FAMILY FOCUSSED DAY TRIPS FROM CANCUN AND THE RIVIERA MAYA

Cancun is the first port of call for millions of visitors every year, including a large number of families who choose to stay at all-inclusive or other resorts along the 25-kilometre Hotel Zone. Below are eight fun day trips for families staying at a Cancun or Mayan Riviera resort, for a memorable and fun vacation for all members of the family.

Brothers on the beach

Swim with Whale Sharks 

Whale sharks are the largest fish found in the ocean. They feed on the sea's tiniest creatures such as microscopic plankton and tiny fish. Forget any ingrained images of jaws, whale sharks are filter feeders, and humans can safely swim among these gentle giants. Whale sharks congregate off the shores of Cancun from June to mid-September, and many tour companies offer excursions. A lot of tours head out past Isla Mujeres to whale shark watch and boat tours usually last a couple of hours. 

Looking for whale sharks

Take the Ferry to Isla Mujeres 

This easy excursion from Cancun can be a nice day trip for families. You can take a twenty-minute boat ride on a local ferry and enjoy a laid-back day on the beautiful small island of Isla Mujeres. Eat at a beach restaurant, have a swim, browse in local shops. Visitors can also rent a golf cart and explore more of the island if you prefer not to hike in the heat! Garrafon Natural Reef Park is at the southerly part of Isla Mujeres and is - is all about activities The children can enjoy zip-lining, snorkelling in a designated area and kayaking amongst others. Admission is sold as a package that includes meals, drinks, and certain activities. 

Swim with dolphins

 

Xcaret Eco Theme Park 

Xcaret "eco archaeological" theme park is a popular attraction in the south of Cancun, along the Riviera Maya.  Check out the amazing night-time show which all the family can enjoy.  Other highlights include an underground river float, a re-creation of a Mayan Village, and different daytime performances. Plan to spend the whole day at Xcaret; the restaurants are excellent and families can find places to rest and relax. 

Xcaret "eco archaeological" theme park

 

See Mayan Ruins at Chichen Itza 

Chichen Itza is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world and a visit will help you to understand why.  The drive from Cancun takes about 2-1/2 hours to this magnificent Mayan ruin, which means it is a full day out, including a tour in the midday heat. Not the best time to visit with the little ones, perhaps, but plenty of families do enjoy this day-trip. Try to include a visit to a cenote during your day-trip, to cool down with a swim. 

Chichen Itza  Pyramid

See Mayan Ruins at Tulum 

Tulum is another place to see spectacular Mayan ruins, located down the coast at the southern end of the Mayan Riviera.  Tulum is the only place to see Mayan ruins right by the sea, making for a stunning setting, second to none.  Take a tour with one of the knowledgeable, local Guides and learn all about Mayan history. Tulum is a large site and after walking around the extensive grounds, families can walk down the steps to the beach and enjoy a swim. 

Tulum

Visit the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve 

This UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site is just south of Tulum, and is another excellent day-trip from Cancun. It takes approximately an hour and a half to get there from Cancun and includes tropical forests, mangroves, and even a coral reef. Sian Ka'an also has Mayan temples and other ruins and was once a Mayan trading post, back in the day.   Two long canals, one natural and one man-made, linked the trading settlement to the open sea and today visitors can take a relaxing river float on one of the canals. 

Kids on the beach

Swim in a Cenote 

A great thing to do on the Mayan Riviera is to have a swim in a cenote, which is a natural pool formed in limestone. The area south of Cancun offers opportunities to swim in cenotes as well as underground cenotes. A welcome break from the Mayan heat! 

Relaxing in a Cenote

Visit Xel-Ha, Riviera Secreto 

Xel-Ha Eco Park is known for its spectacular snorkelling. Over the years, the park has developed and visitors now have many activities to choose from, including biking, rainforest hikes, a lazy river, jumping from a rope into a cenote and oother fun activities, perfect for little ones of all ages! Rio Secreto underground river, with sky cycling, rappelling into a cenote, cave snorkelling, and a "zipline rollercoaster", not for the feint- hearted! 

 Sea turtle