16 Adventurous Things to Do in Cancun + Pro Tips
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Are you looking for adventurous things to do in Cancun? I am going to help you find it in this post.
Hi! I am Isabella and I lived in Cancun for 13 years, and counting. Even if I am now traveling all the time, I always go back to the vibrant Mexican Caribbean city that I am proud to call home.
That’s why I know a lot of adventurous things to do in Cancun. When you imagine your next vacation to Cancun, you probably can picture yourself lounging on a beach, watching the turquoise blue waves wash ashore, with a cold drink in your hand.
For many people, this is the ideal vacation, but Cancun is much more than that, from Kayaking in the Lagoon Nichupte’, to surfing in Playa Delfines, Scuba diving or snorkeling on the Underwater Museum (MUSA) there are so many adventurous things to do in Cancun to keep you busy during your stay.
So let me show you all the Cancun activities for an adventurous vacation.
Best Adventurous Things To Do in Cancun
1. Take a Helicopter Flight
Enjoy the beauty of Cancun from the sky. Treat yourself to a beautiful and exhilarating helicopter ride where you will get to cruise over the Cancun skyline and enjoy views of the Caribbean Sea and Nichupte Lagoon.
If you have never been for a ride in a helicopter before, there is no better place to experience this thrill than in Cancun, where you can look out the window straight down into parts of the world’s second-largest barrier reef, and enjoy views of the white sandy beaches, mangroves, and jungle!
👉🏽 Cancún: 15-Minute Shared Panoramic Helicopter Tour
4.6 ⭐️ 14 Reviews
Treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime experience on a ride in a luxury helicopter!
Enjoy A-list treatment during this exciting tour, where you will be flown on a route that takes you over the most beautiful sections of Cancun- the hotel zone, the Caribbean Sea, and the Nichupte Lagoon!
Your helicopter tour leaves from the Kukulcan Luxury Mall, which is conveniently located in the hotel zone.
There you will meet the attentive staff and hang out in the VIP lounge for a safety briefing before taking flight. The crew will explain all you need to know about the tour, and you will have time to ask the pilot as many questions as you want. You will have plenty of time to take videos and pictures of the helicopter before you board.
Once on board, you will get ready for the vertical takeoff, then sit back and enjoy a few drinks during your flight. The helicopter has panoramic windows, letting you fully appreciate the view below!
Just perfect! The main captain was amazing, and a very friendly person. Even when it was raining at the time of the flight he waited until we had a better weather. The helicopter captain was wonderful showing amazing maneuvers!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ alejandro, october 2023
2. Spend a Day at an Adventure Park
There is a reason you can find adventure parks worldwide- they are fun! What a lot of people don’t realize is that Cancun is home to several great adventure parks.
You can find water parks, parks with thrilling rides and attractions, and eco-archeological parks that take you into the jungle and teach you about the history of the Yucatan Peninsula!
Whether you are traveling with young children or thrill-seeking adults, there is an adventure park in the Cancun area perfect for you. Here are a few you do not want to miss:
✔️ Selvatica
👉🏽 Selvatica Park: Zip Lines, ATV, Cenote Swim, and Bungee Jumping
4.7 ⭐️ 3 Reviews
The name says it all head into the selva, or jungle in Spanish for an all-day adventure at Selvatica Park. This tour will get your adrenaline pumping with several different, thrilling activities.
You will start your adventure on a 10-circuit zip-line through the jungle. You will get the chance to fly through the trees, and do the ‘Superman’ zip-line where you lay face down! You can cool off with the AquaZip, a zip-line that finishes with a splash landing into the water.
After the zip-lining adventure, you will get the chance to hike through the jungle on the Skywalk ropes course.
There you will enjoy great views of the jungle below before challenging yourself to face your fears on a bungee swing.
You will finish your adventure off with a ride through the jungle on an ATV or Polaris RZR buggy to a beautiful cenote. There you will get the chance to hop into the water cool off and relax with a light lunch.
This tour is only available for guests under 8 years old.
