Cancún offers plenty to do when it rains, with tonnes of indoor activities from aquariums to museums, cooking classes, shopping, and many other entertainments. Few people stop to plan for rainy days in Cancún because it's renowned as a beach paradise and party town, but rain falls here just like anywhere else.

Whether you're on a romantic couples getaway, a family holiday, or are just travelling alone, check out some of the best rainy-day activities in this vibrant town, where the party keeps going even when the weather doesn't agree. Here are 10 things to do in Cancún when it rains.

  • 1

    Museo Maya de Cancún

    Learn about the history of the Mayan culture

    Museo Maya de Cancún
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    Museo Maya de Cancún is one of the most important art and anthropology museums in the city with nearly 400 artefacts on display to educate about Mayan culture. This ancient empire was one of the most advanced of its day, and a visit here will give you a breadth of knowledge about its history and culture.

    The museum is located next to the San Miguelito Archaeological Site in the Archaeological Zone, about a half hour from city centre Cancún. If the rain lets up, this site can be considered a practical part of the experience and is also worth a visit.

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    Locatie: Blvd. Kukulcan km 16.5, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

    Openingstijden: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Telefoonnummer: +52 998-885-3843

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    foto door David Stanley (CC BY 2.0) bewerkt

  • 2

    Interactive Aquarium of Cancun

    Touch rays and urchins or meet a sea lion

    Interactive Aquarium of Cancun
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    The Interactive Aquarium of Cancun lets you get up close and touch creatures like stingrays while viewing local sea life, and it's all in a shopping centre. Here you can see dolphins splashing and playing as well as nearly 2,000 other marine species. Take the Sea Trek and meet sea lions and feel starfish, sea cucumbers, urchins, and others.

    Perhaps best of all, the museum is located inside a huge shopping centre, so before and after you view the animals, you can hit up your favourite stores for an ideal souvenir. It's just about 30 minutes from city centre in the Hotel Zone.

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    Locatie: Blvd. Kukulcan 12.5, La Isla, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

    Openingstijden: Daily from 9 am to 8 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +52 998-883-1773

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  • 3

    Rio Secreto

    Explore an ancient natural cave system

    Rio Secreto
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    Rio Secreto offers an astonishing journey through the underground along the Riviera Maya, which offers over 7 miles of cenotes, underground rivers, and cave formations. Many of the areas underground require diving equipment, so you'll want to bring an experienced scuba guide along. You can also explore the area on foot, which takes a few hours to get through.

    One of the more interesting aspects of Rio Secreto is that it's still being mapped and explored, so visiting multiple times might reveal new areas you've not seen before.

    Locatie: Carretera Federal Libre Chetumal- Puerto Juárez Ejido Sur, 77712 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

    Openingstijden: Daily from 9 am to 2 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +52 984-242-0074

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    foto door Río Secreto (CC BY-SA 4.0) bewerkt

  • 4

    Xcaret Eco Park

    Visit a wildlife preserve amongst ancient Mayan ruins

    Xcaret Eco Park
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    Xcaret Eco Park is a theme park and wildlife preserve that lets you get to know not only the natural ecology of Mexico but also its history and culture. The park exists on top of archaeological ruins, so as you walk through, you'll also experience the way ancient cultures lived in harmony with the natural world.

    The park is located between Playa del Carmen and Cancún along the Riviera Maya. While most of it is outdoors, it does offer quite a few indoor attractions, including the ability to explore underground rivers, visit an aviary, and more.

    Locatie: Carretera Chetúmal Puerto Juárez Kilómetro 282, Solidaridad, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

    Openingstijden: Daily from 8.30 am to 9 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +52 998-883-3143

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  • 5

    Cancún cinemas

    Take in a film with a VIP experience

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    Cancún cinemas let you get out of the inclement weather and stay entertained on a rainy day by catching the latest in local films and Hollywood blockbusters. You can visit any of several cinemas in Cancún, such as Cinépolis at the Plaza Las Americas, which is one of the most popular theatres in the city.

