The best Excursions from Cancun

For over 50 years, Cancun has been synonymous with booming tourism, top hotels, and gorgeous beaches. A road winds along a natural lagoon and the sea, where the luxurious resorts offer fantastic views of the sea and lagoon. The local population lives a little further inland.

South of Cancun, the Riviera Maya begins. To the north, another hotel zone develops along the pristine beaches all the way to Isla Blanca. With good visibility, from there you can see the famous Isla Mujeres (Women’s Island), which awaits visitors off the coast of Cancun.

Planning your vacation in Cancun? What an excellent choice. You can expect a vibrant party scene in Cancun’s hotel zone, natural beaches north of it, Mayan archaeological sites and hidden cenotes. Our tour guides will show you the main attractions from Cancun in Mexico.

The best Cancun Tours

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Private excursions from Cancun

Private excursions from Cancun with Leon Tours are an excellent opportunity to get to know the area away from the crowds. Caribbean islands, ancient Mayan temples as well as colonial cities and nature can be combined perfectly.

Cancun private excursions: Here Chichen Itza

Leon Tours specializes in private Cancun excursions. Our offer is complemented by tours to interesting destinations on the Yucatan Peninsula. Our excursions are private, so we can respond to the wishes of our guests and make our tours flexible.

For our excursions from Cancun we use SECTUR certified guides (diploma from the Mexican Tourism Board). We are happy to share our special knowledge about the Mayan culture, the history of Mexico and the region with you. We flexibly adapt our excursions to the needs of our clients and provide you with comprehensive advice.

Learn more about the advantages of our Cancun private excursions.

Overview Cancun

Map of Cancun

The second largest airport in Mexico is located on the outskirts of Cancun. It is used almost exclusively for a tourist purpose. From Cancun Airport, guests disperse to the various hotels in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Cancun in Mexico is divided into the hotel zones and the city of Cancun, where mostly locals live.

Cancun has had a fascinating development. 50 years ago, the government of Mexico decided to make Cancun the main tourist center of the country. Until then, Cancun was largely unknown, but today it is impossible to imagine the tourist map without it.

Cancun Excursions: Mayan Ruins

Cancun excursions, Mayan Ruins Chichen Itza

Numerous ancient Mayan cities characterize the area around Cancun. Most Mayan ruins near Cancun are within easy reach. The road network is well developed. Admire, for example, the beautiful Mayan ruins in Tulum, located by the sea. History at your fingertips can be found in the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chichen Itza, the best restored Mayan ruin in Yucatan.

Much less visited is Coba, which can be easily combined with a day trip to Tulum. A little less known is Ek Balam with excellently preserved ruins. A dream combination to discover Ek Balam is a day trip to Rio Lagartos and Ek Balam.

Cancun Tours: Chichen Itza

Cancun tours to Chichen Itza

The archaeological site Chichen Itza is without a doubt one of the most impressive and most visited legacies of the ancient Maya. Unesco declared Chichen Itza a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and it has been one of the Seven New Wonders of the World since 2007.

Those who come to Cancun in Mexico also visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. The famous pyramid of the Mayan god Kukulkan is “only” 30 meters high, but its symbolism and architecture make it unsurpassed. Chichen Itza had its heyday between 600 and 1200 AD, at times more than 100,000 Maya lived in the city.

Just over two hours from Cancun, our excursions to Chichen Itza take you directly from your hotel to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza. You will be impressed by the magic of the place. We start our Chichen Itza tours very early in the morning, so you can enjoy the tranquility of the place before the crowds. Close to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza is a cenote, whose fresh water invites you for a refreshing swim.

Our excursions to Chichen Itza are rounded off by a visit to the Mexican-influenced colonial city of Valladolid.

Excursions Cancun: Mayan Ruins Tulum

Cancun Excursions: Tulum

The Mayan ruins of Tulum lay majestically on a rock above the sea. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, a visit to the archaeological sites of Tulum is a must on any trip to Mexico.

The original name of Tulum was Zama, which means “sunrise” in the Mayan language. In fact, the sun rises directly from the sea opposite. Tulum itself translates as “surrounded by a wall.”

There is a city wall on all three sides of Tulum, and the ocean provides natural protection on the side facing the sea. Visitors enter the inner area of the archaeological zone of Tulum through a low entrance in the wall. Our excursions to Tulum are accompanied by certified tour guides.

We will take you on a journey through time to the ancient Maya and explain the connection between religion, the daily life of the Maya and their trade routes. Special importance is given to the descending god Kinich Ahau in the archaeological site of Tulum. Various temples illustrate the mastery of Mayan construction and provide insight into their knowledge and worldview. Our excursion to Tulum is rounded off with a visit to a cenote.

