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Cancun is probably best known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. The area has been a popular vacation destination for many years, and it's easy to see why just by looking at the perfect white sand and crystal clear, warm water.

Cancun is probably best known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. The area has been a popular vacation destination for many years, and it's easy to see why just by looking at the perfect white sand and crystal clear, warm water. There is far more to the area for tourists to see besides the beach and the nightclubs. The famous Chichen Itza ruins are just a short drive away, and a visit to these culturally significant ruins is a must do for your Cancun vacation.
<h2>1. Chichen Itza</h2>
Visit the largest Mayan ruins in the world and one of the most important historical sites of the Mayan people at Chichen Itza. This was the original center of the Mayan Civilization, and the focal point of the city was the pyramid-shaped El Castillo. This was a temple to the God, Kukuklan. Chichen Itza is a UNESCO world heritage site and was recently named one of the seven new wonders of the world. Just be warned that it is very popular and the site is likely to be crowded. The ruins are 2.5 hours drive away from Cancun, and guided tours are available.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/823615980-1024x683.jpg" alt="Cancun" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Instants / Getty Images</span>
<h2>2. Isla Mujeres</h2>
Escape the busy crowds of Cancun and head to the peaceful Isla Mujeres or Island of Women. You can reach the island by using one of the ferry boats, and the trip will take you just over 20 minutes. There isn't much to do on the four-mile-long island, but it is still a popular day trip. Head to Punta Sur and visit a Mayan temple that was dedicated to the moon goddess. You may want to visit one of the local turtle farms to spend time with these interesting creatures and find out more about them.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/925478444-1024x686.jpg" alt="visiting Cancun" width="1024" height="686" /><span class="image-caption">Csondy / Getty Images</span>
<h2>3. Playa Tortugas</h2>
A popular beach for locals with a relaxed atmosphere and white powder sand. There are a few restaurants near the beach offering excellent local cuisine and views of the ocean. The beach is free to use which is a bonus in Cancun. The water is shallow with very small waves making this an ideal beach for those with small children.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/910974144-1024x683.jpg" alt="traveling to Cancun" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">LUNAMARINA / Getty Images</span>
<h2>4. El Rey Ruins</h2>
The El Rey Ruins may not have the wow factor of Chichen Itza, but they are very conveniently located for most visitors. These Ruins are located right in the Hotel Zone of Cancun. El Rey Ruins are very small, so you can see everything in a short space of time but still gain some understanding of the Mayan Culture in the area.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/663924220-1024x683.jpg" alt="ruins in Cancun" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">sbossert / Getty Images</span>
<h2>5. Playa Delfines</h2>
Those wanting to escape from the beaches of the Hotel Zone should head to this undeveloped and peaceful beach just outside of the city. You will need to bring your own drinks and snacks for the days as there are very few vendors and no facilities near the beach. The beach is known for having riptides, and rough sections of water so only go out for a paddle if you are a strong swimmer.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/834418408-1024x683.jpg" alt="playa delfines, Cancun" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Iren_Key / Getty Images</span>
<h2>6. Coco Bongo</h2>
Coco Bongo is the most famous nightlife hotspot in Cancun, yet it is not a standard club with a DJ controlled dance floor. At Coco Bongo, you can expect to witness a non-stop sequence of performances by acrobats, musicians, and even congo lines. A typical night will include balloons, projected videos, bubbles, and confetti. There are traditional nightclubs in the area for those that want to dance the night away.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/681929284-1024x543.jpg" alt="coco bongo Cancun" width="1024" height="543" /><span class="image-caption">marako85 / Getty Images</span>
<h2>7. Delphinus Punta Cancún</h2>
Swim with the dolphins at this interaction experience operated out of the Hotel Hyatt Ziva in the Hotel Zone. Many different programs are offered such as the Ride with the Dolphin which allows visitors to swim with dolphins and even go for short surf holding on to a dolphins fin.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/842612622-1024x683.jpg" alt="swimming in Cancun" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">sylv1rob1 / Getty Images</span>
<h2>8. Playa Marlin</h2>
Playa Marlin is a lovely public beach in the hotel zone that is perfect for guests not staying at a beachside resort with private beach access. The beach offers many facilities such as lifeguards and public restrooms. There are vendors offering chairs and umbrellas as well as places selling snacks and cooldrinks.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/681925820-1024x683.jpg" alt="dolphins Cancun" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Mlenny / Getty Images</span>
<h2>9. Avenida Kukulcan</h2>
Avenida Kukulcan is the main avenue running through Cancun. There are many hotels, shops, and restaurants along the street catering to locals and tourists. Stroll along the avenue and take in all the interesting shops along the way. Watch out for crocodiles in the creeks just off the street.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/956105474-1024x634.jpg" alt="beaches in Cancun" width="1024" height="634" /><span class="image-caption">Jonathan Ross / Getty Images</span>
<h2>10. Museo Maya de Cancun</h2>
Learn about the history of the great Mayan culture and its impact on modern-day Cancun and Mexico in general. The museum contains artifacts from the Mayan civilizations and explains in detail the reasons for the different temples and other buildings in Chichen Itza and other Mayan sites. If you don't have time to go to any of the ruins, then this museum will give you a taste of the Mayan Culture.

