford to travel as a large family, make sure you download our Free Points and Miles Crash Course.

Happy Travels!

Kam