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Captain Hook and Chichen Itza: Cancun Fun for Families

Cancun has a reputation as a party destination, which is hardly surprising when it welcomes thousands of students every year for Spring Break. But although this is one side of Cancun, it's certainly not all there is to the destination. In fact, it is actually a fantastic place for a family vacation, with plenty of family friendly resorts and hotels, as well as lots of activities for all ages. Here are some of the best activities to keep everyone happy.

Xplor Adventure Park

If you are feeling adventurous, Xplor Adventure Park is the place to go. You will find a huge range of activities here to keep your heart pumping for the whole day, from zip lines that go right over the jungle canopy, to amphibious vehicles and underground waterways on which you can go rafting. Kids have to be five years old to enjoy the activities, so if they are old enough this is definitely one of the places you will want to check out, and you can easily spend an entire day here.

Chichen Itza

Archaeology may sound boring to kids, but Chichen Itza is anything but boring. Book your stay at a Cancun hotel using a service like Hipmunk, and you will easily be able to arrange your tour to these ancient ruins of the old Mayan capital, which is one of the most interesting archaeological sites in the world. Go on a private tour or group tour, and consider combining it with a trip to Ik Kil, a huge 'cenote,' which is a sinkhole. Just be aware that it can get very hot, so go prepared.

Captain Hook

If you want a fun evening activity for the whole family, Captain Hook is a great option. Here you will find not one but three replicas of Spanish galleons from the 18th century (named The Black Pearl, El Galleon I, and El Bucanero II), each of which holds up to 285 passengers. Book your trip on a boat and you will be treated to a fun-filled evening of music, dancing, dining, and more. The kids will love pretending to be pirates, and you can relax in style as you enjoy the entertainment.

Swim with Dolphins

Swimming with dolphins is a dream for many people, and this dream can easily come true when you stay in Cancun. There are plenty of tours offering to take you out into the sea to swim with wild dolphins, and the experience is an unforgettable one. Play alongside the friendly dolphins as you get up close to them in the water, and needless to say the kids will love it.

Another alternative is to go swimming with whale sharks. The largest fish on earth can be found off the coast from June to September, and you can get into the water and see them up close. This is a longer trip that will last a whole day, and the journey out can be long, so it is only really suitable for slightly older children.

Xel-Há

Xel-Há is another fantastic place to enjoy an adventurous day out. Snorkeling is popular here, and there are plenty of exotic fish to spot. In addition, you can go bike riding, take a trip into the marine forest, get on an inner tube and go down the river, explore jungle paths, and much more at the biggest natural aquatic park in the world. There are no minimum ages, and it is a great place to spend a whole day.

Xcaret

Xcaret is an even bigger adventure park where there are countless activities to enjoy. Here you will find underground rivers, the Butterfly Pavilion, Jaguar Island, the Scenic Tower, archaeological remains, and more. Go on a boat trip down Paradise River, discover the ancient Mayan culture, and don't miss the fantastic evening show.

Subsee Explorer

For a unique experience below the waves, go on a Subsee Explorer tour. This is a special boat with a glass bottom, and the seating area is below the surface so you can watch the underwater scenery pass by without having to get wet. Spot tropical fish, spectacular coral reefs, and more on your tour.

See These And More in Cancun

These are just a few of the fantastic family activities you can enjoy in Cancun. But these are just the start, and you will find plenty more to see and do when you arrive. So start planning your trip to Cancun and enjoy all of these fun activities during your vacation.

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