A number of facilities offer the opportunity to swim with dolphins right in Cancun. For land adventures, the best idea is to book a self-drive Jeep tour. It’s good to hire an experienced guide who can lead you through the twisting jungle paths and show you the most interesting underground caves and lakes, and guide you through the impressive Mayan ruins. Jungle reserves in Cancun have an incredible variety of wildlife, including tropical birds, monkeys, jaguars, and reptiles. Surprisingly, one of the best places to find tropical birds is in the Cancun airport, owing to its fairy-tale location carved into the island jungle.

Cancun was built up as a tourist site intentionally because of its ideal seaside beaches. The soft white sands are made of ground up coral that doesn’t get hot like most sand does and the water is a crystal clear turquoise. Advanced swimmers should take the opportunity to swim on the open sea but calmer waters can be found on the beaches facing Isla Mujeres. Locals hawk souvenirs along the beaches, including sarongs, jewellery, and sea shells. You can haggle with them for the best prices. Playa Delfines is the most popular beach with gay travellers.

Cancun is a great base from which to start an exploration of the incredible Mayan ruins on Mexico’s southeast coast. Start by visiting the massive, thousand-year-old Chichen Itza Archaeological Site, considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Dozens of enormous stone temples, houses, and pyramids stand in this incredible site, which had been lost to jungle growth until the 1920s. Give yourself a full day to explore the ancient city.
On your way back to Cancun, visit Tulum, the only major Mayan archaeological site to overlook the Sea. More than 60 sites have been unearthed in this ancient city, including city walls, paved roads, homes, and seaside businesses. Tulum is believed to have been an important ceremonial site for the Mayan people. A highlight of the visit is the El Castillo pyramid which sits atop a 40-foot cliff and is thought to have served as a lighthouse.
Further afield is the beautiful Coba site, where you’ll find the tallest pyramid on the Yucatan Peninsula, Nohoch Mul.
 

More than thirty resorts in Cancun offer full spa packages combining ancient Mayan healing rituals with modern stress-reduction techniques. After a traditional Temazcal steam bath, a luxurious full-body massage on the beach, and a natural body wrap made from local plants and flowers, you’ll understand why Cancun is considered one of the world’s top spa destinations.

Take a trip down the coast to the Xcaret Ecopark in the Riviera Maya. The park houses an incredible variety of local flora and fauna, with a jaguar island, butterfly pavilion, orchid greenhouse, breeding farm and natural areas. There’s also opportunities to snorkel in underground rivers or go swimming with dolphins. Xcaret also sits on a major Mayan archaeological site that is still being excavated and is a wonder to explore. Stay the night and enjoy nightly performances of Mayan culture and Mexican music and enjoy a Temascal or spa service in the morning.