<img class="attachment-large alignnone" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/946268412-1024x792.jpg" alt="hotels in Cancun" width="1024" height="792" /><span class="image-caption">LIVINUS / Getty Images</span>

The 10 Best Things to Do in Cancun

Mexico City is a gorgeous, massive city that likely puts in the top three population wise worldwide. It's also home to over a hundred museums, hosts infinite parties and celebrations year-round. Mexico City has an evolving gastronomy scene that can put it among the great cuisines globally, and it's quite cheap.

Mexico City is a gorgeous, massive city that likely puts in the top three population wise worldwide. It's also home to over a hundred museums, hosts infinite parties and celebrations year-round. Mexico City has an evolving gastronomy scene that can put it among the great cuisines globally, and it's quite cheap. Between a remarkably efficient public transportation system, cheap Ubers, and very walkable neighborhoods, Mexico City is not nearly as daunting to get around in as many people think given what can only be called urban sprawl.
<h2>1. Teotihuacan</h2>
When was the last time you took public transportation to stroll among pre-Colombian ruins and climb pyramids? It's an easy trip whether you speak Spanish or not. And going to these awe-inspiring remnants of a civilization that date to 1000 BCE is not something that you need to do with an organized tour. It's remarkably simple to stroll at your own pace and go where you wish.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/483177420-1024x438.jpg" alt="483177420" width="1024" height="438" /><span class="image-caption">rafal_kubiak / Getty Images</span>
<h2>2. Museo Nacional de Antropologia</h2>
The National Museum of Anthropology is one of the world's greatest museums. And likely it's worth two days to visit. It acts as an anchor to an area of Mexico city where additional museums are within walking distance. And the Museo Nacional de Antropologia set in one of the greatest green areas Mexico has to offer. This is in no small part thanks to the Chapultepec forest playing host to its grounds. The museum itself covers four square kilometers and has 23 separate exhibition halls.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/532010411-1024x660.jpg" alt="532010411" width="1024" height="660" /><span class="image-caption">stockcam / Getty Images</span>
<h2>3. Visit a Pulqueria</h2>
The historic center of Mexico City or downtown has seen an incredible revitalization in the last decade that includes multiple callejones (small streets) filled with galleries, restaurants, street art, street performers, smaller museums and more. If you walk around long enough, you'll stumble across one of the areas many famed pulquerias. Pulque is made from maguey sap, the plant responsible for mezcal production. This highly-sweet, low in alcohol concoction and its pulquerias were the center of Mexican social life until the mid-20th century until restrictions looked to shutter them.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/925371714-1024x786.jpg" alt="925371714" width="1024" height="786" /><span class="image-caption">benoitb / Getty Images</span>
<h2>4. Mercado Jamaica</h2>
To visit every medium to large sized market in Mexico City would likely take you over a month. Assuming you're not going to be returning home with all you need to cook Mexican for a year, it's time to choose just a few. The Mercado Jamaica is one of the world's largest flower markets and is comprised of 1,150 individual vendors in this sprawling and beautiful market. Food is everywhere to feed the delivery drivers and merchants alike, and the smell of all those fresh flowers is something you'll never forget.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/928176698-1024x683.jpg" alt="928176698" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">joka2000 / Getty Images</span>
<h2>5. Palacio de Bellas Artes</h2>
