10 Things to Do in Cancun in May

Although Cancun offers plenty of things to do in the city all year round, May is synonymous with partying, with the arrival of American and Canadian university students, and with sunshine, as the weather is ideal for enjoying the wonderful Mexican beaches.

Also, remember that if you want a contact of another galaxy with nature and let the water soothe you completely, you must visit the cenotes. And if you are still not surprised enough, Cancun even has an underwater museum for you to dive and live an unparalleled experience!

There are also more typical celebrations such as the "Day of the Holy Cross" that will allow you to get a little more involved in Mexican customs. In addition, a visit to the pyramid "Chichen Itza" is waiting for you to have a first hand contact with the Mexican past which is still more present than ever.

At the end of May, you must attend La Travesia Sagrada. It is an event that will take you on a journey through time, and in particular, through the Mayan culture. You will also be able to see a very special pilgrimage. Usually up to 300 people take part in this ceremony that starts at the Xcaret Water Park and culminates at Cozumel Island.

This is a celebration that used to be done to worship Ixchel who was the goddess of fertility. The Mayans would go in their canoes to the site of the goddess' oracle in Cozumel to bring offerings to her and then bring back the divine message to their people.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the experiences that will allow you to travel back in time and connect with the spiritual aspects of this region with so many centuries of history. You will also be able to take part in the traditional music and dances that are included in the activities of this celebration. An exceptional way to discover Mayan myths and traditions, many of which are considered Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Another extraordinary event you can enjoy in May is the arrival of the turtles as they prepare to nest and then lay their eggs. To see it, you have several places to choose from. Among them, I recommend Isla Mujeres or Isla Contoy.

At the same time, you have an ideal option in Akumal Bay, better known as the "turtle bay". This place has been protected by the authorities for more than 20 years. Here you will have the opportunity to be so close to the turtles in their environment that you won't believe it.

This is one of the 10 best activities to do in Cancun, but remember to comply with all the recommendations to keep the place intact and not to intervene or alter the natural development of the turtles or any other animal found there.

The last week of May is the Cancun Jumpoff. The event par excellence where the party doesn't stop for 4 days.

It is an adult-focused experience where music, beach and celebration come together in a party like no other. This is the ideal place to go with your friends and disconnect and recharge your batteries with a great vibe.

This event is recognised all over the world for the diverse proposals that you can find and where you can enjoy the night party that Cancun offers, although in this festival every night is confused with the morning, just so you can continue to enjoy a few days of pure fun. You can find all the information about the event on the official website.

Santa Cruz Day is also known as the Feast of the Crosses. It is a celebration that is commemorated at the beginning of May. It is related to people who work in the construction industry. For this reason, you can find these workers carrying crosses adorned with flowers and candles that they carry in procession or that decorate the houses of the villages in the area.

During this great festival you can share with the locals numerous typical dishes and drinks that are made as part of the festivities, a celebration that also has its roots in the Mayan culture. It is a festival in which the profane and the sacred seem to merge. It also marks the beginning of the sowing season for farmers, since, according to tradition, the divine entrusts the fertilisation of the earth with the first rains of May.

This festivity takes place in particular in the Mayan area and in the parish of Santa Cruz in Cancún. Although there are many villages in the Yucatan region that are tricked out for these celebrations, holding fairs, masses and processions.

Mother's Day is celebrated in Mexico during the second week of May. If you are travelling as a family, this is the perfect day to celebrate Mother 's Day and pay a small but heartfelt tribute to her.

There are countless options ranging from taking her shopping in the many shopping centres to treating her to a day at the spa and pampering her from head to toe.

And for the more romantic ones, watching the sunset on one of Cancun's best beaches can be an unbeatable postcard to remember Mother's Day.

In the first week of May, sport fishing lovers will also have their options. You can be part of the Don Andrés García Lavín Tournament in Puerto Morelos, an idyllic place for those who practice this activity. In addition, this team tournament offers attractive cash prizes and a vehicle for those who catch the biggest fish.

The event, where more than a hundred boats participate, brings together teams from various parts of Mexico, as well as from the United States and Canada. If you are interested in the world of sailing, perhaps you might be interested in our post about Catamaran rides in Cancun or this one about Boat trips in Cancun, the best options.

The Battle of Puebla is also celebrated at the beginning of May. This is a public holiday throughout Mexico. So you can take advantage of this celebration to relax and stay at the hotel and enjoy its facilities or go for a walk around the hotel zone.

Don't confuse this celebration with Mexico's Independence Day. This event has to do with the commemoration of the date on which the Mexican army defeated one of the most powerful armies, the French.

If you have to do any business at the bank or any activity at an official body, bear in mind that they will be closed on that day.

Another activity you should take advantage of in May is the opportunity to dive with a whale shark for a unique experience. This is the time when these sharks start to arrive in Cancun.

I know it sounds intimidating to swim with sharks! So I have good news for you, whale sharks are actually fish, the largest of their kind.

Imagine being able to swim with a fish that can reach up to 15 metres in length. Not everyone has that opportunity, so take it!

Among so many beautiful beaches it's hard to choose one, I can assure you I know! So I'm going to recommend Isla Mujeres, no more than 20 minutes from the centre. With few hotels in the area, nature remains almost untouched.

With its white sand and turquoise waters, it is a combination that invites you to relax and enjoy the tranquillity of a paradise like this.

Take advantage of the good weather in May and enjoy Isla Mujeres. It is a perfect place for water activities such as snorkelling and kitesurfing. When you finish, you can change the atmosphere without leaving paradise and go golfing or play tennis at the academy of the Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

On this popular beach you can enjoy a unique place in the world, the Cancun Underwater Museum of Art, where you will discover more than 400 life-size statues submerged in the seabed. If you don't want to miss this incredible exhibition I leave you this post where I tell you how to visit Cancun's underwater museum.

A cenote is like a small well made up of fresh water. Maybe it doesn't sound so attractive, right? But the interesting thing is where they are located, that's what will make you want to go for a swim in one and then you won't want to leave! And especially with the pleasant temperatures in May.

The most striking are the ones located in a kind of cavern, but there are many others that are open. These places have become a reference for tourism not only in the Yucatan Peninsula but in all of Mexico.

In the cenotes, you are going to find species that only inhabit this place, be it plants or fish. And if there is enough light in the cenote you are in, you can go snorkelling or scuba diving

I recommend you to do the well-known route of the cenotes with one of the many excursions, where you will be able to enjoy many of them practising different activities. You will be surprised by all there is to do there!

The first thing you should include in your luggage, of course, is your swimming costume and/or shorts. Without that, a trip to Cancun would be very strange, wouldn't it?

Comfortable sandals are a must in your suitcase to Cancun. For hiking, the best option is always a pair of sports shoes, which are more practical. A hat or cap is also a must for the intense sunny days, which will not be rare at this time of the year.

Suntan lotion has to be part of this list. You should protect your skin, as you are likely to be under the scorching sun for many hours. When going to the beach, towels will come in handy, although hotels in the area usually also have a loan service so you have more space to store any souvenirs you buy.

Time is a factor you can't leave out. Especially if you want to enjoy sunny or at least clear days. That's why this May is the right month for you to forget about the rains and bring your suntan lotion to Cancun.

You will surely need an umbrella, but to protect yourself from the heat and the full sun on the beaches. Beyond the heat, temperatures are usually in a range for full enjoyment, between 24 and 32 degrees Celsius.

So, what are you waiting for to pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable trip to Cancun? You'll be spoilt for choice between the beautiful islands, the nightlife, the cenotes and the beautiful beaches!