How To Spend 48 Hours In Cancn

Cancún is probably the most internationally known tourist destination in Mexico. Founded only 40 years ago, almost everything is new in the city except the vestiges of ancient Mayan civilization. If this is your first time in Cancún, here is an idea of how you can spend two days in this vibrant place surrounded by beautiful beaches of white sand.

DAY 1

MORNING

Rest up from your trip on a gorgeous beach. If your hotel does not have a private beach, Cancún has six public beaches the Blue Flag certification, which means that you can swim there without worrying about contamination. One of them is Playa Delfines, also known as El Mirador. If you arrive early, you can enjoy the sunrise and spend the morning riding the turquoise waves. Playa Delfines is located on Kukulcan Boulevard, and you can get there easily using a bus that departs from the hotel zone.

AFTERNOON

Try some snorkeling at the Cancún Underwater Museum. Well-known worldwide for its hundreds of sculptures underneath the sea, the museum displays the work of six different artists in its three galleries. One of the galleries is open to both divers and snorkelers, and two are just for snorkelers. In this surreal and impressive underwater artistic exhibition in the Caribbean, the sculptures are made of marine concrete, with the goal of giving some coral species a home. Keep in mind that the sculptures you will see will vary depending on the tour you take.

EVENING

After the museum tour, it’s time for a proper dinner. For an authentic regional specialty, try the pescadillas – fish-fried tacos – in El Galeón. From the restaurant, you can enjoy a view of the sunset from the edge of the Nichupté lagoon, a system of huge lagoons that forms the heart of Cancún and is connected to the Caribbean Sea through the channels of Sigfrido and Nizuc.

If you have enough energy left over, you can enjoy the nightlife of Cancún, one of the best scenes in all of Latin America, with unique shows or live music.

DAY 2

MORNING

Cancún Archaeological Museum shows off the splendor of Mayan culture. Its archaeological collections are one of the best in Mexico and includes pieces not only from the State of Quintana Roo, but also from the sites of Palenque and Chichén Itzá, among others. It’s open all week long and has free admission on Sunday.

AFTERNOON

With more than 240 days of sunshine per year, the average temperature in Cancún is 27° C (80° F), perfect for outdoor activities. There are more than 25 water activities centers in Cancun. You can rent a jet ski and take a jungle tour, swim with dolphins, travel on a glass bottom boat, or even get a scuba certificate with an experienced dive instructor.

EVENING

To end your trip to Cancún on the perfect note, a dinner on a pirate ship can be an exciting farewell to this tourist destination. One option is Captain Hook, a modern reconstruction of a 18th-century authentic Spanish galleon. For those lucky enough to be in Cancún on April 20, you can also enjoy the fireworks celebrating the anniversary of the city at the end of your itinerary.