Sun-washed and sea-breezy, Cancún sits on the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, where Caribbean blues meet Mayan history. Founded in the 1970s as a purpose-built resort hub, it quickly became a gateway to UNESCO-listed ruins, turquoise cenotes, and the coral reefs of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Beyond its famous Hotel Zone, Cancún rewards the curious: neighborhood markets downtown, Yucatecan breakfasts under jungle-green canopies, and ferries hopping to Isla Mujeres for powder-soft beaches like Playa Norte. It’s equal parts beach vacation, culture trip, and reef adventure.

Practical notes: ATMs are plentiful; pay in pesos for best value. City buses (R1/R2) are cheap and reliable along the Hotel Zone. Sargassum (seaweed) is seasonal—when it peaks, consider Isla Mujeres’ sheltered north shore or boat trips offshore for clear water.

Cancún

Cancún is your springboard to the Riviera Maya: calm-water beaches on the lagoon side, waves on the Caribbean side, and easy day trips to cenotes, turtles in Akumal, and the ruins of Tulum and Chichén Itzá. For a relaxing vibe, anchor yourself in one hotel and use ferries or hotel pick-ups for tours.

• Top sights: Playa Delfines (free public beach and viewpoint), El Rey Ruins (iguanas and ancient platforms), Museo Maya de Cancún (artifacts and the San Miguelito site), and nearby Isla Mujeres (Playa Norte).
• Food & drink favorites: Marakame Café (garden breakfasts), El Fish Fritanga (lagoon-side seafood), Los de Pescado (budget fish tacos), Peter’s Restaurante (cozy bistro downtown), Navíos (overwater sunset seafood).
• Fun fact: The underwater art museum, MUSA, has 500+ submerged sculptures—snorkelers and divers can visit off Isla Mujeres or Punta Nizuc.

Where to stay (mid-range picks via our partners):

• Browse Cancún vacation rentals on VRBO — condos in the Hotel Zone, family-friendly homes in Puerto Juárez for easy ferry access.
• Search Cancún hotels on Hotels.com — look for value resorts like Beachscape Kin Ha, Occidental Tucancún, or downtown boutiques for savings.

Getting there: Fly into Cancún International (CUN). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: Miami ~1h45m, NYC ~4h, Chicago ~3.5h, Dallas ~2.5h, LAX ~4.5–5h. From the airport: shared shuttles and taxis take 25–35 minutes to the Hotel Zone; the ADO bus to downtown is ~35 minutes.

Day 1 — Arrival, First Dip, and Sunset Lagoon

Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and ease into Cancún’s rhythm. If you’re in the Hotel Zone, grab the R1/R2 bus to Playa Marlin or Playa Tortugas for a first swim. Prefer calmer water? Try Playa Langosta’s gentle shelf, ideal after a flight.

Evening: Sunset dinner over Nichupté Lagoon: Navíos serves seafood in palapa huts on the water—try tikin xic (achiote-marinated fish) or coconut-shrimp. On a tighter budget, El Fish Fritanga does Yucatecan seafood with dockside views; their octopus al carbón is a local favorite. Cap the night with a walk at Playa Delfines’ viewpoint to hear the surf.

Day 2 — Slow Beach Morning, El Rey Ruins, and the Maya Museum

Morning: Breakfast at Marakame Café’s leafy terrace (try chilaquiles verdes or a concha-French toast). Lounge at Playa Delfines—lifeguard-patrolled with public palapas and that quintessential “Cancún” sign for photos.

Afternoon: Explore the El Rey Ruins, small yet atmospheric, where iguanas sun on ancient stones. Continue to the Museo Maya de Cancún and the adjoining San Miguelito site for a compact primer on regional archaeology. Note: many museums in Mexico close on Mondays—check hours before you go.

Evening: Downtown taco crawl. Start with cochinita pibil at Lonchería El Pocito (Saturdays sell out), then head to Taquería Los Chachalacos in the Hotel Zone for tacos al pastor carved off the trompo. For dessert, hunt down a marquesita (crispy crepe, often with Nutella and cheese) around Parque de las Palapas.

Day 3 — Sail & Snorkel Isla Mujeres (All-Inclusive Catamaran)

Trade roads for reef today. A full-day catamaran to Isla Mujeres is the most relaxing way to see Caribbean blues, snorkel over coral gardens, and stroll pastel streets. Expect open bar, buffet lunch, and time on Playa Norte—often ranked among the best beaches in the world.

