Exploring Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula continues to be one in every of my all-time favorite journeys, with the mix of Maya historical past and lovely seashore – and implausible for households, with so many issues to do round Cancun with youngsters.
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Even in the event you’re not staying in Cancun itself, you’ll cross by way of as the primary hub for worldwide flights. A keep within the Cancun resort zone isn’t my private favorite, though it’s residence to a variety of the realm’s large resorts, however you too can discover some nice household lodging alongside the coast between Cancun and Tulum, resembling quieter Puerto Morelos.
However wherever you base your self on the Riviera Maya, you’ll discover loads of concepts for household days out, together with my choose of the most effective issues to do round Cancun with youngsters.
Discover Tulum
Over the previous decade or so, Tulum has turn into one thing of an instagrammer’s paradise – extra trendy than Cancun, it’s grown ever busier than its sleepy previous, however continues to be as tempting as ever.
A hotspot for teenagers, it’s nicely price a go to even in the event you don’t select to remain close by, to see the traditional Mayan ruins on the Tulum Archaeological website set on a clifftop overlooking the Caribbean. Whereas there are numerous historic Maya websites throughout the Yucatan peninsula, all with their very own charms, few have such a memorable setting.
You can even mix it with a go to to the Coba ruins within the jungle – in the event you’re visiting Tulum with teenagers or older youngsters, you’ll be able to lease a motorbike to cycle to Nochol Mul (in addition to alongside the seashore street) or get a experience with a bicycle taxi.
Save a while for the seashore too with some wonderful stretches of white sand. Playa Paraiso is Tulum’s best-known seashore, however inevitably will get very busy, so Santa Fe seashore is one other quieter various, whereas you too can go to the small seashore by the ruins in the event you climb down (outdoors turtle nesting season in the summertime).
A few of Tulum’s (usually pricy) seashore golf equipment are additionally child-friendly: La Zebra and Ziggy’s Seashore Membership are nice in the event you’re visiting with youthful youngsters.
Or head to one of many close by cenotes to swim within the clear water there. Scroll down for extra tips about the most effective ones to go to with youngsters
In case you don’t have your personal rent automotive, it’s straightforward to rearrange transport from Cancun to Tulum with varied completely different choices together with prebooked transfers for the half-hour drive
See Chichen Itza
If there’s one website you completely can’t miss whereas staying in Cancun with youngsters, it’s Chichen Itza. Designated one of many new Seven Wonders of the World, the Unesco World Heritage website is a implausible place to find the Yucatan’s Maya heritage.
El Castillo, the pyramid on the centre that’s additionally referred to as the Temple of Kukulcan, is the best-known a part of the location but it surely’s an effective way to find extra about Maya tradition and civilisation – one of many world’s finest historic websites to go to with youngsters.
As you discover, you too can discover the Ball Court docket – twice the dimensions of a soccer subject, it was thought to have been used for ceremonies in addition to video games, though opposite to the tales you’ll hear, the shedding aspect didn’t get sacrificed on the finish…
There’s additionally the Temple of Warriors, and plenty extra to find on the sprawling website. Understandably widespread, it’s nicely price arriving early or attempting to go to outdoors peak season in the event you can.
You possibly can select from an entire string of excursions of Chichen Itza, in addition to shopping for skip-the-line entrance tickets or an early entry tour to beat the crowds. If you’re travelling independently or can discover a tour which incorporates Ek Balam, this was one in every of my favorite Maya temples, hidden in jungle
Go to Xcaret Park
Round an hour south of Cancun, Xcaret Park has a lot for households that it’s tempting to spend longer than a day right here!
The eco-archaeological park has every little thing from snorkelling and zip-lining to swimming in underground rivers plus an aquarium, an opportunity to see animals together with turtles and manatees, the butterfly pavilion, a Mayan village and a string of cultural performances for the Xcaret at Evening present.
It does make it an extended day in the event you’re visiting Cancun with youthful youngsters, but it surely’s nicely price staying for the night occasion in the event you can.
Purchase tickets with free cancellation or there are alternatives together with entry tickets with transport from Cancun
Play at Xel-Ha Park
Xel-Ha Park is one other eco-park with an entire array of actions for households, all supporting varied programmes to guard and preserve the setting.
There’s extra likelihood to snorkel right here, in addition to floating down the lazy river (or leaping off a cliff into the cenote). Youthful youngsters will love the youngsters’s playground, whereas older ones can check their stability on the Trapachanga rope stroll over the water.
