Great for Kids

Cancun Activities Great for Kids

These are some of the best kid friendly activities and restaurants in and around Cancun. Some of these are recommended for children 2-15, and teens would also enjoy these just as much. When visiting the water parks use with caution bringing little ones and make sure they have all the necessary life jackets for the water.

Cancun

Nizuc Park

Water park with slides, kiddie pools, and slow flowing streams where you can float around on, harmless sting rays and sharks for viewing and a swim with the dolphins program. April-Oct 10am-6pm daily Nov-Mar 10am-5:30pm

Crococun Crocodile Park

Watch the croc’s, over 300 hundred of them. Entertaining tours, feed the baby croc’s, deer, monkeys, parrots, and small animals. Hwy 307, Km 30 011-55-998-850-3719 8:30am-5:30 pm daily Admission

VIP Movie Theater (Plaza Las Americas)

This very modern theater is located in the Plaza Las Americas Mall on Tulum it has a state of art sound system, big reclining seats with cup holders, you even have a waiter that serves you drinks. For Dad and Mom you can order liquor, can’t beat that for the movies! Admission is $6.00 dollars and on Wednesdays it is $3.00. Movies are in English with Spanish subtitles (except for Disney films).

Xcaret

Famous eco-park provides lots of entertainment for the family. Snorkel, dolphins program, zoo, butterfly garden, traditional Mexican dance show and dinner(fee)this you don’t want to miss. Expensive but I think it is worth it. You can stay for the whole day or just go at night for the dinner show. If you’re there all day with kids under 5 it can be a long day.

8:30am-10pm daily Admission

Xel-Ha

Another great snorkeling park where kids can swim through the coral lagoon and see tropical fishes and turtles in this forest wonderland. I recommend this for children over 5.

9am-6pm daily Admission

Chichen Itza

One of the worlds most famous ruins you can see and climb. Some say if you were 3 hours away from the Great Pyramids of Egypt, wouldn’t you go see them? Of course you would! So take advantage of this great wonder while your there. I recommend this for older children because this can be a long day and you know how little one’s get after a few hours because it is an all day tour unless you drove there. Bring plenty of sunscreen, water, wipes, and some bug spray. Also don’t forget your hat and sunglasses. Check with your tour company or hotel rep. to set this tour up. Open daily.

Ruins el Rey

In Cancun by Crown Paradise Club is a small ruin and it only cost $2.50 (US) to get in. Open daily 10am-5pm. This is a nice ruin to bring smaller children to. Watch for the iguanas sun bathing!

Embarcadero

Sightseeing tower that looks like a giant flower with 100ft tower and windows that go all the way around for a 360 degree view of all Cancun. One ride, adults $9.00 (US) and children under 12 half price.

Senor Frogs Kids Party

Every Wednesday at 5pm you can take your kids to enjoy a Sr. Frogs kiddie party, with prizes, food and drink. Lots of fun for the family. They have a gift store that you can buy shirts, shorts and toys at.

Forum by the Sea

This big shopping mall is hard to miss with it’s big boulder stone walls and with a huge gorilla outside on it. You also can’t miss the giant guitar outside of Hard Rock Cafe, this mall also has the Rainforest Cafe in it on the top floor, this is a must for children.

Plaza Kukulcan

At this moment it is under construction you can go inside and take a peak and see what all new stores they are going to have. It is suppose to have a big food court. I will let you know on it’s progress.

Plaza La Isla

Cancun’s newer shopping adventure. This open air mall is nice and has many restaurants and stores with name brand clothes. Not really much of a price difference but nice to pick a few things up and remember you got them in Cancun. This mall is also home to the Interactive Aquarium that has a dolphin program, shark tank, lots of color salt water fish in tanks to look at. Cost is $10 dollars, take your time and look around and stop and watch the dolphin program. There is also a restaurant that you can view the show from. Very fun place for kids of all ages.

