Where Are the Non-Touristic Places in Cancun?


City Hall Cancun

For those visitors that really love to seek for local culture and want to know what is in Cancun within the downtown.   Believe me, there is a long list of things to do if you’re going to experience the charm of this place.

So, where are the non-touristic places in Cancun?  Some of the non-touristic in places in Cancun are in downtown and a little off the Hotel Zone, you will discover a bit more of the locals, you can enjoy parks, markets, theater, football games, shopping center, get to know and learn about the locals, music, food and much more.  Here is a list for you.

Market 23 (Mercado 23)

This market was the first in Cancun,  frequented more by local consumers, who shop at butchers, grocery stores,  home decoration, cheese and cream, sweets, fruits, fresh tortillas,  you can get as well all the accessories for children party, like the popular piñatas.  Plan to go there early in the morning so you can walk through the market halls to discover new flavors and smells, try a real corn tortilla, or have a traditional breakfast with eggs and beans in the snack area.

If you’re in the hotel zone just hop on bus route R1 and get off at the stop right across from the market. Mercado 23 Location

Market 28 & Plaza Bonita

Is an ideal place to get souvenirs, here you will find everything and Plaza Bonita is a Mexican-style shopping plaza, very lovely located one side by side, both assortment with beautiful Mexican handicrafts, it is the place where all the people of Cancun do their daily shopping.

If what you are looking for souvenirs for your family and friends, Mercado 28 is the ideal place. In addition to finding many shops of all kinds, you will also find typical Mexican food restaurants, seafood, and homemade food. You will also find banks, jewelers, shoe stores, clothing stores, a tortilleria, a supermarket, herbal and remedies stores, Internet cafes, pharmacies, the Mexican Post office is here as well.  There is an endless number of shops dedicated to serving tourists and locals. Visit the Mercado 28 And Plaza Bonita is a great experience, and you can spend all day. Mercado 28 Location

Parque Las Palapas

Is a large plaza where you’ll find food carts, a small outdoor food court, local handicrafts and souvenirs, a playground for the little one, and a large stage for events.

Going for a walk to the Parque Las Palapas in Cancun on Sunday, get ice cream or a soft drink to relieve the heat, indulging with a typical snack, buying crafts and watching a public event or musical groups are activities that the families of Cancun have ingrained the city.

The children can play in the playground, and others play football, while the parents enjoy a quesadilla, tacos, french fries or a marquesita (waffle filled with cheese and condensed milk) in the little food carts. You can enjoy the shade of its palm and ceibas trees, and at night you can see the bright lights and well-illuminated square, it is very folkloric.

Those visitors who enjoy venturing beyond the discs and restaurants of the magnificent hotel zone, will find here a place where you can walk while watching the local artists place their paintings, and the ladies sell fried plantains in their carts, as well as how to enjoy the free shows that occur almost every weekend and sometimes during the week. Without a doubt, an authentic experience of life in modern Mexico.

Parque Urbano Kabah Cancun

Is a beautiful natural protected area located in the center of the city consists of approximately 41 hectares,  where recreation is promoted, highlighting the historical, artistic and cultural values of the region. This is the lungs of the city, its extensive natural jungle trails stand out, shows the diversity of flora and fauna that unfolds in total freedom like deer, badgers, squirrels, cereques, birds and some turtle that has been brought here as refuge, you can see all of them when walking around the park on the trails.  Perfect place for exercise!

There is also the Museum of Casa Maya

Where you will see incredible photographs of Cancun from the beginning and the first citizens who stepped foot on these lands, as well as images of the Hotel Zone when it was only white sand, jungle, and the blue ocean just.

A picturesque attraction is the Chiclero Camp, where representations of how the Mayas produced chewing gum and how they climbed trees to obtain this resin that is now very popular. You can also see the Patio Maya, a representation of a house with its family gardens and water well. This park has become a beautiful space of excellent tourist attraction for travelers to learn about the species, culture, and history surrounded by nature.  Parque Urbano Kabah Location

Malecon Tajamar

A waterfront walkway and new neighborhood in Cancun, with a great view of a lagoon it has the most beautiful areas—the city added a large nature park, shopping, restaurants, and more. Malecon Tajamar has a pleasant walkway along the Nichupte Lagoon with amazing views of the Hotel Zone skyline.   If you like to see the view, enter the Webcam. This is a relaxing place where you would enjoy the nature of Cancun. Share a nice time with the family, practice yoga, run, bike or any of your favorite exercise.  There is public free parking.

