Reasons Why You Should Visit Cancún at Least Once in a Lifetime

Cancún, the party capital of the Yucatán Peninsula, may bring to mind raucous spring-break parties, but there are plenty of things to do if you want a more relaxed trip. Here are the top reasons to make the trip to Mexico’s most famous beach destination.

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Snorkel or dive at the Cancún Underwater Museum of Art to see some of the 470 underwater statues. The attraction is designed to give people somewhere else to visit to take some pressure off the overused reef.

Take a day trip down the coast to the town of Tulum, home to some amazing cliffside ruins from the old Mayan port. It’s a unique spot, and there are great photo opportunities.

The biggest fish in the world are found in the waters off Cancún from May to September each year. Take a tour from Cancún or head to Isla Holbox or Cozumel.

Sign up for a day trip to Xel-Há water park, home to slides, snorkeling and boat trips. It’s great for kids, but it’s a lot of fun for adults, too. Tickets can be pricy, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Cancún International Airport, the second busiest in Mexico, has great connections to cities across the Americas and Europe. As a result, there are cheap flights galore, and you can tack on a few days in Cancún at no great expense.

Fans of snorkeling love Cancún because it sits on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-longest coral reef in the world. You can spot endless varieties of marine life, and the water is warm.

There are dive spots all along the coast of Quintana Roo, the state where Cancún is found. However, some of the top spots are on Isla Mujeres. Spend a few days here to dive and relax on the island.

Cancún welcomes visitors from around the world, and many have left traces of their food culture here. The most evident is in the restaurants, with eateries from different world cuisines catering to diverse tastes.

Cancún is synonymous with good times. There are bars and clubs everywhere, and you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to venues for a night out.

From opulent all-inclusive resorts to backpacker hostels, accommodation options in Cancún truly run the gamut. Stay in the Hotel Zone for easy access to the beach and other amenities, or find a hostel in the center of town if you’re on more of a budget.

Relax at the beach bars and restaurants in Cancún, or head farther south to find quieter stretches of sand at Puerto Morelos, Akumal and Tulum. It’s picture-postcard stuff, with white sand and palm trees everywhere.