Pirate Ship Cruise

These fun and energetic pirate cruise ships will keep the kids dancing the night away with games and contest. The crew dress up like pirates. Made just like the 18th century Spanish ships, 93ft long and hold 350 people. Prices for dinner and cruise Adults $60-70 dollars and kids $30-35 dollars. Kids under 5 free and there is a reef tax of $3.00.

Isla Mujeres

You wouldn’t want to miss out on this treat for the family. Isla Mujeres is a small island of lots of authentic Mexican buildings and cheaper than the hotel zone, there are some quality shops to shop at for jewelry and home goods here.

Turtle Park

A turtle research station that is an educational tour that kids find great joy out of, there are many kinds of turtles to look at. Guided tours and donations are accepted.

El Garrafon Park

A big water park and is great for beginning snorkelers to float and swim. The Zip Slide is located here. This is a slide that is held up by a while you are in a seat harness and you ride down into the bay. Too much fun!

Cozumel

Chankanaab National Park offers the popular Dolphin Discovery and hands on swim with the dolphins program and it is well supervised.

Throughout Cozumel you can find horseback riding just look for the signs. And you don’t want to miss going downtown be sure to stop by the Hard Rock Cafe. There are many dive programs over on Cozumel and they have the best reefs to dive and explore the underworld. The offshore reef is full of color and life and if your a diving fanatic you don’t want to miss this since it is declared by Cousteau to be one of the finest diving places in the world.

San Miguel

This town is known for its nice shopping and laid back atmosphere. Be sure to stop by the churches and take some pictures.

San Gervasio Ruins

Cozumel’s Mayan capital was once very rich among the religions and trading was very good. There is a story that says, back long ago when war would come to the mainland the Mayan king would hide his many wives and children on the island of Cozumel. This is one reason why Cozumel is still sacred to the Mayan people.

Cancun is pretty much the place to do things with children if you don’t want to travel to different areas further out. Just a quick run down on some tips. If you are traveling with babies or toddlers and still need formula I suggest bringing the powder formula instead of the cans but if you do make sure you use bottled water at all times in there drinks or formula. They sell brand names at Wal-Mart if you need to stock up. When eating out make sure you use all the same caution that you use at home regarding buffets. Look, smell and taste the food. Some food in Mexico is spicy so tasting it first is a good idea. When it comes to fruits, peeled fruit is the best for them. The milk in Mexico taste different than ours here in the United States and it is usually warm. The kids may think it is quite different and not want it their cereal or to drink it. Then again, they might not even notice. Most hotels have a big selection on breads which make it nice for the little ones they may even enjoy the tortillas.

I bet many of you who haven’t traveled to Mexico was wondering what kind of food will they have for my child? Don’t worry! The hotels have a big feast of American food for kids including hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, pizza, ice cream, fruits, veggies, different breads and cereals. Breakfast is the best all around meal the hotels serve, I think. The milk in Mexico is a bit different so don’t force them to drink it if they don’t like it. But you may want to taste some of the Mexican food before they take a bite just in case it is spicy. There are also plenty of soda and juice available for them. If the food seems to different to your children there is always different restaurants in the hotel zone to pick from. All inclusive have it all for the kids and is the best way to go if your bringing them along. If your children haven’t tried a tortilla before, let them. Most love them, especially the little ones.

Children’s Packing List

  • Formula/powder or liquid
  • Medication
  • Sunscreen (Waterbabies)
  • Swimming Diapers
  • Pack & Play
  • Sunglasses
  • Hats/Visors
  • Wipes/Diapers
  • Creams
  • Band Aids
  • Favorite blanket/toy
  • Colors/Coloring books
  • Bug Repellent
  • Chap Stick
  • Sewing Kit
  • Ear Plugs
  • Sun Screen stickers
  • Thermometer
  • Eye Drops
  • Vaseline
  • Medicine cream for bites
  • Sunburn Spray
  • Stroller
  • Car seats (if you’re renting a car)
  • Pepto Bismol