Or discover the pure reserve, the Ixchel Grotto carved out by underground rivers, or just relax on Hammock Island.
Purchase all-inclusive tickets with free cancellation, together with food and drinks, or there are additionally choices with all-inclusive tickets plus transport from Cancun
Get lively at Xplor Park
Finest for teenagers and older youngsters, the emphasis is on getting your coronary heart racing and discovering loads of adrenaline thrills at Xplor Park.
You possibly can zoom alongside on a zipper wire previous rock formations, swim in caves or go rafting, in addition to taking a experience aboard an amphibious automobile.
It’s just for youngsters aged 5+ and there are another weight restrictions in the event you’re planning to go to Xplor Park with youthful youngsters: realistically, until you might have a mini daredevil, it’s extra enjoyable for households with older kids.
Take a ship to Isla Mujeres
A ship journey to this pretty island is without doubt one of the hottest days out from Cancun with youngsters – and for good motive.
It’s solely a brief ferry experience from Cancun, and the turquoise waters are fantastically clear; preferrred for swimming and snorkelling in, plus there are many vibrant fish to identify and seashores to lounge on. Playa Norte has loungers to lease and the water is calm, preferrred for little ones.
If you wish to discover additional, you’ll be able to lease a golf cart as nicely, or take a glass boat tour to find the marine life with out getting moist.
It’s straightforward to journey independently if you wish to go at your personal tempo: firms together with Grupo Xcaret and Ultramar run a ferry service from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, though you could find loads of excursions to Isla Mujeres as nicely, with some visiting Isla Contoy, plus different journeys together with snorkelling.
Discover Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
This stunning pure reserve is the right place to absorb the great thing about this nook of Mexico – realistically it’s finest in the event you’re staying nearer to Tulum and even Playa del Carmen, in any other case it’s an extended day from Cancun.
However it’s nicely price exploring. Residence to tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, there’s additionally a barrier reef the place you’ll be able to snorkel, plus wildlife galore.
The seashores listed here are a lot quieter than elsewhere on the Quintana Roo coast, whereas inland you’ll be able to spot manatees, turtles and even crocodiles within the mangroves and saltwater lagoons.
You possibly can discover elements of the biosphere reserve independently however some areas are restricted to guided excursions, plus there are restrictions on the variety of boats allowed per day, so it’s nicely price reserving these upfront.
Take a look at the completely different excursions to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve, together with choices with transport from Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancun, in addition to some which additionally go to the Muyil ruins
Swim in a cenote
One in every of my favorite reminiscences of our journey, you’ll discover cenotes throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Fashioned when limestone collapses to depart a pool of water – some underground, some mendacity beneath a zipwire, however all fantastic pure swimming holes.
Excellent for cooling off on a sizzling day, or for venturing outdoors your consolation zone as you swim at midnight, some are higher with older youngsters and teenagers, however many are perfect for households.
You’ll find completely different cenotes all alongside the coast, whether or not you’re searching for one thing close to Cancun or Tulum, or to mix with a go to to the Maya ruins, and there are alternatives to swimsuit the entire household. You can even discover numerous excursions visiting cenotes.
Among the finest embody Gran Cenote, Cenote Dos Ojos and Cenote Aktun Ha (aka the Automotive Wash Cenote) close to Tulum, in addition to Cenote Azul close to Playa del Carmen.
One of many closest cenotes to Cancun is Cenote Verde Lucero – finest for assured swimmers than little ones, there are ziplines and jumps in addition to the possibility to swim (plus it’s not removed from Selvatica Journey Park for extra zipwire enjoyable).
Gran Cenote has shallower sections for youthful youngsters, in addition to some turtles within the clear water however does get busy, whereas Cenote Azul has its personal shallow areas (in addition to diving platforms to leap from for older youngsters).
Swim with turtles in Akumal
Swimming with turtles is an unforgettable expertise, and in the event you head to Akumal, you’ll be able to swim with sea turtles of their pure habitat.
The bay right here is protected by a reef, and the turtles are used to having individuals swimming round them (although do hold a respectful distance) so you will get some wonderful views. Could to November is the most effective time to see them, and attempt to arrive as quickly after 9am as potential to keep away from large teams.