Enjoy the refreshing clear water of the fresh water holes, which are still the main water supply of the Maya.

Excursions from Cancun: Mayan Ruins Coba

Cancun Excursions: Coba

Some hieroglyphs in the archaeological zone of Coba indicate that this is the original name of the city. Translated, Coba means something like “moving water”. Between 300 and 600 A.D., Coba began to develop into an important political and economic center that controlled several surrounding villages.

Coba is most famous for its extensive road network (Zac Beh in the Mayan language means white road), the longest road leading to Yaxuná, about 100 kilometers away, near Chichen Itza.

The 42 meter high pyramid Nohoch Mul may no longer be climbed. Our private tours to Coba in German can be perfectly combined with the famous Chichen Itza or the archaeological site of Tulum. Alternatively, a tour to Coba is also available in combination with a cenote or the nearby lagoon Punta Laguna.

Cancun Excursions: The Mayan Ruins Ek Balam

Cancun Excursions: Ek Balam

The colonial city of Valladolid turns out to be a real jewel, in its vicinity are several tourist attractions such as Chichen Itza. Not so well known but no less impressive are the Mayan ruins of Ek Balam. The name can be translated as “black jaguar”. The heyday of Ek Balam developed between 600 – 900 AD. Quite early important buildings were constructed such as the Acropolis, which is undoubtedly the central building of Ek Balam.

The facade covered with bas-reliefs invites to marvel. Impressive remains in the memory of visitors, for example, the snake gate, which is framed above and below by teeth.

Excursions Cancun: Mayan Site Uxmal

Cancun Tours: The Mayan Ruins Uxmal

Uxmal was once a large and important Mayan city in Mexico. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Uxmal is part of the famous Puuc Route, which runs through the slightly hilly karst landscape near Merida. Particularly impressive is the “Pyramid of the Magician”, which towers above the jungle and has been repeatedly rebuilt or expanded. Uxmal had its main period between 600 – 900 AD and is one of the most beautiful Mayan sites of the Yucatan Peninsula. Uxmal is also much less visited than for example Chichen Itza, so you can enjoy the very well preserved buildings in peace. In the so-called Nuns’ Quadrangle (Cuadrángulo de las Monjas) you can marvel at beautiful facades, many of which are dedicated to the importantMaya rain god Chaac. While the Pyramid of the Sorcerer may no longer be climbed, visitors climb the main pyramid, from which one has an indescribable view. The archaeological sites of Uxmal are located about 5 hours from Cancun. From Cancun, a 2-day excursion or a Yucatan round trip is best suited for a visit to Uxmal. We will be happy to make you an offer: Contact us

Excursions Cancun: Numerous Cenotes

Cancun: Cenotes

A fairy-tale world awaits the adventurous spirit of its visitors. Because on the peninsula of Yucatan is the world’s largest system of underground rivers, caves and waterholes. These water holes are also called cenotes and are sacred to the Maya.

They are the entrance to the Xibalba, the Mayan underworld. They also provide the largest supply of drinking water in the area to this day. There are hundreds of cenotes around the Riviera Maya. As part of our private excursions, we will stop at one or more beautiful cenotes for a welcome cool down. More information about the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula we have compiled here.

Excursions Cancun: The Islands

Magical places around Cancun invite you to discover. Direct contact with nature and the wonderful culture of this region can be found on the tropical islands off the coast of Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

There, life is a bit more relaxed and you can quickly forget the hustle and bustle of the tourist hotspots. With Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Holbox and Contoi, there are numerous opportunities to discover Mexico’s islands from Cancun.

Excursions from Cancun: Cozumel

Excursionss Cancun, Cozumel

Directly across from Playa del Carmen is the third largest island in Mexico, Cozumel. The flat island is only 15% inhabited, the rest consists of untouched nature, beaches and jungle. Numerous Cozumel attractions invite you for a day trip. Among the most important Cozumel attractions are the pretty town of San Miguel de Cozumel, the famous coral reefs of Cozumel, beautiful beaches and national parks. Recommendations for excursions in Cozumel can be found on our dedicated pages. For more information on how to get to Cozumel by ferry, click here.

Cancun Excursions: Isla Mujeres

Cancun Tours, Isla Mujeres

Just a stone’s throw from Cancun lies the tranquil Fraueninsel (Isla Mujeres in Spanish). It is a small, touristy island with many bars, restaurants, stores and beaches. Visitors can choose between snorkeling in the turquoise blue waters, exploring the island by golf cart, or exploring a small Mayan ruin.

