21 Best Things to Do in Cancun With Kids

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Cancun attracts millions of visitors yearly due to its sandy beaches and an array of attractions. Cancun is also an ideal family-friendly vacation destination.

Some of the best things to do in Cancun with kids include going to water parks and eco-themed parks, visiting cultural sites, and trying adventure activities, like parasailing.

Best of all, many of the fun attractions for kids are close to the Cancun Hotel Zone, or they can be accessed via guided tours and day trips. If you're planning an exciting family getaway to Cancun, make sure you know these 21 kid-friendly things to do!

Planning a last-minute trip to Cancún?

When visiting Cancún, book your accommodations and experiences before you go. Below are some top recommendations to get you started.

🏨 Top accommodations in Cancún

• Bed & Breakfast Pecarí (under $50 USD a night)
• Nomads Hotel, Hostel & Rooftop Pool Cancun (under $100 USD a night)
• Casa Tortugas Boutique Hotel - CANCUN Hidden Gem (relax by the pool)

☂️ Top tours and experiences in Cancún

• Best ATV Tour, Ziplines & Cenote Swim With Lunch & Transport Included (likely to sell out)
• Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour (very popular)
• ATV Jungle Adventure With Ziplines, Cenote & Tequila Tasting (very popular)
• Hip Hop Sessions Boat Party Cancun (very popular)
• Viator Exclusive - Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote & Caves

21 Fun Things to Do in Cancun for Kids

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Eat dinner with pirates on the Captain Hook Pirate Dinner Cruise

Going on a Captain Hook Pirate Dinner Cruise is a fun dining option for the whole family. The cruise takes place on a replica pirate ship and features immersive experiences with dinner and drinks included. You and your kids will get to enjoy an array of pirate-themed shows and performances, including stories, dances, and acting.

While watching the show, choose from a selection of main courses, such as lobster tail, steak, or a vegetarian option. There's also an open bar with alcoholic beverages for the adults and soft drinks for the kids.

🏨 Accommodations close to Captain Hook Cancun

• Temptation Cancun Resort - All Inclusive (well-regarded)
• Riu Palace Peninsula- All Inclusive (rated 4-stars)

Shop at La Isla Shopping Village

One of the more laid-back activities in Cancun for kids is spending some time exploring the shops at La Isla Shopping Village. The exciting open-air mall has a variety of outlets and dining options.

Best of all, there are many kid-friendly attractions on top of the shops. You can go to the unique Ripley's Believe It or Not, have lunch at a Lucha Libre show, or ride the Sky Wheel. There's something for kids of all ages!

🏨 Accommodations close to La Isla Paradise Experience

• Hotel NYX Cancun (4-star rating)
• The Royal Sands Resort & Spa (5-star rating)

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Enjoy a nautical performance with the Jolly Roger Pirate Show

The Jolly Roger Pirate Show is another exciting pirate-themed dinner cruise in Cancun. Performances on the pirate ship feature costumed actors, acrobatics, and even fireworks.

As you watch the show and admire the Caribbean Ocean, you can enjoy a gourmet dinner. Dining options include surf and turf or lobster, and a children's menu is available. An open bar is on board, too, so you can have drinks while the kids try various activities, including a treasure hunt.

🏨 Nearest accommodations to the Jolly Roger Pirate Show

• Finest Playa Mujeres - All Inclusive (lounge by the pool)
• Villa Del Palmar Cancun (well-rated)

Spend the day at All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Waterpark

All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Waterpark is a water park and resort just outside of the Hotel Zone. The water park features a vast array of kid-friendly activities, and your family can easily spend the entire day here.

Your kids can enjoy numerous water slides, as well as waterfalls, swimming pools, and a play park for younger children. Along with the water park, there's a mini-golf course, ping-pong tables, a playground, and more. If you're staying at the resort, entrance to the water park is always free.

Visit Xcaret Eco Park

Located along the Riviera Maya, Xcaret Eco Park is a theme park and eco-tourism area. The park features a range of exciting outdoor attractions, such as lagoons to swim in and incredible snorkeling spots.

Xcaret additionally has unique adventure experiences suitable for kids, like ziplining. Spending the day at Xcaret Eco Park is a must on any Mexico itinerary!

🏨 Stay nearby Xcaret Park

• Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive Resort (4-star rating)
• Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks - All Fun Inclusive (5-star rating)

Explore the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins

As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is a must-see when in Mexico with your family. This attraction is the largest of Mexico's Mayan ruins.

The best way to see the ruins is by booking a guided tour of Chichen Itza. This convenient tour will transport you to and from the site, and you can walk around with a guide to gain more background on the area's history.

