The best things to do near Cancun with kids

Exploring Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is still one of my all-time favourite trips, with the combination of Maya history and gorgeous beach – and fantastic for families, with so many things to do around Cancun with kids.

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Even if you’re not staying in Cancun itself, you’ll pass through as the main hub for international flights. A stay in the Cancun hotel zone isn’t my personal favourite, although it’s home to a lot of the area’s big resorts, but you can also find some great family accommodation along the coast between Cancun and Tulum, such as quieter Puerto Morelos.

But wherever you base yourself on the Riviera Maya, you’ll find plenty of ideas for family days out, including my pick of the best things to do around Cancun with kids.

Explore Tulum

Over the past decade or so, Tulum has become something of an instagrammer’s paradise – more stylish than Cancun, it’s grown ever busier than its sleepy past, but is still as tempting as ever.

A hotspot for teens, it’s well worth a visit even if you don’t choose to stay nearby, to see the ancient Mayan ruins on the Tulum Archaeological site set on a clifftop overlooking the Caribbean. While there are countless historic Maya sites across the Yucatan peninsula, all with their own charms, few have such a memorable setting.

You can also combine it with a visit to the Coba ruins in the jungle – if you’re visiting Tulum with teens or older kids, you can rent a bike to cycle to Nochol Mul (as well as along the beach road) or get a ride with a bicycle taxi.

Save some time for the beach too with some glorious stretches of white sand. Playa Paraiso is Tulum’s best-known beach, but inevitably gets very busy, so Santa Fe beach is another quieter alternative, while you can also visit the small beach by the ruins if you climb down (outside turtle nesting season in the summer).

Some of Tulum’s (often pricy) beach clubs are also child-friendly: La Zebra and Ziggy’s Beach Club are great if you’re visiting with younger kids.

Or head to one of the nearby cenotes to swim in the clear water there. Scroll down for more tips on the best ones to visit with kids

If you don’t have your own hire car, it’s easy to arrange transport from Cancun to Tulum with various different options including prebooked transfers for the half-hour drive

See Chichen Itza

If there’s one site you absolutely can’t miss while staying in Cancun with kids, it’s Chichen Itza. Designated one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the Unesco World Heritage site is a fantastic place to discover the Yucatan’s Maya heritage.

El Castillo, the pyramid at the centre that’s also called the Temple of Kukulcan, is the best-known part of the site but it’s a great way to discover more about Maya culture and civilisation – one of the world’s best historic sites to visit with kids.

As you explore, you can also find the Ball Court – twice the size of a football field, it was thought to have been used for ceremonies as well as games, although contrary to the stories you’ll hear, the losing side didn’t get sacrificed at the end…

There’s also the Temple of Warriors, and lots more to discover on the sprawling site. Understandably popular, it’s well worth arriving early or trying to visit outside peak season if you can.

You can choose from a whole string of tours of Chichen Itza, as well as buying skip-the-line entrance tickets or an early access tour to beat the crowds. If you are travelling independently or can find a tour which includes Ek Balam, this was one of my favourite Maya temples, hidden in jungle

Visit Xcaret Park

Around an hour south of Cancun, Xcaret Park has so much for families that it’s tempting to spend longer than a day here!

The eco-archaeological park has everything from snorkelling and zip-lining to swimming in underground rivers plus an aquarium, a chance to see animals including turtles and manatees, the butterfly pavilion, a Mayan village and a string of cultural performances for the Xcaret at Night show.

It does make it a long day if you’re visiting Cancun with younger kids, but it’s well worth staying for the evening event if you can.

Buy tickets with free cancellation or there are options including entry tickets with transport from Cancun

Play at Xel-Ha Park

Xel-Ha Park is another eco-park with a whole array of activities for families, all supporting various programmes to protect and conserve the environment.

There’s more chance to snorkel here, as well as floating down the lazy river (or jumping off a cliff into the cenote). Younger kids will love the children’s playground, while older ones can test their balance on the Trapachanga rope walk over the water.

