7 Best Things to Do in Downtown Cancun Mexico + Travel Tips

7 Best Things to Do in Downtown Cancun Mexico + Travel Tips

A travel guide to the 7 best things to do in downtown Cancun, Mexico. Get off the beaten path in Cancun and discover the hidden gems of the city's core.

Cancun is the official party capital of Mexico, with over 15 million tourists flocking here each year for its white-sand beaches, tequila and 24-hour nightlife.

Most of these visitors will head straight to the main tourist center, known as the Hotel Zone. But for those looking to explore the true heartbeat of Cancun, check out Downtown Cancun City. Considering how easy it is to get around and that most tours also offer pickups from downtown, staying here also makes a lot of sense if you're on a budget.

In this quick guide, I'll go over 7 things to do in downtown Cancun to help you plan your visit. At the end of this post I also have tips and interesting facts about visiting the region.

The 7 Best Things to Do in Downtown Cancun

1. Mercado 28

Mercado 28 (Market 28) is a long-running flea market in Plaza San Miguel.

Visiting this market is always one of the top recommendations in downtown Cancun. Here you'll find a sprawling scene of stalls offering a wide range of items for sale, including crafts, jewelry, souvenirs and more.

There are also a number of restaurants and small street vendors here offering traditional Yucatan dishes and of course tacos.
alt="Mercado 28, Cancun Downtown Activities, Mexico">
alt=“Downtown Cancún, Mercado 28″>

2. Las Palapas Park

The Parque de las Palapas is the central square in downtown Cancun City. In fact, it was the first main square to be created here and is still a lively meeting place for the city's people. You'll find it just behind Avenida Tulum (the main street).

The park (square) has a number of food stalls and carts selling primarily tortilla-based snacks and meals, including fresh tacos and quesadillas. This place is popular with locals and is often the site of open-air performances after sunset.

Also nearby is the first Catholic church built in downtown Cancun, called Cristo Rey.
alt=“Street food stalls in the Parque de las Palapas “>
alt="Parque de las Palapas, Cancun Mexico">

3. Book a day trip

Perhaps one of the biggest draws for visitors to downtown Cancun is that you can find accommodation here at a fraction of the cost of staying at the Hotel Zone Strip.

If you came to Cancun to visit nature, explore the historical sites, and swim in the many cenotes, then you're in luck. Most tours also offer pickups in downtown Cancun.

Below are some of the top-rated activities you can book online:

• Tour nach Chichén Itzá, Valladolid und Cenote
• Isla Mujeres Katamaran-Tour
• Tulum-Tagesausflug & Coba-Tour

alt="Chichen Itza Mexico">

4. Go taqueria hopping

It is said that in Mexico every meal is a celebration. This is definitely true in downtown Cancun, where one of the best things to do is a “taqueria crawl.” There are tons of great taco shops in the city where you can try authentic Mexican street food without paying exorbitant prices like you will in the Hotel Zone.

My favorite taquerìa is Taqueria Coapenitos, a great little bar-style taco place with fresh flavors and Cancun's famous tortas. Some other places you might want to visit include:

• Blutige Tacos
• Taquería el Poblano
• Tacos Rigo

Tip: If you want to taste the best street food in Cancun, you can book a guided street food tour that lasts about 3 hours and stops at the most famous places.
alt="Tacos in Mexico">

5. Market 23

While Mercado 28 is the main market attraction in Downton Cancun, Mercado 23 is a worthwhile visit for visitors looking to stock up on fresh fruit and produce. Mercado 23 is closer to Avenida Tulum, which makes it more convenient.

You won't find busy restaurants or such variety as at Mercado 28. However, strolling through this particular market definitely felt a little more “local.”
alt="Mercado 23, Things to Do in Downtown Cancun ">

6. Stroll along Avenida Tulum

Avenida Tulum is the city's main street. Consequently, most hotels, restaurants and supermarkets are located on this strip. If you're running out of things to do in downtown Cancun, take a stroll down this street or hop on a colectivo and see where it takes you.
alt="Avenida Tulum">

7. Discover Mexican street art

What I didn't know before visiting is that Cancun Downtown is somewhat of a street art capital! There are amazing murals painted all over the city.

