3 days in Cancún

Day by day

1. Day 1: Playa Delfines (El Mirador) and Museo Maya de Cancún and San Miguelito

   Playa Delfines (El Mirador), Museo Maya de Cancún and San Miguelito and El Rey archaeological site, then Coco Bongo in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Playa Delfines (El Mirador)

      One of the few long stretches of the Hotel Zone without hotels directly on the sand, Playa Delfines around km 18 has a lookout point over the open Caribbean and the colourful CANCÚN letters that everyone photographs.

   2. Late morning

      Museo Maya de Cancún and San Miguelito

      Visit in the heat of the afternoon or on a cloudy day; the galleries are air-conditioned.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cochinita pibil

      Downtown taquerías and market fondas, mostly in the morning; popular places often sell out by early afternoon.

   4. Afternoon

      El Rey archaeological site

      Opposite Playa Delfines around km 18, this small Maya site has the remains of a late Maya town, with platforms, small temples and a central street, now home to hundreds of sunbathing iguanas.

   5. Evening

      Coco Bongo

      Arrive early; queues build fast at weekends and the show runs late into the night.

2. Day 2: MUSA Underwater Museum of Art and Isla Mujeres

   MUSA Underwater Museum of Art, Isla Mujeres and Swimming with whale sharks, then Parque de las Palapas in the evening.

   1. Morning

      MUSA Underwater Museum of Art

      Visit with a tour operator that includes the marine-park fee, and wear a rash guard rather than ordinary sunscreen.

   2. Late morning

      Isla Mujeres

      Twenty minutes by ferry from Cancún, Isla Mujeres is about 7 km long, with the calm, shallow turquoise water of Playa Norte at its northern tip, a walkable town of colourful streets and seafood restaurants, and cliffs and a sculpture park at Punta Sur in the south.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sopa de lima

      Yucatecan restaurants downtown and in Mercado 28, and many Hotel Zone menus.

   4. Afternoon

      Swimming with whale sharks

      Take seasickness tablets before you go; the boat ride can take more than an hour each way across open sea.

   5. Evening

      Parque de las Palapas

      Come after sunset when the stalls are busiest, then walk to nearby Avenida Yaxchilán for dinner or a drink.

3. Day 3: Playa Langosta and Playa Tortugas and Isla Contoy

   Playa Langosta and Playa Tortugas, Isla Contoy and Nichupté Lagoon mangroves, then Punta Cancún (Party Center) in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Playa Langosta and Playa Tortugas

      On the calm, north-facing stretch of the Hotel Zone, these public beaches have shallow, gentle water ideal for children and weaker swimmers, with snack bars, palapa shade and water-sports rentals.

   2. Late morning

      Isla Contoy

      Bring binoculars and plenty of water; there is little shade on the boat or the beach.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Poc chuc

      Yucatecan restaurants downtown and around Parque de las Palapas.

   4. Afternoon

      Nichupté Lagoon mangroves

      Behind the Hotel Zone, the Nichupté Lagoon system is fringed with mangroves where herons, egrets and the occasional crocodile live.

   5. Evening

      Punta Cancún (Party Center)

      Coco Bongo and other big clubs, bars with open-bar deals and late-night food around km 9.

Before you go

• Swimming with whale sharks: Book with a licensed operator in advance; trips leave very early and can be cancelled in rough seas.
• Coco Bongo: Buy tickets ahead for weekends and spring break, and check what the package includes.
• Isla Contoy: Only licensed operators can land on the island and numbers are limited each day; book a tour a few days ahead.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Northern Hotel Zone keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Southern Hotel Zone ($$$$) suits luxury, couples, beach and families. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 34–47 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.9 hours in December to 13.4 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Cancún
• 2 days in Cancún
• 4 days in Cancún
• 5 days in Cancún
• 7 days in Cancún

Questions travellers ask