All Inclusive Isla Mujeres Catamaran (typically 6–7 hours; great value for mid-range budgets).

Insider tip: If sargassum is present on Cancún’s Caribbean side, Playa Norte’s sheltered waters are usually pristine. The ferry from Puerto Juárez to Isla Mujeres is ~20 minutes if you ever want to return independently (budget ~US$25–35 roundtrip).

Day 4 — Markets, Street Eats, and a Quiet Lagoon Sunset

Morning: Coffee and pan dulce at Café Nader downtown. Browse Mercado 28 for textiles, vanilla, and handcrafts—haggle politely. Then amble to Parque de las Palapas where families gather and snack stalls set up later in the day.

Afternoon: Return to the Hotel Zone for a lazy beach session at Playa Chac Mool or Langosta. If you’re feeling active, look for paddleboard or kayak rentals on the lagoon side; waters are calmer and perfect for a decompressing float.

Evening: Dinner at Peter’s Restaurante (homey bistro plates, attentive service) or El Oasis Mariscos (lively seafood spot; order the aguachile or mixed ceviche). For a mellow nightcap, watch the skyline glow across Nichupté Lagoon.

Day 5 — Chichén Itzá, Cenote Swim, and Colonial Valladolid (Guided Day Trip)

Let an expert handle the logistics while you focus on the stories: Kukulcán’s pyramid, the great ball court’s eerie acoustics, and the astronomy woven into stone. Cool off with a cenote swim and pause in Valladolid for a pastel-hued plaza and Yucatán snacks.

Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid Tour with Tequila and Lunch (hotel pick-up in Cancún; full day).

Budget tip: Bring pesos for Valladolid cafés and optional lockers/life jackets at the cenote. A lightweight towel and water shoes make your swim more comfortable.

Day 6 — Sea Turtles & Cenote Snorkeling, Then Spa-Time or Beach Club

Morning: Head south for a guided snorkel with wild sea turtles (often seen year-round), plus a serene swim in a freshwater cenote—limestone caverns filled with crystal water and curtains of roots.

Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancún & Riviera Maya (about 5 hours; morning departures keep the rest of your day free).

Afternoon: Recover with a nap by the pool or rent a cabana at a low-key beach club. Keep it easy on the wallet by using the public beach and grabbing cold coconuts from nearby stands.

Evening: Sunset feast at La Habichuela Downtown—order the Mayan-inspired cocobichuela (shrimp and lobster in curry served in a coconut) in the sculpture garden. If you want music, La Parrilla often hosts mariachis; go early to avoid the late crowd.

Day 7 — Last Swim, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Early dip at Playa Marlin or a stroll at Playa Delfines for ocean views and photos before the day heats up. Brunch at La Casa de los Abuelos (try motuleños—Yucatecan eggs with peas and ham) or a final garden breakfast back at Marakame.

Afternoon: Pick up final souvenirs at Mercado 28 or boutique shops in the Hotel Zone, then transfer to the airport. Aim to arrive 2.5–3 hours before international flights—security can be busy at peak times.

Evening (if you’re on a late flight): A last lagoon sunset is the gentlest goodbye. Promise yourself you’ll be back for Tulum’s clifftop ruins or a dedicated cenote-hopping day.

Local logistics and money savers: Hotel Zone buses (R1/R2) cost just a few pesos—carry change. Taxis are plentiful; ask the price before you ride. Ferry to Isla Mujeres from Puerto Juárez runs about every 30 minutes (roughly 20 minutes each way). Standard tipping: 10–15% in restaurants, a few pesos per bag for porters.

Alternate add-ons if you have extra energy: Kayak through Nichupté mangroves at sunrise, or arrange a temazcal (traditional sweat lodge) in the evening for a mindful detox. Divers can target the MUSA underwater museum or nearby reefs—visibility is often excellent outside of sargassum peaks.

Need flights? Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Book stays with VRBO or Hotels.com for mid-range deals in the Hotel Zone or downtown.

Summary: In one easy week, you’ll laze on Cancún’s beaches, sail to Isla Mujeres, snorkel with sea turtles, and stand before the temples of Chichén Itzá—without rushing. This balanced itinerary keeps the focus on relaxation while delivering the Riviera Maya’s greatest hits.