Below are a few photos of some I stumbled across. However, you can also book a street art tour that will take you to the best in the city center. The best part about booking a tour is that you also get to know the backstory behind the artist's vision. This is something I definitely missed while walking around.
alt="Downtown Cancun City">
alt="Downtown Cancun City">
alt="Street Art in Cancun City">

Best Hotels in Downtown Cancun – Where to Stay

Looking for the best hotels in downtown Cancun? Below I've shared with you the three best options, all close to the best things to do and see in downtown Cancun.

You will find that hotel prices in the city are much cheaper compared to staying on the hotel strip.

New hotel in Central Downtown: Mex Hoteles

• Großartige Lage in der Innenstadt von Cancun, nur 5 Minuten zu Fuß zum ADO (Busbahnhof)
• Tolles WLAN
• Sehr sauber im gesamten Hotel
• Fitnessraum und Pool auf dem Dach
• Leckeres Frühstück im hauseigenen Restaurant
• In der Nähe von großartigen lokalen Restaurants

alt=“Mex Hoteles Cancún Downtown Hotel”>
Best hostel in the city center: Nomads Hotel

• Pool auf dem Dach mit riesiger Bar für den Sonnenuntergang
• 3 Gehminuten vom ADO entfernt
• Auf der anderen Straßenseite von Taqueria Coapenitos – mein Lieblings-Taco-Joint in Cancun
• Privatzimmer und Schlafsäle verfügbar
• Tolle Atmosphäre um Leute kennenzulernen
• Gemeinsame Küche

alt=“Nomads Hotel & Rooftop Pool “>
Cheap accommodation with pool: Selina Cancun Downtown

• 2 Minuten zu Fuß zum ADO
• Toller Außenpool vor Ort
• Tolle Küche zum Mitnehmen
• Private und Schlafsäle verfügbar
• Kostenlose Meditations- und Salsa-Kurse inklusive

alt="Selina Cancun Downtown Hotel">

How to get to the Hotel Zone from downtown Cancun

Perhaps the best thing about staying in downtown Cancun City is that you can be on the hotel strip's white-sand beaches within 20 minutes and for less than $0.60 - without paying hundreds per night for accommodations!

I recommend taking either the #1 or #2 bus from anywhere along Avenida Tulum. Both buses take you to the hotel strip. The fare is only 12 pesos per person. I recommend paying in pesos as bus drivers rarely have change for US dollars.

Alternatively, you can also book a taxi or Uber for 150-200 pesos each way.
alt="Kitesurfing in Cancun, Mexico">

Tips for visiting downtown Cancun

Q. Is downtown Cancun safe? While it doesn't feel like a tourist hotspot, walking through downtown Cancun definitely feels safe. However, most people will tell you not to walk outside the main areas (Avenida Tulum and Parque de las Palapas) at night.

Q. How do you get from the airport to downtown Cancun? The most convenient way to get from the airport to downtown Cancun is to book an airport taxi. However, what I didn't know (and was stung by) is that there is a taxi mafia operating here. These guys will charge you crazy prices (starting at $90) for a 25 minute ride. I would suggest not leaving the main airport building and choosing one of the authorized taxis right in front of the baggage carousels. Under no circumstances should you turn left out of the airport area immediately after leaving the airport building.

The second option is to take the ADO bus. You can book a ticket at the “ADO Booth” just before you leave the airport building. This is the public airport bus service that goes to downtown Cancun.

Q. How do you get around downtown Cancun? The best ways to get around are on foot, taking a taxi, hopping in a colectivo (minivan rideshare) or taking the bus. There are Ubers in Cancun, but apparently the taxi drivers don't like them and collisions are common. Uber drivers in Cancun are apparently very secretive and I was told they may not pick you up before taxis.

More activities in the Riviera Maya

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best things to do in downtown Cancun City, Mexico. While you're here on my blog, be sure to check out some of my other articles and off-the-beaten-path travel guides I've written for Yucatan and the Riviera Maya.

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