8 Best Things to Do in Cancun with Kids
Best Family-Friendly Places in Cancun
Cancun’s idyllic location on the edge of the Caribbean Sea makes it a popular destination for exploring and getting up close with marine life. You can dive and snorkel on the Great Mesoamerican Reef throughout the year. As one of the world’s largest reef system, it stretches right along the nearby coastline, providing a habitat for thousands of species of sea creatures.
Cancun’s eco parks feature nature trails, bike rides, and adventure circuits in the middle of a lush jungle, attracting families in search of an action-packed vacation. From snorkeling in the clear waters of the Caribbean to gripping jungle tours, this Mexican coastal town is home to family-friendly excursions that will keep kids of all ages – and their parents – active and happy. Read on for our guide on things to do in Cancun with kids.
1. Isla Mujeres Tortugranja
See turtles being released in August and September
Good for: Families
Tortugranja is a turtle farm on Isla Mujeres, an island off the coast of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. The Yucatan Peninsula is home to a number of endangered turtle species, such as the green turtle, hawksbill turtle and loggerhead turtle. Every year, the environment center collects turtle eggs during nesting season, which takes place from May to September. The eggs are kept in secure enclosures, which are open for viewing via guided tours. The best time to visit Isla Mujeres is in August or September, as you get to see baby turtles being released into the ocean. For accommodations, browse the family-friendly options on the island.
Location: 77400 Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +52 998 888 0705
Isla Mujeres Tortugranja
2. Playa Tortugas Beach
Bungee jumping off the pier tower
Good for: Budget, Families, Photo
If you’re traveling with kids, be sure to put Playa Tortugas beach to your itinerary. It features natural breakwaters that keep the water shallow and serene, making it an ideal “swimming pool” for young children. Playa Tortugas is a relatively small stretch of sand about 4 miles northeast of Cancun’s Zona Hotelera.
The clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkelers to see colorful fish without the worry of strong currents. Numerous open-air restaurants directly on the sand serve family favorites like tacos and seafood with beachside service. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the bungee-jumping tower directly over the water. Read more
Location: Playa Tortugas, Zona Hotelera, Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Playa Tortugas Beach
3. Garrafon Natural Reef Park
Snorkeling on the Great Mesoamerican Reef
Good for: Families, Adventure
Garrafon Natural Reef Park is among the most popular snorkeling spots. You can get face-to-face with over 100 colorful corals and 500 species of fish, including colorful parrotfish and angelfish, as well as sea turtles, rays, and harmless nurse sharks.
Snorkeling on the Great Mesoamerican Reef provides an educational and visually stunning introduction to marine biology for all ages. As the second-largest reef system in the world, it offers unique underwater landscapes that are easily accessible even for beginners. Many reef sections are located in shallow, calm waters (some under 9 ft deep), making them perfect for children and novice swimmers to float comfortably while seeing vibrant marine life. If you prefer to stay above water, rent a kayak. Read more
Location: Carretera Garrafón Lote 9 Kilometer 6, Supermanzana 9, 77400 Isla Mujeres, Q.R., Mexico
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +52 800 727 5391
Garrafon Natural Reef Park
4. Ventura Park Cancun
Slide down the Kamikaze ride at Wet’n Wild
Good for: Families, Adventure, Group
Ventura Park Cancun, located 7 km east of Cancun International Airport, consists of several entertainment areas that are suitable for visitors of all ages. This oceanfront theme park is known for the Wet’n Wild section, which has a wave pool, lazy river, and a thrilling Kamikaze ride where you get to slide into a pool at high speed. If your little ones prefer to stay dry, check out the zipper lines in Aaah! Ventura, rollercoasters in Fun World, and arcade games in Underworld.
If you’re looking for accommodations near to the theme park, most options are in the are of El Rey, closeby.
Location: Blvd. Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm
Phone: +52 998 881 3035
Ventura Park Cancun
5. Cancun pirate ship tour
Realistic sword fights on a pirate ship
Good for: Families, Food, Photo
A pirate ship dinner cruise in Cancun provides a fully immersive, high-energy environment where children and parents alike can participate in a theatrical adventure. These tours, typically aboard 19th-century Spanish galleon replicas, turn the Caribbean Sea into a stage for action, humor, and celebration. Shows feature choreographed sword fights, acrobatic stunts, and mock cannon fire as rival crews battle for treasure. Pirates engage children directly with treasure hunts, face painting, and onstage contests designed specifically for “little captains.”
Major tours often provide a dedicated children’s menu featuring favorites like pizza, nuggets, and hot dogs. While the kids are entertained, parents can enjoy gourmet options (such as steak or lobster). For the best views, book VIP seats on an upper deck.
Cancun pirate ship tour
6. Cancun Underwater Museum
Underwater sculptures at a reef conservation center
Good for: Families, History, Unusual
The Cancun Underwater Museum blends world-class art with marine conservation in a way that is accessible to all ages and skill levels. It displays hundreds of life-like sculptures in 3 submerged galleries off the coast of Isla Mujeres. Families with small children can choose a glass-bottom boat tour, which allows kids to see the sculptures and tropical fish without getting wet.
Snorkeling is highly recommended for kids as young as five who are comfortable in water. Tours typically provide life jackets and professional guides to experience the shallow galleries like Punta Nizuc, which is only about 13 ft deep. Older children can participate in introductory dives to see the statues up close in deeper galleries. Read more
Location: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Open: Daily from 9 am to 2 pm
Phone: +52 998 206 0182
Cancun Underwater Museum
7. Xel-Ha Park
Cycling along the jungle path at a theme park
Good for: Families, Photo
Dive into the crystal-clear wonders of Xel-Há Park, an all-inclusive aquatic paradise centered around a breathtaking natural inlet. This eco-haven invites families to explore via scenic bike rides, thrilling zip-lines, and unforgettable encounters with manatees and stingrays.
Little adventurers will love Children’s World, a dedicated oasis featuring a fun-filled wading pool, waterslides, and a playground with rope climbs and hanging games. For the ultimate perspective, climb the 131-ft scenic lighthouse. From the top, take in panoramic views of the bay and Caribbean Sea before spiraling down its exhilarating waterslides.
Location: Carretera Chetumal Puerto Juárez Km 240, locales 1 & 2, módulo B, 77780 Q.R., Mexico
Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm
Phone: +52 998 883 3143
Xel-Ha Park
8. Selvatica - The Adventure Tribe
Soaring across Cancun jungles on a zipline circuit
Good for: Families, Adventure, Group
Unleash your inner explorer at Selvatica - The Adventure Tribe, an award-winning park tucked into the lush jungles near Puerto Morelos. Perfect for adrenaline-loving families, this tropical playground invites thrill-seekers to conquer a 10-zipline circuit, featuring the high-speed Tarzania roller-coaster zipline.
Kids as young as 3 years old can join the fun, soaring between platforms or cooling off in the crystal-clear waters of a natural cenote. From rugged ATV expeditions through the mud to heart-pounding bungee swings, Selvatica delivers non-stop action. Best of all, seamless roundtrip transportation from Cancun’s Hotel Zone makes your jungle getaway effortless. Buckle up and join the tribe.
Location: Ruta de los cenotes Km 18, Carretera Puerto Morelos - Leona Vicario, 77580 Puerto Morelos, Q.R., Mexico
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +52 998 881 3034
Selvatica - The Adventure Tribe
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