It’s possible to visit Cancun without spending big bucks, and these cheap activities were among my favorites.
Relax at Playa Delfines
We fell in love with this beach as soon as we got there. Admission is free and it isn’t filled with people lying out by hotel umbrellas like some of the other beaches are. We brought some snacks, spread out our towel, and listened to the waves lap against the shore. Bonus: you can find the Cancun flag hanging here if you want to take the typical tourist photo.
Catch a sunset at Playa Tortugas
We heard Playa Tortugas was the place to see sunsets in Cancun. It totally lived up to its hype. We bought snacks from the store down the street, sat on the sand, and watched the sunset paint the sky pink and orange. It was so relaxing.
Visit the Mercado 28
This outdoor market is perfect for picking up souvenirs. We didn’t purchase much but enjoyed strolling through the aisles of color, bargaining with the shopkeepers and taking in the scenery. My husband even bought me a cute woven bracelet for two pesos.
Check out the hotel zone beaches
Most resorts will have their own private beaches, but there are a few access points for the public on the Hotel Zone. We took a morning to hop from beach to beach, soaking up the turquoise waters. It felt like visiting all the resorts for free!
Walk around Puerto Cancun Marina Town Center
This is an outdoor shopping center where you can people-watch and window shop. We wandered the length of the marina observing the boats sailing in and out and enjoyed an inexpensive cup of coffee at a local shop. If you’re looking to kill a couple hours, this is the place to relax.
Try authentic street tacos
One of our cheapest meals in Cancun ended up being one of our favorites. We stumbled upon a tiny taco stand full of locals and ordered different fillings to share. The tacos were fresh, tasty, and way cheaper than eating at the touristy restaurants. Sometimes the best travel experiences are also the simplest!
Stroll through the Cancun Downtown art murals
While walking around downtown, we noticed colourful graffiti splashed across multiple walls/buildings. Each one told a story, whether it’s about history or sustainability. We took hundreds of pictures trying to outdo each other on who could find the most meaningful murals.
Swim in Cenote Azul
We paid a small entrance fee to spend a day at Cenote Azul. It’s a beautiful freshwater sinkhole located in the jungle. The water was crystal clear and you could even see fish swimming below you as you floated! My husband dove off one of the ledges while I hung out playing in the kiddie pool areas.
Visit El Rey ruins
These little Mayan temples are in the Hotel Zone, and the entrance was just a couple of dollars. It was very interesting to see the ruins, but most amazing was the dozens of iguanas sitting around. My husband joked that they were the real rulers of El Rey.
Explore El Parque de las Palapas
We walked around downtown one night and stumbled upon El Parque de las Palapas. It’s basically a square where Cancun locals like to gather. There were food vendors selling tacos and churros for a few bucks and musicians playing upbeat tunes. My husband loved speaking his broken Spanish here, trying to order food. It wasn’t great, but the vendors were super friendly.
Take a free yoga class
There are some local groups who do free yoga at the beach every morning. I took a class at Playa Delfines, while my husband cheered for me from the sidelines (not his cup of tea). It was such a peaceful start to the day while listening to the waves.
Explore the Nichupté Lagoon
We found Nichupté Lagoon behind the Hotel Zone is a quiet hideaway from the busy town. There is a small fee to hire a kayak or paddleboard but it’s free to just walk along its edge and enjoy the view. The calm waters, in a sea of mangroves, seemed like we’d discovered a Cancun secret. We even saw a few birds and small crabs on the shore, so it felt like a nice surprise.
Visit the local markets
Besides Mercado 28, there are smaller markets like Mercado 23, where locals shop. We browsed fresh produce, tried tropical fruits we’d never heard of before, and spent less than $5 on an impromptu picnic.
