6 Things to Do in Downtown Cancun (Beyond the Hotel Zone)
At the end of my road trip around Mexico, I spent a few nights in Cancun. Rather than booking one of the big all-inclusive resorts in the Hotel Zone, I chose a hotel in Downtown Cancun. It was more convenient for the airport, and I wasn’t particularly interested in spending three days in a packed resort.
While most visitors stick to the beaches, bars and hotels along the Hotel Zone, there’s actually quite a bit to see elsewhere in Cancun. Known locally as El Centro, Downtown Cancun offers a different perspective on the city, with traditional markets, local parks, restaurants and a taste of everyday life.
So, if you’re looking for things to do in Cancun beyond sunbathing and partying, here are six places I’d recommend adding to your itinerary.
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Shop for souvenirs at Mercado 28
If you’re looking for souvenirs in Cancun, Mercado 28 is one of the best-known places to go shopping. This traditional-style market in Downtown Cancun is packed with stalls selling everything from Mexican handicrafts and colourful textiles to jewellery, clothing, ceramics and the usual holiday souvenirs.
It’s a very different shopping experience from the air-conditioned shopping malls in the Hotel Zone, and you do need to have some confidence here. I received quite a bit of attention from pushy stallholders, likely because my pale skin,bright pink hair and overwhelmingly English accent marked me out as A Tourist.
It’s worth having a wander around. Comparing prices and haggling is commonplace, if you’re interested in buying something. Just remember that Mercado 28 is still a popular market for tourists, so don’t assume everything is necessarily cheaper than elsewhere.
After more shopping opportunities? Take a guided sightseeing, shopping and tasting tour that includes a visit to the Mayan Museum, another local market, and some tequila tasting!
Experience local shopping at Mercado 23
Mercado 23 is another traditional market in Downtown Cancun, but it’s quite different from the more tourist-focused Mercado 28. While Mercado 28 is largely geared towards visitors looking for souvenirs, Mercado 23 is where you’ll find more of the everyday shopping that takes place in the city.
The market is packed with stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, spices, Mexican sweets and household goods. You’ll also find small food counters where you can pick up something to eat, making it a good place to try some local dishes.
It’s a little less polished than the tourist markets, but that’s part of its appeal. If you want to see a different side of Cancun and get away from the souvenir shops, it’s worth having a wander around.
I’d recommend visiting in the morning when the market is at its busiest and the food stalls are open.
Obsessed with Mexican food? (Yeah, me too…) Learn the secrets of the country’s traditional dishes with a hands-on cookery class.
Hang out in Parque Las Palapas
If you want to see a different side of Cancun, spend an evening at Parque de las Palapas. This central square is a popular meeting place for locals, particularly at weekends, when it comes alive with food stalls, market vendors, live music and entertainment.
It’s a good place to soak up the atmosphere, watch families spending time together and try some local food. You’ll often find stalls selling Mexican snacks and street food, alongside vendors selling everything from toys to handmade items.
You can also stop by Iglesia de Cristo Rey, Cancun’s first church, as it’s right next to Parque de las Palapas.
Unlike the Hotel Zone, this is somewhere that feels much more connected to everyday life in Cancun. I’d recommend visiting in the evening when there’s more going on.
Explore Parque Kabah
If you’re looking for something a little different to do in Cancun, Parque Ecológico Kabah is a nature reserve in the middle of the city. It’s a welcome change from the busy roads and shopping areas, with walking trails winding through areas of native vegetation.
The park is home to plenty of wildlife, including iguanas, turtles, birds and coatis (small mammals that look a little like raccoons). You might even spot some of these wandering along the paths as you explore.
There are a few walking routes to follow, so you can spend an hour or so getting some fresh air and seeing a different side of Cancun. It’s also a good option if you’re travelling on a budget, as entry is free.
I’d suggest visiting earlier in the day before the temperature gets too high. Don’t forget to bring some water and keep your distance from any wildlife you encounter.
Discover Cancun’s street art scene
Cancun has a growing street art scene, with colourful murals appearing across Downtown Cancun. Wandering around the streets is a good way to see a different side of the city, with artwork covering building walls and public spaces.
You can explore independently, keeping an eye out for murals as you walk around, or look into a guided street art tour if you’d prefer to learn more about the artists and the stories behind the work.
Combine murals with markets and tasty treats on a Street Food, Local Market and Urban Art guided tour – great if you only have a short time in Cancun and want to experience the best of the downtown area.
Visit Ka’Yok’ Planetarium
If you’re interested in science and astronomy, Ka’Yok’ Planetario de Cancun is an unusual attraction to add to your itinerary.
This public planetarium has a digital dome where visitors can watch immersive astronomy presentations, alongside exhibitions and interactive displays covering science, nature and the Mayan world.
There’s also an observatory, and the centre runs educational workshops and special events throughout the year.
It’s not necessarily somewhere I’d make a special trip for if you’re only in Cancun for a day, but it’s an interesting alternative if you have a bit more time or are travelling with children. Check the programme before visiting, as activities and presentations vary.
Downtown Cancun Guide
Getting around Cancun
As a major city, Cancun is fairly spread out, and Downtown Cancun and the Hotel Zone are seperate areas. The The R1, R2 and R270 public buses run between the Hotel Zone and Downtown Cancun, however there’s still a bit of walking between the drop-off point and the attractions listed.
There’s also a hop-on, hop-off bus, which is great for sightseeing around Cancun. There are two circuits that cover the hotel zone and city centre, and it stops at multiple points for easy access to the listed attractions in this guide.
Taxis are plentiful, and Uber is widely used and cost-effective. If you’re using street cabs, these don’t have meters – so agree the price before you get into the car. Check for official cab numbers, displayed vehicle badges, and driver IDs.
Once you’ve made it to Downtown Cancun, Mercado 28, Mercado 23 and Parque de las Palapas are within 10-20mins walk from each other. Ka’Yok’ Planetario de Cancun is around 15mins walk south of Mercado 28, and it’s about another 20 minutes betwee there and Parque Ecológico Kabah.
Is Downtown Cancun safe for tourists?
Walking around Downtown Cancun as a solo female, I felt relatively safe – although I did experience quite a lot of stares, likely because my bright pink hair and pale skin made me stand out as an obvious tourist.
Like any major city, keep your wits about you and ensure any valuables are well secured. Stick to active, busy streets and avoid isolated alleyways. After dark, take extra precautions and double down on your safety measures, especially if you’re a solo female traveller.
Final thoughts: Is Downtown Cancun worth visiting?
If you’re staying in Cancun, I’d definitely recommend making some time to explore beyond the Hotel Zone. While the beaches and resorts are the main attraction for many visitors, Downtown Cancun offers a different experience, from browsing traditional markets to trying local food and spending an evening in one of the city’s parks.
You don’t necessarily need to spend several days here, but it’s worth getting out of the resort bubble for a few hours and seeing another side of Cancun.
This looks really cool, I went to mexico as a kid but we pretty much just stayed at the resort and do touristy things