Or explore the natural reserve, the Ixchel Grotto carved out by underground rivers, or simply kick back on Hammock Island.

Buy all-inclusive tickets with free cancellation, including food and drink, or there are also options with all-inclusive tickets plus transport from Cancun

Get active at Xplor Park

Best for teens and older kids, the emphasis is on getting your heart racing and finding plenty of adrenaline thrills at Xplor Park.

You can zoom along on a zip wire past rock formations, swim in caves or go rafting, as well as taking a ride aboard an amphibious vehicle.

It’s only for kids aged 5+ and there are some other weight restrictions if you’re planning to visit Xplor Park with younger kids: realistically, unless you have a mini daredevil, it’s more fun for families with older children.

Take a boat to Isla Mujeres

A boat trip to this lovely island is one of the most popular days out from Cancun with kids – and for good reason.

It’s only a short ferry ride from Cancun, and the turquoise waters are beautifully clear; ideal for swimming and snorkelling in, plus there are plenty of colourful fish to spot and beaches to lounge on. Playa Norte has loungers to rent and the water is calm, ideal for little ones.

If you want to explore further, you can rent a golf cart as well, or take a glass boat tour to discover the marine life without getting wet.

It’s easy to travel independently if you want to go at your own pace: companies including Ultramar run a ferry service from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, although you can find plenty of tours to Isla Mujeres as well, with some visiting Isla Contoy, plus other trips including snorkelling.

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Explore Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

This beautiful natural reserve is the perfect place to soak up the beauty of this corner of Mexico – realistically it’s best if you’re staying closer to Tulum or even Playa del Carmen, otherwise it’s a long day from Cancun.

But it’s well worth exploring. Home to tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, there’s also a barrier reef where you can snorkel, plus wildlife galore.

The beaches here are much quieter than elsewhere on the Quintana Roo coast, while inland you can spot manatees, turtles and even crocodiles in the mangroves and saltwater lagoons.

You can explore parts of the biosphere reserve independently but some areas are limited to guided tours, plus there are restrictions on the number of boats allowed per day, so it’s well worth booking these in advance.

Check out the different tours to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve, including options with transport from Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancun, as well as some which also visit the Muyil ruins

Swim in a cenote

One of my favourite memories of our trip, you’ll find cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula. Formed when limestone collapses to leave a pool of water – some underground, some lying under a zipwire, but all wonderful natural swimming holes.

Perfect for cooling off on a hot day, or for venturing outside your comfort zone as you swim in the dark, some are better with older kids and teens, but many are ideal for families.

You can find different cenotes all along the coast, whether you’re looking for something near Cancun or Tulum, or to combine with a visit to the Maya ruins, and there are options to suit the whole family. You can also find lots of tours visiting cenotes.

Some of the best include Gran Cenote, Cenote Dos Ojos and Cenote Aktun Ha (aka the Car Wash Cenote) near Tulum, as well as Cenote Azul near Playa del Carmen.

One of the closest cenotes to Cancun is Cenote Verde Lucero – best for confident swimmers than little ones, there are ziplines and jumps as well as the chance to swim (plus it’s not far from Selvatica Adventure Park for more zipwire fun).

Gran Cenote has shallower sections for younger kids, as well as some turtles in the clear water but does get busy, while Cenote Azul has its own shallow areas (as well as diving platforms to jump from for older kids).

Check out some of the best family friendly hotels in Cancun here, with some great deals from TUI

Swim with turtles in Akumal

Swimming with turtles is an unforgettable experience, and if you head to Akumal, you can swim with sea turtles in their natural habitat.

The bay here is protected by a reef, and the turtles are used to having people swimming around them (though do keep a respectful distance) so you can get some amazing views. May to November is the best time to see them, and try to arrive as soon after 9am as possible to avoid big groups.

