Cancun Holidays

from £436 per person

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Cancun Holidays 2021

Searching for white-sand beaches and never-ending nightlife? Holidays in Cancun offer everything you’ve ever dreamed of in a Caribbean paradise.

Cancun holidays give you access to some of the best and most unspoiled beaches on the north of the Riviera Maya and put you on the doorstep of Mexico’s most fascinating Mayan sights. Add in dips in nearby cenotes (the pristine sinkholes that dot the region’s limestone plateaus), afternoons at world-class spas and sunset paddleboarding sessions, and you’ve got the makings of the trip of a lifetime.

Diving in Cancun

You can dive offshore from Cancun throughout the year. There’s the MUSA Underwater Museum to discover off the coast of Isla Mujeres, while whale sharks cruise by from June to September. Advanced divers can explore nearby shipwreck, or even try cave diving in some of the larger cenotes. For beginners, there’s a range of PADI-certified schools to choose from

Overview
Things to do
Places to stay

Why book Cancun holidays

Discover the best beaches

Enjoy countless white-sand beaches, turquoise waters & large coral reefs to explore

Amazing all inclusive resorts

You'll find some of the best all inclusive resorts here

Top attractions to visit

Do not miss out on a day trip exploring mystical Mayan ruins

Perfect for watersports

Kayaking, kiteboarding, top diving and snorkelling opportunities

Family-friendly attractions

Sea Adventure and Ventura Park, plenty of child-friendly resorts

Lush natural wonders

Explore the famous cenotes & take a boat trip to Isla Mujeres

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Your guide to Cancun holidays

Beaches

Beaches in Cancun

There are some 13 miles of beaches fronting the Zona Hotelera, some public and some managed by all-inclusive Cancun resorts.

The party never stops at Playa Forum, also called Playa Gaviota Azul, right next to the beating heart of Cancun’s nightlife scene. You can start dancing at its beach clubs long before sundown, so don’t come here for peace and relaxation.
The calm waters of Playa Tortugas at the north of the Zona Hotelera are favourite with families. There’s also great snorkelling just offshore.
Playa Delfines is a public beach as well as one of Cancun’s largest and most beautiful. It’s sometimes known as El Mirador, thanks to its gorgeous views out over the Caribbean Sea.
When you’ve sunbathed to your heart’s content, head to the generally quieter Playa Chac-Mool where there’s a surf school and good range of watersports.
Playa Marlín sits at the centre of the hotel zone, but its powdery white sands are accessible to all. Lifeguards make it safe for young swimmers while grown-ups can book a massage right on the beach.

Beaches near Cancun

It’ll take you at least a few days to explore Cancun and the city’s beautiful beaches. Beyond, these are a few of the best spots to check out on the Riviera Maya.

A thirty-minute drive from Cancun, Puerto Morelos is one of the Yucatan’s best-kept secrets, a charming seaside town where the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is just 300 feet offshore.
For a different vibe, take the ferry across to Isla Cozumel, where life moves at a slower pace without large-scale development or Cancun’s glitzy resorts.
Isla Blanca isn’t actually an island, but a beautiful promontory to the north of Cancun. With unspoiled beaches, mangroves and a lagoon, it’s a little slice of paradise and the perfect place to escape the crowds.
Playa del Carmen is the closest big resort to Cancun. There’s a huge number of beaches and beach clubs to choose from here.
It’s a longer journey to reach Akumal Beach, which lies between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, but seeing sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand from April to October is well worth the trek.

Time to explore

Top 5 things to do in Cancun

You might start your sun-kissed Cancun break on the beach, but there’s plenty more to discover off the sand.

Don’t miss exploring Cancun proper, or Cancun Centro, as well as the coastal Zona Hotelera where most all-inclusive hotels are located.
The Mayan ruins at El Rey are the most significant archaeological discovery in Cancun. Nearly fifty structures still stand today, dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC.
There are innumerable cenotes to visit near Cancun, some remote and still covered by jungle foliage, others developed with ziplines and dive spots. Explore with a local guide to find the best.
When you’ve soaked up enough sun on the beach, strap on a snorkel and splash out into the shallows. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is just offshore and you might even spot sea turtles in season.
La Isla Shopping Village, or Plaza La Isla, is Cancun’s outdoor mall with a difference. Come to browse the boutiques amid a beautiful faux-Venetian system of canals.

Adventure activities in Cancun

Holidays to Cancun are the perfect opportunity to try a new water sport or get your adrenaline pumping on a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure.

Zip lines and bungee jumps await at Selvatica Eco-Park, just to the south of Cancun. There’s even an “aqua-zip” that’ll see you skimming the surface of jungle pools.
Paddle between mangroves on Nichupte Lagoon, which separates the hotel zone from the mainland. Organised kayaking tours usually last around two hours.
Hit the Yucatan’s jungle tracks in an ATV to really get your pulse racing – and your clothes muddy.
Set sail for Isla Mujeres aboard a catamaran and you’ll move at a slower pace. Depending on the size of your group, you might even be able to help the crew hoist the sails.
More interested in getting high? Book a parasailing session, where you’ll fly at heights of up to 240 feet along the Cancun coastline.

Food & Drink

Food and drink in Cancun

Whether you’re into fine dining or freshly caught seafood, holidays to Cancun are the time to indulge.