Discovering all the ruins and unique archaeological sites is is doable with kids, making a trip to Chichen Itza one of the best family activities in Cancun. If you stay into the evening, there is also a light and sound show to see.

🏨 Stay nearby Chichén-Itzá

• Hotel Puerta Chichen (value for money)
• Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza (relax by the pool)

Swim with whale sharks

The waters around Cancun are home to many whale sharks. This species of shark, while very large, is no threat to humans. Therefore, swimming with these gentle giants is a fun and memorable activity that's safe for your kids.

As Cancun is one of this animal's main habitats, you can find numerous operators offering swimming with whale shark sessions. Once in the water, you'll get up close with the sharks and will learn more about them from your knowledgeable guide. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and shouldn't be passed up!

🏨 Stay in close proximity to Punta Sam

• Excellence Playa Mujeres- All Inclusive (5-star rating)
• BELOVED PLAYA MUJERES - ALL INCLUSIVE

Snorkel in the waters of Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a beautiful island near Cancun. Due to its crystal clear waters that are inhabited by an array of marine life, it's a popular snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling in Isla Mujeres with your kids offers the opportunity to get up close with many sea creatures. Animals you may see include sea turtles, various shark species, barracuda, rays, and much more. If you go on a snorkeling tour, you'll also be transported to and from Cancun, and lunch is provided.

🏨 Places to stay close to Isla Mujeres

• Bahia Chac Chi (value option)
• Hotel Boutique Skulls Landing (relax by the pool)

Go below the water to explore the Underwater Museum of Art

Visiting the Underwater Museum of Art is one of the excellent Cancun activities for families with older kids. You can book an Underwater Museum and snorkeling tour to reach this famous landmark.

Along with snorkeling around the museum, which is home to numerous statues and sculptures, you can snorkel in open water with turtles and tropical fish. You even get the chance to swim around a shipwreck!

🏨 Places to stay near MUSA

• Villas Coco Resort - All Suites (good value)
• Hotel la Joya Isla Mujeres (loved by guests)

Plan a road trip to Tulum

Tulum is a city close to Cancun that's known for the Tulum Archaeological Site. Best of all, Tulum is only about a two-hour drive from Cancun, and you can join a tour to the Tulum Archaeological Site to make transport easy.

Along with seeing the Mayan ruins, you and your family can try many other activities in Tulum. Things to do range from swimming in cenotes and going on ATV tours to trying the city's delicious cuisine.

🏨 Stay near Tulum

• Kassia Tulum, Boutique Hotel (low nightly price)
• Maka Hotel Boutique (well-priced for the area)

Have an adventure at Xplor

Taking your kids to Xplor is one of the best activities for families. This Cancun landmark is an adventure-style theme park that has a range of thrilling activities in jungle and underground cave settings.

In the park, you'll discover caves to raft through, multiple zip lines, subterranean pools, and much more. Xplor is especially recommended if you're in Cancun with teenagers.

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See iguanas at Ruinas Del Rey

Ruinas Del Rey, or the El Rey Archaeological Zone, is one of the most famous landmarks in Mexico. While smaller than Chichen Itza, the ruins are located within Cancun.

One of the fun things to see here is the array of iguanas that inhabit the area. Your kids will love searching for and getting up close to the iguanas. You can even take some interesting pictures with the ruins, your family, and the reptilian creatures!

🏨 Stay near El Rey Archaeological Zone

• Oleo Cancun Playa Boutique All Inclusive Resort (relaxing pool)
• Emporio Cancun - Optional All Inclusive (4-star rating)

Interact with spider monkeys at the Jungle Place

Visiting the Jungle Place is one of the most exciting Cancun family activities. The wildlife sanctuary is primarily home to spider monkeys who have been rescued from the illegal pet trade or displaced by deforestation and habitat destruction.

At the sanctuary, your kids can watch the monkeys play and eat. Not only will your kids love the monkeys, but they'll also learn about the importance of protecting animals and wildlife habitats.

🏨 Places to stay close to The Jungle Place

• Xcacel Dreams (good value rooms)
• VerdeAmar Eco Lodge Jungle Retreat (highly rated)

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Flyboard above Nichupté Lagoon

Flyboarding is a fun activity that kids are sure to love. The exhilarating hoverboard-style sport allows you to do aerial tricks high above the water. Cancun is a popular destination for the sport, and you can easily book a flyboard session.

Those participating will get lessons from an experienced flyboarder before attempting the sport themselves. It's a must-do activity in Cancun for adventure-loving teens!

