Cancun in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Many tourists head to this beautiful tropical paradise as part of a more complex travel itinerary that includes visiting other important cities in Mexico.

If this is your case and you only have a few days to see and enjoy all that Cancun has to offer, the success of your planning will depend on the variety in the type of activities you finally decide to do.

Here is my ideal travel plan focused on allowing you to enjoy some of the best that Cancun and its surroundings have to offer. With this 3 day itinerary in Cancun you will see amazing beaches, have fun in nature and enjoy ancient historical ruins.

Spend the first day of your Cancun itinerary enjoying the wonderful beaches this tropical paradise has to offer.

As you'll soon realise, Cancun's best beaches are second to none and it's one of the reasons why so many tourists choose Cancun as their holiday destination time and time again.

Take a day trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun for the day

Visiting Isla Mujeres from Cancun is one of the basic experiences that every traveller should consider and one that I recommend taking on the first day to enjoy the warm sunshine and beautiful white sandy beaches.

Isla Mujeres is also considered a former pirate hideout, so be prepared to discover some incredible and somewhat lurid legends.

Located just 13 km off the coast of Cancun, you will find numerous local tour operators offering this type of experience to the traveller. As a general rule, these companies include round-trip transportation from Cancun to Isla Mujeres aboard a private boat, making the experience one of the best boat tours in Cancun.

On your visit to Isla Mujeres get ready for a day of fun at sea. The island is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs, protected by the local government. This spot is considered one of the best for diving experiences in Cancun, so if you have some experience in this activity, don't hesitate for a second!

Additionally, as the island is so small it is easy to get around in a short time. Golf carts for hire are available on site to get around and explore the following parts of the island.Useful Information

• Schedule: Tours to Isla Mujeres leave from Cancun in the morning to take advantage of the sun and fun at sea.
• Price: Available from 50€ per participant.
• Duration: Varies depending on the company you hire and the itinerary. You must reserve at least 5 hours for this experience and a maximum of 7 hours.

At night: take a stroll through the centre of Cancun.

Once your adventure in the waters of the Caribbean Sea is over, reserve the evening hours to enjoy Cancun's nightlife.

Although this destination is famous for its nightclubs and crazy parties, the truth is that the nightlife in Downtown Cancun is diverse, entertaining and suitable for all tastes.

You can enjoy nightclubs with the tropical spectacle of Coco Bongo, improve your salsa skills at the Mambo Café, climb to the top of the Noria de Cancun or perhaps enjoy a quiet dinner at one of the many restaurants located near the Hotel Zone.

Considered by hundreds of travellers as one of the best Cancun tours and excursions, this ancient Mayan city should be on the must-see list of all first-time visitors to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Built in 1200 AD by the Mayans, the ruins of Chichen Itza are listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is a 200 km long direct road connecting downtown Cancun with the ancient Mayan city. Therefore, excursions to Chichen Itza from Cancun are an activity offered by numerous local companies in different formats, in different experience packages and at really affordable prices.

The specific aspects may vary depending on the company you hire. However, among the facilities included by local tour operators, the main ones are transportation to and from Cancun to the ruins, lunch for travellers and the entrance fees and taxes associated with the visit to the ruins.

Archaeological monuments at Chichen Itza.

Throughout history, the city of Chichen Itza gradually expanded, especially with the arrival of the ancient Toltec warriors. Although the city is known for its Mayan heritage, the truth is that Chichen Itza and its monuments possess a mixture of Mayan and Toltec traditions.

Consequently, on your visit to the ancient ruins you will come across several monuments and archaeological sites, some more impressive than others. Here is a list of the most impressive ones.

• Temple of Kukulkan: Also known as "El Castillo" (The Castle), it is a magnificent and imposing pyramid that stars in all the covers and photographs referring to Chichen Itza. It is a marvel of architecture and engineering that still today holds many mysteries linked to its construction.

• Akab Dzib: An elongated building 120 metres long. Archaeological experts consider it to be the oldest building in Chichen Itza. Its construction dates back to the end of 800 AD.

• Tzompantli: Also known as the Skull Wall because of the hundreds of human skulls carved in stone that make up the structure. It is a construction dedicated to death and can be found in numerous ancient Mayan cities, with Chichen Itza being the oldest of them all.

Useful information

• Schedule: Excursions to the ancient ruins depart from Cancun early in the morning in order to make the most of the day's adventure.
• Price: Excursions to Chichen Itza from Cancun are available from €50 per traveller.
• Duration: You will need to book a full day for this experience. The regular itinerary of most tour operators stipulates about 12 hours for the excursion.

To round off your 3 day stay in beautiful Cancun, I recommend booking the last day of your itinerary to spend the day exploring the world's best known nature and amusement park: Xcaret Park in the Riviera Maya.

This is a highly demanded activity for travellers visiting the city, so you will find several local tour operators offering package tours to Xcaret from Cancun.

The famous tourist enclave is located just 1 hour and 45 minutes from downtown Cancun and can be visited in just one day trip.

What you will find in Xcaret

On your visit to Xcaret Park you will be able to enjoy approximately 50 different attractions. Some of the highlights are the aviary, impressive underground rivers, a reef aquarium, an ancient Mexican cemetery with a chapel, a butterfly farm, natural beaches, Mayan ruins and numerous pools.

Xcaret Park in the Riviera Maya is also the ideal place to have a snorkelling experience in Cancun during your holiday.

I recommend to my travelling friends to buy the plus ticket to have access to all the attractions and training options offered here. The night at Xcaret Park, for example, closes with a fabulous show that honours Mayan traditions and culture.

The perfect closing act to cap off an awesome holiday and if you're going to Cancun on holiday with kids, this is usually one of the favourite parts of the day's adventure at Xcaret.

Useful Information

• Time: Tours leave Cancun early in the morning to make the most of the day.
• Price: Available from €140 per traveller.
• Duration: You will need to book a full day for this experience, round trip excursions from Cancun usually take 10-12 hours to complete.