Cancun Excursions: Holbox

Tours from Cancun, Holbox

Located in the very north of the Yucatan Peninsula, Holbox shines like a jewel in the sea. The island consists only of sand and is just 2 kilometers wide, with a length of 42 kilometers. Holbox Island is especially popular in the summer, when whale sharks search for food in the plankton-rich waters. Then many local providers offer snorkeling with whale sharks – an unforgettable experience.

Cancun Excursions: Contoi

Tours Cancun: Isla Contoi

The small island Contoi belongs to the administrative district of Isla Mujeres. It is less than 9 kilometers long and about 500 meters wide. Since 1998, the entire island has been protected as a national park and is also called the Island of the Birds (Spanish: Isla de los pajaros). The second largest coral reef in the world, which includes the Cozumel Reef, begins at Contoi Island and extends to Roatan Island in Honduras.

Cancun Excursions: Colonial Cities of the Yucatan Peninsula

Colonial towns in Mexico are often given the label “Pueblos Magicos” – magical villages. This distinction is given by the Mexican tourism board to places that are particularly interesting for tourism. Discover the Mexican colonial towns, pretty old buildings adorn the city center, where the obligatory park, the cathedral on the Zocalo.

Excursions Cancun: Valladolid

Cancun Tours: Valladolid

The small city Valladolid, with pretty colonial buildings, has a population of about 50,000. Located in the east of the state of Yucatan, Valladolid is an excellent starting point for discoveries. Numerous cenotes and Mayan ruins are nearby and the city itself invites you to take a walk in the city center. We visit Valladoid on our German speaking excursions to Chichen Itza or on our individual two-day tours. 

Excursions Cancun: Merida

Tours Cancun: Merida

The vibrant city of Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan and has about 800,000 inhabitants. Already before the arrival of the Spaniards, Merida was inhabited by Maya under the name Ti’ho’. In 1542 the city was renamed Merida by the Spaniards. Unfortunately, the old Mayan buildings were used as quarries for the new Spanish city, so today there is nothing left of the original city. Important buildings in Merida are the Plaza de la Independencia and the adjacent cathedral. However, the whole downtown area is worth seeing and on Sundays the city center turns into a huge street party. Merida is an excellent starting point for excursions into the surrounding Mayan country. We are happy to organize two or three day trips or your Yucatan round trip with a stop in Merida. 

Cancun Excursions: The City Cancun

Discover Cancun Downtown and Beaches

Find variety in the entertainment mile of Cancun. Numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs stretch along the hotel zone. Feast on delicious Mexican tacos, grilled seafood or tropical fruits. Enjoy nightly parties and dance to Caribbean flair. Especially Mexico vacationers looking for socializing feel very comfortable in Cancun and get their money’s worth between luxurious cuisine, never-ending dream beaches and the surrounding sights. For those who prefer a more quiet and tranquil experience, choose a hotel in Cancun’s new northern hotel zone along the Costa Mujeres. These hotels are secluded and the beaches there are certainly among the most beautiful in all of Mexico. However, you should keep in mind that these hotels are quite remote and you will have to be picked up separately for excursions.

Getting around Cancun

Around Cancun there are several transportation options. Some are a little cheaper and take longer. Others are a bit more expensive, but will get you to your destination faster. Below we will show you how to get around from Cancun.

Collectivos

Collectivos are the easiest and cheapest way to get around Mexico. Collectivos are shared cabs the size of minivans that depart from various pick-up points on routes to fixed destinations. As soon as a collectivo is full, it sets off. Anyone who wants to get out on the way simply tells the driver. Payment is based on distance.

Cabs

Taxis are everywhere in Cancun, so if you are looking for a cab, just wave when one is nearby. If the cab is free, it will stop. Before getting in, it is best to ask for the price. Cab prices in Cancun are based on zones. If you take a cab at a collection point, you will pay more. If you walk one or two streets from the collection point, you pay the normal street fare. For longer distances like from Cancun to Tulum, cabs are much more expensive than collectivos. Rental cars We have a lot of tips and information in our article Driving in Mexico – what you should know as a self-driver There are numerous Internet sites where you can book cheap rental cars. Good portals are for example Check 24 or RentalsCars. Through these portals it is usually cheaper to book already from home.