This is the cultural heartbeat of Mexico. This famed art deco interior of the Palacio houses various sculptures designed by Leonardo Bistolfi and Agustí Querol Subirats, murals by Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo and José Clemente Orozco. Upstairs you'll find both the Museo de Arquitectura and the Museo de Bella Artes. The performance hall features a curtain made from nearly a million pieces of Tiffany glass and sees twice-weekly performances by the National Folklore Balles, as well as the National Ballet and National Symphony Orchestra. The Palacio also plays host to a rotating group of exhibitions year round.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/172449308-1024x684.jpg" alt="172449308" width="1024" height="684" /><span class="image-caption">stockcam / Getty Images</span>
<h2>6. Lucho Libre</h2>
Lucho Libre is something between American professional wrestling and a Mexican telenovela with thousands of hecklers rooting on their team throughout. The best matches in Mexico City are held at Arena Mexico, which provides an opportunity to buy yourself a mask. Dive into a plate of tacos al pastor on the street before queuing up and joining the night of madness.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/877267052-1024x683.jpg" alt="877267052" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Todd Follett / Getty Images</span>
<h2>7. Stroll the Antique Market at La Lagunilla</h2>
La Lagunilla deserves its place as one of the world's greatest flea markets. It erupts into a destination for food, drinks, vinyl, old books, antiques, more in this market that has been ongoing for over 400 years. Think you can haggle? You've likely never met the famed chacareros. Furniture, lamps, jewelry, hats and more are to be found each Sunday in this flea market par excellence.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/842299108-1024x683.jpg" alt="842299108" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">SzB / Getty Images</span>
<h2>8. Mercado de San Juan</h2>
The ultimate market for foodies in Mexico City, San Juan Market (Mercado San Juan) is located in El Centro. Fancy trying deer or wild boar carpaccio? The fresh fish stalls will prepare you a ceviche or caldo of anything you point to, deliver it to your table and give you 20+ hot sauces to add some heat. You can spend two hours with three friends, try just about everything and struggle to spend $15 each.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/535412961-1024x648.jpg" alt="535412961" width="1024" height="648" /><span class="image-caption">ChiccoDodiFC / Getty Images</span>
<h2>9. La Casa Azul</h2>
You've likely seen the murals of her husband Diego Rivera in the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Now, it's time to visit the childhood home of Frida Kahlo. La Casa Azul was where Kahlo learned to paint following her bus accident. It was here that she and Rivera met Leon Trotsky who lived there with his wife for over a year.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3589" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/shutterstock_720257365.jpg" alt="shutterstock_720257365" width="1000" height="736" />

<h2>10. Visit Venice In Mexico City</h2>
Xochimilco was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is steeped in history and tradition. Float through its canals in traditional trajinera boats, where you will come upon boats full of mariachi bands and ranchero trios. If you want to come back with nightmares rather than memories, ask if your captain is willing to make the trip to the Island of the Dolls, where hundreds of decapitated dolls are hung from the trees to scare away the ghost of a young girl who drowned near to the island.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/511668434-1024x683.jpg" alt="511668434" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">michelle943 / Getty Images</span>

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