Top 10:

Historical Things to Do in Cancun

    • Chichen Itza - Cancun

      • 1. Chichen Itza

      • One of the New Seven Wonders of the World
        • Attractions
        • Yucatan
      • Nile Expert Tip: Recently voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this is the most famous site of Mayan ruins...
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    • Coba Ruins Day Trip from Cancun or Riviera Maya - Cancun
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    • El Meco Ruins - Cancun

      • 3. El Meco Ruins

      • Small Mayan ruin site north of downtown Cancun. Off the beaten path but definitely worth the trip.
        • Castles, Palaces & Historic Buildings
        • Downtown
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    • El Rey Ruins (Zona Arqueologica El Rey) - Cancun
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    • Ek Balam - Cancun

      • 5. Ek Balam

      • Ancient city with newly uncovered secrets
        • Tours
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    • Tulum Ruins (Zona Arqueológica de Tulum) - Cancun
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    • Tequila Herradura Museo Sensorial - Cancun
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    • Xcaret - Cancun

      • 8. Xcaret

      • This Eco-Park Combines Nature, Culture & Fun
        • Recreation & Natural Areas
        • Cancun-Tulum Corridor
    • Bullfights - Cancun

      • 9. Bullfights

      • Bullfighting in Cancún
        • Events
        • Downtown
    • Coba - Cancun

      • 10. Coba

      • Well-preserved Mayan ruins, deep in the jungle of Riviera Maya
        • Attractions
        • Cancun-Tulum Corridor
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    See all 222 Things to Do in Cancun: 1 2 3
  • The Best of NileGuide
  • The Yucatan Peninsula contains many Mayan ruins sites, but the most famous and most popular archeological site in the region is Chichen Itza.  Hundreds of visitors to Cancun & Riviera Maya make the trek to Chichen Itza each day.  It is a spectacular place and is definitely a "must-see".

    Other notable sites of Mayan ruins are Coba, Tulum, & Ek Balam.  Two small, lesser-known sites are El Meco and El Rey.  El Rey is located right in Cancun's hotel zone and El Meco is located a short drive from downtown Cancun.  People that do not wish to do a full-day tour to see ruins, or people that have already seen the major archaeological sites, will enjoy El Rey and El Meco.  El Meco is more off-the-beaten-path than El Rey, but it's worth the effort to get there.  There is a well-preserved pyramid at El Meco and the beautiful grounds make it the perfect place to have a picnic, while taking in rich history of the site.

    Xcaret, a popular eco-park, has a small Mayan ruins site, as well as a Mayan village, and shows about Mexican history and the Mayan culture.  There is also a museum on the premises.  During a trip to Xcaret, you can not only learn a little history, but you can also see flora, fauna, and birds of the region.

    Tequila lovers will enjoy a visit to the Tequila Herradura Museo Sensorial, a tequila museum.  Mexico's quintessential drink is tequila and the beverage is part of Mexico's heritage.  At the tequila museum, you will learn how tequila was made, while using all of your senses during the brief tour.  You will smell agave plants roasting, taste the agave plant, watch a short video, and, at the end of the tour, you will move into the tasting room to sample some tequila.  Even if you don't like tequila, it's a fun, and very interesting, way to spend an hour or so of your vacation. 

    Bullfighting is a controversial sport and certainly is not for everyone, but it is a big part of Mexico's culture. Bullfights are help from late-December through mid-May. During the season, bullfights can be seen each Wednesday, at 3:30pm, at Plaza de Toros, in downtown Cancun.

    The island of Isla Mujeres has a rich history,as well. It was once a major religious center for the Mayan people and was dedicated to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of love and fertility. There are Mayan ruins on the island, as well as the grave of a notorious pirate that is believed to have lived on the island.


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