Outdoor Adventures Near Cancn

Visiting Cancún? Want to do more than sunbathe? Get outdoors and explore the Mexican paradise with eco activities around Cancún, natural aquariums in the Caribbean Sea and more.

Zip-lining though the Mexican jungle, diving in cenotes and snorkeling the Caribbean Sea is tiring work – you’ll need somewhere to rest after all that outdoor adventuring. So to help you out, we’ve hand-picked a selection of the best hotels and resorts near the destinations. Book on our website now and make the most of the Culture Trip Feel Good Booking Guarantee.

Xplor, Playa del Carmen

You won’t have more fun anywhere else near Cancún than Xplor eco adventure park. Zip-line through the trees across 14 routes with the Caribbean Sea glimmering in the background. Grab the wheel and drive through the jungle on amphibious vehicles, with caverns, narrow roads and hanging bridges along the way. Raft or swim through prehistoric rivers in the underground caverns. And look out for the only five-in-one waterslide in the world.

Enjoy a multitude of zip-lining routes at Xplor

Mayan Ruins, Tulum

There are a handful of must-visit Mayan ruins near Cancún, but none are quite as naturally spectacular as the Tulum ruins, which sit on a cliff above a picture-perfect white sandy beach. The archaeological site was once an ancient city that was a seaport for trading jade and turquoise. Inquisitive travelers will love the theories and myths that surround the structures.

The Mayan ruins in Tulum are perched on a seaside cliff overlooking the Caribbean

2. TAGO Tulum

Hotel, Luxury

After a day exploring the ruins and the natural beauty surrounding it, treat yourself with a luxurious place to stay afterward. There are lots to choose from in Tulum, but TAGO is one of our favorites. A day here begins with sliding open your floor-to-ceiling wooden doors and taking a dip in your private balcony pool. For the rest of the day, drift dreamily on the beach club swings, then head over to the Mexican-inspired TAGO Restaurant with a final stop via the shaman-led wellness center.

Xcaret, Playa del Carmen

The whole family will love a day at the nature theme park Xcaret. Swim in underground rivers and get up close to the creatures of the Aviary, the Coral Reef Aquarium and the Butterfly Pavilion. From swimming with dolphins to floating down a lazy river, visiting a traditional cemetery to snorkeling the inlet, Xcaret will entertain you for days. There’s also a section for younger ones called Mundo de los Niños, and you won’t want to miss the live performances – the night show, a celebration of Mexican and Mayan history, is our favorite.

Snorkeling is just one of the activities at Xcaret

3. Occidental at Xcaret Destination

Resort

You get the best of both worlds at Occidental at Xcaret Destination: all the fun activities for kids, being connected to the nature park by a gondola, but also respite from the action amid tranquil open spaces. Look out for the wildlife, too, including monkeys, iguanas and the raccoon-like coati.

Xel-ha, Tulum

Ready to see the largest natural aquarium in the world? That’s what you’re in for at Xel-ha near Tulum, an eco-park where you can swim in grottos and cenotes (natural sinkholes), explore Mayan ruins, jump off the Cliff of Courage, cross the floating bridge, ride bikes or fly kites. There are plenty of other activities and exhibits to keep you occupied, or you could spend your time relaxing in the sun or napping in a seaside hammock. Xel-Ha also features a delicious buffet restaurant and a children’s area.

4. Villa Pescadores

Villa

After an adventure-packed day at Xel-ha, a private villa is the perfect place to retreat, and Villa Pescadores is one of our favorites. You’ll find it on the white sands of Tulum National Park. More beachside cabana than traditional villa, these rustic retreats feature handmade furniture, canopy beds and private balconies. In the bathroom, you will find locally sourced toiletries. But the real win? The spot on Playa Pescadores. A stay comes with access to the beach club where daybeds and hammocks make for lazy afternoons. The dining experience is typical Tulum – relaxed and forward-thinking. Head to the beach grill for mezcal-infused fish and the catch of the day.

Aventuras Mayas

See the Yucatán Peninsula with a sustainable tour from Aventuras Mayas. Explore ancient Mayan archaeological sites and enjoy zip-lining excursions, cenote rappelling, and snorkeling along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest reef in the Western Hemisphere. Make the most of the Cenote Chukum tour, which explores a 130ft (40m) cenote named Chukum-Ha after the surrounding chukum trees indigenous to the area.

5. Nizuc Resort And Spa

Resort, Hotel, Villa

For our final place to stay, we thought we’d show you our highest-rated hotel in Cancún – and you can see why. Sleek modernist architecture complements the soothing Caribbean Sea that can be found on its doorstep. Once you’ve enjoyed the five outdoor pools, head to the private beach for further relaxation. Then amble over to the spa for a dose of pampering.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.