The resort city of Cancun on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula continues to be one of the most visited destinations in Mexico and a trip to Cancun is sure to include many of the region’s must see attractions. Visitors on Cancun holidays can tour the Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá, Coba and Tulum, travel out to nearby Isla Mujeres, take a trip down the coast to Playa del Carmen or out to the island of Cozumel, participate in a variety of water sports, relax on the beaches and sample the city’s vibrant nightlife.
While that’s plenty to keep even the most active traveler occupied for several days, there are several offbeat and off the beaten path attractions that are worth a visit for anyone willing to venture beyond the resort areas and away from the main attractions.
Cancun Underwater Museum
The Museo Subacuatíco de Arte (MUSA) is an underwater sculpture museum located near the Manchones reef in the waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. Covering more than 1,600 square feet, MUSA is one of the largest artificial underwater attractions in the world. The sculptures were created by British artist, Jason deCaires Taylor, and each are made from environmentally-friendly materials that won’t harm the environment. Local tour operators organize boat, snorkel and dive tours to the museum.
El Rey Ruins
If you haven’t already had your fill of archaeological sites, El Rey is a small group of ruins located in the middle of Cancun’s hotel zone across from the Mirador Playa Delfines. While not nearly as impressive or significant as some of the other sites in the Yucatán region, the ruins at El Rey offer an interesting glimpse into ancient Mayan life. The archaeological site receives very few visitors and is a great place to spend a couple of hours. Aside from the structures, another main attraction at the El Rey archaeological site are the hundreds of giant iguanas that live amongst the ruins.
El Meco Ruins
Once an important religious center, the ruins of El Meco are located three miles outside Cancun’s hotel zone. Consisting of 13 structures gathered around a central temple, the site is believed to have once also served as a departure point for Mayans sailing to Isla Mujeres and was an important reference point for coastal navigation. It’s one of the lesser known and lesser visited archaeological sites in the Yucatán region and you may even find that you have the site all to yourself. Visitors to El Meco can rent a car or hire a taxi for the short trip out of town.
Isla Contoy
The Isla Contoy National park and nature reserve is situated roughly 30 km north of Isla Mujeres. Considered to be the most important nesting place for sea birds in the Mexican Caribbean, the island serves as a refuge for as many as 100 species of birds. It’s also an important nesting place for sea turtles. Organized tours to Isla Contoy sail from Cancun and Isla Mujeres and the number of people that can visit is limited to 200 per day.
Cancun Tianguis (Mercado)
The neighborhood tianguis, or market, is the perfect place to get a taste of the local culture, experience the chaotic atmosphere of a traditional Mexican market, sample the street food and of course, shop. Cancun’s market offers a mix of food, household goods, artisans and souvenirs such as plastic chili peppers, puppets, sombreros, blankets, blouses and a variety of other handicrafts. Browse the stalls, haggle over prices and interact with the vendors — it’s all part of the market experience.
If you get to know Cancun beyond its most famous sites when you travel to Mexico, you’ll be rewarded with fascinating archaeological sites, bustling markets and spectacular nature reserves.
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