How to Spend 2 Days in Cancun as a Solo Traveller

September 30, 2025
No Comments

Two days in Cancun may not sound like a lot, but there is so much you can do in such little time. From one of the famous World Wonders to pristine beaches and turquoise water, here is how to make the most of your short stay.

One my recent journey back to Europe from South America, I found myself with the choice of a layover in either Brazil or Cancun, Mexico. In the end, I chose Cancun due to flight times.

I had two days to enjoy Cancun and to be honest, I didn’t have the highest expectations. I had heard it was a party mile and overrun with tourists.

What I didn’t expect was a culture-rich two days mixed with incredible food and some of the most beautiful beaches I had ever seen. Whether you are also planning your layover or only wanting to stay a short time in Cancun, this two day itinerary will help you make the most of your stay:

This blog may contain affiliate links to support the running of the blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Table of Contents

How to get to Cancun?

The cheapest way to get to the city centre or hotel zone from Cancun airport is by ADO bus for around $7.50. When I went, the bus only went to the bus terminal in downtown Cancun which was fine as I was staying downtown. However, they have now added another route which goes to the hotel zone.

Check out my full guide on getting the bus from the airport to Cancun here.

Some hotels also have shuttle buses from the airport, so it is worth asking when booking.

Cancun also has official airport Taxis (Uber is not allow from the airport, but you can get it TO the airport). It is highly recommended to pre-book these to avoid being scammed which you can do here. Rides to the hotel zone start around $30. I would ask your hotel if they don’t have shuttles for taxi recommendations too, some have special deals.

Where to stay in Cancun?

If you are on a budget, the best hostels and hotels to stay at are in Downtown Cancun. From there you can get a public bus to the beaches in the hotel zone. Check out my full guide on the best hotels in downtown Cancun here.

Best accommodation in the Cancun Hotel Zone:

$ Mayan Monkey Cancun

$$ Emporio Cancun

$$$ Kempinski Hotel Cancún

How to get around Cancun using public transport?

If you are staying outside the hotel zone, there are local buses that will get you around Cancun. R1 and R2 are the most popular routes, though your hostel/hotel will be able to give you instructions of which to take where.

A bus from downtown to the Hotel Zone costs around 12MXN ($0.65).

Best Things to Do in Cancun in 2 Days

While two days is not a lot, it is enough to head on one of the most famous day trips of Mexico while also enjoying the stunning beaches that Cancun has to offer. Here is my recommended itinerary:

Day 1: Daytrip to Chichen Itza and a Cenote

Start the day with an early tour to Chichén Itzá

If you only have two days in Cancun, make sure to go on a daytrip to Chichén Itzá for one of them. The pre-Hispanic American archaeological site is one of the seven World Wonders and an absolute must-visit.

I went with this tour which was advertised as early morning as I was hoping to beat the crowds (and it was so cheap at $29). We did leave early, however the tour bus then stopped at this little village where they sold souvenirs and it felt like a little bit of a marketing stunt. I suppose you get what you pay for.

Because of that, we arrived at Chichén Itzá later than I expected and it was SO PACKED. The tour of Chichén Itzá then felt a little rushed and we only had like 30 minutes to explore by ourselves, which wasn’t enough.

I honestly thought Chichén Itzá was just the big Pyramid which is shown in all the photos, but the whole site is huge with so many interesting ruins and a ton of history to learn about. I could have spent hours walking around.

All in all, my tour was the most budget-friendly option and it is good for someone wanting to tick Chichén Itzá off the bucket list and swim in a Cenote, but nothing more than that. If you have the budget, go for one of the smaller group tours below, it will be so worth it!

Go for a swim in an ancient Cenote

Our tour then went to a lunch spot where we got free buffet-style food and got to swim in a Cenote. You had to pay like $4 for a life jacket to swim.

A cenote is a deep water well that is fed by rivers and rain water. For the Mayans, cenotes represented life in the way of drinking water and death as it was seen as a portal to the world of the dead: the Xibalbá. Some say they were used for human offerings too, which is a little creepy to think about when you swim in one.

I wasn’t expecting much from the cenote, but it was such a cool experience. The whole area looked whimsical and the water was refreshing.

Tequila Tasting

Not all tours will include this, but my one had a visit to the little town of Valladolid for a wander and tequila tasting. You will get to taste some locally produced tequila and hear some of the history of tequila making, which is interesting.

I’m not a tequila fan myself but this was a cool experience. If your tour doesn’t include this, Cancun does have some local bars that offer this too.

Finish with tacos for dinner

Cancun has some amazing restaurants, but I would recommend getting fish tacos, especially if you are staying downtown. There are a ton of street vendors in the area that will sell them (Mr. Taco “La Manita” has some amazing ones).

In the hotel zone, good Taco places to try are Tacos Villanos and Taquería Los Chachalacos.

Day 2: Beach Day

Head to the Hotel Zone and go for a swim in the crystal clear water

If you aren’t already staying in the hotel zone, grab the public bus there and enjoy what Cancun is so famous for: the pristine white beaches and crystal-clear turquoise water. I have travelled a lot and seen a ton of different beaches, but the stunning colour of the water here really surprised me!

I found there was a lot of space to put my own towel and not have to pay for a beach chair. If you are staying in the hotel zone, many of the hotels will have their own stretch of beach too.

Buy some souvenirs in one of the shopping malls

The hotel zone has quite a few great malls. You will find anything from international stores to local ones with beautiful souvenirs.

Grab some food

Grab a bite to eat before leaving Cancun. Great restaurants to try in the hotel zone are El Fish Fritanga for some fresh fish and La Bamba. If you’d like to try some more street food, Parque de las Palapas has some amazing and affordable options.

Head back to the airport/to your next destination

It’s time to head back to the airport, or make your way to your next destination via bus. There are many popular routes to tourist destinations connecting to Cancun, such as Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

If you are headed to the airport, remember to aim to be there around 2 hours prior to departure. You can take an uber to the airport, or the bus as discussed in the beginning of this article. It’s been an amazing time in Cancun!

Is it worth going to Cancun for 2 days?

In my opinion, it is worth to spend two days in Cancun, for example on a layover. It is a beautiful area, but extremely touristy. Two days to me were the perfect time to see Chichen Itza which was on my bucket list and enjoy the beaches of Cancun, without feeling overwhelmed by how busy the city can be.