You’ve landed in Cancun. The vacation is about to begin and you’re vibrating with excitement to get to your resort and lounge by the pool or on one of Cancun’s many world-class beaches. With so many fantastic hotels to choose from in Cancun, chances are you’ve picked a good one. It may even be an all-inclusive, so you don’t have to worry about ever leaving the resort.
But what if you want to?
Truthfully, Cancun is a resort town, but this Mexican beach getaway has so much more to offer beyond its fabulous hotels. Many travelers these days are interested in seeing what destinations have to offer beyond the security gates and beachfront chaise lounges.
With tons of activities, restaurants, bars, and nightlife, Cancun’s Hotel Zone has so much to offer travelers who want to venture off-property. To make the most out of a trip to Cancun, here are the best things to do in Cancun’s Hotel Zone off the resort grounds.
Cancun’s Hotel Zone is the buzzy heart and soul of Cancun’s tourism scene. The 14-mile strip of land is shaped like the number 7, with the outer edges touching the Caribbean Sea and the inner edges framing the Nichupte Lagoon. Perhaps some of the most prized real estate in all of Mexico, the Cancun Hotel Zone is home to some of the country’s most iconic hotels and resorts, restaurants, and powdery white sand beaches.
It’s true that the hotels in Cancun offer a seemingly endless array of activities. You never have to leave the resort. But if you do want to venture off property, you’ll find a wealth of things to do at your doorstep. The best part? Your hotel or resort can help you with all of the necessary arrangements.
Museo Maya de Cancun and Zona Arqueológica de San Miguelito
You don’t have to sit on a bus for hours to learn about Mayan history. You can get your Mayan fix from the heart of the Hotel Zone. The Museo Maya is a fascinating museum with artifacts from Chichen Itza and other Mayan archaeological ruins. Next to the museum are the actual ruins of San Miguelito, which has preserved ancient buildings that date back to the 12th century.
Interactive Aquarium Cancun
Perhaps your interests lie beneath the surface of the waves. In that case, you’ll definitely want to visit the Interactive Aquarium Cancun. Located inside La Isla Shopping Mall, the massive aquarium lets visitors get up close and personal with thousands of fish. One of the top experiences here is the Aquarium Trek, an underwater experience that brings you even closer to the 1,500 species that live at the aquarium.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
While at La Isla, you may want to pop into Cancun’s version of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! This kooky, interactive museum has peculiar exhibits, art, artifacts, and optical illusions.
Cancun Scenic Tower
Want the best views in Cancun? Snap some of the best pictures from the top of the Cancun Scenic Tower. Standing at 260 feet, you’ll have gorgeous views of the entire Hotel Zone and the sparkling blue Caribbean Sea. Tip: If you’ve gone to any of the Xcaret parks, save your bracelet, as it will get you free entry into the tower.
Explore Nichupte Lagoon
Most visitors to Cancun want to spend all their time at the beach. It’s understandable. Cancun’s beaches are some of the best in the world. But Cancun’s Hotel Zone is also home to a magnificent lagoon, which rarely gets the same attention as its sun-bleached beaches.
There is a lot to love about Nichupte Lagoon. Wreathed in mangroves, the lagoon is actually a mashup of separate lagoons that meet the sea. The best way to explore the multi-colored bodies of water and the surrounding mangroves is by kayak. That way, you’ll be able to really see the fish and birds that make this part of Cancun so special.
El Rey Archaeological Zone
Another archaeological zone within Cancun’s Hotel Zone is El Rey. Located on Kukulcan Avenue, the small site is perfect for a quick tour of some ancient ruins. The site is located very close to Playa Delfines, so that you can combine your sightseeing with a little lounging on one of Cancun’s best beaches.
With so many all-inclusive resorts in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, it may be a surprise that the area has some of the best restaurants in Cancun, too. If you feel like breaking away from your all-inclusive package, there are certainly a few restaurants that will be worth your while.
Harry’s
Without a doubt, Harry’s is at the top of the list when it comes to the best restaurants in Cancun. Don’t expect street tacos here for 40 pesos. Harry’s is all about fine dining. Some might even call it “over the top” dining with dishes dusted with 24k gold, lobster tacos, and thick cuts of luxurious steak.
Mextreme
For something a bit more dressed down and family-friendly, Mextreme serves up “mextremely” good Mexican cuisine. The green chilaquiles are a show-stopper, as are the chicken enmoladas and, of course, the margaritas.
Puerto Madero
Dial back the energy at Puerto Madero, a quiet, laid-back spot for a beautiful dinner. Grilled meats and seafood are the main events here, but the eggplant lasagna and Caesar salad ought not to be overlooked, either.
Marinero’s
One of the most famous restaurants in the Cancun Hotel Zone, Marinero’s serves up fantastic Mexican cuisine and seafood in a pirate-themed space.
Taqueria Los Chachalacas
Of course, you can still find those cheap tacos you have been craving in the Hotel Zone, too. Taqueria Los Chachalacas is a casual taco spot known for a wide variety of proteins piled high on corn tortillas. There are many of these taquerias across Cancun, but the one in the Hotel Zone has the best views.
Marakame
If you want to venture away from the Hotel Zone and dip into Cancun proper, Marakame is such a fun restaurant with an eclectic menu. Whether you’re looking for steak, pizza, or a bowl of fresh guacamole, you can find that here. They also have an amazing brunch with delicious breakfast tacos.
Sirena Morena
For the vegans in the bunch, Sirena Morena is perfect. The quiet patio cafe serves beautiful vegan breakfasts and lunches, as well as juice and a selection of healthy snacks.
Best Nightlife in Cancun’s Hotel Zone
Coco Bongo
You can’t mention nightlife in Cancun without mentioning the iconic Coco Bongo. The dance floor pulses with non-stop energy, cranking out hits from Lady Gaga to the Beatles. This is, without a doubt, Cancun’s most famous party bar.
Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s
Another Cancun institution, Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s, has been around since the birth of Cancun itself. Known for its waiters who will erupt into song or comedy sketches, the mood here is energetic and full of fun.
The Surfin' Burrito
Need a spot to grab a cold beer on the beach? That would be The Surfin’ Burrito. The casual, colorful hole-in-the-wall is precisely what you’d want from a beachfront cantina and reminds you of how Cancun used to be before it hit international travel superstardom.
Doble B Bar Cancun
The sophisticated, sleek, and sexy mood at Doble B Bar Cancun is what sets it apart as a superlative drinking experience. Choose from a menu of craft cocktails and wonderful wines and enjoy a speakeasy-style atmosphere.
Cancun’s Hotel Zone is a very easy neighborhood to navigate. Taxis are the easiest and are always abundant, but they can be very expensive. Alternatively, Cancun’s public transportation is safe and easy to figure out.
The buses run every five minutes. Its two most popular routes are R1 and R2, which will take travelers back and forth between downtown and the Hotel Zone. The buses only accept pesos, and a one-way fare is roughly 10-11 pesos.
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