For many solo travelers, the idea of heading to a major resort destination such as Cancun is the opposite of what they are looking for from a travel destination, but there are actually a raft of reasons why it is worth considering as a potential destination. The beautiful beaches and ocean around this part of Mexico are truly stunning, and while many of the beaches are busy and bustling with families, a short journey away from the main beach area will reveal some quieter spots you can enjoy.
Cancun is also expensive during the peak season, but during the shoulder season when things start to get a little quiet, the solo independent traveler can get some amazing deals, both for the hotel and for all-inclusive packages if that is your thing.
Enjoying The Marine Activities In The Region
The waters around Cancun are great for all kinds of activities such as swimming and surfing, but you can also venture a little further out with fun activities such as exploring on a jet ski which can be rented from many beach areas. There are also some good dive spots in the waters around Cancun, and if you are looking for a good place to learn to dive, there are plenty of PADI qualified dive instructors who can help you to learn the art in the calm waters of the region. The Cancun Underwater Museum is also a fascinating place to dive or snorkel. If you are looking to tick off an activity from your bucket list, it is also possible to take one of the trips that allow you to swim with dolphins off the coast of Cancun.
Avoiding The Family And Couple-based Activities
One of the biggest challenges in Cancun is to avoid all of the areas where you are likely to feel awkward for traveling solo, which means that many of the romantic restaurants and couples' resorts will probably be off your list. However, there are plenty of other activities that you can enjoy without feeling out of place, and there are some great laid back restaurants where you can relax with a drink and a meal in a relaxing atmosphere. Although enjoying the food and drink at an all-inclusive resort is very enjoyable, try not to over indulge and look to continue exploring the area too.
Visit The Cenote Adventure Park
The underground lakes around Cancun are amazing places to explore, and here you can see some of the stunning caves up close, and take a tour of the beautiful cave pools. The caves are well lit and all visitors are given a life jacket, which means that it is more like floating than swimming through the caves, and seeing the stalagmites illuminated makes this appear like a completely different world to that above the ground. The cool water is also very refreshing on a warm day, while you will often meet others who are also exploring beyond the beach in Cancun.
Take A Trip To Isla Contoy
The lovely strip of Isla Contoy is made up of sand and palm trees is an amazing place to visit and offers a completely different experience to the bustling beaches of Cancun. The island only accepts a maximum of two hundred visitors per day, and the stunning beaches of the island make for a great place to unwind. The option to explore the natural life of the area and to see four different species of sea turtle is remarkable, while the island is also home to over 150 species of marine birds, making this a nature lover's paradise.
Safety Advice
Cancun may be a lively destination for families and couples, but if you are traveling alone it can be easy to make yourself vulnerable to crime, particularly if you go out on the town in the evening. Solo female travelers can often find that waiters and other men are quite forward, while looking after your drinks and remaining in control are both very important. It is also worth noting that there can be some strong currents just off the beaches of Cancun, so make sure you are confident enough that you will be able to swim safely back to shore.