Photo: Michael Tsutsui · CC BY-SA 3.0
7 Days · in Cancún
7 Days in Cancún: The Complete Caribbean Coast Trip
A week in Cancún covers the city, Isla Mujeres and the MUSA, then the great day trips: Chichén Itzá, the reef and cenotes of Puerto Morelos and the ruins of Tulum.
Day 01
Hotel Zone Beaches & the Maya Museum
Ruins, beaches and a sunset dinner on the lagoon.
Morning
Playa Delfines
Photograph the CANCÚN letters at sunrise, then walk the long, wild beach.
Late Morning
El Rey Archaeological Zone
Explore the Maya platforms and buildings, where iguanas sun on the stones.
Lunch
Käajal
Have a light Mexican lunch with healthy options in the Hotel Zone.
Afternoon
Museo Maya de Cancún
Spend the hot hours in the museum, then walk to San Miguelito.
Late Afternoon
Playa Chac Mool
Swim near Punta Cancún and look for the large Chac Mool mural by the beach.
Evening
Lorenzillo's
Book a sunset table over the lagoon for lobster, the house specialty.
Day 02
Downtown Cancún & Local Flavors
Markets, Michelin-listed cooking and the evening square.
Morning
La Casa de las Mayoras
Start with chilaquiles and handmade tortillas at this Michelin-recommended downtown restaurant.
Late Morning
Mercado 28
Shop for crafts, hammocks and silver, and practice your bargaining.
Lunch
Kiosco Verde
Take a taxi to Puerto Juárez for lobster empanadas and grilled octopus.
Afternoon
Malecón Tajamar
Walk the lagoon promenade with views across to the Hotel Zone.
Late Afternoon
Avenida Tulum
Stroll the main downtown avenue and stop for a coffee or a fresh fruit water.
Evening
Parque de las Palapas
Join local families in the square, then dine in the garden of La Habichuela.
Day 03
Isla Mujeres
Ferry, golf cart and the calmest beach in the region.
Morning
Puerto Juárez ferry
Take an early ferry across the turquoise bay, with views back to the Hotel Zone.
Late Morning
Punta Sur
Rent a golf cart and drive to the cliffs and sculpture garden at the southern tip.
Lunch
Isla Mujeres town
Have seafood in town and wander the colorful streets around Avenida Hidalgo.
Afternoon
Playa Norte
Swim in the calm, shallow water of the island's most famous beach.
Sunset
Playa Norte
Stay for the sunset, one of the best in the region.
Evening
Back to Cancún
Return by ferry and have a relaxed dinner downtown or in the Hotel Zone.
Day 04
Underwater Art & the Lagoon
Snorkeling over sculptures, mangroves and a night out.
Morning
MUSA Underwater Museum
Join a licensed snorkeling tour to see the underwater sculptures and the reef.
Lunch
El Fish Fritanga
Eat casual seafood by the lagoon after the boat trip.
Afternoon
Nichupté Lagoon
Explore the mangroves by guided kayak or small boat.
Late Afternoon
La Isla Cancún
Walk the canals of the open-air mall and browse the shops.
Sunset
La Habichuela Sunset
Watch the sunset over the lagoon with Mexican and Caribbean dishes.
Night
Coco Bongo
End the day at Cancún's famous show and nightclub in Punta Cancún.
Day 05
Chichén Itzá & Valladolid
A day trip to the great Maya city and a colonial town.
Early Morning
Highway 180D
Leave Cancún early by car, tour or Tren Maya to reach the site at opening.
Morning
Chichén Itzá
Explore El Castillo, the great ball court and the sacred cenote with a licensed guide.
Lunch
Near Chichén Itzá
Have a Yucatecan lunch, with dishes like cochinita pibil or sopa de lima.
Afternoon
Cenote swim
Cool off in one of the cenotes near the site, many with stairs and platforms.
Late Afternoon
Valladolid
Walk the colonial center and visit the convent of San Bernardino de Siena.
Evening
Back to Cancún
Return to Cancún for a late dinner downtown.
Day 06
Puerto Morelos & the Cenotes
A reef, a leaning lighthouse and freshwater swims.
Morning
Puerto Morelos Reef
Snorkel in the reef national park on a boat tour from the pier.
Late Morning
Leaning lighthouse
Photograph the lighthouse tilted by Hurricane Beulah in 1967.
Lunch
Punta Corcho
Eat wood-fired seafood by the sea at this Bib Gourmand restaurant.
Afternoon
Ruta de los Cenotes
Drive inland to swim in one or two cenotes, bringing cash.
Late Afternoon
Puerto Morelos square
Have an ice cream and watch the fishing boats come in.
Evening
Harry's
Back in Cancún, end with a steak dinner in the Hotel Zone.
Day 07
Tulum & the Riviera Maya
Ruins above the sea, a cenote and Playa del Carmen.
Early Morning
Highway 307
Drive or take the Tren Maya south to arrive in Tulum at opening.
Morning
Tulum Archaeological Site
See El Castillo on its cliff and the Temple of the Frescoes before the heat.
Late Morning
Tulum beach
Swim at one of the public beaches of Tulum.
Lunch
Tulum town
Have tacos or a Yucatecan lunch in town.
Afternoon
Cenote near Tulum
Swim or snorkel in the clear water of a cenote on the road to Cobá.
Evening
Playa del Carmen
Stop for a walk and dinner on Quinta Avenida before returning to Cancún.