Five Must-Visit Cities Near Cancun

When traveling to Cancun, you might feel compelled to spend both your days and nights at your resort. After all, most of the all-inclusive hotels in the Cancun area can usually accommodate all of your entertainment needs. But what if you want to enjoy the nearby areas? If this sounds like you, then take comfort in knowing there are more than a few cities that are definitely worth visiting.

Valladolid
This city boasts Mexican authenticity at its finest. It conveniently locates itself within a couple of hours from Cancun, meaning you'll have a lovely drive, looking at plenty of scenery. If you feel like it, you can mosey on down to Merida, which is only about a two-hour drive away. Valladolid is full of history, parks and authentic Mexican restaurants.

Xcalak
Cancun is fun, but when it comes to diving and snorkeling, Xcalak is where you want to be. This tiny fishing village features spectacular diving areas, especially in the Chinchorro Banks region. You'll see tarpon up close and personal, swim through caves and tunnels, and best of all, the reef here is absolutely gorgeous. If you plan to visit Xcalak, make sure to devote a whole day to the town. It'll take you about four hours to get there, and about two hours on a boat to reach the reef.

Chichen Itza
If you're interested in learning about the rich Mayan history, then Chichen Itza is a city worth visiting. Since so many tourists visit this town, you'll want to arrive early to beat the rush crowd. Not only does the city have incredibly preserved Mayan pyramids, but it also has plenty of outdoor adventures to go on, including many hiking trails.

Holbox Island
This 26-mile long island envelopes you in lush beauty no matter where you turn. It's separated from the rest of Mexico by a shallow lagoon, and features thousands of exotic animals, including hot pink flamingos. The residents here mostly survive by their love for fishing, but rest assured there's much more to do here. You'll find snorkeling, hiking, shopping and more.

Rio Largartos
If old-time living is what you want to enjoy, then Rio Largartos has you covered. Don't plan to stay overnight here as there are literally no places to book a stay. But visiting the city for a few hours during one of your days on vacation in Cancun is an excellent way to relish in the rich, laid-back lifestyle of Mexico. You'll enjoy fishing, bird-watching, and more.

Surrounded by Culture and Uniqueness
Each city mentioned above is overflowing with history and culture. If you find yourself with an extra day or two with nothing to do in Cancun, you should definitely hit up a nearby town. From snorkeling to fishing to hiking and more, you'll never run out of things to do. Best of all, these cities are kid-friendly, making them the perfect family vacation tourist hot spots.

Whitney Cann spends the most of her days behind a computer screen, writing about a variety of topics. She often blogs about her own family vacation getaways as well as many topics related to content creation, and she is currently working on the #HipmunkCityLove Project. She is hoping that her writing endeavors will finance a vacation to Cancun next summer.