Hiking in Cancun: The Best 7 Trails to Walk in Nature
Speaking about hiking in Cancun is probably not very accurate, especially for regular hikers. Let’s just say there are some interesting nature trails that you can do for a nice walk in the jungle as a short break from the spectacular Caribbean beach.
In this post, I will tell you all about it. Read on if you want to know where you can go hiking in Cancun but please go with an open mind.
After all, Cancun sits on a completely flat area, which covers the entire Yucatan Peninsula, with a small exception for the Ruta Puuc and Uxmal sitting in a 300 mt elevation hill, which is the highest point in Yucatan, if you don’t count the Mayan Temples, of course.
Therefore what I am sharing here are either walkable areas in the city of Cancun and a few other interesting hikes relatively near Cancun, that you can reach on a day trip or multiple-day tours, such as the newest Camino del Mayab.
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Hiking in Cancun: Short and easy trails in the Jungle and in the City
Parque Kaba’ (Avenida Huayacan)
Parque Kabah is like a natural oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. It’s a green area in the heart of Cancun Downtown where people go jogging and exercising. There is a 1.5 km loop that you can walk or jog multiple times and two exercise areas with basic machines.
Also, a cute family of coati, very common animals in Cancun, lives there and they will come and greet you in search of food. They are very cute but be careful and avoid touching them or putting your hand close to their mouth because they can bite so hard they could cut your finger off. No joke!
Cancún Zona Hotelera
The hotel Zone is not much of a jungle, however, you can be surprised how nice it is to walk along the cycle lane if you avoid the hottest hours of course.
I am talking about the Avenida Kukulcan From Km 0 to Km 23 if you want. One time I biked all the way to km 19 and back! But I would not recommend it. If you walk through, in the early morning or in the evening before it gets dark, it can be very pleasant.
The cycle path is lined up with palm trees offering some shade from the sun. It’s of course noisy and I wouldn’t call it hiking in Cancun, but it’s one of the most popular areas for locals and tourists alike to go jogging in Cancun.
From there you can find access to some of the best beaches in Cancun from Playa Las Perlas (Km2.5) to Playa Langosta (km4.5) and many others.
Malecon Tajamar Cancun
The Malecon Tajamar is another very popular post for a walk in nature in Cancun. Although it’s a paved road you can still find jungle areas, where you even need to be careful of crocodiles.
The best part is the promenade by the Nichupte’ Lagoon, where some years ago you could even spot a friendly dolphin swimming by in the morning.
It’s not there anymore but it’s still a great spot to see the sunrise in the morning, have a walk and exercise, or take a stroll in the evening while the sun set behind the Cancun skyline of Plaza Las Americas.
Hiking in Cancun Surroundings
Go on a hike on Contoy Island
Contoy Island is a protected area and bird sanctuary. When you go on a tour to Contoy Island besides enjoying some time on the beach, you also get to go on a short hike around the island with your guide.
It’s a great way to learn about the local preservation project and to get amazing views of the surroundings.
Botanical Garden Trail in Puerto Morelos
Located at only 30 minutes drive from Cancun in the hippie town of Puerto Morelos Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín Botanical Garden offers a beautiful trail in the jungle among flowers and lush greenery. Keep your heads up and look for the diverse range of bird species and other sorts of wildlife such as iguanas and monkeys.
The pathway alternates between well-paved stretches and rustic dirt segments, you will also walk through a suspension bridge and will walk amidst the treetops and breathtaking views.
You will also see a small Mayan archaeological site for some historical inspiration.
While in Puerto Morelos, make sure to check out some of the best cenotes near Cancun for a refreshing dip into their crystalline water, or get to Puerto Morelos beach for some of the best snorkeling in the area.
Coba ruins trail
If you are heading further out exploring, you can get to the Coba ruins, one of my favorites, not only for the tall Mayan temple but also for the beautiful trail you have to walk (or bike) to get there. It’s a real hike in the jungle although the entire path is flat.
Take your time and enjoy the surrounding vegetation, look out for birds and monkeys, and enjoy the ancient site, its beautiful buildings, and the story behind them.
Camino del Mayab
El Camino del Mayab, translated in English as “the Mayan path”, is a beautiful project of sustainable development created to offer visitors the opportunity to find the Mayan essence of the jungle and culture.
It’s a multi-day experience along more than 100 kilometers of beautiful and ancient paths with a historical and natural value that you can travel through hiking or cross-country cycling.
The itinerary is structured to include cenotes, farms, ecological reserves, and above all, the warmth of the Mayan people.
You can purchase a self-guided package which includes a selection of accommodation, attractions, activities, transportation from Mérida to the beginning of the Camino and return, passport, luggage transfer during the journey, and professional guidance along the Camino.
As they are standardized itineraries with resolved logistics, they are very comfortable and safe. You can choose between doing it privately or in a group in the span of five, four, or three days. Some Spanish knowledge will be helpful.
