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Cancun is known as a party destination, and may not be your first thought for a family vacation. But with great access to ruins, beaches, cenotes, and some very cool islands, it’s the perfect base for exploring some of the best of Mexico.
Day trips from Cancun are a great way to get out and explore the Yucatán Peninsula, and there’s a great range of options and activities for everyone in the family, regardless of whether you’re traveling with toddlers, school-age kids, or teenagers.
Sian Ka’an
Sian Ka’an is a bioreserve that is a 2-hour drive south of Cancun, towards Tulum. This is a World Heritage site that provides a home for hundreds of species of animals and birds.
There are plenty of family friendly activities here, and you can take a kayak through the wetlands, or if you’re not keen on being on the water, there are boardwalks which wind through the forest for bird spotting.
There are lagoons which are home to sea turtles and crocodiles, and archeological sites and ruins you can also explore.
The Mesoamerican Reef is a great place to snorkel, and you can swim alongside dolphins, turtles, and tropical fish. Because it’s the Caribbean, the water is always warm, so there’s no need to worry about the kids staying in too long and getting cold!
Holbox
Holbox is a beautiful tropical island 2 hours north of Cancun, and its relaxed vibe makes it the perfect family day trip option; there are no cars, just pristine beaches, and a colorful town with murals painted all over the walls.
This is a sleepy beach town where the streets are sandy, and locals get around on buggies and bikes. To get there you take the ferry from Chiquila to Holbox, which runs every day from 6 am – 9.30 pm and leaves every half hour.
The ferry is super cheap, which makes it ideal even for large families. It’s around $10 per ticket, and only takes 20 minutes to cross over.
Tulum
Tulum is a really popular day trip from Cancun, as it combines both ruins and the beach, in an ‘Instaworthy’ shot of the ruins on a cliff overlooking the sea. But Tulum is super kid-friendly, and there’s a lot here to do.
The drive takes about 2 hours, and one of the best family-friendly beaches to hit is Playa Pariso Beach, which has a lot of food and drink, and great snorkeling. Sante Fe Beach though is less touristy.
Tulum Ruins are a very fun place to take kids. The history of the ruins is a great teaching opportunity, to inspire a bit of passion about history; they date back to the 13th century. Though sea turtles also nest here during the summer, and there’s a very unique performance at the entrance; Palo Volador, where dancers spin and twirl to the ground from the top of very high wooden poles.
Coba
There are plenty of ruins you can visit in a day trip from Cancun,Chichen Itza being the main one that comes to mind. But if you’re already planning Chichen Itza, we also recommend taking in Coba, which can easily be done as a detour if you have your own car to drive.
Coba is a great day trip for families because it’s a pyramid you can actually climb. It’s 130 feet, and it’s a very fun way to spend the day; and wear out the whole family so they sleep soundly later that night! The views from the top over the jungle make for a great family selfie.