You possibly can merely head to the seashore and swim, though in the event you go with no licensed information, there’s a restrict to how far out you’re allowed to go. There received’t be an issue discovering a information although, as you’ll be approached by numerous individuals providing their companies (and inevitably some trying to make money from vacationers), in addition to with the ability to rent snorkelling gear and life jackets there.
If you wish to keep away from any trouble, you too can discover excursions to swim with turtles at Akumal or try the helpful tips about visiting Akumal’s turtles right here.
You can even mix a go to with a visit to Aktun-Chen Pure Park close by, with its cave stroll, in addition to zip lining, snorkelling and climbing within the journey park
What about swimming with dolphins?
It’s price figuring out that proposed new legal guidelines would cease animal sights providing dolphin exhibits and swimming with dolphins, affecting a number of the Riviera Maya’s household sights resembling Dolphin Discovery – it’s not one thing I like to recommend anyway
Interactive Aquarium of Cancun
It might sound odd to go to Cancun with youngsters and head to an aquarium, particularly with the wonderful marine life close by beneath the waves.
However the Interactive Aquarium of Cancun is nice for households, with round 1,200 aquatic species, together with sharks, rays and sea turtles, with the possibility for youths to get arms on at occasions, in addition to studying tons concerning the completely different marine life.
Ultimate for youthful youngsters who can’t snorkel or in the event you’re unfortunate sufficient to get a wet day in Cancun with youngsters.
Entry is without doubt one of the choices included within the Cancun Go Metropolis Explorer Move
Xenses Park
This enjoyable day trip in Playa del Carmen has 15 completely different actions designed to attraction to your completely different senses.
There are some quirky illusions, together with the Approach of Dwarfs and Giants, which performs along with your means to guage measurement, but in addition an opportunity to stroll beneath a waterfall, fly like an eagle on a zipper wire, attempt to swim in a salt river and find out about completely different ecosystems on the Xensatorium, with out utilizing your sight,
Purchase tickets with free cancellation or tickets together with transportation
Get pleasure from a pirate boat journey
Yo ho ho, there’s not only one pirate boat journey on supply in the event you’re visiting Cancun with youngsters however two – they usually each include dinner.
Select between the Jolly Roger Pirate Present and the Captain Hook Pirate Present, each lasting round 3.5-4 hours aboard a reproduction galleon, together with leisure, meals and drinks.
Relying which you select, you can additionally see fireworks or take pleasure in some particular video games for youths, plus there’s music and different enjoyable on board, in addition to with the ability to watch the sundown from the deck of those conventional crusing ships throughout your pirate dinner cruise.
Ventura Park amusement park
This household amusement park in Cancun is a superb day trip with youngsters in the event you’re searching for a water park with some added extras.
Moist’n’Wild has the standard household pleasant water park enjoyable, however you too can discover zip traces and aerial actions at Aaah! Ventura, plus go-karting, actions for little ones, and extra high-tech enjoyable together with the Star Wars Battle Pods.
Purchase tickets with free cancellation right here
Croco Cun Zoo
Croco Cun Zoo began life as a crocodile breeding farm, however the focus nowadays is firmly on conservation, with an opportunity to find out about numerous the animals discovered within the area.
It’s designed to be interactive the place potential in case your youngsters love the possibility to get arms on, whereas educating youngsters about endangered species.
Hit the seashore
A visit to the seashore goes with out saying in the event you’re visiting Cancun with youngsters or any of the Riviera Maya. The truth is I’m unsure if it’s potential to go to with out discovering your self on at the least one seashore (and also you’d undoubtedly be lacking out in the event you did!)
You received’t be wanting alternative: in the event you’re visiting Tulum or Isla Mujeres, try the sections above, in addition to suggestions in the event you’re visiting Akumal.
In case you’re staying in Cancun, a number of the all-inclusive resorts and motels have direct seashore entry, however all seashores in Mexico are public, so you’ll be able to go to as many as you fancy. Playa Chac Mool is without doubt one of the quieter ones: you received’t discover numerous services, but it surely’s a beautiful spot to sunbathe and swim.
Playa Delfines is thought for its dolphin sightings, in addition to extra pretty sand – there are bathrooms right here and no motels connected to it, though it may well nonetheless be busy and the water is usually a bit uneven for youthful youngsters.
Disclosure: Compiled in collaboration with 12go.com. This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions on the most effective issues to do close to Cancun with youngsters are my very own
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