Cancun and Riviera Maya holidays

1. Spend an evening at Coco Bongo, a show and nightclub in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Its programme combines music, dance performances, large-screen projections and aerial acrobatics above the dance floor. Some admission packages include an open bar, with the selection of drinks and other inclusions depending on the ticket booked.
2. Visit Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. This extensive pre-Hispanic city reflects both Maya and Toltec influences. Around the spring equinox on 20 March 2026 or 21 March 2026, sunlight casts a series of triangular shadows along El Castillo, creating the impression of the feathered serpent Kukulkan descending the pyramid. The event attracts large numbers of visitors, so the site can be particularly busy at this time.
3. Explore Xcaret, an eco-archaeological park set amid the jungle of the Riviera Maya. Swim or float through its underground rivers, or book a massage at Xpa Xcaret, set beside a lagoon formed by underground rivers. Stay into the evening for Xcaret Mexico Espectacular, a two-hour show featuring more than 300 performers, with music, dance and traditional costumes bringing Mexico’s history and cultural traditions to the stage.
4. Take an evening trip to Xoximilco, a floating Mexican fiesta inspired by the traditions of Xochimilco. Travel along the canals aboard a colourful trajinera while enjoying a Mexican tasting dinner, an open bar and live traditional music. A host leads games, songs and activities during the evening, which also includes a symbolic kermes wedding and live mariachi performances.
5. Discover the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), home to more than 500 life-size sculptures in the waters around Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Snorkel above the sculptures at Punta Nizuc or view them from a glass-bottom boat. The artworks have an ecological role as well as an artistic one – their surfaces provide space for coral growth and help create a habitat for marine life.

• For shopping, head to Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen, a pedestrianised street lined with international brands, independent shops and stalls selling Mexican handicrafts and souvenirs. Stop for a meal at Aldea Corazon, a contemporary Mexican restaurant with a tropical garden designed to resemble a jungle cenote, where the menu includes a range of tacos.
• Visit Dos Ojos Cenote, a natural limestone sinkhole near Tulum with two interconnected pools and clear water. Dos Ojos forms part of Sistema Sac Actun, one of the most extensive underground river systems in the world.

• For lively nightlife, head to Cancun’s Hotel Zone, where you’ll find clubs and bars alongside white-sand beaches, shopping centres and a wide choice of restaurants.
• Playa Mujeres, north of Cancun, is quieter than the main Hotel Zone. This coastal resort area has fine white-sand beaches, a Greg Norman-designed golf course, catamaran trips, and nearby mangroves and wetlands.
• Mayakoba, on the Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen, is around 35 minutes by road from Cancun International Airport. The resort combines white-sand beaches with mangroves, freshwater lagoons and jungle landscapes.
• Puerto Aventuras is a good option for families, with a beach, marina and nine-hole golf course, as well as easy access to Xcaret and other attractions along the Riviera Maya.
• Spend time in Tulum, known for its clifftop Maya ruins overlooking the sea, white-sand beaches, cenotes and bohemian atmosphere. The town also has a lively mix of restaurants, boutiques and beachside hotels.
• Isla Mujeres has white-sand beaches and clear turquoise Caribbean water. Playa Norte is one of the island’s best-known beaches, while Punta Sur combines coastal scenery with sculpture and Maya heritage.

December to April is generally the best time to head to Cancun for sunbathing, snorkelling and visits to Mayan ruins, thanks to the pleasant temperatures and low rainfall. 

Late March to early April are busier when the resort hosts spring break celebrations.

Nature lovers should consider visiting in May, June and July when there are opportunities to see whale sharks or sea turtles. 

British citizens and EU passport holders do not normally need a visa to visit Mexico as tourists for stays of up to 180 days. The length of stay permitted is determined by Mexican immigration authorities on arrival. You can find out more about visa requirements for all the countries we fly to at the IATA Travel Centre.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June 2026 to 30 November 2026, with most tropical storm activity typically occurring between mid-August and mid-October. Check weather forecasts and local conditions before and during your trip and make sure your travel insurance provides suitable cover for weather-related disruption. If you book a British Airways Holidays package, you’ll also have access to our dedicated 24/7 helpline if you need assistance during your holiday.