11 Best Things to Do in Cancun for Couples
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Cancun has that magic appeal that draws people to its shores time and time again.
When I first visited in 2018, I knew I’d love this destination. Its glittering coastline, endless sunshine and amazing food made me happily splurge on a luxury all-inclusive.
For a lot of couples, all-inclusive means one thing: sunbathing with a drink in hand. But, there are so many amazing things to do in Cancun, that catching rays won’t be all you’ll want to do (although we definitely did a lot of this, too).
If you’re planning a couples vacation to Cancun (all-inclusive or not), you’ll have so much to fill your time.
From scuba diving and partying to exploring the Yucatán Peninsula, I’ve put together some of the best things to do in Cancun for couples that you’ll definitely want on your list!
Best things to do in Cancun for couples
1 Explore the cenotes
Top on the list of things to do in Cancun for couples is to visit the cenotes. Cenotes are sinkholes and underground caves filled with water. They’re found everywhere across the Yucatán Peninsula and are really beautiful to see.
Perfect for a day out, swimming in a cenote is an otherworldly experience that’s loved by locals and tourists alike.
At these natural swimming spots, you’ll find mineral-rich and fresh waters that are ideal for a dip. If you’re divers, there are also cenotes that are great for scuba diving.
Believed in Maya tradition that cenotes were spiritual portals, swimming in one of these hidden spots is a magical experience!
2 Visit Chichen Itza
As the Yucatán’s most popular Mayan site, Chichen Itza is well worth a visit if you’re staying in Cancun.
It’s been named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and is a UNESCO world heritage site, so it’s one you’ll want to tick off your bucket list.
About a 3-hour drive from Cancun, Chichen Itza makes a great day trip for couples staying in the area. It’s an inspiring place so it’s amazing to explore.
Chichen Itza was once a dazzling city at the heart of Maya culture, so you’ll find yourself surrounded by pyramids, temples and other incredible ancient structures.
Believed to have been built around 400 A.D, this is a mesmerising place to learn about Maya civilization.
✅ Explore the magic of Chichen Itza with one of these guided tours
3 Swim at the underwater museum
One of the really fun things to do in Cancun for couples is to visit the Underwater Museum of Art. Here you can swim amongst sculptures under the sea.
What’s great is that the museum was thought up as a way of saving nearby reefs and to promote new coral growth.
To visit the museum you have a few options – from diving and snorkelling to glass-bottom boat tours.
4 Visit Tulum
A holiday to Cancun wouldn’t be complete without a day trip to Tulum. This cool beach town is home to some of Mexico’s best beaches, as well as some of the most famous Mayan ruins.
As such a beautiful destination, Tulum is a magical setting and a lovely place for couples to visit.
Framed against the Caribbean sea, Tulum’s ruins are some of the best-preserved so it’s a great place to get your history and culture fix.
Thanks to its location, the site also offers stunning natural views – one of the area’s prettiest beaches lies just below the cliff.
After you’ve seen the ruins, you’ll want to explore Tulum’s trendy beach strip. Here, you’ll find a host of boho boutiques and cute cafes.
There are so many fun and romantic things to do in Tulum for couples – if you have time, rent a bike to explore, stopping along the way for drinks or something to eat.
5 Head to Isla Mujeres
Another must during a couples holiday to Cancun is to visit Isla Mujeres. It’s really no surprise that this is a popular day trip if you’re staying in Cancun or Playa Del Carmen.
This beautiful island is just eight miles off the coast, and once you arrive you’ll feel like you’re in paradise. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind and spend quality time together.
The island is known for its chilled vibes, amazing beaches and colourful coral reefs. If you’re visiting between June and September, you’ll also be able to swim with whale sharks.
To get to Isla Mujeres, you can catch a high-speed ferry from Puerto Juarez ferry terminal or Playa Tortugas or Playa Caracol which are close to Cancun’s hotel zone.
6 Day trip to Isla Holbox
As with Isla Mujeres, Holbox is a paradise island that makes an amazing day trip or overnight stay.
Relatively easy to reach from Cancun, you can opt for an organised tour if simplicity is your thing, or make your own way there instead.
High-speed ferries leave from the fishing port of Chiquila which is a 2-3 hour drive from Cancun – and the ferry takes about 30 minutes.
