Here are some trip ideas for your Cancun vacation this summer. How about an unforgettable encounter with the whale sharks, the gentle giants that gather in the Mexican Caribbean at this time of the year or a spot of snorkeling. Enjoy a day out at one of the Riviera Maya’s famous parks for fun in the water, ziplining adventures and Mexican traditions and explore the area’s ancient heritage.
Face to face with the whale sharks, an unforgettable experience
If you are traveling to Cancun or the Riviera Maya this summer, you have the chance to swim alongside the gentle giants of the sea, the whale shark. This is an incredible wildlife encounter with the world’s largest fish.
Whale sharks migrate thousands of miles through the tropics during the year in search of feeding grounds with rich pickings of plankton and fish roe. From mid-May to mid-September, hundreds of them gather in the northern Mexican Caribbean, near the islands of Holbox, Contoy and Isla Mujeres to feed, in what biologists say is the largest whale shark gathering in the world.
Imagine watching as one of these huge fish looms out of the depths and swims placidly by you, its mouth open to scoop up and filter feed on the plankton in the water. Seeing your first whale shark is an awe-inspiring sight and it can be even more amazing if the manta rays are feeding too. Also partial to plankton, fish eggs and tiny fish, they suddenly leap from the water and glide through the air in spectacular flight.
Whale shark trips are available from June to mid-September.
Caribbean reefs and jungle cenotes, cool off in the water
As summer temperatures sizzle you’ll want to head straight for the water, whether that’s the Caribbean or the surprisingly cool waters of a Riviera Maya cenote or sinkhole deep in the jungle.
Plan a morning of snorkeling at one of the coral reefs in the bay between Cancun and Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos or head further south to the island of Cozumel or Akumal.
As soon as you go below the surface you’ll begin to see the treasures of the reef: shimmering fish in all shapes and sizes. Some, like the butterfly, squirrel and damselfish, flit through the coral gardens or stay close to the crevices that are their refuges, others like the queen angelfish glide by in pairs. Jacks, French grunts, blue tangs and pork fish congregate in shoals around the reef crest and can number hundreds of fish. From sea turtles to parrot fish, wherever you look you’ll see colorful marine creatures and you’ll be instantly entranced.
Leave the beach and reef behind one day and head into the jungle to explore the Yucatan Peninsula’s hidden limestone world, its caves, underground rivers and the mysterious natural freshwater wells known as cenotes. The cool, crystal-clear waters in shades of turquoise, deep blue and emerald green are irresistible. You can start your cenote exploration in the Riviera Maya, where the world’s longest underground rivers discovered to date are right here in the Tulum area.
Fun Park days
A family vacation in the Mexican Caribbean means at least one day out with the kiddos at one of the area’s famous parks. For non-stop fun in the water, choose Xel-Ha Park, Aqua Nick or Ventura Park on the outskirts of Cancun. Teens will enjoy a day of jungle adventures at Xplor that will take them zip lining through the trees, rafting in a cave, driving an ATV through the forest and much more. The whole family will love the watery fun, encounters with nature and discovering Mexican heritage at Xcaret Park. After a day swimming and snorkeling, visiting the aquarium, aviary, butterfly pavilion and the folk art museum and watching the Papantla flyers and the traditional charrería or rodeo, you must stay on for the spectacular evening show, which is a colorful celebration of Mexican history, music and dance.
An evening afloat
Plan a Mexican evening at Xoximilco, a park to the south of Cancun Airport that is inspired by the ancient Aztec canals and world-famous floating gardens of Xochimilco on the outskirts of Mexico City.
At Xoximilco, the mariachis strike up under a star-studded sky, tequila flows and a tasty selection of Mexican cuisine is served on board a colorful trajinera or Mexican-style gondola that sails along tree-lined waterways. This is a Mexican experience you won’t want to miss, full of color, music and song, a fiesta to share with family and friends.
Musicians from different parts of Mexico will serenade you during the evening. Guitar trios from the Yucatan perform romantic trova ballads. The tempo quickens with La Bamba and La Cascabel, jarocho songs from Veracruz. Ranchero classics from northern Mexico will have you on your feet dancing, and then the mariachis will strike up and you’ll want to sing along with them. You’ll see scenes representing life in Xochimilco: hear tales of ancient Aztec legends, see women paddling canoes filled with flowers, produce and warm tortillas for your meal, and traditional dances.
Mayan mystery with a dash of nature
How about visiting this trio of Mayan cities during your stay? Tulum, Muyil and Coba are all in the Riviera Maya and are within driving distance of each other, although you may want to pace yourself and visit them separately.
The breathtaking views of the Caribbean from the cliff top city of Tulum makes this a Riviera Maya must and it doesn’t matter how many times you have been there, it is always beautiful, right down to sightings of sleepy iguanas basking in the sun on the walls of ancient temples.
Head inland from Tulum on the Mexican Caribbean coast to the ancient jungle city of Coba, one of the largest archaeological sites in the Maya World; it is said that 90 percent of its temples and palaces have yet to be excavated. Towering above the surrounding jungle and four nearby lakes, Nohoch Mul is the tallest pyramid in the northern Yucatan.
Keep a look out for huge blue morph butterflies, toucans, parrots and even spider monkeys as you walk along the jungle trails to the clusters of crumbling temples.
After your Coba visit you might want to cool off with a swim in one of the cenotes in the Tulum area or head for the beach.
Twenty minutes to the south of Tulum, the archaeological site of Muyil, also known as Chunyaxche, is on the shores of a lagoon in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Once a Maya trade center, it received goods brought by canoe from the Caribbean and shipped them overland to other cities in the Yucatan.
You can combine your Muyil visit with an unforgettable boat trip through the Sian Ka’an wetlands to see birds, crocodiles and other wild creatures.
Exploring these three archaeological sites on your Cancun vacation is a chance to have your own jungle experience with plenty of wildlife sightings.
Book your trips with Thomas More Travel
All these trips and many more can be booked with Thomas More Travel. Visit the website and call in at the tour desk in your resort for more exciting tour and activity recommendations.
