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20 Fun Things to Do in Cancun with Kids
Find The Best Cancun and Mayan Riviera Activites For Your Family Travel to Mexico
Cancun is a great family destination. There are many things to do in Cancun with kids, as well as in the nearby Mayan Riviera area. Eco parks, zip lining, and swimming in the cenotes (natural water holes) are all fun Cancun activities.
Your children will love exploring the great Mayan ruins found nearby, including the wonder of the world, Chichen Itza. Your teenagers will have a blast shopping at the local markets. Your babies and toddlers will enjoy splashing in the waters of those beautiful beaches. Your family will not be bored with all the interesting things to do in Cancun.
There are some top notch family resorts with great kids clubs, some even have water playgrounds. No matter what your budget is you can find the best
Cancun family hotels.
Mexico isn't just pretty beaches! Your kids can learn about the culture, history, food and wildlife. Download the
Mexico Fly It Quiet Activity Pack
for kids. It's filled with mazes, coloring pages and more. Great for your plane ride to Mexico.
There are many beaches around Cancun with silky white beaches and turquoise waters. The beaches in the North or top of the 7 tend to be calmer and more suitable for children as they are blocked by Isla Mujeres. So pack the sand buckets and head to the beach. This is always one of my family's favorite things to do in Cancun.
Selvatica Zip Line is one of the top attractions in Cancun. Your kids will love zip ling through the jungles. Kids over ages 8 can zip line on their own. Kids ages 3-8 can zip line tethered to a guide. Various tours are offered, most include transportation, lunch, zip lining and a swim in the cenote.
Hidden Worlds Cenote Park is a family friendly adventure. The kids will love sky cycling above the jungle and zip lining as well. You can also rappel into a cenote and enjoy snorkeling in the caves. Small children can use most of the attractions with an adult. This is located about 15 minutes drive from Tulum.
Crococun Zoo is located near Puerto Morales. This interactive zoo lets you touch, hold and feed animals such as spider monkeys, deers, and crocodiles. Great for kids of all ages.
Isla Mujeres is an island near Cancun. Catch the ferry from Cancun to this picturesque island. The ferry ride has stunning views of the turquoise waters. On the island you can rent a golf cart to tour around (seats 4 or 6). Stop by the turtle farm to see the baby turtles. Playa Norte beach is great for the little ones as the water is shallow and calm. Snorkeling off the reef is amazing but better suited for older kids as the current is quite strong. This is one of the best things to do in Cancun with older children who can swim.
Watch our video of Isla Mujeres!
Head downtown to Mercado 28 for some shopping. The kids will have fun bargaining with the vendors for souvenirs. Choose from cute sundresses, jewelery, beach towels and more!
Xel-ha Ecopark is an all inclusive park located close to Play del Carmen. Entrance includes food, drinks, snorkel gear, inner tubes and more. There is great snorkeling, a children's playground, floating bridge and more. Your kids will love biking to the river and then floating down the river in an inner tube. There are optional add ons for swimming with the dolphins.
Xcaret Ecopark is a great place for the family. Beautiful beaches with inner tubes to float on, an underground river to snorkel through, and animals to see throughout the park. There are several cultural sites and shows throughout the park. In the evening there is an amazing cultural show that is not too be missed! We loved this place and thought it was one of the best things to do in Cancun.
Wet n Wild Water park in Cancun is fun for all ages. There is a wave pool, kids park, bumper boats, water slides and a lazy river.
The Pirate Ship Dinner Cruise is a fun adventure for the whole family in Cancun. Join in the games and party with the pirates. Watch the pirate show as two replica Spanish Galleon ships battle it out. Your kids will love it!
Subsee Explorer is a modern glass bottom boat ride to a beautiful reef where you can see tropical fish, turtles and reefs. Great for toddlers and small children.
Chichen Itza is a must do as it is a Wonder of the World. These ancient Maya ruins are best explored with a guide. Your children and teenagers will be fascinated with the history. Highlights are the main temple, ballgame court and giant cenotes. There are vendors selling souvenirs along the way
Garrafon Eco Park is located on the lovely Isla Mujeres. Here the kids will love snorkeling in the calm waters or they can swim in the children's section of the infinity pool. Children 13 and over will enjoy the zip line and climbing tower. There is a seaside sculpture park, a seaside trail with 3 caves and hammocks to relax in.
Interactive Aquarium is located in La Isla Mall in Cancun. Here you can swim with dolphins(must be taller than 42 inches or accompanied by an adult, feed a shark (6 years and older), visit the aquarium or join a trainer for the day program (12 years and older). Your teenagers will love this program.
Xplor is a new park open to ages 6 and older. Check out the 13 zip line circuits (must be taller than 55 inches), amphibious vehicle through the jungle (driver must have license), and rafting in the subterranean caves. Great fun for your teenagers in Cancun.
Ruinas Del Ray Mayan ruins are located in Cancun. Your young children will get a kick out of the hundreds of iguanas at the site.
The Jungle Place is located in the jungles of the Mayan Riviera. This area is a reserve for spider monkeys and toucans. Enjoy the gardens and kids over age 7 may be able to interact with the monkeys. Reservations required. This is said to be one of the best things to do in Cancun with children.
Rancho Baaxal is a small ranch close to Playa Del Carmen where you can horseback ride through the jungle paths or on the beach. The horses are well taken care of.
Don't miss out on sampling the delicious
Mexican food for kids.
Tasty tacos filled with meat and vegetables are sure to be a favorite when you travel to Mexico.
There are many beaches around Cancun with silky white beaches and turquoise waters. The beaches in the North or top of the 7 tend to be calmer and more suitable for children as they are blocked by Isla Mujeres. So pack the sand buckets and head to the beach. This is always one of my family's favorite things to do in Cancun.
Head downtown to Mercado 28 for some shopping. The kids will have fun bargaining with the vendors for souvenirs. Choose from cute sundresses, jewelery, beach towels and more!
Chichen Itza is a must do as it is a Wonder of the World. These ancient Maya ruins are best explored with a guide. Your children and teenagers will be fascinated with the history. Highlights are the main temple, ballgame court and giant cenotes. There are vendors selling souvenirs along the way
