Alternative Things to Do on a Trip to Cancun

If you’re visiting Merida for an extended period of time, then it’s recommended to take a trip to nearby Cancun, which is only around three hours away by car. This popular tourist destination, though not to everyone’s taste, is a lot more diverse than is commonly presumed — and it’s home to plenty of overlooked gems that are well worth your time.

If you’ve already visited Cancun’s most famous sights, and you’re looking for other ways to spend your time during your visit, then keep the following tips in mind. 

Attend a Cancun FC Game

If you didn’t know that Mexico was crazy about soccer before you visited a Cancun FC game, you’ll certainly know afterwards. Cancun FC play their games at the Estadio Andres Quintana Roo, which has a capacity of nearly 20,000 people. The team, which competes in the second division, plays between January and May. You might be able to buy tickets at the ground on the day of a match, but it’s normally best to book in advance. Tickets are available on the team’s website. 

Spend an Evening at the Casino

Looking to have a slightly different evening while in Cancun? Then consider visiting one of the region’s many casinos. The establishments here have a Las Vegas-style feel, albeit with their own local twist. The most famous is the Dubai Palace Casino, which is particularly known for its table games, especially poker. Since gameplay here is slightly more serious, it’s recommended that visitors planning to spend a night at the table learn how to play poker online before they visit, so that they’re fully ready once they sit down. Visitors who want to play poker while in Cancun but don’t want to deal with the formality of a land-based casino can also look at playing online; digital casinos are fully legal in Mexico, so as long as you have a device and an internet connection, you can play. If you do decide to swing by Dubai Palace Casino, then head over to the onsite restaurant once you’ve finished — it offers a selection of excellent specialities.

Take a Stroll Down Yaxchilan Avenue

Most visitors to Cancun spend all of their evenings at Kukulcan Boulevard. However, while you’ll very much want to spend at least some time there, it’s worthwhile exploring other main streets in the area. One such street worth your time is Yaxchilan Avenue, which has a much more local feel. If you’re looking to hear classic Mexican music, eat delicious tacos, or just more generally soak up the atmosphere of Mexican life, then this is the place to be. Most people will speak English here, but if possible, try to learn a few phrases in Spanish — it’ll help you fit in much more. 

A Day on Isla Contoy

Most everyone visits Isla Mujeres when they visit Cancun, but not everyone does the same for Isla Contoy. For one thing, it’s not possible for everyone to go — the permitted number of daily visitors is capped at 200, and only 50 people can visit at one time. 

The relatively limited number of people works in your favor since you’ll have most of the island to yourself when you’re there. There aren’t too many gorgeous Caribbean beaches that are essentially isolated, but you’ll find them on Isla Contoy. When not enjoying the beach or the views from the top of the five-mile island, you’ll be face-to-face with a wide array of wildlife, including iguanas and hermit crabs. 

Explore a Stunning Underground River 

They named Rio Secreto — the Secret River — correctly. This underground river requires a bit of effort to get to, but it’s well worth your time. Why? Because it’s one of the most stunning places you’ll ever visit. The river is more than eight miles long and features more stalactites and stalagmites than you can shake a stick at. You’ll need to go with a tour guide, but don’t let that put you off; it’s well worth it. 

Wonder at the Stars

Found yourself in Cancun during bad weather? Then use it as an opportunity to visit the planetarium. In fact, we’d recommend visiting the planetarium regardless of the weather! It offers a wondrous view of the universe, and we mean that literally — they host twice-weekly nightly observation sessions during which you can stare deep into the cosmos.