Sure, Cancun has all-inclusive resorts and overcrowded tourist traps, but here’s what we did that gave us a whole new perspective on Mexico’s paradise.
Snorkeling at Puerto Morelos reef
I highly recommend avoiding the crowds of snorkeling tours by visiting Puerto Morelos. Only a 20-minute drive from Cancun, this small fishing village offers a reef that’s designated a protected marine reserve. We snorkeled in our own little slice of paradise, dodging vibrant coral and schools of tropical fish. We even got to see a sea turtle in its natural habitat. It was so serene, and we felt like we had the entire ocean to ourselves.
Visiting a local cenote in the jungle
Instead of visiting crowded cenotes recommended by our resort, we stopped by a local guide who pointed us in the direction of Cenote Verde Lucero. Tucked away in the jungle, this cenote felt like our own private slice of heaven. We swam for hours exploring the crystal clear water and took turns jumping in on the zipline that drops you straight into the water. It was amazing and we didn’t want to leave!
Exploring the Mercado 23
You can visit one of the fancy food courts at your resort, but we ventured out and stumbled upon Mercado 23 in Cancun. It wasn’t all expensive like most tourist traps but rather filled with locals shopping for fresh fruit, spices, and handmade crafts. We stopped and ate some street tacos, and my husband still raves about the pork tacos we had (chicharrón). They were seriously the best tacos we’ve ever had.
Taking a cooking class with a local chef
We discovered a small cooking demonstration hosted by a local family. This was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trip. We learned how to make cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) as well as homemade tortillas from scratch. The best part was eating together afterwards, laughing and bonding with our chefs over stories.
Kayaking in the Nichupte lagoon
While most travelers stick around on the beaches of Cancun, we ventured off into the mangroves of Nichupte Lagoon. Renting kayaks, we paddled through turquoise waters and lush greenery. We even spotted some pink flamingos flying overhead. It was such a calm respite from the normal crowds of the beach.
Watching the sunset at Playa Delfines
Playa Delfines is one of the less crowded beaches in Cancun and we instantly fell in love with it. We grabbed a blanket, some snacks, and sat down to watch the sunset. It wasn’t anything fancy or staged. Just us watching the sunset as the sky turned orange and pink. Moments like that are why we love traveling together.
Touring a family-owned tequila distillery
Rather than joining a big tequila tasting tour, we decided to take a tour of a small family-owned distillery. The owner explained to us the entire tequila-making process and we even sampled some special batches not available in the store. The aejo was my husband’s favourite. It was so smooth we brought a bottle home with us.
Taking a bike ride around Isla Mujeres
We took a ferry over to Isla Mujeres and rented bikes to explore the island at our leisure. There was so much to see, from secret beaches to street art. We ended our bike ride by stopping at a small café for some freshly made ceviche. We enjoyed our lunch outside, letting the ocean air cool us off after our bike ride.
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