🏨 Stay nearby Blvd Kukulcan Km 135

• Sandos Cancun All Inclusive (take it easy by the pool)
• Casa Turquesa Boutique Hotel (4-star rating)

Experience a jungle tour

A Cancun jungle tour brings together jungle, lagoon, and ocean for a thrilling activity. You and your kids will hop aboard a boat and pass through lush jungles, spotting an array of wildlife. You'll then be able to swim in tranquil lagoons and snorkel around the tropical fish-filled Punta Nizuc reef in the Caribbean Sea.

What's great about this experience is that it's perfect for most ages (5+) and abilities, even if you've never snorkeled before. Seeing a range of environments and getting up close to marine life is a fun thing to do for all ages!

🏨 Stay in close proximity to Boulevard Kukulcan

• Hard Rock Hotel Cancun All Inclusive (rated highly)
• Armar House, All-Inclusive (4-star rating)

Drive ATVs and swim in cenotes

If your children love adventure activities, taking an ATV and cenote tour is one of the things you have to try! After arriving in Puerto Morelos, you'll hop aboard ATVs and ride through the jungle and along dirt roads.

During the trip, you'll stop to swim at beautiful and tranquil cenotes. Your kids can also fly through the jungle on ziplines. The tour includes lunch and pickup from your Cancun hotel as well. Kids of four years or older can participate, but under 18-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult.

🏨 Accommodations close to Puerto Morelos

• Abbey Del Sol (well-priced for the area)
• Hotel Amar Inn (unwind poolside)

Horseback ride around Cancun

If your kids love horses, seeing Cancun on horseback is a must. You can discover lots of Cancun horse riding tours that will take you and your family to various attractions.

Many of these tours involve riding through the scenic jungle to find cenotes and ziplining spots. Horseback riding is a relaxed and memorable mode of transport when exploring Cancun with your kids.

🏨 Stay in close proximity to Cancún

• Bed & Breakfast Pecarí (affordable)
• Nomads Party Hostel (good value)

Try jet skiing and parasailing

Trying jet skiing and parasailing is one of the best things to do in Cancun with family! Your day will begin by being whisked 260 feet up into the air on a parasail. Having enjoyed the thrill and taken in the stunning views, your family will try jet skiing next.

Your kids will love flying across the waves on a jet ski, and you'll get to enjoy even more breathtaking vistas. This super kid-friendly activity should be on every family's Cancun to-do list!

Taste Cancun street food

Many of those visiting Cancun remain in the confines of their resort, but seeing the true Cancun is highly recommended. Doing so is also an excellent way for your kids to learn about Mexican food, culture, and traditions!

An ideal way to safely see the area is by joining a Cancun street food tour. A local guide will take your family to incredible food stalls and the local market to taste authentic Mexican cuisine. As you go between each dining location, you'll get to see creative street art and learn more about the city you're visiting.

🏨 Stay near Carr Cancún - Tulum 5

• Suites Malecon Cancun (chill out by the pool)
• Adhara Hacienda Cancun (scored highly by guests)

Swim, explore, and more at Xel-Ha Park

Xel-Ha Park is another exciting water and adventure park close to Cancun. The park is about an hour and a half drive from Cancun's Hotel Zone, but you can book a day trip to Xel-Ha Park that includes transportation.

Once at the park, you and your kids can enjoy a range of water activities, from swimming in pools, caves, and cenotes to rope swinging and ziplining across the water.

There's also a water park just for young kids. If you get bored of water activities, you and your family can bike around the park and explore areas featuring plants and wildlife.

🏨 Accommodations near Xel-Há Park

• Hacienda Dos Ojos (good value)
• Colorbox Beds & Rooms by Milenium (rated very highly)

Kayak through Nichupte Lagoon

The stunning Nichupte Lagoon sits on the edge of Cancun and offers some fun activities for visitors. A can't-miss activity for nature-loving families is taking a kayaking tour around Nichupte Lagoon.

During the half-day excursion, you'll paddle through the saltwater lagoon, which features mangroves and numerous animal species. Your local guide can also give you and your kids more information about the ecosystem and things you see.

🏨 Accommodations in close proximity to Nichupté

• Wyndham Grand Cancun All Inclusive Resort & Villas (rated 5-stars)
• The Royal Islander an All Suites Resort (lounge by the pool)

In Conclusion

Cancun is a perfect vacation spot for families with kids of all ages. Exciting activities offered in the area include visiting water parks, eating dinner on a pirate ship, and exploring Mayan ruins. No matter what type of things your kids like to do, they're sure to have loads of fun in Cancun!

This article was edited by Loredana Elena.

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