One Day In Cancun, Mexico: Itinerary to Transform and Travel

Katrina Julia
Feb 25, 2020
8 min read

Updated: Jun 15, 2020

You love sunshine, beaches, and travel. You want to get away, stay healthy and have new experiences when you travel. Traveling helps you transform in more ways than one when you travel to Cancun, Mexico. Maybe, you want to come with your family too? You want to transform and travel.

It's easy to see why Cancun speaks to your soul with the beauty, beaches, and food. The city has a lot to offer ranging from beach, water activities, markets and historical ruins.

There's plenty to experience one day in Cancun, Mexico to transform and travel whether you come solo, with a group, or with family. After you read this, you may want to make sure you stay longer in Cancun, Mexico.

Follow this One Day in Cancun, Mexico Itinerary to Transform and Travel. It will help you make your travels transformational even it's a short trip. These are my recommendations for the top experiences for your one day in Cancun. My intention for you is that you choose peace.

My Experiences With Cancun, Mexico

If you are connecting with me and us for the first time with FIT Life Creation, I traveled to Cancun, Mexico for the second time in 2019 since college creating content, as well as being hosted on an adventure with Airbnb.

Since I went there a few days before the adventure, I thought it would be great to do a one day guide on Cancun, Mexico. The last time I visited Cancun was in college in 1997 when I stayed in the hotel zone. I was very different and it was a very different experience!

It was interesting visiting Cancun, Mexico 20+ years later with all the changes in my life. I reflected on how my health, wealth, business have transformed since then.

The last time I visited Cancun, I stayed in the hotel zone at an all inclusive resort. I believe Paradisus, but I may be confusing with my trip to Cozumel around the same time frame. I did your typical beach, water sports and partying some nights.

I remember meeting some awesome ladies from Dallas and going with them to Coco Bongo one night and a wild bus ride on the way back to the hotel.

My travels in Cancun, Mexico included healthy and happy experiences in every way this time. If you didn't know, I haven't drunk alcohol for over 5 years now. I feel healthier than High School.

This time, I experienced walking through sunrise at Playa Del Fines, biking to beaches, visiting food & street markets, and the best snorkeling experience ever!

Before my Airbnb Adventure trip, I chose to stay at Chiibal, an incredible hostal/boutique type hotel. I chose Chiibal because of the beautiful landscaping, location, and pricing. It is perfect for creating content like a boss, relaxing, and community. I am considering it for a future retreat of ours as well!

Fun Facts About Cancun, Mexico

Travel makes my soul sing. My story includes being conceived in Bulgaria, born in Poland, and in 4 countries by the time I was 2 (including a refugee camp in Italy.)

I love visiting Cancun for many reasons.

Did you know as recently as 1970, only 3 people lived in Cancun? Now, it is home to over 700,000 people! Cancun is home to an incredible underwater museum - MUSA. I visited a part of it during this trip! Maya Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world second only to Australia. It is breathtaking.

Cancun is known for its beautiful beaches, incredible food, and Mayan influence.

One Day In Cancun, Mexico: Itinerary to Transform and Travel

So let's explore the experiences I recommend for one day in Cancun, Mexico. Depending on when you arrive in the city, and where you stay, feel free to modify your experiences!

I'm sharing here a full 24 hours for your one day in Cancun. I'll be sharing Isla Mujeres, Holbox Island, and a Week In Mexico! I'm giving you many reasons you will want to stay longer.

Even when I travel, I stay healthy, bring Herbalife Nutrition and workout daily in different ways.

Street Markets

Once I explored Chiibal a bit and fell in love with the place, I rented one of their adorable bikes. I biked to Mercado 28, a beautiful souvenir market. It's literally called Plaza Bonita.

I love being surrounded by bright colors and practicing my Spanish. I ended up visiting a few days later with Nina, who I met at Chiibal from Sweden! It took about 10-15 minutes to bike to the market.

I loved one of my stops eating shrimp tacos and trying an amazing new fresh fruit juice, Chaya. Chaya is a leaf and in the drink, they add fresh pineapple.

Cancun Underwater Museum (MUSA Mexico)

As a lover of water and water baby including being a certified Scuba Diver, Cancun Underwater Museum is a must. My only question when I learned about it was if I would go diving or snorkeling.

