When visiting Mexico, Cancun is the perfect location to visit since it is conveniently close to many impressive landmarks and attractions that the area is admired for. Splendid beaches, fascinating Mayan sites, and incredible cenotes – there is so much to do and see in the Yucatan peninsula. Keep reading to discover the best places to explore near Villa del Palmar Cancun to make your holiday an unforgettable one!
1.The Museo Subacuático del Arte
Have you ever paid a visit to an underwater museum? Near Villa del Palmar Cancun, you will find one of the most unique attractions of the area and, perhaps, even in all of Mexico. Since its opening in 2009, the museum has gained popularity and has become a much-loved tourist destination.
The unusual attraction aims to reduce the damage to Cancun’s beautiful reefs by using underwater sculptures as areas for coral growth and shelter for fish. Within the 400 square meters of water, visitors have the opportunity to see more than 500 sculptures created by a British artist. Over time the sculptures have attracted many types of sea life.
To have a unique experience, travelers have a couple of options. If you would rather stay dry, you can hop on a glass-bottomed boat. However, if you wish to have an up-close look, snorkeling or scuba diving will be the best choice.
Even if you aren’t a pro in these activities, you don’t have to worry because the waters are shallow, and there will be people around you at all times. To get to the museum, you will have to take a boat ride. The most convenient option is to book it with a local tour operator onsite at the resort.
2. Playa Delfines/Xcacel Beach
Cancun is famed for its incredible beaches. While you get access to a fantastic beach directly from our resort, it is nice to discover other areas as well. Thanks to their awe-inspiring beauty, beaches in Cancun can get quite crowded, though. That can ruin the magic of the experience.
Luckily, there are plenty of beautiful beaches available that aren’t packed with people. A great example – Playa Delfines. The long and wide beach, located approximately 30 minutes away from Villa del Palmar Cancun, is a great place to enjoy stunning sunsets (or sunrises if you are an early bird).
Waves at Playa Delfines aren’t uncommon; therefore, it is possible to enjoy surfing a surfing lesson. Those who aren’t fans of hitting the waves may try a more relaxing activity – paddling.
Another great place to see is Xcacel Beach, a lovely secluded beach 30 minutes from the resort. It is set on a nature preserve and hundreds of turtles use the area to lay eggs between April and October.
3. Xel-Ha Ecotourism Park
For a day filled with fun, driving to Xel-Ha, a renowned eco-park and one of the most beautiful natural aquariums in the world, will be a perfect choice. Enjoy cenotes and grottos, jump off the Cliff of Courage for your daily dose of adrenaline, ride bikes, fly kites – there is something for every traveler here.
To get to the park, you will have to take about a one hour and forty-minute car ride.
4. Chichen Itza – One of the 7 Wonders of the World
The ancient city is perhaps the most visited and well-known Mayan ruins in the country. The impressive structures are truly jaw-dropping and have so much history behind them. At its peak, Chichen Itza was the most populous city in the Yucatan Peninsula. Even today, thanks to the incredible architecture, it is possible to see how impressive it really was
Although even a day might not be enough to admire and see the ruins entirely, make sure to stop by the Temple of Kukulkan (El Castillo), which is a 98 feet high pyramid and one of the reasons why Chichen Itza has been listed as the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The trip from Villa del Palmar Cancun to the Mayan ruins won’t be short – you should set aside at least three hours one way for the drive. However, as soon as you lay your eyes on Chichen Itza, you will be enchanted.
5. Cobá Ruins – City of the White Roads
Those who don’t mind taking a day trip won’t be disappointed by a visit to the Cobá ruins, located a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Villa del Palmar Cancun. The name means “waters stirred by the wind,” and this ancient city has the largest number of white-stone roads of any Mayan site.
Cobá is one of the few ruins sites that allow visitors to climb some of the structures. Make sure to explore these pathways and discover the small villages the ancient people once stopped at to relax and have a good night’s rest.
6. Isla Mujeres
To get the feeling of a tropical paradise, make sure to include Isla Mujeres, a small island just 13 kilometers off the coast of Cancun near Villa del Palmar Cancun, in your itinerary. The previously mentioned MUSA underwater sculpture museum can be found there, but there are plenty of other fun things to do too.
Rent a golf cart, explore the local galleries, visit Playa Norte (North Beach) and stop by the Garrafon Reef Park – the first point where the rising sun touches Mexico. To get to the island, you will have to take a boat ride. There is a ferry within walking distance from Villa del Palmar Cancun.
7. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Are you a nature enthusiast? Then seeing one of Mexico’s most impressive natural wonders should be in your travel plans. A three-hour car ride from Villa del Palmar Cancun will take you to a park that is home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including tapirs, cougars, toucans, and spider monkeys.
The spectacular UNESCO World-Heritage nature reserve should be visited at least once in your lifetime to get unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in Mexico.
8. El Meco Archaeological Site
Another fascinating Mayan site you should visit can be found just a five-minute drive away from Villa del Palmar Cancun. El Meco Archaeological Site once used to be a Mayan trade center. A highlight of the landmark is El Castillo – a 12.5-meter-tall pyramid that is the only one in the whole area.
The entire visit shouldn’t be longer than one hour, but it is definitely one of the best places to see near Villa del Palmar Cancun that many often don’t know about.
Please note that El Meco has been temporarily closed due to COVID-19; watch their website for when they will open up during a future visit.
9. The Scenic Tower
A must-do while staying at Villa del Palmar Cancun is paying a visit to the nearby Scenic Tower, the tallest structure in the Mexican Carribean. The 110 meters tall landmark offers a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful city, the coastline, and its incredible beaches.
For a small fee, you can hop on a round elevator and enjoy a relaxing ride up. Torre Escenica (the Scenic Tower) is about 20 minutes away from Villa del Palmar Cancun.
10. Dos Ojos Cenote
When visiting Mexico and especially the Yucatan Peninsula, seeing the famous cenotes is a must. A cenote is a deep-water-filled sinkhole that has formed in limestone. Near Cancun, you will find plenty of those. However, the Dos Ojos Cenote might be the most impressive one, which is why it is on the bucket list of many adventurers.
What makes it unique is that it has two sinkholes (hence – the name) connected by a 400-meter-long passageway.
All-year-round, the water temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit), which means it is possible to enjoy it fully in whichever season you decide to plan your trip. In Dos Ojos Cenote, adventurers may snorkel, swim or even dive. Since there are openings above the cenote, there is plenty of natural light, which makes the turquoise water even clearer.
To discover the beautiful cenote, you will have to take around a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Villa del Palmar Cancun, but the trip is well worth it.