For gourmet dinners, stick to the Zona Hotelera where seafood plucked straight from the ocean is served up in some seriously swanky surrounds. Lorenzillo’s even have their own lobster farm.
You’ll find some of the most romantic spots to eat not just on the beach, but overlooking the lagoon. Book a table set on stilted platforms over the water and feast by candlelight.
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican cuisine and more, head into the heart of Cancun. As well as low-key taco joints, you’ll find some seriously good sushi and even a French bistro or two.
There’s nothing like a cold beer on the beach at the end of a hot day. Look for Mexican-brewed brands such as Pacifico and Tecate or the richer Negra Modelo.
Still not sure where to start? Book a taco tour. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and whisked around Cancun’s best spots, with plenty of stops for cocktails along the way.

Traditional dishes to try in Cancun

The Yucatan has a rich culinary culture quite different to that found in other Mexican states. These delicious dishes are just a few of those popular in the region.

Cochinita pibil, the Yucatan’s famously sweet and earthy barbecued pork, appears on many traditional menus. If you try one classic dish on your break to Cancun, make it this one.
Ceviche is the perfect light lunch on the beach. Although the shrimp or fish is technically raw, it’s cured by its lime-juice marinade before being served with chopped tomatoes, onions, coriander and topotes (tortilla chips).
If you order tamales, look for the Yucatan’s two specialities: the soft and rich colados and the dzotobichay, in which the masa is combined with lard and pumpkin seeds
It’s hard not to love sopa de lima, a simple but flavour-packed shredded chicken and lime soup, often garnished with avocado and fried tortilla strips.
For something sweet, try marquesitas. These crunchy crepes come with fillings such as Nutella and lechera (condensed milk).

Holiday types

Cancun couples holidays

Sunset walks on the beach and seriously sumptuous spa days are just the start of the romantic highlights on holidays in Cancun.

Many of Cancun’s all-inclusive resorts offer spa packages, which include treatments, hot-stone massages and lavender wraps. Perfect for de-stressing after a day snorkelling or jet-skiing.
You’ll never forget setting sail over the Caribbean as the sun sets. Dinner cruises can be private affairs for two or glamorous parties with live music and entertainment.
When you need a beach break, head off on your own mini adventure for two to the Mayan city of Chichen Itza. You can easily reach this UNESCO World Heritage wonder on a half-day trip from Cancun.
The uninhabited island of Isla Contoy, north of Isla Mujeres, is another great place to get away from it all and spot some local wildlife. Its shores have been protected as part of a Marine National Park since 1998.
Get the perfect photo op at the pink lakes of Las Coloradas. They get their colour from the red-tinted algae, plankton and shrimp that call their salty waters home.

Cancun family holidays

Family-friendly package holidays to Cancun lay on almost everything you need for fun in the sun, other than a few unforgettable day trips.

The underground cave river at Río Secreto is simply magical, its ceiling adorned with hundreds of beautiful stalactites. You’ll be kitted up with a wetsuit, life jacket and helmet before you enter the water.
Let the little ones stay up late for a night-time trip to Xplor Fuego. Kids as young as five are welcomed for after-dark zip-line and cave-rafting adventures – all carefully supervised for safety.
Wet'n Wild water park at Ventura Park Cancun welcomes kids of all ages with an array of water slides that’ll keep even the most energetic tweens happy.
Hop aboard a replica of an 18th-century Spanish galleon for a night you’ll never forget: the Captain Hook Pirate Dinner Cruise. Expect games and costumes, but you won’t be made to walk the plank.
Need some solo time after family days out? Book a hotel with babysitting and activities on tap. The Ritz-Carlton has among the best programmes, including a kids’ camp and kids’ nights out.

What our local experts say

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Cancun weather

Jan

26°C

Avg. Dry Days 8

Feb

27°C

Avg. Dry Days 9

Mar

27°C

Avg. Dry Days 12

Apr

29°C

Avg. Dry Days 14

Nov

28°C

Avg. Dry Days 6

Dec

27°C

Avg. Dry Days 6

Your Cancun questions answered

What type of holiday does Cancun offer?

Cancun has a reputation for its party scene, but it can also be a great destination for a family break. Some resorts specialise in low-key luxury, others in kids’ clubs and activities. Take some time to check out the different options before you book.

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Which area should I stay in?

Top Mexico Holiday Destinations

Looking to escape to Mexico but not too sure where to go? Take a look at our top destinations below and plan your perfect break, all of them a close proximity to Cancun:

Top Cancun hotels

Not sure which hotel to go to? Check out our top hotels:

3 Star Hotels

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Prices last checked at 06:34 21 January 2021

Cancun Holidays

Cancun Holidays 2021

Diving in Cancun

Why book Cancun holidays

Discover the best beaches

Amazing all inclusive resorts

Top attractions to visit

Perfect for watersports

Family-friendly attractions

Lush natural wonders

Join the millions of customers finding better value holidays

Search your way

Compare deals quickly

Instantly see prices for each day

Your guide to Cancun holidays

Beaches in Cancun

Beaches near Cancun

What our local experts say

Top 5 destinations for first time all inclusive travellers

Where is hot in February?

Our top 5 foods on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage ...

Most popular Cancun hotels

Planet Hollywood Cancun Beach Resort

Grand Oasis Cancun - All Inclusive

Flamingo Cancun Resort

Grand Park Royal Luxury Resort Cancun

Hotel NYX Cancun

Oleo Cancun Playa Boutique Resort

The Grand At Moon Palace

Hard Rock Hotel Cancun

Cancun weather

Your Cancun questions answered

Top Mexico Holiday Destinations

Top Cancun hotels

5 Star Hotels

4 Star Hotels

3 Star Hotels

What our customers say