Yucatan Peninsula · Mexico · Things to do
5 things to do in the Yucatan with kids
The five best things to do in the Yucatan with kids are swimming in a cenote, visiting Chichen Itza at opening, seeing the Tulum ruins above the sea, wandering colonial Valladolid, and spending a beach day in Playa del Carmen. They sit on one loop of about two hours between stops, so a week with a rental car or a driver covers them.
What to do, in order
- 1
Swim a cenote
Cenotes are natural sinkholes filled with clear freshwater, found across the peninsula. Some are open to the sky, such as Ik Kil near Chichen Itza, and others are cave systems, such as those near Tulum. The water is cool, and many have life jackets to rent. Shower before entering and use only biodegradable sunscreen, or none, since many cenotes require it. Choose a shallow, open cenote for young children and go in the morning, before the tour groups.
- 2
Chichen Itza at opening
Chichen Itza is the largest Maya site in the region, centred on the stepped pyramid of El Castillo. It is about two hours from Cancun and a bit more from Playa del Carmen. Arrive at opening, because by late morning it is hot and the tour buses arrive. You cannot climb the pyramid, but children can walk the ball court and clap to hear the echo. Bring water and a hat, as shade is scarce. Many families stay in Valladolid the night before.
- 3
Tulum ruins on the beach
The Tulum ruins are a small walled Maya city on a cliff above the Caribbean, so the visit is short and easy for children, about one to two hours. The setting, with the temple above the turquoise sea, is the draw. A small beach at the foot of the cliff is open for swimming. Arrive early, because it gets hot and crowded by late morning. Combine it with a cenote, or with snorkelling at nearby Akumal, which is known for sea turtles.
- 4
Wander Valladolid
Valladolid is a colonial town about 45 km east of Chichen Itza, with pastel buildings, a main square and a large church. It is calmer than the resort coast, and a pleasant place to stay overnight. Visit the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena and the Calzada de los Frailes, a pretty street. Cenote Zaci is in town, and others are a short drive away. Stop on the square for ice cream and a break from the heat. Evenings are cooler and lively.
- 5
Beach day in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a Caribbean resort town with a long, soft, sandy beach, and the water is often calm and warm. Quinta Avenida, the pedestrian main street, has shops and restaurants a block back from the sand. A ferry to Cozumel leaves from the pier. Seaweed, called sargassum, can wash up on beaches in spring and summer, and varies by year, so check recent conditions. Bring sun protection and arrive early for shade and loungers.
Plan it
- Best time
- November to April is dry and cooler, with the highest crowds from December to March. May to October is hot, humid and rainy, and hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking around August to October. Seaweed is heaviest in spring and summer.
- How long
- A week covers all five without constant moving. Base two nights near Valladolid and Chichen Itza, and the rest on the coast near Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
- Getting around
- A rental car is the easiest way to link sites, and the toll highways are faster than the free roads. Comfortable long-distance buses run between towns, and shared vans, called colectivos, serve short routes. Playa del Carmen to Tulum takes about an hour.
Good to know
- Carry some pesos in cash. Entrance fees, small restaurants and cenote fees are often cash only.
- Use reef-safe or biodegradable sunscreen. Cenotes and reefs are delicate, and some sites check.
- Start early everywhere. Heat builds from mid-morning, and the sites are quieter at opening.
Frequently asked
Is the Yucatan good for kids? +
Yes. It combines warm beaches, calm swimming in cenotes and easy ruins, and most resort towns are used to families. Heat and long drives are the challenges, so start early and keep afternoons slow.
Can children swim in cenotes? +
Yes, in open and shallow cenotes, with life jackets, which are usually available to rent. The water is cool and deep in places. Pick a family-friendly cenote, avoid cave dives and supervise closely.
What is the best time to visit the Yucatan? +
November to April is the best time, with drier, cooler weather. It is also the busiest. May to October is hot and rainy, with hurricane risk in late summer and autumn, though prices are lower.
How long does it take to get from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza? +
About two and a half hours by road. Many families split the trip with a night in Valladolid, which is closer, and arrive at Chichen Itza at opening to beat the heat and the tour buses.
