You’ve landed in Cancun. The vacation is about to begin and
you’re vibrating with excitement to get to your resort and lounge by the pool
or on one of Cancun’s many world-class beaches. With so many fantastic hotels
to choose from in Cancun, chances are you’ve picked a good one. It may even be
an all-inclusive, so you don’t have to worry about ever leaving the resort.
But what if you want to?
Truthfully, Cancun is a resort town, but this Mexican beach
getaway has so much more to offer beyond its fabulous hotels. Many travelers
these days are interested in seeing what destinations have to offer beyond the
security gates and beachfront chaise lounges.
With tons of activities, restaurants, bars, and nightlife,
Cancun’s Hotel Zone has so much to offer travelers who want to venture
off-property. To make the most out of a trip to Cancun, here are the best
things to do in Cancun’s Hotel Zone off the resort grounds.
What is the Cancun Hotel Zone?
Cancun’s Hotel Zone is the buzzy heart and soul of Cancun’s
tourism scene. The 14-mile strip of land is shaped like the number 7, with the
outer edges touching the Caribbean Sea and the inner edges framing the Nichupte
Lagoon. Perhaps some of the most prized real estate in all of Mexico, the
Cancun Hotel Zone is home to some of the country’s most iconic hotels and
resorts, restaurants, and powdery white sand beaches.
Best Activities in Cancun’s Hotel Zone
It’s true that the hotels in Cancun offer a seemingly
endless array of activities. You never have to leave the resort. But if you do
want to venture off property, you’ll find a wealth of things to do at your
doorstep. The best part? Your hotel or resort can help you with all of the
necessary arrangements.
Museo Maya de Cancun and Zona Arqueológica de San Miguelito
You don’t have to sit on a bus for hours to learn about
Mayan history. You can get your Mayan fix from the heart of the Hotel Zone. The
Museo Maya is a fascinating museum with artifacts from Chichen Itza and other
Mayan archaeological ruins. Next to the museum are the actual ruins of San
Miguelito, which has preserved ancient buildings that date back to the 12th
century.
Interactive Aquarium Cancun
Perhaps your interests lie beneath the surface of the waves.
In that case, you’ll definitely want to visit the Interactive Aquarium Cancun.
Located inside La Isla Shopping Mall, the massive aquarium lets visitors get up
close and personal with thousands of fish. One of the top experiences here is
the Aquarium Trek, an underwater experience that brings you even closer to the
1,500 species that live at the aquarium.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
While at La Isla, you may want to pop into Cancun’s version
of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! This kooky, interactive museum has peculiar
exhibits, art, artifacts, and optical illusions.
Cancun Scenic Tower
Want the best views in Cancun? Snap some of the best
pictures from the top of the Cancun Scenic Tower. Standing at 260 feet, you’ll
have gorgeous views of the entire Hotel Zone and the sparkling blue Caribbean
Sea. Tip: If you’ve gone to any of the Xcaret parks, save your bracelet, as it
will get you free entry into the tower.
Explore Nichupte Lagoon
Most visitors to Cancun want to spend all their time at the
beach. It’s understandable. Cancun’s beaches are some of the best in the world.
But Cancun’s Hotel Zone is also home to a magnificent lagoon, which rarely gets
the same attention as its sun-bleached beaches.
There is a lot to love about Nichupte Lagoon. Wreathed in
mangroves, the lagoon is actually a mashup of separate lagoons that meet the
sea. The best way to explore the multi-colored bodies of water and the
surrounding mangroves is by kayak. That way, you’ll be able to really see the
fish and birds that make this part of Cancun so special.
El Rey Archaeological Zone
Another archaeological zone within Cancun’s Hotel Zone is El
Rey. Located on Kukulcan Avenue, the small site is perfect for a quick tour of
some ancient ruins. The site is located very close to Playa Delfines, so that
you can combine your sightseeing with a little lounging on one of Cancun’s best
beaches.
Top Restaurants in the Cancun Hotel Zone
With so many all-inclusive resorts in Cancun’s Hotel Zone,
it may be a surprise that the area has some of the best restaurants in Cancun,
too. If you feel like breaking away from your all-inclusive package, there are
certainly a few restaurants that will be worth your while.
Harry’s
Without a doubt, Harry’s is at the top of the list when it
comes to the best restaurants in Cancun. Don’t expect street tacos here for 40
pesos. Harry’s is all about fine dining. Some might even call it “over the top”
dining with dishes dusted with 24k gold, lobster tacos, and thick cuts of
luxurious steak.
Mextreme
For something a bit more dressed down and family-friendly,
Mextreme serves up “mextremely” good Mexican cuisine. The green chilaquiles are
a show-stopper, as are the chicken enmoladas and, of course, the margaritas.
Puerto Madero
Dial back the energy at Puerto Madero, a quiet, laid-back
spot for a beautiful dinner. Grilled meats and seafood are the main events
here, but the eggplant lasagna and Caesar salad ought not to be overlooked,
either.
Marinero’s
One of the most famous restaurants in the Cancun Hotel Zone,
Marinero’s serves up fantastic Mexican cuisine and seafood in a pirate-themed
space.
Taqueria Los Chachalacas
Of course, you can still find those cheap tacos you have
been craving in the Hotel Zone, too. Taqueria Los Chachalacas is a casual taco
spot known for a wide variety of proteins piled high on corn tortillas. There
are many of these taquerias across Cancun, but the one in the Hotel Zone has
the best views.
Marakame
If you want to venture away from the Hotel Zone and dip into
Cancun proper, Marakame is such a fun restaurant with an eclectic menu. Whether
you’re looking for steak, pizza, or a bowl of fresh guacamole, you can find
that here. They also have an amazing brunch with delicious breakfast tacos.
Sirena Morena
For the vegans in the bunch, Sirena Morena is perfect. The
quiet patio cafe serves beautiful vegan breakfasts and lunches, as well as
juice and a selection of healthy snacks.
Best Nightlife in Cancun’s Hotel Zone
Coco Bongo
You can’t mention nightlife in Cancun without mentioning the
iconic Coco Bongo. The dance floor pulses with non-stop energy, cranking out
hits from Lady Gaga to the Beatles. This is, without a doubt, Cancun’s most
famous party bar.
Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s
Another Cancun institution, Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s, has been
around since the birth of Cancun itself. Known for its waiters who will erupt
into song or comedy sketches, the mood here is energetic and full of fun.
The Surfin' Burrito
Need a spot to grab a cold beer on the beach? That would be
The Surfin’ Burrito. The casual, colorful hole-in-the-wall is precisely what
you’d want from a beachfront cantina and reminds you of how Cancun used to be
before it hit international travel superstardom.
Doble B Bar Cancun
The sophisticated, sleek, and sexy mood at Doble B Bar
Cancun is what sets it apart as a superlative drinking experience. Choose from
a menu of craft cocktails and wonderful wines and enjoy a speakeasy-style
atmosphere.
Getting Around the Cancun Hotel Zone
Cancun’s Hotel Zone is a very easy neighborhood to navigate.
Taxis are the easiest and are always abundant, but they can be very expensive.
Alternatively, Cancun’s public transportation is safe and easy to figure out.
The buses run every five minutes. Its two most popular
routes are R1 and R2, which will take travelers back and forth between downtown
and the Hotel Zone. The buses only accept pesos, and a one-way fare is roughly
10-11 pesos.
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