Cancun, Mexico is a tourist hot spot for its beautiful beaches, bustling nightlife, and thrilling outdoor adventures - accompanied with the warm weather it experiences all-year round. However, Cancun still experiences rainfall, typically between May and October which is Cancun’s wet season. This is the time when tourists are less likely to go there compared to its dry season (November to April). While rainy season may prevent visitors from doing some activities - especially outdoor activities - there are activities still that you can do despite the weather, fun guaranteed! Read on for the best things to do in Cancun when it rains.
For a place to stay here, check out the party hotels and budget hotels.
1. Get wet in the caves of Yucatan Peninsula
It’s raining and you’re going to get wet anyway if you don’t stay indoors, so why not just enjoy the rain and Cancun’s natural beauty at the same time? If you don’t know what to do in Cancun when it rains, this place is a top contender. Cenotes are naturally formed swimming holes or sinkholes, and they are filled with clear, fresh water due to filtering done by the earth. Some cenotes are located in a cave, while some are open. Most of them are gateways to underground waterways and hidden rivers, which is why it is such a perfect place for exploration. You can swim and snorkel in these swimming holes, and it is safe as long as you stay on the surface. Cave or cavern diving is only allowed if you are a licensed open water diver and you are accompanied by a guide who has the “CAVE” certification. Diving in these swimming holes is not only hard but also dangerous, you’ll need someone who knows the caves very well.
There are at least a thousand cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, and several of them are located in Cancun. Aside from the Viator tours, there are also tours in Cancun where you can visit four cenotes in one day and do other activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and zip lining.
Xenotes Oasis Maya Tour
Price: from 107 USD
Website: Xenotes Oasis Maya Tour
2. Go to Xcaret ecopark
Xcaret Eco-Archaeological Park is a theme park in Cancun that offers you to see and experience Mexico’s culture, history, and nature all at the same time! What is unique about this theme park is that it was built on its environment and archaeological ruins, which will definitely make you feel the history in its walls.
Xcaret, which is located in Riviera Maya, between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, offers various outdoor and indoor activities. If you don’t mind the rain, then you can always snorkel and swim in the Caribbean sea, in the underground rivers, and even try swimming with the dolphins and go sea trekking. If you prefer to stay dry, then you can always visit Xcaret’s other attractions such as the Aviary, Hacienda Henequenera, Rotating Scenic Tower, and the Caves to the Mayan Village.
Xcaret Park
Address: Chetumal-Puerto Juarez Federal Highway, Km. 282. Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Price: from 99 USD
Opening Hours: 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Website: Xcaret Park
3. Visit the Interactive Aquarium
Take your family to the only aquarium in Cancun! The Interactive Aquarium houses over 1,195 underwater species and offers various attractions for you and your family. It is called the Interactive Aquarium because of the different activities they offer that allow its visitors to interact with different sea animals such as the Sea Trek and meet with the dolphins and sea lions. Another attraction they have is the Touch Tanks where you are able to touch other sea creatures like the starfish, sea cucumber, and sea urchins. If you’re up for some interaction with our friendly sea animals, then this is one of the best indoor activities in Cancun for you.
Interactive Aquarium
Address: Inside La Isla Shopping Mall
Price: from 14 USD
Opening Hours: 9am - 8pm
Contact: 998 206 3311
Website: Interactive Aquarium
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4. Go shopping in Kukulcan Plaza
Rain or shine, shopping is one activity you must not miss when you’re on vacation. Being a tourist destination, Cancun has a lot of places where you can shop for anything that you might want to take back home. One such place is the Kukulcan Plaza, a shopping mall that has everything from restaurants, to a casino, to shopping. Adjacent to the Kukulcan Plaza is the Luxury Avenue, where the stores of famous name brands are located.
Kukulcan Plaza
Address: Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 13, Hotel Zone, Cancun
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm
Contact: 998 193 0160
5. Burn energy in Sky Zone
Playing at Sky Zone is one of the best ways to burn off your energy while having fun. Sky Zone in Cancun is a great way to get some exercise indoors while having fun at the same time. Sky Zone also offers exercise classes and dodgeball. All ages are welcome to play and this is the definitely the perfect place for you and your family to have fun together!
Sky Zone
Address: Inside Plaza Las Americas Mall
Price: 150 MXN (7 USD) per hour
Opening Hours: 1pm - 8pm, Mon - Thurs. 11am - 10pm, Fri - Sat. 11am - 8pm, Sun.
Contact: 998-884-2307/998-884-1804
Website: Sky Zone
6. Immerse in history in Museo Maya de Cancun
There are plenty of museums in Cancun, and one of the most popular is the Museo Maya de Cancun. This particular museum has exhibits on Mayan Culture and archaeology of Quintana Roo. If you still have time after looking at the exhibits at this attraction in Cancun, take advantage of the opportunity to visit the San Miguelito Archaeological Site next to the museum. The Mayans lived in the site before, and today five of the forty structures it has is open to the public.
Museo Maya de Cancun
Address: Boulevard Kukulkan Km 16.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500
Price: from 57 MXN (2.88 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm. Closed on Mondays.
Contact: 998 885-3842 or 998 885-3843
Website: Museo Maya de Cancun
7. Watch a movie at Cinepolis
Movies are not usually on someone’s must-do list when traveling, since one could watch them any time they want when they’re at home. However, sometimes the rain just puts you in the mood to watch a movie, and Cancun offers a movie-watching experience that one should not miss. Cinepolis VIP is definitely your normal movie house. Cinepolis VIP lets you sit back, literally, and watch the movie with their recliner chairs. They also don’t allow their guests to go hungry in their care - just press a button found on your chair and a waiter will come to you right away to take your order. If you ever wanted to get the VIP experience when watching a movie, then Cinepolis VIP is definitely the place for you.
Cinepolis VIP
Address: Avenida Tulum, Plaza las Americas, Cancun, Mexico, 77500
Price: 9 USD
Opening Hours: 12pm - 11pm
Contact: 998 8841410
Website: Cinepolis VIP
8. Go for Tequila tasting
Tequila tasting is a must-do on this land, which has produced Jose Cuervo for a long time now. There are over a hundred distilleries in Mexico and a lot of places that offer a drink or two. Hacienda Sisal is considered to be one of the best restaurants in Cancun. The restaurant does not only offer delicious food, which can be paired up with tequila, but they also offer weekly tequila tasting events which you are welcome to do!
Hacienda Sisal
Address: Kukulcán Blvd km 13.5, between Kukulcan Plaza & The Royal Sands & Spa, Hotel Zone, Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Website: Hacienda Sisal
Love the rain!
Don’t let rain ruin your plans for the day! If you don’t mind getting wet (because you’re bound to be anyway), there are still plenty of outdoor activities and non-touristy things that you can do even if it’s raining. If you’ve had enough of outdoors, then you can stay inside your boat or vacation rental and try watching a movie, or play in the Sky Zone. Whatever floats your boat, Cancun has it for you!