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With its pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant culture, Cancun is the perfect place for a relaxing vacation. Here’s the perfect way to spend 3 days in Cancun!
Things To Know Before You Go
Best Time To Visit
December through April is the best time to visit Cancun. While this is the high season for tourists flocking to Cancun, it allows for the best experience by avoiding both the rainy season and seaweed season. If you want to avoid spring break crowds, consider going in January or February.
Where To Stay
Most people who vacation in Cancun stay at an all-inclusive resort in the Hotel Zone. This area is close to the airport and offers a variety of restaurants and activities. We had a great time staying at the Wyndham Grand Cancun All-Inclusive Resort. There are also plenty of options for adults-only resorts, such as the Le Blanc Spa Resort and the Live Aqua Beach Resort.
Before booking your hotel, make sure to inquire about their amenities including restaurants, pools, and wifi. You should also check to see if the resort has a dress code – most do for dinner.
Currency
While the Peso is Mexico’s national currency, the United States Dollar is also widely accepted in Cancun. You can use the USD for tips at your resort, tips for tour guides, and to buy souvenirs. But just in case, we do recommend that you bring some Pesos to use if you visit a place that doesn’t accept the USD.
Transportation
A rental car is not necessary for most Cancun visitors. The majority of visitors just need transportation between the airport and their resort. Make sure to pre book your airport transfers with a reputable company. Some resorts offer their own airport transportation or contract out to a trusted company. We strongly advise that you do not hire a taxi at the airport to take you to your resort. These drivers often charge expensive fares. If you do decide to hire a taxi, make sure to agree to the fare with the driver before getting in the vehicle. We also advise not using Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare apps while in Cancun. These drivers are often not well regulated, and there have recently been conflicts between taxi drivers and rideshare drivers.
If you are looking to leave your resort to go on tours or activities, keep in mind that most tour companies will provide transportation as part of the tour price.
If you do decide to rent a car, make sure to check with your hotel that they have parking spaces, and if so, whether there is a fee to park there.
Safety
Generally speaking, Cancun is a safe destination. Most of the crime occurs late at night in areas away from the resorts. Try not to leave your resort area unless you’re going with an organized tour group or a reliable transportation provider. Make sure not to wear fancy clothing or act in a way that would attract pickpockets or other criminals.
It’s always good practice to provide a trusted family member or friend with a photocopy of your passport as well as your itinerary. For US Citizens traveling to Cancun, make sure to register your trip with the State Department through their STEP Program. By registering, the State Department can assist you in case there’s an emergency while you’re in Cancun.
3 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Snorkeling + Relax At Your Resort
For your first day in Cancun, head out into the crystal clear waters for some snorkeling. Then, spend the rest of the day relaxing at your resort!
Snorkeling
With its famous clear blue water, Cancun is a great place to snorkel! There are a variety of snorkeling tour options on Viator, with most offering transportation to and from your resort. We did this snorkeling tour, which took us to a shipwreck, cenote, and a few different reefs! Another popular option is snorkeling at the Underwater Museum, which has over 500 sculptures that are used to promote coral life. We highly recommend bringing a GoPro so that you can record your adventure!
Relax At Your Resort
After getting your workout in while snorkeling, spend the rest of the day relaxing at your resort. Most resorts have multiple pool and hot tub options as well as plenty of restaurants and bars. A lot of resorts also offer group dance and fitness classes throughout the day. Check with the concierge or activities desk for a full rundown of your resort’s offerings!
Day 2: Chichen Itza + A Cenote + Valladolid
Spend your next day doing some sightseeing! Cancun and the surrounding areas are full of historical ruins, charming cities, and natural wonders. Chichen Itza, the cenotes, Valladolid can be visited with a tour group. This tour is the one we went on, and it has won a Viator Experience Award! If you prefer not to go with a tour group, all three of these places can also be visited with a rental car. Make sure to bring your passport and some Pesos with you as there are checkpoints and toll booths along the drive.
Chichen Itza
While you’re in Cancun, you should definitely go visit Chichen Itza – one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city that is located about two hours from the Cancun area. It served primarily as a ceremonial site and commercial center. The name means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza” because of the nearby cenotes. Chichen Itza was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and was named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2000.
The top five sites to see at Chichen Itza are El Castillo, the Temple of Warriors, El Caracol, the Great Ball Court, and La Iglesia. El Castillo, the large pyramid in the center of the city, is the most recognizable structure within Chichen Itza. It is a prime example of the Maya civilization’s sophisticated math and design knowledge. The total number of steps on the pyramid is 365 to represent the number of days in a solar year. The steps were also perfectly designed so that the shadows cast during the spring and autumnal equinoxes give the appearance of a snake slithering on the stairs. Check out our Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza for more information on these sites!
Tickets are required to enter and can either be purchased in advance online or same day at the ticket booths. Chichen Itza is a very popular site, so it’s best to purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible. The ruins of Chichen Itza are spread out across a large area, so we recommend hiring a knowledgeable tour guide. A guide will be able to show you the most significant buildings and provide you with the fascinating history of this city.
Make sure to bring a hat, water, and sunscreen – you will be in the heat for a while with very little shade. There’s also a lot of vendors lining the walkways within Chichen Itza that are eager to sell anything to visitors.
Cenote
Next up is visiting a cenote for a refreshing swim! Cenotes are natural sinkholes that expose groundwater. There are over 10,000 cenotes located across the Yucatan Peninsula and are a must-see while you’re in the Chichen Itza area. Cenote Saamal, Cenote Suytun, and Cenote Chukum are some of the best ones to visit!
Valladolid
On your way back to Cancun, make a quick stop in the charming town of Valladolid. Established by Spanish conquistadors, Valladolid was built atop a Mayan town using stones from the destroyed Mayan buildings. Visitors now flock to the town for its authentic culture, colorful streets, and refreshing cenotes. While you’re there, check out the Convent of San Bernardino of Siena and San Gervasio Cathedral to see some beautiful architecture. Cenote Suytun and Cenote Zaci are great options if you’re looking to go for a swim!
Day 3: Beach Day
Of course, you have to have a beach day while in Cancun! Most resorts have beach access, and they usually provide loungers and cabanas. These are generally first come, first serve. People will get up very early to claim their spot, so make sure to set your alarm clock so you don’t miss out! The beautiful sunrises in Cancun will make up for that early morning.
If you’re looking for a public beach, check out Playa Langosta or Playa Marlin.
You might notice some seaweed on the beach while in Cancun. Sargassum seaweed cluttering the beaches has become a major issue in Cancun – so much so that the Mexican Navy has occasionally been deployed to clear the seaweed. This issue started about a decade ago and has been attributed to warming water temperatures as well as sewage from Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest. July and August are generally the worst months for seaweed.
If you have more time…
… there’s still plenty more to do in Cancun!
Parasailing
Parasailing is one of the top activities to do in Cancun. As you relax on the beach, you’ll likely see parasailers come by every couple minutes. One of the top tour operators to go with is Parasail Cancun. You could also ask your resort’s concierge for recommendations!
Speed Boats
If you’re up for an adventure, consider renting speed boats while in Cancun! This tour is one of the most popular options and also lets you go snorkeling. Check out Viator for more options.
Tulum
Tulum is another stunning city to visit while you’re in the Yucatan Peninsula area of Mexico. Similar to Cancun, Tulum is home to world famous beaches, Mayan ruins, and lush jungles. The area is famous for the cenotes there, so make sure to check out Gran Cenote and Two Eyes Cenote if you go! Tulum is about an hour and a half from Cancun.
Check out our TikTok to see what our trip to Cancun was like!
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited April 2023 | Posted July 2023
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