Attractions Off The Beaten Path In Cancún
An Overview of Cancún
Cancún is a major resort destination on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea. Famous for its many beaches, thriving nightlife and gorgeous seas, there are many additional attractions off the beaten path in Cancún. Cancún is largely divided into two parts. The more traditional downtown area is the city’s major residential area while the beachfront strip is home to high-rise hotels, nightclubs, tourist shops, upscale restaurants and more. Throughout Cancún, visitors enjoy swimming in cenotes, jet skiing, beach actives, parasailing and partying.
Attractions Off The Beaten Path In Cancún
Museo Subacuático de Arte
Located around the nearby island of Isla Mujeres, this ambitious underwater project can be accessed through various tours. This undersea project has over 500 sunken sculptures which are designed to promote the growth of coral life.
Isla Contoy
Located to the north of Cancún, this is a small, uninhabited island which is a protected location for nesting sea birds and turtles. One of the most striking inhabitants of the island is the Magnificent Frigatebird, known for it’s eye-catching red gular sac, which is inflated to attract mates.
Mercado 28 Flea Market
This is a long-running market in Cancún which offers souvenirs, clothing, hand-made crafts and other strange items. Haggling is encouraged at several of the vendor stalls.
El Rey Archaeological Zone
This is a Mayan ruin site dating back to 250 CE with 47 buildings, low walls and a pyramid-shaped temple. The site is very accessible from other points around Cancún.
Sea Walls
Sea Walls is a concentrated city-wide art project in Cancún. Large buildings around the city are painted with murals depicting creative designs. With artworks of translucent sharks, giant gumball machines, flocks of sea birds, elegant mermaids and cultural icons, Cancún is an excellent city for a mural tour.
Playa Delfines
This is a long white-sand beach with popular shallow waters and umbrellas installed in the sands. The beach is a good location to sight dolphins at sea.
Isla Mujeres
This is a small, well-developed resort island known for it’s popular beaches and numerous snorkeling and scuba diving sites around the surrounding coral reefs. The island is home to a lighthouse, the ruins of a Mayan temple, a small sanctuary for sea turtles and numerous resorts.
Museo Maya de Cancún y Zona Arqueológica de San Miguelito
This modern museum houses numerous Mayan archaeological artifacts.
Punta Cancun Lighthouse
This is a worn red-and-white striped lighthouse on a rocky point in Cancún. While the area is small, it’s relatively quiet and secluded, offering wonderful sunsets and a numerous colorful hermit crabs nestled in the nooks of stone.
El Meco Archaeological Site
Found slightly to the north of the city, this is a sizeable Mayan ruin complex.
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