5 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)

      Check the flag colour before swimming and stay on the sand on red-flag days; bring shade, as there is little natural cover. (2–3 hours, free).

   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. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   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

      Combine it with Playa Delfines across the road; go early or late to avoid the strongest sun. (45 minutes, low cost).

   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. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Isla Mujeres

      Take the ferry from Puerto Juárez for the lower fare, rent a golf cart to circle the island and stay for sunset at Playa Norte. (Full day, low cost).

   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. (Full day, expensive).

   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

      Head here when the east-facing beaches fly red flags or are affected by seaweed. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Isla Contoy

      Bring binoculars and plenty of water; there is little shade on the boat or the beach. (Full day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Poc chuc

      Yucatecan restaurants downtown and around Parque de las Palapas.

   4. Afternoon

      Nichupté Lagoon mangroves

      Book a late-afternoon paddle and watch the sun set over the lagoon, which faces west. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Punta Cancún (Party Center)

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Chichén Itzá

   About 2.5–3 hours by car or bus each way. Getting there: Car, ADO bus or organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Chichén Itzá

      About 2.5–3 hours by car or bus (Car, ADO bus or organised tour); about 200 km.

   2. Day

      Chichén Itzá

      The great Maya city in the Yucatán interior, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is dominated by El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulcán, whose stairs cast a serpent shadow at the equinoxes. Best for first-timers, culture and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Cancún

      Dinner: try Panuchos and salbutes.

5. Day 5: Mercado 28 and Isla Blanca

   Mercado 28, Isla Blanca and Punta Nizuc snorkelling, then Downtown Cancún in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mercado 28

      Bargaining is expected; start well below the first price and settle with a smile. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Isla Blanca

      Bring water, food and shade; facilities are basic, and a high-clearance car or taxi helps on the access road. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Panuchos and salbutes

      Evening stalls in Parque de las Palapas and loncherías across downtown.

   4. Afternoon

      Punta Nizuc snorkelling

      Wear a rash guard and use biodegradable sunscreen; operators often ask you not to wear ordinary sunscreen in the water. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Downtown Cancún

      Local bars, live music and late restaurants around Avenida Yaxchilán and Parque de las Palapas.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Swimming with whale sharks, Coco Bongo and Isla Contoy before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 40–55 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Cancún
• 4 days in Cancún
• 7 days in Cancún

Questions travellers ask