This list of best tours and excursions in Cancun It will help you combine a sun and beach vacation with cultural visits and leisure activities, which we are sure, will make this an unforgettable destination.
Considered one of the most requested tourist destinations in the world, thanks to the large number of all-inclusive vacation packages offered by large companies at very competitive prices, Cancun is one of the most attractive places for travelers.
Despite this, you should know that these packages do not usually include excursions to the wonders that are around, so if you do not want to spend every day lying on the beach or the hotel pool with a mojito in your hand, you will have to hire these tours at high prices, either with the agency or the hotel.
In these cases, a highly recommended option is to take advantage of the prices of flights or packages that only include flight plus hotel, then visit on your own or hiring cheaper excursions, the jewels of the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Based on the time we spent in this area during our trip to Mexico in 45 days, in which we wrote this guide of things to do in Cancun, we have made this selection of what we consider are the 5 best tours in Cancun with a guide in Spanish. Let's start!
1. Chichen Itza
Visiting Chichén Itzá, a World Heritage Site and one of the 7 wonders of the world, is one of the best excursions from Cancun.
When you enter these ancient Mayan ruins you will be speechless when you see the famous stepped pyramid of Kukulkan, the Jaguar Temple or the huge Ball Game, among many other buildings.
This archaeological complex is the most visited in the Yucatan Peninsula, so it is recommended to arrive a little before 8 in the morning to see, at least the pyramid, with few people.
The visit usually lasts between 3 and 5 hours, depending on the interest you have in the Mayan civilization, and you can complete it with a refreshing swim in the spectacular Il Kil cenote, located very close to Chichen Itza.
To get to Chichen Itza, if you do not want to rent a car, you can take a direct bus at the ADO bus terminal in Cancun, located on Calle Pino Lot 1 and 2, which takes a little more than 3 hours.
Another more comfortable and interesting option is to book a guided tour in Spanish with which you will learn more about the history of the site and the Maya, and they will pick you up directly at the hotel.
Among the tours in Cancun in Spanish best valued by travelers visiting Chichen Itza, are:
- Book excursion to Chichen Itza and Mayan cenote here
- Book offer: Chichen Itza + Tulum in two days here
- Book excursion to Chichen Itza in the morning here
Chichen Itza
2. Isla Mujeres
Islas Mujeres, located just over 10 kilometers from Cancun, is another of the jewels to see in Riviera Maya and another one of the best excursions in Cancun what can you do.
This narrow Caribbean island surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches, has a shallow seabed with spectacular coral reefs that make it a paradise for scuba divers and snorkel lovers.
Another of the favorite activities of travelers visiting the island is to take a bike or a golf cart and reach the most beautiful beaches of the island such as North Beach or El Garrafón marine park. Do not forget to try the famous snail ceviche, the most typical delicacy of Islas Mujeres.
To reach Isla Mujeres in 20 minutes you can take one of the ferries that leave every half hour from the hotel zone of Cancun.
Another more comfortable way to enjoy this island is to book an excursion that includes hotel pick-up, boat or catamaran transfer, food and snorkeling equipment.
- Book a tour to Isla Mujeres by catamaran here
- Book excursion to Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres here
- Book private excursion to Isla Mujeres here
Women Island
3. Tulum, one of the best excursions in Cancun
Another of the best excursions in Riviera Maya that leave from Cancun is the visit to the archaeological site of Tulum.
When visiting the ruins of Tulum you will be more surprised by the location, on top of a cliff above the transparent waters of the Caribbean Sea, than by the preserved structures of this ancient Mayan city.
After touring the complex in about two hours and making the typical postcard photo of the Mayan tower with the sea in the background, you can go down some stairs and take a bath in an impressive beach that is under the ruins.
If you have more time we recommend you go to Playa Paraíso, a long beach of white sand and photogenic palm trees, full of beach bars for drinks or eating.
To get to Tulum, if you do not have a rental car in Mexico, you can take a bus at the ADO Bus Terminal that takes two and a half hours. Once at the Tulum station you can get on one of the van that will take you in a few minutes to the site.
Another cheaper option is to take a van or a bus in Cancun with the disadvantage that many stops make and you will waste a lot of time.
A good alternative to public transport is to book some of these excursions in Cancun that visit Tulum, with which you will have a guide in Spanish and pick up at the hotel.
- Book excursion to Tulum in the morning here
- Book excursion to Tulum at sunset here
- Book offer: Tulum + Chichen Itza in two days here
- Book offer: Tulum + Cobá in two days here
- Book excursion to Tulum and Rio Secreto here
Tulum, one of the best excursions in Cancun
4. Coba
Visiting the ruins of Cobá is another of the essential places to visit in Mexico and one of the best tours in Cancun.
These Mayan ruins are spread over a large area of jungle and you can find more than 6000 structures, among which the Nohuch Mul pyramid stands out, the tallest in the Yucatan Peninsula with 42 meters high.
To visit the most important structures, which retain the charm of being poorly restored and can be seen with fewer people than Tulum and Chichen Itza, you can rent a bike or go on foot through the jungle in which they are located.
To get to Cobá from Cancun, if you don't want to drive, you can take an ADO bus that will take you to the entrance of the site in just over 3 hours.
If you prefer to know better the history of this city, which lived its moment of splendor between the 7th and 10th centuries, we recommend you book one of the following excursions from Cancun with a guide in Spanish:
- Book Cobá excursion here
- Book offer: Cobá + Tulum in two days here
Coba Ruins
5. Holbox
The latest proposal from the list of best tours and excursions in Cancun It is the visit to the paradise Island of Holbox.
Located in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula, this island stands out for its infinite white sand beaches, the clarity of its turquoise green waters, for the good vibes that are breathed in all the premises and for a delicious Mexican cuisine.
We spent the last days of our trip to Mexico on this island and we can assure you that it was such an incredible experience that we are looking forward to returning for a few more weeks.
Remember that in Holbox there are no motor vehicles, so to complete this list of things to see and do in Holbox you will have to rent a golf cart or walk.
In addition to knowing all its most beautiful places, if you travel between May and September you can be lucky to see the great whale shark, the turtle spawning and the luminous plankton.
To get to Holbox you must take an ADO bus that leaves at 9 in the morning and will take you directly to Chiquilá in two and a half hours. If you do not take this bus there are three others that make the same journey but take another hour.
If you arrive by car to Chiquilá, you can leave it parked for about 100 pesos a day in one of the many car parks located near the port and pick it up when you return.
Once in Chiquilá you must take a ferry that will leave you in Holbox in 20 minutes.
If you only have one day and want to know this paradise island, you can book a guided tour in Spanish.
- Book excursion to Holbox here
Holbox
How to have internet in Mexico?If you want to have internet in Mexico a good option is to buy one Holafly SIM card, with which you will have internet from the moment you land, several GB of data, keeping your WhatsApp number and support service in Spanish.
You can buy your Holafly prepaid SIM card here with a 5% discount for being our reader.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of 5 best tours and excursions in Cancun in Spanish, add yours in the comments.