Great and really fun experience! I recommend it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ GETYOURGUIDE_TRAVELER, JANUARY2 023
✔️ Xplor
👉🏽 Cancun & Riviera Maya: Xplor Park All-Inclusive & Transport
4.7 ⭐️ 97 Reviews
Xplor Adventure Park is one of the best-known parks in the Cancun area, and for good reason, this park was made for people who want a thrilling experience! Xplor is located just south of Playa del Carmen, about an hour south of Cancun. This tour includes round-trip transportation to the park.
Once at the park, you will have access to all the attractions. This includes a zip-line circuit that starts 140 feet up in the air and ends underground. You will also get the chance to drive amphibious vehicles through the mud and jungle.
Remember to pack your driver’s license if you will be your group’s driver. Xplor has two different underground cave systems for you to explore.
In one you will put paddles on your hands and propel yourself to the caves, in the other you will wear a lifejacket and float along the underwater river.
Your ticket to Xplor includes beverages and a lunch buffet. Make sure to pack a swimsuit and dry clothes for this adventure.
The pick up and drop off was on time. The vehicles were clean and air conditioned with a very friendly guide.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ GETYOURGUIDE_TRAVELER, APRIL 2023
✔️ Xplor Fuego
👉🏽 From Cancun & Riviera Maya: Xplor Fuego At Night & Transport
4.8 ⭐️ 9 Reviews
If visiting Xplor during the day does not sound thrilling enough for you, what about doing the entire experience after dark? Xplor Fuego is the same adventure park as Xplor but opens in the evening from 5:30 pm to 11 pm.
The park is lit up with fire torches to make the adventure circuits even more thrilling. You will get the chance to go zip-lining, drive amphibious vehicles, and visit the underground caves- all in the dark!
Your tour includes round-trip transportation and unlimited food and drinks at the buffet.
The experience was great! The buffet is truly excellent.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ angelica, june 2023
3. Swim With Whale Sharks
Whale sharks are often referred to as gentle giants. They are the ocean’s biggest fish and can grow up to 12 meters long!
Despite this huge size, there is nothing aggressive about them. They are filter feeders that peacefully swim through the water snacking on plankton and other tiny fish and shrimp.
The waters off the coast of Cancun are blessed each year with the arrival of whale sharks who come to the area to feast on a large plankton bloom.
If you have always dreamed of seeing one of these beauties up close, Cancun is the spot to do it. You can take a tour and snorkel with these amazing creatures.
The whale shark season in Cancun runs from mid-May to mid-September.
👉🏽 Cancun: Swim with Whale Sharks
4.5 ⭐️ 99 Reviews
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Puerto Juarez where you will board the boat that will take you out into the waters off the coast of Cancun where you can swim with whale sharks.
On the way, your guide will give you an informative briefing about whale sharks, the local ecosystem, and the procedures for getting into the water with them.
Group sizes are limited to 10 people, so you do not have to worry about being in a large group.
Once at the snorkel site, you will use high-quality snorkel gear and feel confident getting into the water with your guide’s help.
After snorkeling with the whale sharks your boat will take you to shallow waters off of Isla Mujeres where you will be served a light lunch and have the chance to jump into the beautiful turquoise waters before returning to your hotel.
Swimming with the whale sharks was a really special experience that my friends and I will never forget.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ GETYOURGUIDE_TRAVELER, AUGUST 2023
4. Explore the Underground River of Rio Secreto
Located near Playa del Carmen, Rio Secreto is an underground, partially flooded cave system that you can hike and swim through.
This amazing cave system is filled with fascinating rock formations that have formed over thousands of years.
A local farmer discovered the entrance to Rio Secreto in 2004 and since then scientists have studied and mapped the caves. When you visit Rio Secreto you get to see a portion of the cave system that has been opened for ecotourism.
👉🏽 Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves
4.5 ⭐️ 583 Reviews
Go one kilometer underground to experience one of the most amazing natural wonders of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Your guide will take you on a hike into the Rio Secreto cave where you will learn about the formation of these incredible underground caves and be able to admire the stalagtite and stalagmite formations.
You will get a chance to jump into the crystal clear water and float through the water in small groups that are limited to 10 guests.
After your swim, you will get to eat a buffet lunch at the Rio Secreto restaurant.
