8 Best Things to Do in Downtown Cancun

Laura Winfree

Fri, August 8, 2014 at 7:52 PM UTC

4 min read

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A local's guide to Cancun's more traditional El Centro area.

Cancun is divided into two sections: the Hotel Zone, with the destination's beaches and resorts, and downtown Cancun, called "El Centro," where the locals live. Most tourists spend their entire vacation in the Hotel Zone, but more adventurous tourists know that downtown Cancun is full of taquerias, a lively central plaza, and ever-changing street art.

After over a decade of living in this city, I often prefer to spend my weekends in the downtown area because of its fun social vibe. Located a quick bus ride from the beach, downtown Cancun has great shopping, a fun community atmosphere, and some of the city's best bars and restaurants.

If you want to see the side of Cancun that the locals know, then hop on a city bus and explore the charms of downtown with these eight attractions.

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Pose in front of massive sea creatures and other colorful murals that adorn buildings throughout downtown Cancun.
Enjoy live music, a playground, and plenty of dining opportunities in the Parque Las Palapas.
Market 23 and Market 28 are great options for visitors looking to purchase souvenirs at bargain prices.

Explore the city's street art scene.

Spend a day walking the streets of downtown for some of the best views in the city. Downtown Cancun is literally awash in color thanks to its vibrant street art that includes massive sea creatures, surrealist works, and murals depicting Mexican traditions. Experience the murals on your own, or sign up for a walking tour to learn about the art from a local guide. There are even street art tours that come with a side of tacos for a full afternoon of local culture.

Visit the Parque de las Palapas.

The city's main park is a large plaza where you'll find food carts, a small outdoor food court, local handicrafts and souvenirs, a playground, and a large stage. On weekend evenings, the park becomes a hot spot for local families to hang out and enjoy weekly events. For a taste of the real Cancun, I recommend a Saturday night at one of the nearby restaurants, followed by a stroll through the park.

Pick up some souvenirs at Market 28 and Market 23.

Downtown Cancun has several local markets perfect for tourists looking to soak up the culture while picking up a souvenir or two.

Market 28 offers a colorful maze of souvenir stands and jewelry shops that cover a full city block, with several small restaurants in the center so you can grab a quick lunch during a day of shopping. For the real Mexican market experience, be prepared to haggle with the vendors.

If you're looking for a relaxed environment, head to Market 23 in the center of downtown. Known for mostly local goods — from crafts and souvenirs to fruits and veggies — it's smaller than Market 28 but perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in Yucatán culture at a lower price point than other places. You can also hit the food stalls for tacos, empanadas, or tortas.

Take a walk with a skyline view along the Malecón Tajamar.

Malecón Tajamar has a delightful walkway along the Nichupte Lagoon with amazing views of the Hotel Zone skyline. The waterfront neighborhood is one of Cancun's most beautiful areas — a palm-lined splendor perfect for walking, jogging, cycling, or outdoor yoga.

Taste some local specialties at a taqueria.

You can't leave downtown Cancun without hitting a taqueria or two. Enjoy authentic Mexican street food at local favorites like Taqueria Coape?itos and La Parrilla. To skip the line and get insider tips, book a food tour and experience Cancun's culinary scene the right way.

Shop with the locals at Malecón Americas Shopping Center.

Downtown's main mall is where you'll find most locals on any given weekend. Malecón Americas has a lovely and modern open-air atmosphere where you can grab an ice cream, browse beautiful department stores, and enjoy a meal at a variety of restaurants. It sits right across the avenue from Malecón Tajamar, so you can easily see both attractions in one outing.

Walk the Avenida Tulum and see City Hall.

Downtown Cancun's main street, Avenida Tulum, features wide pedestrian paths on either side, perfect for a leisurely stroll. It's lined with shops, small markets, bars, handicraft exhibitions, and galleries. Look for street art along the way and include the modern City Hall building in your city walk.

Road trip to check out the local ruins.

Get away from the downtown crowds and travel back in time by touring one of the many nearby Mayan ruins. The picturesque Tulum ruins are only a couple of hours away by car, while the ancient city El Rey is even easier to visit as it is located in the Hotel Zone. The El Castillo pyramid at Chichén Itzá is worth the five-hour round-trip drive to see one of Mexico's greatest marvels.

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