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Across North America, the weather has been playing an even bigger part than usual in daily conversations.
Hurricanes, cyclones, and tropical storms happen every year, and further, the forecast for the hurricane season points to it being a much more active few months than in recent years.
Thankfully, Cancun doesn’t normally receive long and prolonged bad weather. It can, and does, get hit by heavy rain, but it is normally short-lived and moves on faster than the time-share sellers in the airport when you say “No, Gracias”.
Equally, it’s rare for a hurricane to hit the destination directly, and the city normally receives the fringe effects of these.
But that doesn’t mean a day can’t be lost to bad weather. With that being said, there is no shortage of experiences for travelers to swipe away the boredom when a storm ruins a beach day.
These are the top 5 things to do in Cancun when a day at the beach is off the table.
Interactive Aquarium of Cancun
This is another great option for travelers to enjoy a rainy day in Cancun, and like the Mayan museum is located in the Hotel Zone, ticking off the “close to the resort” box that is close to being a necessity on a rainy day.
The aquarium is full of fantastic experiences for both adults and kids alike; there are stingray petting areas to get up close and personal, or for the more adventurous, there is an underwater walk to take part in, which includes sci-fi-looking breathing helmets that allow you to walk among hundreds of species of sea life.
The aquarium is also located inside a shopping mall, where travelers can get a bite to eat and browse through the shops to kill some extra time until it’s time to go back to the resort and get glammed up for the night.
Mayan Museum
While this corner of Mexico is famous among travelers for its beaches and electric nightlife, it is one of the most important historical and cultural centers in the whole world.
Across the huge expanse of jungle and tropical rainforest are the ruins of the Mayan civilization, from huge pyramids at Chichen Itza to the clifftop lookout of the Tulum ruins that once protected the coastline from piracy.
There is no shortage of historical wonders to experience. However, travelers don’t need to undertake a lengthy coach journey to experience the Mayan civilization.
The Museo Maya de Cancún is situated in the southern third of the Hotel Zone and is full of 100s of super interesting artifacts of the Mayan civilization, making it a fantastic way to spend a rainy day. The museum shop is also a great place to purchase a Mayan souvenir to take home.
Cancun Wax Museum
Rainy skies and high winds? Stop off at the Cancun Wax Museum and ask a life-size wax sculpture of Albert Einstein when he thinks the weather will clear up.
There are over 100 realistic wax sculptures to get a picture with, including Elvis Presley and former US President Barrack Obama.
Although this won’t fill a whole day, it’s a fun stop along the way in the Hotel Zone to help keep the mood light and positive, even when the sky is grey.
Culinary Tours
It would be a sin to come all the way the Mexico and not experience the full range of amazing culinary dishes the nation has to offer.
Throughout Cancun, there are many great tours for foodies and those wanting the full experience. And there are choices for every budget, from fine dining to street corner taco pilgrimages; this a must-do experience while in Cancun.
While guided tours can be easily found, it’s just as rewarding to put together your own circuit of chow and hit up each spot like a food-filled version of a bar crawl.
As Anthony Bourdain said, “Never be afraid to have a bad meal”.
Shop Till You Drop
There are plenty of great shopping options in Cancun to browse away a day if the rain hits. Throughout the hotel zone, travelers will find everything from hand-made crafts to designer stores full of handbags that could buy you another week in an all-inclusive resort.
In just a couple of months, travelers will also be able to experience Latin America’s biggest luxury shopping mall to the fullest. It is partially open now for travelers who don’t want to wait.
The GO Riviera Maya is soon going to be the new heartbeat of entertainment in the Mexican Caribbean. With hundreds of high-end stores, a huge food court, as well as a near-endless itinerary of entertainment provided on the grounds.
With GO Riviera Maya opening, it may just take shopping from number 5 to number 1 on this list.
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