Customize this tour to include hotel transportation, or make it a full-day excursion by adding on a trip to the Tulum or Coba Ruins.
Tip: Space is limited at Rio Secreto. Book your excursion in advance to guarantee entrance to the caves!
This was an amazing experience, highly recommended!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ JENNIE_A, Jan 2024
5. Snorkel with Turtles
Sometimes the biggest thrills do not come from an adrenaline-filled amusement park ride but from an up-close encounter with an animal in nature.
If your idea of an amazing vacation adventure is snorkeling with turtles in their natural environment, you should consider taking a day trip to Akumal.
Akumal is a small town that is located on the Caribbean Sea between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
In recent years Akumal has become a favorite of turtle-loving visitors because the calm waters of Akumal Bay are home to many resident turtles that you can see while snorkeling.
👉🏽 Akumal Bay: Cenotes and Snorkeling With Turtles
4.6 ⭐️ 59 Reviews
Spend your day in the water with this snorkeling tour that takes you to Turtle Bay in Akumal and a cenote.
Your tour includes hotel pickup, and you will be taken in an air-conditioned van to Akumal. There your guide will give you snorkel gear and a briefing before you head out in a guided snorkel.
You will have the chance to see three different turtle species, colorful corals, and reef fish. You will spend one-hour swimming in the bay before heading to a naturally-formed freshwater cenote.
There you will get to snorkel in the refreshing water and look at stalactites and stalagmites.
At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel. This tour includes bottled water and snorkeling equipment.
What a magnificent experience! On our sea excursion we saw 2 types of rays including a eagle ray, several sea turtles and a starfish. It was incredible. The cenote is also a nice surprise.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ auriane, november 2023
6. Go Scuba Diving (At The Underwater Museum)
Challenge yourself to try something new on your next vacation and go scuba diving! The clear waters off the coast of Cancun are home to part of the second-largest barrier reef in the world.
Take an intro to scuba diving class where your instructor will teach you the basics of scuba diving and then take you out into the ocean.
Whether you are scuba diving for the first time or an experienced diver, you do not want to miss the chance to scuba at the Cancun Underwater Museum.
Locally referred to as MUSA, the underwater museum comprises hundreds of concrete statues. They were designed, built with pH-neutral concrete, and sunk to create an artificial reef.
Now, years after they were first sunk, these statues have corals and sponges growing on them and are home to many reef creatures.
👉🏽 Scuba Diving for Beginners, 2 Dives
4.9 ⭐️ 74 Reviews
Try out scuba diving! You will meet your scuba instructor and start your day with a scuba diving theory lesson. You will then get fitted for your gear and jump into the pool to practice some skills.
Once you are ready your instructor will take you on the boat for two scuba dives in the ocean.
The first dive will be at the Cancun underwater museum and the second dive will be on a shallow coral reef nearby.
You will get to see countless reef critters and fish, as well as corals and sponges on your scuba dives. No previous scuba diving experience or certification is needed!
Wow 🤩 Lorena, our instructor, was nothing but amazing , she welcomed us with giant smile and open arms!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ karin, november 2023
7. Go Parasailing
If you want great views of the Cancun coastline and an exciting ride, consider parasailing. Parasailing is when you are pulled behind a motorboat while attached to a large canopy-like parachute. When you go parasailing you will be fitted with a harness and launched from the back of the boat.
At the end of your ride you will return to the boat, and in between you will get a thrilling ride with amazing views!
👉🏽 Cancun: Parasailing Over Cancun Bay
4.5 ⭐️ 34 Reviews
You will be picked up in your hotel lobby for this parasailing adventure. Once on the boat you will be fitted in a harness and given a safety briefing.
From there you will float up to 250 feet in the air where you will enjoy an amazing bird’s eye view of the Cancun hotel zone, Isla Mujeres, and the Nichupte Lagoon.
You will get to spend 10-12 minutes up in the air enjoying the breeze on your face before safely landing.