You can simply head to the beach and swim, although if you go without a licensed guide, there’s a limit to how far out you’re allowed to go. There won’t be a problem finding a guide though, as you’ll be approached by countless people offering their services (and inevitably some looking to make cash from tourists), as well as being able to hire snorkelling gear and life jackets there.

If you want to avoid any hassle, you can also find tours to swim with turtles at Akumal or check out the useful tips on visiting Akumal’s turtles here.

You can also combine a visit with a trip to Aktun-Chen Natural Park nearby, with its cave walk, as well as zip lining, snorkelling and hiking in the adventure park

What about swimming with dolphins?

It’s worth knowing that proposed new laws would stop animal attractions offering dolphin shows and swimming with dolphins, affecting some of the Riviera Maya’s family attractions such as Dolphin Discovery – it’s not something I recommend anyway

Interactive Aquarium of Cancun

It might seem odd to visit Cancun with kids and head to an aquarium, especially with the amazing marine life nearby under the waves.

But the Interactive Aquarium of Cancun is great for families, with around 1,200 aquatic species, including sharks, rays and sea turtles, with the chance for kids to get hands on at times, as well as learning lots about the different marine life.

Ideal for younger kids who can’t snorkel or if you’re unlucky enough to get a rainy day in Cancun with kids.

Entry is one of the options included in the Cancun Go City Explorer Pass

Xenses Park

This fun day out in Playa del Carmen has 15 different activities designed to appeal to your different senses.

There are some quirky illusions, including the Way of Dwarfs and Giants, which plays with your ability to judge size, but also a chance to walk under a waterfall, fly like an eagle on a zip wire, try to swim in a salt river and learn about different ecosystems at the Xensatorium, without using your sight,

Buy tickets to Xenses Park with free cancellation here

Enjoy a pirate boat trip

Yo ho ho, there’s not just one pirate boat trip on offer if you’re visiting Cancun with kids but two – and they both come with dinner.

The Jolly Roger Pirate Show lasts around 3.5-4 hours aboard a replica galleon, including entertainment, food and drinks. Or there’s the Captain Hook Pirate Show, although that has more mixed reviews.

Depending which you choose, you could also see fireworks or enjoy some special games for kids, plus there’s music and other fun on board, as well as being able to watch the sunset from the deck of these traditional sailing ships during your pirate dinner cruise.

Ventura Park amusement park

EDIT: Currently closed This family amusement park in Cancun is a great day out with kids if you’re looking for a water park with some added extras.

Wet’n’Wild has the usual family friendly water park fun, but you can also find zip lines and aerial activities at Aaah! Ventura, plus go-karting, activities for little ones, and more high-tech fun including the Star Wars Battle Pods.

Croco Cun Zoo

Croco Cun Zoo started life as a crocodile breeding farm, but the focus these days is firmly on conservation, with a chance to learn about lots of the animals found in the region.

It’s designed to be interactive where possible if your kids love the chance to get hands on, while teaching kids about endangered species.

Hit the beach

A trip to the beach goes without saying if you’re visiting Cancun with kids or any of the Riviera Maya. In fact I’m not sure if it’s possible to visit without finding yourself on at least one beach (and you’d definitely be missing out if you did!)

You won’t be short of choice: if you’re visiting Tulum or Isla Mujeres, check out the sections above, as well as tips if you’re visiting Akumal.

If you’re staying in Cancun, some of the all-inclusive resorts and hotels have direct beach access, but all beaches in Mexico are public, so you can visit as many as you fancy. Playa Chac Mool is one of the quieter ones: you won’t find lots of facilities, but it’s a lovely spot to sunbathe and swim.

Playa Delfines is known for its dolphin sightings, as well as more lovely sand – there are toilets here and no hotels attached to it, although it can still be busy and the water can be a bit choppy for younger kids.

If you want to venture a bit further north, Isla Holbox is a couple of hours from Cancuns and a great place to chill out for a few days after some busy sightseeing – check out some of the best hotels in Holbox to check into

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions on the best things to do near Cancun with kids are my own

Images courtesy of Depositphotos

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