ADO Bus

The transport company ADO connects larger Mexican cities with each other. So you can also get with the ADO from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. The prices are a bit higher than the Collectivo and you can’t get off on the way. But you travel a bit more comfortable. Attention: The air conditioning can be much too cool for European sensibilities. Bring a jacket! Excursions from Cancun Excursions are the most comfortable way to get to know the area around Cancun. All our excursions are handpicked and perfectly adapted to the needs of our clients. Sit back and let us organize your tours for you.

Excursions

Excursions are the most convenient way to get to know the Riviera Maya. All our excursions are handpicked and perfectly adapted to the needs of our clients. Sit back and let us organize your tours for you.

The best Cancun Tours

>> All Cancun excursions

Summary

Further Information Cancun in Mexico

Clima

Cancun has summer temperatures all year round. The best time to travel is between November and April, because in summer it can get very hot. Tourist high season is at Christmas and Easter, because many guests from Europe and the USA use the days off for a vacation. This is especially noticeable in higher flight and hotel prices. In the months of December to February, the average temperature is 22-28 degrees. Then it is winter with us. When the wind shifts and blows from the north, it can get fresh at night. Therefore you should pack a jacket. In the months of March and April is the short dry season. The humidity is not yet too high and it is very pleasantly warm. From May the temperatures rise to 30 – 35 degrees. Then it can become humid. It rains from time to time, but usually not more than one hour. These downpours are very pleasant. The summer months are perfect for a beach vacation.

Cancun has summer temperatures all year round. The best time to travel is between November and April, because in summer it can get very hot. Tourist high season is at Christmas and Easter, because many guests from Europe and the USA use the days off for a vacation. This is especially noticeable in higher flight and hotel prices. In the months of December to February, the average temperature is 22-28 degrees. Then it is winter with us. When the wind shifts and blows from the north, it can get fresh at night. Therefore you should pack a jacket. In the months of March and April is the short dry season. The humidity is not yet too high and it is very pleasantly warm. From May the temperatures rise to 30 – 35 degrees. Then it can become humid. It rains from time to time, but usually not more than one hour. These downpours are very pleasant. The summer months are perfect for a beach vacation.

Visa

You do not need a visa for Mexico, but your passport should be valid for 6 months after your departure date from Germany. On the plane, the tourist card FMM with a validity of 180 days is handed out. Together with the tourist card you get a form on which you have to indicate if food or vegetable or animal products are imported into Mexico. Also, more than $10,000 in cash must be declared. These forms can be filled out at leisure on the plane. Therefore, it is advisable to pack a pen in your carry-on luggage. The two forms must be handed in at immigration. The tourist card is required by the employee at the migration. The lower section will be stamped. This will remain as a copy in your passport. Do not lose it, otherwise you will have to pay a penalty fee of 25 euros when you leave the country. After the migration, the suitcases can be collected. Before leaving the airport, the suitcases will be x-rayed. In the process, the section indicating what is being imported is retained. Occasional spot checks verify that all the information is correct.

Health

There are no vaccination requirements for Mexico. Nevertheless, it is advisable to take a look at the vaccination certificate before starting your trip. Tetanus and polio protection should be checked before long-distance travel, as well as typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations for stays in remote areas. Malaria is not common on the east coast of Mexico, but cases of dengue or Zika are rare. Therefore, mosquito repellent and long light clothing for the evening should be included in your luggage. Mosquito repellent can also be purchased locally. You should not drink tap water in Mexico, it is only suitable for showering and washing. Bottled water or water from a canister (container with 20 liters of water) is suitable for drinking. Single cubes are made from drinking water. Medicines can be bought in pharmacies without prescription and are cheaper than in many countries.

Currency

The official currency is the Mexican peso. Especially in the tourist areas in Cancun, around Playa del Carmen and also on Cozumel there are exchange offices everywhere, which exchange Euros and Dollars into Pesos. The dollar is also widely used as a means of payment. In the big supermarkets you get a very good exchange rate if you pay with dollars. The rate is often better than at the exchange offices. In the tourist souvenir stores the exchange rate is worse. It is better to pay with pesos. Euros are also accepted in many places. However, only bills are accepted, since coins cannot be exchanged in the banks. Basically, it is not necessary to exchange dollars in Germany. Many travel agencies recommend this, but you pay double exchange fees. Because you first have to exchange into dollars and pay the costs for the exchange. And then the dollar must be exchanged for pesos in Mexico. You can change Euros into Pesos just as easily almost everywhere. It is also easy to withdraw pesos from ATMs using major credit cards. For security reasons, the ATMs in the large supermarkets or banks are recommended. For more information on paying in Mexico, click here. The best travel credit cards can be found here.

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