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Things to Do in Cancún

Daily life in Cancún revolves around the water, from reef snorkeling and lagoon paddling to sailing out of Puerto Cancún. Residents also have several championship golf courses nearby, and Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy and the cenotes of Puerto Morelos are all easy day trips.

Each listing includes the location, a link and a map. Places change, so we review this list regularly; last reviewed October 2026.

Puerto Cancún Golf Club

Puerto Cancún · Golf course
Av. Bonampak Mz 27, Calle Puerto Acapulco L-1-02, Cancún, Q.R. 77500
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Why we recommend it: An 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Tom Weiskopf, set within the Puerto Cancún community between downtown and the Hotel Zone. It has a Toptracer driving range and a golf academy with programs for adults and children.

Iberostar Cancún Golf Club

Hotel Zone · Golf course
Blvd. Kukulcán Km 17, Zona Hotelera, Cancún, Q.R. 77500
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Why we recommend it: An 18-hole, par-72 championship course designed by Isao Aoki between the lagoon and the Caribbean, near the El Rey ruins. It is open to the public year round with bookable tee times.

Playa Mujeres Golf Club

North (Costa Mujeres) · Golf course
Playa Mujeres, Costa Mujeres, north of Cancún, Q.R.
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Why we recommend it: An 18-hole Greg Norman design in the growing Costa Mujeres area north of the city. A lit nine-hole short course added in 2024 offers night golf, which is rare in the region.

Marina Puerto Cancún

Puerto Cancún · Marina
Av. Bonampak Mz 27, Calle Puerto Acapulco L-1-02, Cancún, Q.R. 77500
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Why we recommend it: A marina with several docks, a launch ramp for personal watercraft and boat storage serving Puerto Cancún residents and visitors. It sits beside the Marina Puerto Cancún shopping center and the golf course.

Aquaworld

Hotel Zone · Marina and water sports operator
Blvd. Kukulcán Km 15.2, Zona Hotelera, Cancún, Q.R. 77500
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Why we recommend it: A long-running lagoon-side marina offering snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing charters, catamaran trips and lagoon jungle tours. It is a common departure point for MUSA, Punta Nizuc and Isla Mujeres outings.

Punta Nizuc reef

Hotel Zone coast · Snorkel site
Punta Nizuc, southern tip of the Hotel Zone, Blvd. Kukulcán Km 21, Cancún, Q.R.
Website | View on map

Why we recommend it: A shallow reef inside the marine national park at the south end of the Hotel Zone, also home to one of the MUSA sculpture galleries. Licensed boat operators run regular snorkel trips there.

Ruta de los Cenotes

Puerto Morelos (day trip) · Cenotes route
Ruta de los Cenotes road, west of Puerto Morelos, about 35 to 40 minutes south of Cancún, Q.R.
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Why we recommend it: A 35-kilometer jungle road lined with open, semi-open and cave cenotes such as Siete Bocas, Verde Lucero, Boca del Puma and Las Mojarras. Residents go there to swim, snorkel and dive in clear freshwater.

Isla Mujeres (Ultramar ferry)

Puerto Juárez / Hotel Zone · Island day trip
Ultramar terminals at Puerto Juárez, Playa Tortugas and Playa Caracol, Cancún, Q.R.
Website | View on map

Why we recommend it: Isla Mujeres sits about 15 kilometers offshore and is reached by frequent ferries from downtown and the Hotel Zone. Playa Norte, Punta Sur and Garrafón make it a regular weekend escape for residents.

Isla Contoy National Park

North (offshore) · Island bird sanctuary
Isla Contoy, about 30 km north of Isla Mujeres, Q.R.
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Why we recommend it: A protected island and national park with strict visitor limits of about 200 people per day, reached only with authorized tour operators. It is one of the region’s key nesting sites for seabirds and a nature outing many residents make at least once.

Living in Cancún

Thinking about buying in Cancún? Playa Realtors is a licensed boutique brokerage that has represented buyers in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and across Quintana Roo since 2008, and we never represent developers.