One of my favorite statues (blessing) is snorkel accessible so I chose to snorkel this time.

I found a 4 in 1 snorkel experience on Viator in Cancun with Total Snorkel that is incredible. I highly recommend them. We experienced the underwater museum, shipwreck, Maya Reef, and searching for turtles (we didn't see any!). Without a doubt, this snorkel experience so far is my favorite ever!

Depending on your experience, it will be 4-6 hours for this activity.

Playa Delfines

One of my favorite things to do anywhere I am in the world is to spend sunrise and sunset at the beach. I ended up doing both while in Cancun. My sunrise experience was at Playa Delfines aka Mirador. It is amazing in every way. Wouldn't you agree?

It is easy to access via Route 1 bus and super safe. I stayed in downtown Cancun and the bus took about 25 min to get to this beach.

El Rey Archaeological Zone

If you want to see some ruins in the Cancun area, El Rey is right across from Playa Delfines. More or less a 10 min walk gets you to El Rey Archaeological Zone. It's easy to see in 30 min to an hour or so.

I saw 3 iguanas. Speaking of which, don't feed the iguanas in case the thought crossed your mind lol.

Reasons to Stay in Mexico Longer than One Day

Depending on what is important to you, you may follow the itinerary or you may decide to stay longer. There are many reasons to stay longer whether in Cancun or in Mexico. I've been three times to Mexico now, and continue to experience new things each time.

Isla Mujeres

A short 15 min ferry ride on the Ultra Mar deposits on Isla Mujeres, or Island of the Women. I went for a day this time on a walking tour with Airbnb. I visited Guadalupe Cathedral with a glass wall facing the ocean. You can sit in the church and see and hear the ocean. It is the most amazing church I have ever seen.

I volunteered for a few hours at Little Yellow School House doing a video interview with the founders, Paula and Maru.

I spent my sunset at Playa Norte Beach eating ceviche - one of my favorite's in Mexico (shrimp or white fish with a similar mixture to pico de gallo plus I always add in avocado!

I decided next time I visit Mexico, I will stay in Isla Mujeres longer. I love the chill vibe.

Isla Mujeres Walking tour with Airbnb — Airbnb Walking tour in Isla Mujeres

Holbox Island

Holbox Island is Mexico's best kept secret. It is accessible only by ferry and is a carless island. Holbox has an incredible laid back vibe and everywhere you look you feel like you are in the middle of a National Geographic episode. Crossing off Holbox Island off of my bucket list is literally a dream come true.

I spent one night and a day and a half as part of our adventures in our Airbnb Adventure. I could easily stay here a week, or three. Whether you stroll the streets, experience the bioluminescence phenomenon, or kayak through the Mangroves, Holbox has no shortage of things to experience.

Holbox Island on my Canon EOS M100 auto timer

Pink Lakes

I love to think pink every day. Another bucket list worthy adventure on my list was Pink Lakes. If you didn't know already my favorite colors are pink, blue and green. If you are curious how and why the Pink Lakes are so pink, blame the red-colored algae, plankton and shrimp that thrive on the salty environment near the plant.

As the water evaporates, these organisms become more concentrated, creating the breathtaking pink you see in the sunlight. We made it just in time for sunset after we left Holbox Island.

If you don't travel with an organized group or adventure like I did, you will definitely need to get a car to reach Pink Lakes.

Shot by Christy with Authentic Photo designs at Pink Lakes

Valladolid, Mexico

Valladolid surprised me in a great way. I knew of Cenote Zaci in town -which is absolutely amazing. I didn't know it was such a welcoming, bright colonial town. It reminded me in several ways of Havana, Cuba and brought back memories of spending over 3 weeks in Cuba with our retreats.

Valladolid has incredible colonial homes, coffee shops, and windy streets you may get lost for hours wandering with pleasure. We explored the town square, coffee shops and the Cenote. Another bucket list item checked off.

Holbox Island on my Canon EOS M100

Cancun Visit

Cancun is a great place to visit for many reasons from culture, experiences, and beaches. Whether you love the culture, sunshine, or you are a beach lover, you will love Cancun.

Have you visited Cancun before? Is it on your radar to visit soon?

What are some of your favorite experiences?

If you haven't, what activity here interests you the most to do in One Day in Cancun, Mexico.

Traveling soon? You'll love these tips on creating content when you travel.

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