10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Cancun

Playa Tortugas is a relatively small stretch of sand about 6 km northeast of Cancun’s Zona Hotelera. The beach is free to enjoy all year round, and its shores are shallow enough for children to swim in. It features a pier, where thrill-seekers get to enjoy bungee jumping from the top of a 25-meter-tall tower. There are ferries departing for Isla Mujeres from Playa Tortugas every day.

Cancun has a vibrant performing arts community, and is a popular stop for national and international musicians on tour. Parque Las Palapas is a sprawling park in downtown Cancun that features a large central stage and plaza hosting cultural fairs, concerts, and plays. On weekend evenings, you can often catch live theatre and street performances here. The park is often packed with joggers and cyclists, as well as locals enjoying outdoor games and picnics during the day.

Isla Mujeres is a peaceful island just 20 minutes by boat from Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Ferries depart from 3 locations, namely Embarcadero Pier, Playa Tortugas, and Playa Caracol. The island’s many beaches are clean and lined with palm trees, most of which are fitted with hammocks. There are many open-air bars and restaurants, especially on Playa Norte (North Beach). If you’re up for adventurous activities, the Garrafon Natural Reef Park offers kayaking and snorkeling excursions, as well as ziplining over the Caribbean Sea.

Tulum is a hippy beach town that’s about a 2-hour drive from Cancun’s Zona Hotelera. It’s surrounded by many Mayan ruins, cenotes, and small coves with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. Cycling is the best way to explore Tulum, as it’s a relatively small town. Many tourists enjoy sunbathing on its pristine beaches, especially Paradise Beach, where dozens of beach bars offer sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest natural areas in the Caribbean, spans 5,280 sq km with tropical forests, mangroves, cenotes, and marshes. Tour options include birdwatching, snorkeling trips to the Mesoamerican Great Reef, and fly fishing. If you want to experience Mayan culture, the 6-hour-long Ancient Mayan Route offers guided tours of popular ancient ruins and cenotes along the Mangrove Channel.

There are close to 7,000 cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula, some of which are popular for swimming and snorkeling. Surrounded by tropical trees and hanging vines, these natural formations are formed from collapsed limestone caves, resulting in pools of emerald-green waters. Most cenotes are close to Cancun’s Mayan ruins – the Ik Kil cenote is less than 6 km southeast of Chichen Itza. Thrill-seekers may enjoy extreme activities such as night diving and underground caving at Dos Ojos, located 22 km northeast of Tulum.

Akumal, located 110 km south of Zona Hotelera, attracts beachgoers looking to escape the crowded beaches of Cancun. Its pristine beaches are well worth the 2-hour drive, as you get to enjoy snorkeling and diving in a protected cove. The main village has several restaurants and dive shops where you can rent equipment for a few dollars. Akumal Beach is a popular nesting spot for sea turtles between May and November. If you’re lucky, you might be able to swim among them when you’re visiting Akumal – just be sure not to touch them.

Chichen Itza is a complex of pyramids and temples built by the Ancient Mayans. This important ruin is now UNESCO-listed. The El Castillo pyramid is the main attraction at Chichen Itza, but the observatory and ceremonial cenote add an intriguing beauty to the site. Located 77 km south of Zona Hotelera, daytrips to this Mayan archeological site are available from many tour companies in Cancun. When visiting Chichen Itza, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection as you’ll be outdoors throughout your visit.

A temazcal is a traditional steam bath that was commonly used by the Mayan civilization. Similar to a sauna or sweat lodge, locals believe that sweating inside this dome-shaped hut promotes blood circulation, removes toxins, and improves athletic endurance. Water is poured into a pit filled with heated rocks to create steam, while you rub your body with aloe vera and natural herbs for a duration of 20 minutes to 1 hour.

Cancun’s nighttime cruises allow you to experience this destination from a new and unique perspective. From lobster dinners on pirate ships to mariachi music on traditional canal boats, there are plenty of entertaining options to choose from. A popular choice is the Columbus Lobster Dinner Cruise, which involves a tour of Nichupte Lagoon on board a Spanish galleon. As a guest, you get to enjoy a romantic dinner, live saxophone performances, an open bar, and views of the Cancun skyline.