What to do in Cancún in 5 days
Prices checked in October 2026
Cancún is much more than the hotel zone: in five days you combine turquoise beaches, an island, Mayan ruins and cenotes to swim in. ADO buses connect it all cheaply and safely.
Itinerary
Day 1: hotel zone beaches
- Playa Delfines and the Cancún sign viewpoint.
- Sunset over the Nichupté lagoon.
- Taco dinner at Parque de las Palapas (downtown).
Day 2: Isla Mujeres
- Ferry from Puerto Juárez (about 20 minutes).
- Playa Norte, one of the prettiest beaches in the Mexican Caribbean.
- Ride a golf cart around the island to Punta Sur.
Day 3: Chichén Itzá and Valladolid
- Chichén Itzá early, before the heat and the tour groups.
- Swim in the Ik Kil cenote.
- A walk and dinner in colonial Valladolid.
Day 4: Tulum
- The seaside ruins of Tulum.
- Playa Paraíso.
- Snorkeling at Gran Cenote.
Day 5: reef and farewell
- Snorkeling on the Puerto Morelos reef.
- One last beach afternoon and back to the airport.
Approximate prices
- Chichén Itzá entry (foreigners)≈ MXN 650
- Isla Mujeres ferry, return≈ MXN 450
- Cenote entryMXN 150–500
- ADO bus airport–downtown≈ MXN 120
- Tacos al pastor / restaurant dinnerMXN 25 each / US$20–40
- Hostel bed / 3-star hotel (night)US$15–30 / US$110–200
Prices change: confirm on the official website before paying. Those marked ≈ are approximate.
Budget per person
Lodging, food, transport and tickets for 5 days, excluding flights.
Budget
Whole trip
US$ 250–US$ 400
Per day: US$ 50–US$ 80
Balanced
Whole trip
US$ 700–US$ 1,000
Per day: US$ 140–US$ 200
Premium
Whole trip
US$ 1,750–US$ 2,750
Per day: US$ 350–US$ 550
Tips
- Quintana Roo charges a tourist tax (Visitax) paid online before you fly home: budget for it.
- Pay in Mexican pesos: paying in dollars almost always costs more.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen in cenotes, or none at all: they ask to protect the water.
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