    You can enjoy reclining comfy chairs and even have wait staff bring food to you in the theatre. It's a true VIP experience to make you feel like royalty on a bad-weather day. This particular theatre, though, is about 2 hours south of city centre, so plan a day trip to Plaza Las Americas.

    Locatie: Paseo Central SM. 52 Mza. 1 Lote 1 Int. A-8 Nuevo Centro Urbano, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

    Telefoonnummer: +52 800-120-0220

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  • 6

    Cancun Wax Museum

    Take pictures with popular wax figures

    Cancun Wax Museum
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    The Cancun Wax Museum is a fun and exciting experience that lets you get photos of (and with) celebrities you might never meet in person. Here you can explore more than 100 lifelike wax statues of celebrities from all over the world, from sports icons to rock bands and film stars. Get a selfie with Elvis Presley and get up close to Barack Obama. It's a unique and exciting attraction to occupy you on a rainy day.

    The wax museum is in La Isla Paradise Experience in the Hotel Zone about 20 minutes from city centre. That means you can spend the day shopping before and after visiting the celebrities.

    Locatie: Blvd. Kukulcan, La Isla, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

    Openingstijden: Day from 10 am to 10 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +52 998-176-8249

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  • 7

    La Isla Cancún

    Go shopping at one of Cancún's best-known locations

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    La Isla Cancún is an open-air shopping complex with dozens of stores and restaurants, winding canals, fountains, and family-friendly establishments like ice cream parlours. You can also grab photo ops of the entire area overlooking Nichupté Lagoon between rain showers. Many of the shops are designer and boutique outlets, ideal for those who want a luxury touch.

    While the plaza is outdoors, the stores and shops let you get in out of the rain. You might just have to dash from one to the next. It's about 20 minutes from city centre in the Hotel Zone.

    Locatie: 5 Lt 18-10, Blvd. Kukulcan km 12.5, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

    Openingstijden: Friday–Wednesday from 7 am to 10 pm, Thursday from 7.30 am to 10 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +52 998-883-5025

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    foto door Carlos Valenzuela (CC BY-SA 4.0) bewerkt

  • 8

    Mexican cooking classes

    Learn to make your favourite dishes from scratch

    Mexican cooking classes
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    Mexican cooking classes can give you an entirely different perspective on the cuisine of this region, which encompasses a lot more than tacos and enchiladas. You can learn about Mayan influences on Cancún's culinary tradition, get hands-on with locally sourced produce, visit traditional mercados to learn how to choose the right ingredients, or learn how to make a tortilla from scratch and discover the utensils used.

    You can learn how authentic guac is different from what you get in the states, and change your entire outlook on Mexican food. There are many such available cooking classes, often included with food tours of the area.

    Locatie: Carretera a Punta Sam SM 86 MZ 2 34, 77520 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

    Telefoonnummer: +52 998-234-0880

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  • 9

    Ka'Yok' Planetario de Cancún

    Go on a virtual reality journey through the stars

    Ka'Yok' Planetario de Cancún
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    Ka'Yok' Planetario de Cancún offers a 360-degree visual experience of walking through the stars with interactive exhibits, virtual reality attractions, and flying through space. Here you can see the sun and moon up close. You can walk the surface of Mars. You can look at the planets through a massive interplanetary telescope. You can even visit an attached Water Museum to see the alien world right here on Earth.

    The entire family can have a unique, up-close experience with other worlds and the entire cosmos. It's all located right in the heart of city centre Cancún.

    Locatie: Palenque s/n Mz 5 21, 77505 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

    Telefoonnummer: +52 998-883-9557

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  • 10

    Cancún day spas

    Get pampered like royalty

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    Cancún day spas give you the chance to get truly pampered when the weather won't cooperate and you want to just lie back and feel pampered. You can get a massage from a trained therapist, hit a sauna, enjoy a healthy meal, and get a workout in. Spas exist to make you feel like royalty, and they're a great way to soothe your muscles when you're recharging your batteries for the next day's adventures.

    The options for day spas in Cancún are endless. You're sure to find a great option whether you're at a resort in the Hotel Zone or you're staying in the heart of city centre.