The Best Things to Do in Mexico

When it comes to memorable getaways, Mexico delivers on all fronts. With a Caribbean coast on its Eastern edge serving up beautiful beaches, not to mention ancient history that spans over 1,500 years, you can expect the holiday of a lifetime – with so much to see and do!

From nightlife like no other to out-of-this-world snorkeling opportunities, your holiday to Mexico can be as chilled or as fun-filled as you like. It’s definitely up there with our favourite long haul destinations – and it won’t take long for you to discover why.

Here’s the best things to do on an exciting escape to Meh-ico…

Coco Bongos and Cancun nightlife

If you only have one big night out during your time in Mexico, make sure it involves a visit to the world renowned Coco Bongos! By far the most popular club in the country, you’ve got the choice of two – one in lively Cancun, and one in Playa Del Carmen.

To say Coco Bongos is simply a bar, or a show, would be the world’s biggest understatement. It’s more like a nightclub serving up the production of a Vegas show! With acrobats flying high above, surprise performances, and an array of dancers showcasing unbelievable routines to electrifying music, you’ll feel like you ARE part of the show. 

You have to experience it first hand to understand – get involved, get dancing, and prepare for the best night of your life! 

If you’re staying in Cancun, you make your way to any one of the other popular clubs immediately surrounding Coco Bongos. The City nightclub is superb – often with top DJ’s like Tiesto on! Or if day dancing is more your thing, you’ll have a blast at Mandala Beach Club.

Visit Isla Mujeres

Located just off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a tiny little island with a whole lot of beauty. If you’re staying in Cancun or Riviera Maya, a day trip to this gorgeous piece of paradise is a must. Palm trees, unspoilt white sand beaches, and lush greenery in between – this is the kind of island you’ll never want to leave. 

It’s only a short ferry or boat ride away, and there’s trips there daily. For a small island, it still packs so much to do! Soak up the sun at one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Mexico, Playa Norte, or get your adrenaline pumping as you swim with whale sharks! 

These gentle giants aren’t anything like great whites – far from it, in fact. And as waters around the island are part of their migration route, you can get your swim on and get up close to them! It’s definitely one to tick off the bucket list if you’re an animal lover.

If you’d prefer to stay out of the water, you’ll love a stroll through the town square – this little street will have you meeting the locals, buying trinkets to take home, and just enjoying the unique ambiance of the island. 

You can cross from one side of the island to the other in less than 15 minutes in some parts (we told you it’s not very wide!) but if you want to see the whole island, hop on a golf buggy (the most popular way to get around here) and see it all in no time!

Visit Chichen Itza

If you want to delve into the rich and fascinating history of Mexico’s land, then you simply have to visit Chichen Itza. This UNESCO World Heritage site is an architectural haven with an abundance of historical value, and its impressive nature is exactly why it was named as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Discover how ahead of their time the ancient civilisation of Mayans were – this site once housed early craftsmen, artisans and scholars, and findings have shown their vast understanding of science, maths, and even astronomy. 

You’ll be blown away by the site’s most recognisable structure, the 98-foot tall pyramid temple of Kukulkan. A selfie in front of this is a must! All of Chichen Itza is amazingly well preserved, so you really will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. 

Top tip: take an umbrella with you! Not for rain – but to shade yourself from the sun! There’s a lot of open space at this site meaning little respite from the beaming sunshine, so trust us, you’ll be thankful for some cover. It feels especially warm here as Chichen Itza is situated inland away from the coast. You’ll be glad to feel the sea breeze again after your day here!

Xel-ha

Whether you love excitement and adventure, or you’re all about rest and relaxation – Xel Ha park in Tulum is perfect for all kinds of people, and makes for a one-of-a-kind day out.

A theme park, water park, and nature park rolled all into one, you won’t have been anywhere quite like it! 

Adrenaline junkies will love flying fast across ziplines above the lagoon, jumping off cliffs and zooming down slides. If you prefer a calmer vibe, take a stroll through the jungle trails, soak up 360 degree views from the top of the scenic lighthouse , or float along the lagoon in a rubber ring in the sunshine. The choice is yours! 

This natural park situated in Caribbean waters also offers amazing snorkeling opportunities where you can observe colourful fish and other marine species, all in their natural habitat. If you prefer bigger animals, you can swim with dolphins here and even get up close and personal to manatees! 

There’s delicious eateries on hand to serve you up fresh Mexican cuisine at the drop of a hat, and there’s plenty of choice for a refreshing drink or two. The park is considered as one of the greatest natural reserves on earth, so you’ll be sure to have an amazing day!

Swim with dolphins

Swimming with dolphins is an amazing experience. These creatures are so intelligent, and during your time with them you’ll simply fall in love with their wholesome nature. 

You can choose to swim with them in a natural environment like Xel-Ha, where you’ll dip into the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean sea to get well acquainted with these wonderful mammals. Play with them, receive a kiss, and learn all about them – how they sleep, feed, and breed. 

Being so close to these unique creatures and swimming alongside them is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and kids will be amazed especially. You can even choose to come away with amazing photos of your time together, as a photographer is always at hand to capture these beautiful moments, allowing you to treasure them forever.

Cenote swimming

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is well known for its amazing cenotes – natural swimming holes formed by the collapse of limestone rock, creating an inner cave of beauty. The entire of Riviera Maya is covered with thousands of these groundwater pools, with many open to swimming in!

Back in ancient times, the Mayans believed these beautiful turquoise pools were special locations to speak directly to the gods – and when you’re at one, you can understand why. With the feel of a secret underworld, these magical caves will have you in awe of their natural beauty, a seemingly hidden paradise away from the rest of bustling Mexico. 

A swim in these crisp mineral-rich waters will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, with the water having been meticulously filtered by the earth. The result are waters so crystal clear and pure that you can see even the tiniest of details under the surface, from tiny colourful fish to pretty plant life.

You’ll feel as though you’re in your very own personal piece of paradise – a natural wonder that makes you appreciate just how beautiful our planet really is. This is a must do!

Snorkeling

No matter where you choose to stay in Mexico, you can’t miss out on the opportunity to snorkel in these waters. The deliciously clear Caribbean waters here are some of our favourite stretches of sea we’ve ever seen, and beats anything we have in Europe hands down! 

And even better yet, you can even enjoy an unusual attraction while you’re at it – if you’re visiting Cancun, take yourself on a snorkeling trip with a stop at the Underwater Museum! 

Chuck on your snorkeling gear, dive in, and you’ll be delighted at the discoveries you make. At the bottom of the sea floor, you’ll find 500 sculptures which have been specially created from materials which encourage coral reef development. 

You’ll spot everything from VW Beetles to statues of locals, all surrounded by ocean wildlife, making for a totally unique experience! Definitely try to capture an underwater photo or two – they’re not your everyday holiday photos!

Visit a Mexican Market

For unique holiday keepsakes and gifts for anyone back home, you have to visit an authentic Mexican market! While in the likes of Cancun you have your typical malls, there’s also a huge shopping area in the downtown area, known as Mercado 28 (Market 28).

This giant flea-market hosts over 600 local vendors who sell…pretty much everything! From colourful trinkets to sombreros and spices, you’ll find it all here. Although you can pop in other shops during your holiday, these Mexican souvenirs are the real deal! 

Many of the items here are handcrafted and totally unique, so they make a great memento of your time away. Plus, it’s a great way to test out your bargaining skills! If you have the gift of the gab, you just might come away with a great deal too. 

Tempted?

If you haven’t already got your next holiday to Mexico booked, why not search today and browse our best deals. This dreamy destination is waiting to be explored!