MUST DO! I promise you won’t regret it and it’s worth every penny! Haime and Leo are both amazing!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ karin, october 2023
8. Kayak in the Nichupté Lagoon
The Nichupte Lagoon covers over 3,000 hectares and connects to the Caribbean Sea. The lagoon is home to different types of mangroves and all sorts of animals, including numerous species of birds, crocodiles, and iguanas. One of the best ways to tour the lagoon is to take a kayak tour along its calm waters.
👉🏽 Sunset Kayak Adventure
5.0 ⭐️ 42 Reviews
Visit the protected area of the Nichupte Lagoon on this sunset kayak tour.
Your passionate guides will give you a briefing on how to use your single or double kayak and explain what types of animals you can see on your tour. Then you will set off on your kayak with your guide who will help point out birds, fish, and rays. You will even have the chance to see dolphins!
Your tour includes snacks and some courtesy photographs!
Our guide Andris was terrific, totally knowledgeable, entertaining and fun!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ronald_C, Jul 2023
9. Go on a Cenotes Adventure
If you want to have an experience that is unique to the Yucatan Peninsula- visit a cenote!
Cenotes are freshwater pools that connect to a complex underwater river system. These underwater river systems are filled with amazing rock formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, and beautifully open to the surface, forming freshwater pools where you can swim and snorkel.
Cenotes have long held importance for the inhabitants of the Yucatan Peninsula. The ancient Maya believed that the god of rain lived in a cenote and that the cenotes were the most important places on earth.
Today, you can visit one and soak in the nature wonder!
👉🏽 Cancún: Cenotes Adventure with Tequila Tasting & Mayan Snack
4.3 ⭐️ 35 Reviews
Head into the jungle and visit three different cenotes! At each cenote, you will have plenty of time to swim and enjoy the cenote.
If you want extra excitement you can zipline into the cenote or jump into the water off a diving platform!
At the end of your cenote experience, you will be offered a tequila tasting as well as a snack. While you eat you will get to watch a traditional Mayan dance ritual. Your tour includes transportation and lasts 5 hours!
Amazing activity, our guide Daniela made it better!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ REBECCA, JUNE 2023
10. Do a Jungle ATV Tour
If you need speed, a jungle ATV tour is just for you! When you think of Cancun, most people think of the beautiful beaches, but Cancun is also bordered by amazing, dense jungles! Get ready to get dirty and hop on an ATV to cruise through the jungle!
👉🏽 Cancun: Jungle ATV Tour, Ziplining, and Cenote Swim
4.1 ⭐️ 15 Reviews
Head into the jungle with Extreme Adventure Cancun for a day of thrilling activities! Your tour includes transportation.
Once you arrive at Extreme Adventure Cancun, you will start your adventure with an ATV ride through hilly, bumpy, and often muddy trails in the jungle!
You will then get the chance to zipline through the jungle. Your adventure ends in a refreshing dip in a cenote where you can cool off! Before heading back to your hotel you will be served a traditional snack. This tour lasts about 4 hours.
The entire experience was amazing!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ GETYOURGUIDE_TRAVELER, JANUARY 2024
11. Go Horseback Riding
Take in the natural beauty of the Cancun area with a horseback riding tour. If you are an animal lover, there is no better way to experience the sights and sounds of the jungle!
👉🏽 Extreme Horses Adventure With ATV, Zipline & Cenote
4.5 ⭐️ 228 Reviews
Enjoy a day of adventures complete with hotel transportation with this tour! Your day will start with a horseback ride at El Rey Polo Country Club.
From there you will go to Extreme Adventure Cancun where you will get to drive an ATV through jungle trails. Next, you will experience the jungle in the air on the zipline circuit.
You will get to fly over 9 lines, and then walk across hanging bridges. You will finish your day with the chance to jump into a refreshing cenote before heading back to your hotel.
The cenote is beautiful! The staff was friendly.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kelli_L, Jun 2023
12. Take Surf Lessons
There is nothing as thrilling as catching your first wave.
Many people do not realize that there are parts of Cancun where you can surf. Have a fun and challenging day by taking surf lessons!
There is more than one surf school in Cancun, one is Goodvibes Surf School, and the other one is 360Surf School Cancun. In Playa Delfines, you also find another school, Academia Mexicana de Surf, where I took some lessons when I first arrived in Cancun.
