OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

In Cancun, one of the most romantic things you can do is go horseback riding, whether it?s on the beach admiring the gorgeous scenery, or in the in the lush surroundings of the jungle. There are daily horseback excursions that begin at 8:00 am, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm and last for about four or five hours. The horses depart from Plaza Kukulkan.

Isla Holbox. Located 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the Yucatan Peninsula. Separated from the mainland by the Yalahan Lagoon, Holbox Island is far enough removed from civilization to allow you to forget about everything and enjoy some quiet relaxation. To arrive there from Cancun, take Route 180 west to Km 150 and then head north about 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the town of Chiquila. There you?ll have to cross Yalahan Lagoon in a boat to arrive at the island. The inhabitants are fishermen and they can guide you around the island. The town of Holbox is very small and doesn?t have paved roads, which explains why most people there use bicycles and golf carts to get around. We recommend that you rent one of these golf carts to travel around the island as you admire the beautiful landscape and take in the fresh ocean air. From Yalahan Lagoon, you can take a boat to Isla Pajaros and Cabo Catoche. Along the way, you?re likely to see dolphins and pink flamingos.

Parque Natural Garrafon. Located in the southern region of Isla Mujeres, 14 kilometers (9 miles) from the Cancun coast. The park is a natural paradise where you can do water sports, sunbathe, or relax under a palm tree as you forget about the stress and hustle of the big city. Open daily to the public year-round. In this park, you can do some Tyrolean rappelling, one of the most exciting activities on Isla Mujeres. Here?s how it works: you climb a high tower and strap yourself into a harness, and then you slide down a cable that is connected to another platform. Some of the cables are more than 350 meters (1,100 feet) long and you?ll feel the adrenaline rush as you soar through the air at more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) per hour. The adventure ends at la Cueva del Silencio in the southern part of Isla Mujeres, which is near an ancient Mayan temple that honors the goddess Ixchel.

Playa del Carmen. Located 68 kilometers (42 miles) south of Cancun on Route 307 in the Mayan Riviera. At this marvelous place, you can go on Jeep, motorcycle, bicycle and horseback riding tours.

Trips near Coba. If you enjoy cave exploring, there are daily trips from Cancun to Coba, where you can visit the so-called Jaguar and Alligator sinkholes, as well as Mojarras Lagoon. The trip includes a guided nature tour, rappelling and Tyrolean rappelling lessons, and excellent local cuisine.