Cancun is well known for being one of the most desired tropical destinations for beach lovers in the Caribbean. You might be surprised there is more than beautiful beaches in Cancun. An uncountable amount of hotels, bars, restaurants, water sports and attractions are what make Cancun such a magical place in the state of Quintana Roo. Cancun is located in the Yucatan peninsula and is considered a paradise in the Mayan Riviera. It has the most amazing Mayan ruins and archeological sites with gorgeous constructions build on
The name Cancun has two possible meanings. None of them are confirmed. The first one is “nest of snakes” and the second one is “place of the gold snake”, because of the importance given by the Mayas to this animal. Cancun is a perfect place for couples, for families and for anyone who just wants to feel the magic this place can offer. If you are thinking about visiting Mexico and one of your destinations is Cancun, here are the top 6 must-see places in Cancun that you don’t want to miss, especially if you are the nature loving type of person. And in case you are not, you can be absolutely sure that you will fall in love with this wonderful place. Be prepared for the most fascinating lifetime experience with unlimited fun and relaxing possibilities by the sea.
Chichen Itza
Image courtesy of Pavel on Flickr.com
The Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza, which means “mouth of the well”, is a stunning place you will not want to miss. Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chichen Itza is also known as the main hub of the Mayan civilization. You will find archeological monuments such as EL Castillo or the Temple of Kukulkan(the feathered snake), The Great Ball Court or the Temple of the Warriors, among other. Thousands of years of history, culture and amazing stories of the Mayan Civilization will be found here. It is located about 2 and a half hours away from Cancun, by bus or car. And most days it is open from 8 am.
Xcaret
Xcaret is the perfect combination of nature and fun. Activities such as snorkeling, snuba, swimming with dolphins, visiting the manatees area, the bat cave, the island of jaguars, doing the activities on the beach, visiting the museum, the Mayan village and the Papantla Flying men, are just a few of the options you can choose at this fantastic place. It is located about 50 minutes by car or bus from Cancun and it is one of the must-see places in the Yucatan peninsula.
Coco Bongo
If you are in the partying mood during your stay in Cancun, you can certainly not miss visiting Coco Bongo. With over 50 shows, 40 artists, dancers and acrobats, Coco Bongo will astonish every single visitor, not only because of the amazing shows, but also the music, the energy and the exciting environment you will enjoy all night long, probably until sunrise. Coco Bongo is located at the Kukulcan Boulevard, right at the Zona Hotelera in Cancun. Entrance tickets are available at the website.
The Musa
Image courtesy of Pablo A. Arias Cid on Flickr.com
Visiting an underwater sculpture museum is definitely something else. The MUSA (museo subacuatico de arte) is one of those places you will always remember. Founded in 2009, the Musa has over 500 permanent life-size sculptures placed under water, surrounding Cancun. This project is one of the largest and most ambitious underwater artificial art attractions not only in Mexico, but also in the world. It has two galleries the Salon Manchones and Salon Nizuc, both are between 4 and 8 meters deep, and are only permitted for snorkeling.
The Cenotes
Image courtesy of Asbjørn Hansen on Flickr.com
If you are looking for a totally new and different kind of water adventure, you should definitely visit the Cenotes. The word cenote means “abysmal and deep” and it represents gigantic systems of tunnels and caves that form beautiful underground river systems with waterfalls and unbelievable geological formations like stalactites and stalagmites and the clearest water that you will ever see. It is ideal for snorkeling, swimming, diving and for hiking in some spots. It is definitely a unique spectacle in the Mayan territory. There at least 1000 cenotes in Yucatan. Some of the closest cenotes to Cancun are Boca del Puma, Verde Lucero, Chac Mool, and Eden, among many others. Daily trips can be booked from any hotel.
Isla Mujeres
Located at a 20 minute ferry ride from Cancun, Isla Mujeres combines all kinds of hotels, bars, restaurants, breathtaking beaches and water activities such as snorkeling, diving and swimming with dolphins. One of its famous attractions is the whale shark tours, where you will be able to swim with these magnificent creatures, in the bluest and clearest waters you will ever see.