I was hopeless but I enjoyed it very much and the instructor Jamaica, is great.
In all schools, the surf instructors will give you the basic knowledge and will show you how to catch a waver and help you familiarize yourself with this thrilling sport.
13. Zip Line Through the Jungle
Nothing says vacation adventure like going zip lining. You will get a chance to get off the beach, and into the jungle for this adventure. There is no better way to experience the thrills and beauty of the jungle than flying through it!
👉🏽 Cancun: ATV, Zipline, and Cenote Tour with Tequila Tasting
4.0 ⭐️ 4 Reviews
Spend your day at one of Cancun’s best adventure parks, complete with a great zipline circuit! Your tour includes hotel pickup, so you can relax while traveling into the jungle.
At the park, you will get the chance to cruise through the jungle on ATVs. You will drive over hills, and mud pits, and take curves.
From there you will get geared up to go on the thrilling zipline circuit. You will fly through the jungle and then get the chance to walk across hanging bridges that offer you a view of the forest canopy.
Lastly, you can jump off a cliff or take stairs into a refreshing cenote. Your tour ends with a tasty fajita snack and tequila tasting.
Amazing activity! Loved driving the ATV’s. Ziplining was fun, not that special but the guides made it really good. The cenotes and food were also wonderful
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ GETYOURGUIDE_TRAVELER, NOVEMBER 2024
14. Try Flyboarding
Flyboarding is an exciting, new water sport where you stand on a board that is attached to a jet ski by a long hose.
The jetski provides power to the board that can lift you in the air. Experienced flyboarders can do all sorts of aerial maneuvers, but you do not have to be experienced to enjoy the thrill of flyboarding. Sign up for a session and experience the thrill!
👉🏽 Cancun Flyboard Session
You will start your session on a floating platform where your flyboard pilot will teach you how to use the equipment.
From there you will be geared up and hop into the water! You can work on your balance, go into the air, and back into the water! Your session includes a life jacket and helmet, a certified pilot, and access to bathrooms with showers.
15. Go for a High-Speed Boat Adventure
Get your adrenaline pumping on a fast boat ride! Cancun offers tons of great water sports that let you enjoy crystal clear water, but there is nothing that compares with the thrill you will get on a high-speed boat ride!
👉🏽 Cancun: High Speedboat Adventure
5.0 ⭐️ 1 Review
Cruise around the Nichupte Lagoon on the Aquatwister. You will meet for your tour at Aquaworld where you will get a safety briefing before setting off on your high-speed tour of the lagoon on the Aquatwister.
The Aquatwister can reach speeds up to 90 kilometers per hour due to its 2 engines!
Not only will the boat go fast, but it will make 270-degree turns and other exhilarating maneuvers. Your boat ride will last 30 minutes – make sure to pack a change of clothes, you’ll be wet after the ride!
Fun experience! So worth it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ getyourguide_traveler, july 2021
16. Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Enjoy the turquoise waters of Cancun on a paddle board! This fun, but challenging, activity is suitable for children and adults of all ages, with no previous experience necessary. Paddleboarding is a great way to explore an area, plus it’s somehow both relaxing and a great workout!
👉🏽 Stand-Up Paddle Yoga Experience in Cancun
5.0 ⭐️ 1 Review
You will meet for your experience at Ventaigua Cancun which is located a 15-minute walk down the beach from Playa Caracol. There you will meet your instructor for your yoga paddle-boarding experience.
You will head out onto the water and do an active meditation while paddling.
From there you will follow your instructor through a yoga class while balancing on the paddle board! There is no better place to relax and connect with nature, and no experience is necessary for this class.
The beach was beautiful and the teacher was very clear.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mae, Jul 2021
Final Thoughts: Adventurous Things To Do in Cancun
One of the best things about vacationing in Cancun is that you can customize the vacation to your desires. Want to party? You can. Want to bring your family? You can.
And most importantly, if you want to spend your vacation getting adrenaline rushes- you can! If you do not want to spend your time relaxing on a beach, you have many great adventurous activities to choose from!
Before You Go…
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