All Articles Top 10 things to do in Cancun during spring break

Top 10 things to do in Cancun during spring break

A man jumping into the waters during spring break in Cancun
Image: GeorgePeters / Getty Images
By Benjamin Tan6 Feb 2024 3 minutes read

A great spring break story usually starts with “This one time in Cancun…” and it’s easy to see why. With bustling nightclubs, pristine beaches, and delicious food in abundance, Cancun is truly a party hotspot that never seems to sleep.

Students start flocking to Cancun from the first or second week of March, when colleges and universities in the U.S. and even around the world, have their spring break. Expect a real buzz as the party scene gets kicked up a notch with the arrival of thousands of partygoers.

In the mood to explore ancient Yucatan ruins and monuments? Want to get up close and personal with wildlife? Or are you looking for an adrenaline rush from gravity-defying activities? We’ve rounded up the top 10 things to do in Cancun for the ultimate spring break.

1. Party, party, party

A woman jumping into the water from a dancing catamaran cruise at spring break in Cancun
Coco bongo in Cancun
Image: Management (left), Linda P (right) / Tripadvisor

We know you’re there for one thing mostly: to party like there’s no tomorrow. And this is the one season where the party scene is at fever pitch, with world-renowned DJs headlining major music festivals, all-night dance parties, and endless shots of tequila. Don’t miss these party hotspots: the dancing catamaran cruise for a full day’s worth of excursions and parties on a boat; Coco Bongo, Cancun’s most famous nightclub; and Dady’O, an electrifying venue filled with beach bod contests, themed parties, and even celebrity guest hosts.

2. Try a different kind of party at Xoximilco

Xoximilco amusement park in Cancun for spring break
Image: MaNuma / Tripadvisor

Looking to break away from traditional spring break parties? Join the locals at Xoximilco, a theme park, where families and friends would rent boats to float down the water whilst listening to live music, enjoying tequila and delicious food from all parts of Mexico in an unforgettable display of local culture.

3. Explore a cenote

Cenote Saamal near Cancun
Image: AK / Tripadvisor

There are thousands of cenotes (or natural swimming holes) scattered across the region for you to explore and take a dip in, some more popular than others. If you’re on a mission to visit the most notable—and probably prettiest since they have been spruced up for commercialization—check out day tours from Cancun that will take you to Cenote Saamal, as well as the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá that also has a cenote beneath.

4. Swing from trees and play with mud

A woman hanging from a zipline in Cancun
Image: Management (left), Ressycups (right) / Tripadvisor

Zipline through treetops under clear spring skies and navigate ATVs through muddy jungles in a non-stop itinerary of adventure. And if this isn’t enough, check out tours designed specifically to give you the full experience—zip lines, ATVs, and cenotes, all in one day.

5. Make a splash in the Caribbean coast

A man diving at Cancun's Underwater Museum of Art
Image: Joanna A/Tripadvisor

Dive or snorkel in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean sea, surrounded by thousands of aquatic life. There’s even a slice of history to be found in Cancun’s Underwater Museum of Art, home to 500 sculptures designed to encourage coral reef development. Snorkeling tours will take you to lesser-known sites with a stop at a shipwreck.

6. Eat street tacos

Making tacos in Cancun
Tacos at El Polilla
Image: Management (left), Ed Foga (right) / Tripadvisor

Forget taco Tuesday, it’s taco every day when you’re on spring break. Cancun has a thriving street food scene and you can find delicious tacos at every corner. Let an experienced guide take you to some of the best taco stands in the city, including El Polilla, for an unforgettable experience.

7. Discover ancient ruins and lost relics

Chichen Itza Mayan pyramids in Cancun
Image: Filip Gielda / Unsplash

Take a break from partying and explore the historic side of the region by visiting ancient ruins dating back to the Maya civilization. Just outside of Cancun are the two of the most notable ruins: Chichen Itza, where the iconic Mayan pyramids can be found, and Tulum, once a thriving trading port along the coast. Check out tours that not only take you to these ruins but also let you swim in cenotes and snorkel off the Caribbean coast as well.

8. Participate in a Temazcal ceremony

Temazcal ceremony in Cancun Mexico
Image: Management / Tripadvisor

Feeling a little worse for wear after your spring break antics? Enjoy a day of meditation and cleansing by participating in a Temazcal ceremony, a traditional Mayan purification ritual that typically takes place in a small hut. You enter a heated lodge much like a sauna, sweat it out in a state of meditation while the shaman chants on. It’s the perfect way to clear your mind and even detoxify your body.

9. Lose yourself shopping at Mercado 28

Souvenirs and wares for sale at Mercado 28 in Cancun
Outside of Mercado 28 market in Cancun
Image: Eduardo C (left), Beto (right) / Tripadvisor

Mercado 28 is home to 600 vendors offering all manner of items, from handcrafted souvenirs to textiles, maracas, and leather goods. It’s also a good opportunity to practice the art of haggling.

10. Stay in the famed Hotel Zone

Aerial view of Hotel Krystal Cancun in Cancun
Image: Management / Tripadvisor

If you want to stay connected to all that high-octane spring break energy, stay in Cancun’s famed Hotel Zone. Not only is it near many party hotspots, but there’s also a massive selection of hotels for different budgets and traveler types, from partygoers to families. Stay right in the thick of the party scene at Hotel Krystal Cancun, Fiesta Inn Cancun Las Americas, and Aquamarina Beach Hotel.

Benjamin Tan
Benjamin is an avid storyteller who enjoys listening to people from all walks of life tell theirs. He enjoys cycling in the wee hours of the morning, driving to little pockets of solitude, and all things Japan. When he's not swimming in words, he's probably trying to revive his shabby blog.