Holbox really is a postcard-perfect island. We loved that there were no cars or high-rise buildings on Holbox so it felt like more of a back-to-nature retreat.
If you visit, you’ll find boho vibes aplenty and you can explore the island on cute buggies or bikes!
🌴 Spend a day in paradise with this guided tour to Holbox
7 Visit the Coba ruins
If you’re after another culture fix, the Coba ruins are great to visit when you’re staying in Cancun.
The ruins themselves are about a two-hour drive from Cancun and, similarly to other Maya sites, they tell a rich story about what local lives would have been like.
Surrounded by jungle, the Coba ruins site is a lovely setting to explore. The main pyramid, Nohoch Mul, is one of the highlights and, if you’re up to it, climbing to the top is worth the effort – the views are incredible!
The ruins site is pretty spread out so expect lots of walking. You can also hire bikes or, for a more chilled option, hire a bici-taxi to take you to the main pyramid.
If you’re not doing an organised day trip, it’s a good idea to hire a local guide to make the most out of your visit.
✅ Tick off both the Coba ruins and Tulum on this full-day archeological tour
8 Enjoy the nightlife
One of the best things for couples to do in Cancun is experience the nightlife. Every evening you’ll find loads of parties, clubs, themed bars and events.
Near the hotel zone, there are cool cocktail lounges as well as beach clubs and bars that offer an amazing setting.
One of the most famous venues in Cancun is Coco Bongo. It’s known world-over for its eccentric celebrations so it’s a must if you both love a good party!
9 Visit the Xcaret adventure parks
Not just for kids, visiting a Xcaret park is one of the really fun things for couples to do in Cancun.
A waterpark, theme park and cultural attraction all wrapped in one, Xcaret offers 8 parks where you can do pretty much everything – from rafting and zip lining to swimming in cenotes.
The parks are located across the Riviera Maya and each is a little different. Xcaret is the original and is a popular choice because it has over 50 attractions.
Here, you can spend your day exploring jungle trails and underwater rivers, immersing yourself in Mexican history, watching live performances and trying out water activities.
✅ Grab your admission ticket to Xcaret here
10 Eat all the food
Mexican food is hands down some of the best in the world. Because of this, if you’re a foodie couple wanting an all-inclusive holiday, it’s worth researching hotels to find one with the best restaurants.
We stayed at Royalton Riviera Cancun, which is away from the hotel zone, but the food was delicious, so we didn’t need to go elsewhere.
If you’re staying closer to Cancun’s main hub, or if you aren’t after an all-inclusive, one of the best things to do in Cancun is visit some of the local eateries.
You’ll find great restaurants for a romantic dinner in Cancun, or you could join a food tour, too.
11 Relax at the beach
If you’re heading to Mexico’s Caribbean coast you can obviously expect incredible beaches with swaying palm trees and sparkling turquoise waters.
Relaxing at the beach and soaking up the sun is definitely a must and one of the top things to do in Cancun for couples!
Your hotel will probably be on the beach so there’ll be no shortage of sugar sands. But Playa Delfines and Playa Chac Mool are beautiful beaches to check out in the area, too.
If you want more than sunbathing, look into your options for watersports, sailing and scuba diving as well.
Many all-inclusive hotels will include some watersports, and you’ll also be able to book water activities or rent equipment locally.
Where to stay in Cancun for couples
Royalton Riviera Cancun – If you want a luxury resort, Royalton Riviera Cancun is one of the best all-inclusive hotels in Cancun for couples. Located on a secluded beach away from the city, this modern resort offers calm from the chaos of Cancun.
For the most romantic option, consider a suite in the adults-only Hideaway section which will give you access to exclusive extras.
Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun – For a hotel that’s closer to the action, Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun is a lovely option.
Just 15 minutes from downtown Cancun and in the hotel zone, this swanky resort is multi-award-winning. It’s also an adults-only space so it’s perfect for a relaxing, romantic getaway.
SLS Cancun Hotel – Want somewhere a little more intimate? With 45 suites, SLS Cancun is a brilliant choice. Stay here and you can expect spacious rooms with envious sea views, plus you’ll have butler service via Whatsapp!
The hotel is slightly further from Cancun’s hotel strip, but it’s a great luxury option with more of a boutique feel.
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Want more tropical inspiration? Check out the Ultimate Barbados Travel Guide or discover the Best Caribbean Islands for Couples.
