Some of the best experiences of our Cancun vacation happened outside the city, and these six day trips were worth every minute of the journey.
Isla Mujeres: the island escape you need
Isla Mujeres was an idyllic small paradise just a ferry ride away from Cancun. We hired a golf cart (I definitely recommend it!) and drove around the island visiting pretty beaches such as Playa Norte. The water was so clear I could even see the fish around my feet. We even went to the turtle sanctuary and got to know about the conservation of sea turtles. It was like a different world, and we could relax and live the slow island life.
Tulum: history meets beauty
Tulum was probably my favorite place we visited. When you stand on the cliffs overlooking the sparkling turquoise Caribbean Sea, you can understand why Tulum is one of Mexico’s most photographed archaeological sites. Exploring through the ancient Mayan ruins while hearing the crashing waves below took me back in time.
We woke up super early, which allowed us to beat the heat and crowds. I recommend this tip if you’re thinking about going! We hung around on the beach for the rest of the day after exploring the ruins.
Chichen Itza: the iconic wonder of the world
Going to Chichén Itzá was something that had been on our bucket list forever and actually seeing El Castillo in person was breathtaking. You never truly appreciate how big and perfectly built everything is until you see it. There were tons of things we learned about Mayan astronomy, temples, and their gigantic ball court.
We spent a few hours roaming around the enormous ruins. It is blazing hot by noon so getting there early really helped. If you haven’t been, add it to your list. It was well worth the trip down and it truly is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Cenote Ik Kil: a hidden natural gem
Speaking of cenotes, we also stopped at Cenote Ik Kil on the way back from Chichen Itza. This is a common destination, but still, it looks spectacular. The water was deep, almost glowing blue and we waded into the cool water. The site looked dreamlike, vines hanging on the branches, and the sun coming through the opening above. It’s one of those things you can’t even explain, you got to see it to believe it!
Coba: a hidden gem off the beaten path
Cobá was definitely one of our trip’s pleasant surprises. It was nowhere near as busy as Chichén Itzá was. We enjoyed wandering around at our own pace and spending as much or little time at each stop as we wanted. The ruins are dispersed throughout the jungle and you don’t really have to run from one place to the next.
We rented bikes so we could zip around. Riding your bike underneath the jungle trees really gave us a sense of adventure as we stumbled upon ancient Mayan temples. If you’re interested in a calmer archaeological stop, we recommend Cobá.
Puerto Morelos: a quiet beach escape
We took a spontaneous excursion to Puerto Morelos for a change of pace. This is a little fishing village about 30 minutes from Cancun, so it’s a great place to get away from the crowds. We spent the day just chilling on the shore and snorkeling off the shore. There are so many brightly colored fish in the coral reefs, and we even spotted a stingray cruising by! It was a calm and peaceful day away from the hustle and bustle in Cancun.