Cinema in Cancun

Who doesn’t enjoy going to the movies? They’re so much fun, an excellent activity to kill time or during the rainy days. Cinemas are located on the Malecon Americas Shopping center. A regular ticket costs about 3 dollars, very inexpensive! There is another section of the cinema called VIP. It’s about 7 dollars, but so worth it, this is my favorite.   They offer reclining large chairs, like first-class flights, you can push a button, and you’ll have a waiter come and take your order. You can get any drink including cocktails or beers, snacks, sandwiches, sushi, or even a full meal! There is also the 4DX movie theatre; this is another experience and is a lot of fun for the little ones. Visit Cinema calendar here

Avenida Tulum and City Hall

In the heart of Cancun Downtown is the main, Avenida Tulum the most important avenue since in this the City Hall is located. Feature wide pedestrian paths on either side, and bicycle route, perfect for a stroll lined with several shops, small markets, groceries stores, bars, handcraft, footwear, souvenirs, money exchange, casinos, banks, and more. It is worth mentioning that along this avenue all truck routes pass to different parts of the city and to the hotel zone

Planetarium Cancun Ka´Yok´:

This great place brings people closer to science and technology, to the knowledge of the Universe, the preservation of the environment, the promotion of the archaeological sites and the main contributions of the Mayan civilization to humanity, in addition to the natural beauties of the State.

In the planetarium you will show a 360-degree virtual experience in a digital dome, you can choose between 6 documentary projections that have billboards and which vary per season. You will get to know the virtual reality room where you can visit Mars or the Chichen Itza castle or other places in Quintana Roo. An educational site for children and adults. They also have several museums and events daily at different times.

It is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm. Entrance fee is 125 pesos for adults and $ 100 for children. For more information and events visit their website:  Planetarium Cancun

Planetario Cancun Location

Football Stadium Atlante Cancun

If you love football and want to visit the Atlante Stadium, check the game calendar and if during your stay there is a game scheduled, go to a game. To get there you can take the bus from the R2 route from the hotel zone, it is approximately 1km from the WalMart stop and from there take a taxi to the stadium, or you are walking. You will be guided easily because if there is a football match, you will see the light of the stadium shine in the distance.  Calendar Atlante stadium

Beto Ávila Beisball Stadium Cancun is located next to the state of football of the Atlante team, is the official home of the Tigers of Quintana Roo, the season starts in spring and ends in mid-summer, so if you go for those dates in Cancun and you love baseball, check the calendar and jump to shout, Play Ball!

Plaza de Toros de Cancun (Bull Ring)

It is one of the representative buildings of Cancun city. It is an emblematic place, and it is even considered as an icon.  Plaza de Toros, offers bullfights, concerts, and event regularly attracts a diverse range of attendees from around the world.

This attraction is classified as stadiums or events center; however, it is more a meeting point for locals to go out at night. Outside and all around the Plaza has several good Mexican restaurants, bars, and cantinas.   The atmosphere is quite pleasant and festive, is well located and easy to reach from the hotel zone by bus.

If you come to Cancun downtown, this is a must, it’s a great option, mainly gastronomic. If you want to go to a concert or a bullfight, visit their calendar on their website:  Plaza de Toros and Plaza de Toros Location

Related Questions:

Is Cancun good vacation spot for families with Children?  Cancun is definitely an excellent vacation spot for families with kids all ages, there are endless activities to do, exploring all of the great things Cancun has to offer, nature, jungle, beach, underground rivers, cenotes, theme parks.    This is not about staying in a comfortable hotel all day, there are much more to do outside of the all-inclusive walls.

Where is the best shopping in Cancun? The best shopping in Cancun is in the various great malls that the city offer, the markets in downtown and the hotel zone, there so many right places for shopping. Definitely, there is great shopping.

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